Reviews

The Killer of Little Shepherds: The Case of the French Ripper and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglas Starr

mborer23's review against another edition

4.0

Did you know that ballistics evidence was introduced in murder trials as early as 1888? Or that early forensic scientists lamented the unreality of Sherlock Holmes stories much the same way as today's forensic scientists complain about the "CSI effect"?

This gripping read tells the intertwined stories of Joseph Vacher, a French serial killer who preyed on women and young shepherds for several years, and Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne, a forensic science pioneer who testified at Vacher's trial.

Highly recommended for fans of early forensic science.

claireelisa's review against another edition

Too violent so didn’t renew from library. But it was fascinating 

geenyas's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting in that the author links this mostly-forgotten serial killer and his trial to the birth of modern forensic science and includes some history of the insanity plea. The first half of the book focuses on the crimes and apprehension of the killer; the second half covers on the trial and the plea as well as the fallout.

singalana's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

I was surprised by how interesting this book was and how much it read like a novel, even though it’s a real-life account!

The book opens up with a bang as we get to immediately glimpse Joseph Vacher’s personality and crimes, rather than starting from his childhood. The book is well structured, sticking to the point but bringing enough life into the story to make it interesting.

The book discussed the development of forensic sciences by examining the case of Joseph Vacher, a French serial killer who terrorised the French countryside in the late 1890s. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

loreopoly's review against another edition

4.0

Not the most exciting read but i learned a lot. i had no idea how much forensics was being used back in the late 1800's.

ricko's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative slow-paced

3.5

The starting point of criminology as they knew it in the late 1900’s
When criminal science was as primitive as believing unwed women were impregnated by the devil …

kaboomcju's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.25

ixris's review against another edition

dark informative sad fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Murder

bizzerg's review against another edition

dark informative tense medium-paced

5.0

trin's review against another edition

2.0

Reminded me too much of those articles that insist on presenting "both sides" when one side is 99.9% of scientists, and the other is one lunatic who was for some reason allowed to rant on FOX.

Why write extensively about Cesare Lombroso but never actually take him to task for being a eugenicist?

Why, in a section on witnesses lying, include Zola's quote "Women lie. They lie to everyone, to judges, to their lovers, to their chambermaids, even to themselves" at all? What business does that little bit of nastiness have in a chapter supposedly about forensic science?

There were many more lines of the "I'm sorry, what now?" variety, but I was too lazy to note them all. Just as I feel like Starr was lazy in applying high standards of intellectual rigor to his analysis.

Overall, this is a grim, unpleasant story, and I don't feel like I got anything out of reading it.