elceew's review against another edition
3.0
I don't even think I'll be able to finish this book. I love true crime novels but this one just won't end. Normally, that would be a good thing in an interesting book but I find myself bored with the writing and the excessive details. More than once I have thought to myself, "I should just go google the end of the trial so I don't have to read this book anymore..." I haven't completely given up yet but up until this point (about 60% through), it's not looking good.
klnbennett's review against another edition
3.0
Comprehensive and well-researched. This story was perfectly readable, but I found it lost quite a bit of intrigue early on. Pretty much as soon as the murders were committed the suspense seemed to dissipate completely.
rachelgertrude's review against another edition
4.0
Not only a very interesting story, but told in a quite engaging way. Despite the fact that this is a pretty long book, it was a page-turner for me! I will definitely seek out this author again because the pacing, storytelling and writing were so appealing.
jakobmarleymommy's review
4.0
***WARNING*** This review contains MANY SPOILERS!
I hesitate to call a book about murder by poison enjoyable, but this book really was. It read like a novel, and had so many twists that I really wasn't quite sure where we were going to end up.
There weren't a lot of likable personalities in this book, which one would expect, being a book about murder. The General was very likable, if a bit naive in his unfailing trust of his son. For me, the most unlikeable personality was Roland's wife, Blanche. She was clearly manipulative, insincere, untruthful, melodramatic, and looking out only for herself. While the same could easily be said of Roland, he also had documented mental illness, while not excusing his actions, at least provide an explanation.
Was Roland guilty? I believe that based on the evidence provided by the author, that yes, he was very clearly guilty. I concur with the author's opinion that it was really the General who was found not guilty at Roland's second trial. The jury just didn't have the heart to convict a man who had been so admirably and unquestionably supported by his Civil War hero father.
One of the things I enjoy reading about in crimes of this era is the battle between the NYC newspapers, and this book did not disappoint. If we think our modern media is obtrusive and biased, we should really take a look back at the war between Pulitzer and Hearst. They went to absolutely insane lengths to sell their papers, truth be damned.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in true crime, the gilded age, and the battle of the titan NYC newspapers.
I hesitate to call a book about murder by poison enjoyable, but this book really was. It read like a novel, and had so many twists that I really wasn't quite sure where we were going to end up.
There weren't a lot of likable personalities in this book, which one would expect, being a book about murder. The General was very likable, if a bit naive in his unfailing trust of his son. For me, the most unlikeable personality was Roland's wife, Blanche. She was clearly manipulative, insincere, untruthful, melodramatic, and looking out only for herself. While the same could easily be said of Roland, he also had documented mental illness, while not excusing his actions, at least provide an explanation.
Was Roland guilty? I believe that based on the evidence provided by the author, that yes, he was very clearly guilty. I concur with the author's opinion that it was really the General who was found not guilty at Roland's second trial. The jury just didn't have the heart to convict a man who had been so admirably and unquestionably supported by his Civil War hero father.
One of the things I enjoy reading about in crimes of this era is the battle between the NYC newspapers, and this book did not disappoint. If we think our modern media is obtrusive and biased, we should really take a look back at the war between Pulitzer and Hearst. They went to absolutely insane lengths to sell their papers, truth be damned.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in true crime, the gilded age, and the battle of the titan NYC newspapers.
bev_reads_mysteries's review
3.0
Better pacing would have helped this book immensely. But overall--very interesting and a good look at one of the early crime sensations of the 20th Century. Well-researched.
franfernandezarce's review against another edition
4.0
i'm very glad i did not succumb to my usual bad habits and google this case before finishing the book.
this book was quite entertaining. or as entertaining as a murder story could be. perhaps engaging would be a more suitable term--specially if you do not know what happens at the end with the main suspect.
disclosure, it did feel a bit heavy-handed with all the details. i keep thinking it could have been shorter yet i can't pinpoint where exactly i would have edited out some information. even more so, the mere sight of 89 chapters might scare some people. it certainly felt daunting for me at the beginning. however, the chapters are quite brief and there is such a large cast of people involved in this story that something was constantly happening.
there is a reason why harold schechter is considered a significant voice in the true-crime world. i will be picking up another of his books in the future.
this book was quite entertaining. or as entertaining as a murder story could be. perhaps engaging would be a more suitable term--specially if you do not know what happens at the end with the main suspect.
disclosure, it did feel a bit heavy-handed with all the details. i keep thinking it could have been shorter yet i can't pinpoint where exactly i would have edited out some information. even more so, the mere sight of 89 chapters might scare some people. it certainly felt daunting for me at the beginning. however, the chapters are quite brief and there is such a large cast of people involved in this story that something was constantly happening.
there is a reason why harold schechter is considered a significant voice in the true-crime world. i will be picking up another of his books in the future.
sarah1984's review
4.0
I found this true story of the first New York trial of the 20th century fascinating. I especially liked all the footnotes Schecter used to give further detail of a fact that he used in the story. I look forward to reading his other true crime stories.
librarianonparade's review against another edition
4.0
This is quite a lengthy book, which is eminently appropriate since the case related within at the time set a record for the longest trial in American history. From the date of the murders which set things in motion to the final result, it dragged on for over four years, through a coroner's hearing, an incredibly long and expensive trial, appeals, another trial. It makes the book somewhat hard-going, as the endless legal wrangling is somewhat tedious, but since it's in keeping with the events related within it doesn't spoil the book.
Taking place in the final years of the nineteenth century, this is a fascinating look at the privileged life of the wealthy in Gilded Age New York, although not the top 400 of the Astors and Vanderbilts. Roland Molineux was a wealthy son of a revered Civil War general, a renowned athlete and member of an exclusive athletics club - and after the death of one member and the attempted poisoning of the club director, suspicious fell on Roland as the poisoner.
The final result of the case is somewhat murky - I won't say more for fear of spoiling the read - but reading this book you're left in little doubt as to where the author believes the guilt lies. I'm inclined to agree with him, although of course how much he intends his audience to think that way, given the way the evidence is presented, is a matter for speculation. Either way, it makes for an engrossing read.
Taking place in the final years of the nineteenth century, this is a fascinating look at the privileged life of the wealthy in Gilded Age New York, although not the top 400 of the Astors and Vanderbilts. Roland Molineux was a wealthy son of a revered Civil War general, a renowned athlete and member of an exclusive athletics club - and after the death of one member and the attempted poisoning of the club director, suspicious fell on Roland as the poisoner.
The final result of the case is somewhat murky - I won't say more for fear of spoiling the read - but reading this book you're left in little doubt as to where the author believes the guilt lies. I'm inclined to agree with him, although of course how much he intends his audience to think that way, given the way the evidence is presented, is a matter for speculation. Either way, it makes for an engrossing read.