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A review by jenn756
The Magnificent Spilsbury and the case of the Brides in the Bath by Jane Robins
5.0
When I was 14 I received the Geography Prize for my year, and for some unbenown reason I chose `Famous Murders' as my prize book. This included the infamous `Brides in the Bath' case, and I remember being transfixed and appalled in goulish fascination.
Well, I still am transfixed and appalled, but Jane Robins' very readable book puts the case in context at least. In describing the `Brides' she changes them from being merely victims to real people, vulnerable women desperate to marry in a society that demanded women should be wives. You can imagine how thrilled they would have been meet the man of their dreams, only to be disillusioned on their wedding day, or soon after. I suppose when you find a section of society so peculiarly vulnerable you'll find someone, like the monstrous George Smith, willing to exploit them.
Robins' brings to life the years around 1915 vividly, she's marvellous on background detail and its an easy read.
It was the first really big case for pioneering pathologist, Bernard Spilsbury. And although he made ground-breaking contributions in bringing science into the court-room he sounds like a bit of an arrogant monster himself.
Well, I still am transfixed and appalled, but Jane Robins' very readable book puts the case in context at least. In describing the `Brides' she changes them from being merely victims to real people, vulnerable women desperate to marry in a society that demanded women should be wives. You can imagine how thrilled they would have been meet the man of their dreams, only to be disillusioned on their wedding day, or soon after. I suppose when you find a section of society so peculiarly vulnerable you'll find someone, like the monstrous George Smith, willing to exploit them.
Robins' brings to life the years around 1915 vividly, she's marvellous on background detail and its an easy read.
It was the first really big case for pioneering pathologist, Bernard Spilsbury. And although he made ground-breaking contributions in bringing science into the court-room he sounds like a bit of an arrogant monster himself.