The Haunting of Road Hill House

[dotinthesky]

Kate Summerscale, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, or the Murder at Road Hill House, 2008
The cover of this book promises only a murder mystery, yet the contents inside deliver much more: the reader gets an indepth reconstruction and study of various elements surrounding a notorious murder in Victorian England - the killing of a child that cast suspicion on all the people who lived at the murder scene (Road Hill House) and which became a national obsession (somewhat similar to all unsolved child murders/disappearances since then, like the abduction of Madeleine McCann for example.) Summerscale looks at the case using the techniques of classic murder mystery novels, including the use of red herrings and the arrival of a brilliant up-and-coming detective, Mr Whicher, which is ironic since the murder at Road Hill House inspired the birth of the genre. The role played by the period's newspapers is examined as well as new forensic scientific techniques, the changing of social mores and the effect the case had on all involved in the long run. If you love crime stories, you MUST read this book.

I hope Summerscale turns her attention next to Jack the Ripper because it's about time someone conclusively solved that puzzle!

Comments

[amberholic.livejournal.com]

Totally off topic but are you this week or the next at all? We need to catch up!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Definitely! Do you have anything in mind?

[amberholic.livejournal.com]

We could go for drinks somewhere... unless you want to come see Tori Amos with me tonight. I've got a free ticket you can use!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I can't tonight unfortunately, otherwise I'd love to! How about sometime next week?

[amberholic.livejournal.com]

Ok then, earlier in the week is better for me. Monday or Tuesday ok with you?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Tuesday sounds good! I've put it in my diary. Where and what time would you like to meet?

[amberholic.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. I get off work at 5pm so anytime after that. I can meet you wherever you like.

[sallypointzero.livejournal.com]

I WILL read it! (just as soon as i can get clear of all the non-fiction i'm wading thru atm)
I wonder if that is where Ms Jackson got the name for Hill House?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

You. Would. Love. It.

That's a good question about Ms Jackson... her novel is also about cruelty towards children, isn't it? And the ghosts left behind because of that cruelty...