Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.
This popular rhyme symbolises the pervasiveness of the fascination that the Lizzie Borden case still exerts over us, and this meticulously researched account tries to sort out fact from fiction and legend. I can’t imagine there’s much – if anything - left to discover, but somehow the truth still evades us. It’s such a strange yet compelling tale of murder within a family, and the author is to be congratulated on the depth of her research. Perhaps there’s a case to be made for not having every single bit of that research included in the narrative, however. I can see why the author should want to include it, and I expect this is the definitive account and the nearest we will ever get to truly understanding what actually happened, but I must admit to finding some of the book tedious on occasion. The court scenes certainly pall a bit after a while. Nevertheless, if you want to know absolutely everything about Lizzie Borden and her time (except perhaps did she actually do it) then this is the book for you.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

As someone who has always been fascinated by this story I found this book very interesting. This is not the story of Lizzie exactly but the trial itself and how exactly the trial went to find her innocent.

I learned a number of things that I did not know before reading this.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in knowing about this subject.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I have read a lot about this case and watched many documentaries about it as well, but this book surpassed them all. I loved the inclusion of pictures and diagrams that were placed perfectly in between sections. I love that there were even repeat pictures, so I didn't have to go back and find a picture or diagram again to understand where everyone was or where they claimed they were. I really truly go back and forth about if she did it or not. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more of the story and the trial and aftermath of Lizzie Borden.

Cara Robertson has studied the Lizzie Borden Trial for the past 20 years. She gives a day by day account of the Lizzie Borden trial including pictures and quotes from the people involved.

Andrew Borden and his wife Abby Borden were found murdered in their home in August 1892. There were only 2 other people in the home that day; their maid, Bridget Sullivan, and Mr Borden's youngest daughter, Lizzie. His eldest daughter was out of town that week. There were no witnesses.

I found this book very interesting. Some of the facts and changes in people's stories is amazing.

Thank You Netgalley, Goodreads, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book.
True Crime
Expected Release Date: March 12, 2019

I recieved the physical version and the digital of this book.
I found this very interesting. It gave a look inside one of the most talked about murders through history. I really enjoyed this book.

I've seen and read a lot about these murders and still managed to learn some new things in this book! Very detailed and well written as well.

It's obvious that Robertson has done her research, and it is much appreciated. I have purchased two copies of "The Trial of Lizzie Borden," and I expect it to be a big hit with my patrons.

A very in depth look in to one of the most notorious crimes in the US. Lizzie Borden, accused of killing her father and stepmother with an axe. This book takes a deep dive into the family life of the Bordens before getting into the trial itself.

Some of the trial portions read long and dry, but it still was a fascinating look at the criminal justice system of the time. For those fascinated by the case, this book really provides a window into the Borden household and the atmosphere of Fall River. I live about 45 minutes from there, and never thought about taking a trip to the infamous house. After readign this book, I defintiely want to go learn more.

I went into the book thinking about if Lizzie was guilty or innocent one way, and about halfway through, I realized I didn't know as much as I thought I did. Exceptionally researched.

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster andCara Robertson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a meticulously researched book about, as the title says, the trial of Lizzie Borden. We're all familiar with the gruesome murders of Lizzie's father and step-mother and the fascination over whether Lizzie is innocent (as the jury said) or guilty. This book will still leave you questioning her guilt. The story continues to fascinate; however, the book was a bit dry to read given its academic nature.

What I felt was equally fascinating was how women and journalism was in this time period (1893). Can you imagine the backlash if papers called women fat or ugly now? The descriptions of women from the journalists at that time always included comments on their weight and beauty or lack thereof. Much was almost made of the thoughts of the time that a woman having her period was a kind of madness - the woman was prone to violence, mental illness - that's some serious PMS!

Amazingly researched book - the last third is footnotes - and includes many pictures.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for my honest feedback.

3.75 stars

I love reading about Lizzie Borden, it's so fascinating. This is a great read!

The Trial of Lizzie Borden

This is a book that delves into the story of Lizzie Borden and the murders of her father Andrew and step-mother Abby. But it mostly focuses on the trial after the murders, once she’s been held and it’s been found that there is supposedly enough evidence against her to bind her over, and a grand jury has filed a true bill. This is a good retelling of the facts of the murders and Lizzie’s arrest and time in jail, especially the trial afterward. It’s very detailed and gives a good recounting of how life was back in those days. But overall, I found it a bit parched. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Cara Robertson, and the publisher for my fair review.

This is a book that delves into the story of Lizzie Borden and the murders of her father Andrew and step-mother Abby. But it mostly focuses on the trial after the murders, once she’s been held and it’s been found that there is supposedly enough evidence against her to bind her over, and a grand jury has filed a true bill. This is a good retelling of the facts of the murders and Lizzie’s arrest and time in jail, especially the trial afterward. It’s very detailed and gives a good recounting of how life was back in those days. But overall, I found it a bit parched.

This was alright. I liked the concept. I wish I could relate more to the characters. I would like to read more by this author.

Indulging in non-fiction books has always been a struggle for me. I often times find non-fiction dry or boring and it takes a long time for me to get through. After reading The Trial of Lizzie Borden, I can safely say that I would not categorize this book with some of the drab non-fiction I am used to. Cara Robertson's illustration of the murder, trial, and verdict in the infamous case of the Massachusetts Commonwealth vs. Lizzie Borden is a well written account of the events and aftermath surrounding the murders of Lizzie's father, Andrew Borden and her stepmother, Abby Borden. Robertson uses reputable primary sources to piece together Lizzie's story from beginning to end and make the reader feel as if they are actually in the courtroom witnessing the trial first hand. As a middle school history teacher, I felt that Robertson's depiction of the events in the Trial of Lizzie Borden would be a great secondary source for students to utilize for research, not only on this particular case, but in relation to how the legal system worked during this time period. Overall, The Trial of Lizzie Borden was a well written, interesting read, that anyone fascinated by history or the law would find enjoyable.

Cara Robertson decides to focus a majority of this Lizzie Borden story on the trial itself. Lizzie Borden is being tried for the murders of her father and stepmother, Andrew and Abby Borden. Trigger warning: graphic details are given of the vicious crime. First of all, Robertson draws such a clear picture of the atmosphere of the courtroom and the interactions between the prosecutor and defense council that you feel like you are experiencing all of it in real time. She utilizes passages from journalists who were present, primarily Elizabeth Jordan (New York World) and Joe Howard (Boston Globe).

Second, this trial gained such a following of intrigued spectators. They could not fathom that a woman could commit such a violent crime. The blows that killed Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother were numerous and excessive. Those in the courtroom could not reconcile the image of this hideous crime (the Andrew & Abby's skulls were literally on display) with the gentle image of Lizzie Borden. Also, she was criticized for her demeanor, which seemed unsuitable for a woman, because she didn't show emotion (cry) after the murders and very little in the courtroom. She was simply still and composed and that, to many spectators, meant guilty.

Last of all, Robertson did a fantastic job reliving both the case against Lizzie Borden and her defense. Since Lizzie Borden's testimony and the interviews from pharmacists, stating that she tried to buy prussic acid (a poison) just a few days prior to the murder of Andrew & Abby Borden, were not permissible in court, there was not much evidence that Lizzie Borden committed the murders. There were no witnesses and not much if any evidence that tied her to the murders. There was just suspicion and a whole lot of it.

Because I didn't know much about Lizzie Borden, the trial was a rollercoaster ride of emotions that all led up to a final climatic verdict. However, the story does not conclude with the verdict, so maybe that is the author's way of saying she too is unsettle by the conclusion. We may never know what truly happened the day that Andrew and Abby Borden were hacked to death, but there will always be theories. 

This is a well-written piece of true crime!

**I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book through NetGalley for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Robertson’s well researched nonfiction tale describes in detail the murder of Andrew Borden and his wife Abby, and the trial of Andrew’s youngest daughter, Lizzie, for those murders. Using details from the courtroom transcripts and from various newspaper accounts of the trial, Robertson illustrates nineteenth century courtroom drama and the prejudices and suppositions that played a role in nineteenth century culture and mores. For example, the slight idea that a woman of Lizzie’s stature could have committed this crime was a ridiculous notion to many of the spectators and lawyers and journalists. Robertson also tells this tale without much bias in the narrative – it is up to the readers to judge for themselves whether or not Lizzie committed the murders, based on the facts brought to the trial.

Anyone who wants to learn about the Borden murders should read this. While most of the book does not present new information to the avid reader of this crime, the combination of all of these facts into one book with such a detailed description of the daily movements during the trial are extremely helpful. The extensive bibliography at the end of the book also presents further reading opportunities and areas to explore others’ thoughts about the murders and Lizzie’s guilt/innocence. This is not a narrative nonfiction piece – it’s very academic and clinical in writing style. The first chapter contained some repetitious statements, which made me stumble a bit.

The ending of the book discusses Lizzie in context of pop culture from the late 1890s to contemporary times. This I found fascinating and wish more of these pieces would have been discussed – perhaps a future book idea?

I love learning everything I can about this case. I love that it's still such a mystery over a hundred years later. Even after reading this book, I'm not entirely convinced that Lizzie did it. I'm not entirely convinced she didn't either.
I love all the new things I leaned that I hadn't before. I never knew Emma eventually abandoned Lizzie and never spoke to her again or that the two died only 10 days apart!

Thorough and detailed, but if the intended audience is true crime aficionados, I think this would be judged a little dry.

Compilation of papers and evidence pertaining to Lizzie Borden. There is no opinion given. You are given the evidence, and it's for you to. decide, form your own conclusion. Makes for interesting reading.

Alas, where do I begin? Well, I can say that I didn't finish this book. In fact, I got past the halfway mark and found myself skimming so much I just skipped most of the final few chapters, read a bit toward the end, and called myself done.

As you may have noticed, I gave this book three stars. It was a rating I struggled with to be honest when I began this book I was so fascinated with the story and the writing that I thought few sure I'd finish it in no time and get it a glowing five-star review.

Sadly, things changed shortly after I began reading it but more I get started, here's my more thorough review. Rated ? out of five stars.

Neutrality. The hallmark of a good true crime book is for the author to be neutral. To state the facts in a clear unbiased matter and let the reader decide the verdict for itself. This author did just that, stating the facts clearly in a 'take it or leave it' fashion. 5 stars

Pace. Pace is also important for true crime as in real life these stories wain on for months or even years. This book's pace is uneven. It started off in a quick flowing pace than all of a sudden seemed to grind to a halt. 2.5 stars.

Vocabulary. Take note this book is clearly from another time in history and the language differed. Also, there is a lot of quotes in the writings of this book. I will not count quotes as I rank the vocabulary. The words are a bit challenging, a lot I didn't understand and couldn't make sense of even in context. 3 stars

Facts. Facts are highly important to a true crime book as in the true crime case itself. The problem with this book is not that it lacked facts. On the contrary. This book had TOO MANY facts. So many facts I believe if the author left a bit out, especially as many HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STORY AT HAND, she could have saved at least twenty pages. At least. 1.5 stars

Citing. In writing any nonfiction book, citing your facts and references is crucial. Maybe because I was a high school honor English student, lol. This author did I wonderful job citing all her sources form the photos, quote, newspapers, etc. I'm not giving her five stars because the word {sic} appeared a lot in text and while I believe it was related to citing as it appeared in quotes she never explained. 4 stars

In addition to these ratings, I would like to add if you are a person of Irish heritage, like I myself am, you might want to skip this book. The author did little to avoid the harsh racial stereotypes of the day. Going so far as to mention the fact Lizzie Borden was a lady and Bridget Sullivan, the domestic help, was not.

I'd also like to state this is the most uncomfortable book I've read to date. Not because of the gory details or crime scene photos but, because of all the mentions and descriptions of women. Journalist Joe Howard, who the author mentions frequently during Part 2, had a lot of colorful things to say about the females to attended the court to view the trial. Suitable for the day? Sure. For this day? Nope. I'll leave it at that.

Another thing I would like to say is the author added more things that needed. She outlined the journalists, the lawyers, the doctor, the judges, and a list of other people in boringly minute detail. Again, if she had left some more unimportant things out, she could have saved at least twenty pages.

Those two discomforts and opinions aside, I did find this book enjoyable. It changed the way I viewed this case entirely. I will admit that I didn't know much of this case before I read this book. After reading it I view the case in a whole new light. And I do like the facts he shed light on how Lizzie Borden lived her life after the trial. I can say this book and all the facts it contained changed my opinion of Lizzie Borden and the trial. I also believe that is Lizzie Borden was tried in a courtroom today, the verdict would have been different.

Ultimately, I would recommend this book to a hardcore reader or a lover of true crime. But not without the warning it reads like a tome.

I would also re-visit this book again if I had the chance. But I will probably skip over paragraphs again.

However, I am still unsure if I'd ever buy this book or myself. Perhaps, but only if I found it on sale.

This was somewhat of a slow read for me and I’m a lawyer who is well-versed in litigation so I can see how others may have found it dry and overly factual. I really appreciate those facts, though. The minutia of the trial is so interesting to me as a lawyer but also as a history buff and avid reader. I absolutely loved how the story is told through trial transcripts, newspaper articles, and first person accounts, including Lizzie's own recently-discovered writings. Somehow the book raised more questions for me than provided answers, which is a testament to the fact that the truth is most likely lost to history. Those that know what happened that day probably took the truth to their graves and all we can do is speculate based on the records left to the ages. Cara Robertson did a phenomenal job of researching and compiling sources to tell this story in such a way that I felt as if I was right there in the courtroom throughout most of the book. Superbly well done!