Member Reviews

On an August 4-5th night in 1952, a British couple and their 10 year old daughter, John, Anne, and Elizabeth Drummond were murdered in a lay-by in Provence, France. John was a scientist and a British biochemist who was knighted for naming of vitamins and British diet nutrition under wartime rationing during Second World War. His murder had been known as the Dominici affair but there is much speculation over the identity of the murderer and the motive behind the crime. This was a very interesting book and I enjoyed reading about the murder. The author, Rene Weis, did a great job with research and explaining everything that happened. A local farmer had been arrested as the murderer. He is Gaston Dominici, 73 years old, and was convicted, sentenced to death by guillotine. President Rene Coty commuted the sentence to life imprisonment and in 1959 President Charles DeGaulle ordered Dominici released on humanitarian grounds. He was not pardoned and did not received another trial. If you like true crime books then you would love this book. You need to read this for yourself and see what you think. Was John Drummond on a spy mission or was he a victim of the farmer?

Was this review helpful?

I was not familiar with this case but what a fascinating one it is. The author does an amazing job of describing the two families whose fates become entwined through these terrible events. Clearly a thorough research job, the author has taken the job seriously and presents a clear and detailed overview of the case.

Was this review helpful?

I had never heard of this haunting horrific strange murder of a British family in France..A really horrible heat wrenching story.#netgalley#troubadour

Was this review helpful?

I knew nothing about these events until reading this book. How truly weird, scary, and heartbreaking for an entire family to be murdered on the side of the road! One of the worst things about the case is how there is no real closure, as people are still arguing about the crime.

Was this review helpful?

A murder in France of a British family. While horrid, of course, there isn't much to say. The perps seem to have been local French peasants. Why the one guy did it, or the few did it, seems to be your basic motive. Take a guess. Then there';s not much else to say.

Was this review helpful?

A well researched and interesting case of an infamous case known widely to the French and English. This was a new story for me and I found it to be very appealing as I love to read stories from times forgotten. It's such a tragedy, especially since a child was involved. The author did a very good job at presenting all the facts as well as background information on the people involved. Always a bonus for me is there are pictures. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?