This was pretty interesting. I enjoy a good Victorian era book especially if there's a mystery. Angela did a really amazing job pulling my in as a read

I really enjoyed learning about this true crime telling - I found it interesting and engaging, that said it was a bit repetitive I felt in some spots and kind of drawn out a bit more than it needed to be.

Thank you for the early copy!

This became a notorioues murder because of the way the perpetrators first tries to get out of the country, spent time hiding in different parts of the UK and lastly accused each other of the dastardly deed. The couple of Maria and Frederick Manning were known to be of poor character by everyone they had dealings with. Frederick had no training and managed to make it through life on lies and tales of possible legacies or profit from business. Marie strikes everyone as a pretty woman who hoped to make her way in the world using her beauty to ensnare men to take care of her, even after she married.

The crime itself is pedestrian and didn't bring the couple a large remuniration. They trial and subsequent dual hanging was unusual even in the times it occured. My problem witht he book is that because there is so little factual information, Buckley spends an inordinate amount of time going over the same issues over and over just recalling them in a different way. Interesting for the historical values.

If you love true crime and love history, this is the perfect choice for you. The case itself makes for interesting reading, but the clever way in which the author presents the investigative approach and how this case changed police practices takes the book to the next level. Very well written with plenty of references to explore, this is a wonderful addition to anyone’s true crime library.