I feel like there could have been more detail put into the crimes in this book instead of putting in so many crimes. The description caught my attention as historical crimes in London have always been rather interesting. The book was a little cumbersome to read though and while it had interesting parts I think it could have been better.

London is and always has been a fascinating city. It has had more than its share of criminal activity and this book gives the reader a taste of some of the more famous, or infamous, criminals who were brought to justice. There are no unsolved crimes so things like the Ripper are not included. The first part of the book goes into criminals who paid with their lives for their crimes. Of course, way back some of those crimes today might be misdemeanours. Times do change.

It then swivels a bit into the more modern crimes and we get to read about some of the thugs who ruled London. We also get some of the salacious crimes of the latter half of the 20th Century. It doesn’t go into the 21st Century but then, perhaps, that is yet another book. Easy to read, you could dip in and out or read in one go. Entertaining fluff that deserves four purrs and two paws up.

When I read the summary of the book, it intrigued me. However, the actual material let me down. The book is full of historical references, but little to grab your attention. It reads more of a dissertation about the city of London than a novel. I struggled to finish the book and felt disappointed with the book after finishing it. It may be enjoyable for some readers, but it turned out not to be my type of true crime book.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
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A look at the dark side of London's history by examining the crimes which have taken place there & also the types of justice which have been dispensed. From being boiled alive in a cauldron, 'dancing the Tyburn jig', to lengthy prison sentences, this looks at both sides of the criminal life in England's capital city.

Although some parts of this book were quite interesting, it didn't live up to my expectations. The blurb says it "chronicles London’s 1500-year history of crime" & yet the majority of the book I would say concentrates on the 16th century onwards. It was also a bit dry to read & I wonder if splitting it into timelines may have worked better than into types of crime, As it is, it's a little all over the place which didn't help this reader's concentration.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This is a relatively solid book but I feel that it could have been so much more. The tone is quite authoritarian (but not so much as to be off-putting for seasoned crime book veterans) but it can seem a little judgemental at times. The cases are relatively interesting too but there are two things that stood out for me as to where improvements could be made:

1) Defining exactly what constitutes a crime. Are we talking about law breaking or things that go against the moral fibre of the time? Ok I know that the full title does include the words ‘sexual scandal’, however I think focusing on real crimes would be much more interesting. For example, I don’t think we get much from reading about Edward VII’s affairs which have been widely publicised anyway.

2) Choosing fewer crimes & going into them in more detail. Each chapter contains several crimes. The ones that are gone into in most detail are the ones more widely known (e.g. The Great Train Robbery and the Krays). Some of the more interesting, less well-known ones have just a paragraph or two and so much more could be made of them. I almost feel like this could be a series of books called Crime Scene London where each chapter of this book is a book in itself. By just scratching on some of the stories, it feels like it never quite gets there.

I really think this could have been so much more than it was. I particularly found the ending to be a bit abrupt and I was a little disappointed after reading. If you’re looking at getting started in the history of crime, this could be a place to go, but I’m not sure if the tone might be a bit much for complete newbies. However, if you are a seasoned crime buff I’m not really sure that this is for you, due to the lack of depth. Definitely a 2.5 star book for me.

Thanks to the author, publishers & NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

This was such an interesting read to be able to learn more about the crime scene history of London and places I have explored or want to explore in the future.

I understand that london in the past, was a cesspool of filth and extreme poverty, which led to crime, but this book read like a textbook. Some interesting parts but the delivery kept me from wanting to pick it up.

While there were some interesting items spoken of in this book, on the whole it was a dull read. I know that London was a cesspool and that over the many years there was much debauchery so I thought this book would be both revealing and interesting. It read like a list of happenings and was so bogged down in the details that it was a tedious read.

It certainly was not what I was looking for sadly.

I’m a sucker for true crime and social history. Here’s the perfect combination in which Mike Hutton explores all aspects of crime in London over some 1500 years. It’s very readable, starting with a brief overview of the districts, which give the reader who’s unfamiliar with the city a feel for the different areas.
Crimes are considered over some twenty plus chapters and there’s a real taster for just about everything imaginable. Hangings, gang crime, gin palaces, drugs, vice, murder, homosexuality, gambling and politics. There’s an interesting selection of illustrations of people, places and significant events and a bibliography for further reading. Very easy to read, this gives an informed and vibrant insight into a city where, scratch the surface, and the glitzy veneer soon rubs away. Really enjoyed this.

A thoroughly enjoyable romp through the darker side of London’s history. As someone who loves to discover the unexpected, this book is backed with interesting information about places and people that you thought you knew…but maybe didn’t. For example, the author explains how Soho started out as a favourite hunting ground for Henry VIII. The name came from an old hunting call “Sophie the Hare is Found.”
The book is divided into sections, each dealing with a different aspect of low life in London. The first chapter gives us an insight into the growth of London, from a swampy area by a river, to the busy metropolis it is today. For example, we learn that in 12th century, there was an area of marshy land bordering the south bank of the Thames which became known for its lively inns and brothels. King Henry II gave the rights to the profits from these establishments to the Bishop of Winchester. And hence, London’s first red light district was established, with the prostitutes commonly known as Winchester Geese.
Another interesting titbit was that in the 12th century, the notorious area known as St Giles, started out as a hospital (named for St Giles the patron saint of cripples) which was established by Queen Matilda. And later, in the 17th century the neighbouring area, Seven Dials, was built. This started out as a desirable address for the prosperous, and only later became an area associated with grinding poverty and terrible deprivation.
But if medieval history isn’t your thing, never fear. The author sweeps across the centuries, including relatively recent scandals such as the Profumo affair and the Jeremy Thorpe scandal. There is something for anyone here that is interested in the history of London or indeed the foibles of human nature. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and devoured it over a few evenings.

This was such an interesting read, I have always been interested in true crime and London especially has always fascinated me ever since I heard of Jack the Ripper I have been obsessed. I loved that this book included some aspects of criminal activity and some criminals that I have never heard of, as well as some that I have. Well researched and very easy to read

Wow this is first time I've read this authors book and I'm now hooked
So well written and feel like really there at time crime happened
I'm from south London and even I didn't know .about many aspects of this book
Currently looking for my next book of Mike Hutton as I'm hooked

I found this book to be a riveting journey through the shadowy corners of London’s complex history, shedding light on the social conditions, figures, and events that have shaped the crime-ridden side of London’s past. It is very well researched, and each chapter is nicely sectioned for instance, hangings, prostitutes, highwaymen etc. The author brings to life not just the criminals, but the social and political forces that made them. His writing is engaging, accessible, and at times downright entertaining. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the sordid yet fascinating history of London, where crime and vice have left an indelible mark.