Lizzie by Diane Fanning is as a retelling of a great trey crime story that I enjoy. I don’t feel like this book gave any new looks on the already manic story of Lizzie Borden however since I am a fan of the Lizzie Borden History I did enjoy this book and retelling

Lizzie by Diane Fanning is a gripping and meticulously researched exploration of one of America’s most infamous murder cases: the trial of Lizzie Borden. Fanning, known for her true crime expertise, delves into the chilling story of the Borden family and the brutal axe murders that shocked the nation in 1892. With a sharp eye for detail and a narrative style that balances factual rigor with compelling storytelling, Fanning brings this historical mystery to life in a way that is both haunting and thought-provoking.

The book focuses on Lizzie Borden, the enigmatic figure at the centre of the case, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother in their Fall River, Massachusetts home. Fanning paints a vivid portrait of Lizzie, examining her upbringing, her strained relationships within the Borden household, and the societal pressures that may have shaped her actions. The author does not shy away from the darker aspects of the case, including the gruesome details of the crime scene and the sensationalized media coverage that followed.

One of the strengths of Lizzie is Fanning’s ability to contextualize the events within the broader social and cultural landscape of the late 19th century. She explores the rigid gender norms of the time, the class tensions within Fall River, and the limitations of the legal system, all of which played a role in shaping the trial’s outcome. Fanning’s research is thorough, and she presents multiple perspectives on the case, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about Lizzie’s guilt or innocence.

The pacing of the book is deliberate, reflecting the methodical nature of the investigation and trial. While some readers may find the level of detail overwhelming at times, it ultimately serves to immerse the reader in the era and the complexities of the case. Fanning’s prose is clear and engaging, making even the most intricate legal and forensic details accessible to a general audience.

What sets Lizzie apart from other accounts of the Borden case is Fanning’s ability to humanize the individuals involved. She portrays Lizzie not as a caricature of evil but as a complex and deeply flawed individual, shaped by her circumstances and the expectations of her time. The book also sheds light on the lives of the other members of the Borden household, as well as the investigators, lawyers, and townspeople who were drawn into the case.

Lizzie is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Diane Fanning has crafted a narrative that is as informative as it is engrossing, offering a fresh perspective on a case that continues to fascinate and horrify more than a century later. Whether you’re familiar with the story of Lizzie Borden or encountering it for the first time, this book will leave you questioning the nature of justice, truth, and the human capacity for violence.

Enjoyment aside, Lizzie is more than just a true crime book; it is a multifaceted text that can enrich an English literature curriculum. By exploring themes of gender, narrative construction, and historical context, the book invites students to engage critically with both literature and history. Its blend of factual rigor and storytelling makes it an accessible yet thought-provoking resource for classroom discussions and assignments. Whether used as a standalone text or in conjunction with other works, Lizzie offers a unique opportunity to examine the ways in which stories—real and imagined—shape our understanding of the world.

A meticulously researched and compelling account of one of history’s most enduring mysteries, Lizzie is a true crime masterpiece that will keep you hooked until the very end.

As someone who grew up in Massachusetts, I was familiar with the infamous story of Lizzie Borden from an early age. However, Diane Fanning’s Lizzie offers a fresh and compelling perspective on this well-known case, and I truly appreciated the nuanced approach she took in retelling it.

Fanning dives deep into Lizzie’s life, offering insights and details that challenge the traditional narrative we’ve all heard. The book not only delves into the events surrounding the tragic deaths of Andrew and Abby Borden, but also explores Lizzie’s personal struggles and societal pressures. This made the story feel more complex and multifaceted than the typical portrayal we’ve been handed over the years.

The writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, and Fanning’s research shines through in the way she builds her narrative. Whether you’re familiar with the case or coming at it fresh, Lizzie gives you something new to think about. I found myself questioning assumptions I had previously taken for granted.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Lizzie Borden case, especially if you want to look at it from a different angle. Fanning’s perspective was a refreshing and insightful addition to a tale that has been told many times before.

Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the eARC!
First of all, I just want to say that the woman on the cover is giving Taylor Swift.
The story was pretty well written, if a bit overly detailed in places. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the author wasn't so obviously disgusted with Lizzie. She also gives Lizzie an extreme hatred of men and their power over women. So much so that by the end, I wasn't sure if Lizzie was supposed to be espousing the author's views or if the author found those views so abhorrent she had to make sure Lizzie spoke them AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
I would have also appreciated a run down (maybe at the end) of what parts were true and which parts were fabricated. Obviously, with some of it, I can tell, but I wasn't always sure what parts the author was filling in (how much of the hidey-hole information was true?)
Also, I think this book could have stood to have some of the repetition (of the trial, of Lizzie's thoughts, etc.) removed.
All that being said, if you are interested in the story of Lizzie Borden, I think this book is worth a read.

I was really looking forward to this book as I am a bit fan of true crime however I found the writing clunky and disjointed. I don't feel like this rewriting of history has added anything to the original story but I appreciate the author for trying, maybe further research was needed into the time this took place.

This is a fictional take on the Border Murders. I thought this was pretty interesting up until the 60% mark. The amount of time wasted on the repetitive arguments in jail served no purpose to the story. It would have been great if those were cleaned up a bit. The way the story is rewritten is to give more perspective on why Lizzie killed her parents and fill in anything that MIGHT have happened.

I absolutely LOVED when Lizzie started playing into the stereotype that men gave women back then to win her freedom.

The story would have been much better if less time was wasted on the jail scenes and more of what actually happened and cleaning everything up.

2.75 Rounded up.

Writing a book about a true crime that was never actually solved is a mountain to climb in itself. This holds true ten times for a crime that is so well known and glamorized or romanticized. This novel focuses on the relationship between Lizzie and her sister as well has her like during and after the trial. Showing Lizzie as a strong woman who wanted nothing more then her independence from a mans world.

Lizzie is portrayed to be a woman before her time. Not wanting to be held down by what was expected of her station and the fact that she was a woman. It shows how those attributes could have weighed on the public’s perception of her and swayed the opinions of the public at the time. A key line in the book that sums it up for me is, “society does not like a strong woman to win. Ever.”

I was intrigued with this before and throughout the trial but as the book went on focusing on Lizzie’s life after I did seem to loose interest at times. So I did struggle to continue in some places. Which is why I gave it the rating I have.

Rounding up to 3 ⭐
Whilst this fleshed out the story of Lizzie Borden and her axe a fair bit for me, it's not one I'm going to rave about.
It's an easy read, and it sets the scene nicely leading up to the trial and acquittal.
The later years didn't flow quite so well for me.

Some True Crime books are written so well that they’re like fiction. In the case of Lizzie, we have a fictionalized account that reads like a True Crime book. Sadly, that’s not a compliment. It has a stiffer tone than fiction should, which made it seem clear that the author wasn’t fully comfortable writing a book for the fiction section of the bookstore.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

I will not be sharing this review elsewhere because I don't want to hurt the author's sales. This book went beyond the realm of "historical fiction" and sailed straight into "disgusting and offensive." As an expert on the Borden family, I was horrified at the liberties taken, particularly with regard to the family finances and the state of Emma and Lizzie's inheritance. The reality of women's rights at that time, in addition to the religious politics of Fall River, meant that Lizzie and Emma would have been made homeless and penniless when their father died; they would not have been offered charity or employment because of their religion. To paint them as spoiled children - especially when they were grown women who had been subjected to financial abuse for many years - is reprehensible and degrades the suffering of every woman who was oppressed by such laws before the Women's Suffrage was successful, not just the one woman who was tried for murder.

Beyond how disturbing this was, the writing itself was poor and would have benefited with at least one more round of editing to watch out for repeated phrases, filler words, and clunky/unnecessary descriptions.

The mysterious story of the Borden family intrigues me just as much as Jack the Ripper so when I saw Lizzzie by Diane Fanning, I couldn't...wouldn't...resist. The author did a spectacular job incorporating fiction with facts. Her writing is lovely and details are very believable. I was mesmerized the entire time and did a further bit of research as a result. Though I'm nearly certain who the murderer was, there is still that niggling sliver of doubt. True crime stories of the era are endlessly fascinating to mull over!

In Massachusetts in 1892, Andrew Borden and his second wife Abby lived in a large home with his daughters, Emma, 43, and Lizzie, 32. He was wealthy but lived frugally. The girls did not like their step mother but had a close sister relationship. Their world changed when Andrew and Abby's butchered bodies were discovered and the only person at home at the time was Lizzie who said she was in their barn a few meters from the house. Lizzie was the main suspect for several reasons and stood trial but was acquitted. The author describes the atmosphere in the family home, the crimes, suspicious actions, the servant "Maggie" and Uncle John, the trial and life after, the sisters' huge new house, Lizzie's philanthropy and their deaths nine days apart.

If you are a true crime and historical fiction fan, this is unmissable! Well worth reading.