Reviews
'In spite of the wealth of background detail, this book reads like the best murder mystery and is difficult to put down. It now has a satisfactory end, because after 150 years Sinclair McKay has found the identity of the real murderer, although he leaves the reader guessing until the very end. An excellent, true murder case which is well worth reading. I have no hesitation in recommending it.' - Breakaway Reviewers, 'McKay tells a compelling story, and skillfully weaves into it fascinating threads about Victorian London, with illuminating sketches on such diverse contemporary themes as immigration, the workhouses, the coming gaslight, the temperance movement, and the threat of terrorism. A fascinating book, by turns riveting and unsettling, and wonderfully rich in period detail.', "the East End of 150 years ago becomes almost tangible, and the grim story is compellingly told" - Roger Johnson, The Sherlock Holmes Journal, 'McKay is excellent at evoking the flavour - and regrettably the smells - of the area. He combines social history, extensive quotation from the inquest, trial and contemporary press reports, local knowledge, keen sleuthing and a pleasing flourish of conjecture. It's a winning combination', 'A real death that has all the hallmarks of a classic murder mystery: the locked room, the multitude of likely suspects, the dramatic discoveries. And more than 150 years later, McKay claims to have solved it.', 'McKay has penned a highly enjoyable, well-researched and skillfully written tale that will appeal to anyone who has enjoyed the likes of Kate Summerscale's bestselling The Suspicions of Mr Whicher .', 'McKay follows a case that gripped and baffled the nation: a genuine locked-room mystery.' - Britain Magazine, 'McKay has penned a highly enjoyable, well-researched and skillfully written tale that will appeal to anyone who has enjoyed the likes of Kate Summerscale's bestselling The Suspicions of Mr Whicher .' - Real Crime Magazine, 'A real death that has all the hallmarks of a classic murder mystery: the locked room, the multitude of likely suspects, the dramatic discoveries. And more than 150 years later, McKay claims to have solved it.' - History Revealed, 'McKay tells a compelling story, and skillfully weaves into it fascinating threads about Victorian London, with illuminating sketches on such diverse contemporary themes as immigration, the workhouses, the coming gaslight, the temperance movement, and the threat of terrorism. A fascinating book, by turns riveting and unsettling, and wonderfully rich in period detail.' - Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday, 'In spite of the wealth of background detail, this book reads like the best murder mystery and is difficult to put down. It now has a satisfactory end, because after 150 years Sinclair McKay has found the identity of the real murderer, although he leaves the reader guessing until the very end. An excellent, true murder case which is well worth reading. I have no hesitation in recommending it.'