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The Mile End Murder
The Mile End Murder: The Case Conan Doyle Couldn't Solve | Sinclair McKay
4 posts | 3 read | 9 to read
On Thursday 17 August, 1860, wealthy widow Mary Emsley was found dead in her own home,killed by a blow to the back of her head.What followed was a murder case that gripped the nation. A veritable locked room mystery, there were an abundance of suspects,from disgruntled step children concerned about their inheritance and a spurned admirer repeatedly rejected by the widow, to a trusted employee, former police officer and spy,until he was sent to prison for robbery. During the police investigation there were several twists and dramatic discoveries, as suspects sought to incriminate each other and fresh evidence was discovered at the last minute. Eventually, it led to a public trial dominated by surprise revelations and shock witnesses, before culminating with one of the final public executions at Newgate. Years later the case caught the attention of Arthur Conan Doyle, who was convinced that an innocent man had been convicted and executed for the crime. But Conan Doyle was never able to find the real murder. Now, bestselling author Sinclair McKay has solved the case and will reveal it exclusively in The Mile End Murder
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review
Reviewsbylola
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Pickpick

This is a fascinating case for lovers of true crime and Victorian London. McKay does an excellent job of painting a backdrop of a sinister, crime ridden city. I especially loved the ending, with the description of the raucous crowds at the gallows. What a time to be alive!

I‘d love to hear the opinions of others who have read this, and whether you agree with the author‘s conclusions. #netgalley

emilyhaldi Lol. You were born in the wrong time and place. 6y
BarbaraBB Sounds good! 6y
Mdargusch Stacking! 6y
113 likes7 stack adds3 comments
review
Moray_Reads
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Mehso-so

Arthur Conan Doyle's name is really just a hook, his role is very slight. Nevertheless this is an atmospheric and detailed look at a brutal Victorian crime, a society in flux and a legal system in need of reform. McKay rightly casts significant doubt on the unconvincing verdict but thr case against his own suspect is laughably thin. If this is "the case ACD couldn't solve" it's clear McKay couldn't either! Interesting but uneven.

Reviewsbylola I completely agree! 6y
Reviewsbylola I‘m not convinced that the man convicted is innocent—there definitely didn‘t seem to be enough evidence to convict him. On the other hand, I felt the author‘s suspect was a reach. I didn‘t really understand why he was so convinced he had the right guy. It would have made more sense to me if he had said this is one way it could have happened. 6y
Moray_Reads @Reviewsbylola it's been long enough that I don't remember much about it but the Conan Doyle hook is such a cynical device when it comes in so much. It's almost like by calling it "the case that Conan Doyle couldn't solve" he HAD to solve it himself, even when he clearly couldn't 6y
Reviewsbylola That‘s a very good point! 6y
48 likes4 comments
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Moray_Reads
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Oh dear, Mr McKay. It's NICODEMUS Boffin who is "newly enriched" and John HARMON whose death allows him to inherit the wealth. Go back and read Our Mutual Friend again. A shocking lapse, right @KVanRead? ?

UrsulaMonarch I have no knowledge in this area but I am very impressed! 😄 7y
Moray_Reads @UrsulaMonarch it's my favourite Dickens even though it's less well known 😉 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Ouch!! Good catch! 7y
40 likes4 comments
blurb
Agentfalco
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Ooh just spotted this in WH Smith looks good. 'Enjoy' an historical true crime story like Mr Briggs' Hat and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. #SherlockHolmes #truecrime

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Check put my post from today if you're interested, because I added a link back to an older post with all my Litsy Tips. 7y
Agentfalco @RaimeyGallant Thank you 😊 I'll check it out. 7y
10 likes2 comments