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The Mysterious Mrs Hood
The Mysterious Mrs Hood: A Victorian Murder Mystery | Kim Donovan
1 post | 1 read | 2 to read
A true Victorian murder mystery... Great Yarmouth, September 1900: A young woman is found dead on the beach, a bootlace tied tightly around her neck. She is quickly traced to a lodging house and identified as Mrs Hood, a visitor to the town with her small child. But, despite her death attracting national attention in the press, nobody claims her. Detective Inspector Robert Lingwood of the Great Yarmouth police force is assigned to the case and declares he will not rest until the mystery of the young woman's death is solved. The curious case of Mrs Hood is decreed a 'Sherlock Holmes mystery' in the scandal-hungry, crime-obsessed press. Only once the case has been referred to Scotland Yard do the layers of mystery start to peel away... 'Mrs Hood' was in fact Mary Jane Bennett, and this is her story. Following clues, tracking red herrings and discovering leads delivers to the police, finally, the dead woman's true identity, and the evidence to close in on their one and only suspect. The scene was set for one of the most eagerly anticipated trials of the early twentieth century. With dramatic speeches by the defence, a surprise alibi at the last minute and newspapers interviewing witnesses before they had spoken in court, one could question whether the circus around the case sent an innocent man to his death. With an identical murder happening a few months later, do we know the whole truth? A fascinating historical true crime case, Mary Jane's great-great niece tells a tale of press scandal, fraud, arson and evil duplicity in Victorian England.
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Early one September morning in Great Yarmouth, England 1900, the body of a young woman is found on the beach. The bootlace around her neck & bloodstains on her clothing suggest that this is no suicide or accident - she has been murdered. Initially identified as Mrs Hood, from the name given to the landlady where she was staying, the evidence was followed over the subsequent weeks when it was discovered that she was actually Mrs Mary Jane Bennett.

OutsmartYourShelf A tempestuous relationship with her husband, Herbert Bennett, & a married life on the make had left them at odds, but now Herbert was infatuated with someone else meaning his wife was surplus to requirements. When he is identified as having been in Great Yarmouth on the evening in question, it isn't long before he is arrested & due to stand trial. Is he actually guilty though? 9mo
OutsmartYourShelf An intriguing & well researched look at a historical true crime case from the turn of the 20th century. The author has a familial link to the victim & takes us through the story from the very beginning of her great-great-aunt's life. I thought it was written in an easy to read style & it keeps the reader's attention throughout. Even the court scenes were riveting. 4🌟
9mo
OutsmartYourShelf My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, Orion Publishing Group/Seven Dials, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6267780261
Read 16th-21st Feb 2024

#ReadAway2024
@Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
9mo
DieAReader 🤓🥳Great! 9mo
Crazeedi Sounds good 9mo
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