“We are a trading community, a commercial people. Murder is doubtless a very shocking offence, nevertheless as what is done is not to be undone, let us make our money out of it.” Punch.

 Murder in the 19th century was rare. But murder as sensation and entertainment began and became ubiquitous — transformed into novels, into broadsides and ballads, into theatre and melodrama and opera — even into puppet shows and performing dog-acts.

In this meticulously researched and compelling book, Judith Flanders — author of ‘The Victorian House’ — retells the gruesome stories of many different types of murder — both famous and obscure. From the crimes (and myths) of Sweeny Todd and Jack the Ripper, to the tragedies of the murdered Marr family in London’s East End, Burke and Hare and their bodysnatching business in Edinburgh, to Greenacre who transported his dismembered fiancee around town by omnibus. With an irresistible cast of swindlers, forgers, and poisoners, the mad, the bad and the dangerous to know, ‘The Invention of Murder’ is both a gripping tale of crime and punishment, and history at its most readable.

A Review by Keith Smith

This was a fascinating read. It is indeed really well researched, and there are lots of wonderful footnotes. I did learn a lot…how Dickens and other Victorian novelists drew on real murders for instance (and how many murders there are in Dickens!). And how a whole industry grew around visiting the sites of crimes (even whilst the bodies were still there!). I was continually astounded and enlightened, but I just thought it could have done with more analysis and context and better editing. But I am happy to thoroughly recommend it.