Story of a Murder

by Hallie Rubenhold
Story of a Murder cover
Good Books rating 4.42
True Crime
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Paperback • £10.99 Hardback • £20.99
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  • ID: 2748
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780593184615
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Published: 2025-03-25
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Story of a Murder,' Hallie Rubenhold delves into the 1910 disappearance of Belle Elmore, a vivacious music hall performer, and the subsequent manhunt for her husband, Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen. The book challenges the traditional narrative by giving voice to the women involved, including Ethel Le Neve, Crippen's typist and lover, and Charlotte, his first wife. Rubenhold's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life the eccentric cast of characters and the societal backdrop of Britain and America at the dawn of the modern era. This epic examination of a notorious crime offers a fresh perspective on the events, revealing the complexities and contradictions of the individuals involved. Rubenhold's narrative brims with twists and turns, providing an electrifying snapshot of the time and a nuanced understanding of the people caught in the web of this infamous murder.

Reviews
The New York Times · 2025-09-02
vivid 4.50

The book paints a vivid picture of a world dominated by patriarchal norms, highlighting the horrifying murder of Belle and the disturbing societal context.

The reviewer praises Rubenhold for painting a vivid picture of a society dominated by patriarchal norms. They find the murder of Belle particularly horrifying, but almost as disturbing is the societal context that allowed such events to occur. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to shed light on the lives of women who were often overlooked in historical accounts, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the era.

Quick quotes

    Rubenhold paints a vivid picture of a world dominated by patriarchal norms.

    The murder of Belle might be horrifying, but almost as disturbing is the societal context that allowed such events to occur.

    The book provides a more comprehensive understanding of the era by shedding light on the lives of women who were often overlooked in historical accounts.

The Week · 2025-04-24
thoughtful 4.75

This book is described as thoughtful, humane, and gripping, delivering belated justice for Belle.

The reviewer describes the book as thoughtful, humane, and gripping, highlighting Rubenhold's ability to deliver belated justice for Belle. They appreciate the book's nuanced approach to a historical crime, providing a more empathetic and comprehensive understanding of the events. The reviewer finds the book to be a significant contribution to the genre of true crime literature, offering a fresh perspective on a well-known case.

Quick quotes

    It's a thoughtful, humane and gripping book.

    Rubenhold has delivered belated justice for Belle.

    The book offers a fresh perspective on a well-known case.

The Guardian · 2025-04-01
compelling 4.00

This account shifts the focus to the women at the center of Dr. Crippen's notorious case, offering a fresh perspective on a sordid tale. The narrative is well-researched and provides a nuanced look at the lives of the women involved.

The reviewer highlights how this book shifts the narrative away from the infamous Dr. Crippen and onto the women who were central to the story. They appreciate the depth of research and the nuanced portrayal of the women's lives, which adds a new dimension to a well-known case. The reviewer finds the book compelling and well-written, offering a fresh perspective on a historical event that has often been told from a male-centric viewpoint.

Quick quotes

    This account of Dr Crippen's notorious Edwardian-era killing shifts the focus to the women at the centre of the sordid tale.

    The narrative is well-researched and provides a nuanced look at the lives of the women involved.

    The book offers a fresh perspective on a historical event that has often been told from a male-centric viewpoint.

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