This book was different from what I am used to reading. It's a true crime story (actually there were 2 crimes) that took place in New Haven, CT in the 1800's. Both crimes were murders of young women, presumably by men they knew.

The most amazing thing about this book was finding out how very primitive the judicial system and procedures were at that time. Inquest jurors were expected to gather evidence and witness accounts on their own time and at their own expense. Tests that would have been helpful were not yet developed - or were just being understood by experts but not the public. Bribery was rampant. Attitudes of class hung heavy over victims who were poor. Evidence and testimonies were so muddled much of it became useless and severely crippled justice in both cases.

Autopsies were conducted in the backyard, living room, barn, whatever was convenient. Bodies were exhumed several times to get more information. Tests on organs took time that delayed trials or the judge would give orders to proceed without the results. It was all so crude compared to what is available today.

These were Victorian times. Gender roles heavily influenced the proceedings. Newspaper reporters of all persuasions published what they heard and saw at the trials with subjective slants. In Connecticut at this time there were no recorders during the trials. Witnesses kept changing their stories and there was nothing to refer back to what they had said previously.

All in all, this was interesting to a degree - and in a subject I generally don't know much about. The author did a good job gathering material and her writing was clear and readable. Of course her conclusions were her own.. very plausible... but too late to pursue or prove. ( )