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The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher

or The Murder at Road Hill House
3.51 goodreads logo

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( 24,828 ratings, 2,464 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher, Kate Summerscale delves into a real-life Victorian murder mystery at Road Hill House, where the murder of a young boy, Saville Kent, shocks society. The story follows Inspector Jonathan Whicher as he unravels family secrets and societal tensions while trying to solve a case clouded by scandal and secrecy. The book beautifully combines detective work with historical context, painting a vivid picture of 19th-century England.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by true crime and Victorian-era mysteries. It delves into an intriguing historical murder case that captivated the public and laid the groundwork for modern detective work. The blend of meticulous research and compelling storytelling makes it a gripping read for fans of crime and history.

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The fascinating story of a famous Victorian murder case - and the notorious detective who solved it

Shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger and the Independent Booksellers' Book Prize For fans of Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins and Agatha ChristieRights on Whicher have been sold in Spain (Lumen), Germany (Berlin Verlag), France (Bourgois), Italy (Einaudi) and USA (Walker)

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
_______________ WINNER OF THE SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION
THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER
A RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK _______________

'A remarkable achievement' - Sunday Times

'A classic, to my mind, of the finest documentary writing' - John le Carré

'Absolutely riveting' - Sarah Waters, Guardian

_______________

On a summer’s morning in 1860, the Kent family awakes in their elegant Wiltshire home to a terrible discovery; their youngest son has been brutally murdered. When celebrated detective Jack Whicher is summoned from Scotland Yard, he faces the unenviable task of identifying the killer – when the grieving family are the suspects.

The original Victorian whodunnit, the murder and its investigation provoked national hysteria at the thought of what might be festering behind the locked doors of respectable homes – scheming servants, rebellious children, insanity, jealousy, loneliness and loathing.

_______________

'Nothing less than a masterpiece' - Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday

'Terrific' - Ian Rankin

'A triumph' - Observer

'Gripping, unputdownable' - Sunday Telegraph

'A terrific read in the Wilkie Collins tradition' - Susan Hill

'The best whodunnit of the year - and it's all true ... Agatha Christie, eat your heart out' - Sebastian Shakespeare, Tatler

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale is praised for its lucid and respectful writing, hailed as a classic in documentary writing. It provides a riveting analysis of a true British murder case from 1860, featuring one of the earliest Scotland Yard detectives. The book is regarded as a masterpiece and among the most satisfying reads in crime literature, offering a sparse, melancholy yet beautifully written account.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780747596486

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 January 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 304g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Kate Summerscale is the author of the number one bestselling The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction, the Galaxy British Book of the Year Award, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick and adapted into a major ITV drama. Her first book, the bestselling The Queen of Whale Cay, won a Somerset Maugham award and was shortlisted for the Whitbread biography award. Her third book, Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace, was a Sunday Times bestseller. Kate Summerscale was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2010. She lives in London. katesummerscale.com

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