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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I knew very little about the infamous Dr Crippen before I read this book apart from the fact he was apprehended on his way to Canada and brought back to the UK to stand trial for the murder of his wife, Cora. Even though the book is billed as fictionalised history I found myself wondering where the fiction ended and the truth began.
The story consists of Crippen's version of events written when he was awaiting the outcome of his appeal and before his subsequent hanging. Interspersed with this fascinating story are transcriptions of newspaper cuttings, extracts from evidence given at his trial and conversations he may have had with his solicitor. The way the media sought to manipulate events helped to bring the story to life for me.
Crippen - instead of a cold blooded monster - comes over as a clever man dominated by the women in his life by means of his physical relationships with them. I did not find him particularly likeable though I could appreciate his ability to cope with material misfortune and his apparent regard for and appreciation of women. He comes over as both naive and knowledgeable by turns about human nature Was he like this? I don't know but to me his motivations made sense and I could understand how someone like this could have found himself in this situation.
I thought the relationship between Crippen and the investigating officer - Dew - was well done, as was Crippen's relationship with Ethel Le Neve. Did things really happen like this? It is up to the reader to decide but to my mind it is possible it happened like this. I found the book well written and interesting and the author certainly appears to have got inside the murderer's mind and produced a plausible explanation for Crippen's statement that he was innocent of the murder.
Even if you prefer 'true crime' give this a try - you will not be disappointed and neither will the crime fiction fan.
The story consists of Crippen's version of events written when he was awaiting the outcome of his appeal and before his subsequent hanging. Interspersed with this fascinating story are transcriptions of newspaper cuttings, extracts from evidence given at his trial and conversations he may have had with his solicitor. The way the media sought to manipulate events helped to bring the story to life for me.
Crippen - instead of a cold blooded monster - comes over as a clever man dominated by the women in his life by means of his physical relationships with them. I did not find him particularly likeable though I could appreciate his ability to cope with material misfortune and his apparent regard for and appreciation of women. He comes over as both naive and knowledgeable by turns about human nature Was he like this? I don't know but to me his motivations made sense and I could understand how someone like this could have found himself in this situation.
I thought the relationship between Crippen and the investigating officer - Dew - was well done, as was Crippen's relationship with Ethel Le Neve. Did things really happen like this? It is up to the reader to decide but to my mind it is possible it happened like this. I found the book well written and interesting and the author certainly appears to have got inside the murderer's mind and produced a plausible explanation for Crippen's statement that he was innocent of the murder.
Even if you prefer 'true crime' give this a try - you will not be disappointed and neither will the crime fiction fan.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like many people, I already knew the headlines of the Crippen story, but I loved reading this. Martin Edwards has presented an absorbing set of circumstances and web of relationships that set Crippen on his arguably sad yet seemingly predestined journey to the gallows. Graphic but not prurient, sympathetic but not sentimental, this book is a clever construction and an elegant result.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By E Spencer
Format:Paperback
I have to admit that my copy of Dancing For The Hangman sat on the shelf for quite a while after I received it as a present from a friend who knew I liked Martin Edwards other novels.It looked at me reproachfuly until curiosity overcame me.
As soon as I started reading it I could not put it down.If you already know the authors Liverpool and Lake District novels then you are in for a suprise (if you dont why not!?)
As expected from Martin Edwards, meticulous research helps the reader understand the facts of the case but it is the characterisation of Dr Hawley Crippen his wives and lover that make this book a fantastic read. Passion,intrigue,deception,vanity,greed,and of course murder!!What more can you ask for?
As soon as I started reading it I could not put it down.If you already know the authors Liverpool and Lake District novels then you are in for a suprise (if you dont why not!?)
As expected from Martin Edwards, meticulous research helps the reader understand the facts of the case but it is the characterisation of Dr Hawley Crippen his wives and lover that make this book a fantastic read. Passion,intrigue,deception,vanity,greed,and of course murder!!What more can you ask for?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dancing For The Hangman
I have to confess I wasn't that interested in the Crippen story until I read that Martin Edwards had tackled a new approach to the case.
And I am a convert. Read more
And I am a convert. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2009 by Mrs. J. L. Gallagher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fact and fiction blend in a splendid tale
A tour de force from the author we normally associate with murder mysteries (which are also very good). Read more
Published on 30 April 2009 by Georgina Faye
5.0 out of 5 stars
Martin Edwards mystery
When ordering this book I did not realise it was "fictionalised history" based on the notorious so-called Dr Crippen murders. Read more
Published on 14 April 2009 by Rev. J. Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dancing for The Hangman .
I bought this as a present for my Husband, he is still raving on about what an excellent read it was.
Published on 6 Feb 2009 by M. B. Devlin
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