Story of a Murder

Story of a Murder is a feminist, page-turning reexamination of one of the twentieth century’s most infamous crimes. Hallie Rubenhold, prizewinning social historian, gives voice to the women surrounding the Crippen case and the era that shaped them. From Belle Elmore’s disappearance to the manhunt for Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen, the narrative moves beyond sensational headlines to reveal the social constraints, celebrity culture, and legal theatrics of Edwardian Britain and early modern America. The book intertwines meticulous research with compelling storytelling, offering a nuanced portrait of a society in transition and the individuals who were too often overshadowed by a notorious perpetrator. Readers are invited to consider how gender, class, and public perception influenced the pursuit of justice, and to reevaluate a case that has echoed through history. This is a gripping, humane history that brings fresh insight to a familiar tale and sheds new light on the people who lived through it.

• Feminist reexamination of a famous crime
• Focus on the women connected to the case
• Meticulous, accessible social history
• Edwardian and early modern transatlantic context
• Compelling, multi-layered storytelling
• Voices long unheard are given space