The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective, by Kate Summerscale

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


     It is rare to find a book that matches such mastery of research with fluid, vivid writing, and a truly captivating subject. The meticulous research and careful notes are so pleasing, and the story reads like an excellent cozy detective novel for at least half its length. As is common in such novels, there is a healthy peppering of alternately entertaining and startling (true) period anecdotes associated with the detective of interest, which in this case craft a richer, three-dimensional world of Victorian crime and detection methods. Summerscale also draws skillful, well-read parallels to sensational novels of the day, though at times I was annoyed by or had to skip over these references or excerpts, having not read the novel they were spoiling.
     There is a decline in the polished flow as the focus splinters away from the time of the crime and Mr. Whicher's titular suspicions, but that could be at least partly attributed to the actual events of the case. There was indeed an unsatisfactory lull in reality. The crime itself, as well as the personalities involved, easily propel a reader past any dips to the conclusion. The ultimate answer to "whodunnit," though not new, has shocking presentation one doesn't expect. Much more exciting than resolutions in most true crime books.
     But the vigor and vivacity of the Victorian world inhabited through the first half of the book is never really regained. There are a few small windows of striking detail in the aftermath stories, but most of the tail end (the last 40 pages) of the book is scanty details followed by the drudgery of which participant in the affairs died off when, and how. Again, I'm sure the dearth of details is due in part to simple lack of primary information, and what little there is, you do want to know. It may have been hard to paint much of a picture with so little information.
     I've read many, many books on true crime (not nearly reflected in my newish and somewhat lackadaisical Goodreads history), and I would classify this as near perfect. As much as I enjoy them, I don't think I would ever give five stars to a true crime book, because I reserve that for books that changed my life or shine in my memory forever. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher is definitely exceptional. Summerscale even provides a dated family tree, list of characters, and notes on monetary conversion for complete and easy reader understanding. You can feel the proper, thorough research oozing through the pages, to the point of complete immersion. A thoroughly satisfying exploration of the 1860 murder at Road Hill House, with an eye into the work of one of the earliest detectives.
     For those who enjoy this book, I highly recommend The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science, which is also excellently researched (though quite a bit more gory).



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