Reviews

Blood & Ivy: The 1849 Murder That Scandalized Harvard by Paul Collins

duchessofreadin's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Did someone say murder?? This book will not disappoint! Get ready for something that feels like it could not have possibly happened - sensational murder, a prominent member of society - and a college embroiled in intrigue.

I could not put this one down! It was amazing, and I would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys true crime! Perfect for weekend reads!

artransvet's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Fascinating read about a murder at the Harvard Medical College. I really enjoyed this book that I accidentally stumbled across in the library.

annabolson's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny informative fast-paced

3.0

lkeipp's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Engaging writing, new facts I didn't know about the legal system, all around great hisory read.

tajwalsh's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative medium-paced

johnnygamble's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Not as good as the two books of his I have read previously. Was not a fan of how it was written - almost like a transcript of a television show. And was not sure 'why' it was written; it doesn't seem like it was that important of an event.

readerkat8's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark informative slow-paced

3.0

maggil's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Blew through this. Love a good old-timey murder book.

enidsorko's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This starts off very slowly, and I almost put it down after a couple of chapters, but then it picked up a bit- or maybe I just got used to the author's style of jumping around a bit and having odd ways to starting new sections. It provides a great glimpse into life in Harvard and Cambridge/Boston in the late 1840s- even little things like how the incoming class was selected each year were interesting to read about. This case was also the first time that teeth were used as forensic evidence in a murder case.

maritzasoto's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

*extreme Stefan voice* This book has everything! Murder, Harvard, Brahmins! All the people the streets of Cambridge are named after! It even has Phineas Gage!