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johnbreeden's review
5.0
On the format:
I did this book as an audiobook. As such, there were many times I wanted to have the text for reference or follow up. This is a book better done as a physical copy.
The story:
I have long been a fan of English murder mysteries. So, picking up this book to listen to was kind of a no brainer for me. I enjoyed Ms. Worsley's style of writing and the details that are provided. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone with a deep interest in the genre. I am looking forward to doing more research and reading based on some of the references provided.
I did this book as an audiobook. As such, there were many times I wanted to have the text for reference or follow up. This is a book better done as a physical copy.
The story:
I have long been a fan of English murder mysteries. So, picking up this book to listen to was kind of a no brainer for me. I enjoyed Ms. Worsley's style of writing and the details that are provided. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone with a deep interest in the genre. I am looking forward to doing more research and reading based on some of the references provided.
dawnlizreads's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting review of how the British public's taste for murder has changed over this years - that tastes have changed as society has changed. In particular, that murder only really became a noteworthy crime when other crimes (such as stealing) stopped being a capital offense. In the days when you could find yourself on the gallows for a multitude of reasons, you probably didn't pay attention to the person who was there because they killed someone.
This is very much about our reaction to murder and how we want read about it rather than murder itself. So probably not a book for true crime aficionados who want to know more about how murderers were caught when they didn't have forensics (or even detectives...) But, still worth reading as Worsley provides some insight into British society.
This is very much about our reaction to murder and how we want read about it rather than murder itself. So probably not a book for true crime aficionados who want to know more about how murderers were caught when they didn't have forensics (or even detectives...) But, still worth reading as Worsley provides some insight into British society.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, light overview of the rise of crime and detective fiction and how murder cases became media sensations from Regency to interwar Britain. Lucy Worsley is a fun writer and I’d like to see the TV special developed at the same time as the book (the book does bounce around a bit because of this).
emmaggedon's review
5.0
Easy to read history of crime fiction in Worsley's distinctive style. It's fun and exponentially interesting and she makes sure you are aware of the links between the decades. I hugely enjoyed reading this; there's nothing like a cup of tea and the history of murder on a Sunday night.
carol8's review
4.0
4.5
"Now it's pretty obvious that the 'art' of murder-- its depiction in theatre, songs, stories, novels, or newspapers-- reflects society's darkest fears back at itself."
"The Great Game
The idea of detection as a game... would take its final form in the game Cluedo."
"The rival form to the detective story was the thriller, and by the late 1930s it had the brighter future ahead of it."
"Like Poirot, Christie... was an observer... Quietly scrutinizing the social scene of her family, friends and middle- class contemporaries, she purified it down to its essence and transformed it into words."
"Her work falls firmly into the grand British tradition of art inspired by crime."
"Now it's pretty obvious that the 'art' of murder-- its depiction in theatre, songs, stories, novels, or newspapers-- reflects society's darkest fears back at itself."
"The Great Game
The idea of detection as a game... would take its final form in the game Cluedo."
"The rival form to the detective story was the thriller, and by the late 1930s it had the brighter future ahead of it."
"Like Poirot, Christie... was an observer... Quietly scrutinizing the social scene of her family, friends and middle- class contemporaries, she purified it down to its essence and transformed it into words."
"Her work falls firmly into the grand British tradition of art inspired by crime."
italsma's review
4.0
I have had this book in my to-read pile (or, in this case, my to-listen queue) for ages and I'm so glad I finally fit it in! An unexpectedly entertaining look at why stories of murder are so captivating and the history of how this enjoyment became a cultural past time. As a frequenter of mystery thrillers, murder mysteries, and the like, it was wonderful (and a little terrifying) to put pleasure into context. Would love to see an addendum that covers more of the contemporary pop-culture proclivities in the genre.
Also, hoping to track down a physical copy of the book -- fingers crossed for a bibliography/references/recommendations for further reading since there were a lot of authors and titles mentioned that I would love to follow up with. Looking forward to finding more ways to read/listen/watch Worsley's works.
Also, hoping to track down a physical copy of the book -- fingers crossed for a bibliography/references/recommendations for further reading since there were a lot of authors and titles mentioned that I would love to follow up with. Looking forward to finding more ways to read/listen/watch Worsley's works.