BOOK BRIEF

The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

Judith Flanders
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The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2013

Book Brief

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Judith Flanders

The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

556

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Mystery & Crime Fiction
Period
Victorian Era
Setting

England • 19th century

Topic
World History

Grief & Death
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime explores how Victorian society was fascinated with crime and murder, significantly shaping modern crime fiction. Through vivid accounts, author Judith Flanders examines the era's media, literature, and legal responses, highlighting their enduring impact on crime and popular culture.

Informative

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

3.9

4,758 ratings

51%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime by Judith Flanders captivates with its detailed examination of Victorian obsession with crime. Reviews praise the meticulous research and vivid storytelling but note a sometimes dense narrative. Flanders effectively shows how Victorian culture shaped contemporary crime fiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime?

Readers intrigued by Victorian history, true crime, or the evolution of detective fiction will relish The Invention of Murder. Fans of Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City or Kate Summerscale’s The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher will appreciate Flanders’ blend of historical narrative and crime analysis.

3.9

4,758 ratings

51%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

556

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Mystery & Crime Fiction
Period
Victorian Era
Setting

England • 19th century

Topic
World History

Grief & Death
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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