Plot Summary

The Killer of Little Shepherds

Douglas Starr
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The Killer of Little Shepherds

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2010

Book Brief

Douglas Starr

The Killer of Little Shepherds

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

France • Late 1800s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglas Starr chronicles the late-nineteenth-century crimes of Joseph Vacher, a French serial murderer, and the efforts of Prosecutor Emile Fourquet and criminologist Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne to capture him, leading to the development of modern forensic science. The book includes graphic descriptions of violence and murder.

Mysterious

Dark

Informative

Unnerving

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

5,567 ratings

69%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Killer of Little Shepherds by Douglas Starr meticulously intertwines the birth of modern forensic science with a gripping true crime story. Critics praise its detailed research and narrative drive. Some find the pacing uneven, but most agree it's a compelling read that effectively balances scientific insight with historical context.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Killer of Little Shepherds?

Ideal for true crime enthusiasts and history buffs, readers of Douglas Starr's The Killer of Little Shepherds will appreciate its meticulous blend of forensic science and gripping narrative. Fans of Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City and Harold Schechter's Hell's Princess will find this book particularly compelling.

4.1

5,567 ratings

69%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

France • Late 1800s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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