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jobustitch's review against another edition
3.0
This is more of a 3.5 out of 5. I really enjoyed the case and the parallels to today’s media circus. It gave a great overview of yellow journalism and enough forensics to keep me well entertained. Plus, it was interesting to see how much the public's fear of poisoning hasn't changed. I can see my parents warnings about strange candy in this book. "You don't know where that's been." still rings true.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This is a really well told true crime book. I found the story interesting, even if a bit on the vague side about some of the unknown elements. The affect of the book was straight on target, and I really enjoyed the details and the way that the atmosphere of the era was carried through.
Other true crime books could learn from Schechter's storytelling skills and from his use of solid writing and contemporary language. It is a well done book about a crime that feels real and alive with detail.
Other true crime books could learn from Schechter's storytelling skills and from his use of solid writing and contemporary language. It is a well done book about a crime that feels real and alive with detail.
ccil541's review against another edition
4.0
While I wish we would have learnt more about the man at the centre of the story, the tale of the trial is a great look at the Gilded Age and the role of privilege in the law; some would say this is still an issue today. A very worthwhile read. Fascinating.
labtracks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a long one, but still quite good. Did he do it?? The world will never know I guess. After reading this I certainly have my own opinion. What a great story with love, hate, mailings, murder, lies, honor, acting that riveted many for years and pretty much guaranteed ruin for all involved.
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
The trial of Roland Molineux in 1899/1900 was really a precursor to the sensationalistic crime obsession that would only continue to grow throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. In his way, Molineux was the Paris Hilton of his generation, famous for his upbringing of privilege and the fact that he didn't do too much with it (although to be fair, at least he maybe killed someone...Paris not so much). The look into the criminal proceedings at the turn of the last century is encouraging and scary at the same time: encouraging for what has changed, and scary for what hasn't.
Schechter has clearly done his homework. His tone is familiar without being distracting; he never injects himself into the story, and he wisely saves his opinion of his subject's guilt or innocence until the notes portion.
Schechter has clearly done his homework. His tone is familiar without being distracting; he never injects himself into the story, and he wisely saves his opinion of his subject's guilt or innocence until the notes portion.