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margaretann84's review against another edition
3.0
For such a short book, The Case of Madeleine Smith certainly felt much longer. The art takes some getting used to; it’s not quite as realistic as true Victorian art would be, but it’s drawn in the same sort of crosshatch, black-and-white style. Many of the characters end up looking the same, so it can be difficult telling them apart if you’re not paying attention. The flow of boxes makes sense, though, and it should be easy to follow for any struggling reader who chooses to use this book for an assignment.
To be honest, this book would most likely be appropriate for middle-school students, despite the fact that it’s about a murder. Students in ninth or tenth grade would probably appreciate it, as well. Where the problem lies, however, is the fact that Geary routinely quotes letters by Madeleine and Emile in his narrative.
Full review at A Writer Reads.
To be honest, this book would most likely be appropriate for middle-school students, despite the fact that it’s about a murder. Students in ninth or tenth grade would probably appreciate it, as well. Where the problem lies, however, is the fact that Geary routinely quotes letters by Madeleine and Emile in his narrative.
Full review at A Writer Reads.
quinnster's review against another edition
3.0
This review is for 4 of Rick Geary's Victorian Murder Books: The Borden Tragedy, The Case of Madeleine Smith, The Beast of Chicago, and The Saga of the Bloody Benders.
Dry, fact-based accounts of some of the more notorious murderers in history. They read almost like textbooks. There is no creative license taken in any of these. While interesting, some get downright boring. The Bloody Benders was spent going on a history lesson of Kansas and of the guesstimations of where the Benders might have relocated. Very little was spent on the family itself because it seems very little is known of the family, which begs the questions why include them in this series?
I found The Borden Tragedy most interesting because out of the four I read it had the markings of a true whodunit. By all accounts it would seem that Lizzie Borden was innocent. So who then, murdered her father and step-mother?
Madeleine Smith was also an intriguing because it seemed only she could be the culprit and if so she got away with murder to live a long and fulfilling life.
The Beast of Chicago was impressive mostly in how H. H. Holmes's trail of back and forth travels was kept straight!
If you're looking for no nonsense reads on murderers these are your books. If you're hoping for some entertaining read I might try elsewhere.
Dry, fact-based accounts of some of the more notorious murderers in history. They read almost like textbooks. There is no creative license taken in any of these. While interesting, some get downright boring. The Bloody Benders was spent going on a history lesson of Kansas and of the guesstimations of where the Benders might have relocated. Very little was spent on the family itself because it seems very little is known of the family, which begs the questions why include them in this series?
I found The Borden Tragedy most interesting because out of the four I read it had the markings of a true whodunit. By all accounts it would seem that Lizzie Borden was innocent. So who then, murdered her father and step-mother?
Madeleine Smith was also an intriguing because it seemed only she could be the culprit and if so she got away with murder to live a long and fulfilling life.
The Beast of Chicago was impressive mostly in how H. H. Holmes's trail of back and forth travels was kept straight!
If you're looking for no nonsense reads on murderers these are your books. If you're hoping for some entertaining read I might try elsewhere.
booksandbosox's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting little graphic novel about a Victorian murder case. I didn't like the illustration style. But it was interesting to read about a romance gone sour.
richard's review
Out of the Rick Geary true crime comics I have read so far, this is probably my favorite. He cuts up the narrative in an interesting way that builds tension even though the reader already knows the outcome. Plus the post trial bits about Madeleine Smith are fascinating.
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