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DI Ted Stratton #3
A Capital Crime
It is winter, 1950 in a dingy part of London. John Davies confesses to strangling his wife and baby daughter, and for DI Ted Stratton of West End Central, it promises to be a straightforward case. When Davies recants, blaming respectable neighbour Norman Backhouse for the crimes, nobody, including Stratton, sees any reason to believe him. Davies is convicted and hanged, but later, after a series of gruesome discoveries, Stratton begins to suspect that there has been a terrible miscarriage of justice. Her marriage in tatters, ex-MI5 agent Diana Calthrop is determined to start a new life, but, despite a promising beginning, she soon finds herself in trouble both financially and emotionally. And with a seemingly unstoppable killer of women on the loose, she is very vulnerable indeed. A Capital Crime is a story of guilt, longing, uncertainty, and grotesque horror.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
16 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Laura Wilson
158 books77 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Laura Wilson is an English crime-writer based in London, where she was born and raised. She has degrees in English Literature form Somerville College, Oxford, and University College London, and has worked as a teacher and editor of non-fiction.
Many of her novels have either a historical setting or a distinct historical connection, and often have split or dual narratives. Her first novel, A Little Death was shortlsited for a CWA Dagger award, and her fifth, The Lover was short listed for both the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
Laura Wilson is an English crime-writer based in London, where she was born and raised. She has degrees in English Literature form Somerville College, Oxford, and University College London, and has worked as a teacher and editor of non-fiction.
Many of her novels have either a historical setting or a distinct historical connection, and often have split or dual narratives. Her first novel, A Little Death was shortlsited for a CWA Dagger award, and her fifth, The Lover was short listed for both the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 1, 2023
Based on the infamous Christie serial killer case of the happenings at 10 Rillington Place, London, ‘A Capital Crime’ follows Detective Inspector Ted Stratton.
His job is to wrap up the seemingly open-and-shut case of a young man, John Davies, ( an habitual liar) who claims to have killed his wife and baby daughter. The confessor’s apparent guilt is confirmed by the testimony of his middle-aged neighbour, Norman Backhouse, a retired special constable eager to assist the police in their investigation. Davies’s conviction and execution follow swiftly, despite Stratton’s misgivings. However, the discovery of human remains at the same address two years later reawakens the Inspector’s fear of a miscarriage of justice.
Anyone familiar with the social history of this bleak period will recognise the thinly veiled stories of Timothy Evans and John Christie. Taking a notorious true-life case for fictional purposes brings both benefits and problems – it adds genuine horror but denies the reader the element of whodunnit. To compensate, the author winds up the suspense by allowing the serial killer to remain at large, a potential threat to the women Stratton loves. Enjoyed it and would be happy to read the next in the series.
His job is to wrap up the seemingly open-and-shut case of a young man, John Davies, ( an habitual liar) who claims to have killed his wife and baby daughter. The confessor’s apparent guilt is confirmed by the testimony of his middle-aged neighbour, Norman Backhouse, a retired special constable eager to assist the police in their investigation. Davies’s conviction and execution follow swiftly, despite Stratton’s misgivings. However, the discovery of human remains at the same address two years later reawakens the Inspector’s fear of a miscarriage of justice.
Anyone familiar with the social history of this bleak period will recognise the thinly veiled stories of Timothy Evans and John Christie. Taking a notorious true-life case for fictional purposes brings both benefits and problems – it adds genuine horror but denies the reader the element of whodunnit. To compensate, the author winds up the suspense by allowing the serial killer to remain at large, a potential threat to the women Stratton loves. Enjoyed it and would be happy to read the next in the series.
October 4, 2020
The third book of the DI Ted Stratton series fictionalises the events at 10 Rillington Place, where two sets of murders occurred in the early 1950s sending two men to the hangman. The first murderer was convicted in part on the evidence of the second one, casting significant doubt on the initial investigation, trial and guilty verdict. The cases subsequently led to two inquiries, though their findings were inconclusive, and influenced the decision to end capital punishment. In Wilson’s telling DI Stratton is the lead officer in both cases. He has misgivings while investigating the death of a young woman and 14 month old child. John Davies is a simpleton with a temper who continually tells lies. Some of the evidence doesn’t quite add up, but most points to Davies, who has also confessed. And everyone involved in the case, including Stratton, think him guilty. When a couple of years later, six more bodies are discovered in the house and garden, Stratton wonders if he’d made a terrible mistake, despite the evidence and confession. Along with the investigation, Wilson spins two other threads through the story, both of which are hooked around women’s sexuality and position in society. The first follows Monica Stratton as she enters the workplace and starts to question her sexual identity. The second focuses on Diana Calthrop, a woman Stratton holds a flame for, and her fall from grace as she divorces her first husband and quickly enters another doomed marriage. In part, these are included to provide a thread through the series, but they do add to rather than detract from the story arc. The result is a very nicely plotted tale that is very strong on exploring the psychological side of investigating emotive cases with criminals who constantly lie and charting character development, in particular, Stratton, Monica and Diana’s lives. The pacing, atmosphere and sense of place and time adds to the telling. Overall, the strongest book in the series, in my view.
December 24, 2011
Laura Wilson is a crime writer that uses her considerable skills to convey the period of the 1950s through the eyes of ordinary people.
This particular story is a reworking of the infamous Christie serial killer case of the happenings at 10 Rillington Place, London. Timothy Evans admitted he was the murder of his baby daughter and was hanged in 1950. But subsequently other bodies were discovered in the garden and John Christie (also living at the same house) was convicted as a serial murder. It was one of the key episodes in the shift away from the death sentence, and has been written out and reflected on by many a commentator on the legal system. Wilson's story is investigated by her detective, Ted Stratton, and what she achieves is both an insight into the original investigation and a portrait of the minds of Evans and Christie.
She uses a good deal of background of the misfortunes of the Stratton household to underpin the horrors of the main story; reflecting on the social mores and isolation of the period, and beginning a satisfying resolution to the story.
One cannot tell what a Laura Wilson book will be like for she is a clever, compelling writer that likes to try something different. She deserves to be better known.
This particular story is a reworking of the infamous Christie serial killer case of the happenings at 10 Rillington Place, London. Timothy Evans admitted he was the murder of his baby daughter and was hanged in 1950. But subsequently other bodies were discovered in the garden and John Christie (also living at the same house) was convicted as a serial murder. It was one of the key episodes in the shift away from the death sentence, and has been written out and reflected on by many a commentator on the legal system. Wilson's story is investigated by her detective, Ted Stratton, and what she achieves is both an insight into the original investigation and a portrait of the minds of Evans and Christie.
She uses a good deal of background of the misfortunes of the Stratton household to underpin the horrors of the main story; reflecting on the social mores and isolation of the period, and beginning a satisfying resolution to the story.
One cannot tell what a Laura Wilson book will be like for she is a clever, compelling writer that likes to try something different. She deserves to be better known.
December 1, 2010
My first introduction to Laura Wilson, “A Capital Crime” is one of the most intriguing books I’ve had the pleasure to read this year. Set in the early 1950’s and based on the notoriously tragic true story of Timothy John Evans and John Reginald Halliday Christie, Wilson blends fact and fiction with consummate ease producing a rather beguiling novel.
Timothy John Davies, a semi-literate van driver, walks in to the Merthyr Tydfil police station (in Wales) and admits to murdering his wife and 14 month old daughter.
On receipt of a telegram from the local constabulary and still smarting from the loss of his pregnant wife Jenny, Detective Inspector Ted Stratton is called in to investigate the murder of the young woman and baby in Notting Hill, London – the last thing he needs.
Stratton and his partner Sergeant Ballard set out to prove his guilt but first they have to find the missing bodies. Upon calling at Davies’s house they meet Norman Backhouse, the ground floor neighbour and former wartime special constable. The ever so helpful Backhouse aids the police and they eventually find the bodies, wrapped in a tablecloth, hidden away in the wash-house situated in the restricted back garden.
Following inconsistent and confusing statements they escort Davies to London for further interviews. The detectives, positive of his guilt, eventually guide Davies to a solid statement of guilt. Despite offering numerous scenarios and attempting to apportion blame onto his neighbour Norman Backhouse for the murders, Stratton and Ballard take the case to trial - Davies is found guilty and hanged in 1950.
Things aren’t always what they seem as we discover later in the book when a further six bodies are discovered, clearly the work of a deprived sexual serial killer – the hunt is on.
Full Review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2010/12/01...
Timothy John Davies, a semi-literate van driver, walks in to the Merthyr Tydfil police station (in Wales) and admits to murdering his wife and 14 month old daughter.
On receipt of a telegram from the local constabulary and still smarting from the loss of his pregnant wife Jenny, Detective Inspector Ted Stratton is called in to investigate the murder of the young woman and baby in Notting Hill, London – the last thing he needs.
Stratton and his partner Sergeant Ballard set out to prove his guilt but first they have to find the missing bodies. Upon calling at Davies’s house they meet Norman Backhouse, the ground floor neighbour and former wartime special constable. The ever so helpful Backhouse aids the police and they eventually find the bodies, wrapped in a tablecloth, hidden away in the wash-house situated in the restricted back garden.
Following inconsistent and confusing statements they escort Davies to London for further interviews. The detectives, positive of his guilt, eventually guide Davies to a solid statement of guilt. Despite offering numerous scenarios and attempting to apportion blame onto his neighbour Norman Backhouse for the murders, Stratton and Ballard take the case to trial - Davies is found guilty and hanged in 1950.
Things aren’t always what they seem as we discover later in the book when a further six bodies are discovered, clearly the work of a deprived sexual serial killer – the hunt is on.
Full Review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2010/12/01...
November 20, 2010
Not quite as good as other two. The stories about Monica and Diana just seemed tacked on to the main story which, incredibly, is based on a true story. However, good enough that I want to read next one as I am loving the characters.
February 19, 2025
This is the third in a series of books featuring Ted Stratton. It wouldn't have mattered to much if I hadn't have already read the first two, but I am glad that I am reading them in order. For me I always like to read them in order if possible as I get to know the characters and their lives. Ted Stratton for me is fast becoming like Tom Thorne and Roy Grace. I feel that these characters are my friends and I want to know what is going to happen to them.
The crime in this book that Ted Stratton is involved in is based on the true crimes of John Christie and Timothy Evans that took place at 10 Rillington Place. This gave the book an extra kick, but even if I hadn't known about the crime it made the book quite a page turner to read.
Diana too is back in this book and she is as dizzy as ever. With how the storyline is going there will be plenty to ponder in the next books.
I have always enjoyed books by Laura Wilson who for me is on par with Martina Cole. Her novels for me always have plenty to offer and are quite pacy thrillers. I will be seeking new books by her and the next two Stratton novels that are already out.
A very worthy five stars.
The crime in this book that Ted Stratton is involved in is based on the true crimes of John Christie and Timothy Evans that took place at 10 Rillington Place. This gave the book an extra kick, but even if I hadn't known about the crime it made the book quite a page turner to read.
Diana too is back in this book and she is as dizzy as ever. With how the storyline is going there will be plenty to ponder in the next books.
I have always enjoyed books by Laura Wilson who for me is on par with Martina Cole. Her novels for me always have plenty to offer and are quite pacy thrillers. I will be seeking new books by her and the next two Stratton novels that are already out.
A very worthy five stars.
October 26, 2020
The greyness of post-war England, the freely voiced prejudice and awful food provide a gloomy backdrop to this well written novel based on the Christie murders in London in the early 1950s.
DI Ted Stratton confronts a hapless young murder suspect whose barely articulate stories just don't hang together. As the lies pile up, the plot becomes as murky as the smog that hangs over the bombed out city.
Meanwhile, Diana Calthrop, an upper class woman who has left her husband, has found work at 'Ashwood' film studios. She knows Stratton from the war, and when his daughter gets a job at Ashwood, it's only a matter of time before their paths cross again.
Wilson has a brilliant eye for mannerisms and an ear for the subtle inflections of speech which breathe life into her characters.
A compulsive page turner - highly recommended.
435 pages
DI Ted Stratton confronts a hapless young murder suspect whose barely articulate stories just don't hang together. As the lies pile up, the plot becomes as murky as the smog that hangs over the bombed out city.
Meanwhile, Diana Calthrop, an upper class woman who has left her husband, has found work at 'Ashwood' film studios. She knows Stratton from the war, and when his daughter gets a job at Ashwood, it's only a matter of time before their paths cross again.
Wilson has a brilliant eye for mannerisms and an ear for the subtle inflections of speech which breathe life into her characters.
A compulsive page turner - highly recommended.
435 pages
October 29, 2022
A must-read if you are interested in the notorious real-life Timothy Evans/Reginald Christie murder cases from the 1950s. I found it fascinating, not least because it shows how the police at the time might have thought about the murders and what might have driven them to behave as they did. Funnily enough, I tried another of the author's books based on this one but didn't really get on with it. So, objectuvely, it's possible that this book doesn't merit the 5 star rating I have given but I can only go by my reaction to it.
October 13, 2019
Another great entry in this series. I found it hard to locate a copy of this book—in any format—and finally tracked down an old library hardcover on aLibris for $5. Others in the series are easily available. Not sure why this one wasn’t. It was worth the search since this series is very serial and I didn’t want to miss developing character arcs. The plot was excellent, based loosely on a true crime in London during the same period. I recommend this series.
May 10, 2019
I wish I could have given it three and a half stars because it's almost four. I enjoyed reading this, but it has some loose ends. I know it's part of a series and perhaps I'm supposed to read the other volumes, yet I think it should have wrapped up on the particular cases that are dealt with here.
March 1, 2017
Excellent read. Very enjoyable. The third in a series featuring DI Ted Stratton through the war years and after.This was set in 1953. Great series.
September 19, 2017
This book was very well written. l struggled to put it down! I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.
September 30, 2018
I have to admit I put this book down for a long time because I wasn't enjoying it but having picked it back up I really got into it. Interesting it's based on a true crime.
July 18, 2021
It was okay, there were times I was at the edge of my seat but the outcomes just lacked that satisfying ending. Predictable and disappointing. I kept waiting for Monica to have good romance with a girl, Stratton and Diana’s final encounter was just painfully awkward, not the big moment I was waiting for. As for the murder cases, they felt painful drawn out at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2011
Another passport coming from Sweden just arrived from Rome.
I absolutely loved this book and the plot is based on the true story of Timothy John Evans, who was hanged in 1950 for the murder of his daughter who was 14-years old, and that of Reginald Halliday Christie who was also hanged in 1953 for the murder of his wife. Another book Ten Rillington Place
by Ludovic Kennedy also deals with the trial of both murder cases since both murderers lived at this address in London.
According to Laura Wilson, due the controversy surrounding the related Evans case among other factors contributed to the abolition of capital punishment in Britain.
Thanks for my dear friends for the opportunity to read this great book!!
I absolutely loved this book and the plot is based on the true story of Timothy John Evans, who was hanged in 1950 for the murder of his daughter who was 14-years old, and that of Reginald Halliday Christie who was also hanged in 1953 for the murder of his wife. Another book Ten Rillington Place
by Ludovic Kennedy also deals with the trial of both murder cases since both murderers lived at this address in London.
According to Laura Wilson, due the controversy surrounding the related Evans case among other factors contributed to the abolition of capital punishment in Britain.
Thanks for my dear friends for the opportunity to read this great book!!
January 31, 2019
I've thoroughly enjoyed all the Ted Stratton novels so far and I would really like Laura Wilson to write a whole lot more. This novel starts after the Second World War and Britain is still trying to find its feet. People are having to deal with a different way of life. The authors discriptive narrative brings the era to life and the details of the normal working class home life against the upper classes is written in stark contrast.
A well known (famous British ) crime is used as a basis for this novels main plot but there are a couple of nice side plots which all tie up nicely at the end.
Narration was spot on as usual. Look forward to the fourth novel :)
A well known (famous British ) crime is used as a basis for this novels main plot but there are a couple of nice side plots which all tie up nicely at the end.
Narration was spot on as usual. Look forward to the fourth novel :)
September 13, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much, particularly the believable evocation of 1950s post-war London. Wilson manages to blend two plot lines together, although I would say that on the whole, the story of 'Drippy Diana' is less effective than the re-working of the John Christie murder case. On the whole though, a very enjoyable read. More please, and soon.
© Koplowitz 2012
© Koplowitz 2012
September 9, 2012
I usually enjoy anything which is based on true events, but I felt this book was quite dull. Despite a lot of "interesting" things happening in the story, I found it slow and quite predictable in places. A first and last read of this author for me.
December 22, 2012
A really enjoyable period police procedural. Not read any others in this series, and wasn't familiar with the real-life crimes that inspired it, but I found the story atmospheric and it held my interest throughout.
February 1, 2013
Another solid entry in the series. Once again, the vetran police officer rankles against his superior's rush to judgement. This entry additionally reviews the Crippen murders. Wonderfully written, full of period detail and riviting to read.
April 29, 2013
Was amazingly impressed with this series of books. The main character is brilliantly wrought. I don't usually read this type of historical setting but the detail and atmosphere that she has created and the passage of time really impressed me. I found the whole series a very satisfying read.
December 29, 2013
Part fact and part fiction coupled with very readable prose makes a decent reading. The story is intriguing and there is a promise which goes on for most of its 540 pages. I will read more from Laura Wilson although this remains quite unsatisfying.
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2010
A post WW2 mystery based on the crimes of Christie and Evans. Part of a series but can be read on its own. Great period detail.
March 25, 2011
So gripping I read it in one sitting
May 24, 2011
An enjoyable murder mystery story based on 2 true crimes in the 1950s, with a parallel fictional storyline added for interest.
October 2, 2011
Retelling of 10 Rillington Place - fortunately for me I hadn't seen or read that so it didn't spoil what is a decent novel.
January 6, 2012
Love books set in the early 1900's in London. This book had me googling the crimes it was based on....always a good sign. Loved the characters, loved the setting, "loved" the crime!
March 6, 2012
i usuallly take a good while to get into a book but this book had me riviteed,,,in 2 days id finished it, a record attempt for me!!
July 3, 2012
A wonderful recreation of the Rillington place murders and the ramifications of them for the police. The best DI Stratton book so far!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews