Sherlock Holmes and the Hilldrop Crescent Mystery

Sherlock Holmes #5

by David James Smith (Introduction), Val Andrews

Some people, even today, think that Dr. Crippen was wrongly convicted and should never have been hanged for the murder of his wife, Belle Elmore. The incomplete remains found in the basement of 39 Hilldrop Crescent on Wednesday 13th July, 1910 were not enough for an absolute identification, although given that Crippen along with his lover, Ethel Le Neve, had apparently fled by boat to Canada, there seemed to be damning circumstantial evidence. As his ship entered Quebec they were both arrested by Walter Dew, an experienced Scotland Yarder who had been involved with the 'Jack the Ripper' investigation. He had been tipped off as to their presence by the vessel's captain, who had made the first recorded use of the new Marconigram resulting in the capture of a murderer. The subsequent trial at the Old Bailey was a sensation never again to be repeated. Here for the first time you can read both sides of the story. First the definitive facts of the case as outlined by award winning Sunday Times journalist, David James Smith, whose book, Supper with the Crippens, is widely recognised as being the last word on the subject. Then there is the clever fiction weaved by master story teller, Val Andrews in which he yet again proves, as Sherlock Holmes stated, that 'It may seem to point very straight to one thing, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something entirely different'. It is left to the reader to decide which version of events of 100 years ago they prefer to accept.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Historical Fiction

134 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2011

About the author

David James Smith is the author of six acclaimed non-fiction books and is an award-wining journalist for The Sunday Times Magazine of London. His latest book LET US PREY - A TRUE STORY OF MURDER AND DECEPTION is an Audible Original, available exclusively on Audible read by the author. It is an account of the Maids Moreton case. His first book, THE SLEEP OF REASON - THE JAMES BULGER CASE is in a new edition from Faber (2017) and remains the definitive account of the 1993 murder of a child by two ten year old boys. David has a close interest in criminal justice and served five years (2013-2018) as a Commissioner at The Criminal Cases Review Commission, appointed by HM The Queen to oversee investigations into miscarriages of justice. He was a local newspaper reporter and wrote for the monthly magazine Esquire before joining The Sunday Times Magazine, for whom he travelled around the world writing cover stories, investigative articles, reportage and profiles. It was an article for the Magazine that led to his second book, ALL ABOUT JILL: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JILL DANDO, which was published by Little Brown in 2002. Barry George was convicted and later acquitted of the infamous 1999 shooting of the television presenter on the doorstep of her London home. SUPPER WITH THE CRIPPENS, about the notorious Edwardian crime was published by Orion in 2005 and is currently in development as a drama series for television. ONE MORNING IN SARAJEVO made a gripping non-fiction thriller out of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in June, 1914: it was published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson in 2008. YOUNG MANDELA is the story of the early life of the iconic South African activist and leader who died in 2013. The biography was published in 2010 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK and Little Brown in the US. David’s research involved interviews with most of Mandela’s close family and comrades, including Winnie Madikezela-Mandela, and culminated in a meeting with Nelson Mandela himself.

Reviews

[Bonnye Reed]

Endeavor Media Holmes Advent Calendar 99

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mystery lover, Sherlock Holmes is right at the top, with Agath Christie. There are many who are writing Sherlock books. This one is as good as Doyle’s as far as I’m concerned.

Sherlock & Watson have gone on a quest to discover if Dr. Crippen really did kill his wife. It’s sort of a moot point, since he was tried, convicted and hanged, but Sherlock just has to know. Ever been there? Follow along as they do their thing, and prove, a dead man’s guilt, or innocence.

[Christa Saccullo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull

Don't read this one.
The idea had merit, but died with the telling. I'm still not fully clear on the final conclusion. Plus, this wasn't edited very well.
Watson whines a lot and has all the feels of dumbness portrayed in the Basil Rathbone films. Sherlock Holmes feels slip-shoddy and repetitive, doing everything by chance than reason. And what's with the very random sidetrack of a typhoid outbreak??
Plus, it was difficult to follow who was speaking. Lots of punctuation typos and whole sentences where paragraphs are supposed to be. Lots of description and very little action.
I'm thankful this one was short.

Christa

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes and the Hilldrop Crescent Mystery by Val Andrews

Thirty-nine Hilldrop Crescent, Camden was the home of Doctor Hawley Crippen and his wife Cora Henrietta “Belle Elmore” Crippen. Belle Crippen vanished on January 31, 1910 following a party at the couple’s home. Crippen would give various tales as to where Belle was, that she had left him, that she had gone back to America and died, that he didn’t know where she was—but he took up with his mistress, Ethel "Le Neve" Neave, who worked as his secretary.

The couple fled to America with Le Neve disguised as Crippen’s son. The disguise was laughable, and the Captain of their boat radioed back to England that he had the pair. As flesh had been found under the floor in the basement at 39 Hilldrop Crescent, Crippen was wanted for murder. Large quantities of the toxic compound hyoscine were found in the remains, and Crippen had bought the drug before the murder from a local chemist.

The flesh was said to have a distinct scar from Belle’s hysterectomy. The evidence was never overwhelming, but Crippen’s actions made him seem guilty. To spare Le Neve embarrassment, Crippen refused to allow her to testify on his behalf. He was found guilty and hanged on November 23, 1910 at Pentonville Prison, London.

Now it is the spring of 1911 and Sherlock Holmes has left his bees on the Southern Downs to return to London. He reunites with Watson and Lestrade. Holmes had been otherwise engaged during the time of Doctor Crippen’s arrest and trial. But the verdict doesn’t really set well with Holmes. He doesn’t really believe in Crippen’s guilt.

Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade take the house at 39 Hilldrop Crescent for a month in order to try to find evidence concerning the crime.

I won’t spoil anything about the novel. There is mystery, danger, horror and enough action to suit anyone. I found the story highly enjoyable, and actually learned something about the case I never knew before. There are twists and surprises galore! I willingly give the novel five stars! Bravo, Val Andrews! Bravo!

Quoth the Raven…

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1911 Sherlock Holmes comes out of his several years of retirement to investigate whether Crippen was really guilty or not. Crippen having already been hanged. With the help of Dr.Watson and the retired Detective Inspector Lestrade, Holmes solves the case to his satisfaction. An interesting short tale.

[EndeavourPress4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is published by Endeavour Press.

[Raine · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting but I love anything relating to Sherlock.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited One of several Sherlock Holmes stories by an assorted group of authors, wanted to go through them all. Liked it, just didn't love it, sort of the right style and all but....