Crime's Strangest Cases: Extraordinary But True Stories from Over Five Centuries of Legal History

by Peter J. Seddon

A quirky collection of true stories from the stranger side of the legal system, including a dead parrot in a courtroom, a mummified murder victim and a strange case of cannibalism.
Author Peter Seddon gives life to over five centuries of bizarre, macabre and sometimes hilarious criminal cases. You’ll be gripped by tales of murder, intrigue, crime, punishment and the pursuit of justice. Despite how unbelievable the stories banged up inside these pages may seem, Crime’s Strangest Cases promises to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the most ludicrous criminal cases in legal history. Full of riotous and entertaining stories, this book is perfect for anyone who is doing time on a long stretch. Just don’t try to steal it, or you may end up inside! Inside you’ll encounter:

The only dead parrot ever to give evidence in a court of law

One of the most indigestible dilemmas – if you’d been shipwrecked 2,000 miles from home, would you have eaten Parker the cabin boy?

The doctor with the worst bedside manner of all time

The murderess who collected money from her mummified victim for 21 years

Genres: Nonfiction, Law, Humor, History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2002

About the author

Peter J. Seddon was born in Derby in 1956 and was educated at Derby School and Leicester University, where he gained an Honours Degree in history.

He first watched Derby County at the age of eight and has followed their ups and downs ever since as a season ticket holder.

A member of the Association of Sports Historians and Football Statisticians, his interest in football extends to its very early days and his award-winning Football Compendium, published in 1995.

Reviews

[Rachael Eyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not up to the same standard as Royalty's Strangest Characters, though readable enough. I found the authorial jokes/comments intrusive and irritating this time round.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting and strange court cases as well as some really serious ones explored briefly. Good book to dip in and out of.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley

The Law's Strangest Cases is a strong contender in the legal factoid genre with a warm, almost plummy narrative style and speedy pacing. The bulk of the legal cases are drawn from the annals of English legal history (although there is a sprinkling of international cases) and the vast majority of the cases discussed are not commonly known (one or two should be familiar to anyone who regularly reads these types of books or, for that matter, is a regular watcher of QI). That author Peter Seddon was able to find so many not-commonly-known cases really is impressive as books of this genre often tend to repeat the same few stories in differing (but always jolly) tones.

It's worth nothing that some other reviewers have mentioned that they felt they might have found the book more appealing if they had a legal background. They might have found the subject more to their interests in that case, but legal training is not necessary for comprehension. The summaries are very surface level and intended for a general audience -- potential readers should not be put off by the mistaken belief that they need a background in legal education to enjoy or understand this particular work.

[Felelith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an okay book. Every legal case that is in included in the book is just a few pages long with no real substance; but it was interesting to read each of them. It has a little bit of everything in it starting with a case for 33 CE to 2001 CE. It is a unique look at how views and the law have changed over the years. My favorite story in the book is Jury V. Bench related to a trial in 1670 London in which the bench tried to bully the jury into changing their not guilty verdict; needless to stay this one case most likely set the ton for jury trials for the rest of time.

If you like legal history you might really enjoy this one.

Received copy to review from NetGalley.com
http://felelith.blogspot.com/2013/08/...

[Nick Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

British tabloid-style nudge-nudge wink-wink puckish writing. Sounds old-fashioned like the Carry On films but without the wit. Short articles describe the events of each case and the outcome. Written like a compilation of separate articles with some repetition. Cases include previous centuries and a few from English-speaking courts outside Britain. Focuses on peculiar cases to the exclusion of systematic legal malpractice. Until the rude intrusion of politics late on which infestation of author's views leads to the accusation of hypocrisy. I read a review copy from the publisher.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun & Interesting!
This isn’t a sit down and read it cover-to-cover book. It is an interesting collection of amusing and strange legal cases throughout the world (including the UK and America). Written for the lay reader this is a fun respite from our daily routine. It was enjoyable! NetGalley and Anova publishing provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kasey Cocoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. Certainly nothing you can't find to read about online these days, but at least it was well written. Most of the cases were centered in the UK and it contained quite a few terms that some readers might not be familiar with. Overall it was an entertaining read and would make a great coffee table addition.

[Redruby200681 · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring. some of the cases were not that strange though. Do not read if you prefer actual strange gruesome murder stories. But do read it if you like to know about simple theft case being blown up into bigger proportion in courts

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish this. It just wasn't for me. The stories really didn't hold my interest.

[LaGina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and interesting read. I enjoyed the book.

[Wendy Lupin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny coincidence that I read this book during the Easter weekend and the first case discussed is that of the crucifixion of Jezus.