Manx Murders: 150 Years of Island Madness, Mayhem and Manslaughter

by Keith Wilkinson

A beautiful island lying in the northern part of the Irish Sea between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, the Isle of Man was once a popular holiday destination. It is perhaps better known today for the TT motorcycle races held there, its tailless cats and Manx kippers. However, it also has its darker side.Manx Murders is a collection of gripping and mysterious murder cases committed on the Island over the last 150 years, from the brutal slaying of a spinster one dark night on a lonely track near Ramsey to the infamous 'Golden Egg Murder' in central Douglas.The cases that have caused shock and sensation throughout two centuries of the Island's history are recorded here as the author reveals the events behind the last hanging on the Island, a deathbead confession, the harrowing story of a murderous father and the cases that remain unsolved to this day. The Island's political importance as a wartime holding area for prisoners of war is also explored through the account of a bizarre, seemingly motiveless killing in 1916 and the stabbing of a Finnish prisoner during the Second World War.Using information obtained from newspapers, inquest records and trial transcripts whenever these were available, each murder is described against the backdrop of contemporary events to give the reader a distinct flavour of life at the time of the crime. While each case is unique, all share an overwhelming sadness and tragedy that will never be forgotten.

Genres: Nonfiction

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty interesting read into some of the murders which have taken place on the Isle of Man over the last 100 years or so.

The writing in this book is pretty basic. You get a few pages on each case where the author just states the facts. No speculation or sensationalism.

Although, as many of the cases in this book happend in the 1800s, it was probably hard to find lots of details about each one. And being such a small island, there wasn't many too murders to begin with anyway.

I didn't know this book was published in 2003 when I bought it. I wish there was a more up to date version.

I wasn't aware of any of these cases before reading this book, so it did make more a pretty interesting read although not the most exciting true crime book I've ever read nor the most appealing to a wider audience unless you like visiting the Isle of man on holiday and are interested in true crime, like me.

[Emma Caley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very morbid of me perhaps...but I am from the Isle of Man. Very interesting read..