Murders of the Black Museum: The Dark Secrets Behind a Hundred Years of the Most Notorious Crimes in Britain

by Gordon Honeycombe

Contemporary photographs never seen outside Scotland Yard are featured in this guide to some of the most incredible murders ever committed




New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police, houses the notorious Black Museum, a unique collection of exhibits, photographs, and other items connected with some of the most famous crimes of the last century. Fifty of those crimes were murders and they are explored in detail in this compelling book. Gordon Honeycombe was given privileged access to its darkest secrets of the place that was renamed The Crime Museum. His book spans a hundred years of murder, manslaughter, and attempted assassinations and reveals the true facts behind some of the U.K.'s most notorious murder cases, including Jack the Ripper, Dr. Crippen, and the Krays.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Crime, Mystery, Historical, Ebooks

394 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 1994

About the author

Ronald Gordon Honeycombe was an author, playwright and stage actor, well known in the United Kingdom as a national television newscaster.

Gordon Honeycombe was born in India, but educated at the Edinburgh Academy and at University College, Oxford, from which he graduated with an MA in English. He undertook National Service with the Royal Artillery, mainly in Hong Kong, where he was also an announcer with Radio Hong Kong. Returning to the UK, he embarked on an acting career which led to television and public prominence as a national newscaster.

As a newscaster, Honeycombe always seemed warm but stern while on-screen. Off camera, he was a flamboyant, fun-loving character with a devilish sense of humour.

He later settled in Perth, Western Australia, where he continued to work in radio, television and theatre, and was regularly engaged in voice-over work for radio and television, and in documentary narrations.

Reviews

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice)]

3.5 stars

All I can say is don't make this the last thing you read before you go to bed. Most of the cases don't hold back from the gory details. This is all real-life going back from the mid-1800s to the late 1900s. The length itself was slow and dull at points hence why I've given it the final rating above. For those interested in true historical crime, you may want to get a copy of this!

[Gavin]

The Black Museum is at Scotland Yard. It is the evidence room for the Metropolitan Police and is not open to the public. Gordon Honeycombe was for many years the curator and as such he guides the reader through the exhibits, both famous and infamous, with brief comments on the crimes linked to the exhibits.

As a teenager I had a strong interest in this kind of thing and read true crime books voraciously. This was a particular favourite.

This edition lists itself as having been published last year. The original publication date must have been some time in the mid-80s, shortly before I read it.

[Beaux]

A fascinating read of true crime in England. Disliked the author a bit for a couple of words he used that I don’t like so he didnt get 5 stars x

[Aurora Marchant]

Great

[Rose Auburn]

I had originally intended to give this book three stars. It was perfectly readable, does what it says, but I did find a little boring to begin with and, not to belittle the victims, I did find a number of the earlier stories a bit overlong and very similar - a bit more editing with some of the cases would not have gone amiss. The first case was not particularly interesting and too much time is spent on it.

But, it really seemed to draw me in after halfway and I couldn't wait to pick it up most evenings despite knowing the details of most of the later murders such as Christie, Haigh and The Krays. Honeycombe's style seem to improve although it just may be that I found the later cases more absorbing and relatable. Yes, it's dated in places but not so that your reading is impacted. I also found that Honeycombe drops a few wry, subjective remarks regarding various victims and perpetrators which, ordinarily, I would mark down as I believe the authorial voice reporting the crimes should be objective, but I actually found them rather humorous (not sure that was his intention) and looked forward to next comment. Not sure that was his intention.

So, apart from, for me, the first third of the book dragging a little, I thought this was a good, interesting, absorbing read.

[Sam]

Enjoyable collections of murder stories although not enough detail in my opinion and some of the theories are now outdated as new theories/ evidence has come to light.

On re-reading, this collection is an interesting introduction into the criminal underbelly of the UK, combining the infamous with the unknown and shedding light on the origins and purpose of the Black Museum and its exhibits. Some of the theories are outdated but it is interesting to think how these have developed over the years and just shows how things have changed for the better in terms of catching the darker side of humanity.

[Helen Callaghan]

Absolutely fascinating - I think I read it years ago and revisited it recently - but definitely showing its age, particularly in how it describes gay relationships and interpersonal violence. Still, the content had me riveted, and it was very creepy without being too sensationalised.

Although, and this didn't affect my review, some of the typesetting and proofing for the digital edition could have done with a check - a few initial capitals we're missing and there were some layout issues, which was a touch distracting.

[Margaret McGoverne]

Young me loved reading about murderers; come to think of it, older me does too! Deals mainly with the celebrated English cases of the late Victorian/1st half of the 20th century, and although it's not particularly in depth, it has lots of atmospheric pictures. Great as an introduction to classic vintage crime dealt with by Scotland Yard. Although the blurb says it covers celebrated cases up to 1970, it's definitely stronger on pre WW2 crimes.

[Sharon]

Found this in a charity shop. It’s nearly 40 years old so some of the language the author uses shows it’s age and I was unhappy at a few of the descriptors used. However, it was an interesting read. Some of the cases have had more come to light in recent years and some were covered very briefly but gave me the interest to find out more. The author was also good at creating a feel for the social and attitudinal differences in the 1890s to 1930s.

[Amanda Borys]

I enjoyed the earlier stories more than the later ones, just a time period personal preference. The thing about the book which I found disturbing, more than the murders themselves, was some of the comments the author made in his introductions to each crime. Victim blaming, very inappropriate comments, and misogynistic comments were pretty common. The book was written in 1982 and updated in 1992, so from a time period that should have known better.

[Melisende]

Blurb from the back cover sums this book up nicely: " .... fascinating guide to murder and a grim insight into the minds of those who practise it." Spanning one hundred years of murder from 1876 to 1970 and includes some of the most famous cases: Jack the Ripper; Dr Crippen; Kray Brothers; and various other notorious figures.

[Trevor]

I liked this one.

Having read a smaller version of it previously I can say that it's a very interesting book.

It contains some of the more higher profile murder cases from the late 19th century through to the 1960's.

[Jessica Powell]

An interesting read with lots of short overviews of major crimes, including some of the most famous in the UK. It is quite dated now however, and some of the assumptions and social commentary is really quite jarring.

[Carole]

An interesting insight

Today I believe that execution is still sanctioned by the laws of this country for treason and causing arson in one of HM's Dockyards. If my understanding is out of date, then I hope someone will educate me otherwise.



This book is a fascinating

[JackieB]

It was interesting to see the changes in motives for murder over the years as well as changes in attitudes to punishing it.

[Roy A. Hughes]

Interesting, and a little gruesome. The search for Muriel Mackay shows the police as Keystone Cops!

[Lynne]

Nicely gory in an informative and easily accessible narrative.

[Evelyn Murray]

A very [normative guide to what is actually in New Scotland's Yard's Black Museum. Work looking at I you have an interest in crimes and criminals.

[Naomi]

Enjoyed this a lot, though some stories seem drawn out and others lack enough info. A bit dated on social issues, but it's a product of the time of writing. Worth reading.