The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale
Mr Whicher was a real person - one of the first police detectives, and part of the London police force in 1860. His case is that of an horrific murder - that of a four year old child, Saville Kent. The boy was taken from his bed, whilst sleeping beside his nanny, in an affluent country house, occupied by his parents, many siblings, and a wide selection of servants. He was found dumped down an outside privvy, with his throat cut 'from ear to ear', and it is obvious that someone from within the house killed him. Mr Whicher's job is to find the culprit
I think this book was the most unputdownable I have read for a long time, and won't spoil it for any reader who, like me, previously knew nothing of this very famous case. Although the case is studied in great depth, it also highlights some very interesting Victorian social facts - that of other equally horrendous murders of the times, including those of children, and the strength of public opinion within the population at large who were very quick to condemn and spread rumours. A very absorbing read. 9/10
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