He gave his wife poison and sent her to sleep,And cut up her body and buried it deep.John Boyne's Crippen offers a highly entertaining account of Dr. Crippen’s life and crime. Yes, just the one crime, it turns out. I’d always been under the impression that he was a serial killer, but he ‘only’ murdered one of his wives, for which he was hanged in 1910. I also thought he was English, but he was an American who had lived in London for many years. Finally, I thought he was a medical doctor, but he ...

3.5~4★"'I myself, however, received my degrees from two medical colleges, one in Philadelphia and one in New York, so you need have no worries about me in that regard.''From America,' she exclaimed breathlessly.'Indeed,' he said. He had taken to renaming his diplomas as degrees these days; it made things simpler, he believed."'Dr.' Hawley Harvey Crippen said and did many questionable things to make life simpler. Only fair, he thought, disadvantaged as he was by not having enough money to attend ...

4 solid stars. I'm surprised I hadn't come across Crippen before, especially as it was John Boyne's American debut back in 2004. This is a work of fiction loosely based on historical facts. As with any work of fiction, one shouldn't expect strict historical accuracy. Everything in Crippen is a product of John Boyne's rich imagination. The writing is superb. The storyline is gripping and utterly absorbing. Its structure is perfect and skillfully built. I was so absorbed, truly transported to that...

In 1910, a murder case in London gripped headlines: Dr. Hawley Crippen allegedly murdered his wife, Cora Crippen, in cold blood and buried her dismembered body in the cellar. While the murder indeed occurred back then, even today there are still uncertainties about exactly how and who truly committed the crime.Acclaimed author John Boyne has taken up this old case, resulting in his compelling novel, *Crippen*. The story in *Crippen* is therefore based on true events, but much has also been embel...

This is historical fiction with a murder mystery and a little true crime.Based on the real-life case of Dr Crippen and the murder of his wife Cora Crippen in 1910, John Boyne has built around this event a cast of characters and a plausible theory as to what really happened! I am a big John Boyne fan and really enjoy his storytelling. As with all his writing, Crippen is so immersive and absorbing. The historical elements add a depth and interest to a story that is ultimately about the nature o...

More damn good storytelling by John Boyne. This murder mystery, Crippen, features an odd lot of characters sailing off from Antwerp to Canada, including the good “Doctor” Crippen and his mistress/lover, Ethel, disguised as father and son. There’s a reason for their disguise and identity change. The story starts off with those boarding the SS Montrose, taking stock of their surroundings and fellow passengers. Each has their own agenda, whether looking for relaxation, love, violence, or running aw...

Crippen by John Boyne is a novel to burrow into, a perfect read for your autumn/winter list. This is my 10th novel by John Boyne, and I truly find that this author has a talent for creating memorable characters and bringing history to life. Pure entertainment and superb storytelling. Each of his novels is uniquely different, engaging, and enthralling, and I love picking up a John Boyne novel as you never really know where his books are going to take you. I didn't even read the blurb for Crippen...

4.5 Stars.Oh Boy.....Crippen is a damn good murder mystery and another great read from John Boyne. I really should just leave it at that, but I can't! What is the real truth here? And who was this Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen? (I see a work of non-fiction in my near future.) The story begins with Hawley as a young man leaving home to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor, but with zero dollars from his unsupportive parents, the going gets tough and he resorts to fabrications as we meet lots....and ...

I'm a big fan of John Boyne, and his novel, Crippen, was incredibly good. The masterful writing, the gripping pacing, and the authentic historical feel of this true crime novel – every aspect was captivating. Since I wasn't familiar with the real Dr. Crippen case, this historical thriller read like a captivating mystery for me.

Well, where to start? How about with just one word: WOW! John Boyne's Crippen is quite simply one of the most gripping true crime fiction novels I’ve ever read. That’s the short version. You want the long version? OK, here goes… This fictionalised account of a real and infamous crime that gripped the English-speaking world is nothing short of brilliant. The characters are sympathetically drawn, yes, even that of Dr Hawley Crippen himself. Boyne has taken one of Britain’s most notorious and mys...