Lizzie Didn't Do It! by William L. Masterton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lizzie Didn't Do It!
Book Review: The Historical Record Cooked by a Chemist
Summary: 1 Stars
We know "Lizzie Didn't Do It" because that was the verdict in 1893. The first half of the book is best as an introduction to this case. In the second half William Masterton creates stories about the other suspects. Presumably they were all investigated by the Fall River Police Department and ruled out as suspects.
The two main suspects, based on other books, was Joseph Carpenter (the former bookkeeper who embezzled funds from Borden's business), and William Brayton (the member of the family who was swindled out of property by Andrew Borden). Both had alibis for the time of the murders.
William Masterton concocted a story that Abby was killed after Andrew! This is historical nonsense! The alarm was raised not long after Andrew was killed, the home was guarded, there was no opportunity for Abby to have returned home after Andrew's death. You can only guess at the reason (or prejudice) for this.
William Masterton didn't solve the crime.
Book Review: The Mystery Unsolved
Summary: 2 Stars
William L. Masterton has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry and retired as a full Professor from the University of Connecticut in 1987. He had a long standing interest in this case, and began research after he retired (p.8). Chapters 1 to 8 give his short history of this crime, chapters 9 to 16 give his "solution". Many books have been written on the Borden Murders; the Sources on page 7 do not list those by E. Pearson and F. Spiering. Only two people were alive in that house after 11am. Lizzie was the likeliest suspect, but she couldn't have done it, and the jury agreed.
"Early accounts of the crime were loaded with factual errors" (p.18). This is a warning against using unverified newspaper records (p.8). Did Andrew Borden prosper handsomely (p.24)? The truth is that Andrew induced grieving customers to sign up for loans, then called these loans to foreclose on the homes. Andrew got rich by swindling widows and orphans! He became richer by buying into banks and factories, and real estate in growing Fall River. If one of his tenants received a higher salary, Andrew raised his rent. Andrew sold products from his home (p.25); he bought spoiled apple cider and sold it as vinegar. Page 34 quotes Bridget on the murders: "I'd be afraid to say anything at all. If I did, that terrible man that killed poor Mrs Borden might come back and kill me too." What did she know and when did she know it?
Page 94 asks why Lizzie didn't burn that dress before the police searched the house. That would have left a residue in the stove. Page 107 talks about the three doors, but says nothing about cellar windows being used to get into the house. Page 124 says the assassin could go upstairs to the guest room to hide, but be discovered by Abby. The jury found Lizzie not guilty. The same lack of evidence also applies to Bridget, and Lizzie said "it wasn't Bridget ...." Robert Pinkerton says "an innocent person is more likely to make conflicting statements than is a guilty on." (His firm was hired by Lizzie.)
Chapter 21 discusses the missing note. Could this explain why Abby went to the second floor guest room? AR Brown has a better explanation for this note. Her discovery of "Nemesis" led to her unplanned murder. Then this rage must have been directed to Andrew after he turned over that white box. The opinion of Dr Abbot (pp.200-1) seems to be political, not medical. JV Morse's answer (p.202) seems like a way to answer without saying anything. Chapter 14 questions the time of death for Abby. The fact is that Abby was last seen alive about 9:15am, her body was discovered around noon. Since she had been killed earlier than Andrew, the 90 minute estimate is dead accurate. The charts on page 205 are meaningless without indexes for time and temperature. The unscientific studies on page 206 are contradicted by Dr. Dolan's tests on the bodies. The trial testimony quoted on page 210 really means that if a stomach empties between "two or three hours" there is no estimate possible after this time. Nicole's empty stomach would put her death 3 hours after her 8pm supper. Ron's stomach should show eating between 10:30pm and 11pm (my estimate).
Chapter 16 has one of his solutions: an embezzling bank clerk who played the stock market But a white collar crime like this rules out a double murder? Was it JW Carpenter, who embezzled from Andrew's funeral business? Or maybe J Clegg? Masterton didn't solve the crime! Arnold R Brown's book provided the final solution in theory, because no one has come up with a better one. Masterton's fable violates the known facts of the case.
Book Review: great book
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book four times it gives you
another way at looking at lizzie it could change your mind.
I just love it great book
Book Review: nonfiction well researched and entertaining to read
Summary: 4 Stars
The author reviews the various theories about the famous Borden murders and then makes his case for a new perspective on the crime. He uses modern forensics to challenge some of the traditional beliefs about how this crime happened. If you have read other books about Lizzie Borden you will enjoy this one. If you are new to the subject this book is a good place to start. The writing style is quite good and I found this enjoyable.Book Review: well-written and with rare forensic insight
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very readable non-fiction Lizzie book. The first two-thirds where Masterton deals mostly with just the facts (though somewhat selectively) are the strongest part of the book. The last third where he theorizes is less effective. He's perhaps not a very convincing theorist, but he writes well and this book is a really fun read, with a few humorous witticisms thrown in.
David Rehak
author of "Did Lizzie Borden Axe For It?"