Lizzie the Story of Lizzie Borden
by Frank Spiering
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Book Summary Information
Author: Frank SpieringEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Published)
Published: 1991
ISBN: 0880296852
Number of pages: 242
Publisher: Dorset Press
Book Reviews of Lizzie the Story of Lizzie Borden
Book Review: Flawed History
Summary: 2 Stars
Lizzie, by Frank Spiering
Frank Spiering recreates this story of a famous unsolved murder from trial testimony, court records, interviews, and contemporary records (newspapers). Spiering has a new solution, a person never before suspected. But also one investigated by the police and cleared as a suspect. This book is worth reading because of all the background material that is not found in other books on this case. Its solution can be contrasted to those from other writers. Most tried to blame one of those present at the scene. Reading true crime stories will tell you that an intruder did the crime when the inhabitants of a house are not guilty.
'Part I' starts out with descriptions that sound like from an eyewitness, not recreated from the Trial Transcript and the author's visit to the settings (p.235). Spiering paints a detailed and colorful picture of Lizzie's life. But not all is true: "sugary clusters" (p.6). There are profuse details about that week in August 1892, but no evidence of any chemical poisoning (p.14). Spiering spins a great story. His writings make the events come alive to the reader. The false story in the Boston 'Globe' resulted in a wave of sympathy for Lizzie (p.101). The murder of Bertha Manchester, whose wounds were just like Abby's, said the axe killer was on the loose (p.107). 'Part II' tells about the trial. The cross-examination of Thomas Kieran revealed that a person laying where Abby body was could not be seen from the stairs unless a person knew where to look. A person standing in the hall could not see it either (p.119). Marshall Fleet conceded that a thorough search was done and no blood stained garments were found (p.135). Officer Mullaly testified to finding the broken handle (p.136)! This contradicted Fleet's testimony. Captain Desmond and Detective Seaver testified as to the thorough search (p.139). At the end Judge Dewey summed up the case against the Prosecution (pp.173-174). The jury quickly decided 'not guilty'.
'Part III' tells of their lives over the next 34 years. Lizzie became shunned by most of Fall River. She often visited the big cities for theatres and shopping. Emma became more of a recluse, moving to a small town in New Hampshire. The big fault in this book is to blame Lizzie and Emma for the murders. Emma's presence in Fairhaven was checked out, she had an alibi. Bridget was outside when Abby was murdered, she was not a suspect in Andrew's death. Lizzie was outside when Andrew was murdered; she said she was in the cellar toilet around the time of Abby's death. Neither had blood spatter on their dresses, a murder weapon was never found. "There was someone else in the house who performed the murders and took the weapon with them when they left" (p.143).
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