Tale of Two Murders, A, Laura Thompson
Tale of Two Murders, A, Laura Thompson
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Tale of Two Murders, A

Author: Laura Thompson

Narrator: Jilly Bond

Unabridged: 15 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/06/2018

Synopsis

On the night of October 3, 1922, as Edith Thompson and her husband, Percy, were walking home from the theatre, a man sprang out of the darkness and stabbed Percy to death. The assailant was none other than Edith's lover, Freddy Bywaters. When the police discovered his relationship with Edith, she denied knowledge of the attack but was arrested as his accomplice. Her passionate love letters to Bywaters, read out loud at the ensuing trial, sealed her fate, even though Bywaters insisted Edith had no part in planning the murder. They were both hanged. Freddy was demonstrably guilty, but was Edith? This engrossing examination of the Ilford murder, which became a legal cause ce'le'bre in the 1920s, charts the course of the liaison in shattering detail and with masterful emotional insight, investigating what this troubling case tells us about perceptions of women, innocence, and guilt.

About Laura Thompson

Laura Thompson is author of Somerset Maugham Award-winning The Dogs: A Personal History of Greyhound Racing, and Agatha Christie: An English Mystery. She is now filming a major ITV program on Agatha Christie.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nigeyb on October 26, 2021

In January 1923, Edith Thompson, aged 29, and her lover Frederick Bywaters, aged 20, were hanged for the murder of her husband. Bywaters had stabbed Percy Thompson during a scuffle on a street close to the couple’s home in Ilford. The case was front page news for weeks. Although Edith was present, th......more

Goodreads review by Nick on April 25, 2019

I was given this as a gift, having placed it on my wish-list on recommendation of the CWA, and having seen a TV documentary about the real-life case at the centre of this. I was glad I did so, and glad I read it, despite the three-star rating. This reflects my mixed feelings about it. Firstly speakin......more

Goodreads review by Jo on April 08, 2020

In the early 1920s the British authorities hung Edith Thompson and her lover Frederick Bywaters. Bywaters had stabbed to death Edith's husband but Edith was found guilty as well. This book explores the lives of the trio, the crime and the societal misogyny that led a woman to the gallows. It's inter......more

Goodreads review by ☆☆☆Bibliolatrist Jordan☆☆☆ on June 26, 2022

Overall: ☆☆(2.0) Writing style: ☆☆ Entertainment :☆☆ Ending:☆☆ This book was the epitome of beating a dead horse. The same topics were covered over and over. There wasn't much delving into those involved, thus leaving it feeling very shallow. The main topic was the letters. Which were discussed over and......more

Goodreads review by Christina on September 12, 2022

I loved this book. Though it was often flawed and repetitive, it came alive and resonated for me. I felt the utter tragedy of it all, though I realize many other readers were not so impressed. This, the story of Edith Thompson and Freddy Bywaters, star-crossed lovers from lower middle-class suburban......more

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