Customer Reviews

Lizzie Borden: The Legend, the Truth, the Final Chapter

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I found this to be one of the most important books that I have ever read! This book is important for solving a century-old mystery, based on the available evidence. It sets a good example for any other non-writer to follow.

A R Brown was born and raised in Fall River. He retired to Florida, and met Lewis Peterson (also from Fall River). When the subject of Lizzie Borden came up, Lewis said his father-in-law Henry Hawthorne knew the real killer. Hawthorne's mother-in-law Ellan Eagan passed by the Borden house that morning.

Before Henry Hawthorne died in 1978 he left notebooks filled with his memories of that event. A R Brown read them, then checked those facts for historical verification. His book is the result of his investigation. The "Acknowledgments" list the many people who helped with the book, which provides the "best evidence" for its solution to this famous unsolved mystery.

Little or no documentation is available, as the author stated, for any further proof. He noted that there was a work stoppage, which put pressure on the local establishment to find a solution. The Mellen House Gang would not leave documents for their actions in 1892, as with most current politicians. (We still don't have an official legal solution to the JFK assassination.)

The book "Forty Whacks" provides complementary information on the events of the time. Note the "anonymous" letter from Albany (Joseph Carpenter?) who seemed to know something about the crime. Like today, people may know things but do not wish to get involved with powerful authorities who have their own agenda.

I think there may have been more information left out of the book.

One important but little known fact mentioned in this book is the condition of the blood for a freshly killed body (red and liquid) compared to one dead for over an hour (black and clotted). Think about that in a more recent double murder case.

As a student of the legend of the Borden murders, I found this book to be a wholly new and frankly amazing version of "who-done-it", presented clearly and very believably. For all those who've always sworn that Lizzie didn't do the deeds, this is a must-read, featuring never-before-disclosed facts and pointing the finger at a previously unknown killer. Well worth the time.

I have read many books about this case and I say without any hesitation that this book is very enjoyable, very concise and elaborates on points that many other books just say....Lizzie did it. We all know she was accused of murder, not found guilty. I personally don't think that she did. Think about it? I woman of small stature killing 2 people with a hatchet? And not just a couple of blows.....19 for her stepmother (over 200 pounds) and 11 for her father. She may have been guilty of greed which the author also elaborates on. I am afraid to say that many people take the easy way out, jump on the bandwagon and say...oh, Lizzie did it! Explore some other possibilities. This author has researched two full years....uncovered some material that has been overlooked and spent some genuine time preparing thoughts and tying all the ends together in a book that is both engaging and believable.

I'm a freelance writer who read the book twice and interviewed Brown and others for evidence of X (who I will not name). I even did my own sleuthing, and found it fascinating, and a lot of fun (I'm a guy, but I felt like Nancy Drew!). Brown should document his work so people like me could verify his facts. For the curious, he claims to have proof to back up his case. He's dying of brain cancer. His sequel is to be published posthumously. I liked the book and what it claims. It's a great mystery and is told well. The photos are laid out better in the hardcover edition, and the cover isn't as sensational.

New light on the original crime of the century.

After reviewing this work recently, I would like to add an additional comment: the crux of Arnold Brown's argument rests on the existence of "The Mellen (Mellon) House Gang." If he could supply more documentation of such a conspiracy, his thesis would hold more weight. Local political machines are nothing new, but if "The Mellen House Gang" can be thoroughly documented, showing that a conspiracy among Lizzie Borden, William Borden, Mayor Coughlin, Andrew Jennings et. al. actually took place, then Mr. Brown may, indeed, have written "the final chapter."

He's got most of the facts here, well presented, and a theory about whodunnit that I hadn't heard before, based on information from a family member. And best of all -- Lizzie's inquest testimony verbatim.

THIS BOOK IS SOOOOO GOOD. I couldnt put it down and im reading it for the 6th time!! Each time i find something that i missed before! A must have for anybody intrested with Bordem-Lore.

Yet,it still is not the best reading.Nowhere does it mention about the enemies of Andrew Borden.The dour Andrew Borden had acquired a small list of angry business partners,that may have sought revenge.Borden's parsimonious lifestyle crimped the social moblity of his daughters.There is a strong possiblity that John Morris committed the crimes.Morris knowing the weight of suspecion would fall on the Borden Sisters.Why would the charwoman Bridget Sullivan kill her employers off?Perhaps to receive a portion of the inheritence from the Borden sisters?Would Billy Borden resort to parricide to avenge his misbegotten birth?Billy Borden was disowned by Andrew and his second wife,Abby.In 1901,Billy was found hanging from a tree.Was it a staged suicide,a murder perhaps?Helen Egan added the Billy Borden story years later,around the hamlet of Fall River.Is it not strange that John Morris could resite the names of all nine Irish catholic priests on the trolley-car that humid day of the murders?Was he and later Henry Hawthorne coached by Helen Egan? And was it not strange that stage-actress Nance O'Neill moved into the new Maplecroft house,six months after the trial vindicated Lizzie of the murders?Bridget Sullivan died in 1941,at a Wyoming hospital,still admiring Lizzie.Nance O'Neill died at Englewood,New Jersey,in 1965,never speaking about her past 'Boston Marriage' with Lizzie. This book raises some of the best questions about the never-ending Lizzie subject.And i think a better one can be written still. Above average reading.(N.B.-Lizzie's second street bedroom goes for 250 dollars per night,and 350 during the peak season.So,book well in advance.)

As a student of the Lizzie Borden case for over 20 years, I found Arnold Brown's book compelling reading and indeed, perhaps, "the final chapter" in certainly one of the most intriguing mysteries of current times. However, as well-researched as it is, I would like more documentation as to the geneology of William S. Borden and particularly how Mr. Brown is aware that not only Lizzie and her family were aware of William Borden's existence but how District Attorney Knowlton knew of his existence and relationship to A.J. Borden. More documentation along these lines would make Mr. Brown's thesis even more persuasive rather than relying so much on anecdotal evidence of Ellan Eagan and Henry Hawthorne.