Customer Reviews

Lizzie Didn't Do It!

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I thought that this was a very interesting book. At first, I was put off by the cover, which has the title smeared in blood-covered ink. (They could've been a little more subtle.) I also thought the book could've used tighter editing. Nonetheless, the further I got into the book, the more intrigued I got. The writer brings out certain information -- regarding the note that Lizzie claimed was delivered that morning, and the possible purchase of prussic acid -- that I'd never come across before (and I've read a lot about this case). He also mentions other suspects that people haven't considered. At the very least, he makes it less likely that indeed Lizzie did it.

Central to his thesis, though, is the belief that the Bordens were actually killed at about the same time and Mr. Borden first. This goes against a hundred years of tradition. I've actually wondered myself whether the doctors may have been wrong at the time -- but it still seems to me that the likelihood is that they were killed some time apart, with Mrs. Borden having been killed first.

It's interesting that practically all the books that have come out in the past ten years about the case have pointed at people other than Lizzie. That may be a good thing. Despite the legend about the case, there were plenty of people at the time of the trial who thought Lizzie was innocent. Her notoriety may not be deserved.

Of all the books on this case, the one I've thought best-written (though not without its flaws) is Edward Radin's 1961 book Lizzie Borden: The Untold Story. Radin's theory is that the maid, Bridget Sullivan, did it. Radin points out that there have been many cases when servants killed employers, and Bridget did have opportunity. (She also may have had it in for Mrs. Borden.) Masterson doesn't buy into this theory. But I've always wondered why people have not considered Bridget more seriously as a suspect. The fact that we don't know a motive may just be a red herring that people have been staring at for a hundred years.

Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks, when she found what she done, she gave her father 41 - or did she? What if Lizzie Borden wasn't the killer, then who did it? William Masterton thinks is was someone else and his books may just have the answers.

Fall River Massachusetts is the location of one of America's most brutal murders. In 1892 Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the crime, but over 100 years later people still consider her the killer. Masterton pieces together, through forensics, a highly convincing argument to the contrary of public opinion.

The books looks at the evidence gathered, breaks it down and details why Lizzie Borden could not and was not the killer. I was a skeptic of the book until I started to openly evaluate what the author was relaying throughout the entire book.

Masterton had to have worked overtime to answer the most difficult questions. His work is impeccable and his research is by far the best if have ever seen on this subject. This book Masterton has changed my thinking on the case - you might want to read this one too.

This was an excellent book! I have always been interested in this case and it was thorough in examining all of the evidence and testimony presented at the inquest and trial. The books leaves you with several suspects to choose from that could have committed the crime, none of them Lizzie or her immediate family members. There are plenty of newspaper clippings and excerpts from historical documents to substantiate Masterston's findings. Definitely an enjoyable read.

As a long-time fan of the Borden case, I was at first skeptical, given the "give-away" title of this book (indicating the author believes Lizzie "didn't do it.") Until now, based on what I've read in other books on this subject over the years, I suspected Lizzie's sister Emma and/or a supposed illegitimate son of Andrew Borden (don't recall the name of the book I read years ago on the illegitimate son theory) who were "in cahoots" with Lizzie. I couldn't stop reading this book ... the author's arguments are well-reasoned and his synopsis and end-of-book suggestion of who he believes the murderer was has changed my mind on this now ... I am now not so sure my previous opinion is as solid as I thought. Well done ... any fan of this true-crime story of the Borden murders will enjoy this book.

I have read most of the books on the trial and murder of Lizzie Borden's parents (including Porter's reprint). I have to say this is the most enjoyable of all. Reason? Well, it's not boring. I liked the authors tongue and check style. He does a great job in cutting through a lot of hoopla. I suggest reading another book on the Murders first, like Forty Whacks, or watch the A & E or History Channel special on the murders first. I just think you will enjoy this book more, if you read a cut and dry version first. I wish this book had been printed in hardback, and not such a silly name for the book and cover art work, but that is really the only complaint I have..... Still five stars!!! Bottom line - If your interested in the Borden murders you have got to have this.

At first, I was a bit put off by this book's tone and format. Masterton's writing is conversational (and more than just a little hokey in spots), and he spends his chapters in unexpected ways. But in the end, these small wrinkles fade away into the larger picture of a book well-researched, well-presented - and a very interesting read overall.

One of the hardest things to get used to is Masterton's chapter topics - rather than giving much overview, he launches almost immediately into the thick of the evidence. Each chapter is like a close-up snapshot of one or two specific aspects of the Borden case. At first the book feels disconnected, with a lot of seemingly unrelated information being presented side-by-side; but ultimately it makes sense and is probably even the best approach Masterton could have taken to prove his thesis.

I would have liked to see more application of modern forensics to the crime - Masterton was a chemistry professor, surely he must know some interesting stuff! - but his Holmes-esque logic and deduction are satisfying and believable.

In the end, I'm not sure whether Masterton "solved" the crime - then again, he honestly admits that he can't, given the poor state of the evidence - but to my mind, he accomplished his aim. I don't think Lizzie did it!

The author is a retired chemistry professor who wrote many textbooks on chemistry. He had been interested in the Borden Murders for decades. After he retired, he began his research by reading the microfilmed Fall River newspapers from that time, and other sources. His book is his solution to the mystery; but you can "come to your own conclusions".

The index has an entry for "Simpson trial", but not one for "Eagan, Ellan". His sources do not list Edmund Pearson's 1935 book (which is not generally available); it was the first book to renew interest in this unsolved crime. The book contains some reproductions from those newspapers, but some of the photographs are of low quality. He imagined a "simple logical explanation" for the missing note to Abby. In Chapter 14 he created a new theory: Andrew was killed first, then Abby! This goes against all known facts of the case, and the testimony of those who were present. He did not explain the purpose of his theory; could it have been caused by a more recent event where the time of death could be calculated by the fresh red liquid blood of the victims? The author attempted a solution to the mystery; I think he should have done more research.

Arnold R. Brown's book is still the best solution; he did more research, and had the hometown advantage. A number of minor spelling mistakes suggest that this book was rushed to publication.

I was taken in by the reviews, but being a Lizze Borden "fan", this is by far the worst book I have ever read about her. Mr. Masterson comes off as someone who has deciphered this most perplexing puzzle, when all he is really doing is commentating on other books and resources. He has found the answer! I think not. He seems to harp away (one can only suppose this is his strongest belief) on the fact that Abby was killed at the same time or AFTER Mr. Borden. Coagulated blood, cool body and stomach contents mean nothing to Mr. Masterson, for he does not believe it! And if she killed both victims at the same time, she must not be quilty! Huh? Save yourself money and let this self-published "eureka" stay where it is...presumably lining Mr. Masteron's shelf. If I can save one person the cost and time wasted reading this drivel, I will consider it my contribution to "Lizophiles" everwhere.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lizzie Borden was acquitted by the superior court, but hung by public opinion for the hatchet murders of her parents around the turn of the century. It's been a sensation for true-crime junkies ever since. This particular book does not present a far-fetched or ridiciulous explanation of what really happened that day. The explanation he gives is entirely plausible... and, yes, he does suggest who the murderer was.

The book is full of photographs and document reproductions. However, neither these, nor some of the text, are in the Kindle edition. If Amazon is going to sell a degraded Kindle edition, it should clearly advise purchasers that what is being sold to them is not an electric copy of the complete book.