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Lizzie the Story of Lizzie Borden

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The author investigated the unsolved mystery of the Borden Murders by reading the trial transcripts, newspapers, interviews, and the statements of witnesses. He invented a surprise solution: Emma did it! I can't believe his conclusion.

His book is worth reading because of all the background information he provides about the case, including some pictures not seen in earlier books. It provides more information on Emma and the aftermath of the trial than in previous books. It tells of the vicious campaign by the Fall River GLOBE against Lizzie, altho the Providence JOURNAL's editorial after the trial was more damning: "if she knows who did it, why doesn't she speak out?". Spieing (p.197) repeats the story of the 1897 confession altho E. Radin's book exposed it as a forgery in 1961, which he admits in his Notes (p.237).

The best books are still Arnold R. Brown's masterpiece (which solved the crime), and David Kent's book of background material. Edmund Pearson's book is not generally available, nor is Edward Radin's (a crime reporter for a major NYC newspaper).

Residing in Fall River, Massachusetts, makes you curious as to whether the house is haunted. If that is true, what kind of recount would the walls tell? No one knows for sure what happened that hot morning of August 4, 1892 in the home of Andrew and Abbie Borden, with the exception of those who were there, but no is alive from that time in history, to tell us. The city of Fall River was divided in half, supporting Lizzie's innocence and those who firmly believed in her guilt. We, are only left to speculate and to judge Lizzie for ourselves. A true American "Unsolved Mystery".

This is a well-written account of the Borden case that nevertheless plays fast and loose with the facts. Written almost in a novelistic style. Indeed, there are times when one forgets he is reading what is supposed to be non-fiction. The author theorizes that Emma killed the elder Bordens.

David Rehak
author of "Did Lizzie Borden Axe For It?"

Residing in Fall River, Massachusetts, makes you curious as to whether the house is haunted. If that is true, what kind of recount would the walls tell? No one knows for sure what happened that hot morning of August 4, 1892 in the home of Andrew and Abbie Borden, with the exception of those who were there, but no is alive from that time in history, to tell us. The city of Fall River was divided in half, supporting Lizzie's innocence and those who firmly believed in her guilt. We, are only left to speculate and to judge Lizzie for ourselves. A true American "Unsolved Mystery".

Lizzies father was asleep on the couch downstairs. Lizzies step mother was asleep upstairs in her room. The maid was also resting upsatirs. Lizzie was outside in the hayloft eating pears. It was a hot Massachusetts summers day. This book attempts to discover who really hacked to death the sleeping Borden's on that hot afternoon in Fall River. Was it Lizzie, or was it...? A great deal of historical research has gone into this book, supplemented with actual photographs of the case. Well worth reading...

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).

There are so many 'Lizzie' books out there.This one is another.And I would have to say it does add to the discussion.The horrific case is a real teaser.A head-scatcher,'Grattacapo'.Face value ,Lizzie did it.Over the years,a multitude of theories have been presented.Examples given.Bridget Sullivan,the Irish maid,hated them for being cold and calling her ,'Maggie'.And that Bridget had a lesbian affair with Lizzie,that was discovered by Abby Borden.So,why would Bridget jeopardize her job and why did her 'relationship' with Lizzie end? Theories about Emma.Emma was hiding and the she 'whacked' Abby.Emma back into hiding ,then Andrew arrived back to take his customary nap.How did Emma escape,without being noticed?The uncle,John Vinnicus Morse,left early that bloody day.Another story about a 'Billy Borden',a ne'er do well son of Andrew,seeking revenge.Yet,most of the axe blows,were given to Abby and not to Andrew.There was a car ,waiting by the Borden house.Yet,this car seems to be the one that picked up her uncle, John Morse. In 1903,Billy Borden was found hanged.Many assumed suicide.Yet,there is a small chance he threatened to expose the plot,hatched by the Borden sisters.Unlikely,the case was over ten years old and 'double jeopardy' would apply.It seems Billy Borden ,the ill-breed and ill-mannered son,simply ran out of options.To me the best theory is the obvious one,Lizzie did it.Bridget was the look-out.John Morse reminding Lizzie of their long talk.Lizzie bade her uncle ,good-bye.Abby returned,Lizzie whacked her,in the 'Guest' room.Lizzie and Emma saw Abby as an unwelcomed guest.Lizzie back into hiding,until Andrew plopped down on the sofa.After the murders were done,Lizzie went to the basement,to wash the blood.Modern testing shows that there was blood ,on and around the basement sink basin.Luminous spray was able to prove,after one hundred and ten years,it was human blood.Did Lizzie kill them naked?Why would she then burn an old 'paint-splattered' dress?Some believe Lizzie killed Abby then handed the axe to Bridget,who later killed the father,Andrew Borden.The liberal lawyer,Willian Kunstler,pointed out that another axe,that was found in the barn,did not match the skull wounds.A Russian immigrant,who ran a nearby ice-cream parlor,claims to have seen a 'woman' leaving the barn and entering the Borden house,through the side-door.Was it Bridget Sullivan or was it Lizzie?It seems a safe bet,Lizzie was waiting for Abby to return from her sister's house,that of Mrs. Sarah Whitehead.Once Abby returned and Bridget washing the windows,Lizzie went to work. At that junction,Lizzie whacked Abby and went into hiding.Bridget still washing the windows and keeping her eyes open.Andrew Borden returns.He says,'Do a good job on those windows,Maggie'.Andrew retires to the parlor.Lizzie may have felt betrayed by her father.Andrew may have seen Lizzie,not as a daughter,but as a young mistress.One that he used and planned to move along.Perhaps to a nunnery.The Borden's incest is akin to the 'Electra Complex'.Lizzie destroyed Andrew,the same way her maidenhood and maidenhead was destroyed by Andrew.Andrew may have forced Lizzie to have a secret abortion,rendering Lizzie sterile.Lizzie was a fan and patron of the stage,yet it's uncertain her knowledge of the Greek tragedies.Once Lizzie whacked Andrew,she washes up in the basement.If Lizzie killed them naked,why burn the old dress?The axe head ,recovered from the ash-bin,fit the skull wounds.And years later,the infamous axe head,matched and fit the slashed shawl of Abby.There were many people around Andrew Borden that had various motives to kill him and his second wife.Yet,the bloody deeds fell upon Lizzie,if she wanted to be free,from the patriarchal social constraints of the closing Victorian Age.