Friday, May 23, 2008

THE SUSPICIONS OF MR. WHICHER : A SHOCKING MURDER AND THE UNDOING OF A GREAT VICTORIAN DETECTIVE
by Kate Summerscale

A murder was committed in an English manor house in 1860. The victim was a three-year-old child, who was found on the grounds in the privy, with his throat cut.
Jonathan Whicher, Scotland Yard's finest detective, was sent to investigate. He had a tremendous career solving the most heinous crimes, always able to connect the dots.
Whicher turned Road Hill House upside down questioning the inhabitants, searching for clues, digging away until he finally reached a conclusion.
Kate Summerscale's THE SUSPICIONS OF MR. WHICHER is a mesmerizing tale that keeps you in suspense.
The author includes plans of the house, photos of some of the family and investigators and a few drawings.
A great book that you just cannot put down.


Tuesday, May 20, 2008

AROUND THE WORLD ON TWO WHEELS : ANNIE LONDONDERRY'S EXTRAORDINARY RIDE
by Peter Zheutlin

Women did not ride bicycles in the 1890s. They were supposed to lead sedentary lives, take care of their families, not be independent.
Annie Kopchovsky changed all that. She was a "New Woman" who worked outside the home for a newspaper. After hearing of a bet, between two wealthy merchants that a woman could not ride a bicycle around the world, Annie rose to the challenge. She would earn money ($5,000) by selling advertising on her bike and clothing, lecturing about her adventures along the way, appearing at exhibitions.
In June of 1894, Annie left Boston on a 42-pound bicycle and would not return for fifteen months.
Peter Zheutlin's Around the World on Two Wheels is a delightful book on an unknown woman who took the world by storm and turned her into a legend. Zheutlin had never heard of her until he was contacted by a researcher in the 1990s and found out that he is a great-nephew of Annie. What's more, he's also an avid cyclist.
Well-researched and a great story.