Uncover the Mystery of the Deadly Dr. Cream in Dean Jobb's "The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream"

Kindle Customer: The book tells the story Dr. Thomas Neill Cream, perhaps the first multiple murderer to be recognized as a serial killer. The book casts light on the social attitudes of the Victorian Era as well as the police procedures of the time. I found it quite interesting and would recommend it to aficionados of "true crime" stories as well as those interested in Victorian history.

United States on Jul 20, 2023

Donald Zaldin: As above

Canada on Mar 12, 2023

Lisa: Similar to The Devil in the White City, this book is a well-researched recounting of the murders of Dr. Cream. It's a fascinating read for anyone interested in true crime.

United States on Jun 27, 2022

Randi A Samuelson-Brown: The reason for the four stars is that it dragged on a bit for my taste. The research is great - and the story strange and frustrating. I knew nothing about Dr. Cream - and now I do!

United States on Feb 06, 2022

B. Smith: John has done a thorough, but uninspired, study of a serial killer who operated in both England and Canada in the late 19th century. While not as notorious as Jack the Ripper, Dr. cream was responsible for more murders. The book's tone is rather dry and measured in spite of the horrific subject. I was not expecting a Nancy Grace style diatribe, but given the subject and the efforts of law enforcement to track him down, it was not in the least suspenseful or engrossing.

United States on Nov 20, 2021

thegreypanther: I found this to be a highly readable book, which told an interesting tale even if somewhat morbid at times.
My only problem with the book was the switching of time periods in the narrative. The book starts with what happened in the 1890s, then provides a full narative of what happened in the 1880s before switching back to the 1890s. Yes, it would probably be difficult to provide a "straight through" narrative, but I still found that this time switch a bit tricky.
However, the author has done an amzing bit of research to enable the story, and must be congratulated on that score.

United Kingdom on Sep 09, 2021

Lj from BC: Book has a tendency to repeat a lot of the content

Canada on Sep 01, 2021

David H.David H.: Dean Jobb writes historical nonfiction like a novel (a talent he shares with Erik Larson). His research is so extensive that he often makes readers feel as though they're at the scene, witnessing conversations among people. And the sub-theme, that the role of "professional detective" was just emerging at this time, adds a Sherlock Holmesian twist to things. First-rate.

Canada on Aug 10, 2021

w: before the internet, crime data bases, DNA testing, on the cusp of forensic science, and a thickly opaque malleable justice system, you could get away with darn nigh anything - that's the takeaway from this book; that, and if you were superficially respectable - meaning male, white, and wealthy. never heard of Dr. Cream and while he murdered, a lot, he poisoned, so his crimes were not as sensational as that of his predecessor [and were not always IDd as crimes] - the less prolific Mr. Ripper [targeted area, probably the same guy, short span of time]. almost always under the influence, Cream was crazy and he talked crazy on sensational and unsavory subjects yet people not only tolerated him, sometimes they befriended him - not discussed in the book, but before porn and smut in the privacy of your own computer, he probably scratched an itch which helps understand why people didn't report him more often, that and Victorian reticence. Murderous stints in the US, Canada, and London [where cumulative effects and different judicial standards lead to different outcomes]. pretty long book - 300+ pages excluding notes - but attention keepingly told. digressions set the context and don't get...

United States on Jul 30, 2021

KO: A riveting true story that follows the twisted path of a Victorian Era monster and the determined Scotland Yard detectives who brought him to justice.

Canada on Jun 05, 2021