Description

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An astonishing real-life murder mystery set in Victorian Dublin. This meticulously researched true- crime tale is perfect for fans ofThe Fiveby Hallie Rubenhold.

Dublin, November 1856: George Little, the chief cashier of the Broadstone railway terminus, is found dead, lying in a pool of blood beneath his desk. He has been savagely beaten, his head almost severed; there is no sign of a murder weapon, and the office door is locked, apparently from the inside.

Thousands of pounds in gold and silver are left untouched at the scene of the crime. Augustus Guy, Ireland's most experienced detective, teams up with Dublin's leading lawyer to investigate the murder. But the mystery defies all explanation, and two celebrated sleuths sent by Scotland Yard soon return to London, baffled.

Five suspects are arrested then released, with every step of the salacious case followed by the press, clamoring for answers. But then a local woman comes forward, claiming to know the murderer....

About the Author

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Thomas Morris is a writer and historian. His first book, The Matter of the Heart, a critically-acclaimed history of heart surgery, was published in 2017 and won an RSL Jerwood Award for non-fiction. His second, The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth, was chosen by Mental Floss as one of the best books of 2018. He was previously a BBC radio producer for 18 years, and his freelance journalism has appeared in publications including The Times, The Lancet and the TLS.

Praise For…

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"This meticulous non-fiction account of a once-famous murder mystery has all the shocks and surprises of the best crime fiction." —Times Crime Club

"The plot of this real-life murder mystery had as many twists and turns as an Agatha Christie whodunit." —Daily Mail

"Morris unpacks this baffling case with the taut, just-the-facts spareness of the best police procedurals...[He] deftly peppers the narrative with historical context...An intriguing and compelling true crime whodunit as well." —Irish Times

"Morris does an admirable job of capturing the agony and the ecstasy of those turbulent times...a thoroughly engaging history." ―The Wall Street Journal on The Matter of the Heart

"Morris’s expert guided tour of cardiac surgery and its quirky, brilliant innovators covers a dazzling and dizzying array of procedures and hints at tantalizing prospects for future surprises." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Matter of the Heart

"Because of that rich cast of characters, “The Matter of the Heart” is more than a litany of medical advances―it's the story of the gritty, bloody and deadly experiences that underlie scientific progress." ―The Washington Post on The Matter of the Heart

"A fascinating history." ―Booklist on The Matter of the Heart

"This is a book of learned asides and extensive trivia, but it's always enfolded in a well-developed narrative with no end of heroes...and no end of technical problems to overcome.'" ―Kirkus Reviews on The Matter of the Heart