This is a rather gripping and thrilling true crime mystery which certainly took my on a rollercoaster ride. A cold-blooded murder of a young girl in Great Yarmouth, September 1900 which brings history, true crime and all the drama, tension and atmosphere of the times.

This is a book that I loved as it was a perfect length so I didn't get bored, it was well written and very interesting and the writing really drew you in and took you on a journey through the time and place as well as the happenings. I enjoyed reading this book and would certainly recommend it to any lover of crime, thrills, murder and mystery as this book had it all.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I recently had the pleasure of reading "The Mysterious Mrs Hood" by Kim Donovan, a true Victorian murder mystery that is as captivating as it is intriguing. As I delved into the story, I was drawn in by the author's meticulous research and masterful storytelling.
The book tells the story of Mary Jane Bennett, a woman whose body was found on the beach in Great Yarmouth in 1899. The subsequent investigation and trial of her husband, Herbert, is a gripping account that reads like a page-turning thriller. What sets this book apart from other true crime stories is the complexity of the characters involved. Mary Jane is not portrayed as a helpless victim, but rather as a woman with a troubled past and questionable morals.
As I read on, I found myself becoming increasingly invested in the case, thanks to Donovan's engaging writing style and attention to detail. The author's use of primary sources, including court transcripts and witness statements, adds depth and authenticity to the story. The result is a richly detailed portrait of Victorian society that is both fascinating and disturbing.
What struck me most about this book was its ability to humanize the characters involved, despite their flaws and imperfections. Mary Jane may have been involved in her husband's shady dealings, but she is still a victim of his abuse and manipulation. Herbert, on the other hand, is a complex figure whose motivations are expertly unravelled by Donovan.
"The Mysterious Mrs Hood" is a must-read for anyone interested in true crime, history, or social commentary. It's a gripping tale that explores the darker side of Victorian society, and it's clear that Donovan has poured her heart and soul into researching and writing this book.

This was a well-documented book. The author begins the story by talking about her own personal connection to the subject, a half-sister of a grandmother who was murdered.

The author then set out to find out more about the situation and collected details from newspapers and other sources to give a very detailed account of the case. The investigation holds no surprises; it is the surrounding details that are the draw in this book.

In 1900, a young woman was found dead, and she seemed to have provided a false name at the place where she lodged. Figuring out who she was and where her baby daughter was to be handed over was the first stage of the investigation. In parts, the author then provides us with details about the family, the complexities and, as an added bonus, actual details about the lifestyle at that time and place.

I do not seem to be enjoying (if I may use that word) real crime stories as much as fake ones, even if the culprit is caught and punished, maybe because of the real facts and repercussions that follow such acts. I did, however, like this sneak peek into England in the 1900s and how it functioned for average citizens.

I would recommend this book to true old-timey crime fans since it holds a lot of detail and provides the direction in which these details were found. This last part was provided in a simple and straightforward manner, and I was never bored with the facts.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

A true crime mixed with social history. The story of a murder, the investigations and the life of the victims.
It was a fascinating and informative read
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Mysterious Mrs Hood is a fascinating true crime account and an extremely interesting slice of social history. It is the story of the finding of a woman's body on the beach at Great Yarmouth in 1899, the subsequent investigation and the trial of the man who murdered her. She is quickly identified as Mrs Hood, and later her true identity is discovered. She is Mary Jane Bennett. Her husband, Herbert, eventually becomes the prime suspect in her murder.

It's interesting that the victim was the great-great-aunt of the author.

The basics are all-too-familiar: a woman murdered by a man, an abusive marriage, a police investigation, salacious press reporting... The details of the crime and subsequent investigations are laid out in exquisite detail, testament to the amount of careful research done for this.

What feels original is the characters involved. The victim is not portrayed as some sort of helpless innocent. We discover that her background is none too clean. No, not because she was your typical 'fallen woman' (well, it turns out she was, but that's not exactly important...). Rather, she was quite the criminal herself, an active participant in her husband's many cons and scams.

This is no edulcurised version of Victorian society, but an exploration of the gritty details of the lives of the ordinary people involved. It reminded me strongly of George Gissing's novels. It includes contents of the court proceedings, including witness interviews, richly illustrating the times and the intricacies of the case.

The Mysterious Mrs Hood explores the evidence in exhaustive detail, but every detail is interesting and enlightening. I couldn't put it down.

Vividly told true-crime story about the late-Victorian murder of Mary Jane Bennett on the beach at Great Yarmouth. It combines a rigorous account of the crime, investigation and trial, with the story of the Mary Jane’s life. We follow her from her childhood in London, to her marriage, to the mystery surrounding her stay at a boarding-house in Great Yarmouth alone with her young child, where she gave her name as Mrs Hood.

The book is also a fascinating slice of social history (I particularly enjoyed that as I've been reading fiction from the period, shades of George Gissing in the London characters).

While much has changed, particularly in the science of detection, there is also much, sadly, that will be familiar to fans of contemporary true crime – the violent death of a woman, a salacious press, police failings, a dishonest and manipulative man…
*
Copy from NetGalley

"The Mysterious Mrs. Hood" by Kim Donovan unravels a true Victorian murder mystery set against the backdrop of Great Yarmouth in 1900. The lifeless body of a young woman found on the beach, shrouded in mystery with a bootlace around her neck, captures the nation's attention. Detective Inspector Robert Lingwood vows to solve the case, revealing layers of intrigue as the investigation unfolds.

I rated "The Mysterious Mrs. Hood" 4 stars because Donovan skillfully reconstructs the events, drawing readers into a web of clues, red herrings, and a sensational trial. The narrative is meticulously researched, shedding light on Mary Jane Bennett's true identity and the complexities of Victorian England. Donovan's personal connection to the story adds a poignant touch, making this historical murder mystery a compelling and evocative read. Overall, "The Mysterious Mrs. Hood" brings a fascinating chapter of history to life with gripping storytelling and meticulous detail.

At the turn of the twentieth century a young woman is found dead on the beach at Yarmouth. She is finally identified as 'Mrs Hood' who was staying at a local lodging with her daughter. However all lines of enquiry seem to be going nowhere and the case is referred to Scotland Yard. Finally the woman is identified as Mary Jane Bennett and from then all evidence leads to the murderer as being her husband Herbert. As the Victorian era ends, the trial of Herbert Bennett grips the nation.
This sia really well researched true crime story in which the complex nature of the Bennett's lives is dissected. The records of the trial are used copiously and there is a little twist in the tale right at the very end. However what makes this book so powerful is the fact that this is actually the story of the author's great-great-aunt and the fight for justice has that personal dimension that lifts the tale.

Amazing, well researched, true crime story. Fascinating to read and could not put it down once I started.

Early one September morning in Great Yarmouth, England 1900, the body of a young woman is found on the beach. The bootlace around her neck & bloodstains on her clothing suggest that this is no suicide or accident - she has been murdered. Initially identified as Mrs Hood, from the name given to the landlady where she was staying, the evidence was followed over the subsequent weeks when it was discovered that she was actually Mrs Mary Jane Bennett. A tempestuous relationship with her husband, Herbert Bennett, & a married life on the make had left them at odds, but now Herbert was infatuated with someone else meaning his wife was surplus to requirements. When he is identified as having been in Great Yarmouth on the evening in question, it isn't long before he is arrested & due to stand trial. Is he actually guilty though?

An intriguing & well researched look at a historical true crime case from the turn of the 20th century. The author has a familial link to the victim & takes us through the story from the very beginning of her great-great-aunt's life. I thought it was written in an easy to read style & it keeps the reader's attention throughout. Even the court scenes were riveting. The ending made me wonder if any research has been done on other similar murders in the wider area or even further afield at the time. It's an interesting possibility.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Orion Publishing Group/Seven Dials, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Intricate, Compelling..
A true Victorian murder mystery in this fascinating and intricately detailed account of a murder in Great Yarmouth in 1900. When a young woman is discovered on the beach with a bootlace tightly tied around her neck, an investigation begins. Despite huge national coverage, no one comes forward to claim the unfortunate woman. The investigating detective vows to solve the crime and when Scotland Yard becomes involved the truth behind the mystery begins to emerge. Hugely atmospheric and immersive, this is a compelling tale well relayed by the great, great niece of the victim herself.

"A true Victorian murder mystery"

An amazing, well-researched and analysed account of the murder of the mysterious Mrs Hood in late 19th Century Yarmouth, Kim Donovan guides us through the tragic murder of a woman related to her and her investigation into the events superseding up to the aftermath of the crime. Donovan leaves no stone unturned and although related to the victim, tells the events as unbiased as she can with a plethora of evidence and first-hand accounts of the initial investigation.

Told plainly and matter-of-fact, The Mysterious Mrs Hood: A True Victorian Mystery of Scandal, Arson, Murder & Betrayal is a brilliant Victorian true crime mystery that is the perfect read for any True Crime fans.

Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Superb investigation of the crime of the century in 1900s Yarmouth

The author is related to the murder victim but we get a very indepth and balanced view of the trial, the mystery, power of the media and the court case.

Fascinating!

Given the recent situation with the press and court cases, this is a timely reminder of where it all began. This is a true story about a murder in Great Yarmouth at the end of the 19th century. The newspapers were just beginning to realise the power and influence they potentially had to sensationalise . Photography was also beginning to be used instead of drawings so ‘evidence’ appeared to be more scientific despite its poor quality. The book explains the process of investigating a crime in the days before DNA, fingerprints and proper post-mortems. I was fascinated by the accepted societal norms. The jury is composed of only men and women are told to leave the courtroom when certain details of the assault are examined.
The author is related to the murder victim but presents a well balanced version of events. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a prepublication ebook in return for an honest review.

A remarkable and well-researched analysis of all the details of the case – a mystery woman killed on Yarmouth beach. Less of a true crime thriller than a historical tour de force of the progress made in solving the case, the huge effect that involving Scotland Yard had, finding/catching the main suspect, getting all the evidence, and then the progress of the trial in London. No spoiler here – read the fascinating account of what actually happened, with all the necessary detail. Given that the case is over 100 years old, Donovan has done a superb job of finding and writing about the facts of the case, in such a lucid way. I started the book thinking it would be a crime thriller – but discovered a professional and expert analysis of a Victorian crime, when police methods were miles away form what we see today.

The book is brilliant. This is a victorian murder mystery. A young woman is found dead and the investigation takes place. The author takes us deep into the plot and the setting. The characters are interesting while some were innocent. The author has written every little detail. There was also a bit of the history of England’s first Metropolitan Police Service that has been established in 1829 and Trials in the early twentieth century. There were facts, history and mystery. Herbert John Bennett has a mysterious demeanour and he is harbouring secrets from Alice Rudrum. While in Sep, 1900 John Norton witnessed a dead body at Yarmouth’s south beach. And then following the clues leading to the murder, the trials and ordeal took place. This is a must read and it is based on true crime.

Thank you Netgalley, Author & Publisher.