Some True Crime books are written so well that they’re like fiction. In the case of Lizzie, we have a fictionalized account that reads like a True Crime book. Sadly, that’s not a compliment. It has a stiffer tone than fiction should, which made it seem clear that the author wasn’t fully comfortable writing a book for the fiction section of the bookstore.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Loved this story about the Lizzie Borden story. It goes in depth of what happened and her mindset during the crime.

I will not be sharing this review elsewhere because I don't want to hurt the author's sales. This book went beyond the realm of "historical fiction" and sailed straight into "disgusting and offensive." As an expert on the Borden family, I was horrified at the liberties taken, particularly with regard to the family finances and the state of Emma and Lizzie's inheritance. The reality of women's rights at that time, in addition to the religious politics of Fall River, meant that Lizzie and Emma would have been made homeless and penniless when their father died; they would not have been offered charity or employment because of their religion. To paint them as spoiled children - especially when they were grown women who had been subjected to financial abuse for many years - is reprehensible and degrades the suffering of every woman who was oppressed by such laws before the Women's Suffrage was successful, not just the one woman who was tried for murder.

Beyond how disturbing this was, the writing itself was poor and would have benefited with at least one more round of editing to watch out for repeated phrases, filler words, and clunky/unnecessary descriptions.

The mysterious story of the Borden family intrigues me just as much as Jack the Ripper so when I saw Lizzzie by Diane Fanning, I couldn't...wouldn't...resist. The author did a spectacular job incorporating fiction with facts. Her writing is lovely and details are very believable. I was mesmerized the entire time and did a further bit of research as a result. Though I'm nearly certain who the murderer was, there is still that niggling sliver of doubt. True crime stories of the era are endlessly fascinating to mull over!

In Massachusetts in 1892, Andrew Borden and his second wife Abby lived in a large home with his daughters, Emma, 43, and Lizzie, 32. He was wealthy but lived frugally. The girls did not like their step mother but had a close sister relationship. Their world changed when Andrew and Abby's butchered bodies were discovered and the only person at home at the time was Lizzie who said she was in their barn a few meters from the house. Lizzie was the main suspect for several reasons and stood trial but was acquitted. The author describes the atmosphere in the family home, the crimes, suspicious actions, the servant "Maggie" and Uncle John, the trial and life after, the sisters' huge new house, Lizzie's philanthropy and their deaths nine days apart.

If you are a true crime and historical fiction fan, this is unmissable! Well worth reading.