Murder on the Hackney Express

Despite my fervent list making, I can be quite disorganised sometimes.  To prove my point, this is a review of a book Waterstones sent me three years ago...  Sorry about that, won't make a habit of it.  Promise.

'Mr Briggs' Hat' by Kate
Colquhoun (Little, Brown, 2011)

'Mr Briggs' Hat' by Kate Colquhoun is a work of true crime recounting the story of Britain's first railway murder.  In July 1864, the death of elderly banker Thomas Briggs on his train journey home sends shockwaves through Victorian society.  Until now, the age of steam has been largely embraced, but with the arrival of an empty but blood-soaked carriage at Hackney station, new and horrific possibilities emerge to send accepted complacencies off the rails.  The sensationalist press is soon reporting all the gory details, lapped up by readers around the world.  While the respectable classes squirm at the thought of a vicious maniac on the loose, the papers speculate on one oddity of the case.  In the deserted carriage are found the victim's walking stick and leather bag, plus a crushed hat, which didn't belong to Mr Briggs.  Who is the owner of the mysterious headgear?  And, brute or bystander, can he help police with their enquiries?

Hats off to Ms Colquhoun for the indepth research she must've done to write this book.  The first two thirds are incredibly absorbing, helping the reader understand the context of this tragic story and how it helped and hindered the police at the time.  This case is an interesting point on the journey towards modern crime investigation, showing how processes and techniques have evolved over the past 150 years.

When we reach the courtroom, however, through no fault of the author, the narrative runs a little out of steam.  It's impossible to recount this part of the story without repeating what's gone before, which unfortunately makes the book temporarily falter.  Suspense is soon regained, though, and I soon found it was me slowing things down as I dreaded turning the next page in fear of the inevitable societal vengeance.

Overall, 'Mr Briggs' Hat' is an intriguing glimpse into the crass media, popular neuroses and complex justice system of the Victorian era.  Just when you think everything's been written that could be written about it, someone comes up with something like this.  Hopefully when I've shortened my list a bit, I'll be able to treat myself to something else by Ms Colquhoun and see what fascinating titbits she's unearthed more recently.