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Story of a Murder

The instant Sunday Times bestseller by the author of THE FIVE

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Story of a Murder

By: Hallie Rubenhold
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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Brought to you by Penguin.

BY THE AUTHOR OF MULTI-AWARD-WINNING #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER: THE FIVE, THE WOMEN KILLED BY JACK THE RIPPER

An epic examination of the historical true-crime story of infamous wife-murderer Dr Crippen in Edwardian England, brought to justice by an extraordinary group of strong women

No murderer should ever be the keeper of their victim's story …

On 1 February, 1910, vivacious musichall performer, Belle Elmore, suddenly vanished from her north London home, causing alarm among her circle of female friends, the entertainers of the Music Hall Ladies’ Guild who demanded an immediate investigation.

They could not have known what they would provoke: the unearthing of a gruesome secret, followed by a fevered manhunt for the prime suspect: Belle’s husband, medical fraudster, Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen.

Hiding in the shadows of this evergreen tale is Crippen’s typist and lover, Ethel Le Neve – was she really just ‘an innocent young girl’ in thrall to a powerful older man as so many people have since reported?

In this epic examination of one of the most infamous murders of the twentieth century, prizewinning social historian Hallie Rubenhold gives voice to those who have never properly been heard – the women.

Featuring a carnival cast of eccentric entertainers, glamorous lawyers, zealous detectives, medics and liars, STORY OF A MURDER is meticulously researched and multi-layered, offering the reader an electrifying snapshot of Britain and America at the dawn of the modern era.

'A unique combination of sleuthing, storytelling and compassion' Lucy Worsley

'Under her pen, history comes alive' Professor Dame Sue Black

'An exceptional achievement. I was gripped from the very first page' The Secret Barrister

'Reads like a great thriller. I inhaled it' Bella Mackie

'Fascinating. It's about time Belle became the hero of her own story' Val McDermid

'As compelling as any crime drama' S J Parris

‘I couldn't put it down' Bonnie Garmus

'I had my hand over my wide-open mouth' Rachel Joyce

'Takes us beyond the world of Dr Crippen into the lives impacted by him and the society in which he moved. Terrific' Ian Rankin

'Compelling to the very last page' Denise Mina

© Hallie Rubenhold 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Crime Europe Gender Studies Great Britain Murder Social Sciences True Crime Women Marriage Thought-Provoking England
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Critic reviews

Unbelievably addictive - I defy you to put it down! Written with Rubenhold's completely unique combination of sleuthing, storytelling and compassion.
Story of a Murder is an exceptional achievement. Meticulous research and dazzling storytelling. I was gripped from the very first page
Another triumph. Rubenhold provides a fresh perspective on a notorious crime and in doing so, offers the reader the full picture. Her great talent lies in her scrupulous research and her ability to write real life like a good thriller. I inhaled it.
I lapped it up! Whip-smart, brilliantly atmospheric, completely addictive. I loved the music hall artistes and had my hand over my wide-open mouth at the audacity of the press. And it is not solely about a murder - though I was filled with admiration for the forensic level of research. It’s also about all the bit part players - the dustbin man who notices an unusual amount of rubbish, the boarding house owner who notices something not quite right about the father and son at the table in the corner, and the world they came from. I can’t recommend it more: I will be thinking about it for a very long time.
A fascinating debunking of the myth-making that surrounds Crippen and Le Neve. Putting Belle and her cohort of strong independent women front and centre is long overdue! It's about time Belle became the hero of her own story
'Painstaking research, married to a novelist's instinct for storytelling, make each new book by Hallie Rubenhold a gripping and educational adventure for the reader. STORY OF A MURDER takes us beyond the infamous Dr Crippen to the lives impacted by him, the society within which he moved, and the public's appetite to be shocked and scandalised. It's terrific'
Nothing but praise for Rubenhold’s exhaustive research and arresting story line. I couldn’t put it down
A fantastic read: the story of the women killed by Dr Crippen and how a raggle-taggle band of variety theatre ladies fought for their friend. Crammed with fascinating social history and detail, STORY OF A MURDER is compelling to the very last page
All stars
Most relevant
A story which richly deserves a re- focus on the victim and also makes a strong case for greater judgement and punishment for Dr Crippins accomplice Ethel. Really enjoyed this book, it is so detailed and well researched and well written with strong narration bringing the characters to life

Strong and enjoyable feminist social history

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This detailed, well-researched account spotlights the victim, Belle Elmore, and how, over the years, she has been presented in media accounts of her murder. It also considers, in depth, the role played, or possibly played, by Ethel Le Neve. This brings much needed perspective to what is usually referred to as the Crippen case. The narration by Juliet Stevenson is excellent.

A timely revision

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Halle has done it once again. Like “The Five” Halle has encouraged the reader to look at all aspects of each and every person involved. From their childhood to adulthood and beyond proving that they had history and lives before this event took place. This is not only a book of criminal history but one of making you realise that those involved were people, whether they be the victims or the perpetrator. Fantastic insight into a part of criminal history I knew very little about. Thank you Halle.
Juliet Stevenson is a fantastic narrator I love her voice. So thank you Juliet. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Fantastic

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Another brilliant social history by Hallie Rubenhold. Rich, social context, a compellingly arranged narrative and brilliant performance. Only downside is I’ve finished it now and want another similar!!

Compelling and thoughtful

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I enjoyed this story very much. The characters and people concerned in the Crippen case come to life and the author gives us new and fresh insight into the murder of Belle Elmore. Well worth a listen.

Excellently told tale

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