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The Trial of Dr Crippen: A Drop of Poison

Trials of the Century

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The Trial of Dr Crippen: A Drop of Poison

By: Matt Richards
Narrated by: Sandra Parsons
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Summary

A Trial of the Century witnessed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. International true crime with historical depth. Unfolding like a thriller. Full cast.

In the dock: a quiet American doctor accused of mutilation and murder. In 1910, Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen stood trial for the murder of his wife, the music-hall performer Belle Elmore, after human remains were discovered beneath the cellar floor of their London home.

What followed was one of the first great media manhunts of the twentieth century: a transatlantic pursuit to Canada aboard a steamship, the revolutionary use of wireless telegraphy, and a trial watched by a public gripped by fascination and unease.

Drawn from the original Old Bailey trial transcripts and contemporary reporting, this edition recreates the key exchanges between prosecution and defence: the forensic examination of the remains, the testimony surrounding a troubled marriage, and the steady, methodical cross-examinations in open court.

The proceedings reveal not only the legal strategies deployed on both sides but also the atmosphere of Edwardian London as science, celebrity, and sensational journalism converged. A classic true-crime mystery thriller that caught the eye of Sherlock Holmes' creator - he sat in the public gallery, taking notes.

The Trial of Dr Crippen is the second title in the Trials of the Century series, following The Trial of Leopold and Loeb and preceding The Trial of Patty Hearst (released Summer 2026).

Ideal for listeners interested in historical true crime, Edwardian murder trials, forensic history, and famous court cases that shaped modern criminal justice.

Performed by acclaimed stage actors and award-winning producers & directors. Discover more Trials of the Century Audiobooks at classic-crime. com.

©2026 Classic Crime Limited (P)2026 Classic Crime Limited
Americas Crime Law True Crime United States Celebrity Marriage Murder Funny Detective
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Thoroughly enjoyed this deep dive into the Crippen case. Thought provoking and well paced it takes us into the courtroom to hear the actual words spoken by the protagonists. There’s a fascinating background examination of the events leading to the arrest of the infamous doctor. Huge applause for the tenacious Music Hall Ladies Guild whose concern for their missing friend finally brought Scotland Yard to Crippen’s door. The narration is measured and the cast excellent. I’m looking forward to the next one. Highly recommended.

Engrossing and exciting new look at a classic crime

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Like to consider myself a connoisseur of both a dramatised trial and the modern day audiobook so am delighted to have discovered this series and specifically this episode A Drop of Poison focusing on the well known case of Dr Crippen. I say well known because we tend to refer to Crippen as one of our most infamous murderers when most of us are only familiar with a few sensational bullet points. Well here you get the full story in a dramatisation that manages to be just gruesome, grisly and intriguey enough but stays classy, with a strong cast and an atmospheric setting so you feel like you're actually sitting in the courtroom yourself hearing it all go down. Also nice that it comes in at just under an hour and a half so keeps your interest peaked at all times like a perfect pocket sized dose of crime. Don't want to give anything away to those who haven't listened in yet but it gave me chills at the end...lovely, dark stuff.

Don't Trust Me I'm a Dr Crippen...

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