The Murder of the Whitechapel Mistress is a true-crime historical saga written by knowledgeable and enthusiastic Victorian crime author Neil Watson. Released 23rd Nov 2023 by Pen & Sword on their True Crime imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is an involved and somewhat intricate true-crime case from 1871-1875 in which a bigamist businessman betrays his lawful family, acquires a mistress/second wife and family, gambles his money away, goes bankrupt and conspires to, and carries out, murder on the mistress, and manages to convince everyone she moved away. Despite being a sensational and lurid tale, the author does a very good and balanced job of presenting the facts of the case without exploiting the more horrific aspects.

The text is meticulously annotated and written in accessible and easy to understand language. The chapter notes and bibliography will provide hours of further reading for students of true-crime history. The text is enhanced with appendices which contain historical and modern photos of the environs and some of the sites where the murder and later trials occurred as well as facsimile documents. There are happily no lurid crime scene photographs.

Four stars. Well written and absorbing, but quite sad. Recommended for readers of true crime history. It would also make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, as well as possibly for a history book club study.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Really well researched and detailed historical true crime novel. Author went above and beyond in research and providing accurate details and information but at the same time did not overwhelm you. This was a great book.

So, this one is a bit difficult for me because while I did enjoy this and get into it, there are sections where I found it was a bit bland leading to a lack of my paying attention. It's a well thought out book, I may give it another go later.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Princess Fuzzypants here’. If mew like real life whodunits, read this book. The murder of Harriet Lane has been lost to history, overshadowed by the hoopla of the serial killer who roamed Whitechapel 14 years later. This is a far more personal story. A successful narcissist with a good business and a lovely home and family, sets up his mistress and their illegitimate children. When his business and his vices threaten his idyllic life and his mistress becomes increasingly unstable, he feels his only way out is through illegal means. The book is the story of what happened before the deed, the deed itself and the attempted coverup and finally the capture and trial of the villain.

The author encourages the reader to become a member of the jury, to weigh the evidence and then cast the vote for guilt or innocence. It would be pretty difficulty to find the primary villain, Henry Wainwright. innocent of anything and the reader will get some satisfaction that justice was served. His brother, Thomas, is another story. There is no doubt Thomas played a part and should have done time in prison. What part and to what degree he is involved still would be a question all this time down the road. Perhaps with modern forensics a more firm decision might be made but with the facts of the case very clearly and precisely laid out, it would be, at best, a hung jury.

The book also looks at the innocent victims. The wives of the two brothers, their children and the children of Henry and Harriet all suffered to varying degrees from this murder. The perps were not quite as smart as they thought themselves and were caught red-handed. The evidence the police gathered to make their case was impressive. Reading it all is fascinating and the reader will come away with firm feelings one way or another.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review ♥️

I'm captivated by this book about the shocking murder of Harriet Lane in 1870s Victorian London. The author, a seasoned police officer, masterfully weaves together the tale of Harriet's doomed relationship with wealthy Henry Wainwright, the trial that stunned the city, and the dark secrets that led to her tragic end.

I found this book to be a fascinating dive into Victorian crime, but be prepared for a lot of details! The author's research is impressive, but some parts felt a bit too in-depth for me. Despite a few typos, I appreciated how the author clarified when they were speculating. If you're a history buff or true crime fan, this is a great read. Just be ready to immerse yourself in the world of 1870s London!

What I instantly loved about this book was Neil Watson’s clear love of history! His passion jumped off the page and his excitement at being able to tell this story made me excited to read it.

I love history and true crime so when I saw this book I was really excited to request and read it!

It was an interesting read and if you’re a lover of history or true crime I think you’ll really enjoy this book too.

There was so much detail and every angle was explored! It is clear just how much research Neil must have done! Some reviews have stated they didn’t like the repetition in this book but with so much detail in the case I found it really helpful to be reminded of the different bits throughout.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for any true crime fans

I love a good historic true crime novel, podcast, documentary, you name it. I was excited when I first received this, but ultimately found it to be a bit dry. To me the best nonfiction history books, whether true crime or not, suck you in with good storytelling. Unfortunately, this one didn't do that for me.

Absolutely fascinating account of a tragic event that led to so much heartache. I was riveted by this account and read the book in one sitting. My heart goes out to all those affected, even all these years later. A must read for any true crime fan. 4 stars

This was a fascinating read, I had never heard of this case before so it worked as a great way to introduce us to the case. It does a great job in keeping us engaged with the story and has a lot of detail. Neil Watson has a great writing style for true crime.

Henry Wainwright (12 July 1832–21 December 1875) was an English murderer.Wainwright was a brushmaker entrepreneur who murdered his mistress Harriet Louisa Lane in September 1874 and buried her body in a warehouse he owned.When he was declared bankrupt the next year, he disinterred the body in September 1875 and attempted to rebury it with the assistance of his brother Thomas and another brushmaker, Alfred Stokes.Stokes was suspicious of the contents of the parcels he had been given to carry and opened one, revealing human body parts, which he immediately reported to police. Henry and Thomas were tried at the Old Bailey before Sir Alexander Cockburn and found guilty: Henry of murder and Thomas of being an accessory after the fact. Henry Wainwright was sentenced to death and hanged by William Marwood on 21 December 1875. People who've been supposed "pillars of the community" have committed heinous acts under the cover of goodness. In the case of Henry Wainwright, he tried to carefully curate an image for public consumption as that of an industrious gentleman and upstanding family man, when in reality, he was leading a double life and in truth, he was an imprudent, lecherous and a pathological liar. He was the author of his own misfortune. He genuinely thought he could get away with the consequences of his misdeeds.In 1871,he met Harriet Lane, a young local girl who was working nearby.Wainwright was absolutely infatuated with her beauty and wit, and before long, he had sired two children with her and was paying for his illegitimate family to stay at a house in Mile End.His income was respectable and could provide a comfortable living for one family, but it wasn’t enough to pay for two families.Wainwright was quickly falling into debt and was in over his head. Compounding this, Harriet was drifting towards alcoholism and would berate him when she was drunk, demanding he leave his wife and be with her.Henry wanted Harriet out of the picture as he was worried that she would give up the game and expose him.This seems like an open and shut case, but it's open for debate as to who or what caused the final destruction.

The Murder of the White Chapel Mistress is a nonfiction, historical book that explores the sensational case of a young woman who was brutally killed in Victorian London. The author, Neil Watson, has done extensive research and claims to have uncovered new evidence about the crime and the trial. However, the book suffers from several flaws that make it a disappointing read for fans of Victorian true crime.

The first problem is the structure of the book. Watson reveals the identity of the killer and the verdict of the trial in the introduction, leaving no room for suspense or mystery. The rest of the book is a tedious recounting of the details of the investigation, the court proceedings, and the aftermath. The information is often repeated in the first third of the book, making it hard to keep interest.

He also fails to provide any context or analysis of the social and historical background of the crime, such as the role of gender, class, and morality in Victorian society. The book lacks the depth and insight that other writers of Victorian true crime have achieved, such as Hallie Rubenhold's "The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper" or Kate Summerscale's "The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer".

A redeeming quality of the book is the abundance of detail that Watson provides about the crime and the trial. He cites various sources, such as newspapers, letters, testimonies, and official records, to support his claims and arguments. He also includes many primary illustrations that help the reader visualize the scene and the characters. The book is well-researched and documented, but it is not well-written or engaging.

In conclusion, The Murder of the White Chapel Mistress is a book that promises much but delivers little. It is a dry account of a tragic story. It is not recommended for readers who are looking for a captivating and compelling read about a murder in Victorian London.

Reviewed for Netgalley.

I never tire of true crime, especially if it has anything to do with Victorian-era skullduggery and the shifting, macabre menace that lurked in every gaslit shadow of sinister and seedy Whitechapel.

While everyone fixated on Jack and his dubiousness, there were many - with great emphasis on the word many - other shady deals going down, case in point this one. The Murder of the Whitechapel Mistress is a fascinating read, an insight into a weak, selfish and truly awful man, who had he but the wits to plan ahead would have gotten away with a heinous crime. Not being the brightest spark in the box, his schoolboy errors led to one faux pas after another, and thankfully the Bobbies on the Beat chose to refuse his bribes and investigate further. By Jove, did they get a shock!

I especially loved the illustrations that accompanied the case, the equivalent of today's crime scene photos, and ever-so-charming. There really is just something about pen and ink drawings.... anyway, I digress. Intriguing, informative, well-written and at times a little sad (Harriet's murder was truly awful, the callous and brutal act of a base, desperate man). It goes to show that killing someone isn't as easy as you might think, and once you embark on that grim course you will inevitably need to see it through to the bitter end.

If you love Victorian-era crime, tales of Jack the Ripper and the bleak streets of hellish filth where he practiced his macabre ministering, then this is for you. Make sure you have a warm blankie, sleeping catten and steaming cup of tea, just to remind you that those days are over. I loved it.

4 and a half gaslit stars!

Thank you to Neil Watson, NetGalley, and Pen & Sword Books for my review copy.

This was an amazing read and well researched about a fascinating true crime story.

In 1875 the murder trial of Victorian businessman Henry Wainwright took place.

Leading a double life he had a wife and five children, he a also had a secret mistress all to support. However facing financial ruin he turned to murder to solve of his problems or did he.Later the murdered body of his mistress Harriet Lane was discovered,and he was arrested and with good reason no spoilers from me you will have to read the book to find out the circumstances of his arrest.

But was he the killer? Or was his brother Thomas more involved than suspected.

Highly recommended

This was an amazing read of a true crime. I did not know about this crime but I supect that it was overshadowed by all the stories just after this of Jack the Ripper.. Victorian England was not kind to women or inded the poorer folk but this story emphasises the life of women. I was absorbed by foloowing the evideence and the trial itself and loved the fact that the faces and emotions of those in the courtroom and on the stand was detailed so clearly.What a difference life in Victorian England was for women, having to be totally dependant upon a man, acceting that he could do as he liked and have mistresses or mistreat his wife if he liked. The actresses who were forced by finance to accept being a mistress in order to survive was sad . The trial also highlights the fact that women were not allowed to serve on a Jury and furthermore they were ushered out when the details of the corpse was described as they would be to fragile to hear aboout it. The sad thing is that Queen Victoria was one of the main people who pushed that women needed the protection of men as they were the weaker sex andwere not able to make their own decisions in life but only to do as told.
Anamazing read showing very detailed research and I look forward to reading more by this very talented author.

Thank you NetGalley for allolwing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I enjoy reading True Crime novels and this one not disappoint.

This book was set in Victorian-era London before Jack the Ripper.

A young woman names Harriet Lane was murdered and Henry Wainwright was arrested for her murder.
This takes us on along the trial and found there was a lot of detail that went on.
I recommend this book.

Henry Wainwright in 1871 had it all, he was a well respected businessman, he had a wife and 5 children and a lovely London townhouse.
But in 1872 Henry fell in love with Harriett Lane, a risky affair began and they ended up having 2 children. Henry stood by Harriett and set her up in lodgings with a generous allowance and they pretended to be Husband and Wife.
Not only was Henry supporting two households he liked to gamble and spend time with the ballet girls from the local pavilion. As his gambling debts increased he could no longer afford to look after Harriett and the two children.
Harry concocted an elaborate plan to kill Harriett but make it look like she had run off with another a man and was now living abroad.
This book is true crime at it's finest. The author did an excellent job of telling this story.
The book is full of information not only of the crime and the subsequent trial but also of what it was like to live in Victorian England.
This book is a must read for anyone who loves true crime.

True crime is one of those genres that will never get old - and it doesn't matter if the crime is newer - or one that was committed in the long distant past. The murder of Harriet Lane caused a sensation across England, one that was viewed with interest due to the grisly nature of the crime. Henry Wainright had it all - a loving wife, several children, and a good business. But as he began an affair with Harriet, things then started to go wrong. The business suffered, and he was feeling the monetary strain of having to provide for two families.
It was then that he began to contemplate murder. It was a convienient way for him to get the mistress out of the way. He took great pains to make it look as though she had left with another man, and run off, leaving her children behind. But her father refused to accept this, and thus began the police inquiry into her death.

This book does a great job of going into the background, the murder, and the subsequent trial of Henry and his unfortunate unknowing accomplice.

Great read! I enjoyed this one!

Happy Publication Day!

I absolutely loved this true crime novel by Neil Watson! 5 stars!

I enjoyed the author's note included at the beginning. It was nice to read about who Neil Watson is and what drew him to write about this particular case.

I am from the states and I had never heard of this case before, so I went in having zero knowledge, but I have come out having finished the book with total knowledge that I can spread information about this case to others. The Murder of the Whitechapel Mistress was so filled with information, research, and evidence I cannot even begin to imagine the time and effort it took Neil Watson to put this together. I have read other comments on Goodreads where reviewers state that the novel can be repetitive, and I do agree. However, I do not feel the repetition is negative in any way. I feel that it keeps the evidence and information fresh in the reader's mind throughout the novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed the use of the newspaper clipping/drawings sprinkled throughout the novel. I also appreciated the use of bullet points when Watson lists the arguments made by the prosecution/defense during the trials. It helped to keep the evidence factual and organized for the reader.

I remember appreciating Neil Watson providing descriptions of John Holder on day 8 of the trial in order to give the reader an idea of what he looked like presenting the evidence. Watson did this a few times through the novel to provide speculation and imagery to the reader of what it may have been like. I was surprised to learn that jury deliberations took less than an hour!

It was interesting to learn from Watson's research a few differences of how trials took place during this time period - an all male jury, jurors viewing the body in person, women having to exit the rom during the medical information day, and women having a designated seating area in general.

Neil Watson really shows how much he was invested in the research of Harriet Lane's murder in this novel. I cannot WAIT to read other books by Watson.

Thank you NetGalley, Neil Watson, and Pen & Sword for the ARC.

The author brings his police background to bear in presenting this well-researched and incredibly detailed book about a crime committed in Victorian London in the 1870s - the murder, dismemberment and burial of Harriet Lane. He follows the story from Harriet latching on to Henry Wainwright, a well to do brush manufacturer with a wife and children, to his subsequent money troubles, her insistence on receiving support for her children by him, and his eventual decision to remove the problem of Harriet once and for all.

There is a minutae of detail, about the trial (which featured in many newspapers at the time), the potential involvement of Wainwright's brother Thomas, also on trial as an accessory. The author carefully builds up a picture of both life and morals of that time, as well as the criminal procedures.

Its a fascinating read, although unless you are a real afficinado of Victorian crime, you may find the detail a little overwhelming at times. There are quite a number of typos which detract a little from this serious piece of research, but overall its a readable and interesting account. The author makes it plain when he is wandering into the realms of supposition rather than hard fact, in order to cover the inevitable gaps in the records.

An interesting book, well researched and very detailed. Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a different way to write a true crime story and I should know I've read enough of them throughout my lifetime. It's like sitting in a coffee house with the author and having him lay out everything he's uncovered and then asking for your opinion on what really happened and why you think so. Excellent research and has pictures along with newspaper articles which is always appreciated by me! There's a bit of repetition so I would rate this 4.5/5. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.