I learned of this book while listening to Sarah Miller being interviewed by Richard Behrens at lizziebordengirldetective.net. Those interviews were excellent. So I picked up a copy of her book, which I found excellent as well. It was very easy to read, hit all of the high points of the story, and then some. I've read numerous books about the murders, and this is the best one so far. Miller covered a lot of ground in 278 pages. ( )

3.5 stars

Lizzie Borden was 32-years old when her father and stepmother were murdered with an axe while she was home. Their servant Bridget was also home at the time. Rhymes indicate that Lizzie murdered them both, but she was acquitted of the murders. This book takes us through what little was known of Lizzie pre-murders, the day of the murders, and the trials (and all other steps leading up to the trial: indictment, preliminary hearing, etc).

I have never before read anything about Lizzie Borden and had assumed she had murdered those whom she was accused of murdering (not even sure I could have told you it was her parents). This book, I believe, is geared to a YA audience, though I didn’t think it really read that way. The author did a lot of research on this and tried to present both sides. It turns out nothing Lizzie said (it was pretty much all contradictory) during the indictment was included at the trial, nor was key testimony of one witness. Even if they had been included, I’m not convinced it would have been enough to convict her. That being said, I’m not sure how anyone else could have done it. But, I’ve only read this one book.

There were some photos included at the end and a bibliography and notes. I was quite shocked at the look of the skulls (quite bashed in!) of Mr. and Mrs. Borden. And who knew there was (is?) a “Lizzie Borden Quarterly” journal!? I thought this was a good place to start to read about Lizzie and I am likely to find and read more. ( )

The Borden Murders by Sarah Miller DB 84888
If you know nothing about the Borden murders that Lizzie Borden was accused of committing this is a well-researched book. She covers Lizzie through the arrest, grand jury and the inquest trying to show both sides of the story. ( )

An excellent nonfiction book on the notorious crime of the 19th century, this meticulously researched book gives as balanced an account as is probably possible, letting the reader judge for themselves if Lizzie Borden was guilty or not guilty of killing her father and stepmother. The book is divided into sections, narrating the discovery of the bodies and what happened immediately afterward; subsequent sections describe the arraignment, pretrial hearing, and trial itself. The book includes many photographs, including the victims' bashed-in skulls (but none of the murder victims up close; the text describes the wounds in quite enough detail for your imagination to fill in the rest, thank you very much) and the floor plan of the house, to enable the reader to properly follow along and set the scene just like in any good murder mystery. Every bit of dialogue in the book is real, documented in the endnotes as having been said in various witness testimonies, so the book reads like a novel but is not fictionalized. I am amazed at how much material is out there on this case (including two different modern quarterly journals! There are "Lizzie Borden Societies" apparently! Good grief!), and the author gives a terrific end note describing how she wrote the book, trying to give a full accounting of both defense and prosecution, and discarding the newspaper stories that we know to be completely fabricated. She gives a pretty full description of what Lizzie may have been like, as a person, without sensationalizing anything. What I enjoyed most were the fascinating sidebars explaining all kinds of 19th century social and cultural details, from the kinds of fabric used in ladies' dresses of the time (I'd never heard of "Bedford cord" or "Bengali silk", but it was important in determining what Lizzie wore during or after the crime) to mourning practices, to the kinds of medicines available at drugstores back then, and so forth. And the author also gave enlightening information on 19th century journalism in general and the local newspapers of the time specifically. I was shocked to learn that a reporter was able to slip inside the house alongside the police right as they began their investigation! The incompetence and sloppiness of the police was a really interesting aspect to this case. Highly recommend this book to anyone who likes murder mysteries, police procedurals, learning more about America at the end of the 19th century, women's history, and so on. ( )

I've read a fair number of books on the Borden murders, and am always looking for "the one" that's going to offer the most credible explanation of who committed the crimes, and how, and why. Unfortunately, this book doesn't lean one way or the other, and also introduces a few oddities (the hank of hair found near Abby Borden's body, a "club" ditto, and a hatchet purportedly found on the roof of a nearby building) but never follows up on the significance of those items.

There are better books on the Borden case out there. ( )

I've been interested in the story of Lizzie Borden since seeing a made for television movie about her years ago. Though a fan of detective fiction, and sometimes crime novels, I found this book somewhat tedious. Perhaps it was the simplistic style, perhaps because it was the repetition of events and descriptions that occurred frequently throughout the book. Middle school age readers might find this narrative more to their liking.

This book could be used in a New England history class, a forensics class, or in an assignment related to mysteries and crimes. ( )

This is a great book for those who love the true-crime genre. I enjoyed how it was a light, easy to read book that kept me interested. Some parts were more boring than others, like the parts where the family's background is being described. This story made me want to look into this famous crime even more. It was also refreshing to see that the author wrote with no bias and just presented the facts. The author's main goal was to present both sides of the story to an incredibly infamous murder case. ( )

Sarah Miller presents the facts as she finds them in primary documents to detail Lizzie Borden’s story.

On August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden was home with a maid. It seemed a quiet morning. It was only when her father was discovered hacked to death that Lizzie’s life completely changed. Shortly thereafter, Lizzie’s step-mother was found stabbed to death upstairs. Where was Lizzie? How could anyone have snuck in, killed two people so brutally, and then escaped without being heard. They had to have been murdered by someone in the house--that person has to be Lizzie.

There’s a famous rhyme that kids have said since this time:
Lizzie Borden took an axe,
Gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done.
She gave her father forty-one.

The author, Sarah Miller, begins with this children’s rhyme and proceeds to tell Lizzie’s story using court documents, newspapers, and personal accounts. Her sister and many friends supported her throughout the trial, completely believing she was incapable of such savage murder. The police can see no one else to consider. Because they have money, they are able to hire a competent attorney.

By the end of the book, you can decide if you think Lizzie was innocent or guilty. The evidence is intriguing. No matter what you think, a woman spent her life hearing a terrible rhyme and being suspected of murder. It must have been a tiring and lonely existence. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was interesting and kept me engaged. It's well researched and well written, plus I learned some things I hadn't known before. I would definitely recommend this book to people if they wouldn't find the subject matter too macabre. 4 out of 5 stars, would read again. ( )

It was a warm summer day. August 4, 1892 started out like many other days in Fall River, Mass.. And, the lives of the Borden family began in the same monotonously boring, subscribed way, except for the fact that two people were murdered inside the home of 92 Second Street. Not one, but two murders! All these years later, there is still no definitive proof of who murdered Abby Borden, and her husband Andrew.

While there are many books written with each author claims to have solved the mystery, perhaps the brutally hacked bodies will never have rest.

Lizzie was in the house. Bridget the Irish maid, even though she did not feel well, was outside cleaning the windows.
Even though she had not been fishing for a number of years, Lizzie felt the need to enter the barn located at the back side of the Borden property, supposedly to find lead for a sinker for her fishing rod. And, even though the dusty floor showed no signs of foot prints, still, that was the alibi.

Supposedly, the front door of the house was locked thrice when Andrew came home to take a nap in the parlor. Supposedly the step mother of Lizzie, Mrs. Abby Borden, received a note that a family member was ill and she went out to visit that person.

Returning from her window washing, Bridget stated she went inside and up to her attic room where she was resting when, she head Lizzie, in an very agitated manner, implore her to "come quick, I think father is hurt!"

In fact, he was more than hurt, he was dead...not only dead, but butchered so badly that one of his eyes was out of the socket and split in half. There was blood everywhere, on the horsehair sofa, on the rug, splattered on the wallpaper, and soaking, soaking his neatly folded Prince Albert coat, as the blood gravitated from the top of the frame of a wall picture, making rivets as it ran down.

Later, as the clock ticked, Lizzie thought to tell someone to go find her step mother. And, when she was found in the guest room upstairs, it appeared to be an even more gruesome butchering.

It is interesting to speculate who was guilty of these terrible crimes. Rumors flew wildly. Lizzie acted strangely, but then again, she was always thought to be strange. There was a relative who was visiting, but not there at the time of the murder...or was he?

This book systematically, and in a very interesting, well-written fashion, outlines the stated possible motives and takes the reader to the court house when Lizzie was the only one to stand trial. And, it was quite a sensational one at that!

Did she hate her step mother? Did she wish harm on her tight wad father? Was she exceedingly angry that her father had deeded a piece of property to Abby's sister's family? Were Emma and Lizzie concerned they would not receive a large inheritance? If so, killing both would certainly solve that potential problem.

Eventually, found not guilty, Lizzie was free to return home. She and her older sister Emma moved to a much nicer home up on the hill where the rich people lived. Later, Emma left stating she just couldn't take Lizzie's lifestyle anymore. After she left, the two never saw each other again.

While the court found her innocent, the townsfolk did not. She was severely ostracized and the brunt of much gossip and nastiness.

She died, and not one of her former friends was sad to see her go. By her request, she was buried at her father's feet. And, still these years later, children skip rope while rhythm chanting

Lizzie Borden took an axe,
Gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.

An interesting look, but an unsatisfying resolution. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was interesting and kept me engaged. It's well researched and well written, plus I learned some things I hadn't known before. I would definitely recommend this book to people if they wouldn't find the subject matter too macabre. 4 out of 5 stars, would read again. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was interesting and kept me engaged. It's well researched and well written, plus I learned some things I hadn't known before. I would definitely recommend this book to people if they wouldn't find the subject matter too macabre. 4 out of 5 stars, would read again. ( )

I have always been interested in Lizzie Borden and the Borden murders. I have read quite a few books on the subject but was curious to see how a book written for middle grade children would be written.
Usually, a book written about the subject will have an agenda to prove as to whether Lizzie "did it" or someone else was guilty. This book was a pleasant change. It is a factually based account of what happened and the trial that followed. It leaves the reader to make their own decision (if they have one that is). I found the book to be well written and very appropriate for the age group that the book is intended for. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I have always been interested in Lizzie Borden and the Borden murders. I have read quite a few books on the subject but was curious to see how a book written for middle grade children would be written.
Usually, a book written about the subject will have an agenda to prove as to whether Lizzie "did it" or someone else was guilty. This book was a pleasant change. It is a factually based account of what happened and the trial that followed. It leaves the reader to make their own decision (if they have one that is). I found the book to be well written and very appropriate for the age group that the book is intended for. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

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