
By Victor Macclure
I. — INTRODUCTORY
II. — A FAIR NECK FOR THE MAIDEN
III: — THE COUNTESS AND THE COZENER
IV: — A MODEL FOR MR HOGARTH
V: — ALMOST A LADY
VI: — ARSENIC A LA BRETONNE
VII: — THE MERRY WIDOWS
INDEX
FOOTNOTES:
This volume offers a vivid collection of true‑crime narratives centered on women whose names have haunted history. From ancient poisoners like Locusta to Renaissance figures such as Lucrezia Borgia, each chapter presents the courtroom drama, social context, and the tangled rumors that have colored their legacies. The author approaches the material with a historian’s eye, sifting through trial records, pamphlets, and scholarly debates to separate fact from political slander.
Beyond the lurid details, the work asks why certain women become symbols of evil while others fade into obscurity, exposing the gendered biases that have shaped legal and literary portrayals for centuries. Readers will find a blend of scholarly rigor and compelling storytelling that brings these long‑forgotten cases to life, inviting reflection on how justice was administered to women in different eras. It is a thoughtful, meticulously sourced portrait of crime, accusation, and the power of narrative.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (398K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Mike Lough and David Widger
Release date
Apr 1, 1996
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1887–1963
A Scottish writer and artist who moved easily from thrillers and detective fiction to stranger imaginative tales, he also wrote under the name Peter Craig. Late in life, he published a warm, personal book about food, travel, and good living.
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