This book is remarkable in many ways. It resonates with seemingly effortless details of the sounds, smells, and oppressive heat of the summer of 1892. The characters of Lizzie, Emma, and Bridget in particular are keenly observed and counterbalance one another beautifully. Perhaps most remarkably, despite Lizzie’s notoriety, the suspense is maintained from beginning to end. This is partly attributable to the continued speculation about the case, which Schmidt alludes to in a somewhat jarring chapter set in 1905 and narrated by Benjamin, which summarises Lizzie’s arrest, her imprisonment pending trial, and her acquittal (according to the jury, ‘women just don’t do this type of crime’). More important, however, is the subtle layering of points of view, the effect of which is to keep the reader guessing as we try to determine whose version of events we can trust. Schmidt is a consummate storyteller whose account of the Borden murders is utterly compelling.