The Suspicions Of Mr Whicher By Kate Summerscale

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0120080407It was a Victorian murder case that gripped the nation.

One summer's night in 1860 an unimaginably gruesome killing takes place in a remote Georgian country house. The household reverberates with shock, not least because it seems the murderer is still among them.

Called to the scene is Jack Whicher of Scotland Yard, the most celebrated detective of his day, whose methods go on to influence the writing of Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, and Arthur Conan-Doyle.

With only an inept local police force to help him, he faces an unenviable task - to solve a case in which all the grieving family are suspects.

Kate Summerscale's gripping account is read by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged in five parts by Doreen Estall.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.

A gruesome murder takes place in a remote Georgian country house.

Deborah Findlay reads from Kate Summerscale's account of a Victorian murder case

0220080408Celebrated detective Jack Whicher has been called to a remote country house, Road Hill, in Wiltshire in 1860 to investigate the horrific murder of a young child.

Most shockingly of all, perhaps, it seems the killer is among the household.

Convinced that the local police's chief suspect is innocent, Whicher begins to piece together the family history of those at Road Hill House.

Before long, he uncovers a web of deception and concealment going back decades. Everyone seems guilty, because everyone has something to hide. But not all of them are murderers...

Finally, convinced that his instincts are correct, he makes an arrest that shocks disbelieving locals.

Kate Summerscale's gripping account of the Victorian murder case that shook the nation.

Read by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.

Whicher uncovers a web of deception and makes an arrest that shocks disbelieving locals.

Deborah Findlay reads from Kate Summerscale's account of a Victorian murder case

0320080409Detective Inspector Whicher's prime suspect, Constance Kent, is brought before the judge at Temperance Hall to face questions about the murder of her younger brother Saville.

After a convincing performance by Constance's defence team, Whicher's case seems to be crumbling. And, even worse, his own morals and working methods are brought into question.

With the release of Constance, and then of the police's suspect, nursemaid Elizabeth Gough, the nation is gripped by 'detective fever' as the truth seems as elusive as ever...

Kate Summerscale's gripping account of the Victorian murder case that shook the nation.

Read by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.

Whicher's prime murder suspect faces questions about the gruesome killing.

Deborah Findlay reads from Kate Summerscale's account of a Victorian murder case

04200804101865. Bow Street, London. One April morning, Constance Kent, now 21, arrives at the magistrate's Court to confess a murder.

On being told she will be sent for trial, Constance sighs, as if in relief.

After a short trial, in which Constance pleads guilty, the judge passes the death sentence, and Constance's notoriety is assured. Her crime is extolled in broadside ballads of the day, and her figure takes pride of place in Madame Tussaud's, Chamber of Horrors.

But for a cold-blooded child murderer Constance has aroused an extraordinary level of sympathy, and within a matter of weeks, Queen Victoria spares her life. Only after the trial, do Constance's motives begin to come to light. Yet, somehow, the murder still doesn't add up....

Kate Summerscale's gripping account of the Victorian murder case that shook the nation.

Read by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.

Years after the gruesome killing there is a surprise confession.

Deborah Findlay reads from Kate Summerscale's account of a Victorian murder case

05200804111865: Millbank Prison. As Constance Kent begins her sentence in one of London's more squalid gaols, the remainder of the Kent family attempt to move on.

Now vindicated by Constance's confession, Jack Whicher's investigations become immortalised by the great crime novelists of the day.

Meanwhile, Constance's brother, William, becomes a celebrated scientist in Australia, and Constance, by contrast, ends up serving every day of her 20-year sentence.

On her release, she joins her brother in Australia, where she nurses in a lepers' colony, her past hidden from those around her. Only in 1928, with the arrival of an anonymous letter from Sydney, do the real events at Road Hill House back in 1860 finally come to light...

Kate Summerscale's gripping account of the Victorian murder case that shook the nation.

Concluded by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.

Only in 1928, an anonymous letter from Sydney reveals the facts of the case.

Deborah Findlay reads from Kate Summerscale's account of a Victorian murder case