The Mile End Murder

The Mile End Murder: The Case Conan Doyle Couldn't Solve (Hardcover) by Sinclair McKay

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 312
Release Date: 5 October 2017

The Mile End Murder is a gripping true-crime investigation into one of Victorian Britain’s most baffling murder cases—so perplexing that it stumped even Arthur Conan Doyle himself.

In 1860, Mary Emsley, a 70-year-old widow and landlady, was found murdered in her own home, struck from behind in what became a sensational “locked-room” mystery. The case captivated the nation, drawing in a web of suspects: embittered stepchildren, a rejected admirer, and a trusted employee with a shadowy past as a former police officer and spy. A dramatic public trial followed, packed with shocking testimony and surprise revelations—ending with one of the final public executions at Newgate.

Meticulously researched and brilliantly told, Sinclair McKay reopens the files and finally uncovers the truth. This is the definitive account of the case Conan Doyle couldn’t solve—until now.

Why You’ll Love This Book

A real-life Victorian murder mystery with a Sherlockian twist

Deeply researched, narrative-driven true crime

Explores forensic limits and justice in 19th-century England

Perfect for fans of historical crime and unsolved mysteries

Reveals the killer for the first time in a compelling modern study

Format & Category

Format: Hardcover

Genre: True Crime, History, Victorian Britain

Ideal For: True-crime readers, history buffs, Sherlock Holmes fans

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