A riveting true-crime history of London's first modern police force as told through its most notorious murder cases.
The idea of "Scotland Yard" is steeped in atmospheric stories of foggy London streets, murder by lamplight, and fiendish killers pursued by gentleman detectives. From its establishment in 1829 through the eve of World War II, Scotland Yard—the world’s first modern, professional, and centrally organized police force—set new standards for policing and investigating.
Scotland Yard advanced ground-breaking use of forensics—from fingerprints to ballistics to evidence collection—made the first attempt at criminal profiling, and captivated the public on both sides of the Atlantic with feats of detective work that rivaled any fictional interpretation.
Based on official case files, contemporary newspaper reporting, trial transcripts, and the first-hand accounts of the detectives on the beat, Scotland Yard tells the tales of some of history’s most notorious murders—with cases that proved to be landmarks in the field of criminal inquiry.
“In Scotland Yard, Simon Read offers a survey of some two dozen of that London police force’s most sensational investigations: from those involving 19th-century bodysnatchers to a skull disinterred from the 21st-century garden of Sir David Attenborough.”
“Scotland Yard recalls the highs and lows of a premier law enforcement agency in brilliant detail from its inception until the mid-20th century. Author Simon Read proficiently provides the backstory of the crimes, victims, villains, and determined policemen who factored into the development of Scotland Yard.”
“The story of Scotland Yard told through some of its most famous cases. Read begins this entertaining, atmospheric history in 1811, with London’s gruesome Radcliffe Highway Murders, then quickly backtracks to 1753 and the establishment of Henry Fielding’s Bow Street Runners, a small, private constabulary force. A lively narrative. True crime enthusiasts will relish these many murders most foul.”
“Read shrewdly synthesizes a wealth of material in this insightful survey of London’s Scotland Yard police force from its 1829 founding to the 1930s. Utilizing court transcripts, investigative files, and other sources, Read traces how the force evolved into a world-renowned pioneer in forensic science and criminal investigation. Marrying rigorous research and smooth storytelling, this is a must-read for fans of true crime.”
