A journey into the heart of dark passions and the crimes they impel. When passion is in the picture, what is criminal, what is sane, what is mad or simply bad? Through court and asylum records, letters and newspaper accounts, this book brings to life some sensational trials between 1870 and 1914, a period when the psychiatric professions were consolidating their hold on our understanding of what is human. Outside fiction, individual emotions and the inner life had rarely been publicly discussed: now, in an increasingly popular press and its courtroom reports, people avidly consumed accounts of transgressive sexuality, savage jealousy and forbidden desires. These stood revealed as aspects not only of those labelled mad, but potentially, of everyone. With great story-telling flair and a wealth of historical detail, Lisa Appignanesi teases out the vagaries of passion and the clashes between the law and the clinic as they stumble towards a (sometimes reviled) collaboration. Sexual etiquette and class roles, attitudes to love, madness and gender, notions of respectability and honor, insanity and lunacy, all are at play in that vital forum in which public opinion is shaped—the theater of the courtroom.

An Anglo-Indian Couple Plotting Murder. A British Resident Nursing Conspiracy Theories. Professional Poisoners Leaving a Trail of Death. The criminal fraternity in colonial India was a diverse, bustling lot. No man's life was worth much outside the security of his home or village, and lawlessness knew no bounds. In the unsettled state of the country during the Raj, dacoits, thugs, swindlers and mysterious stranglers plagued the roads, preying on the rich and poor alike. Policing, as we know it, and the 'rule of law', as we understand it, were in their infancy and chaos reigned supreme as the British scrambled to round up these notorious criminals. A diabolical double murder in Agra, an unsolved killing in the hills of Burma, a poisoning attempt that cost a maharaja his gaddi, and the first-ever instance of cold-blooded murder by plague bacilli! Sunil Nair presents the choiciest, most obscure and gripping tales that provide an insight into the crime and criminals in the days of the Raj. These stories take us back to an age when foot-slogging police work - and a little bit of luck - were often all that could be counted on to bring a criminal to book!

From the trials of Oscar Pistorius to O. J. Simpson and Michael Jackson, this innovative book provides a critical review of 11 high profile criminal cases. It delivers an accessible examination of the sociological and psychological processes underpinning the construction of guilt and innocence in criminal trials, the media and wider society.

Embark on a thrilling literary odyssey with "Detective Fiction Through Ages," a captivating exploration of the genre's evolution from bygone eras to the present day. Delve into the minds of literary giants such as Edgar Allan Poe, whose dark and macabre tales laid the foundation for the genre. Witness the psychological depth of Fyodor Dostoevsky's works, where complex characters grapple with the eternal struggle between good and evil. Experience the grandeur of Victor Hugo's storytelling as he weaves intricate plots within the tapestry of historical events. "Detective Fiction Through Ages" pays homage to literary pioneers like Vikas Swarup, Anita Nair, Satyajit Ray, Austin Freeman, E.C. Bentley, G.K. Chesterton, and Melvin Davisson Post as they reshaped the genre with their distinctive approaches, showcasing their contributions to a genre that continues to captivate readers worldwide. From the classic tales that laid the groundwork to the fresh perspectives of contemporary authors, this book celebrates the enduring power of detective fiction and its ability to transport us into a world of intrigue, suspense, and relentless pursuit of truth.

Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead (1872-1930) was a lawyer and Conservative politician, and a great personal friend of Winston Churchill's.