by Steven Levingston

Levingston’s account of the murder and the flight of Bompard and Eyraud moves at a quick and snappy pace. The tale of forensic investigation and a manhunt that crossed the Atlantic Ocean is quite exciting, reading more like a thrilling novel than a recitation of facts. I thought that the most interesting passages were the description of Alexandre Lacassagne’s examination of the murder victim’s corpse. The chief of forensic medicine at the University of Lyon, Lacassagne’s observation skills and knowledge proved critical to identifying Gouffé and bringing his murderers to justice.
Whenever the narrative veers into the scholarly debate over hypnotism, it screeches to a halt. The energy of the police investigation gets bogged down as different doctors and university professors lecture tirelessly on their pet theories. The trial was quite sluggish (as trials often are) and
From our twenty-first century perspective, it seems clear that Gabrielle Bompard was suffering from some sort of mental illness. Bompard’s easily suggestible nature, habitual lying, and detachment when describing her crime indicate a highly fragile state of mind. It was obvious to many that something was amiss; at one point a contemporary described her as “perverse and naïve”. Her pursuit of celebrity both immediately after the murder came to light and in the years after her release from prison is disturbing, both as an aspect of her personality and the fascination humanity has with murderers and their dark deeds.
3.5 out of 5 stars
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Peeking into the archives...today in:
2013: Evyione: Ocean Fantasy Vol. 1 by Kim Young-Hee
2012: The Left Hand of God: A Biography of the Holy Spirit by Adolf Holl
2011: Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran
2010: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith
2009: When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall