Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Widely researched and impeccably compiled account of a series of poisonings by arsenic and strange disappearances following an innocuous afternoon tea in the small town of Bude, Cornwall, 1930. As survivor, Annie Hearn, swiftly disappears so begins an investigation into her and her whereabouts. Billed as the case which inspired the Agatha Christie classic, ‘Sad Cypress’, it develops into an intriguing mystery as layers are peeled back and more dark secrets come to light. Engaging, compelling and well written.

NetGalley, Ruth Giles

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Murders of Annie Hearn by Jonathan Oates is a must-read for anyone who is a lover of a good mystery. (What could be more intriguing, more compelling, than the true story that inspired Agatha Christie, the matriarch of the Mystery genre to write "Sad Cypress" one of her most popular Poirot novels

Back to the origins, the facts and we are treated to a fascinating journey into murders by arsenic poisoning in Bude, Cornwall, beginning with that of Alice Thomas, a protracted poisoning from 18 October 1930 to her eventual demise on 4 November 1930. It was at the point of the coroners report and at the funeral that Annie Hearn confided to her friend Mrs Spear that she was under suspicion, but no such thing was officially recorded at that point. So why would she claim this to be the case? Why would she conduct such a crime?

Annie Hearn proceeded to fake her own unaliving to escape investigation. However, When Alice's post mortem returned a cause of death as arsenic poisoning, it was ordered that the bodies of both Annies Sister and Aunt were to be exhumed and tested, again, it was found they had been involuntarily unalived through arsenic poisoning

However, despite all of the evidence put before the judge, Annie Hearn was released due to lack of eveidnce, the evidence available being labelled as circumstantial at best.

Were there just three vistims or more? This book delves deep into the avaiolable evidence, the history of Annie Hearn and the investigation of the case. The book is highly detailed and extensively researched, written almost in the form of a police investigation and as such, very easy to follow. A perfect account for lovers of True Crime and Mysteries both factual and fictional

NetGalley, Ink Reads

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

✨ Synopsis:

Three companions gathered for tea in the small town of Bude, Cornwall. After one died via arsenic poisoning, suspicions began surfacing regarding Annie Hearn, one of the remaining three, for some other deaths. Pinning responsibility for those murders on Annie Hearn proved difficult.

✨My thoughts:

The numerous details gathered for this non-fiction book was most impressive, considering the lies Annie told, such as when she was born, that she was married, her name, and so much more. Furthermore, even though I had no doubt regarding Annie Hearn’s guilt, after finishing the true crime book, i have been left with the sense that I can’t be entirely certain about so much. Moreover, this is a case of how to get away with murder.

NetGalley, Lily Chang

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed how good this was, it was interesting to read the events that inspired Agatha Christie. It does a great job in bringing this event to life. It had that mystery element that I was looking for and thought it had a suspenseful feel that I wanted. I could see why Agatha Christie was inspired by this. Jonathan Oates wrote this perfectly and I was glad I got to read this.

NetGalley, Kathryn McLeer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In 1930s Cornwall, an afternoon tea leads to a horrific case of arsenic poisoning. Survivor Annie Hearn vanishes, and the press exposes her disquieting past. This true-crime story is fascinating and intriguing, well-paced and easy to read.

NetGalley, Andrea Romance

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book gives a thorough and insightful look at a fascinating case. I have read Agatha Christie’s fictional take, but am glad I was afforded the opportunity to read a true account.
Of course I think there would be a very different verdict if this was a contemporary crime.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

NetGalley, Karen Kenyon