Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
My first paragraph this week comes from Last Woman Hanged by Caroline Overington published in the UK in November 2014
Blurb
In January 1889, Louisa Collins, a 41-year-old mother of ten children, became the first woman hanged at Darlinghurst Gaol and the last woman hanged in New South Wales. Both of Louisa’s husbands died suddenly.
The Crown was convinced that Louisa poisoned them with arsenic and, to the horror of many in the legal community, put her on trial an extraordinary FOUR TIMES in order to get a conviction. Louisa protested her innocence until the end.
Now, in LAST WOMAN HANGED, writer and journalist Caroline Overington delves into the archives to re-examine the original, forensic reports, court documents, judges notebooks, witness statements and police and gaol records, in an effort to discover the truth. Goodreads
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First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
CHAPTER 1
The Early Years
According to various sources, Louise Collins was just thirty-two years old when she was hanged at Darlinghurst Gaol in 1889 – or else she was thirty-nine or perhaps forty. Not even prison officials could seem to make up their minds.
In fact, if the official records ae correct, Louisa must have been forty-one years old when she died. Both he birth certificate and her certificate of baptism make plain that she was born Louisa Hall on 11 August 1847 at Belltrees near Scone, and no amount of lying about he age, which Louisa had a habit of doing, could make a difference to that date.
So what do you think? Do you want to know more?
If you have an opening to share, please leave your link in the comments box below.
I don’t know about this one. I’d like to read a bit more before committing to more.
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Thanks for visiting Margot
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This one does sound rather macabre….but I think I’d be interested in knowing the truth about this woman’s guilt. It would be tragic if she had been indeed been innocent, but perhaps that would somehow help out her descendants. interesting pick! Thanks for sharing! : )
I have two posts for this meme, at two different blogs. Feel free to comment on either, or both:
http://mindspiritbookjourneys.blogspot.com/2016/02/first-chapter-first-paragraph-no-1.html
http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/2016/02/first-chapter-first-paragraph-no-1.html
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I do like books that re-examine old crimes so I’m looking forward to getting stuck into this one!
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I’d give it a bit more, I am curious.
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Thanks for visiting Diane!
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I think I’d read on because I want to know ‘did she or didn’t she’. It’s probably left open. LOL
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That is the problem with non-fiction there are often no definitive answers – I’m interested to find out what line the author takes though.
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This one sounds interesting, Cleo! And I’ve been wanting to read something by Caroline Overington. I hear good things about her, and this one sounds like an interesting place to start. Sounds like a fascinating case!
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I would have to be in the mood for this book with the serious themes.
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Sounds like a fascinating story.
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I am definitely curious…I am intrigued by stories based on actual events, and uncovering the truth and finding justice appeal to me. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
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This sounds fascinating! I’ll look forward to your review.
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Though the first paragraph did not necessarily grab me, the blurb did. I would probably give this one a chance.
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I agree with Judy above me – the blurb sounds fascinating. The first paragraph doesn’t necessarily grab me as much, but I still want to know now if she killed them or not!
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That sounds surprisingly interesting!
Mine this week: Traveling with the Dead by Barbara Hambly at http://wp.me/pZnGI-tu
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Definitely inrigued… yes, I’d read on. But should husband-poisoning really be a capital offence…? 😉
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Haha 😉
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I’d keep reading! This looks really interesting.
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Thank you – I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it.
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This is a meme? It sounds interesting. Is it based on truth?
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It is 😊 yes this a true story
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I love the authors writing style in this teaser. Can’t wait to see how you like the book!
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Watch this space – I’ve read a fiction book by this author and loved it so my fingers are crossed
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Always love a good historical mystery – I’d pick this one up!
This week I’m teasing The Passenger by Lisa Lutz – I’m thinking maybe I saw you’ve read this – going to check now – seems like one you would!
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This does sound really fascinating! It’s like a really old cold case, and I do like true-life stories sometimes.
Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
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I’m not sure if I would read it, but I would probably watch a movie if they made one. Girl Who Reads
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