“A great read and a fascinating retelling of a long-forgotten murder, that still resonates to this very day… for anybody interested in the history of the Silk City!” –Mark S. Auerbach, City Historian, Passaic, New JerseyAt the dawn of the 20th century, the social unrest in Paterson, New Jersey was palpable. Thousands of Dutch and Italian immigrants flocked to the city, hoping for a job in … the city, hoping for a job in Paterson’s famous silk mills. The burgeoning population ushered women into the workplace, grew suffragist sympathies, and produced an anarchist movement.
In this charged environment, Jennie Bosschieter, a 17-year-old Dutch immigrant and mill worker, was murdered. Sorrow turned to shock when four wealthy, influential citizens were accused of killing her. The resulting criminal trial held the city – and eventually the nation – transfixed.
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It is a great telling of the thinking of so many in that age. Even now-days the crime of rape is often placed upon the victim. The lack of professionalism in the educated group such as the doctors, lawyers and law officials shocked me. To try all 3 men of such a brutal crime at the same time and using the same lawyers seems ludicrous to me. Ms. Tilley has done a great job of telling all sides, even of Jennie, the victim. However the book mainly focuses on the crime, the perpetrators, and the trial.
MeToo at the turn of the 20th century.
I enjoyed how the author assisted the reader through this amazing landmark case. It was the first discussion about the drugging of a young woman for the purpose of rape. It highlighted numerous other issues such as class discrimination at that time, rights of women and the new science of forensics.I found the details of the crime and following trial riveting! Fascinating book if you enjoy crime stories and social history combined. Great read.
This well-researched and historically true account of the rape and murder of a New Jersey teenage girl in 1900 is as well-paced and character-driven as any modern, fictional crime saga. Set against the social conventions and courtroom norms of the times, it also gives insight into pre-technology police work and what me might consider today as shoddy evidence gathering techniques. Some things never change, however: human nature, the bad and the good, remains the same and is on display in this book. The goofball, sensational newspaper coverage of 1900 is just an earlier and less refined version of today’s whacky media universe. Whether justice, by our contemporary standards, finally prevailed is something the author allows the reader to judge. In the end, I give the writer credit for rescuing this episode of history from obscurity and doing it in a factual, methodical way.
Scary. Good true story
Well written true crime about the rape and murder of a young woman in the early 1900s. A good snapshot of how the judicial system has and has not changed in a century.
Well researched and well written. Engaging and interesting.
The story was told several times from different views. It shows that before through investigation and DNA testing it would be hard to establish the complete truth. The fact the death occurred in a small town most likely effected the investigation results. Read this story with an open mind. You may come to a different conclusion of the facts.
This author brought a120-year-old murder back into the light while making you feel you were right there, attending the trial.
I loved that it was a true story and enough pictures were included to put me back to the 1900’s.
Considering that the murder took place many years ago, I felt that the author did a good job at getting as much factual information as he could. I also felt the author did a good job of keeping the timeline in proper sequence.
Excellent non fiction.
I loved this book. The writing is first class. The book is not too long or repetitive. I learned a lot about justice in 1900 and the way people felt about women and excused men for their actions.
A very captivating read. Could hardly put it down until the end.
Very fascinating story about the sexual abuse (and in this case, murder) of women by men they considered to be friends. Interesting glimpse into turn of the century life in a working class town. I enjoyed it all the way through.
Good writing
Interesting behavior of gentlemen with power, exposing a murder plot
Well-researched murder case about a commoner and immigrant, someone rarely mentioned by name or even considered in 19th century newspapers or broadsheets. The author works hard to recreate the lives of these everyday people.
I enjoyed reading this true story of a tragic event that happened in early 1900’s. It really drives home the idea that it is so important to choose your friends and companions wisely.
With today’s “me too” movement grabbing headlines, it was enlightening to see the attitude toward date rape 100 years ago where the prevailing belief was that the girl had to be asking for it. The writer/journalist used her talents to bring her personal family drama to our attention.