Murder has a magic of its own. Touched by that crimson wand, things base and sordid, things ugly and of ill report, are transformed in to matters wondrous, weird, and tragical. Dull streets become fraught with mystery, commonplace dwellings assume sinister aspects, everyone concerned, howsoever plain and ordinary, is invested with a new value and importance as the red light falls upon each.
-- William Roughead
(quote stolen from J.T.)
Your correspondent has been away from the computer for a few weeks and comes back to some very interesting emails.
- In October, I told you the stunning true story of Miss St. Louis, the Miss America Runner-Up for 1923 who confessed to shooting her rich old husband in the chest during an argument -- and whom a French jury acquitted. While I researched the case, I had trouble figuring out whatever happened to Charlotte Nash after her trial. I could not find an obituary. I now have it on good authority that Charlotte Nash is alive and well and celebrates her hundredth birthday this year.
- Professor Bela Bodo -- author of an account of the Hungarian murder epidemic that gripped interwar Europe -- appreciated his Clews review. He also advises that he's already settled on a topic for his next book -- and if it's possible to top a poisoning epidemic involving dozens of victims and perpetrators, Bodo has found such a case. The sensational subject of his follow-up title will be the true story of one P.P., a Hungarian serial killer and professional hit-man hired to murder unwanted husbands, and who, when caught, was unmasked... as a woman! Now that sounds like quite the tale.
- I had a new baby on the 7th. We named him Andrew Franklin James.
- Top referrers to Clews:
http://www.missingabducted.com/index.php
http://www.philobiblion.blogspot.com
http://www.blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene
- Most popular stories:Nagyrev and Women and the Death Penalty in Ohio
Many more updates are to come as I catch up. I have to update my crime blogrolls and read more fascinating email. Recent media stories about upcoming U.S. Army executions have me curious about some historical examples of the military's death penalty, and I think I'll turn my attentions there as time allows.
If you have some interesting old crime news to share, drop me a line at Laura4991 AT prodigy DOT net. As always thank you for stopping by.
Congratulations. :)
Posted by: Trench | January 24, 2006 at 08:34 AM
Congratulations -- you've been missed.
Posted by: BobH | January 25, 2006 at 12:32 AM
Congratulations -- you've been missed.
Posted by: BobH | January 25, 2006 at 12:33 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Jonathan Edelstein | January 28, 2006 at 04:52 PM
Hello, Laura. I live in Louisiana and am a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Mystery Writers of America and the Horror Writer's Association, and have just been elected to represent Louisiana as Board Member At-Large.(MWA/Sw--Houston) I have several compie of a book I wrote entitled, THE CHILLS OF HORROR. If you wish a free copy please send me a mailing address and I'd be hapy to send the book to you. Write on.
With kindest regards,
Randell
Posted by: Marson Randell Jordan | February 12, 2006 at 03:58 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: imahologram | February 25, 2006 at 11:11 AM