HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

The Torture Doctor by David Franke
Loading...

The Torture Doctor (edition 1975)

by David Franke

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
273858,287 (4.33)1
Herman W. Mudgett, alias Henry H. Holmes, became known as the "Monster of Sixty-Third Street" after using his rooming house ("Holmes Castle") to lure at least 26 visitors of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair to their deaths.
Member:piemouth
Title:The Torture Doctor
Authors:David Franke
Info:Hawthorn Books (1975), Edition: 1st Edition., Hardcover, 231 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:****
Tags:true crime, read in 2016, box 25, garage

Work Information

The Torture Doctor by David Franke

None
Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

» See also 1 mention

Showing 3 of 3
An excellent book on the subject of famed serial killer Herman Mudgett, aka H.H. Holmes, a professional con man who made a habit of killing women for their money, and went so far as to construct an elaborate death house in the heart of Chicago. A murderer whose apprehension made headlines at the time, the book is well researched and documented, including reprinted materials from the newspapers covering events at the time. H.H. Holmes is probably one of the most bizarre, enigmatic, and monstrous killers in American history, and The Torture Doctor is an exhaustive compendium of his crimes. A must-have for any True Crime fan. ( )
  smichaelwilson | Feb 11, 2017 |
A straightforward account of the crimes of H. H. Holmes, 19th century serial killer, and the impressive detective work that led to his arrest. He was convicted of the murder of one person, for insurance money, then confessed to killing 26 people, mostly to gain petty amounts of money or just to get them out of the way when they became inconvenient. It's well illustrated with drawings and other ephemera from the newspapers of the time. The author uses a style similar to that of contemporary tabloids, which I found charming in an weird way. Apparently this book is the first one about this killer and maybe that's why it's going for $35 and up on abebooks. ( )
  piemouth | Jan 2, 2017 |
A very well-researched account of one of the most accomplished habitual killers in nineteenth century America. My only complaint is that it includes very little about Mudgett's childhood, which would have been interesting to read about if there were information available. ( )
  juliayoung | Jul 14, 2008 |
Showing 3 of 3
no reviews | add a review
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
But that I am forbid/
To tell the secrets of my prison-house,/
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word/
Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,/
Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres,/
The knotted and combined locks to part,/
And each particular hair to stand on end,/
Like quills upon the fretful porcupine.

--Hamlet
Foul deeds will rise,/ Though all the earth o'erwhelm them,/to men's eyes. --Hamlet
Great criminal minds, as original characters, stand forward on the canvas of humanity as worthy objects of our especial study. --Edmund Burke
Dedication
For Holly, With Love
First words
Eugene Smith was a carpenter by trade, but work had been scarce for some years and he had plenty of time to devote to his dream of becoming a successful and prosperous inventor.
Quotations
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

Herman W. Mudgett, alias Henry H. Holmes, became known as the "Monster of Sixty-Third Street" after using his rooming house ("Holmes Castle") to lure at least 26 visitors of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair to their deaths.

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (4.33)
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4 2
4.5
5 1

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 203,232,329 books! | Top bar: Always visible