Deadly Swindle (Hardcover)

Ian Radforth

ISBN 10: 1487560230 / ISBN 13: 9781487560232

Published by University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 2024

About this Item

Hardcover. In February 1890, in a remote swamp in rural southwestern Ontario, two woodsmen discovered the frozen body of a well-dressed young stranger killed by two bullets to the back of the head. Before long, police laid a murder charge on Reginald Birchall, a handsome, young gentleman from London just arrived in Canada to conduct an emigration scam. Although accused of the cold-blooded murder, Birchall charmed everyone he met and delighted in the attention lavished by the press of Canada, the United States, and Britain. In Deadly Swindle, Ian Radforth tells the fascinating story of one of Canada's most sensational murder cases and shows how the regional and international press ran with it.The book draws an intriguing picture of social life in late nineteenth-century Canada, as well as a vivid and learned portrait of the workings of the criminal justice system at this time in the country's history. A lively narrative, Deadly Swindle is based on extensive research notably in Victorian newspapers and is strengthened by a thorough knowledge of press history and the legal processes of the day. A fascinating journey into life and law in late nineteenth-century Canada, Deadly Swindle tells the story of one the country's most sensational murder cases. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781487560232

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Deadly Swindle (Hardcover)
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Toronto
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1487560230
• ISBN 13: 9781487560232
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In February 1890, in a remote swamp in rural southwestern Ontario, two woodsmen discovered the frozen body of a well-dressed young stranger killed by two bullets to the back of the head. Before long, police laid a murder charge on Reginald Birchall, a handsome young gentleman from London just arrived in Canada to conduct an emigration scam. Although accused of the cold-blooded murder, Birchall charmed everyone he met and delighted in the attention lavished by the press of Canada, the United States, and Britain. In Deadly Swindle, Ian Radforth tells the fascinating story of one of Canada’s most sensational murder cases and shows how the regional and international press ran with it.

The book draws an intriguing picture of social life in late nineteenth-century Canada, as well as a vivid and learned portrait of the workings of the criminal justice system at this time in the country’s history. A lively narrative, Deadly Swindle is based on extensive research, notably in Victorian newspapers, and is strengthened by a thorough knowledge of press history and the legal processes of the day.

About the Author

Ian Radforth is a professor emeritus of history at the University of Toronto.