The Mistress of Murder Hill by: Sylvia Shepherd 2001 True Crime and Women as Murderers

I HATED THIS BOOK! I felt that is was a very interesting story but the book was poorly written. I will give Shepard credit for all the research that had to have gone into writing the book. I wish the book had been more organized. In some parts the book skipped around and repeated itself (I read about how the bodies were cut up at least 5 times!). I wish the book had started at the beginning of Belle's crimes and went through to the fire and the investigation.

I found it interesting how many people fell victim to Belle. She was not described as a particularly attractive woman yet these men were flocking from all over the country. I guess they were more interested in the farm than Belle. She also seemed very cunning in her letters to these men. One thing I did find interesting were the stories of the men who had narrowly avoided becoming one of Belle's victims. Especially the man who woke up to find Belle standing above him with a candle in hand.

There were a couple of parts that I found difficult to believe but I had to remind myself that this indeed was a true story. Based on the book it was speculated by several people that Belle had something to do with both of her husband's murders (I mean really being hit the face from a falling meat grinder!) but nothing was ever done about it. I understand that forensics was pretty much non-existent and it was difficult to prove the cause of death. I also found it strange that Belle had all these children who were known not to be hers. Why did people keep giving Belle their children? Also these men kept disappearing from the farm and nothing was done about it. Did people not think it was strange that these men left all their possessions?

The book seemed to be quotes from newspapers and interviews from people that were not really connected. I felt the connections were often forced in the book. I was also irritated by all the suspected victims that were mentioned. I know they could not tell for certain who some of the bodies were but at the same time it seemed that the author mentioned 1,000 potential victims. In the end the thing that bothered me the most was the lack of answers. I wanted to know what happened to Belle and if that was indeed her body in the fire (which I do not believe it was because it was too small). I wanted to know Lamphere's true involvement in the events. When a book ends I like to have answers and that was not the case with this book.