Annie Hearn had had a hard life. She had spent much of it taking care of others and found herself a spinster with very little hope of husband and home. She decided to take matters into her own hands and invented a marriage with man who died mysteriously right after the wedding. This fairly innocent lie would come back to bite her when she was accused of crimes far more heinous than a vivid imagination.
She and her invalid sister moved to Cornwall and were befriended by neighbours including the Thomas family. Mr. Thomas was particularly friendly and would often offer to help out.

Annie was grief stricken when her sister finally died a horrible and painful death. That may be why the Thomases invited her to drive to Bude with them one fateful day. On the trip home, Mrs. Thomas became violently ill. From that point to her death, she never really recovered and when the autopsy was conducted, arsenic was found to be the cause. A series of events would lead Annie to a trial for her life but was she guilty or innocent. And when the prosecution decided that she had not only killed one person, she may have murdered others, was she a serial killer or a victim of false accusations.

The book outlines the events from testimony given at the time. Just as the two opposing sides presented what might have happened, so does the author. The trial has prompted intense arguments both ways since. The author does give an opinion but the facts of the matter will never be known. Without giving too much away, I can see why Agatha Christie was inspired by this riveting story. Four purrs and two paws up.

NetGalley, Susan Johnston

By combining strong, detailed primary documents with concise, useful prose, Oates turns this historical event into a digestible, interesting, and entertaining read. Good for Christie fans and historians alike, Oates’ latest book brings some historical true crime to life.

NetGalley, Lily Amidon

As a writer of true crime myself I can see what work has gone into the book.

The research is detailed and shows many years of work. The story in itself is something I have not heard of which makes the best crime novels.

The book is easy to read as it provides a novel-like feeling with the way the story unfolds. The work is so well referenced though you never forget you are reading a true crime case.

Loved this book if that is the right thing to say about this type of book I look forward to checking more out from this author.

NetGalley, Sam Arnold

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A book I recommend to anyone who loves Golden Age mysteries and Agatha Christie above all.
Well researched and gripping.
Highly recommended.

NetGalley, Anna Maria Giacomasso

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Widely researched and impeccably compiled account of a series of poisonings by arsenic and strange disappearances following an innocuous afternoon tea in the small town of Bude, Cornwall, 1930. As survivor, Annie Hearn, swiftly disappears so begins an investigation into her and her whereabouts. Billed as the case which inspired the Agatha Christie classic, ‘Sad Cypress’, it develops into an intriguing mystery as layers are peeled back and more dark secrets come to light. Engaging, compelling and well written.

NetGalley, Ruth Giles

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Murders of Annie Hearn by Jonathan Oates is a must-read for anyone who is a lover of a good mystery. (What could be more intriguing, more compelling, than the true story that inspired Agatha Christie, the matriarch of the Mystery genre to write "Sad Cypress" one of her most popular Poirot novels

Back to the origins, the facts and we are treated to a fascinating journey into murders by arsenic poisoning in Bude, Cornwall, beginning with that of Alice Thomas, a protracted poisoning from 18 October 1930 to her eventual demise on 4 November 1930. It was at the point of the coroners report and at the funeral that Annie Hearn confided to her friend Mrs Spear that she was under suspicion, but no such thing was officially recorded at that point. So why would she claim this to be the case? Why would she conduct such a crime?

Annie Hearn proceeded to fake her own unaliving to escape investigation. However, When Alice's post mortem returned a cause of death as arsenic poisoning, it was ordered that the bodies of both Annies Sister and Aunt were to be exhumed and tested, again, it was found they had been involuntarily unalived through arsenic poisoning

However, despite all of the evidence put before the judge, Annie Hearn was released due to lack of eveidnce, the evidence available being labelled as circumstantial at best.

Were there just three vistims or more? This book delves deep into the avaiolable evidence, the history of Annie Hearn and the investigation of the case. The book is highly detailed and extensively researched, written almost in the form of a police investigation and as such, very easy to follow. A perfect account for lovers of True Crime and Mysteries both factual and fictional

NetGalley, Ink Reads

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

✨ Synopsis:

Three companions gathered for tea in the small town of Bude, Cornwall. After one died via arsenic poisoning, suspicions began surfacing regarding Annie Hearn, one of the remaining three, for some other deaths. Pinning responsibility for those murders on Annie Hearn proved difficult.

✨My thoughts:

The numerous details gathered for this non-fiction book was most impressive, considering the lies Annie told, such as when she was born, that she was married, her name, and so much more. Furthermore, even though I had no doubt regarding Annie Hearn’s guilt, after finishing the true crime book, i have been left with the sense that I can’t be entirely certain about so much. Moreover, this is a case of how to get away with murder.

NetGalley, Lily Chang

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed how good this was, it was interesting to read the events that inspired Agatha Christie. It does a great job in bringing this event to life. It had that mystery element that I was looking for and thought it had a suspenseful feel that I wanted. I could see why Agatha Christie was inspired by this. Jonathan Oates wrote this perfectly and I was glad I got to read this.

NetGalley, Kathryn McLeer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In 1930s Cornwall, an afternoon tea leads to a horrific case of arsenic poisoning. Survivor Annie Hearn vanishes, and the press exposes her disquieting past. This true-crime story is fascinating and intriguing, well-paced and easy to read.

NetGalley, Andrea Romance

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book gives a thorough and insightful look at a fascinating case. I have read Agatha Christie’s fictional take, but am glad I was afforded the opportunity to read a true account.
Of course I think there would be a very different verdict if this was a contemporary crime.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

NetGalley, Karen Kenyon