We are a trading community a commercial people. Murder is doubtless a very shocking offence nevertheless as what is done is not to be undone let us make our money out of it. Punch Murder in the 19th century was rare. But murder as sensation & entertainment became ubiquitous -- transformed into novels into broadsides & ballads into theatre & melodrama & opera -- even into puppet shows & performing dog-acts. In this meticulously researched & compelling book Judith Flanders -- author of The Victorian House -- retells the gruesome stories of many different types of murder -- both famous & obscure. From the crimes (and myths) of Sweeney Todd & Jack the Ripper to the tragedies of the murdered Marr family in Londons East End Burke & Hare & their bodysnatching business in Edinburgh & Greenacre who transported his dismembered fiancee around town by omnibus. With an irresistible cast of swindlers forgers & poisoners the mad the bad & the dangerous to know The Invention of Murder is both a gripping tale of crime & punishment & history at its most readable.