CHOPPED: A NOVEL

by Dale M. Pollock

On Thanksgiving 1849, the richest man in Boston vanishes. A Harvard Medical College janitor finds cut-up pieces of a human body in chemistry professor John Webster's privy vault beneath his laboratory. He is charged with murder despite only circumstantial evidence, and the notorious trial that follows offers a spectacle that is as riveting as the O.J. Simpson trial of the 1990s. A young doctor, James Winchell Stone, who takes down the entire transcript of the trial using an early form of stenography, decides to use his deductive reasoning to solve the mystery of who actually killed Dr. George Parkman. In the process he uncovers a tragic truth involving the Underground Railroad and falls into a forbidden romance. Chopped is a thrilling evocation of old-world Boston, and Dale M. Pollock weaves a "whodunit" explanation into the actual court transcript of the case, taken down word-for-word by his ancestor, Dr. James Winchell Stone.

Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2023

Reviews

[Jenny Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing debut novel. The historical stage is set in vivid detail- it feels impossible to not feel completely engrossed in the era.

The plot of the story has so many spectacular twists and unexpected turns.

I was fortunate enough to hear the author explain his connection to the true story the novel is based upon, and it’s so fascinating that the trial dialogue was pulled directly from the original transcription.

I can’t emphasize enough how highly I’d recommend for any lover of true crime and/or historical drama. I hope it gets picked up for a series🙈.

[Herb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a "WOW!" of a novel. The author relates the story of a historical, infamous murder with a gruesome conclusion that occurred at Harvard in 1849, Every page of this book never failed: it is a well-constructed, brilliantly written tale. I hope someone makes a movie out of it; it could be almost as good as the book. Most highly recommended.

[Meagan Preece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up truly enjoying the story presented in the book. With a whodunit, a bit of romance, and history, it made for a very interesting read.
I will admit it was hard to get into in the beginning. I perservered because i knew there had to be more interesting things to get to. In the beginning, I was unsure of what my star rating would be, but after getting inveloped into the story approximately halfway through, I knew it would be higher rather than lower. If someone enjoys history, especially in the 1800's and true crime, then i think they would easily be able to enjoy reading Chopped.

[Debbie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all (a murder mystery, famous trial, romance and the Underground Railroad). The author’s writing style made me feel like I was there. The historical account was fascinating, including all the famous names of the day! This would make a great series, movie or play!! Highly recommend it!