Michigan's Strychnine Saint: The Curious Case of Mrs. Mary McKnight

by Tobin T. Buhk

The spring of 1903 proved disastrous for the Murphy family. On April 22, the infant Ruth Murphy died in her crib. Within an hour, her mother, Gertrude, experienced a violent spasm before she, too, died. Ten days later, John Murphy followed his wife and child to the grave after suffering from a crippling convulsion. While neighbors whispered about a curse and physicians feared a contagious disease, Kalkaska County sheriff John W. Creighton and prosecuting attorney Ernest C. Smith searched for answers. As they probed deeper into the suspicious deaths, they uncovered a wicked web of intrigue. And at the center stood a widow in a black taffeta dress.

Genres: True Crime, History, Nonfiction, Adult, Crime

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2014

Reviews

[Pamela Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with lots of Michigan history tangential to as well as included in the the reporting of the story. The title doesn't really fit. There is nothing saint like about Mary McKnight but the story itself is carefully researched and reported. It is a quick read of a book. You can read it from cover to cover in a couple of hours. It is a good record of how far we have come in the areas of pharmacology, healthcare, and trial law since the turn of century. There are a couple of additional stories of women that were also accused to poisoning people at the same time in history. I am not completely sure why the author included them. They aren't fully fleshed out and they are at best parallel to the story of Mary McKnight. Mostly they are just confusing, random side jaunts to the story but the main story is effectively told.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good account of a 1903 poisoning case in Michigan, with numerous side trips to discuss similar contemporaneous homicides. Buhk also wrote TRUE CRIME: MICHIGAN: THE STATE'S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL CASES, which I enjoyed even more.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best. Was quite disjointed.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not my kind of book. A lot of detail about court cases and theories about why she chose to poison mostly family members. It was hard to understand why people couldn't believe that she was guilty of the murders when it frequently happened when she was caring for someone and they died mysteriously.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting true story of a widow living in northern Michigan during the late 18th century and early 19th century. Since I am familiar with many of the areas where this woman lived I found it interesting to hear her story and learn a little about what life was like around 1903 in this area of Michigan as well as Detroit, Fife Lake and Jackson, Michigan. Mary McKnight is still a mystery to me after reading the book and I don’t think the author did a good job clarifying if or why she murdered one or more people. The structure of the book needs some improvement, too. Toward the end of the book the author brought up at least 2 women who were also arrested for poisoning people but these brief stories were not blended well with the primary story about Mary McKnight and seemed like filler to lengthen the book. I found the topic of interest and the writing well done for the most part but improvements would have strengthened the story.

[Annabelle Herbolsheimer]

This book was a great one of you want to learn more about the case of Mary Mcknight. The author lays out the story in the chronological order of witch the events took place. One of my favorite things for authors to do is putting a list at the end of the book to summarize the main parts of the case, Tobin T. Buhk did a great job at displaying this. Though one thing I would like to add is more of the families perspectives and their personal statement, although these are sometimes hard to track down that I feel it would immerse me in the case even more. All in all, I would really recommend this book to Michigan readers. Though you don't have to live in Michigan to read this book, it does make it seem more real and it's always fun to learn about things practically in your backyard.

[Tiffany Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Book, disagree with conclusion of motive

A lot of the speculation around the motive centers on the loss of her family, I think it’s not only possible, but probable that she killed them too. Analyzing a 1903 sociopath through a modern analytical lens does not consider evolutionary factors. She didn’t need to setup or create elaborate plans & lies because nobody ever questioned her. Therefore, it’s conceivable that she never had to develop a sophisticated sociopathy. She does appears to have been good at faking emotion, grief, and even ignorance, which would have been a very sophisticated way of avoiding suspicion.

[Dianna Stampfler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another historic true crime story...this one set not far from where I currently live. I read this on my flight to Nova Scotia and back in the summer of 2019. As a journalist and researcher I am always impressed by the detail and history Tobin is able to dig up while blending in his own voice to tie the story together.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the true account of Mrs. Mary McKnight, a poisoner in Michigan. After many deaths from her family and all her deceased husbands, Mary was arrested and went through a trial in 1903. I have never heard of this case, and it was so very interesting! No Spoilers! I highly recommend it to everyone who loves true crime!

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Story of a woman in kalkaska county who poisoned her brother’s family..

[Patricia Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book

Until reading this book, I had never heard of this lady, or her crimes. Definitely worth reading, and the reader can decide for themselves why.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Allan Loux]

Very interesting. It goes through alot of trial details, which can get a little tiresome

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting case but also good background into the times....early 1900 in northern Michigan. History of the times...drugs, logging, immigrants, small towns, religion, women.

[Jade Gustman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn’t my typical read so it wasn’t my favorite but I did think this was really interesting! It did go into too much detail for my taste, but the actual case of Mary is very intriguing.

[Meggen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sad account of the strychnine poisonings surrounding the loved ones Mary McKnight.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true crime story of pioneer days. Unsettling, painful Death seems to frequent the social circles of Mary McKnight, in a pattern that ultimately seems to become undeniable. Or is it?
Likely due to its historical non-fiction nature, this story is a slow burn, and also sports a fizzled ending. But it was an interesting look into a time period where mental illness wasn't well treated, women had limited power, and people demanded justice.

[Rachel Purves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This was a very interesting true crime read. Michigan's Strychnine Saint goes well into the case against Mary McKnight during the early 20th century. Offers lots of information from local sources and gives you an idea how crime solving and trails happen during the early 1900s.

[Ryan Schlehuber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I really liked the Michigan history in this. I drive by and through Kalkaska and Fife Lake often and now will think about Mary McKnight and her dark past every time I go through that area now. Good, interesting read.

[Meredith VanOordt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story! I could hardly put it down.