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One August Morning: The True Story of Lizzie Borden
Lizzie Borden took an axe ... or did she?
Lizzie Borden is a name that has lived in infamy. As everyone knows, she's the young woman who "took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks" and then "gave her father 41." Everyone seems to know the rhyme, but most people don't know the truth behind the grim story of one of America's most famous unsolved murders.
In this new entry in the "Dead Men Do Tell Tales" series, author Troy Taylor delves into the true story of the Borden Murders, revealing what really happened on that morning in August 1892, how Lizzie was hounded by the police, prosecutors, and reporters, and then finally acquitted - yet always believed to be guilty.
Was she a murderer or truly innocent? Did she swing the hatchet that killed her parents, or was Lizzie simply part of a plot that accidentally led to murders committed by a madman? You'll have the chance to decide for yourself as the suspects are revealed, the conspiracies unveiled, and the strange circumstances of this haunting case are presented.
Forget everything you already think you know about this compelling case and discover what did - and what did not - happen in the story of Lizzie Borden! What dark secrets have never been told? What happened in the grim aftermath of the murder trial? Do the spirits of the dead still linger in the house where the Bordens were killed? You'll find these answers and more and you'll never look at this chilling story in the same way again!
Lizzie Borden is a name that has lived in infamy. As everyone knows, she's the young woman who "took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks" and then "gave her father 41." Everyone seems to know the rhyme, but most people don't know the truth behind the grim story of one of America's most famous unsolved murders.
In this new entry in the "Dead Men Do Tell Tales" series, author Troy Taylor delves into the true story of the Borden Murders, revealing what really happened on that morning in August 1892, how Lizzie was hounded by the police, prosecutors, and reporters, and then finally acquitted - yet always believed to be guilty.
Was she a murderer or truly innocent? Did she swing the hatchet that killed her parents, or was Lizzie simply part of a plot that accidentally led to murders committed by a madman? You'll have the chance to decide for yourself as the suspects are revealed, the conspiracies unveiled, and the strange circumstances of this haunting case are presented.
Forget everything you already think you know about this compelling case and discover what did - and what did not - happen in the story of Lizzie Borden! What dark secrets have never been told? What happened in the grim aftermath of the murder trial? Do the spirits of the dead still linger in the house where the Bordens were killed? You'll find these answers and more and you'll never look at this chilling story in the same way again!
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2015
348 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 24, 2018
Another book that I couldn't put down. This completely changed my preconceived ideas about the murders. Everyone has heard rhyme but I wonder how many know the truth behind this unsolved crime. The author puts forward a compelling argument as to who the real killer was.
January 17, 2021
An interesting account, though I felt it suffered from confirmation bias and I was not convinced by the author’s theory of the culprit. My money’s still on Lizzie.
February 26, 2016
A very good read
I really enjoyed this book and found that it presented a lot I wasn't aware of. If the author is correct in his theories than Lizzie herself was forever a victim of the acts committed that day, which makes the whole thing that much more tragic. Sadly, we will never know for sure.
I really enjoyed this book and found that it presented a lot I wasn't aware of. If the author is correct in his theories than Lizzie herself was forever a victim of the acts committed that day, which makes the whole thing that much more tragic. Sadly, we will never know for sure.
August 6, 2015
Three Stars
Really enjoy reading books by Troy Taylor. This one disappointed me. I just felt like there was a lot of repeating of the same thing over and over and some chapters going on and on....
Really enjoy reading books by Troy Taylor. This one disappointed me. I just felt like there was a lot of repeating of the same thing over and over and some chapters going on and on....
April 14, 2021
Interesting. But I felt his theory didn't hold water . Definitely a reach .
December 12, 2023
“One August Morning: The True Story of Lizzie Borden” by Troy Taylor is an excellent
examination of one of America’s most mysterious unsolved murders. It happened in 1892 and it is still unsolved (though Taylor presents an interesting and possible solution).
For a long time I believed that Lizzie Borden had managed both to murder her parents and avoid a conviction. Taylor’s book convinces me that the apparently strong case presented by Edwin H Porter in his book “The Fall River Tragedy” (1893) is very slanted in its presentation of the evidence and the demeanour of Lizzie Borden. Taylor analyses the time lines in the case and states that:
“The 30 minutes between the time that Andrew Borden returned at 10:45 a.m, and the cry of ‘murder’ that sounded at 11:15 is perhaps the most studied half-hour in American criminal history and is also perhaps the most puzzling.”
He proposes that possibly it was a different half-hour—the period between 10:45 and 11:15 “when the first telephone call was made to the Fall River police station” that is vital. There is also the problem that Mrs Borden had been slaughtered an hour or more earlier and her dead body had been lying untouched until it was found after Andrew’s death.
The book follows the trial carefully and uses primary sources to support inferences. The later lives of Lizzie and her older sister conclude this very interesting book.
Troy Taylor is described as “a supernatural historian, murder buff and author of almost 90 books on ghosts, hauntings, history, crime and the unexplained in America.” There is, at the end, a brief mention of hauntings or “events” at the Borden house (which is now a bed and breakfast tourist stop). But the book is well written and resourced. That includes Taylor’s suggested solution which does have probability but which he clearly states remains unprovable.
There are photographs of the site and the main players in this very strange murder mystery. The author also includes an extensive Bibliography of other works dealing with the Borden case including “The Fall River Tragedy” which is available at Project Gutenberg.
“One August Morning” is well worth reading and is available on Kindle Unlimited.
examination of one of America’s most mysterious unsolved murders. It happened in 1892 and it is still unsolved (though Taylor presents an interesting and possible solution).
For a long time I believed that Lizzie Borden had managed both to murder her parents and avoid a conviction. Taylor’s book convinces me that the apparently strong case presented by Edwin H Porter in his book “The Fall River Tragedy” (1893) is very slanted in its presentation of the evidence and the demeanour of Lizzie Borden. Taylor analyses the time lines in the case and states that:
“The 30 minutes between the time that Andrew Borden returned at 10:45 a.m, and the cry of ‘murder’ that sounded at 11:15 is perhaps the most studied half-hour in American criminal history and is also perhaps the most puzzling.”
He proposes that possibly it was a different half-hour—the period between 10:45 and 11:15 “when the first telephone call was made to the Fall River police station” that is vital. There is also the problem that Mrs Borden had been slaughtered an hour or more earlier and her dead body had been lying untouched until it was found after Andrew’s death.
The book follows the trial carefully and uses primary sources to support inferences. The later lives of Lizzie and her older sister conclude this very interesting book.
Troy Taylor is described as “a supernatural historian, murder buff and author of almost 90 books on ghosts, hauntings, history, crime and the unexplained in America.” There is, at the end, a brief mention of hauntings or “events” at the Borden house (which is now a bed and breakfast tourist stop). But the book is well written and resourced. That includes Taylor’s suggested solution which does have probability but which he clearly states remains unprovable.
There are photographs of the site and the main players in this very strange murder mystery. The author also includes an extensive Bibliography of other works dealing with the Borden case including “The Fall River Tragedy” which is available at Project Gutenberg.
“One August Morning” is well worth reading and is available on Kindle Unlimited.
September 13, 2022
3 1/2 stars
I like True Crime in general, but the historical cases like these are especially interesting to me. Lizzie Borden and what happened 130 years ago (this month, actually) have been debated countless times in this book is the authors theory of what happened. No one will ever really no what happened, but I think it’s interesting to see what different people think based on their research. I think the author makes a pretty solid case for his theory: it’s well researched, well put together, he makes sure he addresses as many theories as possible to rule them out. He also introduces several other suspects, or possible suspects. He did a really good job of also addressing the rumors and family secrets around the Borden family that are often omitted from Borden documentaries. (Andrew being off, or sexually abusive, Andrew’s illegitimate son, Lizzie’s uncle’s odd behavior, Lizzie potentially being gay.) The author is also apparently a paranormal investigator so at the end he includes a little information about the spirit sightings that still have in the Borden home to this day. The timeline was laid out really well and avoided repetition by not going over information multiple times while putting together the various police reports, trial, and news paper articles from the time. I don’t really think anyone can ever fully prove one way or the other what was true, or who the murderer was, but the author makes a pretty compelling case for me that it’s not Lizzie who was the murderer.
I like True Crime in general, but the historical cases like these are especially interesting to me. Lizzie Borden and what happened 130 years ago (this month, actually) have been debated countless times in this book is the authors theory of what happened. No one will ever really no what happened, but I think it’s interesting to see what different people think based on their research. I think the author makes a pretty solid case for his theory: it’s well researched, well put together, he makes sure he addresses as many theories as possible to rule them out. He also introduces several other suspects, or possible suspects. He did a really good job of also addressing the rumors and family secrets around the Borden family that are often omitted from Borden documentaries. (Andrew being off, or sexually abusive, Andrew’s illegitimate son, Lizzie’s uncle’s odd behavior, Lizzie potentially being gay.) The author is also apparently a paranormal investigator so at the end he includes a little information about the spirit sightings that still have in the Borden home to this day. The timeline was laid out really well and avoided repetition by not going over information multiple times while putting together the various police reports, trial, and news paper articles from the time. I don’t really think anyone can ever fully prove one way or the other what was true, or who the murderer was, but the author makes a pretty compelling case for me that it’s not Lizzie who was the murderer.
February 5, 2019
It was ok, nothing to great. I thought it would be open minded or just the facts. The author clearly had a point of view and he was going to make it fit even when it didnt. Nothing really new info here either.
August 20, 2023
Before this book, when I thought of Lizzie Borden I thought of the children’s rhyme and the crazy story of Lizzie Borden getting away with a horrific murder. But while reading this book, before I even got to Lizzie’s arrest, this story became a tragically sad account of ordinary people living their lives in the usual messy way that ordinary people do. The detailed account of the arrest and trial made it clear that precious little investigation went into the crimes. Lizzie’s story after that was nearly as sad. Honestly, I wanted to quit reading but I felt I owed it to the family to not be merely prurient, but to understand their experience.
There was a lot of opinion and commentary interspersed with quite a lot of legal explanation. Since I could identify it clearly, I didn’t mind. In a case this old I’m not sure how much opinions matter.
There was a lot of opinion and commentary interspersed with quite a lot of legal explanation. Since I could identify it clearly, I didn’t mind. In a case this old I’m not sure how much opinions matter.
January 22, 2016
A theory that fits the facts
I enjoyed reading this interesting book. It seems to cover the entire story and not just the well-known high spots. The book is well-researched but contains a lot of typos.
Lizzie Borden's story is covered in more detail than I have seen before. It is a failing of Americans that they are unable to assume a person's innocence until they are proven guilty in a court of law. This may be true the world over, but Americans are guaranteed that right in the Constitution.
In this case several lives were destroyed because, even though Lizzie Borden was acquitted, she was never assumed to be innocent.
I enjoyed reading this interesting book. It seems to cover the entire story and not just the well-known high spots. The book is well-researched but contains a lot of typos.
Lizzie Borden's story is covered in more detail than I have seen before. It is a failing of Americans that they are unable to assume a person's innocence until they are proven guilty in a court of law. This may be true the world over, but Americans are guaranteed that right in the Constitution.
In this case several lives were destroyed because, even though Lizzie Borden was acquitted, she was never assumed to be innocent.
October 4, 2016
Good overview
I agree with the author that Lizzie couldn't have killed her dad and stepmom. I don't agree with his conclusions, but he does a good job presenting his case.
The best book on the Lizzie Borden case is "Lizzie Didn't Do It" by William Masterson. He was a chemistry professor who grew up in the area and whose older relatives talked about the case. Masterson brings a scientist's research and training to the case and the forensic details. I can't recommend the book highly enough.
I agree with the author that Lizzie couldn't have killed her dad and stepmom. I don't agree with his conclusions, but he does a good job presenting his case.
The best book on the Lizzie Borden case is "Lizzie Didn't Do It" by William Masterson. He was a chemistry professor who grew up in the area and whose older relatives talked about the case. Masterson brings a scientist's research and training to the case and the forensic details. I can't recommend the book highly enough.
September 6, 2017
Not really convincing.
I found all the great detail about the case very interesting, but couldn't understand why Lizzie and Emma should be supposed to have protected a half brother they hardly knew and therefore have ruined their lives.
I found all the great detail about the case very interesting, but couldn't understand why Lizzie and Emma should be supposed to have protected a half brother they hardly knew and therefore have ruined their lives.
August 23, 2024
The case of Lizzie Borden is truly one of America's (or possibly the world's) greatest mysteries. It was fascinating to see such detailed descriptions of an event that took place over 125 years ago! I am of the belief that Lizzie did not commit the slayings of her parents but I'm still baffled as to who I think did commit these murders. I really enjoyed that the author stated which theory they personally believe but also listed various other popular theories among true-crime consumers. I am leaning slightly towards the William Borden theory but I am unsure if I feel like Lizzie or Emma was aware that the murders were planned to happen/covered them up afterwards. Every time I feel like I'm confident I believe a particular suspect or theory then I remember minute details which would make things impossible or at the very least extremely improbable. At this point these murders will never be solved and it will remain an extremely baffling mystery for the rest of time.
I do feel bad for Lizzie though - her life was ruined and over 100 years later she is still being mocked and portrayed as a monster. Even in death she can't rest in peace, quite sad.
I do feel bad for Lizzie though - her life was ruined and over 100 years later she is still being mocked and portrayed as a monster. Even in death she can't rest in peace, quite sad.
August 15, 2023
This was a HUGE disappointment due to the lack of footnotes.
He made many claims, none of which were supported. Also there was no Table of Contents for easy reference.
Whether you believe this version or Cara Robertson's The Trial of Lizzie Borden, they flatly contradict each other as far as when the killing was reported and a half-hour makes a BIG difference. No, Lizzie could not have done the killing within 30 minutes (imo), but she could have done it within an entire hour, I think. In any case, Robertson's book was much more professionally written, and much more "sourced" instead of this book by an admitted ghost researcher.
Taylor does make a case for Lizzie having an accomplice, but the fact that he makes a case for Lizzie's half-brother being the murderer, a person that is not even sourced as being a such a relative, let alone one who had a quarrel with Andrew is very suspect.
Until MORE research is done tying ALL the facts together with reputable sources, I think the killing will remain a mystery just like Jack the Ripper.
He made many claims, none of which were supported. Also there was no Table of Contents for easy reference.
Whether you believe this version or Cara Robertson's The Trial of Lizzie Borden, they flatly contradict each other as far as when the killing was reported and a half-hour makes a BIG difference. No, Lizzie could not have done the killing within 30 minutes (imo), but she could have done it within an entire hour, I think. In any case, Robertson's book was much more professionally written, and much more "sourced" instead of this book by an admitted ghost researcher.
Taylor does make a case for Lizzie having an accomplice, but the fact that he makes a case for Lizzie's half-brother being the murderer, a person that is not even sourced as being a such a relative, let alone one who had a quarrel with Andrew is very suspect.
Until MORE research is done tying ALL the facts together with reputable sources, I think the killing will remain a mystery just like Jack the Ripper.
June 4, 2022
Everyone has heard the story. And nearly everyone in America has heard the gruesome sing song. Lizzie Borden had an axe... This book explores the case and tries to come up with a plausible theory of who could've committed the murders other than Lizzie. This is a long slow paced book mostly because it written with a lot of case/court file information. You will not get any definitive answers in this book but it is an interesting nook. I didn't know who did the murders but I did always find it strange that no one ever questioned the uncle. I didn't know that the uncle visited but didn't have no clothes with him. But I'm getting to close to spoiling info. You may find out info that you may not had heard about before. Anyway, if you have ever been interested in the story of Lizzie Borden this book is a good read for sure.
March 18, 2024
This is the story of Lizzie Borden, the woman some believe murdered her mother and then murdered her father, was put on trial and found innocent.
The author goes into the case in great detail, covering the police investigation, the search for evidence, the people involved, the reaction of he town people and includes a lot of text from the actual trial. He even includes a lot of the actual newspaper accounts of the trial.
He also goes into the aftermath of the trail, where Lizzie moved to and her eventual breakup with her sister. He then describes how he thinks the murders actually happened and the probable person who did them.
This is a very detailed book and one that shows the entire story of what was going on at all levels. The strongest part of the book is the author's adding actual newspaper accounts and trial statements.
The author goes into the case in great detail, covering the police investigation, the search for evidence, the people involved, the reaction of he town people and includes a lot of text from the actual trial. He even includes a lot of the actual newspaper accounts of the trial.
He also goes into the aftermath of the trail, where Lizzie moved to and her eventual breakup with her sister. He then describes how he thinks the murders actually happened and the probable person who did them.
This is a very detailed book and one that shows the entire story of what was going on at all levels. The strongest part of the book is the author's adding actual newspaper accounts and trial statements.
July 29, 2021
Lizzie is innocent! Mostly...
I was not sure what to expect when getting into this one. I had heard Troy mention it on the American Hauntings podcast and was instantly intrigued. I could not however tell where he stood on the case until getting into the book itself.
I think it was a very well researched dive into the murders. After hearing Troy's conclusions, which I will not spoil for future readers, I am convinced that there is no other possibility for what could have occurred that day. At least not one that would make any sense. All of the pieces just fit so precisely and explain all of the holes that exist in the story from the trial.
Definitely a must read if you are interested in the truth behind one of the most famous pieces of true crime in American history.
I was not sure what to expect when getting into this one. I had heard Troy mention it on the American Hauntings podcast and was instantly intrigued. I could not however tell where he stood on the case until getting into the book itself.
I think it was a very well researched dive into the murders. After hearing Troy's conclusions, which I will not spoil for future readers, I am convinced that there is no other possibility for what could have occurred that day. At least not one that would make any sense. All of the pieces just fit so precisely and explain all of the holes that exist in the story from the trial.
Definitely a must read if you are interested in the truth behind one of the most famous pieces of true crime in American history.
January 14, 2019
A very accessible account of a sad mystery
You are welcome to bring your opinions for or against the guilt of Lizzie Borden with you to this book, but after reading it you may leave them within its pages.
The author offers his own solution to the timeless riddle of the butchery that occurred in Fall River Massachusetts over a century ago but he does not insist that the reader accepts it. I found it to be an interesting theory. I'm not convinced ... But see that it is one possibility.
There is much detail here, and some information I had not come across elsewhere. I commend this volume to anyone who has more than a casual interest in the case. Well done Mr. Taylor.
You are welcome to bring your opinions for or against the guilt of Lizzie Borden with you to this book, but after reading it you may leave them within its pages.
The author offers his own solution to the timeless riddle of the butchery that occurred in Fall River Massachusetts over a century ago but he does not insist that the reader accepts it. I found it to be an interesting theory. I'm not convinced ... But see that it is one possibility.
There is much detail here, and some information I had not come across elsewhere. I commend this volume to anyone who has more than a casual interest in the case. Well done Mr. Taylor.
August 11, 2018
Interesting reading but no new insights
This book is engrossing and interesting - as all of the books that I have read about Lizzie Borden have been. However, there isn’t anything new or revolutionary presented here. Other authors have posited the same suggested solution, and it happens to be one to which I personally subscribe. I suppose we’ll never really know what happened.
This book is engrossing and interesting - as all of the books that I have read about Lizzie Borden have been. However, there isn’t anything new or revolutionary presented here. Other authors have posited the same suggested solution, and it happens to be one to which I personally subscribe. I suppose we’ll never really know what happened.
December 13, 2025
An interesting read
Over the past twenty five years , i have read many books about the fall river murders. It seems each book I read gives me a little and more information that I wasn't aware of. I had a hard time putting this book down. It seems a lot of research was done. Definitely worth reading.I just hope 1 day.A book comes out with this crime was solved , and we have answers.
Over the past twenty five years , i have read many books about the fall river murders. It seems each book I read gives me a little and more information that I wasn't aware of. I had a hard time putting this book down. It seems a lot of research was done. Definitely worth reading.I just hope 1 day.A book comes out with this crime was solved , and we have answers.
October 6, 2020
Exacting Research and New Theories
Finally...a book that posits a reasonable theory for the "ax 40-whacks" murders for which Lizzie Borden was acquitted in the 1890s. THIS theory fits better than "a naked, bloody Lizzie" washing up TWICE in the basement... Only the ghosts know for sure!
Finally...a book that posits a reasonable theory for the "ax 40-whacks" murders for which Lizzie Borden was acquitted in the 1890s. THIS theory fits better than "a naked, bloody Lizzie" washing up TWICE in the basement... Only the ghosts know for sure!
November 17, 2020
I had no knowledge of the true story behind the Borden murders and I had no idea that there are so many people who feel so passionately about them. I appreciate Taylor's writing style and I thoroughly appreciated his keeping the people in their time and refraining from putting modern feelings and ideas into their actions. This was an interesting read.
November 17, 2021
This is the definitive work on the Lizzie Borden mystery. I live in Massachusetts and visited the home where she grew up and where her father and stepmother were murdered. I have read other books on the trial and history of the Borden family. This one went into so much detail and I learned so much. I am a fan of Troy's theory... although I won't put it here.. no spoilers!
February 5, 2023
Insightful
I had seen numerous television programs about the Borden murders but this volume had interesting tidbits I had not heard about. Very interesting. I also enjoyed finding out more on the lives of Lizzie and Emma in the aftermath of the trial. I’d you are a mystery fan, you will enjoy this book!
I had seen numerous television programs about the Borden murders but this volume had interesting tidbits I had not heard about. Very interesting. I also enjoyed finding out more on the lives of Lizzie and Emma in the aftermath of the trial. I’d you are a mystery fan, you will enjoy this book!
July 23, 2024
This book was so good. It definitely listed all the evidence for you to make up your own mind on the mystery, but also laid out all the different theories and opinions of others as well as the authors opinion of what he thinks happened. I learned about a few new books I can read on this case and I learned new information about this murder mystery as well! I loved it !!
May 26, 2019
It's good to see that it's not only todays' papers that lie. It's a shock that Lizzie was even brought to trial. I enjoyed this true crime book though at times found it meandering and therefore confusing.
October 23, 2019
Tragedy This book gives the best history of the life and trial of Lizzie.
Must read for all lawyers or people interested in political abuses into the trials that never should have been brought.
Must read for all lawyers or people interested in political abuses into the trials that never should have been brought.
January 3, 2020
Average and not a page turner- unfortunately
I was not aware of the Biden case but having read the blurb i thought on sounds interesting. But the book was average, repetitive and unfortunately i found it to be a chore.
I was not aware of the Biden case but having read the blurb i thought on sounds interesting. But the book was average, repetitive and unfortunately i found it to be a chore.
January 20, 2022
A very well reasoned and researched book
A history that presents several alternatives to the Borden murders. The book reviews the timeline of that day to prove his alternative history.
A history that presents several alternatives to the Borden murders. The book reviews the timeline of that day to prove his alternative history.
February 4, 2022
Lizzie was INNOCENT!!!
This book was very long. Sometime dry, but at no fault to the author, sometimes you just can't make court documents and old newspapers sound all that great. This book was very good and gave so so much information.
This book was very long. Sometime dry, but at no fault to the author, sometimes you just can't make court documents and old newspapers sound all that great. This book was very good and gave so so much information.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews