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Lizzie Borden
A psychologically astute fictional portrait of the Borden family, this disturbing narrative reveals the repressed demons that may or may not have driven Lizzie to commit her infamous act
342 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
10 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Engstrom
65 books449 followersElizabeth (Liz) Engstrom grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois (a Chicago suburb where she lived with her father) and Kaysville, Utah (north of Salt Lake City, where she lived with her mother). After graduating from high school in Illinois, she ventured west in a serious search for acceptable weather, eventually settling in Honolulu. She attended college and worked as an advertising copywriter.
After eight years on Oahu, she moved to Maui, found a business partner and opened an advertising agency. One husband, two children and five years later, she sold the agency to her partner and had enough seed money to try her hand at full time fiction writing, her lifelong dream. With the help of her mentor, science fiction great Theodore Sturgeon, When Darkness Loves Us was published.
Engstrom moved to Oregon in 1986, where she lives with her husband Al Cratty, the legendary muskie fisherman. She holds a BA in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing, a Master’s in Applied Theology, and a Certificate of Pastoral Care and Ministry, all from Marylhurst University. An introvert at heart, she still emerges into public occasionally to teach a class in novel or short story writing, or to speak at a writer’s convention or conference.
After eight years on Oahu, she moved to Maui, found a business partner and opened an advertising agency. One husband, two children and five years later, she sold the agency to her partner and had enough seed money to try her hand at full time fiction writing, her lifelong dream. With the help of her mentor, science fiction great Theodore Sturgeon, When Darkness Loves Us was published.
Engstrom moved to Oregon in 1986, where she lives with her husband Al Cratty, the legendary muskie fisherman. She holds a BA in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing, a Master’s in Applied Theology, and a Certificate of Pastoral Care and Ministry, all from Marylhurst University. An introvert at heart, she still emerges into public occasionally to teach a class in novel or short story writing, or to speak at a writer’s convention or conference.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 2, 2010
Elizabeth Engstrom's Lizzie Borden is a fictionalized account of the real-life events that took place 100+ years ago. Engstrom took what facts are known about the Borden family and the crime and then cleverly twisted them into a story of what could have happened. As I was reading, I felt like I was transported back in time to that sweltering hot summer of 1892, a fly on the wall of the Borden house as they all went about their daily activities. Engstrom does a great job of delving into the family dynamics, the personalities of Lizzie, Emma, Abby, and Andrew, and each of their frustrations and disfunctionalities. There is growing suspense as we sense that certain characters are spinning out of control, and the reader doesn't find out who commits the murders (fictionally speaking, of course) until the very end of the book.
The true case in itself is fascinating, especially since we will most likely never know who really did it. Kind of frustrating too, though, right? To think that we'll never know...
The true case in itself is fascinating, especially since we will most likely never know who really did it. Kind of frustrating too, though, right? To think that we'll never know...
February 12, 2018
It's a book about Lizzie Borden...
What more info do you need... READ IT!!
Fascinating in depth look at the Borden's and the aftermath of the murders.
What more info do you need... READ IT!!
Fascinating in depth look at the Borden's and the aftermath of the murders.
September 17, 2017
I was quite surprised by some of the facts that I learnt about Lizzie Borden in this novel. I had always thought that she was very young, (many drawings of her show her as little more than a child with an axe) she was in fact thirty two!
I had no idea that the family were so wealthy, her father had quite a fortune tucked away but he was a very parsimonious person and kept a tight hold on the purse strings. Their home had no modern conveniences like bathroom, proper toilet etc.
It seems to me that every single member of the family was fundamentally damaged. Andrew Borden had a very strange relationship with Lizzie, she was his favourite and he seemed almost to hate his other daughter Emma.
Both of the girls resented his second wife Abby who had replaced their mother Sarah who died when Lizzie was very young. Sarah suffered from very strange mood swings and could become violent when she was in one of her tempers. She also had blackouts which were unexplained in this book. The girls both had problems; Emma like her mother had violent tantrums and would leave the family home and disappear to a distant town for several weeks at a time and then come home in a dreadful state. Lizzie suffered from severe migraines and experienced strange ‘out of body’ spells. Abby, under pressure for several different reasons started to comfort eat and was scorned by the girls.
Lizzie had ‘affairs’ with at least two local women. This was very risky in those days and had her family found out they would have been scandalised as the Borden name was always held up as being very important to their father.
I find it hard to give a true opinion on the murders and all of the above is purely from a fictional point of view. I feel that I must now read a non-fiction account of the events just to sort out fact from fiction.
This was a well written book and very interesting.
I had no idea that the family were so wealthy, her father had quite a fortune tucked away but he was a very parsimonious person and kept a tight hold on the purse strings. Their home had no modern conveniences like bathroom, proper toilet etc.
It seems to me that every single member of the family was fundamentally damaged. Andrew Borden had a very strange relationship with Lizzie, she was his favourite and he seemed almost to hate his other daughter Emma.
Both of the girls resented his second wife Abby who had replaced their mother Sarah who died when Lizzie was very young. Sarah suffered from very strange mood swings and could become violent when she was in one of her tempers. She also had blackouts which were unexplained in this book. The girls both had problems; Emma like her mother had violent tantrums and would leave the family home and disappear to a distant town for several weeks at a time and then come home in a dreadful state. Lizzie suffered from severe migraines and experienced strange ‘out of body’ spells. Abby, under pressure for several different reasons started to comfort eat and was scorned by the girls.
Lizzie had ‘affairs’ with at least two local women. This was very risky in those days and had her family found out they would have been scandalised as the Borden name was always held up as being very important to their father.
I find it hard to give a true opinion on the murders and all of the above is purely from a fictional point of view. I feel that I must now read a non-fiction account of the events just to sort out fact from fiction.
This was a well written book and very interesting.
June 7, 2012
Unfortunaely, I had a tough time getting through the book. The only reason I did; however, is because I was fascintated with Lizzie and the time period in which she did or did not commit such a heinous crime. During the late 1800's, it was unfathomable for society to believe a white female in her thirties could commit such a crime. I do believe Lizzie was mentally disturbed, but when reading this novel, the fictional factors did not set right with me. Therefore, I felt as though the beginning was strong, captivating, and factual, the middle was somewhat boring and overly fictional, and the ending was just too abrupt. I would recommend this book to someone who is wanting to know more about Lizzie Borden; however, I would not recommend this book for someone looking for just a brilliant read.
May 7, 2015
Lizzie Borden took an ax and gave her mother thirty spanks! When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one!
What a chilling book! And very mysterious, who knows what the truth might be?
What a chilling book! And very mysterious, who knows what the truth might be?
July 30, 2019
I love me some Lizzie Borden! She is one of the most well known and yet unknown figures of our time and there is SO much uncertainty surrounding the deaths of her stepmother and father, Abby and Andrew Borden. I have seen all the documentaries, movies, shows and read as many books - historical or fiction - and never saw Emma in the same light as this book paints her in. But that is why I enjoyed reading this, because it brought in not only the supposed "insanity" of the Borden girls real mother, but it also showed that Emma had a tendency towards acting just as her mother had. Normally we hear that it was Lizzie who was always complaining about their situation and how their father wouldn't get them a better home or make improvements, but would pay for everything for Abby Borden's family. So this was a completely different spin on the whole scenario - in this book Lizzie was NOT the daughter who despised her father and stepmother - it was Emma. I can't say too much so I won't spoil things, but just the idea of what Emma was REALLY doing when she went to New Bedford a few times a year and the whole relationship between Emma and her father was just completely new to me. It was honestly something I had not considered before. Of course it's historical fiction so it's not real, but that is how things have to begin, with a theory. And although the book doesn't exactly explain WHO committed the murders, it made it seem like a dream that Lizzie had, which was interesting because it was as though she all of a sudden started to turn into her mother like Emma had so many years ago. She was acquitted though, the only solid piece of evidence the prosecution had was the supposedly blood-stained dress that someone saw Lizzie burning, but there was nothing else to tie her to the murders other than the fact that she was home that day. The book also brought up the fact that the Bordens believed they had been poisoned in the week leading up to the murders, and the questions of the new will drawn up by Andrew Borden, Abby's nephew Sebastian and also Lizzie and Emma's uncle coming to town. And yet no one knows, unless the maid Bridget saw something and never admitted to it. I have always found it interesting that Lizzie never moved out of town - she never let them drive her away. Was it because she was really crazy and just didn't get it? And what was the REAL reason that Emma left? We will never know the whole truth, but I love how this book brings it all into question. Very cool!
All in all this was one of my favorite books that I have read this year so far! I really enjoyed it and I was riveted to the book trying to figure out what would happen next. I have always believed that Lizzie Borden was in fact innocent of the crimes ... so this definitely appealed to me because it presented a new theory. Of course no one thought of Emma - she was known to be thrifty and quiet and not flashy at all. But what if in reality and in her own home she wasn't like that at all and it was just a show for the townspeople? Hmmmm. I would definitely recommend this book for any lover of the Borden murders, it just gives you a whole new outlook on things :)
I received a free book to read :)
All in all this was one of my favorite books that I have read this year so far! I really enjoyed it and I was riveted to the book trying to figure out what would happen next. I have always believed that Lizzie Borden was in fact innocent of the crimes ... so this definitely appealed to me because it presented a new theory. Of course no one thought of Emma - she was known to be thrifty and quiet and not flashy at all. But what if in reality and in her own home she wasn't like that at all and it was just a show for the townspeople? Hmmmm. I would definitely recommend this book for any lover of the Borden murders, it just gives you a whole new outlook on things :)
I received a free book to read :)
June 5, 2025
This was just god-awful. What could have been an insightful fictionalised account of Lizzie’s life before and after the murders was instead a sensationalised, ridiculous and inaccurate story about the year before the murders.
According to this account, Lizzie had two ongoing lesbian affairs within the small town of Fall River, and her sister Emma was a drunk. In an attempt to explain the murders, the author tries to show Lizzie experiencing a dissociative fugue state. Except this only happens when Lizzie is experiencing emotional distress that she manages by sneaking into the barn and masturbating. Sounds legit, right? And in some instances, instead of being in a fugue state, she’s actually in two places at once. For example, one time she’s in the bath and dissociates, and encounters her sister in the town. But when her sister comes home, she’s shocked to find Lizzie has been able to get home, run a bath, wash herself, empty the bath and get dressed in the time since they saw each other. So obviously, this wasn’t a fugue state, Lizzie was in two places at once.
So instead of a genuine but rare mental condition, the murders occur due to some supernatural force. Again, sounds legit.
Documented aspects of the murders are completely ignored. For example, Lizzie removes her father’s boots before killing him, despite crime scene photos showing the body with its boots on. And Lizzie and her sister had convinced their father to buy a place in town that they rented from him; this goes against the narrative in the book.
Apart from taking a serious event and turning it into a book featuring lesbianism, supernatural events, frequent masturbation and Andrew Borden regularly using a prostitute, this book was terribly written. Dialogue was stilted, description was like being hit with a blunt object (pun intended) and movement between scenes was amateurish, to say the least.
To top it off, if you listen to it on audible, you’re subjected to what is possibly the worst narrator I’ve ever come across.
Put it down and walk away. Seriously.
According to this account, Lizzie had two ongoing lesbian affairs within the small town of Fall River, and her sister Emma was a drunk. In an attempt to explain the murders, the author tries to show Lizzie experiencing a dissociative fugue state. Except this only happens when Lizzie is experiencing emotional distress that she manages by sneaking into the barn and masturbating. Sounds legit, right? And in some instances, instead of being in a fugue state, she’s actually in two places at once. For example, one time she’s in the bath and dissociates, and encounters her sister in the town. But when her sister comes home, she’s shocked to find Lizzie has been able to get home, run a bath, wash herself, empty the bath and get dressed in the time since they saw each other. So obviously, this wasn’t a fugue state, Lizzie was in two places at once.
So instead of a genuine but rare mental condition, the murders occur due to some supernatural force. Again, sounds legit.
Documented aspects of the murders are completely ignored. For example, Lizzie removes her father’s boots before killing him, despite crime scene photos showing the body with its boots on. And Lizzie and her sister had convinced their father to buy a place in town that they rented from him; this goes against the narrative in the book.
Apart from taking a serious event and turning it into a book featuring lesbianism, supernatural events, frequent masturbation and Andrew Borden regularly using a prostitute, this book was terribly written. Dialogue was stilted, description was like being hit with a blunt object (pun intended) and movement between scenes was amateurish, to say the least.
To top it off, if you listen to it on audible, you’re subjected to what is possibly the worst narrator I’ve ever come across.
Put it down and walk away. Seriously.
August 1, 2019
I’ve always been fascinated about Lizzie Borden. People are divided on whether she did the crimes or not. I’m no expert so I cant decide either. It took place so long ago we’ll never know. That’s why I grab books about her whenever I come across them. I immediately snatched this up without even reading the synopsis. If I had, I might have realized this was more of a fictional character study on the Borden family than much to do with the crime itself and the trial.
It got off to a slow start and I pushed on to see where the author was taking the story. What I got was a peek through the keyhole to what the Borden’s family dynamics might have been like. Dark and disturbing indeed.
The story may have been different from what I was expecting, but I did enjoy reading about Lizzie and her family from a different angle.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
October 23, 2017
This book made so many strange choices. Like...I'd be into it if Lizzie was in a love triangle with her dad and another woman...I'd probably be into it if Lizzie were in a weird The Secret-style cult, I'd be into it if Lizzie had astral projection powers...but all of it together is an overwhelming mishmash.
Also it would introduce odd details from the actual case and then do nothing to follow up on them.
It was still kind of a fun read, but...not nearly as fun as its premise seemed to promise :(
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
Also it would introduce odd details from the actual case and then do nothing to follow up on them.
It was still kind of a fun read, but...not nearly as fun as its premise seemed to promise :(
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
November 20, 2013
This novel portrays Lizzie as mentally unstable, a lesbian, a woman imprisoned by her family and her own weaknesses. Her sister Emma calls the shots and controls everything, mentally puts Lizzie down every chance she gets. The stepmother is insecure. There are binge-eating disorders, alcoholism. Lizzie seems to be having blackouts. The book chronicles the time period about a year? before the murders and ends with the deaths.
I found parts of it really boring. It tends to repeat and pontificate. I also would have appreciated more explanation about what was wrong with Lizzie and Emma. They are both crazy. I'm sure there's a medical term/reason/explanation, but the book didn't find a way to tell us. Emma seems to have a few screws loose. She leaves in fits of rage, goes and gets drunk and beaten up every few weeks...there's something really wrong with her. Rage, however, seems to run in the family.
There's a somewhat disgusting love triangle and except for possibly contributing to Lizzie's finally cracking, I fail to see why this story twist existed.
Why the headaches? What did they have? Was it hereditary? I feel the book gave us just only so much idea and didn't explain itself well enough. It was interesting, but fell short. I was left asking more questions than when I first picked it up.
Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
I found parts of it really boring. It tends to repeat and pontificate. I also would have appreciated more explanation about what was wrong with Lizzie and Emma. They are both crazy. I'm sure there's a medical term/reason/explanation, but the book didn't find a way to tell us. Emma seems to have a few screws loose. She leaves in fits of rage, goes and gets drunk and beaten up every few weeks...there's something really wrong with her. Rage, however, seems to run in the family.
There's a somewhat disgusting love triangle and except for possibly contributing to Lizzie's finally cracking, I fail to see why this story twist existed.
Why the headaches? What did they have? Was it hereditary? I feel the book gave us just only so much idea and didn't explain itself well enough. It was interesting, but fell short. I was left asking more questions than when I first picked it up.
Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
October 31, 2014
Elizabeth Engstromm's novel has creatively answers many of the mysteries of Lizzie's psyche as well as her family's.
The Borden's public persona as upright Fall River citizens, proud of their "Founding Family" status. Each one's true self is both shocking yet altogether human.
As the book progresses, we witness an awakening in Lizzie. After being a guest at a fellow Temperance committee members home, Lizzie (age 32) finally experiences the physical love she knows has passed her by. Seems LB is in love with a woman. Her subsequent affair with a widowed legal secretary becomes the motive for her parents' murder. Lizzie is horrified to discover that she & Andrew are both sleeping with this woman.
I liked Ms. Engstromm's book immensely. 5 STARS
The Borden's public persona as upright Fall River citizens, proud of their "Founding Family" status. Each one's true self is both shocking yet altogether human.
As the book progresses, we witness an awakening in Lizzie. After being a guest at a fellow Temperance committee members home, Lizzie (age 32) finally experiences the physical love she knows has passed her by. Seems LB is in love with a woman. Her subsequent affair with a widowed legal secretary becomes the motive for her parents' murder. Lizzie is horrified to discover that she & Andrew are both sleeping with this woman.
I liked Ms. Engstromm's book immensely. 5 STARS
November 17, 2009
I read this one right after I finished Evan Hunter's fictional version ("Lizzie"). Since I am a big fan of McBain's authorship, I did not expect to like this one as much, but I did! A little less dark, a little more gentle on the main character, but just as gripping. Excellent!
April 25, 2010
Another enjoyable read. Dysfunctionality abounds in the life of Lizzie Borden and the author weaves a puzzle with many possibilities other than Lizzie being the true offender.
July 28, 2019
3 CRANKY STARS
I was really looking forward to reading this book. However, it turned into a very tedious read. Historical fiction should be a little more exciting to read. Many of the events were repeated over and over from chapter to chapter which was confusing and time wasting. The concept was very good, showing Lizzie as mentally ill since a young age because of her sister’s abuse. In fact, even sister Emma was mentally ill. Why else would Lizzie have killed her family? Perhaps if the author had included more about the aftermath and trial, it would be more interesting.
This author portrays this whole family as mentally ill. She constantly writes about how poorly they live even though the father is a shrewd businessman. They live in a weirdly configured house with no second-floor plumbing. A disagreement with an employee has Mr. Borden overly protective, thus all doors are always locked. The food situation is borderline starvation except for baked goodies and cookies.
Thus, poor Lizzie who wants for more freedom and normality becomes somewhat rebellious. She took a six-week trip to Europe with church friends and befriended an English lady. They correspond on a regular basis, while Lizzie mopes about her terrible living conditions. Things just drive Emma and Lizzie to their wits end when good old Dad threatens to change his will. It took forever to get to this point in the book and several times I was tempted to just quit reading. As I said before, it is too drawn out with too much unnecessary info that is often repeated. If you are not comfortable with homosexuality there is a tiny amount. This book was just not for me.
I was really looking forward to reading this book. However, it turned into a very tedious read. Historical fiction should be a little more exciting to read. Many of the events were repeated over and over from chapter to chapter which was confusing and time wasting. The concept was very good, showing Lizzie as mentally ill since a young age because of her sister’s abuse. In fact, even sister Emma was mentally ill. Why else would Lizzie have killed her family? Perhaps if the author had included more about the aftermath and trial, it would be more interesting.
This author portrays this whole family as mentally ill. She constantly writes about how poorly they live even though the father is a shrewd businessman. They live in a weirdly configured house with no second-floor plumbing. A disagreement with an employee has Mr. Borden overly protective, thus all doors are always locked. The food situation is borderline starvation except for baked goodies and cookies.
Thus, poor Lizzie who wants for more freedom and normality becomes somewhat rebellious. She took a six-week trip to Europe with church friends and befriended an English lady. They correspond on a regular basis, while Lizzie mopes about her terrible living conditions. Things just drive Emma and Lizzie to their wits end when good old Dad threatens to change his will. It took forever to get to this point in the book and several times I was tempted to just quit reading. As I said before, it is too drawn out with too much unnecessary info that is often repeated. If you are not comfortable with homosexuality there is a tiny amount. This book was just not for me.
May 19, 2021
This is an interesting piece of speculative fiction that attempts to address the many reasons the Bordens were such an unhappy household. Their personalities, their reasonings and motives, and their inner turmoil are on display. Patriarch Andrew is selfish and miserly to the chagrin of his daughters Emma and Lizzie. Emma is seething with bitterness and rage towards her father and stepmother Abby. She feels unappreciated and there’s a sinister tinge of paranoid delusion there, too. Emma’s tempers just make repressed, confused, and unsocialized Lizzie’s negative characteristics stand out even more. And unloved, dumpy Abby isn’t doing anyone any favors either.
Everyone smothers each other within that awkward house. But the oppressive Victorian lack of confrontation just allows everything to seethe beneath the surface. Emma allows herself the occasional outburst, but it’s Lizzie who is utterly stifled by her, “…Father’s insults or his lifelong dream of enslaving her to his bedridden incontinence.” Though Lizzie is painted in a somewhat sympathetic light, everyone else is utterly detestable. I like the direction Engstrom went with her version events and how she set up that fateful day.
Everyone smothers each other within that awkward house. But the oppressive Victorian lack of confrontation just allows everything to seethe beneath the surface. Emma allows herself the occasional outburst, but it’s Lizzie who is utterly stifled by her, “…Father’s insults or his lifelong dream of enslaving her to his bedridden incontinence.” Though Lizzie is painted in a somewhat sympathetic light, everyone else is utterly detestable. I like the direction Engstrom went with her version events and how she set up that fateful day.
March 12, 2024
I wanted so much more out of this. After just having read When Darkness Loves Us, I was so ready for one of my favorite historical figures to come to life at the pen of one of my favorite new authors. Unfortunately, I felt bored most of the time, but I kept going until the end. I thought the pacing was off, and I wanted more to be explored about the mysterious book from her friend, Beatrice. I will say that the absolute loneliness Lizzie felt was palpable and emotionally draining. Because if the depression I felt, I gave this three stars, but I was leaning toward two at first.
February 28, 2020
Taking a break from YA for a bit since I'm burned out on it. So time to read some grownup books.
This was fine, but slightly tedious and some of the plot revelations were, uh, head scratching. Also I've never been huge on historical fiction based on real people. I know I'd feel weird if someone made up a bunch of stuff about me.
Elizabeth Engstrom's When Darkness Loves Us left such a big mark on me when I was a teen. I was hoping this would as well, but I mostly just found it "okay."
This was fine, but slightly tedious and some of the plot revelations were, uh, head scratching. Also I've never been huge on historical fiction based on real people. I know I'd feel weird if someone made up a bunch of stuff about me.
Elizabeth Engstrom's When Darkness Loves Us left such a big mark on me when I was a teen. I was hoping this would as well, but I mostly just found it "okay."
November 13, 2023
I read this SO long ago that I can't write a specific review. I enjoy almost everything Lizzie Borden, though, so I'm giving it my usual three stars. (It's tough to read the fictionalized Borden books sometimes, though, after reading the primary sources.)
June 12, 2017
Surprisingly good.....better than I had anticipated!
February 12, 2020
People who know the story of Lizzie Borden seen to really hate this book. But it's got good characters and a great story. Who gives a shit about the truth?
August 22, 2023
love to read different perspectives
March 15, 2025
A very different, but interesting and plausible theory on the well known story.
July 31, 2019
Lizzie Borden, another brilliantly written story about the trial of the century. Lizzie Borden tells the story of how a woman was accused of killing her father and her step-mother with an axe. The story is written is such a way that it makes you wonder who actually picked up that axe.
Lizzie was just a girl who cared for and took care of her father and helped run his household. She read to him every day after work and even took his shoes off for him. Doesn’t that sound like a great and loving daughter? Or was there more behind that story than was ever known? Or was more read into the story after the fact?
Lizzie Borden drew me in from the title and had me hooked from the first word. Lately I have become sort of fascinated with the Lizzie Borden story and read everything I can get my hands knowing that each story puts its own spin to it with its own twists.
Elizabeth Engstrom’s Lizzie Borden is a very intense read that hides its secrets between the pages making you wonder whodunit. The mystery itself will keep you flipping the pages wondering if this time the ending or the person who picked up that axe would turn out to be someone other than expected.
Lizzie Borden is a fantastic read for anyone who may be taken with the Lizzie Borden story and how she may have committed the crime of the century. If you like the Lizzie Borden story then you won’t want to miss out on Elizabeth Engstrom’s Lizzie Borden. Be sure and pick up your copy today!
Lizzie was just a girl who cared for and took care of her father and helped run his household. She read to him every day after work and even took his shoes off for him. Doesn’t that sound like a great and loving daughter? Or was there more behind that story than was ever known? Or was more read into the story after the fact?
Lizzie Borden drew me in from the title and had me hooked from the first word. Lately I have become sort of fascinated with the Lizzie Borden story and read everything I can get my hands knowing that each story puts its own spin to it with its own twists.
Elizabeth Engstrom’s Lizzie Borden is a very intense read that hides its secrets between the pages making you wonder whodunit. The mystery itself will keep you flipping the pages wondering if this time the ending or the person who picked up that axe would turn out to be someone other than expected.
Lizzie Borden is a fantastic read for anyone who may be taken with the Lizzie Borden story and how she may have committed the crime of the century. If you like the Lizzie Borden story then you won’t want to miss out on Elizabeth Engstrom’s Lizzie Borden. Be sure and pick up your copy today!
November 20, 2015
The thing about this novel is that it really would have worked ... if it was about some other family. Out of everyone, Lizzie is the only one who resembles what we know of of the Borden family. For example: Emma here is ruthlessly cruel to Lizzie and a wildly out of control alcoholic; she's nothing like the uptight, old-fashioned Emma that we know of from history. Andrew and Abby aren't even themselves; Andrew is a adulterer who is oddly detached from the rest of his family while Abby is infinitely more sociable. Bridget Sullivan and Alice Russell barely make appearances in this story, despite being major players in the Borden case.
This book isn't terrible by any stretch, but it suffers from a few major flaws: the incredibly out of "character"-ness of the Borden family; the lack of any sort of real build-up and/or detail regarding major plot points (e.g, Andrew's affair, Lizzie's lesbianism, Emma's alcoholism and her trips to New Bedford); and the insufferable tacked-on supernatural aspect which does little more than just provide an explanation as to how Lizzie could have committed the murders. And really, this book, at 352 pages, just feels too short and rushed.
But really, if you took out the supernatural aspects, that alone would make the book better. I get why it was there, sort of, and it served its purpose in explaining how Lizzie committed the murders, but it just never really did anything for me. 99.9% of that part of the book was just there to fill up space.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this. But I was disappointed because it could have been so much better.
This book isn't terrible by any stretch, but it suffers from a few major flaws: the incredibly out of "character"-ness of the Borden family; the lack of any sort of real build-up and/or detail regarding major plot points (e.g, Andrew's affair, Lizzie's lesbianism, Emma's alcoholism and her trips to New Bedford); and the insufferable tacked-on supernatural aspect which does little more than just provide an explanation as to how Lizzie could have committed the murders. And really, this book, at 352 pages, just feels too short and rushed.
But really, if you took out the supernatural aspects, that alone would make the book better. I get why it was there, sort of, and it served its purpose in explaining how Lizzie committed the murders, but it just never really did anything for me. 99.9% of that part of the book was just there to fill up space.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this. But I was disappointed because it could have been so much better.
February 16, 2024
I wanted to like this fictionalized account of the infamous Fall River murders, but felt it was all over the place. Lizzie has headaches, lies on her bed a lot, and doesn't remember certain things she has done (like stealing her stepmother Abbie's jewelry). Lizzie's big sis, Emma, is unlikable and mean and frequently goes out of town to drink herself insensible, and to pick up men. (huh?). Lizzie is much nicer than Emma in this story.. ....I liked Lizzie. (I'll overlook the fact she's a hatchet murderer.) The two victims, Andrew and Abbie, as depicted in the book, aren't very nice and basically deserve to be murdered.
This is a well-researched effort by the author, no doubt, but repetitive, not fun to read, and I skipped ahead to get to the murders which were over in two paragraphs. I did not really learn anything new about Miss Borden and am still confused, even after plowing my way through three-fourths of the novel, as to her motive ( as are we all lol).
This is a well-researched effort by the author, no doubt, but repetitive, not fun to read, and I skipped ahead to get to the murders which were over in two paragraphs. I did not really learn anything new about Miss Borden and am still confused, even after plowing my way through three-fourths of the novel, as to her motive ( as are we all lol).
October 8, 2014
It is said to be based on court documents etc... but I dunno how much of it is true, there is a lot I haven't heard and Lizzie and Emma and Abby are pictured totally differently here than in any other books.
However, true (well, no book is ALL true) or not, this has been my "Jack the Ripper", "Jim Jones" and "Lizzie Borden" year... beginning to think I am twisted lol... well, to defend myself, I am only intrigued by old mysteries and how they study them so much later and the different theories shred in mystery. And with Jack the Ripper - who knew the case would be solved this year??? ;) And I had just started reading about it again because of tv-Shows like Whitechapel and Ripper Street....
Anyway, this book (Novel) is quite gripping, it is well written and - excuse me the cliche... impossible to put down. A must for mystery fans ;-) Especially mysteries based on facts.
However, true (well, no book is ALL true) or not, this has been my "Jack the Ripper", "Jim Jones" and "Lizzie Borden" year... beginning to think I am twisted lol... well, to defend myself, I am only intrigued by old mysteries and how they study them so much later and the different theories shred in mystery. And with Jack the Ripper - who knew the case would be solved this year??? ;) And I had just started reading about it again because of tv-Shows like Whitechapel and Ripper Street....
Anyway, this book (Novel) is quite gripping, it is well written and - excuse me the cliche... impossible to put down. A must for mystery fans ;-) Especially mysteries based on facts.
June 4, 2012
Apparently I knew next to nothing about the Lizzie Borden case, so that was a learning experience. As a fictional account of something I'm clueless about I always wonder how much fact is mixed in with the fiction. Much of this book is centered around inner monologues, weird mystical visions or hallucinations, and conjecture about Lizzie's lesbian relationships. Are these all in the head of the author or is some of this based in true accounts of the situation?
I think I would rather have read a more historical accurate account of the murders first, but I guess this was an interesting gateway to the story. Perhaps if I knew more of the facts I would find this take on the inner workings of the protagonists more intriguing.
I think I would rather have read a more historical accurate account of the murders first, but I guess this was an interesting gateway to the story. Perhaps if I knew more of the facts I would find this take on the inner workings of the protagonists more intriguing.
September 1, 2009
Using factual references regarding the infamous murder of Andrew and Abby Borden, Engstrom weaves a compelling and disturbing and unflattering portrait of the complicated and very dysfunctional lives of those living in the small, tinder- box, explosive house in Fall River Mass.
Engstrom effectively builds the tension and heat leading up to the sweltering August day when lives were taken and freedom was gained..at a price.
If you, like me, are captivated by this mystery, then I recommend this book.
Engstrom effectively builds the tension and heat leading up to the sweltering August day when lives were taken and freedom was gained..at a price.
If you, like me, are captivated by this mystery, then I recommend this book.
July 19, 2007
OK, I have found that good fiction books about non fiction events are one of favorite type of reads. (It's like I am learning but with lots of excitement and escape from reality)This book fictionalized the life of Lizze Borden and included some of the history and some speculation. It was entertaining and very readable. I enjoyed it and recommend to anyone who wants to read about someone who "allegedly" killed her folks. I mean hello, who wouldn't want to read it?
January 21, 2013
I was so excited to finally get my hands on this book and so let down by it. I understand its a novel but so much was added into the story that was never part of the actual details and to me brings the story in a totally new direction. I was let down by the whole read. In the epilogue I was amazed to learn that Lizzie died from complications of gall bladder surgery, that I didn't know
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