Dead Lucky: Lord Lucan: The Final Truth

by Duncan MacLaughlin, William Hall

They called it the manhunt of the century. Following a sensational murder in the heart of Belgravia that shocked high society and gripped the world, a new name was written into criminal folklore: Lord Lucan. In the 30 years since he vanished, numerous books and TV documentaries have theorized on his possible fate. Now former detective Duncan MacLaughlin—dubbed Scotland Yard's top undercover cop—has tracked down the incredible truth.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Mystery, Crime

271 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan MacLaughlin traces Lord Lucan to Goa almost 20 years after the murder of his nanny and the attack on his wife. A chance call from a former associate, who has an incriminating photograph, leads him to India and then some startling identifications are revealed from various people who knew a character by the name of 'Jungle Barry' who had arrived unannounced in the Indian resort in early 1975. Some of Barry's features have a distinct likeness to Lord Lucan, who had subsequently died in Goa in January 1996. As to whether it was the missing Lucan, the words of Lord Denning, one time Master of the Rolls, should be considered. He said, "Proof beyond reasonable doubt does not mean proof beyond the shadow of doubt. It need not reach certainty, but it must carry a high degree of probability. The law would fail to protect the community if it admitted fanciful possibilities to deflect the course of justice." Is there a high degree of probability in this story? Is there proof beyond reasonable doubt? The author feels strongly that the answers to both questions are 'Yes' but naturally he leaves it up to the reader and he ends with "You, the jury, will make up your own minds. I know I have." And I have, too - or I think I have - but then, perhaps not? Whatever, it is a fascinating and un-putdownable read.

[Scott (not a big reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read. No it’s not the most well written. But Duncan isn’t a writer. He’s an ex cop. Get over it.
Subject matter? Fascinating. Was it Lucan? Was it not? I’m convinced, make your own mind up.
Well worth a read.

[Kalle Wescott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read /Dead Lucky: Lord Lucan: The Final Truth/, by Duncan MacLaughlin:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/they-...

This book is written by Duncan MacLaughlin, who has "penetrated a number of international drugs cartels and nailed the ruthless barons who controlled them."

A small-time Oxford dope dealer (Mark Winch) fled to Goa to avoid being busted by MacLaughlin, meeting "Jungle Barry", who was really "Lucky" Lord Lucan.

Lord Lucan had killed his babysitter in the dark in London, thinking it was his wife Lady Lucan, who he wanted to kill as part of a custody battle.

In the book, after telling Lucan's and Winch's stories, MacLaughlin writes the story of Winch and MacLaughlin travelling to Goa to try to find Lord Lucky on the lam.

The moral of the story: rather than be busted, flee to Goa!

[Dan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting investigation as to the possibility of Lord Lucan's Survival and life in Goa, was 'Jungle Barry' Lord Lucan? I don't know, but irrespective of later claims and revelations I feel it is still highly likely that Jungle Barry was indeed Lucan and this book is a must read for those interested in the Man.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book contains a brief review of the lifestyle and heinous crimes of Lucan, it's mostly about trying to find out what happened to him. The author makes a good case for Jungle Barry who lived in Goa being Lucan.

[Darryl Lundy · Rating 1 out of 5]

very poorly written - over-blown phrasing and filler material

[Andrew Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasted a few hours on this. He should of ended the book after the first paragraph by saying Lucan topped himself after mistakenly murdering the nanny but there’s no actual proof.

[Ian Turner]

i knew jungle barry, i use to spend time in the bar with him, eat with him and went on one of his jungle treks just me him and 1 other. he told me he was from st.helens but it is true he did recieve money from some people from England. He knew all over India very well and i think he did mention coming over from the west of Africa

[Leslie Zampetti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting - and unlike many books about solutions to long-fascinating mysteries - entirely probable. Not the most well-written book in the world, but fans of true crime and "whatever happened to" books might enjoy this one.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether there is any truth in this account, to me, is irrelevant. It is a captivating tale and one which, as a reader, you want to believe is what happened. Well written and researched. I have read this more than once and enjoyed it just as much as the first.

[Simon Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very badly written, clichéd and hackneyed language it nevertheless plans a theory that it is to possible and somehow believable

[Nicole P · Rating 1 out of 5]

loved it until I discovered it had been proven that the man in question wasn't actually Lord Lucan. would have rated it 4 otherwise. kept me enthralled.