What do you think?
Rate this book
Ella Maud
A beautiful girl of 19 disappears from her home after bidding a fateful goodnight to her sweetheart. She is found dead in the Pasquotank River 36 days later. He is convicted TWICE for her murder – but is innocent. So what really happened...?
Ella Maud Cropsey, known to her friends and family as Nell, was born in July 1882 in Brooklyn, New York, before the family moved to Elizabeth City in North Carolina. Nell starts seeing Jim Wilcox, son of the local sheriff. They are an odd couple: Nell is beautiful, independent and eager for new experiences; Jim is short, stolid and five years older than Nell, but content with his lot.
On the night of November 20, 1901, Jim and other guests are there, calling on Nell, her sister Ollie, and their brother, William. Around 11 p.m., Jim rises and bids the group good-bye, then asks Nell to accompany him to the porch. A few minutes later, Ollie’s suitor Roy Crawford is asked to tell Nell to come inside as he leaves. Moments later, Roy calls back softly that Nell is not on the porch...
In Ella Maud, Nicholas Nicastro revisits a haunting mystery that still fascinates a nation a century later. His masterly re-imagining of these tragic events sees beyond the prejudices that destroys families and taints small communities but corrodes civilisation itself. Nicastro’s simple story-telling style, with its kaleidoscopic perspectives, is moving, beautiful and profound. He echoes the footfall of greats like Herman Melville, William Saroyan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Louisa M. Alcott, Harper Lee and Alice Walker. A massive achievement.
Ella Maud Cropsey, known to her friends and family as Nell, was born in July 1882 in Brooklyn, New York, before the family moved to Elizabeth City in North Carolina. Nell starts seeing Jim Wilcox, son of the local sheriff. They are an odd couple: Nell is beautiful, independent and eager for new experiences; Jim is short, stolid and five years older than Nell, but content with his lot.
On the night of November 20, 1901, Jim and other guests are there, calling on Nell, her sister Ollie, and their brother, William. Around 11 p.m., Jim rises and bids the group good-bye, then asks Nell to accompany him to the porch. A few minutes later, Ollie’s suitor Roy Crawford is asked to tell Nell to come inside as he leaves. Moments later, Roy calls back softly that Nell is not on the porch...
In Ella Maud, Nicholas Nicastro revisits a haunting mystery that still fascinates a nation a century later. His masterly re-imagining of these tragic events sees beyond the prejudices that destroys families and taints small communities but corrodes civilisation itself. Nicastro’s simple story-telling style, with its kaleidoscopic perspectives, is moving, beautiful and profound. He echoes the footfall of greats like Herman Melville, William Saroyan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Louisa M. Alcott, Harper Lee and Alice Walker. A massive achievement.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2018
79 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Nicastro
18 books35 followersNicholas Nicastro was born in Astoria, New York in 1963. His education includes a B.A. in English from Cornell University (1985), an M.F.A. in filmmaking from New York University (1991), an M.A. in archaeology and a Ph.D in psychology from Cornell (1996 and 2003). He has also worked as a film critic, a hospital orderly, a newspaper reporter, a library archivist, a college lecturer in anthropology and psychology, an animal behaviorist, and an advertising salesman. His writings include short fiction, travel and science articles in such publications as "The New York Times", "The New York Observer", "Film Comment", and "The International Herald Tribune". His books have been published by Penguin, St. Martin's, and HarperCollins.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 18, 2020
A very well researched story.
The story is from the beginning of the twentieth century and it starts with Nell who was a local beauty, with a mind of her own. She was courted by Jim, the son of the local sheriff of the town. One night after dinner, Nell was to meet Jim in the porch outside her home and that was the last that the world saw of her. Thirty six days later, Nell’s dead body was found in the nearby waters. It was clear that she had been killed by a blow to her head and had been drowned later on.
Based on this, the author has built a very intriguing story on what could have happened to Nell and that Jim who had been convicted, could not have committed Nell’s murder.
The story presents one solution regarding the murder and the way the author has presented it, was extremely well researched and plausible.
Excellent read.
The story is from the beginning of the twentieth century and it starts with Nell who was a local beauty, with a mind of her own. She was courted by Jim, the son of the local sheriff of the town. One night after dinner, Nell was to meet Jim in the porch outside her home and that was the last that the world saw of her. Thirty six days later, Nell’s dead body was found in the nearby waters. It was clear that she had been killed by a blow to her head and had been drowned later on.
Based on this, the author has built a very intriguing story on what could have happened to Nell and that Jim who had been convicted, could not have committed Nell’s murder.
The story presents one solution regarding the murder and the way the author has presented it, was extremely well researched and plausible.
Excellent read.
February 1, 2019
A beautiful girl goes missing from her front porch. Her body turns up apparently drowned. The community seeks a criminal to pin the murder on, and justice is the first victim.
On the first level it's a vivid and gritty true crime story with gripping courtroom drama, but underneath the unsolved mystery are themes reflecting the emerging social frictions and rapid cultural changes of the turn of the century.
I'm a big fan of Nicholas Nicastro's historical novels - all I've read are excellent - and am honoured to have narrated this audiobook (I do not have financial interest in sales).
On the first level it's a vivid and gritty true crime story with gripping courtroom drama, but underneath the unsolved mystery are themes reflecting the emerging social frictions and rapid cultural changes of the turn of the century.
I'm a big fan of Nicholas Nicastro's historical novels - all I've read are excellent - and am honoured to have narrated this audiobook (I do not have financial interest in sales).
October 15, 2018
Ella Maud Cropsey, or Nell as she is more commonly known, and her family live in a small community in North Carolina. Set around the turn of the 20th century, the story is a fictionalised account of her murder, based on the known facts.
Nell was feted as a beauty, sometimes a contrary young woman but one who knew her own mind. She was high-spirited, hated the restrictions the ladies of the time were subjected to and planned to attend university. Jim Wilcox had been courting Nell for over three years and was the last person to see her before she disappeared. I say disappeared because it seemed unclear initially to most people what had happened to Nell. Her body was discovered in the river that ran past the family home thirty-six days later, without the expected indications of being in water for that amount of time. An autopsy confirmed Nell did not drown but died from a blow to the head. So where had Nell been before she went into the water? And who put her there?
.For his part, Jim had worn himself sleepless with thoughts of Nell. Half the time he agreed with Chief Dawson, that he should not have left her on the porch in such an overwrought state. The other half he resented her for disappearing. For he knew that Nell, who seemed so sweet to everyone else, had a cruel streak that had cut him many times over three-and-a-half years.’
The Cropseys, especially Nell’s father William, along with the townsfolk, were determined to blame Jim, on little to no evidence. Jim was arrested and tried locally, found guilty and sentenced to hang. The trial was deemed prejudiced due to the frenzy caused by the townsfolk and media. The militia was called in to protect him from the lynch mob mentality of the townspeople. Jim was retried elsewhere, again found guilty and given a life sentence. Both trials were total miscarriages of justice based on flimsy evidence. Jim served sixteen years after which he obtained a pardon. The Governor was convinced of his innocence but his life was all but over. Ollie, Nell’s older sister, kept her own counsel and became a recluse after the family moved to Brooklyn, where they originally came from. Strangely, several years later, two suicides were recorded, people who were part of or connected to the Cropsey family. The motives for these deaths were unknown and the truth was never uncovered. Details and accounts surrounding Nell’s death continued to be inconsistent and odd.
This is an intriguing and tragic story which has obviously been very well researched. The passages relating to the trials add atmosphere and realism. Initially I found the changing time scales and perspectives a little confusing, some descriptive passages over long, but gradually the story hooked me in. It was very interesting to read the author’s take on what could have happened to Nell and how other people figured in the tale. The narrative conveys a definite sense of time and place, which includes the appropriate language and dress.
To this day Nell Cropsey’s death, whether murder or accident, remains a mystery.
The author’s afterword is interesting reading in itself. As he states ‘I don’t purport to know what actually happened to Nell on the night of November 20, 1901. The story presented here, however, is based on extensive research on the case, and represents one plausible solution.‘
I chose to read and review Ella Maud based on an advance reader copy of the book supplied by Endeavour Media.
Nell was feted as a beauty, sometimes a contrary young woman but one who knew her own mind. She was high-spirited, hated the restrictions the ladies of the time were subjected to and planned to attend university. Jim Wilcox had been courting Nell for over three years and was the last person to see her before she disappeared. I say disappeared because it seemed unclear initially to most people what had happened to Nell. Her body was discovered in the river that ran past the family home thirty-six days later, without the expected indications of being in water for that amount of time. An autopsy confirmed Nell did not drown but died from a blow to the head. So where had Nell been before she went into the water? And who put her there?
.For his part, Jim had worn himself sleepless with thoughts of Nell. Half the time he agreed with Chief Dawson, that he should not have left her on the porch in such an overwrought state. The other half he resented her for disappearing. For he knew that Nell, who seemed so sweet to everyone else, had a cruel streak that had cut him many times over three-and-a-half years.’
The Cropseys, especially Nell’s father William, along with the townsfolk, were determined to blame Jim, on little to no evidence. Jim was arrested and tried locally, found guilty and sentenced to hang. The trial was deemed prejudiced due to the frenzy caused by the townsfolk and media. The militia was called in to protect him from the lynch mob mentality of the townspeople. Jim was retried elsewhere, again found guilty and given a life sentence. Both trials were total miscarriages of justice based on flimsy evidence. Jim served sixteen years after which he obtained a pardon. The Governor was convinced of his innocence but his life was all but over. Ollie, Nell’s older sister, kept her own counsel and became a recluse after the family moved to Brooklyn, where they originally came from. Strangely, several years later, two suicides were recorded, people who were part of or connected to the Cropsey family. The motives for these deaths were unknown and the truth was never uncovered. Details and accounts surrounding Nell’s death continued to be inconsistent and odd.
This is an intriguing and tragic story which has obviously been very well researched. The passages relating to the trials add atmosphere and realism. Initially I found the changing time scales and perspectives a little confusing, some descriptive passages over long, but gradually the story hooked me in. It was very interesting to read the author’s take on what could have happened to Nell and how other people figured in the tale. The narrative conveys a definite sense of time and place, which includes the appropriate language and dress.
To this day Nell Cropsey’s death, whether murder or accident, remains a mystery.
The author’s afterword is interesting reading in itself. As he states ‘I don’t purport to know what actually happened to Nell on the night of November 20, 1901. The story presented here, however, is based on extensive research on the case, and represents one plausible solution.‘
I chose to read and review Ella Maud based on an advance reader copy of the book supplied by Endeavour Media.
September 29, 2018
There is much to like in this story set in North Carolina at the turn of the century (the 20th, not the 21st). Based on real events, it tells the tale of the strange circumstances surrounding the death of 19 year old Ella Maud (Nell) Cropsey. She was actually 20 when she died, and much was made of her glowing beauty. On the brink of a new century there was increasing industrialisation, mass transportation was becoming more widespread and the media was becoming more lurid as a precursor to what we know today. Women, particularly in the South, we're still regarded as delicate creatures. Yet these very women were on the very brink of throwing off the shackles and liberating themselves. Nell was an exuberant young woman who had plans for an education and a life beyond the confines of her upbringing.
Against this backdrop the murder of Nell Cropsey, for surely it was murder, rocked the town of Elizabeth City. Jim Wilcox, Nell's beau of three years and purportedly the last person to see her alive, was surely the guilty party. Or was he? The book describes the known circumstances, the trial, and postulates an alternative scenario for her death. For although she did indeed die in tragic circumstances, the exact details are unknown and much of the narrative is therefore a work of fiction.
What reduced the rating for me was the slow pace of the story for the first half of the book. I feel that part could have have been condensed somewhat. It was also quite a long time before I got a sense of where the book was heading, there was little in the way of clues. It was written in a style befitting the times but I also thought a couple of the long religious monologues were unnecessary. The character development was outstanding, although I still don't understand the motivations of some members of the Cropsey family for doing what they did, again, given the era. All in all a good book that would have benefitted from a bit more oomph. Historical fiction is all very well but it's still fiction and it still needs a hook. Thanks to Endeavour Press for a copy of the book to review.
Against this backdrop the murder of Nell Cropsey, for surely it was murder, rocked the town of Elizabeth City. Jim Wilcox, Nell's beau of three years and purportedly the last person to see her alive, was surely the guilty party. Or was he? The book describes the known circumstances, the trial, and postulates an alternative scenario for her death. For although she did indeed die in tragic circumstances, the exact details are unknown and much of the narrative is therefore a work of fiction.
What reduced the rating for me was the slow pace of the story for the first half of the book. I feel that part could have have been condensed somewhat. It was also quite a long time before I got a sense of where the book was heading, there was little in the way of clues. It was written in a style befitting the times but I also thought a couple of the long religious monologues were unnecessary. The character development was outstanding, although I still don't understand the motivations of some members of the Cropsey family for doing what they did, again, given the era. All in all a good book that would have benefitted from a bit more oomph. Historical fiction is all very well but it's still fiction and it still needs a hook. Thanks to Endeavour Press for a copy of the book to review.
November 5, 2018
Our story begins as our protagonist Nell Cropsey is missing and the whole town sans her boyfriend Jim Wilcox is looking for her. Her sister Ollie racked with guilt takes on the role as mourner in chief, a role that she relishes until the day she dies. The town searches for weeks until one day the perfectly preserved body of Nell is miraculously found in the river. After an incompetent autopsy and a farce of a trial, Jim Wilcox is sent to prison for her murder still proclaiming he had nothing to do with her disappearance yet offering nothing in the way of defending himself. The question remained should he be there? Could someone have saved him if only they had told the truth?
The book is a work of fiction. It is however based on a real murder case that to this day remains unsolved. The conclusions the author draws are quite plausible and if I might say quite jaw dropping. I have to say that I am disgusted with the family and the sister in particular, she is not to be pitied in any way. Jim Wilcox spent years in jail and contracted tuberculosis and died a painful and lonely, premature death because of that fateful night. The brother committed suicide and the mother kept herself to the residence and suffered from depression and later in life had other medical issues. I am all for obedience to one's parents but for the love of what's holy a man's life was at stake, particular facts could have changed matters and lives drastically.
I would recommend the book as I said, there were parts that dragged and could be shortened but all in all the story was top rate especially the ending when the true "murderer" was revealed.
The book is a work of fiction. It is however based on a real murder case that to this day remains unsolved. The conclusions the author draws are quite plausible and if I might say quite jaw dropping. I have to say that I am disgusted with the family and the sister in particular, she is not to be pitied in any way. Jim Wilcox spent years in jail and contracted tuberculosis and died a painful and lonely, premature death because of that fateful night. The brother committed suicide and the mother kept herself to the residence and suffered from depression and later in life had other medical issues. I am all for obedience to one's parents but for the love of what's holy a man's life was at stake, particular facts could have changed matters and lives drastically.
I would recommend the book as I said, there were parts that dragged and could be shortened but all in all the story was top rate especially the ending when the true "murderer" was revealed.
September 18, 2018
Ella Maud is Nicholas Nicastro’s take on the actual disappearance in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, in November 1901 of the beautiful19 year old. 37 days later Nell’s undecayed body is found in the river. Not just drowned but murdered. Boyfriend Jim Wilcox is arrested, tried locally and sentenced in 2 unfair trials first to hang, then to life imprisonment though he only serves 16 years.
There is a great sense of time and place, fascinating historical details of dress, manners, and American family life. I would have preferred a chronological narrative but otherwise this is an excellent read.
There is a great sense of time and place, fascinating historical details of dress, manners, and American family life. I would have preferred a chronological narrative but otherwise this is an excellent read.
October 2, 2018
I am an ARC reader and was given this book
To give an honest review.
I really got into the book by chapter 2.
Was interesting but sad at the end.
It is worth reading and I hope you enjoy as much as I did
To give an honest review.
I really got into the book by chapter 2.
Was interesting but sad at the end.
It is worth reading and I hope you enjoy as much as I did
June 8, 2021
I went back and forth on whether this was a 3 or 4 star review. I kept leaning towards a 3 star review due to the first half of the book. It just seemed to go on forever without any real substance to it. The characters were well developed, especially Nell and Jim. I liked the author's re-imagined version of what might have happened to Nell. It certainly makes sense based on some of the facts of the case. What's really sad is even after all this time since this event, we are still putting innocent people in prison. What a sad and troubled family and suspect.
November 28, 2018
Ella Maud is Nicholas Nicastro’s tale of the real life disappearance of the 19 year old Ella Maud, known to everyone as Nell. Set in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, November 1901.
Nell goes missing after meeting her beau, Jim Wilcox on the porch of her home and 37 days later her seemingly undecayed body is found in the river.
Not drowned but murdered.
Jim Wilcox is arrested and tried locally, sentenced, in two rather unfair trials, first to hang, then to life imprisonment where he only serves 16 years. But was he innocent? Did the family really know what had happened?
There is a real atmosphere of the time, the manners and language of that period, with real historical details of the American family life. It did jump around a little, which initially made it hard to follow, but once in to the rhythm of the story it flowed nicely. Based on real events this is an excellent read
Link to book
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H9D5NLK
Nell goes missing after meeting her beau, Jim Wilcox on the porch of her home and 37 days later her seemingly undecayed body is found in the river.
Not drowned but murdered.
Jim Wilcox is arrested and tried locally, sentenced, in two rather unfair trials, first to hang, then to life imprisonment where he only serves 16 years. But was he innocent? Did the family really know what had happened?
There is a real atmosphere of the time, the manners and language of that period, with real historical details of the American family life. It did jump around a little, which initially made it hard to follow, but once in to the rhythm of the story it flowed nicely. Based on real events this is an excellent read
Link to book
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H9D5NLK
November 14, 2018
If you like true crime and historical mysteries, you will like Ella Maud. The author does an excellent job of telling the story of this true unsolved crime and providing a possible solution based on statements and speculations of Nell's (Ella) disappearance. It is a tale of a family, sibling rivalry, teenagers, parents of teenagers and a tragedy. The story grabbed me right away and I raced through it. We get glimpses of what may have happened which builds suspense. It is also a sad story as Nell is not the only victim. It is also very interesting to go read the account of the actual incident. What do you think happened?
(I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.)
(I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.)
October 9, 2018
Interesting book!
This book examines the life and death of Ella Maud Cropsey, who was discovered in the Pasqoutank River, which ran by the family home in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. I would highly recommend it to other mystery readers.
This book examines the life and death of Ella Maud Cropsey, who was discovered in the Pasqoutank River, which ran by the family home in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. I would highly recommend it to other mystery readers.
February 5, 2019
In 1901 pretty, young Ella Maud “Nell” Cropsey disappeared from the front porch of her family’s home. After an extensive search, her body was found floating in the river several weeks later. Many people blamed her boyfriend even though he claimed to be innocent. These facts form the basis for a novel that provides well reasoned speculation as to what might have actually happened to Nell. I’m not always a fan of “period” novels but this one has just enough detail about life in the early 1900’s to offer an interesting glimpse into that era without getting bogged down. Two thumbs up.
December 31, 2018
I enjoy mysteries, especially those that are based on facts. This book definitely fits both. I enjoyed learning about the facts in the case and I thought that there were enough but not too much. Incredibly disheartening at the miscarriage of justice.
Received this book as an ARC and I am voluntarily providing an honest review.
Received this book as an ARC and I am voluntarily providing an honest review.
October 8, 2018
A family, or relationship, can seem warm and happy. That is from the outside looking in. As a reporter covering murder trials, however, I discovered that in many cases, the killing is the tragic culmination of a long period of hidden problems, conflicts, and tensions. The dramatic revelations of that which had been hidden is no doubt one of the attractions for true crime stories.
Nicholas Nicastro in ELLA MAUD provides us a fictionalized account of one such story: The apparent murder of Nell Cropsey at the turn of the 20th century in North Carolina. As Nicastro noted, “The Nell Cropsey story is a familiar one today: an attractive, middle-class white girl disappears, triggering a frenzy of media coverage that culminates in a high-profile trial… It is an archetypal American story, set in a time when the mass media were assuming their modern forms, and when millions of young people were first tasting the freedom of industrial life...”
The story is not told in the usual nonfiction “true crime” style, but rather as a literary endeavor. Though the apparent murder of the daughter of a prominent family is at the center of the tale, Nicastro explores a variety of other themes: the changing society from the Gilded Age through World War I; how repressed guilt can destroy lives; how a town can fall prey to a hysteria based on only the flimsiest of facts; and how the criminal justice system can fail the innocent.
Rather than telling the story in a straightforward, sequential way, perspectives and time settings are mixed. It is an effective literary technique, but is used sparingly. Interest is sustained because while we have an idea of what happened relatively early in the story, it is only toward the end that the truth is fully revealed.
Nicastro has apparently done extensive research into the case. News stories and excerpts from the trial transcripts of the man charged with Nell’s murder provide authenticity and interest. They are also of such length, however, that they can somewhat slow the flow of the story.
Those looking for a hero who will swoop in at the end and save they day, or looking for a happy ending, will be disappointed. This is the kind of real life story in which there are no pure heroes or villains and happy endings are rare. On the other hand, this would be a good choice for those looking for an exploration of the problems, conflicts, and tensions of a family and how the consequences can ripple far beyond them.
Nicholas Nicastro in ELLA MAUD provides us a fictionalized account of one such story: The apparent murder of Nell Cropsey at the turn of the 20th century in North Carolina. As Nicastro noted, “The Nell Cropsey story is a familiar one today: an attractive, middle-class white girl disappears, triggering a frenzy of media coverage that culminates in a high-profile trial… It is an archetypal American story, set in a time when the mass media were assuming their modern forms, and when millions of young people were first tasting the freedom of industrial life...”
The story is not told in the usual nonfiction “true crime” style, but rather as a literary endeavor. Though the apparent murder of the daughter of a prominent family is at the center of the tale, Nicastro explores a variety of other themes: the changing society from the Gilded Age through World War I; how repressed guilt can destroy lives; how a town can fall prey to a hysteria based on only the flimsiest of facts; and how the criminal justice system can fail the innocent.
Rather than telling the story in a straightforward, sequential way, perspectives and time settings are mixed. It is an effective literary technique, but is used sparingly. Interest is sustained because while we have an idea of what happened relatively early in the story, it is only toward the end that the truth is fully revealed.
Nicastro has apparently done extensive research into the case. News stories and excerpts from the trial transcripts of the man charged with Nell’s murder provide authenticity and interest. They are also of such length, however, that they can somewhat slow the flow of the story.
Those looking for a hero who will swoop in at the end and save they day, or looking for a happy ending, will be disappointed. This is the kind of real life story in which there are no pure heroes or villains and happy endings are rare. On the other hand, this would be a good choice for those looking for an exploration of the problems, conflicts, and tensions of a family and how the consequences can ripple far beyond them.
November 6, 2018
Our story begins as our protagonist Nell Cropsey is missing and the whole town sans her boyfriend Jim Wilcox is looking for her. Her sister Ollie racked with guilt takes on the role as mourner in chief, a role that she relishes until the day she dies. The town searches for weeks until one day the perfectly preserved body of Nell is miraculously found in the river. After an incompetent autopsy and a farce of a trial, Jim Wilcox is sent to prison for her murder still proclaiming he had nothing to do with her disappearance yet offering nothing in the way of defending himself. The question remained should he be there? Could someone have saved him if only they had told the truth?
The book is a work of fiction. It is however based on a real murder case that to this day remains unsolved. The conclusions the author draws are quite plausible and if I might say quite jaw dropping. I have to say that I am disgusted with the family and the sister in particular, she is not to be pitied in any way. Jim Wilcox spent years in jail and contracted tuberculosis and died a painful and lonely, premature death because of that fateful night. The brother committed suicide and the mother kept herself to the residence and suffered from depression and later in life had other medical issues. I am all for obedience to one's parents but for the love of what's holy a man's life was at stake, particular facts could have changed matters and lives drastically.
I would recommend the book, as I said, there were parts that dragged and could be shortened but all in all the story was top rate especially the ending when the true "murderer" was revealed
November 26, 2018
Fantastic story
Ella Maud is a great story based on an unsolved true crime. You can Google Ella Maud Cropsey to get the details of the real crime.
Several periods of Ella Maud Cropsey's life are covered throughout the book. Known as Nell to her family and friends, she is the girlfriend of Jim Wilcox but really doesn't treat him very well. Nell is beautiful, spoiled and somewhat narcissistic and expects others to dance to her tune.
On November 20, 1901, Nell and Jim break up and Nell is declared missing. Foul play is suspected, and the obvious culprit is Jim Wilcox. On December 27, Nell's body is retrieved from the river. An autopsy indicates that she did not drown but died from a blow to the head and was then put into the water.
Although the actual case remains unsolved, the author weaves a credible tale that provides an unexpected solution. If you are interested in vintage crime, you may want to give this one a try. I really enjoyed it.
14
Ella Maud is a great story based on an unsolved true crime. You can Google Ella Maud Cropsey to get the details of the real crime.
Several periods of Ella Maud Cropsey's life are covered throughout the book. Known as Nell to her family and friends, she is the girlfriend of Jim Wilcox but really doesn't treat him very well. Nell is beautiful, spoiled and somewhat narcissistic and expects others to dance to her tune.
On November 20, 1901, Nell and Jim break up and Nell is declared missing. Foul play is suspected, and the obvious culprit is Jim Wilcox. On December 27, Nell's body is retrieved from the river. An autopsy indicates that she did not drown but died from a blow to the head and was then put into the water.
Although the actual case remains unsolved, the author weaves a credible tale that provides an unexpected solution. If you are interested in vintage crime, you may want to give this one a try. I really enjoyed it.
14
October 31, 2018
I love unsolved mysteries, and had never even heard of this one before, so I was excited to learn more. For a murder that was never really solved with 100% certainty, I think the author had an interesting take on 'whodunnit'. There is a definite bias, playing off the real-life perception of Nell (Ella Maud's) Cropsey's family as stuck-up, interloping Northerners, and the accused's account of events to those he encountered during and after prison.
Even knowing this is the author's fictionalized account, you still feel outrage over the sentencing of someone convicted under suspicious circumstances and what his life became afterwards. Yes, everytime I read books that are based on true stories, I have to lookup the actual events.
I'd say my criticisms come from two short stories interspersed into the main one, one of Nell out with her cousin and one of Jim (the accused) as a child. I found them to actually be some interesting anecdotes, but they felt shoehorned in at odd places. I also thought the ending would come back to a certain Cropsey family member to bring it all full circle, but no. It was very abrupt. I literally turned the page and went, 'oh...that's it."
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review."
Even knowing this is the author's fictionalized account, you still feel outrage over the sentencing of someone convicted under suspicious circumstances and what his life became afterwards. Yes, everytime I read books that are based on true stories, I have to lookup the actual events.
I'd say my criticisms come from two short stories interspersed into the main one, one of Nell out with her cousin and one of Jim (the accused) as a child. I found them to actually be some interesting anecdotes, but they felt shoehorned in at odd places. I also thought the ending would come back to a certain Cropsey family member to bring it all full circle, but no. It was very abrupt. I literally turned the page and went, 'oh...that's it."
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review."
October 24, 2018
The description for the book was about the unsolved mystery of Ella Maud (Nell) Cropsey missing or murder. The country blames Jim Wilcox for the murder not once, but twice. That part of the book could have been written in a 5000 word chapter. Like a little novelette. The author made it obvious who murdered Nell in the first few pages.
For me, the real story, the good story was about Jim Wilcox. He was a man in love with a woman beyond his reach. He was an alcoholic. I fell more in love with his story. If you are an alcoholic (I am) you have read a book with stories in the back. Good stories that tell you what happens to people like Jim. You know the book. That's where I would place this story.
Overall I would give this book one star for the main description. I'd give it 1000 stars for Jim's story.
For me, the real story, the good story was about Jim Wilcox. He was a man in love with a woman beyond his reach. He was an alcoholic. I fell more in love with his story. If you are an alcoholic (I am) you have read a book with stories in the back. Good stories that tell you what happens to people like Jim. You know the book. That's where I would place this story.
Overall I would give this book one star for the main description. I'd give it 1000 stars for Jim's story.
November 26, 2018
Very good read.
October 2, 2018
From the beginning, this is a fascinating book. Switching times and perspectives keeps you focussed and interested, and even when this is a true crime story, the whole truth only is apparent at the end.
I particularly liked how the author also takes his time to present the social changes taking form at the end of the century, the way the media can take a flimsy fact and construct a whole narrative with the power of destroying lives, the effect of guilt in people...
It's evident through the whole book how thoughtfully the author researched all the facts, and when we add a very engaging writing we end with a book worth your time.
I particularly liked how the author also takes his time to present the social changes taking form at the end of the century, the way the media can take a flimsy fact and construct a whole narrative with the power of destroying lives, the effect of guilt in people...
It's evident through the whole book how thoughtfully the author researched all the facts, and when we add a very engaging writing we end with a book worth your time.
November 7, 2018
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Nell and Ollie are sisters that couldn’t be more different. Throw in suitors, expectations of the times, and independent soles, and you have a story full of love, deceit, death and has an unexpected ending that you just have to read to believe.
This book is a great weekend read.
Nell and Ollie are sisters that couldn’t be more different. Throw in suitors, expectations of the times, and independent soles, and you have a story full of love, deceit, death and has an unexpected ending that you just have to read to believe.
This book is a great weekend read.
April 20, 2019
Ella Maud. I love a good mystery as much as the next person. An unsolved crime where I try to figure so may have been responsible and why.
While this story is based on truth, the author took many liberations as many do with the real story that isn’t conclusive.
One of the things that bothered me was the few spots where it seemed the editor missed or glossed over. The other was Ella Maud herself. Based on the author’s portrayal of her, she was a bully to her sister and Jim, an attention seeker, spoiled, a goal digger, and just plain rude.
Her character was in no way likable. The story isn’t set up in a normal time line. It jumps back and forth. I questioned if I had somehow missed a section.
Ella/Nell attitude towards others is unfair and at times so spiteful that I wonder how many other suspects they might’ve been.
Jim didn’t deserve what happened to him.
***spoiler***
In one section, Ella (Nell) if found dead by her sister. In another, Nell is alive and they are going about their business. Then, the story is told from the mother’s POV, then back to Ella/Nell being dead.
The author lets us know his take on who killed Ella/Nell and why.
How dare the father blame the suitor for the actions of the daughter? She’s angry because he ends things due to her callous treatment of Jim? “He doesn’t leave me; I leave him” her whole attitude in her murder scene is obsessive!
The back and forth reminded me of a b-rated movie.
I couldn’t get into this book. I finally got bored enough that I just Googled Ella Maud.
Later, I finished if only to finish it.
I do agree with the author that so many stories today are like this where certain crimes get more attention than others and has the media hype...even movies.
There are a few that come to mind that the news reported for months, years even, Talk shows, newspapers while others never got that mass media exposure.
While this story is based on truth, the author took many liberations as many do with the real story that isn’t conclusive.
One of the things that bothered me was the few spots where it seemed the editor missed or glossed over. The other was Ella Maud herself. Based on the author’s portrayal of her, she was a bully to her sister and Jim, an attention seeker, spoiled, a goal digger, and just plain rude.
Her character was in no way likable. The story isn’t set up in a normal time line. It jumps back and forth. I questioned if I had somehow missed a section.
Ella/Nell attitude towards others is unfair and at times so spiteful that I wonder how many other suspects they might’ve been.
Jim didn’t deserve what happened to him.
***spoiler***
In one section, Ella (Nell) if found dead by her sister. In another, Nell is alive and they are going about their business. Then, the story is told from the mother’s POV, then back to Ella/Nell being dead.
The author lets us know his take on who killed Ella/Nell and why.
How dare the father blame the suitor for the actions of the daughter? She’s angry because he ends things due to her callous treatment of Jim? “He doesn’t leave me; I leave him” her whole attitude in her murder scene is obsessive!
The back and forth reminded me of a b-rated movie.
I couldn’t get into this book. I finally got bored enough that I just Googled Ella Maud.
Later, I finished if only to finish it.
I do agree with the author that so many stories today are like this where certain crimes get more attention than others and has the media hype...even movies.
There are a few that come to mind that the news reported for months, years even, Talk shows, newspapers while others never got that mass media exposure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2020
Set in North Carolina in the early 20th century, this is a fictionalised account of a true crime. Ella Maud – Nell, as she is known – stepped out onto the porch of her family home with her beau, Jim Wilcox and disappeared. The first questions posed are: Was she murdered? Did she commit suicide? Did she run off? Thirty-six days later, her body is found in the river that runs behind her house in a remarkable state of preservation and with a contusion on her temple. After a public outcry against so heinous a crime, Jim Wilcox, the last person to see her alive, is tried – twice – and found guilty.
There is a fistful of characters so believable they leap off the pages as flesh and blood. Even the minor characters are well-drawn with distinct personalities. This story is not so much about Nell or her murder. It is the author’s imagining of what might have happened, and he takes us well beyond the bare details of the crime to examine Jim’s inability to forgive himself for the part he played in her disappearance, the pathos of his downward struggle into dereliction, and a family unhinged by the loss of a loved one. It’s also about human strength and frailty and the cruel effects of guilt.
The writing is concise and the dialogue is appropriate to the period. It is one of the best true murder mysteries I have read – perhaps because it is so much more than that.
I have one caveat but it’s a big one. Early on in the book, the author gives us a glimpse into what happened. It is an unnecessary ‘spoiler’. The author could have kept the reader in suspense for longer. It didn’t impair my enjoyment of the book at all. It was just a little irritant. I hope the author will fix it.
There is a fistful of characters so believable they leap off the pages as flesh and blood. Even the minor characters are well-drawn with distinct personalities. This story is not so much about Nell or her murder. It is the author’s imagining of what might have happened, and he takes us well beyond the bare details of the crime to examine Jim’s inability to forgive himself for the part he played in her disappearance, the pathos of his downward struggle into dereliction, and a family unhinged by the loss of a loved one. It’s also about human strength and frailty and the cruel effects of guilt.
The writing is concise and the dialogue is appropriate to the period. It is one of the best true murder mysteries I have read – perhaps because it is so much more than that.
I have one caveat but it’s a big one. Early on in the book, the author gives us a glimpse into what happened. It is an unnecessary ‘spoiler’. The author could have kept the reader in suspense for longer. It didn’t impair my enjoyment of the book at all. It was just a little irritant. I hope the author will fix it.
December 10, 2025
Ella Maud disappeared in 1901 and her body found 37 days later. Jim Wilcox, the boyfriend she had broken up with that evening, was tried and convicted of her murder. Jim always maintained his innocence.
This story is a plausible explanation of what happened. It starts with the life Elle and her sister Olive had before Ella disappeared. Then there is a section about how the town reacted and the sensationalism of the trial. Last is the lives of Jim and Olive (not together) after Jim is released from prison.
I was not familiar with this case at all. The scenes jump from characters perspectives and from different moments in time. Most of the time I felt like I had missed important information that rereading did not help me discover.
The ending winds everything up but there is a final scene that just seems out of place. It seems to be there only to malign the victim.
This story is a plausible explanation of what happened. It starts with the life Elle and her sister Olive had before Ella disappeared. Then there is a section about how the town reacted and the sensationalism of the trial. Last is the lives of Jim and Olive (not together) after Jim is released from prison.
I was not familiar with this case at all. The scenes jump from characters perspectives and from different moments in time. Most of the time I felt like I had missed important information that rereading did not help me discover.
The ending winds everything up but there is a final scene that just seems out of place. It seems to be there only to malign the victim.
January 29, 2021
I appreciated that this story was based off a real-life person. I also appreciated all the historic details and the setting in North Carolina at the beginning of the twentieth century. However, I didn't find any of the characters to be very interesting. I didn't care what happened to any of them. The ending also felt unresolved.
March 12, 2019
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"There are a fistful of characters so well drawn they leap off the pages as flesh and blood. Even the minor characters are well drawn with distinct personalities. "
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"There are a fistful of characters so well drawn they leap off the pages as flesh and blood. Even the minor characters are well drawn with distinct personalities. "
May 12, 2019
Good book
Not a quick read. The characters are well done and the story line flows nicely. This is not a book I would read again, but I am glad that I did read it.
Not a quick read. The characters are well done and the story line flows nicely. This is not a book I would read again, but I am glad that I did read it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews