Murder at Breakheart Hill Farm: The Shocking 1900 Case that Gripped Boston's North Shore

by Douglas L. Heath, Alison C. Simcox

On a dark, rainy night in October 1900, George E. Bailey, caretaker of Breakheart Hill farm, disappeared. He no longer made his daily milk runs to town or stopped at the tavern for his favorite cherry rum. Some suspected foul play right away, as Bailey's "wife" had recently gone to Maine, leaving Bailey alone with his farmhand, John C. Best, who was known to be a drunk and a potentially violent man. Nine days later, when Bailey's dismembered body was fished out of a local pond, all eyes quickly focused on Best. Crowds descended on the farm, and the sensational murder captured headlines in Boston's newspapers. Using official records and newspaper archives, authors Douglas L. Heath and Alison C. Simcox uncover the facts and bizarre circumstances of this shocking tale.

Genres: True Crime, Audiobook, Nonfiction

147 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2020

Reviews

[Stella Nahatis]

I found Murder at Breakheart Hill Farm to be well researched and interesting. Heath and Simcox give us a glimpse of the 19th century lifestyle in New England as they provide the facts of the murder and the trial. Was justice served? Read and decide.
Stella Nahatis, author of Taxi to America

[Daniel Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder at Breakheart Hill Farm by Douglas L. Heath offers an intriguing look into a shocking crime that captivated Boston's North Shore at the turn of the 20th century. Heath's meticulous research shines through as he reconstructs the events surrounding the 1900 murder case, providing readers with a detailed account of the crime, investigation, and subsequent trial.

The author's attention to historical context is commendable, as he paints a vivid picture of life in early 1900s Massachusetts. Heath's exploration of the social and cultural norms of the time adds depth to the narrative, helping readers understand the environment in which the crime took place.
However, the book's pacing can be uneven at times. While some sections are gripping and fast-paced, others get bogged down in excessive detail that may not appeal to all readers. The abundance of names and dates occasionally makes it challenging to keep track of all the players involved in the case.

Heath's writing style is generally clear and accessible, but there are moments when the prose becomes dry, particularly during lengthy descriptions of legal proceedings. This can make certain parts of the book feel more like a textbook than a true crime narrative.

One of the book's strengths is its exploration of the investigative techniques used at the time, providing an interesting glimpse into early forensic practices. However, the author sometimes struggles to maintain a balance between factual reporting and narrative storytelling, which may leave some readers wanting more dramatic tension.

Overall, Murder at Breakheart Hill Farm is a solid addition to the true crime genre, offering a well-researched account of a lesser-known historical case. While it may not satisfy readers looking for a fast-paced thriller, those interested in detailed historical true crime will likely find value in Heath's thorough examination of this century-old mystery.

[Wallace McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read about a local murder in 1900. Had heard about it over the years, but the details in the book were well researched and filled in the details about it. Some details were surprising about the murder. I wish that the book had contained a couple of maps from that period as some of the streets and ways to get around the area have changed. Good read.

[Nana Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know someone who resides on Forest St, Saugus, MA so found the story very interesting. Fascinating to read about the familiar landmarks I know as part of the story. Was Best the killer? Only he knows for sure.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was perfectly fine. I was looking for short audiobooks on my TBR and this fit the bill. It was an interesting story and I'm always down for some true crime, but I probably won't ever think much about this again.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but very dry in parts. Since I'm from the general area where all of this took place, it was really interesting to read. It was like stepping back into time in my hometown and neighboring cities too.

[Katie Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read and informative. Some parts had an overwhelming amount of detail and was hard to keep all of the characters introduced straight. But other parts were so detailed that you could really picture what it was like at that time.

[Erin Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!

This was a page turner.Loved every moment of it.Reddit all the way through within 3 days I think. Thank you

[Marjorie Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and full of historical information and photos

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average retelling of a crime.