History & Mystery discussion

I prefer fiction but this true crime influenced some of my favorite writers, Wilke Collins among others. However this is a mystery and it is historical and the reviews say it reads like a mystery novel yet those who didn't rate it well say they could have done without some of the historical information so I am forewarned I guess. What are others currently reading? Love to know.

I am really glad I decided to read this book. Not agreeing with reviewers who were impatient with the research. It is very interesting to me. It is not just the experience of reading this but of how it deepens my understanding of the mystery novel and the time period. This case was important to England's development of detectives and questioning some of it's values.