
Scotland Yard
A History of the London Police Force’s Most Infamous Murder Case
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Narrated by:
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Harry Myers
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By:
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Simon Read
About this listen
A riveting true-crime history of London's first modern police force as told through its most notorious murder cases.
The idea of Scotland Yard is steeped in atmospheric stories of foggy London streets, murder by lamplight, and fiendish killers pursued by gentleman detectives. From its establishment in 1829 through the eve of World War II, Scotland Yard—the world’s first modern, professional, and centrally organized police force—set new standards for policing and investigating.
Scotland Yard advanced ground-breaking use of forensics—from fingerprints to ballistics to evidence collection—made the first attempt at criminal profiling, and captivated the public on both sides of the Atlantic with feats of detective work that rivaled any fictional interpretation.
Based on official case files, contemporary newspaper reporting, trial transcripts, and the first-hand accounts of the detectives on the beat, Scotland Yard tells the tales of some of history’s most notorious murders—with cases that proved to be landmarks in the field of criminal inquiry.
©2024 Simon Read (P)2024 Dreamscape MediaListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“The story of Scotland Yard told through some of its most famous cases. Read begins this entertaining, atmospheric history in 1811, with London’s gruesome Radcliffe Highway Murders, then quickly backtracks to 1753 and the establishment of Henry Fielding’s Bow Street Runners, a small, private constabulary force. A lively narrative. True crime enthusiasts will relish these many murders most foul.” (Kirkus Reviews)
What listeners say about Scotland Yard
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- A. Customer
- 09-17-24
Fascinating and Enjoyable
I felt like I was immersed in history, learning about the crimes and evolving crime-solving techniques of Scotland Yard as they happened. The narrator was absolutely phenomenal too. His ability to flawlessly switch between a great variety of accents and convey personality and mood through his narration took a stellar book to the next level. Loved it.
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- 80s Kid
- 09-09-24
So many murders….
A well researched and expertly crafted history of Scotland Yard told through the murder cases that advanced crime investigation technology. The book ends pre-WWII. Can’t wait for the sequel!
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- Jane
- 10-05-24
Super gory, amazingly well researched
Scotland Yard paved the way for present day forensics, including ballistics and fingerprints. As one of the earliest examples of an organized police force and of dedicated police detective resources, the roots of present-day police work are traced back to London. This book puts it all against a gory timeline that showcases how crimes were solved in the 1800s. Impeccably narrated.
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