an interesting book about an interesting topic, but although i will still remember the case in a few months, i’m not sure i’ll particularly remember the telling. the summative approach, bringing together historical and more recent reporting, was well rationalised, but in actuality often ended up feeling like a summary, whereas i think i wish the book had a bit more critical reflection on these sources. as a lover of train journey’s i didn’t mind the author’s interjections about his experience investigating, but at times it was clear he was from the south, and there were a few attempts to imply some greater meaning in references to delayed journeys or his social life which felt distractingly meaningless. i also thought the final notes the book ended on were weak.