My first introduction to Laura Wilson, “A Capital Crime” is one of the most intriguing books I’ve had the pleasure to read this year. Set in the early 1950’s and based on the notoriously tragic true story of Timothy John Evans and John Reginald Halliday Christie, Wilson blends fact and fiction with consummate ease producing a rather beguiling novel.

A Capital Crime by Laura Wilson

Timothy John Davies, a semi-literate van driver, walks in to the Merthyr Tydfil police station (in Wales) and admits to murdering his wife and 14 month old daughter.

On receipt of a telegram from the local constabulary and still smarting from the loss of his pregnant wife Jenny, Detective Inspector Ted Stratton is called in to investigate the murder of the young woman and baby in Notting Hill, London – the last thing he needs.

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Stratton and his partner Sergeant Ballard set out to prove his guilt but first they have to find the missing bodies. Upon calling at Davies’s house they meet Norman Backhouse, the ground floor neighbour and former wartime special constable. The ever so helpful Backhouse aids the police and they eventually find the bodies, wrapped in a tablecloth, hidden away in the wash-house situated in the restricted back garden.

Following inconsistent and confusing statements they escort Davies to London for further interviews. The detectives, positive of his guilt, eventually guide Davies to a solid statement of guilt. Despite offering numerous scenarios and attempting to apportion blame onto his neighbour Norman Backhouse for the murders, Stratton and Ballard take the case to trial – Davies is found guilty and hanged in 1950.

Things aren’t always what they seem as we discover later in the book when a further six bodies are discovered, clearly the work of a deprived sexual serial killer – the hunt is on.

Running parallel to the true events in Notting Hill, Wilson continues the fictional story of Diana Calthrop, an ex MI5 agent in the Second World War who we find is having a pretty tough time of things in this the third Wilson novel to feature Diana. Faced with her impending divorce from her husband Guy, Calthrop’s character goes through a traumatic journey with her fair share of highs and lows.

Following Jenny’s death, Wilson explores the fragile relationships between Stratton, his daughter Monica and son Pete who still blames his father for his mother’s death. With Pete away to National Service Stratton struggles to relate to his son when he does return home and with the murder case eating into his free time, Monica’s exploits goes unnoticed until he is forced to act.

Wilson’s narrative is powerful and highly emotive, educating with a faithful re-enactment of the events at 10 Rillington Place. Written in an engaging fictional form and frenetic pace this is no average history book. I thoroughly enjoyed how Wilson combined the fictional characters and the main protagonists from the initial investigation.

However hard I tried I failed to shake the overwhelming anger I felt following the treatment Davies received whilst in custody. Unable to read or write following a spasmodic education, it’s clear from Wilson’s account that Davies was easily led and quick to admit his guilt – offering three different accounts of that fateful period in November 1949.

Intensely researched “A Capital Crime” is a hugely entertaining and educational read. When reviewing historical fiction books one thing I always hope to take away is a desire to learn more about the subject matter. As I delved deeper and deeper into the book I found Google’s lure strengthening however I remained steadfast and researched the case following the book’s dénouement.

One thing I would like to comment on before I end this review – the book jacket! Whoever designed the cover for “A Capital Crime” is to be applauded –absolutely spot on and one of the most enticing jackets I’ve seen for some time – In one shot it captures the essence and heart of 1950’s London.

Laura Wilson’s “A Capital Crime” is a mesmerising and taut account of one of London’s notorious cases in the early 50’s – judge it for yourself – Stunning and highly recommended.

Published by Quercus “A Capital Crime” is available from The Book Depository & Amazon now.