THE MAUL AND THE PEAR TREE

N.Y.: Mysterious Press 1986, 1986. 1st American edition, March 1986, so stated with complete number line beginning with 1. Fine in dust jacket, not price clipped, in an acid-free archival acetate cover. The Ratcliffe Highway Murders, 1811, that shocked Regency London. "In 1811, London's East End was the scene of a series of murders so brutal and irrational that they caused panic throughout the city, which lacked a central police force. This engrossing account, marking the American nonfiction debut of British mystery novelist James, details the seven vicious ("brains battered out and throats butchered"), apparently motiveless slayings (which occurred first in a linen shop, then, days later, in a nearby pub); the confused efforts of local "police" groups; and the cases' suspiciously abrupt closing after suspect John Williams, a seaman and lodger at the Pear Tree public house, committed suicide in jail, thereby sealing his "guilt" and prompting a bizarre parade of his corpse (together with a murderous maul) throughout the city. James and police historian Critchley use documents and contemporary news accounts splendidly, pointing up the incompetence of the investigators and offering an intriguing view of what really happened..." -- Publishers Weekly. First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine/Fine. Book.