Welcome to the History Extra podcast, fascinating historical conversations from the makers of BBC History Magazine.

In 1910, a music hall performer called Belle Elmore went missing. Her husband, Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen, claimed that Belle

had gone to America to visit a dying relative. But before long, Crippin's stories began to unravel,

and it soon became clear that Bell hadn't gone abroad. In fact, she'd never left the house.

His historian Hallie Rubenhold re-examines the infamous case of Dr. Crippin in her new book,

Story of a Murder. And she joined me in the studio to talk more about what the crime can reveal

about medicine, music hall and women's lives at the time.

It's lovely to have you with me in the studio today, Halley, to talk about your new book's

story of a murder. When the crime that you look at in this book was uncovered in 1910, it was,

I think it's fair to say, one of the biggest news stories of the day. But for any listeners

who might not be familiar with Dr. Cripp stories of the day. But for any listeners who might not be familiar

with Dr. Crippen and the murder of Bell Elmore, could you introduce us to this case?

Yes, I mean, at the time, as you suggested, it was known as the Crime of the Century. It was in

every newspaper around the world, in so many

different languages, all over the world. And the reason for that was because part of what

happened, as it unfolded in the public, was an enormous international manhunt for Crippin and Ethel Leneve, who was his mistress,

who he went on the run with, dressed as father and son. And the whole world was looking for them.

And this was unfolding in real time in the newspapers. And the newspapers at the time

would publish two editions a day. So you could follow the progress twice a day.

So like a type of reality drama and people were completely wrapped up in this.

So it's this huge, exciting, dramatic story.

And I can see that that would have drawn you to it as an author.

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