It was a Victorian murder case that gripped the nation.

One summer's night in 1860 an unimaginably gruesome killing takes place in a remote Georgian country house. The household reverberates with shock, not least because it seems the murderer is still among them.

Called to the scene is Jack Whicher of Scotland Yard, the most celebrated detective of his day, whose methods go on to influence the writing of Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, and Arthur Conan-Doyle.

With only an inept local police force to help him, he faces an unenviable task - to solve a case in which all the grieving family are suspects.

Kate Summerscale's gripping account is read by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged in five parts by Doreen Estall.

Producer: Justine Willett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008. Show less