The Lizzie Borden case is also well - known. In 1892 in Fall River, Massachusetts, Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. There was a lot of speculation and public interest. The trial was highly publicized, and Lizzie was ultimately acquitted, but the case still fascinates people today. It has been the subject of many books, movies, and plays.
Edgar Allan Poe also contributed to the old murder mystery genre. His works, such as 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue', are considered early examples of detective fiction. Poe was a master at creating an atmosphere of horror and mystery, which set the stage for future murder mystery novels.
The social context also plays a role. In the Lizzie Borden case, it was a time when women's roles in society were very much defined. A woman being accused of such a violent crime was shocking. It made people question the norms of the time. And the trial was a big spectacle that added to the story's allure.
One reason is that they often reflect the society and culture of the time they were written. For example, Agatha Christie's works show the social norms and class structures of the 20th century. They also provide a look into the human psyche, exploring motives like greed, jealousy, and revenge. Old murder stories can be seen as a way to understand the darker aspects of human nature. Moreover, the complex characters and intricate plots keep readers engaged. They are like puzzles that people enjoy solving, and the element of danger and death adds an extra layer of excitement.
One classic old murder story is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's considered the first modern detective story. Another is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, which has a very unique and suspenseful plot. Also, 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' can be seen as a sort of murder - related story, exploring the duality of human nature that can lead to dark deeds.
There's the JonBenét Ramsey case. In 1996, this six - year - old beauty pageant queen was found murdered in her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. The case was full of strange details, like a ransom note that seemed out of place. It has fascinated the public for years and has been the subject of numerous theories and investigations.
The lack of modern forensic techniques back then also adds to the scariness. In the Black Dahlia case, without the advanced DNA analysis and other tools we have today, it was much harder to solve the case. The killer could have gotten away with it more easily, and that thought is quite frightening as it makes you realize how vulnerable people were back then.
The JonBenét Ramsey case is very famous. A young beauty queen, JonBenét, was found murdered in her own home. There were many strange aspects to the case, including a ransom note that seemed fishy. The case got a lot of media attention and speculation. It was so horrifying because it involved the death of a child, and the mystery of who could have done such a thing has lingered for years.
Agatha Christie is extremely famous. She created characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple and wrote many classic murder mystery stories. Arthur Conan Doyle is also well - known for his Sherlock Holmes series. Then there's Raymond Chandler with his hard - boiled detective stories.