Walter Hixson's pithy narrative account of four sensational national murder cases "the Lizzie Borden murders, the Lindbergh baby case, the Sam Sheppard case, and the O J Simpson case" offers interesting observations into the greater cultural and political forces that shaped their verdicts. His step-by-step analysis of the details of each case provides not only insight by skilful synthesis of the existing literature but also a solid overview of the events surrounding these four cases, each of which became a national obsession as well as a miscarriage of justice. Taking a fresh look at the criminal justice system and the role of the media in the larger American milieu, Hixson delves into socio-cultural impacts of crime that are both thought-provoking and fascinating reading.