Scotland Yard

A History of the London Police Force's Most Infamous Murder Cases

Simon Read

A riveting true-crime history of London's first modern police force as told through its most notorious murder cases.

The idea of "Scotland Yard" is steeped in atmospheric stories of foggy London streets, murder by lamplight, and fiendish killers pursued by gentleman detectives. From its establishment in 1829 through the eve of World War II, Scotland Yard—the world’s first modern, professional, and centrally organized police force—set new standards for policing and investigating.

Scotland Yard advanced ground-breaking use of forensics—from fingerprints to ballistics to evidence collection—made the first attempt at criminal profiling, and captivated the public on both sides of the Atlantic with feats of detective work that rivaled any fictional interpretation.

Based on official case files, contemporary newspaper reporting, trial transcripts, and the first-hand accounts of the detectives on the beat, Scotland Yard tells the tales of some of history’s most notorious murders—with cases that proved to be landmarks in the field of criminal inquiry.

Simon Read is an award-winning journalist and author. His most recent histories include The Iron Sea: How the Allies Hunted and Destroyed Hitler’s Warships; Winston Churchill Reporting: Adventures of a Young War Correspondent; and Human Game: The ‘Great Escape’ Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen. His work has been featured on the top-rated true crime podcasts Morbid and Criminal. As a journalist, his writing has appeared in a variety of journals, from the San Francisco Chronicle to Time Magazine. Simon lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Endorsements & Reviews

“In Scotland Yard, Simon Read offers a survey of some two dozen of that London police force’s most sensational investigations: from those involving 19th-century bodysnatchers to a skull disinterred from the 21st-century garden of Sir David Attenborough.” Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal 

“Scotland Yard recalls the highs and lows of a premier law enforcement agency in brilliant detail from its inception until the mid-20th century. Author Simon Read proficiently provides the backstory of the crimes, victims, villains, and determined policemen who factored into the development of Scotland Yard.” Booklist

“Read shrewdly synthesizes a wealth of material in this insightful survey of London’s Scotland Yard police force from its 1829 founding to the 1930s. Utilizing court transcripts, investigative files, and other sources, Read traces how the force evolved into a world-renowned pioneer in forensic science and criminal investigation. Marrying rigorous research and smooth storytelling, this is a must-read for fans of true crime.” Publishers Weekly (starred)

“The story of Scotland Yard told through some of its most famous cases. Read begins this entertaining, atmospheric history in 1811, with London’s gruesome Radcliffe Highway Murders, then quickly backtracks to 1753 and the establishment of Henry Fielding’s Bow Street Runners, a small, private constabulary force. A lively narrative. True crime enthusiasts will relish these many murders most foul.” Kirkus Reviews

"Simon Read takes us on a thrilling tour of Scotland Yard’s most gripping cases, from the sinister alleyways of the Ratcliffe Highway to the lamp-lit cobblestones of Whitechapel. Scotland Yard is beautifully researched, elegantly written, and brimming with vivid characters and detail." Daniel Stashower, New York Times bestselling author of American Demon

"Scotland Yard is a riveting and novelistic deep dive into the true history of one of the world’s great institutions. The book is peppered with enough blood-soaked crimes to keep readers up all night turning its pages. This vivid account of the Yard’s early years, now nearly two centuries old, is essential reading for anyone even mildly curious about the history of investigative technique.” Alex Grecian, New York Times bestselling author of The Yard

"Triumphant. Expertly navigates the blood-soaked alleyways of Scotland Yard and keeps the reader engaged from the very first page. Indispensable for anyone drawn to true crime and the darker districts of history.” Lindsey Fitzharris, New York Times bestselling author of The Butchering Art

"A true crime history that reads like a thriller, Scotland Yard is a foggy, lamp-lit descent into the chilling cases that established the Yard's reputation. A macabre and fascinating page-turner." John Douglas, New York Times bestselling co-author of Mindhunter

Praise for The Iron Sea:

“A wonderful, rip-roaring account of one of the greatest hunts in history—the pursuit of Hitler's warships. You'll feel the lash of salt spray, the thunder of depth charges, the immense tension of the chase. A superb addition to the annals of naval WWII history." Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Liberator