Murder of the Doctor’s Wife: The 1867 Crimes of Bridget Durgan (A Historical True Crime Short)

By R. Barri Flowers

From R. Barri Flowers, award-winning criminologist and bestselling author of Murder During the Chicago World’s Fair, Murder at the Pencil Factory, and Murder of the Banker’s Daughter, comes the riveting historical true crime short, Murder of the Doctor’s Wife: The 1867 Crimes of Bridget Durgan.

On the evening of Monday, February 25, 1867, Mary Ellen Coriell was brutally murdered at her home in Newmarket, New Jersey. The cold-blooded nature of the murder was shocking enough for residents of the town and elsewhere, but even more disturbing was that the culprit turned out to be the victim’s housemaid, an attractive young Irishwoman named Bridget Durgan. The circumstances surrounding the murder--including jealousy, obsession, and delusion--were as old as time itself. The crime would come at a very steep price for the murderess who would be executed for the heinous act.

The death of Mary Ellen Coriell also weighed heavily on the object of Bridget’s affections, the heartbroken victim’s husband, Dr. William Coriell, who would be left to care for the couple’s young daughter alone. The unspeakable tragedy would also be felt throughout the community for many years to come.

The sad tale of Mary Ellen Coriell's untimely demise at the hands of someone she trusted and was ultimately betrayed by is a must for students of history, true crime, and homicide.

A complete bonus story, Murder of the French Lover, chronicles the May 21, 1892, scandalous murder of Madame Lassimonne in Paris, France, by romantic rival, Claire Reymond, and its stunning outcome.

Other bonus material include excerpts from R. Barri Flowers' bestselling true crime shorts, Murder During the Chicago World’s Fair, Dead at the Saddleworth Moor, Missing or Murdered, and an excerpt from the author’s true crime book, Serial Killers and Prostitutes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. Barri Flowers
• Release date: Apr 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370688722

R. Barri Flowers

R. Barri Flowers is the award winning author of romantic suspense, mystery, thriller and crime fiction with thirteen Harlequin titles published to date. Chemistry and conflict between the hero and heroine, attention to detail, and incorporating the very latest advances in criminal investigations, are the cornerstones of his crime and thriller fiction. He enjoys travelling around the country and abroad to scope out intriguing settings for future storylines, books, and miniseries.

Book preview

MURDER OF THE DOCTOR'S WIFE

The 1867 Crimes of Bridget Durgan

A Historical True Crime Short

By R. Barri Flowers

MURDER OF THE DOCTOR'S WIFE

The 1867 Crimes of Bridget Durgan

A Historical True Crime Short

Copyright 2017 by R. Barri Flowers

All rights reserved.

Cover Image Copyright S. Sokolov, 2017

Used under license from Shutterstock.com

BOOKS BY R. BARRI FLOWERS

TRUE CRIME BOOKS

Masters of True Crime: Chilling Stories of Murder and the Macabre (editor)

Murder and Menace: Riveting True Crime Tales – Volume 1

Murder and Menace: Riveting True Crime Tales – Volume 2

Murder and Menace: Riveting True Crime Tales – Volume 3

Murder Chronicles: A Collection of Chilling True Crime Tales

Murders in the United States: Crimes, Killers and Victims of the 20th Century

Serial Killer Couples: Bonded by Sexual Depravity, Abduction and Murder

Serial Killers and Prostitutes: True Crime Series – Volume 1

The Sex Slave Murders: The True Story of Serial Killers Gerald & Charlene Gallego

CRIMINOLOGY BOOKS

Male Crime and Deviance

Prostitution in the Digital Age

Runaway Kids and Teenage Prostitution

Sex Crimes, Predators, Perpetrators, Prostitutes and Victims

The Dynamics of Murder: Kill or Be Killed

The Prostitution of Women and Girls

THRILLERS

Before He Kills Again: A Veronica Vasquez Thriller

Dark Streets of Whitechapel: A Jack the Ripper Mystery

Dead in Pukalani: An Eddie Naku Maui Mystery (Book 1)

Dead in Kihei: An Eddie Naku Maui Mystery (Book 2)

Justice Served: A Barkley & Parker Mystery

Killer in The Woods

Murder in Maui: A Leila Kahana Mystery (Book 1)

Murder on Kaanapali Beach: A Leila Kahana Mystery (Book 2)

Murder of the Hula Dancers: A Leila Kahana Mystery (Book 3)

Persuasive Evidence: A Jordan La Fontaine Legal Thriller

State's Evidence: A Beverly Mendoza Legal Thriller

* * *

PRAISE FOR TRUE CRIME BOOKS BY R. BARRI FLOWERS

Must read for all true crime fans. — Amazon reviewer on Serial Killers and Prostitutes

Selected as one of Suspense Magazine's Best books. — John Raab, CEO/Publisher on The Sex Slave Murders

A gripping account of the murders committed by husband-and-wife serial killers Gerald and Charlene Gallego. — Gary C. King, true crime author on The Sex Slave Murders

Vivid case studies of murder to complement this well researched criminology text. — Scott Bonn, Ph.D., criminology professor on The Dynamics of Murder

A model of exposition not to be missed by anyone interested in the annals of American criminal behavior. — Jim Ingraham, Ph.D., professor emeritus of American Studies at Bryant University on The Pickaxe Killers

R. Barri Flowers always relates an engrossing story. — Robert Scott, true crime author on The Sex Slave Murders

Striking, well-written tales sparkle in this ocean of murder. — Diane Fanning, true crime author on Masters of True Crime

Exhaustively researched, each storyteller brings their own unique prose to these pages, creating what will soon become a true crime classic. — Kevin M. Sullivan, true crime author on Masters of True Crime

This book should be a mandatory purchase and read for any true-crime buff. — Steven A. Egger, Ph.D., associate professor on Masters of True Crime

Incredible cases, psychopathic killers, unwitting victims, along with the very best writers, make for an exciting, no-holds-barred, soon-to-be true-crime classic. — Dan Zupansky, host of True Murder on Masters of True Crime

An indispensable sourcebook for anyone interested in American homicide, from law-enforcement professionals to armchair criminologists. — Harold Schechter, true crime historian on The Dynamics of Murder

* * *

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Murder of the Doctor's Wife: The 1867 Crimes of Bridget Durgan

Murder of the French Lover: The Killing of Madame Lassimonne

Murder During the Chicago World's Fair – true crime bonus excerpt

Dead at the Saddleworth Moor – true crime bonus excerpt

Missing or Murdered – true crime bonus excerpt

Serial Killers and Prostitutes – true crime bonus excerpt

Notes

About the Author

MURDER