Mystery and Crime Hart, Frances Noyes: The Bellamy Trial (1927); v1; 7 May 2020

[Pulpmeister]

Frances Noyes Hart (1890-1943) attended a sensational early 1920s murder trial as a court reporter, and was inspired to write a courtroom novel.

The entire action takes place in an American courtroom, except for a brief scene at the end in the Judge's chambers. The eight-day trial is of Susan Ives and Stephen Bellamy for the murder of Bellamy's wife, a trial redolent of great wealth and family intrigue. It is the earliest known courtroom dramas.

Published in 1927, it was a great success and filmed in 1929.

It is one of critic Howard Haycraft's "cornerstone" crime novels.

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