Jane: A Murder

Based on true events, "Jane" is a poetic exploration of the life and death of Maggie Nelson's aunt Jane, who was murdered in 1969 and was the third victim of a serial rapist in the area between 1967 and 1969. The book combines poetry, prose, dream-accounts, and documentary sources to examine the nature of the haunting incident and its impact on the family.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Jane's spectral story delves into the tragic life and untimely demise of Maggie Nelson's aunt, Jane, who tragically met her end in 1969 while pursuing her law studies at the University of Michigan. Despite the official closure of the case, Jane's murder remains unsolved, and it is believed to be one of seven brutal rape-murders that occurred in the area between 1967 and 1969. Born a few years after Jane's passing, Maggie carries the profound impact of her aunt's murder, casting a long shadow over both her family and her psyche.

Jane employs a captivating collage of poetry, prose, dream-accounts, and documentary sources to unravel the mysteries surrounding this haunting incident. These sources include local and national newspapers, true crime books like "The Michigan Murders" and "Killer Among Us," as well as fragments from Janes' own diaries, written at the ages of 13 and 21. The book is divided into eight sections, each offering a unique perspective on Jane's life, including her childhood and early adulthood, the tragic events surrounding her murder, the profound effects of her death on Maggie's girlhood and sisterhood, and a poignant trip to Michigan undertaken by Maggie and her mother, Janes sister, to retrace the final steps of Jane's tragic journey.

Through her meticulous research and poetic storytelling, Jane offers a profound exploration of the nature of trauma, resilience, and the enduring legacy of a tragic event. "Jane" is a haunting and unforgettable testament to the power of memory, the complexities of human relationships, and the enduring impact of violence on society.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 195 x 135 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786995698