title: Murder by Candlelight: The Gruesome Crimes Behind Our Romance with the Macabre
author:  Michael Knox Beran 
description: A fascinating new book. Beran asks us to consider our own hearts of darkness, why we're obsessed with murder stories, why this obsession matters, and what it suggests about us as a culture and a species. A witty and engaging narrative, <em>Murder by Candlelight</em> is at once psychological thriller and philosophical meditation, murder mystery and literary analysis, written in elegant and pointed prose. In one skillfully wrought volume, he cleverly feeds our appetite for horror even as he probes this appetite."<br /> - <strong><em>New York Times Book Review</em></strong><br /><br />A fascinating new book. Beran asks us to consider our own hearts of darkness, why we're obsessed with murder stories, why this obsession matters, and what it suggests about us as a culture and a species. A witty and engaging narrative, <em>Murder by Candlelight</em> is at once psychological thriller and philosophical meditation, murder mystery and literary analysis, written in elegant and pointed prose. In one skillfully wrought volume, he clevely feeds our appetite for horror even as he probes this appetite.<br /> - <strong><em>The New York Times Book Review</em></strong><br /><br />Beran darts back to the 18th century and the arrival of Gothic literature, to authors such as Walter Scott and Coleridge, who used poetic language to convey the emotions of violence. Beyond such literary matters, Beran dwells upon real-world murder cases with a special emphasis on three. Beran relishes these stories and tells them with vigor and brio.<br /> - <strong><em>The Wall Street Journal</em></strong><br /><br />A fresh, stylish and captivating examination. Original and provocative.<br /> - <strong><em>The Chicago Tribune</em></strong><br /><br />Beran sets out to explore four notable murder cases of the 1800s as covered by period scribes, relying heavily on contemporary sources for his text and dialog. For scholars of the late Romantic period and early crime writing.<br /> - <strong><em>Library Journal</em></strong><br /><br />A luminous look at Kennedy and the country he wanted to lead.<br /> - <strong><em>The Boston Globe</em></strong><br /><br />In Berans skilled hands, the similarities and differences between the situations these statesmen faced and the consequences of their decisions gradually build up to form a revealing and insightful portrait of a vital historical era.<br /> - <strong><em>Foreign Affairs</em></strong><br /><br />An important civic act. Beran is such a lively writer, and such a risk-taking thinker.<br /> - <strong>George F. Will, <em>The New York Times Book Review</em></strong>
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  TERRORS OF THE TOMB. . .
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  An Italian Prince is selling something more sinister than art objects in
  **View by Moonlight.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Sword of Damocles is put to murderous modern use in **There Hangs Death!**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  An insane killer explains the method of his madness in **The Pattern.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  When Emma discovers the secret ingredient in her lover’s tobacco, their
  romance goes up in smoke in **Pipe Dream.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Mr. and Mrs. Duvec argue fiercely, but death has the last word in **The Sound
  of Murder.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CREEP INTO THE CRYPT
  
  
  
  
  
  WITH HITCHCOCK
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Hitchcock’s favorite Mummy is guarding a horde of horrible treasures. Before
  your terrified eyes, he will unwrap an unrivaled collection of ghoulish
  murders that will age you overnight. . .suffocating suspense that will leave
  you gasping for air. . .and evil artifacts whose curse you can never escape.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Read if you dare, these macabr