Death of an Actress (Cold Case Jury #2)

As featured in the BBC News documentary The Porthole Mystery.

‘Death of an Actress is another excellent book from Brown, and true crime fans will not be disappointed.’ Real Crime Magazine
‘Fascinating. A meticulous and compelling piece of true crime.’ Richard Latto, BBC

October 1947. A luxury liner steams over the equator off the coast of West Africa and a beautiful actress disappears from her cabin.

Suspicion falls on a dashing deck steward with a reputation for entering the cabins of female passengers. When the liner docks at Southampton, the steward is questioned by police. Protesting his innocence, he makes an astonishing admission that shocks everyone, and is charged with murder. His trial at the historic Great Hall in Winchester draws the world’s media. He is found guilty and sentenced to hang.

But was the verdict sound? Many believe not.

Now, for the first time, Antony M. Brown has secured unprecedented access to the police file, allowing the definitive story to be told. Included in the file are original court exhibits, including a hairbrush with strands of the actress’s red hair. Could a personal effect left behind in her cabin provide clues to how she might have died? Take your seat on the Cold Case Jury…