In 1922, the bodies of Eleanor Mills and Reverend Edward Hall were found posed in an act of intimacy beneath a tree at an abandoned farm outside of New Brunswick, New Jersey. When local authorities failed to bring forward anyone to stand trial for the crimes, most thought that would be the end of it. Afterall, Reverend Hall’s wife, Frances Hall, had connections. She was an heiress with ties to the Johnson & Johnson dynasty. Her deceased husband being found alongside a choir singer from the church shocked locals. In the end, the Hearst tabloids took up the charge and renewed interest in the case.
Blood & Ink by Joe Pompeo explores the history of the case as well as how the rise of American tabloid journalism catered to the masses and exposed cases. The book isn’t just a true crime tale, but rather that and an exploration of the time period and the media. Pompeo keeps the history interesting and the personalities fascinating, making Blood & Ink an enjoyable ride.
Blood & Ink is available now.
