Alchemy of Bones: Chicago's Luetgert Murder Case of 1897

Although I was familiar with the basic facts and the grisly details of the notorious Luetgert murder case, Robert Loerzel's account of the crime investigation and the two murder trials provided more information and analysis regarding the disappearance of Louise Luetgert and the subsequent arrest of her husband, sausage manufacturer Adolph Luetgert, for her murder than I had ever read about previously. I was totally unaware of the fact that the wire service reports from the courthouse caused the case to become a national sensation as well as a local scandal. Loerzel conducted extensive research and I cannot imagine that much more could be added to expand upon his yeoman efforts. Since the crimes took place in Lakeview, which was than one of the leading German American communities in Chicago, Loerzel took the time to summarize news accounts of the sensational murder trial which were published in German language newspapers such as "The Staats Zeitung" and "The Abendpost" as well as in the city's English language dailies. The book is well researched and thoroughly documented. It is clear that Loerzel took great care in translating German language court testimony into English. This is not always a simple matter. Many of the locations in this book have been torn down, but several remain. The former Criminal Courts Building on Illinois Street is now the site of private law offices, but the old jail annex has been demolished. One wonders if any of the young urban professionals residing in their converted condominium lofts at Diversey and Hermitage realize that the rehabilitated factory building in which they reside was once the scene of one of the most gruesome crime investigations in Chicago history? True crime readers will be interested in this case as a precursor to the forensic crime scene cases that are now commonplace. The scientific processes and technologies available in 1897 and 1898 were less certain and inexact, but the prosecutors made a compelling case based almost solely upon circumstantial evidence. A word of caution, this book is not for the faint hearted. If reading Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" did not sway you, you may choose to adopt a healthy vegetarian diet and lifestyle after finishing this book!

Robert Loerzel has crafted a marvelous work based on the successful German immigrant sausage maker, Adolph Luetgert's turn of fortune when his wife, Louise, disappears. No body was found, but it fueled one of the nation's early media frenzies. The story takes us inside crime scene work before CSI and DNA. For those interested in German immigrant history as I am, many wonderful sub-plots portray their lives in Chicago. The German American Heritage Center has selected this for our Book Discussion Group this year.

Robert Loerzel's true crime story from the years just after the Columbian Exposition in Chicago (setting for Devil in the White City) succeeds in providing something for almost everybody: the tension of a great crime/mystery novel, the pleasure of well-researched and well-written history, and the fascinating, complex characters of the best novels. (Julian Hawthorne, son of the vaunted Nathaniel, comes across here as the 1897 version of Bill O'Reilly!) You don't have to be from Chicago to enjoy Alchemy of Bones, but those readers familiar with the city will recognize some of the names, places, and attitudes. Don't miss this one.

If my wife's sisters see this review, I'm in deep doo doo, but the murder victim in this case is one of their ancestors! For getting my sisters in law going at Christmas, this is the greatest family scandal ever. It drives 'em nuts every time I bring it up. This murder is also featured in one of the old Books of Lists from 25 years ago. It is in the list titled "8 Great Sausage Events."

As a descendant of the murder victim, I was contacted by the author and contributed what little I could toward his research. Of course, Mr. Loerzel contributed far more to my family tree research. Others had written about this case but I was never impressed with their results. It's difficult to make a good case or write a good story if most of the evidence is circumstantial. They didn't have DNA testing back then, so the few bone fragments that were recovered were never conclusively proven to be those of Louise Bicknese Luetgert. So, where is all the evidence from that trial? No one knows or remembers what's become of it. I'm hoping this book will bring enough attention to this case that someone out there will stumble upon those bits and pieces of evidence stowed away for decades in the attic of the old family home. If any story about this murder can help accomplish that, it's this one. It's written in the style of some of the best murder mystery novels.