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Mystery on the Isles of Shoals: Closing the Case on the Smuttynose Ax Murders of 1873

October 8, 2025 by

Mystery on the Isles of Shoals: Closing the Case on the Smuttynose Ax Murders of 1873

The full truth behind the novel and film "Weight of Water"

The cold-blooded ax murder of two innocent Norwegian women at their island home off the coast of New Hampshire has gripped the region since 1873, beguiling tourists, inspiring artists, and fueling conspiracy theorists.

The killer, a handsome Prussian fisherman down on his luck, was quickly captured, convicted in a widely publicized trial, and hanged in an unforgettable gallows spectacle. But he never confessed and, while in prison, gained a circle of admirers whose blind faith in his innocence still casts a shadow of doubt. A fictionalized bestselling novel and a Hollywood film have further clouded the truth. Available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and Audiblecom formats

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Author: J. Dennis Robinson
Genres: History, New England, True Crime
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
ASIN: 1629145785
ISBN: 9781629145785
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