Discover Murdoch Mysteries in a True Crime Novel

Event Details

Event type: All Ages

Dive deep into a murder case solved by the detective who inspired the creation of Murdoch Mysteries with true crime novelist John Goddard, author of The Man with the Black Valise. The Perth County murder of thirteen-year-old Jessie Keith happened exactly 125 years ago this weekend. Goddard brings his novel to life in the style of a true crime podcast, and features photos, a video, and a Q & A session.

What can you expect from this event?

• A live true crime podcast with an audio-visual presentation of the murder case
• Fascinating facts about Perth County history that inspired Murdoch Mysteries

Who is this event for?

• True crime readers
• Heritage enthusiasts
• Murdoch Mystery fans (Murdoch is based on the story’s true-life detective)
• Anybody wishing to take pride in Perth County

About John Goddard

John Goddard is an author, magazine writer, and former Toronto Star reporter. His
books include “Inside the Museums: Toronto’s Heritage Sites and Their Most Prized
Objects,” and “Rock and Roll Toronto,” with pop critic Richard Crouse. John lives in
Toronto.

About The Man with the Black Valise

One glorious autumn day in 1894, a drifter attacked thirteen-year-old Jessie Keith so violently that people thought Jack the Ripper must be loose in rural Ontario. To solve the crime, the government called in Detective John Wilson Murray, the true-life model for Detective William Murdoch of the popular TV series Murdoch Mysteries. His prime clue was a black valise.

The Man with the Black Valise traces the killer’s trajectory through three counties — a route that today connects travellers to poignant reminders of nineteenth-century life. Chief among them stands the statue of the Roman goddess Flora, gesturing as though to cast roses onto Jessie’s grave.