05 March 2025

A Jury of Her Peers


Something different today.  This is the anniversary of the publication of a classic short story, which happens to be a tale of murder and detection.  Susan Glaspell's "A Jury of Her Peers" first appeared in Every Week Magazine on March 5th, 1917.  It was based on a play she had written called Trifles, which itself was inspired by a murder case she covered as a reporter.

It is considered a classic early feminist tale.  It appeared on Alfred Hitchcock Presents.  Among the authors who borrowed Glaspell's major plot conceit are Roald Dahl and W.P. Kinsella.  

You can read the story here. Or watch this Academy Award-nominated short:

2 comments:

  1. I remember watching that story on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". A chilling story, and you can't help but root for her, can you?

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  2. Absolutely chilling for me, that you are featuring this story today - as I have just turned in final edits to my third manu in my current series, and that story of mine uses this story to partially explain motives for the conclusion to The Pharaoh's Curse Murders! I can hardly believe it. Book out next winter, I believe. Will refer to this post at the launch, Rob.

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