Chickenfeed

Summary: Based on the true story of the "chicken farm murder", which took place at Blackness, Crowborough, East Sussex (UK) in December 1924. Norman Thorne was found guilty of the murder of Elsie Cameron, but even at the time of his execution there were doubts about his guilt. Still swearing his innocence, Norman Thorne was hanged on 22 April 1925. Popular British mystery author Minette Walters has reconstructed this story from facts revealed during Norman Thorne's trial in early 1925. An exciting read, Chickenfeed describes how Elsie Cameron, a dowdy, mentally unstable young woman terrified of dying a spinster, manipulates young Norman Thorne into an oppressive relationship that very nearly culminates in an unwanted marriage - before it is stopped short by Elsie's sudden, mysterious death. Was it a desperate Norman who killed her? Or did Elsie herself, always threatening suicide when things didn't go her way, accidentally end her own life? Learning resources for literacy providers and tutors can be found at the Quick Reads Web site at http://www.quickreads.org.uk/resources.