The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death

By Corinne May Botz

The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death offers readers an extraordinary glimpse into the mind of a master criminal investigator

Frances Glessner Lee, a wealthy grandmother, founded the Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard in 1936 and was later appointed captain in the New Hampshire police.

In the 1940s and 1950s she built dollhouse crime scenes based on real cases in order to train detectives to assess visual evidence. Still used in forensic training today, the eighteen Nutshell dioramas, on a scale of 1:12, display an astounding level of detail: pencils write, window shades move, whistles blow, and clues to the crimes are revealed to those who study the scenes carefully.

Corinne May Botz's lush color photographs lure viewers into every crevice of Frances Lee's models and breathe life into these deadly miniatures, which present the dark side of domestic life, unveiling tales of prostitution, alcoholism, and adultery. The accompanying line drawings, specially prepared for this volume, highlight the noteworthy forensic evidence in each case. Botz's introductory essay, which draws on archival research and interviews with Lee's family and police colleagues, presents a captivating portrait of Lee.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580931456
• ISBN13: 9781580931458
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Monacelli Press
• Length: 225 Pages
• Weight: 2.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.4" x 10.6"

Customer Reviews

great book

very rare and interesting story of a female artist from the early 20th century. nice hard bound book good for display.

Absolutely Fascinating

Great photos and a wonderful introduction about the creator of these "dollhouse crimes," Frances Glessner Lee. The book is full of wonderful photos of the crime scenes Glessner Lee created as well as background about the crimes she recreated. Facinating and beautiful despite its macabre subject matter.

And the Truth Shall Make You Free

The original Nutshell Studies were dioramas of evil and tragedy, created over 60 years ago by Chicago heiress Frances Glessner Lee, who used them to train investigators in the art of dissecting a crime. The presentation of these meticulously and faithfully reproduced scenes of mayhem - at a 1:12 scale - forced investigators to literally see "the little things," at a time when ignorant officers often ruined evidence critical to solving the case. Author Corinne May Botz, who also shot the multiple-angle photographs of the 18 models, explores how conflicts and contrasts are at the heart of the dioramas as well as their creator, Lee. Botz suggests that Lee expressed her tension and ambivalence about her place in society through these equally conflicted and violent still lifes. I gave this book 5 stars because I appreciated its fine quality - it is beautifully produced by Monacelli Press - but I also respected the way Botz's accompanying essays draw parallels rather than conclusions between Lee's life and her unconventional Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death. Botz's essay's show that whether it is a crime scene or a personal journey, the search for truth is what good investigators seek. Lee would have been proud.

Wonderful Concept, Wonderful Pictures

This book really is about the images. The forensic and investigative side of the book is intrigueing as well, but they are not the only focus. The line-drawing diagrams were added as an editorial compromise to a strictly photographic book. Corinnes' very large (30"x40"+) prints are currently being shown in manhattan and are very impressive on a larger scale as well. I very highly recommend this book.

One of my new favorite books

I picked up a copy of this book last week at a Chelsea art opening of the author's work. I think that the book is fabulous, both on the level that its subject matter is fascinating and in the quality and artistry of the photographs. I like the ambiguity of the pictures. The dioramas and stories are both intriguing and mysterious--there are no easy answers, which makes the book an intellectually interesting and challenging read. I notice new things each time I pick it up. All of the friends that I have shown the book to have loved it. Can't recommend it highly enough!