A 19th-century Parisian murder mystery resurfaces as author Serge Quadruppani revisits the enigmatic case of Gabrielle Bompard, a woman at the center of a sensational crime.
Parisian bailiff disappears in 1889
In the summer of 1889, Toussaint Gouffé, a well-known Parisian bailiff, disappeared without a trace, setting off a mystery that would capture public attention for years.Body found in wooden trunk
Two weeks after Gouffé's disappearance, a janitor discovered a wooden trunk used for transporting goods between Paris and Lyon in the Rhône. Inside was the body of a man, raising more questions than answers.Suspects identified by police and press
An investigation by both the police and the press led to the identification of two suspects: Michel Eyraud and Gabrielle Bompard, a young woman whose life would become entangled with the case in unexpected ways.Serge Quadruppani revisits the case
Serge Quadruppani, a journalist, novelist, and translator, has revisited this criminal case in his work, focusing particularly on Gabrielle Bompard's life and the broader social context of the time.Historical context of the case
The case reflects an era fascinated by technological progress, the rise of mass media, and the development of new judicial methods, offering insight into late 19th-century France.Excerpt to be published in November
L'Aube, the publisher, will release an excerpt from Quadruppani’s work on 6 November, giving readers a glimpse into this historical mystery before its full publication.
