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Born in the mid-nineteenth century, Sophie Lyons was a master thief, con artist, blackmailer and smuggler. Much of her success as a criminal was due to the fact that she was fearless, reckless, sharp and cunning--everything a woman of her time was not supposed to be. As a young child, Sophie's parents forced her to steal when she showed a talent for pickpocketing. Strong-willed and smart, she blossomed into a beautiful teenager who caught the eye of many men in the underworld of New York City. By the time Sophie reached her late teens she was married to her second husband--a notorious bank burglar named Ned Lyons--and was a professional criminal in her own right.
Despite her prominent place in crime history, Sophie Lyons has never been the subject of a full-length biography. This book chronicles Sophie's fascinating and tragic life, from her beginnings as a criminal prodigy, through her ingenious escape from Sing Sing prison and her lifelong struggle with mental illness.
List of contents
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Preface
Aliases and Nicknames
Introduction: The Queen of the Burglars
¿1.¿A Thief Since the Cradle
¿2.¿From Motherly Trauma to Motherhood
¿3.¿Escape from Sing Sing
¿4.¿Jealousy and Betrayal
¿5.¿Attempted Suicide and Blackmail
¿6.¿Accusations and Outrage
¿7.¿Arrest After Arrest
¿8.¿A Spy in the House
¿9.¿Lost Children
10.¿In the Rogues' Gallery
11.¿Queen Meets King
12.¿Take the Money and Run
13.¿The Heredity Theory
14.¿Transitions
15.¿Speaking Through the Press
16.¿Marriage and Memoirs
17.¿Fighting for Her Legacy
18.¿A Downward Spiral of Loss and Grief
19.¿Controversial to the End
20.¿Three Sisters
Epilogue
Chapter Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
About the author
Shayne Davidson has more than 30 years of experience as a genealogist, illustrator and author. She investigates history through genealogical records, archival newspapers and vintage photographs and illustrations. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Summary
Born in mid-nineteenth century America, Sophie Lyons was a master thief, con artist, blackmailer and smuggler. Despite her prominent place in crime history, Sophie Lyons has never been the subject of a full-length biography. This book chronicles Sophie's fascinating and tragic life.
