That Dark Spring
A True Story of Death and Desire in 1920s Provence
Published on 26. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-5290-6558-9 (ISBN)
Description
'I couldn't stop reading it . . . a classic of true crime' Lissa Evans, author of Small Bomb at Dimperley
'A fascinating true crime case study . . . deeply moving' The Times
A gripping, explosive murder mystery by acclaimed true crime writer Susannah Stapleton.
In April 1929, the body of British artist Olive Branson was found submerged in a water tank outside her farmhouse in a picturesque Provence village. Dressed only in a pink shirt and stockings, she had a bullet hole between her eyes and a revolver by her side.
Was it suicide - or murder?
The initial investigation concluded suicide, but under pressure from Olive's family to conduct a murder enquiry, city detective Alexandre Guibbal was brought in to reopen the case.
Examining never-before-seen evidence, acclaimed true crime writer Susannah Stapleton builds a vivid and absorbing picture of an unconventional life and a violent death, and an investigation that shines a bright light on a village simmering with resentments and dangerous rivalries . . .
'A fascinating true crime case study . . . deeply moving' The Times
A gripping, explosive murder mystery by acclaimed true crime writer Susannah Stapleton.
In April 1929, the body of British artist Olive Branson was found submerged in a water tank outside her farmhouse in a picturesque Provence village. Dressed only in a pink shirt and stockings, she had a bullet hole between her eyes and a revolver by her side.
Was it suicide - or murder?
The initial investigation concluded suicide, but under pressure from Olive's family to conduct a murder enquiry, city detective Alexandre Guibbal was brought in to reopen the case.
Examining never-before-seen evidence, acclaimed true crime writer Susannah Stapleton builds a vivid and absorbing picture of an unconventional life and a violent death, and an investigation that shines a bright light on a village simmering with resentments and dangerous rivalries . . .
Reviews / Votes
Stapleton is a masterly storyteller. She brings a vanished world to life -- Judith Flanders, author of <i>The Invention of Murder</i> That Dark Spring is brilliantly structured and perfectly paced, and I couldn't stop reading it. Susannah Stapleton writes with beautiful clarity and has produced a classic of true crime. -- Lissa Evans, author of <i>Old Baggage</i> and <i>Small Bomb at Dimperley</i>More details
Edition
Main Market Ed
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
274 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5290-6558-9 (9781529065589)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2025
Picador
€15.99
Available for download
Person
Susannah Stapleton is a historical researcher with over twenty years' experience unravelling mysteries for museums, organizations and private individuals. She is the acclaimed author of CWA shortlisted The Adventures of Maud West, Lady Detective and she lives in Shropshire.