I have just read and reread The Mystery of Marie Roget, but still can't figure out why she was killed. I came across a note in the internet saying that Mary Rogers, on whom this story is based, died of a botched abortion in 1841 and that Poe supposedly revised his story in this sense in 1845. Is this true?

-- Anonymous, July 30, 2002

Answers

The best study you can find about this "Mystery" is the remarkable one by John E. Walsh, "Poe, the Detective" (1968 - recently republished). Herein you will receive all you need/wish to know, and even much more... A capital work, full of minuteness, clarity, precise and exact information, in pleasant and sober style. Yours sincerely, Raven's Shade (Belgium).

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2002

I just find a new (to me, at least) reference about "Roget -- Rogers"'s mystery I have not yet read: RAYMOND PAUL, "Who murdered Mary Rogers?" (Englewood Cliffs, N. J. -1971). This author seems to invalidate, or , more exactly, to complete Walsh's conclusions by demonstrating that Mary's murderer was in fact Daniel Payne, her "fiançé", the abortion nevertheless having been really perpetrated. You will judge by yourself. Good luck. Yours sincerely, Raven's Shade (Belgium).

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2002