True crime stories have fascinated readers for generations, but few authors approach them the way Robert Antrim Calwell does in Evelyn. Inspired by the infamous 1946 Evelyn Dick murder case in Hamilton, Ontario, this unique literary work transforms a chilling historical crime into a haunting collection of poetic narratives that explore guilt, memory, loss and redemption.
Rather than presenting the story as a conventional crime novel, Calwell gives voice to the people whose lives were forever altered by tragedy. Through poetry and first-person reflections, readers are invited into a world where history, imagination and emotion intertwine.
The book opens with a haunting introduction that immediately establishes its tone:
“We held our hands till end of time,
In buried past and severed rhyme.”
These lines set the stage for a story rooted in real events yet elevated through poetic storytelling. The voices that emerge throughout Evelyn are not merely recounting facts; they are wrestling with the emotional consequences of violence and the lingering shadows of the past.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its multi-perspective structure. Each chapter allows a different character to speak, offering readers a deeper understanding of the people surrounding the crime. Evelyn Dick, John Dick, William Bohozuk, Donald MacLean and Alexandra MacLean each reveal their own fears, motivations and regrets.
Evelyn’s chapter begins with a striking stanza:
“But is it I, who bat my lash,
For gentlemen and all their cash.”
These lines hint at the complex personality behind one of Canada’s most notorious true crime figures. Rather than presenting a simple villain, Calwell encourages readers to consider the social pressures, ambitions and personal choices that shaped her life.
John Dick’s perspective is equally powerful and tragic:
“Was this to be my last of time,
In buried ash and bloody rhyme.”
His voice reminds readers that true crime stories are ultimately stories about real people and real loss. Through poetry, Calwell humanizes those often reduced to newspaper headlines and courtroom records.
What makes Evelyn particularly compelling is its atmosphere. The book blends historical detail with lyrical imagery, creating a dreamlike quality that lingers long after the final page. Themes of innocence and corruption, light and darkness, justice and forgiveness weave throughout the narrative.
The conclusion offers a reflection that resonates beyond the crime itself:
“Flower petals will fall to ground,
Without a care nor any sound.”
These words capture one of the book’s central ideas: that life moves forward even after tragedy, while memories continue to shape those left behind.
For readers who enjoy true crime, historical mysteries, literary fiction or contemporary poetry, Evelyn offers something genuinely different. It is a book that refuses to sensationalize its subject matter. Instead, it asks readers to look deeper to examine the human stories hidden beneath one of Canada’s most infamous crimes.
With its haunting verse, distinctive voices and thoughtful exploration of history, Evelyn by Robert Antrim Calwell is more than a true crime retelling. It is a poetic journey into darkness, memory and ultimately, the enduring search for understanding.
