"In this stunningly coherent and compelling account of the development of 'American modernity, ' Duggan captures our interest with the sensational tale of lesbian love murder but then insists that we read this tale through turn-of-the-century debates over racial violence and against the backdrop of the medicalization of homosexuality. "Sapphic Slashers "has 'classic' written all over it."--Judith Halberstam, author of "Female Masculinity"

Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
Part I Murder in Memphis
1. Girl Slays Girl 9
2. A Feast of Sensation 32
3. Habeas Corpus 61
4. Inquisition of Lunacy 87
Part II Making Meanings
5. Violent Passions 123
6. Doctors of Desire 156
7. A Thousand Stories 180
More Than Love: An Epilogue 193
Appendix A: Hypothetical Case 201
Appendix B: Letters 213
Notes 233
Bibliography 281
Index 299