Special Montréal Investigations Podcast

Captives visits the Sherlock Holmes exhibition

Expand on your visit to the Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case exhibition with this special episode of the Captives podcast dedicated to two noteworthy Montréal investigations that took place in the late 19th century…

Hear about the bodysnatching case that rocked the city in 1866, as well as the disturbing story of Dr. Thomas Neill Cream, a shadowy figure of the Victorian era. These two accounts are directly related to a key section of the exhibition, which explores the birth of investigative policing in Montréal and the early use of investigative methods.

Hosted by Annie Laurin and Michèle Ouellette, the Captives podcast examines mysteries and legal cases that have left their mark on Québec. Taking a rigorous and respectful approach, they present factual accounts while exploring the social and legal contexts in which they occurred.

Listen to the episode on the Captives website, with accompanying archival images.

The Bodysnatching Scourge in Victorian Montréal

Montréal, January 26, 1866. A telegram from Québec City is sent to Montréal’s chief of police. The authorities are informed that four naked corpses have just been found in a huge crate on the train from Québec City to Montréal. They will soon arrive at their destination. Although everyone is repulsed by the macabre discovery, no one is surprised. Yet another case of bodysnatching. How can this scourge, which has persisted for decades in the region’s major cities and surrounding areas, be explained?

The Story of Shady Dr. Thomas Neill Cream

Thomas Neill Cream, of Scottish descent, grew up in a wealthy family here in Québec. The brilliant young man began his medical studies at McGill University in 1872. While most new doctors were captivated by courses in anatomy, Cream developed a fascination with classes on the use of medicinal herbs, narcotics, and anything related to poisons. Unfortunately, this interest would eventually be used as a deadly weapon, at the heart of one of the most disturbing criminal careers of the Victorian era. Join us as we take you to Montréal, Ontario, the United States, and even overseas, to London’s grim Lambeth district.

The Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case exhibition continues until March 8, 2026.