Wicked Women of Northeast Ohio

by Jane Ann Turzillo

In Wicked Women of Northeast Ohio, author Jane Ann Turzillo recounts the misdeeds of ten dark-hearted women who refused to play by the rules. They unleashed their most base impulses using axes, guns, poison and more. You'll meet Perry's Velma West, a mere slip of a girl who was unfortunately too near a hammer during an argument. New Philadelphia's Ellen Athey, no lady herself, had a similar problem with an axe. Ardell Quinn, who operated the longest-running brothel in Cleveland, would simply argue that she was a good businesswoman. Grim? Often. Entertaining? Deliciously so.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, History

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kristi Spuhler]

These stories give interesting insight into the crimes, the women and their circumstances. I just wish there was more detail included in each case.

[Julie]

short factual accounts of a few women who were murderers in NE Ohio's past
(I needed a book set in Ohio for a reading challenge lol)

[Jeannine]

Not for bedtime reading. Some of these stories are very scary when you think about it. As a psychotherapist, I like to think that had analysis been available at that time, women would have had someone to talk to. I would love to have known more about these women and their backgrounds.

[Maryann Gestwicki]

"Wicked Women of Northeast Ohio" by Jane Ann Turzillo offers a gripping exploration of the dark and intriguing tales surrounding ten women who defied societal norms and embraced their most sinister inclinations. Turzillo skillfully narrates the misdeeds of these captivating characters, each wielding axes, guns, poison, and more as they rebelled against the constraints of their time.

Among the notable figures is Perry's Velma West, whose unfortunate proximity to a hammer during an argument sealed her fate. Similarly, New Philadelphia's Ellen Athey, far from a lady, found herself entangled in a gruesome incident involving an axe. The stories extend to Ardell Quinn, the proprietor of Cleveland's longest-running brothel, who unabashedly defended her profession as nothing more than good business.

Turzillo's storytelling is both grim and deliciously entertaining, weaving together the threads of these women's lives in a manner that captivates readers from start to finish. "Wicked Women of Northeast Ohio" delves into the depths of human nature, presenting a compelling narrative that unveils the complexities of these dark-hearted women who refused to conform to societal expectations. It's a riveting journey into the shadows of history, where each tale unfolds with suspense and intrigue, making the book a truly engaging read for those with a taste for the macabre and the unconventional.

I read about Jeanette McAdam's story in the Star Beacon in an October 2023 article. Very fascinating stories about each of the women.

[Mariann]

3 1/2 stars. I thought this book was an interesting look at some crimes committed by women in Northeast Ohio. I was surprised by the brutality and callousness exhibited by the women and I wish there was more information and details about them.

[Laura]

Dear Me,
You read this before bed, thinking it was going to be a tale of badass women (which, to be fair, some tales were). It ended up being a little more tragic and left you with questions about what was reported and what these women truly lived.
Love,
You

[Jeffrey]

Ten page-turning stories of NE Ohio women on the wrong side of the law by a local and easy-to-read author.

[Wendy]

True crime stories of women from Northeast Ohio. A quick and easy read.

[Candi]

Some interesting stories if you’re from the area. Could use a strong editor. Feels a bit like a novice writer.

[Melanie Marie]

Learning about the dark history of my area of Ohio was interesting. 5 stars for these Cleveland area women who, dare I say, weren’t all fully guilty in my eyes. Wicked? Sure. Some, but not all.

[Sandee]

This was a book I chose for a challenge and it was interesting. The stories in this book take place in several cities in Ohio, but in a different era. Here is what the back cover says about the book:

In Wicked Women of Northeast Ohio, author Jane Ann Turzillo recounts the misdeeds of ten dark-hearted women who refused to play by the rules. They unleashed their most base impulses using axes, guns, poison and more.
You'll meet Perry's Velma West, a mere slip of a girl who was unfortunately too near a hammer during an argument. New Philadelphia's Ellen Athey, no lady herself, had a similar problem with a axe. Ardell Quinn, who operated the longest running brothel in Cleveland, would simply argue that she was a good businesswoman.
Grim? Often. Entertaining? Deliciously so.

It was interesting to read how the courts, forensic's, etc. were years ago. Much better today, indeed!

[Liz]

I find it odd that the cover of this book features two pictures of the same woman as well as a woman who wasn't written about as a criminal. Also, I am confused by the last chapter and I'm not sure what crime was committed.

[Michelle Smith]

Very interesting how these women were portrayed in the 1800s. Quick read too read it in one day