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Victorian Murderesses
The Victorian belief that women were the ‘weaker sex’ who were expected to devote themselves entirely to family life, made it almost inconceivable that they could ever be capable of committing murder. What drove a woman to murder her husband, lover or even her own child? Were they tragic, mad or just plain evil? Using various sources including court records, newspaper accounts and letters, this book explores some of the most notorious murder cases committed by seven women in nineteenth century Britain and America. It delves into each of the women’s lives, the circumstances that led to their crimes, their committal and trial and the various reasons why they resorted to the fear of destitution led Mary Ann Brough to murder her own children; desperation to keep her job drove Sarah Drake to her crime. Money was the motive in the case of Mary Ann Cotton, who is believed to have poisoned as many as twenty-one people. Kate Bender lured her unsuspecting victims to their death in ‘The Slaughter Pen’ before stripping them of their valuables; Kate Webster’s temper got the better of her when she brutally murdered and decapitated her employer; nurse Jane Toppan admitted she derived sexual pleasure from watching her victims die slowly and Lizzie Borden was suspected of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe, so that she could live on the affluent area known as ‘the hill’ in Fall River, Massachusetts.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2022
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October 22, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 31, 2022
Non-fiction novelist Debbie Blake introduces us to seven women in nineteenth century America and Britain, all charged with heinous crimes. Were these women insane, as many claimed? Or were they just evil? In a time when women were “the weaker sex”, these seven women broke all the stereotypes and took charge of their own lives- in disturbing ways. Mary Ann Brough and Sarah Drake killed their own children to avoid the workhouses and a life of destitution; Mary Ann Cotton and Kate Bender killed their victims and robbed them of their possessions, Kate Webster killed her employer in a fit of rage and Jane Toppan was a nurse who claimed to enjoy watching her patients die. Oh, and of course, the infamous Lizzie Borden. All of these women, some more known than others, claimed to be innocent, insane, or both, and “Victorian Murderesses” takes you through each crime, charge and trial from beginning to end.
Blake gives each woman their own chapter, and includes historical records including newspaper articles and court reports (being what they were), ensuring each woman’s story is told in its entirety. Although each woman had very different motives for their actions and some (like Lizzie Borden) claimed innocence until the end, they all had one thing in common- they were women in the nineteenth century. Women of this era were penalized for committing adultery (men were not), and if they had a child out of wedlock, their only option was to get rid of the child (by whatever means necessary) or end up on the streets. Although this does not excuse these women their heinous crimes, Blake provides substantial background for what brought these women to their breaking points.
Although I had known about some of these women from previous true crime novels, Blake provides a few new ones that had me thoroughly interested. Not only does “Murderesses” provide a historical true crime analysis of seven different murder scenes in two different countries, it also highlights the struggles and inequality faced by women in that era.
Blake writes an informative, entertaining and thought-provoking true crime story that provided me with new cases I hadn’t heard of, while adding some previously unknown information to the well-known, infamous cases, all with the backdrop of female inequality in one of my favourite historical eras. “Murderesses” is a whole new take on true crime, and I loved Blake’s creativity.
Expected publication date: October 31, 2022
Non-fiction novelist Debbie Blake introduces us to seven women in nineteenth century America and Britain, all charged with heinous crimes. Were these women insane, as many claimed? Or were they just evil? In a time when women were “the weaker sex”, these seven women broke all the stereotypes and took charge of their own lives- in disturbing ways. Mary Ann Brough and Sarah Drake killed their own children to avoid the workhouses and a life of destitution; Mary Ann Cotton and Kate Bender killed their victims and robbed them of their possessions, Kate Webster killed her employer in a fit of rage and Jane Toppan was a nurse who claimed to enjoy watching her patients die. Oh, and of course, the infamous Lizzie Borden. All of these women, some more known than others, claimed to be innocent, insane, or both, and “Victorian Murderesses” takes you through each crime, charge and trial from beginning to end.
Blake gives each woman their own chapter, and includes historical records including newspaper articles and court reports (being what they were), ensuring each woman’s story is told in its entirety. Although each woman had very different motives for their actions and some (like Lizzie Borden) claimed innocence until the end, they all had one thing in common- they were women in the nineteenth century. Women of this era were penalized for committing adultery (men were not), and if they had a child out of wedlock, their only option was to get rid of the child (by whatever means necessary) or end up on the streets. Although this does not excuse these women their heinous crimes, Blake provides substantial background for what brought these women to their breaking points.
Although I had known about some of these women from previous true crime novels, Blake provides a few new ones that had me thoroughly interested. Not only does “Murderesses” provide a historical true crime analysis of seven different murder scenes in two different countries, it also highlights the struggles and inequality faced by women in that era.
Blake writes an informative, entertaining and thought-provoking true crime story that provided me with new cases I hadn’t heard of, while adding some previously unknown information to the well-known, infamous cases, all with the backdrop of female inequality in one of my favourite historical eras. “Murderesses” is a whole new take on true crime, and I loved Blake’s creativity.
October 10, 2022
This collection of 7 female murderers during the Victorian age is well researched and quite interesting. I have previously read about 3 of the featured women and they matched the other accounts I’ve read. The stories are short, but very detailed and fascinating. We all know about Lizzie Borden, so her story wasn’t anything new to me, but the others had back stories that, somewhat, understand what they were thinking. I recommend this book to those of you that enjoy a good murder thriller.
October 23, 2022
My goodness!
This book is absolutely intriguing! My mouth fell open quite a few times while reading it. I could not believe these women were, in my opinion, hell unleashed on earth. Yes, all their stories were shocking but what made it utterly horrific was the fact that you were very aware that THESE STORIES WERE ALL TRUE! Not fictional! I think I got a few white hairs because of it. They sliced and diced and poisoned as if it was a normal, everyday occurrence and what left me most horrified was that some of them murdered little babies and children without so much as blink of the eye. They were determined to get what they wanted and did not care about who stood in their way. I was very disturbed by this but somehow, I could not stop reading the book. I entered a realm that I never do in my reading world. I am glad I read this book as it opened my eyes to horror of what people can do without any remorse.
This was a fantastic read right before Hallowe'en. It's up there with "Carmilla" which I recently read and reviewed. The writing and tone and true stories all worked together in unison.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! I HIGHLY recommend "Victorian Murderesses." This book has an anticipated release date of October 30, 2022.
5/5
This book is absolutely intriguing! My mouth fell open quite a few times while reading it. I could not believe these women were, in my opinion, hell unleashed on earth. Yes, all their stories were shocking but what made it utterly horrific was the fact that you were very aware that THESE STORIES WERE ALL TRUE! Not fictional! I think I got a few white hairs because of it. They sliced and diced and poisoned as if it was a normal, everyday occurrence and what left me most horrified was that some of them murdered little babies and children without so much as blink of the eye. They were determined to get what they wanted and did not care about who stood in their way. I was very disturbed by this but somehow, I could not stop reading the book. I entered a realm that I never do in my reading world. I am glad I read this book as it opened my eyes to horror of what people can do without any remorse.
This was a fantastic read right before Hallowe'en. It's up there with "Carmilla" which I recently read and reviewed. The writing and tone and true stories all worked together in unison.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! I HIGHLY recommend "Victorian Murderesses." This book has an anticipated release date of October 30, 2022.
5/5
November 19, 2022
I don’t know why I don’t read more non-fiction. This collection of crimes committed by Victorian Murderesses held my attention and got my imagination running wild. The Victorian era has always fascinated me. It’s an age that we can’t quite grasp our heads around. The medicine, the way of life, the clothing, and the evil deeds that women committed had me in a trance. The belief at that time was that women couldn’t commit violent acts, they were motherly, and caring and if driven to act then it was through the means of poisoning – that was a woman’s method. How wrong they were!
Each of these dastardly evil women is given their own chapter and I liked the mix of UK and US geography. The writing was brilliant, and the research dedicated to each woman shone through like the light at the end of the tunnel.
There is nothing demure about these women. They know what they want, and they go out and take it. By poison and physical means. I didn’t feel any remorse for any of these women, their plight felt far stretched and a mere excuse to get off with the crime that they’d been accused of. Killing children, patients and husbands didn’t seem like a very sensible thing to do in the circumstances but many of them got away with it for so long because detection skills especially regarding women weren’t what they are in the 21st century.
The story of Jane Toppan struck a chord. She was born to Irish immigrants in 1857 and experienced a troubled childhood which concluded with her mother dying of Tuberculosis. Some of her actions could be attributed to her start in life, but many children have hard childhoods and don’t go on to murder all of their patients whilst supposedly nursing them back to health. She was always difficult, always creating friction between her fellow students and her teachers. She’d do anything to make herself look good and them bad. It was a testament to her character early on. Training as a nurse is when her sadism really took root. She discovered through medicine that she could make people extremely ill. She experimented with Morphine and Atropine to get the desired effects. She’d get them knocking on the door and death and bring them back with atropine time and time again. She relished in the effects it caused the body until she decided it was time for them to die. Jane Toppan was an evil woman.
I did however feel that some of the stories dragged on and could have benefited from being a bit more concise. I felt there was a fair bit of filler contained within the stories and unfortunately I felt myself skim-reading through some of the stories. It’s a shame because I enjoyed the vast majority of the book.
Each of these dastardly evil women is given their own chapter and I liked the mix of UK and US geography. The writing was brilliant, and the research dedicated to each woman shone through like the light at the end of the tunnel.
There is nothing demure about these women. They know what they want, and they go out and take it. By poison and physical means. I didn’t feel any remorse for any of these women, their plight felt far stretched and a mere excuse to get off with the crime that they’d been accused of. Killing children, patients and husbands didn’t seem like a very sensible thing to do in the circumstances but many of them got away with it for so long because detection skills especially regarding women weren’t what they are in the 21st century.
The story of Jane Toppan struck a chord. She was born to Irish immigrants in 1857 and experienced a troubled childhood which concluded with her mother dying of Tuberculosis. Some of her actions could be attributed to her start in life, but many children have hard childhoods and don’t go on to murder all of their patients whilst supposedly nursing them back to health. She was always difficult, always creating friction between her fellow students and her teachers. She’d do anything to make herself look good and them bad. It was a testament to her character early on. Training as a nurse is when her sadism really took root. She discovered through medicine that she could make people extremely ill. She experimented with Morphine and Atropine to get the desired effects. She’d get them knocking on the door and death and bring them back with atropine time and time again. She relished in the effects it caused the body until she decided it was time for them to die. Jane Toppan was an evil woman.
I did however feel that some of the stories dragged on and could have benefited from being a bit more concise. I felt there was a fair bit of filler contained within the stories and unfortunately I felt myself skim-reading through some of the stories. It’s a shame because I enjoyed the vast majority of the book.
October 5, 2022
This title intrigued me, and the topic is certainly a compelling one. However I was frustrated at the total lack of analysis, framing, and reflection on the part of the author. There wasn’t even an introduction- the book just jumped right in with a narration of facts about a murder. While the stories themselves are interesting, the writing style is engaging enough, and the research is clearly well done, these stories are really just lists of things that happened to a series of people. The blurb led me to believe that there would be at least some consideration of things like the societal circumstances that conditioned public reaction to the murders, a common thread between them, or really any consideration of either the historical era and/or gender evoked in the title. There was none of that at all. At best, this read more like a research summary than a work of analytic nonfiction. At worst, it was a little like someone coming up and just yelling in your face LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT SOME MURDERS THAT HAPPENED. Either way, not sure I can recommend.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
October 24, 2022
This was an interesting selection of well-researched true-life stories of Victorian female murderers. I particularly enjoyed the back stories of the women providing context for their crimes.
However, the book lacked any kind of framework and the stories just became reports of facts. The book needed a narrative - a point. Some reflection to provide the reader with a journey to go on through new considerations or understanding. Without this the book was a bit weak, sadly.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
However, the book lacked any kind of framework and the stories just became reports of facts. The book needed a narrative - a point. Some reflection to provide the reader with a journey to go on through new considerations or understanding. Without this the book was a bit weak, sadly.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
November 29, 2022
I have always been interested in historical true crime. Victorian Murderesses outlines seven cases from the United States and Britain. The seven women accused of murder were Sarah Drake, Mary Ann Brough, Mary Ann Cotton, Kate Bender, Kate Webster, Lizzie Borden, and Jane Toppan.
This book was well-researched and written in a concise interesting manner. I was surprised that there was no introduction or conclusion. I would have liked some indication of how these particular cases were chosen. The book does include notes, a bibliography, and an index which is very helpful.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was well-researched and written in a concise interesting manner. I was surprised that there was no introduction or conclusion. I would have liked some indication of how these particular cases were chosen. The book does include notes, a bibliography, and an index which is very helpful.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 17, 2022
Victorian Murderesses was full of interesting women who were notorious for heinous crimes. I enjoyed learning about the history of each one before getting into the acts they became known for. In a couple cases, I wanted more but I was satisfied on the whole. The level of detail might be off putting to some as the crimes are not lightly described. I was fine for the most part as I don’t like reading gore but it is something of note. The one thing I stilled wanted at the end was some sort of commentary on how justice was given or denied to women because of their gender. Overall, this was excellent and I highly recommend.
I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
October 23, 2022
*thank you to Netgalley, Pen & Sword and Debbie Blake for granting my wish to receive this book in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars.
First, let me start by saying I really like that cover! We are constantly told to not judge a book by it's cover but I can't help it. If a cover jumps out to me, I want to see what it's about. Though saying that, if I hear that a story is really good but the cover is rather not, then I have no problem ignoring it and reading the book.
But let's get back to this one. I'm a sucker for all things Victorian so when Netgalley approved my 'wish' for this, I was smiling for ages. I wasn't disappointed either. I liked the layout of the ebook version, and yes, for me that's also important and I'm not sorry for it. There is nothing more distracting as an ebook with no margins or paragraphs. (Why people, why would you do that to a book!) Anywho, I knew of only one of the females in this book, Lizzie Borden. The others I hadn't known about. The stories were quite interesting and some parts I couldn't wrap my mind around and others, I could. (I don't know if that's a good thing or not so I'll ignore that fact.)
I think if you are like me and have an interest in all things Victorian Era, you will probably enjoy this. Or maybe you have a fascination with murder...? (Hey, no judgement) I would recommend it.
4 stars.
First, let me start by saying I really like that cover! We are constantly told to not judge a book by it's cover but I can't help it. If a cover jumps out to me, I want to see what it's about. Though saying that, if I hear that a story is really good but the cover is rather not, then I have no problem ignoring it and reading the book.
But let's get back to this one. I'm a sucker for all things Victorian so when Netgalley approved my 'wish' for this, I was smiling for ages. I wasn't disappointed either. I liked the layout of the ebook version, and yes, for me that's also important and I'm not sorry for it. There is nothing more distracting as an ebook with no margins or paragraphs. (Why people, why would you do that to a book!) Anywho, I knew of only one of the females in this book, Lizzie Borden. The others I hadn't known about. The stories were quite interesting and some parts I couldn't wrap my mind around and others, I could. (I don't know if that's a good thing or not so I'll ignore that fact.)
I think if you are like me and have an interest in all things Victorian Era, you will probably enjoy this. Or maybe you have a fascination with murder...? (Hey, no judgement) I would recommend it.
October 2, 2022
Horror of these tales is their truth. These women lived and murdered and their lives are as fascinating as their crimes are gruesome.
Amazingly written with court, letter and newspaper excerpts. The women and their victims are as real now as then.
I appreciated the lack of wandering intro and liked how it jumped right in to the tales. Each tale is well seperated and lacks any theme other than murder so can easily be read as individual stories.
Grab this for a bed side table read. Another story before bed.... Or read by the fire with the lights on.
Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read in return for an honest review.
Amazingly written with court, letter and newspaper excerpts. The women and their victims are as real now as then.
I appreciated the lack of wandering intro and liked how it jumped right in to the tales. Each tale is well seperated and lacks any theme other than murder so can easily be read as individual stories.
Grab this for a bed side table read. Another story before bed.... Or read by the fire with the lights on.
Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read in return for an honest review.
December 7, 2024
This book portrays the lives of seven women, who lived in Victorian England and 19th century America. All of these women ended up killing, but why?
We discover the sad life of Sarah Drake who killed two of her babies. Why did she do it? Was she left with no choice, or was she simply a heartless mother?
Then, there is even more tragic story of Mary Ann Brough, who used to be a wet nurse to the future king Edward VII. From such a brush with the royalty what drove her to kill her whole family?
After that, we read the story of Mary Ann Cotton, who is considered the first female serial killer in England. She’s been married four times and poisoned many people, some of which were her own family members.
Kate Webster was known to the police since she was a teenager. She killed her employer and then pretended to be her for a short length of time. Her employer’s body was dismembered, some parts boiled, and some thrown into the River Thames.
Lizzie Borden lived in Massachusetts with her father and stepmother. What possessed her to kill her own flesh and blood?
Finally, we read about Jane Toppan, also known as Jolly Jane, a nurse who killed many of her patients and took great pleasure in watching them die in agony.
Before reading this book, I only knew of Mary Ann Cotton and Lizzie Borden, I wasn’t familiar with the other cases. With some of the cases, like Sarah Drake’s – I could symphatise, but with some, I wasn’t so understanding.
This is a well-researched book, perfect for fans of true crime.
We discover the sad life of Sarah Drake who killed two of her babies. Why did she do it? Was she left with no choice, or was she simply a heartless mother?
Then, there is even more tragic story of Mary Ann Brough, who used to be a wet nurse to the future king Edward VII. From such a brush with the royalty what drove her to kill her whole family?
After that, we read the story of Mary Ann Cotton, who is considered the first female serial killer in England. She’s been married four times and poisoned many people, some of which were her own family members.
Kate Webster was known to the police since she was a teenager. She killed her employer and then pretended to be her for a short length of time. Her employer’s body was dismembered, some parts boiled, and some thrown into the River Thames.
Lizzie Borden lived in Massachusetts with her father and stepmother. What possessed her to kill her own flesh and blood?
Finally, we read about Jane Toppan, also known as Jolly Jane, a nurse who killed many of her patients and took great pleasure in watching them die in agony.
Before reading this book, I only knew of Mary Ann Cotton and Lizzie Borden, I wasn’t familiar with the other cases. With some of the cases, like Sarah Drake’s – I could symphatise, but with some, I wasn’t so understanding.
This is a well-researched book, perfect for fans of true crime.
August 21, 2022
As many horror enthusiasts are also lovers of the Victorian Age, this is a shocking overview of some famous female serial killers of the era. Each chapter is broken down into a different murderess, while the locations span American and the UK. If harm to children is something that bothers you, the first couple of chapters may be skipped. Most people are familiar with Lizzie Borden, and her story is featured in this book. The two stories I most enjoyed were that of Kate Webser and Jane Toppan (Jolly Jane). Kate's story reminds me of a more grotesque Talented Mr. Ripley, while Jolly Jane as the compassionate nurse flew under the radar, never suspected of causing between 30-100 deaths! Some of the finer details of each criminal's trial and case were a tad daunting, but for the most part, I wasn't bored and was interested the whole way through to find out whether the perp was sent to the gallows, or even served prison time. 10/10, and thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for for the ARC!
August 23, 2022
I give Victorian Murderesses 5/5 stars.
Victorian Murderesses was a well-written book about some of the most salacious crimes in the 1800s. The accounts were informative as well as entertaining, and I would happily read again if an audiobook version becomes available. It felt like my favorite true crime podcasters made a book just for me. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in true crime.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Victorian Murderesses by Debbie Blake. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword for providing an ARC to review.
Victorian Murderesses was a well-written book about some of the most salacious crimes in the 1800s. The accounts were informative as well as entertaining, and I would happily read again if an audiobook version becomes available. It felt like my favorite true crime podcasters made a book just for me. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in true crime.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Victorian Murderesses by Debbie Blake. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword for providing an ARC to review.
October 14, 2022
The Victorian Era tends to be thought of as a time when women were demure and “well behaved”, whether because it’s how they believed they should be, focused solely on the comfort of their family, or because they didn’t have much choice. Of course, statistically speaking, not everyone conformed to societal expectations, although some acted out worse than others. This book provides a selection of the worst female criminals caught and tried during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
I think the general assumption is that Victorian murders committed by females tended toward poisonings. While there is one very prolific poisoner in this book, most of these murders are much more gruesome. And reader be warned, if you’re easily triggered by child harm, I would advise skipping the first few stories.
From women scorned, to greed, to sheer insanity, the women in these pages encompassed just about every motive for murder. Several of them were found guilty and subsequently executed, many spent their lives in an asylum, considering that the criteria for insanity (or temporary insanity) was much laxer a century ago (not to mention the lack of police forensics). Some were never captured by the law.
The book includes women from both England and the UK, most of whom I’d never heard of (with the exception of Lizzie Borden.) The accounts are meticulously researched and provide facts from news coverage and court transcripts. The fate of each woman is also presented, if known.
I originally requested this book for my own research purposes and while it did give me fodder for future antagonists, I wish there had been a broader social overview of period-specific crime presented. Something to tie the stories together; to show if these women were isolated incidents or more normal than we realize, thanks to the fog of history and things that polite society doesn’t like to talk about. (Speaking of “polite society,” the party atmosphere surrounding an execution or the site of a tragedy was mind blowing in several stories.)
If you’re a huge fan of Investigation Discovery and/or you can’t get enough of true crime shows, check this one out. The forerunners of modern murderesses were much more ferocious and blatant than you may think.
3.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐+
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Sword Books for providing the ARC. I’ve left my review honestly and voluntarily.
I think the general assumption is that Victorian murders committed by females tended toward poisonings. While there is one very prolific poisoner in this book, most of these murders are much more gruesome. And reader be warned, if you’re easily triggered by child harm, I would advise skipping the first few stories.
From women scorned, to greed, to sheer insanity, the women in these pages encompassed just about every motive for murder. Several of them were found guilty and subsequently executed, many spent their lives in an asylum, considering that the criteria for insanity (or temporary insanity) was much laxer a century ago (not to mention the lack of police forensics). Some were never captured by the law.
The book includes women from both England and the UK, most of whom I’d never heard of (with the exception of Lizzie Borden.) The accounts are meticulously researched and provide facts from news coverage and court transcripts. The fate of each woman is also presented, if known.
I originally requested this book for my own research purposes and while it did give me fodder for future antagonists, I wish there had been a broader social overview of period-specific crime presented. Something to tie the stories together; to show if these women were isolated incidents or more normal than we realize, thanks to the fog of history and things that polite society doesn’t like to talk about. (Speaking of “polite society,” the party atmosphere surrounding an execution or the site of a tragedy was mind blowing in several stories.)
If you’re a huge fan of Investigation Discovery and/or you can’t get enough of true crime shows, check this one out. The forerunners of modern murderesses were much more ferocious and blatant than you may think.
3.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐+
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Sword Books for providing the ARC. I’ve left my review honestly and voluntarily.
March 24, 2023
Thank you, Netgalley and the author, for an advanced copy of this book! I'm leaving this review voluntarily!
While there wasn't much that I hadn't already known (I'm a huge true crime fan), I believe this would be a good book for those just starting out with the true crime genre. The reason I gave this one only 4 stars is that the information seems to be simply a collection of data from various sources. But it was interesting and a nice refresher of what I already knew. The writing was engaging as well.
While there wasn't much that I hadn't already known (I'm a huge true crime fan), I believe this would be a good book for those just starting out with the true crime genre. The reason I gave this one only 4 stars is that the information seems to be simply a collection of data from various sources. But it was interesting and a nice refresher of what I already knew. The writing was engaging as well.
September 23, 2022
So this is the first nonfiction book I've done since I started doing my reviews and I was not disappointed. This book is set to release in December so if you know anyone who loves history or true crime then consider giving this one as a gift.
Blake's book examines seven different women who were found to have committed murder, suspected of murder, or charged with murder in the Victorian Era and of the bunch I was only familiar with Lizzie Borden. So I really learned a lot reading this book and that was awesome.
I enjoyed that Blake's book looked at a diverse grouping of women as they had different social classes and even different personal backgrounds. At first I was concerned that this was only going to be a book examining women who had murdered their children but once you get past the first two chapters the crimes become more varied and in some cases more heinous.
Blake's book differently reads like a true crime documentary (think Forensic Files or Snapped) which I loved because I think it made it a faster read. Throughout the book Blake often provides insight and context into the period and circumstances which could provide for some perspective about the women and help in figuring out their motives for committing their crimes. However, I found that I wanted to know more about the gender dynamics of the period and how this played into the women being charged and sentenced. Occasionally Blake provides some of this information but it is rare.
For me Blake's book was great at detailing these women and she used her primary sources in an excellent manner, although, and maybe this was just a formatting issue on my device, sometimes it was hard to tell when she was done utilizing a source and switching back to her narration of the events. Throughout Blake provides some tidbits about women and crime but she never really delves into these matters. The book lacked an introduction to inform the reader exactly what she would be examining. Blake basically jumped into the first case with no preamble, which is why I think it had a true crime tv show feel. Blake also didn't really conclude anything. The book just stops with the end of the last case without delving into any of the issues or questions that are raised regarding gender dynamics and crime.
Despite all of this the book is still a fairly quick read that provides remarkable details about these women and their crimes. I enjoyed reading about cases that I had never heard of and enjoyed that it almost felt like I was watching a true crime show. I recommend adding this to your list if you are a history or true crime buff.
Blake's book examines seven different women who were found to have committed murder, suspected of murder, or charged with murder in the Victorian Era and of the bunch I was only familiar with Lizzie Borden. So I really learned a lot reading this book and that was awesome.
I enjoyed that Blake's book looked at a diverse grouping of women as they had different social classes and even different personal backgrounds. At first I was concerned that this was only going to be a book examining women who had murdered their children but once you get past the first two chapters the crimes become more varied and in some cases more heinous.
Blake's book differently reads like a true crime documentary (think Forensic Files or Snapped) which I loved because I think it made it a faster read. Throughout the book Blake often provides insight and context into the period and circumstances which could provide for some perspective about the women and help in figuring out their motives for committing their crimes. However, I found that I wanted to know more about the gender dynamics of the period and how this played into the women being charged and sentenced. Occasionally Blake provides some of this information but it is rare.
For me Blake's book was great at detailing these women and she used her primary sources in an excellent manner, although, and maybe this was just a formatting issue on my device, sometimes it was hard to tell when she was done utilizing a source and switching back to her narration of the events. Throughout Blake provides some tidbits about women and crime but she never really delves into these matters. The book lacked an introduction to inform the reader exactly what she would be examining. Blake basically jumped into the first case with no preamble, which is why I think it had a true crime tv show feel. Blake also didn't really conclude anything. The book just stops with the end of the last case without delving into any of the issues or questions that are raised regarding gender dynamics and crime.
Despite all of this the book is still a fairly quick read that provides remarkable details about these women and their crimes. I enjoyed reading about cases that I had never heard of and enjoyed that it almost felt like I was watching a true crime show. I recommend adding this to your list if you are a history or true crime buff.
January 6, 2023
When the category of true crime comes up at trivia nights, my team automatically gives me the answer sheet. Should I get the majority correct, especially the ones about murder, other teams tend to laugh and tell my husband to “Watch out!”
Why I have this interest, I’m not sure. It might be because of something that took place when I was a child living in England, something connected with one of the subjects in this book: Kate Webster. One hot May afternoon, my family had taken a walk past the house where Webster had killed her employer. My mother had come across her in a book she was reading, and she shared the story with us. That night, there was a thunderstorm and, at approximately 4 am, there was a knock at the front door. My mother would later say she had dreamed the knock was Webster “coming to get her.” Instead, it was the police there to notify my father of his mother’s death. Over 25 years later, we’d learn that the skull of Webster’s victim had still been buried in the immediate vicinity, and we’d walked past it that day.
Webster’s story is described in detail in Victorian Murderesses, along with the tales of six other women. Some will be very familiar to even non-true crime fans, such as Lizzie Borden who gave her mother “forty whacks.” I was vaguely familiar with Kate Bender and her murdering family, whose victims never saw justice. I didn’t know about the other women until reading this title. The book begins with the tale of Sarah Drake, a woman found not guilty of murdering her child on the grounds of insanity. Her chapter ends in stunning fashion, in a way I definitely didn’t expect. Did Drake get away with murder? Decide for yourself.
No two stories are the same, although they all present a chronology of events and extensive details of the court proceedings. Some murders were bizarre, while others almost made you have empathy for the woman involved. Some of the women were executed, some disappeared, and others either weren’t charged or were found not guilty. There isn’t an introduction, but there is a small bibliography and index. It probably wouldn’t be the correct thing to say Victorian Murderesses is an easy read when the subject matter is anything but. Perhaps it would be better to say that it isn’t overwhelming in technicality or grim detail. Does it ultimately explain why these women carried out their notorious acts? It depends on whether or not you believe what they had to say. That’s if they had anything to say at all.
Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions above are my own.
Why I have this interest, I’m not sure. It might be because of something that took place when I was a child living in England, something connected with one of the subjects in this book: Kate Webster. One hot May afternoon, my family had taken a walk past the house where Webster had killed her employer. My mother had come across her in a book she was reading, and she shared the story with us. That night, there was a thunderstorm and, at approximately 4 am, there was a knock at the front door. My mother would later say she had dreamed the knock was Webster “coming to get her.” Instead, it was the police there to notify my father of his mother’s death. Over 25 years later, we’d learn that the skull of Webster’s victim had still been buried in the immediate vicinity, and we’d walked past it that day.
Webster’s story is described in detail in Victorian Murderesses, along with the tales of six other women. Some will be very familiar to even non-true crime fans, such as Lizzie Borden who gave her mother “forty whacks.” I was vaguely familiar with Kate Bender and her murdering family, whose victims never saw justice. I didn’t know about the other women until reading this title. The book begins with the tale of Sarah Drake, a woman found not guilty of murdering her child on the grounds of insanity. Her chapter ends in stunning fashion, in a way I definitely didn’t expect. Did Drake get away with murder? Decide for yourself.
No two stories are the same, although they all present a chronology of events and extensive details of the court proceedings. Some murders were bizarre, while others almost made you have empathy for the woman involved. Some of the women were executed, some disappeared, and others either weren’t charged or were found not guilty. There isn’t an introduction, but there is a small bibliography and index. It probably wouldn’t be the correct thing to say Victorian Murderesses is an easy read when the subject matter is anything but. Perhaps it would be better to say that it isn’t overwhelming in technicality or grim detail. Does it ultimately explain why these women carried out their notorious acts? It depends on whether or not you believe what they had to say. That’s if they had anything to say at all.
Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions above are my own.
October 12, 2022
Victorian women weren't supposed to even be aware of evil let alone harbour evil thoughts and worse yet, act on them. Victorian Murderesses details several nineteenth century American and British women who for various reasons committed the most heinous crimes imaginable. Motives were often financial as women had no means of their own and therefore had to do what they could to keep their children and themselves alive. Unless, of course, they killed their children for insurance or retaliation. Some killed for "love", others for sexual gratification and still others for the sake of killing.
Children in boxes, body parts in bags, people hacked to death or injected with an atropine/morphine solution to teeter on the brink of death only to be revived only to suffer through it again and again at the whim of an evil nurse who had patients' lives in her hands. Arsenic was cheap and readily available. Various households were deemed "unlucky" with several deaths and doctors could not always pinpoint the cause. A few of the women were respectable and respected such as prolific killer Nurse Jane Toppan who was an asset in surgery yet with unquestioned access to drugs relished the thrill of the kill, especially enjoying her victims' last breath. A family of killers attacked victims for their horses and other belongings. These violent crimes are just a few contained in this book. All sickening, all bewildering.
The information contained within is based on interviews, newspaper clippings, court records and letters. Back stories are given for each woman, their circumstances which drove them to kill, their methods of killing and their reasons. Some were never caught, others hung(some by notorious Calcraft who often botched hangings) while still others sent to lunatic asylums and workhouses. I like that the afters are described as well from courtroom drama, the appearance of the condemned ad the sensation the cases caused; some stories even include sad stories about affected family members who had to suffer for their mothers' despicable deeds. A few extolled the virtues of prison life with good food and safety.
True Crime readers would find this book informative and fascinating but it is not for the faint of heart as details are graphic and disturbing. Reading a chapter and doing something else before returning back to it is ideal.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword for the privilege of reading this difficult yet important book, giving us glimpses into the lives of these women
Children in boxes, body parts in bags, people hacked to death or injected with an atropine/morphine solution to teeter on the brink of death only to be revived only to suffer through it again and again at the whim of an evil nurse who had patients' lives in her hands. Arsenic was cheap and readily available. Various households were deemed "unlucky" with several deaths and doctors could not always pinpoint the cause. A few of the women were respectable and respected such as prolific killer Nurse Jane Toppan who was an asset in surgery yet with unquestioned access to drugs relished the thrill of the kill, especially enjoying her victims' last breath. A family of killers attacked victims for their horses and other belongings. These violent crimes are just a few contained in this book. All sickening, all bewildering.
The information contained within is based on interviews, newspaper clippings, court records and letters. Back stories are given for each woman, their circumstances which drove them to kill, their methods of killing and their reasons. Some were never caught, others hung(some by notorious Calcraft who often botched hangings) while still others sent to lunatic asylums and workhouses. I like that the afters are described as well from courtroom drama, the appearance of the condemned ad the sensation the cases caused; some stories even include sad stories about affected family members who had to suffer for their mothers' despicable deeds. A few extolled the virtues of prison life with good food and safety.
True Crime readers would find this book informative and fascinating but it is not for the faint of heart as details are graphic and disturbing. Reading a chapter and doing something else before returning back to it is ideal.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword for the privilege of reading this difficult yet important book, giving us glimpses into the lives of these women
August 28, 2022
I am sucker for a good true crime non-fiction, any time -- and Blake's Victorian Murderesses absolutely satisfied my every expectation of the genre. It was gory and chilling, all the more so because of the historical grounding of each case covered here.
Each chapter -- there are seven of them -- examines a specific killer and the details of her crime(s). Four of them focus on British murderesses: Sarah Drake, Mary Ann Brogh, Kate Webster, and Mary Ann Cotton, while the remaining three cross the Atlantic to provide accounts of the disturbing murders perpetrated by Kate Bender, Lizzie Borden (of course), and Jane Toppan. I was grateful that Lizzie got only a chapter; the fame of her crime has sullied my interest in her case. I've simply read it too many times for it to invoke any novel shock, but I acknowledge that the Borden murders warrant a place in a book like this.
What makes Victorian Murderesses such a fantastic read is the way in which Blake colors in the context of these women's lives; not only do we get a rare glimpse into their worlds, but the Victorian world as a whole, especially as it was for women of a certain working and middle class. The reader also gets to see how these women got away with their crimes for a significant part of their lives and how police operated to discover them. In some cases, like with Sarah Drake, I could not help but feel a bit sorry for the murderess as much as the victims; institutionalized sexism drove some of these women to extreme lengths -- though I cannot say I condone their decisions to take innocent lives. In some cases, like Cotton's and Webster's I found myself wondering how it was possible for them to commit so many crimes without getting caught earlier! I wonder at how it was that Lizzie Borden became so famous when these other women committed so many more criminal acts.
Kate Bender and the Bender family were -- for me -- the most dastardly, the creepiest of the seven chapters. Their crimes were like those out of a grisly, B-rated horror where a family of four drives down a lonely farm road... and is never seen again... Brr. I feel shivers thinking of it now.
This was a fantastic true crime read, fun and gore all around, enough to keep you wanting more.
Each chapter -- there are seven of them -- examines a specific killer and the details of her crime(s). Four of them focus on British murderesses: Sarah Drake, Mary Ann Brogh, Kate Webster, and Mary Ann Cotton, while the remaining three cross the Atlantic to provide accounts of the disturbing murders perpetrated by Kate Bender, Lizzie Borden (of course), and Jane Toppan. I was grateful that Lizzie got only a chapter; the fame of her crime has sullied my interest in her case. I've simply read it too many times for it to invoke any novel shock, but I acknowledge that the Borden murders warrant a place in a book like this.
What makes Victorian Murderesses such a fantastic read is the way in which Blake colors in the context of these women's lives; not only do we get a rare glimpse into their worlds, but the Victorian world as a whole, especially as it was for women of a certain working and middle class. The reader also gets to see how these women got away with their crimes for a significant part of their lives and how police operated to discover them. In some cases, like with Sarah Drake, I could not help but feel a bit sorry for the murderess as much as the victims; institutionalized sexism drove some of these women to extreme lengths -- though I cannot say I condone their decisions to take innocent lives. In some cases, like Cotton's and Webster's I found myself wondering how it was possible for them to commit so many crimes without getting caught earlier! I wonder at how it was that Lizzie Borden became so famous when these other women committed so many more criminal acts.
Kate Bender and the Bender family were -- for me -- the most dastardly, the creepiest of the seven chapters. Their crimes were like those out of a grisly, B-rated horror where a family of four drives down a lonely farm road... and is never seen again... Brr. I feel shivers thinking of it now.
This was a fantastic true crime read, fun and gore all around, enough to keep you wanting more.
October 23, 2022
This work explores the stories of seven women who lived during the 19th to early 20th centuries in England and America who had a penchant for taking the lives of those who got in their way. Their motivations often revolved around money, though others wanted revenge or may have just enjoyed the feeling of taking a life. From well-known names such as Lizzie Borden to more obscure ones, these women showed no hesitation in killing.
I enjoyed this read and it reminded me of the podcast “Female Criminals.” Each chapter was a self-contained retelling of one of the women’s murders, including discussions on events leading to the murders, motivations, and the events at court following their incarceration. The author included many historical documents, ranging from letters written by the killers to court transcripts. There were also a good number of footnotes included with explanations and references, which I highly appreciated.
I do think the work would benefit from a prologue and epilogue to bring the stories together rather than just jumping straight into chapter one and ending abruptly after chapter seven. I would have liked to see a little bit of analysis included in these sections, rather than it just being a presentation about the murderers. And at times, it was difficult to tell when the author switched between primary sources and back to her narration. In some places this was due to formatting while in others it was because of missing punctuation.
Overall, this was a fascinating, quick read that contained interesting insights into some of the most notorious murderesses of the Victorian Era in England and America. I recommend this work to readers interested in true crime and this period of history. My thanks to NetGalley and Pen and Sword for allowing me to read and review this work, which will be published on 30 October 2022.
I enjoyed this read and it reminded me of the podcast “Female Criminals.” Each chapter was a self-contained retelling of one of the women’s murders, including discussions on events leading to the murders, motivations, and the events at court following their incarceration. The author included many historical documents, ranging from letters written by the killers to court transcripts. There were also a good number of footnotes included with explanations and references, which I highly appreciated.
I do think the work would benefit from a prologue and epilogue to bring the stories together rather than just jumping straight into chapter one and ending abruptly after chapter seven. I would have liked to see a little bit of analysis included in these sections, rather than it just being a presentation about the murderers. And at times, it was difficult to tell when the author switched between primary sources and back to her narration. In some places this was due to formatting while in others it was because of missing punctuation.
Overall, this was a fascinating, quick read that contained interesting insights into some of the most notorious murderesses of the Victorian Era in England and America. I recommend this work to readers interested in true crime and this period of history. My thanks to NetGalley and Pen and Sword for allowing me to read and review this work, which will be published on 30 October 2022.
August 10, 2022
Victorian Murderesses by Debbie Blake
Thank you Netgallery and Pen and Sword books for an ARC e-book for an unbiased review.
True Crime programs, podcasts and books are a staple in our household. My husband especially loves nothing more than watching various programs about True Crime. So this was something that immediately peaked my interest.
I admit, it was rather unsettling as I read the opening story of Sarah Drake. It scarily mirrored some of my own family history, where it was discovered my Great Great Grandmother was tried for infanticide of a bastard child and subsequently caught and jailed for 6 months. Her path whilst not as criminal as Sarah Darke's, was something that struck me as I read the account of her crimes in this book. There were eerily similar events.
So much so, I actually wondered if my Great Great Grandmother's name might appear later in the book (spoiler, she didn't, phew).
I was instantly eager to read the rest.
There was no doubt that these stories were researched well and individual enough to not seem boring. Some names might be recognised (most notable, Lizzie Borden) but most weren't ones I could think of as being commonly used in books of a similar nature, and that was refreshing to see. I also appreciated that it was a mix of women from Britain and America, which helped in my opinion.
Overall this is a book that does exactly what it proclaims. And in a way that is clear, concise and yet doesn't cut corners or ignore pertinent details.
If you're in the market for a book of this kind, then this is one you should consider. We'd certainly happily have it on our bookshelves.
It is a fairly quick read too, with no slogging through minutiae detail.
5/5 stars 🌟
Thank you Netgallery and Pen and Sword books for an ARC e-book for an unbiased review.
True Crime programs, podcasts and books are a staple in our household. My husband especially loves nothing more than watching various programs about True Crime. So this was something that immediately peaked my interest.
I admit, it was rather unsettling as I read the opening story of Sarah Drake. It scarily mirrored some of my own family history, where it was discovered my Great Great Grandmother was tried for infanticide of a bastard child and subsequently caught and jailed for 6 months. Her path whilst not as criminal as Sarah Darke's, was something that struck me as I read the account of her crimes in this book. There were eerily similar events.
So much so, I actually wondered if my Great Great Grandmother's name might appear later in the book (spoiler, she didn't, phew).
I was instantly eager to read the rest.
There was no doubt that these stories were researched well and individual enough to not seem boring. Some names might be recognised (most notable, Lizzie Borden) but most weren't ones I could think of as being commonly used in books of a similar nature, and that was refreshing to see. I also appreciated that it was a mix of women from Britain and America, which helped in my opinion.
Overall this is a book that does exactly what it proclaims. And in a way that is clear, concise and yet doesn't cut corners or ignore pertinent details.
If you're in the market for a book of this kind, then this is one you should consider. We'd certainly happily have it on our bookshelves.
It is a fairly quick read too, with no slogging through minutiae detail.
5/5 stars 🌟
August 11, 2022
Victorian Murderesses by Debbie Blake is an enjoyable read which presents seven specific cases in some detail.
When I saw the title I wasn't sure what to expect. Admittedly both options I imagined would have been fine. One would have been a thematic presentation which would have the strength of making broader statements about the times and the cultures but likely lacking in detail. The other, which this book does, is present case studies which offers both more detail while still allowing for some broad statements where applicable.
I thought the cases were chosen well, highlighting a variety of life situations which contributed to murder. I am fond of getting into details, whether crime or any other topic, then extrapolating outward as more information is gained. So these cases, along with others with which I am familiar, bring a lot about Victorian era society into focus.
I would recommend this for readers of true crime as well as history readers who like to read about the outliers. The writing is good and the bibliography offers avenues for further reading if you want to look into any of the cases in more detail.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
When I saw the title I wasn't sure what to expect. Admittedly both options I imagined would have been fine. One would have been a thematic presentation which would have the strength of making broader statements about the times and the cultures but likely lacking in detail. The other, which this book does, is present case studies which offers both more detail while still allowing for some broad statements where applicable.
I thought the cases were chosen well, highlighting a variety of life situations which contributed to murder. I am fond of getting into details, whether crime or any other topic, then extrapolating outward as more information is gained. So these cases, along with others with which I am familiar, bring a lot about Victorian era society into focus.
I would recommend this for readers of true crime as well as history readers who like to read about the outliers. The writing is good and the bibliography offers avenues for further reading if you want to look into any of the cases in more detail.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
August 27, 2022
I chose to read this book because I did enjoy reading lady killers, while this one is also good, I didn’t feel the same for the stories or maybe the same way with the way the stories where told, I felt like in some of the stories instead of telling the story straightforward, we were told the story in a loop kind of way, maybe that could been fixed if when introducing the story, we (the reader) were told how the woman did kill her victims and how many did she had in total, then when telling the story we would know what to expect, kind of a mini synopsis of what we will read…
Hmm knowing about true crime is something that leaves many people (me included) interested in knowing, because how can people do such terrifying acts? What made them do that, what was their turning point, and we read about such people, and it is terrifying really, the worst of the world are people, so this is the kind of book that you can’t take lightly, it will make you sad, and pity the victims… well at least made me… Each chapter is about a different woman, some are from the UK and others from the US, if you like to read about true crime then I recommend this book to you.
Thank you NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Hmm knowing about true crime is something that leaves many people (me included) interested in knowing, because how can people do such terrifying acts? What made them do that, what was their turning point, and we read about such people, and it is terrifying really, the worst of the world are people, so this is the kind of book that you can’t take lightly, it will make you sad, and pity the victims… well at least made me… Each chapter is about a different woman, some are from the UK and others from the US, if you like to read about true crime then I recommend this book to you.
Thank you NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
March 1, 2023
Ms. Blake succeeded in making this true crime stories extremely interesting and informative. Each chapter is dedicated to a murderess who lived (and killed) during the Victorian era, either in the US or the UK. The chapters (and the murderesses) are in chronological order.
The author guides the reader through time and places via an in-depth analysis of each story and crime, thanks to the details she retrieved about every murderess, her life and the trial she faced.
What I especially loved about Ms. Blake's work is the accurate historical account she gives: from an hisorical point of view, she doesn't give anything for granted, allowing every reader to contextualize the murderess and her crime, even without having any specific history background. In doing so, her approach is also highly didactical: honestly, without Ms. Blake's historical breakdown, as an Italian who only studied the history of the English-speaking countries superficially, I would probably never have known anything about the New Poor Law Act introduced in the UK in 1834 or the consequences of the Homestead Act issued by Lincoln in 1862.
Oh, and if you've heard that women usually kill by poisoning and for crimes of passion, brace yourselves: there is much more to be learnt in this book!
The author guides the reader through time and places via an in-depth analysis of each story and crime, thanks to the details she retrieved about every murderess, her life and the trial she faced.
What I especially loved about Ms. Blake's work is the accurate historical account she gives: from an hisorical point of view, she doesn't give anything for granted, allowing every reader to contextualize the murderess and her crime, even without having any specific history background. In doing so, her approach is also highly didactical: honestly, without Ms. Blake's historical breakdown, as an Italian who only studied the history of the English-speaking countries superficially, I would probably never have known anything about the New Poor Law Act introduced in the UK in 1834 or the consequences of the Homestead Act issued by Lincoln in 1862.
Oh, and if you've heard that women usually kill by poisoning and for crimes of passion, brace yourselves: there is much more to be learnt in this book!
August 21, 2022
Victorian Murderesses is unpredictable creepy true crime book. This book contains seven cases of murder crimes committed by different class of women with different ways. I intrigued by the stories because I always curious about how investigation going on and how the police solve the cases in Victoria era without modern technology we have now.
This book come straight with data and infos about each case. All of that give us insight about background each murderesses, their motives, process investigation, trials and the punishment. The storytelling style is engaged and interesting to read. But if you want extra detail oriented or depth analysis for each cases you can't found in here. The author already attached some sources to doing additional read and research when reader want to dig deeper into the cases. This book is perfect gift for true crimes reader who want some information about famous murderesses from this era.
Thank you Netgalley and and Pen and Sword History for let me read my copy. I am grateful and my thoughts are my own.
This book come straight with data and infos about each case. All of that give us insight about background each murderesses, their motives, process investigation, trials and the punishment. The storytelling style is engaged and interesting to read. But if you want extra detail oriented or depth analysis for each cases you can't found in here. The author already attached some sources to doing additional read and research when reader want to dig deeper into the cases. This book is perfect gift for true crimes reader who want some information about famous murderesses from this era.
Thank you Netgalley and and Pen and Sword History for let me read my copy. I am grateful and my thoughts are my own.
August 27, 2022
Great Non-fiction study of female killers during Victorian times, who they were, their backgrounds, their crimes, and punishments. The book had me thinking about why these women did what they did, since it is not a normal or common trait for a woman to kill another human especially her own children.
Yet, even today we here horror stories of mothers killing their kids. Why do they? In Victorian times, it seems to be from poverty, unwanted pregnancies, or mental illness. Today, with the changes in abortion laws., we may start to see this happen again as far as unwanted pregnancies and lack of treatment for mental illness.
I felt this book was neutral as far as presenting the facts about these women, which allows the reader to think about them unbiased which I appreciated. I recommend this book for anyone trying to inderstand what pushes a human to kill another and compare the stresses of then and now. Is it really any better for women?
Rating 4/5 stars. Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
Yet, even today we here horror stories of mothers killing their kids. Why do they? In Victorian times, it seems to be from poverty, unwanted pregnancies, or mental illness. Today, with the changes in abortion laws., we may start to see this happen again as far as unwanted pregnancies and lack of treatment for mental illness.
I felt this book was neutral as far as presenting the facts about these women, which allows the reader to think about them unbiased which I appreciated. I recommend this book for anyone trying to inderstand what pushes a human to kill another and compare the stresses of then and now. Is it really any better for women?
Rating 4/5 stars. Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
September 17, 2022
I love a good true crime read and I am also a huge fan of the Victorian period and this book combines both - I am not ashamed to admit that I am fascinated by the psychology of serial killers and there are some of the most "famous" or infamous Victorian Murderesses that feature in this book and despite women most commonly being reported as opting for poison to commit their crimes, not all of those featured in the book went down that route.
The book was easy to follow and considering the subject matter it was an easy read too, I thought that it was very well written and set at a good pace. The book focussed on facts and it wasn't overly gory, I really enjoyed it and I liked the mix of US and UK women chosen to make up the seven murderesses featured in the book.
I was able to read a couple of chapters a day without losing track as the author has laid the book out really well. It is 5 stars from me for this one - a must read for fans of true crime and the Victorian era to give a different view
The book was easy to follow and considering the subject matter it was an easy read too, I thought that it was very well written and set at a good pace. The book focussed on facts and it wasn't overly gory, I really enjoyed it and I liked the mix of US and UK women chosen to make up the seven murderesses featured in the book.
I was able to read a couple of chapters a day without losing track as the author has laid the book out really well. It is 5 stars from me for this one - a must read for fans of true crime and the Victorian era to give a different view
October 9, 2022
Being a true crime podcast listener, I gobbled this one up. The murderesses from Britain were new to me and it was interesting to read about them and their crimes. Be aware that unfortunately, many of these crimes did involve small children. That said, the crimes that most intrigued me took place in the United States, Jane Toppan, Lizzie Borden, and the Bender Slaughter Pen. The latter being one I’d never heard of and brought chills to my spine. And while I had listened on numerous podcasts’ takes on the crimes of Lizzie Borden and Nurse Jane, I felt the author’s extensive research added some wonderful details to these respective chapters. Podcasters listen up! If you need to do research on Victorian era crimes, this is the book to pick up.
My very tiny complaint would be that I had expected some sort of introduction from the author. There were none and the book jumped right into the first case. It took a little to get into-had to get use to the very matter of fact approach. Once I got the book’s rhythm, it became a quick and very enjoyable read.
My very tiny complaint would be that I had expected some sort of introduction from the author. There were none and the book jumped right into the first case. It took a little to get into-had to get use to the very matter of fact approach. Once I got the book’s rhythm, it became a quick and very enjoyable read.
August 11, 2022
Welcome to the victorian era, a book full of information on seven woman who committed crimes that no one could believe, that's right people woman can kill too but in a less gruesome kind of way.
I loved the book from start to finish, 7 chapters based on 7 different woman from different years and locations, were all the crimes different in a way yes, maybe, who knows I won't spoil it.
I loved how each hapter was full of information that the writer took her time out of to search up everything she needed in order to write about these woman.
The reason for the 4 star review is mainly due to it being a bit short and would of loved it, if it had more chapters based on more woman that had committed gruesome of crimes, all I can say is I cannot wait to read more from this author as this book was really good from start to finish, I wonder if she will ever bring out a book on murdering men or the insane.
I loved the book from start to finish, 7 chapters based on 7 different woman from different years and locations, were all the crimes different in a way yes, maybe, who knows I won't spoil it.
I loved how each hapter was full of information that the writer took her time out of to search up everything she needed in order to write about these woman.
The reason for the 4 star review is mainly due to it being a bit short and would of loved it, if it had more chapters based on more woman that had committed gruesome of crimes, all I can say is I cannot wait to read more from this author as this book was really good from start to finish, I wonder if she will ever bring out a book on murdering men or the insane.
April 26, 2023
Princess Fuzzypants here: Some ladies are not very nice. Some are downright wicked and some are evil monsters. This book is filled with stories from both sides of the Atlantic of women who killed for a variety of reasons. Some were looking for wealth. Others killed because the victims were inconvenient. Some, like Lizzie Borden, remain a conundrum- acquitted in court but not in the court of public opinion. And others killed for the sheer joy because they could.
Even the most intelligent of them, and some were very cunning, they always had faith in their ability to avoid consequences. Invariably, they were wrong. The stories are gruesome and fascinating at the same time. Certainly the final story in the book makes the reader wonder where the line between insanity and evil exists. I am not sure that more than a hundred years later we are any closer to a definitive answer. Four purrs and two paws up.
Even the most intelligent of them, and some were very cunning, they always had faith in their ability to avoid consequences. Invariably, they were wrong. The stories are gruesome and fascinating at the same time. Certainly the final story in the book makes the reader wonder where the line between insanity and evil exists. I am not sure that more than a hundred years later we are any closer to a definitive answer. Four purrs and two paws up.
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