Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Neil R Storey gives a real insight into this terrible but necessary post at the time. He shows the toll that it takes in the mind of the man that has to carry out the ultimate punishment. I believe that Albert Peirrepoint suffered also having read his autobiography but not as extremely as Ellis. Before people advocate the return of it they should ask themselves would I do it, I think most of them wouldn't. Well written and researched.

NetGalley, henry angrier

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is absolutely fascinating. Accounts of historical cases leading to execution in the words of the executioner himself. Such a strange mix of deeply insightful and fairly emotional observations offered alongside clinical details of the length or “drop” required. I was intrigued by Ellis’ inability to explain what drove him to seek out, and with such determination, this career. A well presented account with useful references and photographs included,

NetGalley, Louise Gray

'Edwardian executioner who hanged more than 200 criminals was afraid of killing chickens'

The Daily Mail

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. It is filled with hisorical facts about John Ellis.

Ellis was a hangman during the early 1900's and saw the deaths of several infamous killers.

I loved the background of Ellis, the choices he made and how he felt about being a hangman was interesting.

You may think keeping a ledger of his unusual job might be macabre but I am so glad he did. It is a fascinating read and revisiting the killers and their victims made me have a double sided view of the death sentences that Ellis carried out.

It will bring back debates and views of such a sentence, especially in todays horrific world.

This is a brilliant read I will be recommending it to my library bookclub and will enjoy other readers views.

NetGalley, Tracy Shephard