Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly-researched Women Who Kill by Erin Fetterly focuses on female murderers in Wales, England and Scotland over the past 700 years, the criminal (in)justice system, executions and mental health. Women were long considered to be lacking in intelligence, courage and the capacity to kill but there are many examples of manslaughter and murder throughout the centuries. As women were usually at home, their weapons of choice were implements at hand. Women were often burned for their crimes but men seldom were. To delay death, sometimes women pleaded pregnancy, whether they were pregnant or not.

Not only are the cases interesting but so is learning about the evolution of mental health pertaining to murder and punishment. The women faced their fates (usually execution) in various ways which are outlined here. The last women executions in each of the three countries are described as are murder pamphlets, enlightenment, insanity and living conditions faced which are vastly different from now.

Do know the graphic descriptions can be difficult and jarring to read, especially details about infanticide. I like that it is written sensitively and thoughtfully.

NetGalley, Brenda Carleton

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a wonderful non-fiction very interesting and entertaining. A very enjoyable read.

NetGalley, Sarah Phalen

Wow, it was so interesting to read about female killers in Britain. Women Who Kill was just that. A great story!

NetGalley, Pamela Higgins

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Ten years ago I stopped reading true crime and I started writing it instead. Reading it was too emotional for me but writing about it wasn't. Naturally, I focused on crimes 100 years ago to preserve my emotions.
Anyway, I saw this and said "you need to read this" and I am so glad I did.
This is one of the best women's history books I have ever read. Why were women burned and not men? It is so interesting. I also love the bits about old newspapers. Reading old newspapers is everything. The gossip people put in the papers was worse than what we find on facebook now. It is amazing!
My favorite hobby is to find the gossip articles and then put them in familysearch so the family can see them.
I love this book. Do I think other people will love it? Yes. Because it is a well written and simple account of the things happening in this time period. But I think you'd need to be like me to appreciate it fully.
More of these please.

NetGalley, Jamie Carter Park

A very well researched true crime read.
Covering 700 years of murders some readers may find some parts difficult to read.
Highly recommend for those who enjoy true crime.

NetGalley, Debra Gape

‘Throughout British history, it has been assumed that women are far less likely, and less capable, than men to commit felonies of all types, especially murder.’

A must read for true crime readers!

Featuring stories of women who have committed murder in the past 700 years.

NetGalley, Georgi Lvs Books

A very interesting book about British female serial killers. Definitely recommend to all that enjoy true crime!

NetGalley, Kimberley Anne

The author of this book really did their research for this book. I like that the author stated facts and backed it up with court documents. This book really was eye opening because I learned a lot about the treatment of women In the criminal justice system in the past and present. It accurately shows the evolvement of the justice system for women.

NetGalley, Kelli Laque

Interesting and entertaining- although that may be too cheerful a word, considering the subject matter. I liked that the author mostly kept the focus on ‘everyday’ murderers rather than notorious ones.

NetGalley, Tammy Buchli

This book does a great job of describing how Britain's criminal justice has evolved for women. It uses numerous court records and other accounts to illustrate how women were tried for their crimes and punished. Well-researched. The book is nonfiction. The author focuses on actual records and does not dramatize their stories. I like how the author mentioned mental health and societal norms that impacted the treatment of women.

NetGalley, Charity Blankenship

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A terrific book -well researched, not sensationalist in tone and with a great balance of case studies and legal context. Spanning different eras, the impact of gender on crime and punishment is clearly explained and supported by interesting individual accounts.

NetGalley, Louise Gray

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Love all things true crime so devoured this fine book in one sitting! These are the stories of dozens of women who found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Whether innocent or not, these women were all indicted for murder of some sort; most of them ended up facing execution.
Recommend you grab yourself a copy!

NetGalley, Michelle Coates