Hey, everyone. Hope this first Tuesday in November finds you well. This week I’m reviewing Pretty Evil New England, a true crime story by author Sue Coletta.
Blurb:
For four centuries, New England has been a cradle of crime and murder—from the Salem witch trials to the modern-day mafia. Nineteenth century New England was the hunting ground of five female serial killers: Jane Toppan, Lydia Sherman, Nellie Webb, Harriet E. Nason, and Sarah Jane Robinson.
Female killers are often portrayed as caricatures: Black Widows, Angels of Death, or Femme Fatales. But the real stories of these women are much more complex. In Pretty Evil New England, true crime author Sue Coletta tells the story of these five women, from broken childhoods, to first brushes with death, and she examines the overwhelming urges that propelled these women to take the lives of a combined total of more than one-hundred innocent victims. The murders, investigations, trials, and ultimate verdicts will stun and surprise readers as they live vicariously through the killers and the would-be victims that lived to tell their stories.
My Review:
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction. No matter how interested I might be in the subject, I usually grow weary after a few chapters and leave the book unfinished.
Not so with Pretty Evil New England. I was intrigued from the moment I learned Sue Coletta was writing this book. And once I began reading, it was hard to put down.
Pretty Evil New England is the story of five nineteenth century female serial killers, Jane Toppan, Lydia Sherman, Nellie Webb, Harriet E. Nason, and Sarah Jane Robinson. The author’s research into each of these killers is phenomenal. After finishing the book, I’ve concluded female serial killers are colder and more calculating than their male counterparts.
The book reads more like thriller fiction instead of a boring account of the crimes. Ms. Coletta writes about the victims, gives details of the crime, provides stories from witnesses, and covers the trials of each woman.
I hope the author will write more true crime books. If she does, you can bet I’ll be reading them.
Five stars!
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28 Responses
Wonderful review, Joan. This one is on my list.
Yay! 🙂 Thanks, Craig.
It’s a great book!
Great review, Joan. I loved this book. Sue knocked it out of the park with this one.
BTW, what a cozy-looking scene in your featured image. Drew me right in.
That image drew me in, too. So inviting and warm.
Thank you, Staci! Means a lot. <3
Thanks, Staci. I agree, Sue scored a home run with this one.
I think the cozy scene in my header is perfect for this time of year.
Excellent review, Joan. I need to get back to Sue’s books for sure. 😁
Yay! Glad to hear it, John. 🙂
I have to check and see what happened to my review of Cleaved. It was rejected by Amazon but sometimes one can resubmit. We’ll see.
This one kept me riveted to the chair.
The last one I read was Cleaved. I did an amazon review but they rejected it. I think I’ll try again and then go to Goodreads and Book Bub.
Thanks so much, John! Much appreciated.
Joan… <3 <3 <3
I’ve read some fab reviews of this new release – congrats to Sue!
Thanks, Teri!
Sue has a winner on her hands with this one.
Thanks so much for the awesome review, Joan! I’m actively writing/researching my next true crime book, actually. So glad you enjoyed Pretty Evil New England. <3
I’m so glad to hear that, Sue. You bet I’ll be lining up to read it!
Excellent review, Joan. I’ve already got my copy on my Kindle, even though I haven’t read true crime at all since Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood,, nor even fiction that resembles it too closely. Still, after reading Sue’s excerpts here and there, I’m convinced I can read this one and will really enjoy it. And your review just cements that notion for me. I’m gonna give it a go very soon!
Congratulations on a great review Sue. I’ll be starting it before too much longer! 🙂 And my very best wishes for a whole lotta sales, too! 🙂
I’ve bought several non-fiction books the past few years (not all true crime) but most of the time I lose interest before I finish them. Not so with this one! I really think you’ll enjoy it, Marcia.
Excellent review, Joan. You’ve captured my imagination and my leap to add another to my Kindle. Congratulations, Sue. What an achievement! 🙂
This one certainly kept me turning the pages.
Great review, Joan! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
My pleasure, Jan. Thank you for stopping by.
That cover is so creepy, lol. Wonderful review!
Thanks, Jacquie. The cover sure does give off a certain vibe.
A lovely review of this book, Joan.
Thank you, Robbie