Book review: The Resurrectionist

The Resurrectionist captures Edinburgh’s cobbled streets lined with gray buildings, the boisterous university students, the early morning fog, the bustle of tradespeople and travelers, the smell of beer. 

It’s 1828, and in defiance of his family’s wishes, James Willoughby embarks on a thrilling but ultimately dangerous adventure: to attend Edinburgh’s famed university to study medical science, whatever the cost. Soon, he is thrust into the darkly competitive world of body snatchers, to provide specimens to pay for the private anatomy school essential to his studies.

A. Rae Dunlap creates characters you care about, even though they’re involved in illicit and unethical acts—from James to the artistic dissectionist, the professional mourner, and the faithful lookout. As readers, we are rooting for them. That’s why The Resurrectionist is one of those gothic novels that’s hard to put down. It’s gory but good.

rating: ★★★★★

The Resurrectionist  
by A. Rae Dunlap
Kensington Publishing

Book review: A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself

Katherine Howe is well-versed in mariner lingo and the real life of pirates—not the swashbucklers of literature but the gritty, dangerous kind that prowled the seas in the early 18th century. As the title explains, much of this novel is the autobiography of a serving girl fleeing from trouble who disguises herself as a cabin boy and works alongside misfits and desperados of the sea. 

Although Hannah’s story is fiction, her captain is based on the real, cold-blooded pirate Edward Low. As she learns the ropes and what governs the crew, Hannah’s story is paralleled by a professor, Marian Beresford, who strives to get out of her famous father’s shadow and find Hannah’s buried treasure in 1930.

A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself is a fascinating read. It draws you into these two women’s lives but doesn’t complete the whole picture. You have to paint that in yourself, given the clues provided.

rating: ★★★★

A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself
by Katherine Howe
Henry Holt & Company

Howe also edited The Penguin Book of Pirates.

Book review: Crime and Punishment in Tudor England: From Alchemists to Zealots

English laws and the penalties for breaking them were harsh. 

While the Tudor era ended before the Winthrop fleet arrived on the shores of Massachusetts Bay Colony, some of the crueler penalties were not abolished until the 19th century. Fortunately, the Puritan colonists created the first 100 rules of 1641's Body of Liberties based on the Bible—and used more humane treatment compared to what they left behind in England.

In 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, however, when Giles Corey refused to enter a plea in court, he was pressed to death for it. This gruesome punishment, also known as Peine forte et dure, was only used once stateside. But it was not abolished in England until 1772. In fact, in English courts the accused was not given the option of pleading “not guilty” until 1827. 

Other examples include a thief who steals bread could get a hand cut off, while a vagrant could get branded with the letter V. Some punishments were designed for maximum humiliation, with the crowds throwing rotten foodstuff at convicts in the cart or at the pillory. That was tame compared to being drawn and quartered, then hanged—again, with crowd participation.

If you’re looking for more details on Crime and Punishment in Tudor England, pick up the new book by April Taylor. The author provides background information on lawmaking, prisons, and court systems—and 23 pages of punishments, from beheading to whipping. In the book's second half, crimes from sumptuary laws to treason are covered in alphabetical order, each followed by case studies. You’ll learn what evidence could be used against the accused, what tortures could be applied to gain a confession, and even which strategies were used for the criminal’s demise.

Taylor turns crime and punishment in the Tudor period into a fascinating read, while the alpha-order format makes it easy to browse or research specific topics.

rating: ★★★★

Crime and Punishment in Tudor England: From Alchemists to Zealots
by April Taylor
Pen & Sword History

Book review: The League of Lady Poisoners

A curiously fascinating book. Was it the poisonous-green artwork on the cover, the clever title, or the idea of women secretly using poison to change their life stories that drew me to this book? Probably all three! Lisa Perrin’s illustrations throughout masterfully blend with the narratives of women seeking love, revenge, money, control of their own lives, or helping others get out of bad situations.

Some of these names will be familiar—after all, they are notorious killers, and women at that! Their methods are intimate, as they carefully dole out poison in food, drink, or in medicines meant for sustenance or cures. Their unsuspecting targets are within the household realm or in the workplace, and the poisoners often are in positions as caretakers. 

Grouped by possible motives, these short biographies provide the setting, the backstory (if known), the crime, and the verdict for 25+ women. And, if you want more, Perrin provides a wide variety of sources to dig into afterwards.

A touch of wit balances the macabre theme, while solid research, riveting stories, and judicious use of illustrations round out Perrin’s debut book. I wonder what topics she’ll tackle next!

rating: ★★★★★

The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women
by Lisa Perrin
Chronicle Books

Book review: The Return of the Ripper: The Murder of Frances Coles

In 1888–1891, at least 10 women were murdered in the Whitechapel district of East London, England. Some of their cases are footnotes compared to Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, Mary Kelly—the canonical five who are considered victims of the serial killer newspapers nicknamed Jack the Ripper. All 10 murders remain unsolved.

In The Return of the Ripper, Kevin Turton takes an in-depth look at one case, the death of Frances Coles. The well-paced narrative begins with her early morning murder on 13 February 1891, then follows the detectives searching for her identity, a motive, and a murderer. Like the earlier killings, the victim’s throat was slashed, her body was found accidentally, and no witnesses saw what happened. Tying a few clues together, the police arrest a man for the murder, but after the coroner’s inquest, he’s released.

After laying out Frances Coles’ case, the author describes Jack the Ripper’s profile, the arrested man’s story, how the other nine victims’ murders fit, and what the investigators knew. For armchair gumshoes, Turton provides a map of the murders, images of Whitechapel, and a who’s who list, along with his conclusions.

rating: ★★★★

The Return of the Ripper: The Murder of Frances Coles 

by Kevin Turton

Pen & Sword Books Ltd.