Inspired by author Tori Telfer’s Jezebel column “Lady Killers,” this thrilling and entertaining compendium investigates female serial killers and their crimes through the ages.
When you think of serial killers throughout history, the names that come to mind are ones like Jack the Ripper, John Wayne Gacy, and Ted Bundy. But what about Tillie Klimek, Moulay Hassan, Kate Bender? The narrative we’re … Bender? The narrative we’re comfortable with is the one where women are the victims of violent crime, not the perpetrators. In fact, serial killers are thought to be so universally, overwhelmingly male that in 1998, FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood infamously declared in a homicide conference, “There are no female serial killers.”
Lady Killers, based on the popular online series that appeared on Jezebel and The Hairpin, disputes that claim and offers fourteen gruesome examples as evidence. Though largely forgotten by history, female serial killers such as Erzsébet Báthory, Nannie Doss, Mary Ann Cotton, and Darya Nikolayevna Saltykova rival their male counterparts in cunning, cruelty, and appetite for destruction.
Each chapter explores the crimes and history of a different subject, and then proceeds to unpack her legacy and her portrayal in the media, as well as the stereotypes and sexist clichés that inevitably surround her. The first book to examine female serial killers through a feminist lens with a witty and dryly humorous tone, Lady Killers dismisses easy explanations (she was hormonal, she did it for love, a man made her do it) and tired tropes (she was a femme fatale, a black widow, a witch), delving into the complex reality of female aggression and predation. Featuring 14 illustrations from Dame Darcy, Lady Killers is a bloodcurdling, insightful, and irresistible journey into the heart of darkness.
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Tori Tefler creates an interesting narrative on historical female serial killers in her book Lady Killers. Instead of blaming the patriarchy, or society, or excusing the actions of these women with simple motives such as love or insanity , she shows how complex women who murder can be, and how capable they are of wickedness.
The book does not include any modern-day serial killers. They are all vintage cases, and most are not from the United States. She does an excellent job of showing how women can be motivated by lust, vengeance, greed, and selfishness. As much as their male counterparts. As she states in the conclusion of the book, humanity is not just evil people doing evil things, separate from the rest of humanity. Everyone is capable of good and evil. All it takes is the right circumstances.
I like that she does not portray these women as victims, although some were treated badly. She also does not blame the society they lived in, although societal circumstances do contribute to some of the murders. She paints a picture of complex women, who, when faced with something they did not like or could not escape from, chose murder.
The over arcing theme of the book is that women who commit serial murder are often painted as mad women, or as love-struck fools. They are excused by history, rather than held up as examples of how women equal men even in the worst aspects of human behavior, even though most were heartily condemned and punished for their crimes.
The book strikes humorous notes as well, because some of the behavior of the women and the men who tried and sentenced them is ridiculous by today’s standards. It was probably ridiculous at the time, although most who laughed did so secretly. Sometimes dark humor is the only way to put crime in perspective.
If you enjoy reading about crime, and history, this book gives a detailed snapshot of both. Subjects are handled with wit and sensitivity, and the author is careful not to elevate the killers as feminist icons or excuse them as victims of their circumstances or the social climate of the times they lived in. It is enjoyable, informative, interesting, and gives the reader much to chew on after the last page.
Quite informative but the presentation is pedestrian and slow going. Disappointing for such a titillating topic.
Dark side of troubled folks
Some of these murderers I’ve heard of before but most I hadn’t. The one about the “family” in Kansas killing travelers was a real eye-opener!
Kind of fun if you like serial killers with a female focus.
Scary how some of these women killed
Interesting read on female serial killers throughout history. Feel like the author tried too hard to be funny and sarcastic in places
I thought it was very interesting. It definitely told the REAL story of Erzabet Bathory and told me stories if women murderers I’ve never heard of. Great read!
A guilty pleasure!
Interesting, informative and well written with a colloquial writing style that feels like she’s sitting there talking to you.
If you are a crime fanatic then this book is for you
There are some messed up killers in the world but the ladies featured in this book take the cake. OMG some of them frightened me with their deeds and brutality. Not a book to read before bed if you want to sleep.
Fun read if you are looking for an overview of the subject without a lot of facts.
I wish there had been more ‘characters’ from more modern eras. Many of the women were from long ago — perhaps they were the only female serial killers with enough accurate bio data available. It was quite well written and humorous at times.
Fascinating!