This is a slight little book about murderers, warriors, cult leaders, and psychopaths. Who also happen to be ladies! I wish I could have given it an enthusiastic five stars, but because of the format, I don’t think that would ever have happened. This is a book so chock full of murderous women they all start to run together. The chapters are very short, and especially if you read or listen to them within a short period of time like I did, none of it cuts very deep. But it was extremely entertaining!
Just like with her previous book about historical plagues, Wright writes with a playful, tongue-in-cheek attitude, and often makes light of tough subjects, but never in a way I felt was disrespectful. I liked the short chapters, but at the same time I found myself wishing for more depth on some of the women.
The author does helpfully offer content warnings before each chapter, so you sort of know what’s coming. The one about the Russian noble who used to pass the time by torturing and murdering her serfs was wild.
I really liked the audiobook narrator. I loved the lady who narrated Get Well Soon, and was sad she didn’t narrate this one, too, but I ended up enjoying Eva Kaminsky. I feel like she got the author’s humor just as well.
