3.5 stars, rounded up

The gorgeous cover of this book caught my eye while browsing through the NetGalley catalog. The title and book description clinched it, as I’m fascinated by what would probably be called “bad girls.” I was disappointed that the book was only available in PDF format, which resulted in having to read it on my laptop. I could open the file in the NetGalley Shelf app on my phone, but was unable to enlarge the text enough to be able to read it, and the NG Shelf app is apparently not available for my tablet or for Kindle (Why not? Other books available from NG can be read on a Kindle.)

Once I got past that frustration, I enjoyed this book. It’s obvious the author has done extensive research into the topic of female poisoners throughout history, and I like that it’s broken down into chapters based on the women’s motives – professional poisoners (those hired to do a job), escape and defiance, money and greed, power and politics, anger and revenge, and love and obsession. The stories of these women were sometimes compelling, sometimes curious, and sometimes repulsive, but they were all written well. I learned a bit from reading this book, and will recommend it to my reading friends interested in history, feminism and murder by poison.

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!

Prerelease book provided by NetGalley and Chronicle Books for review consideration.

#TheLeagueofLadyPoisoners #NetGalley #ChronicleBooks

I read this as an ARC ebook and my only regret is not reading it in print. I will be getting this book. The illustrations are gorgeous. You can tell Lisa Perrin took time and effort to research.

If you like true crime you will love this.

This book is gorgeous, stunning, wicked. It's beautifully illustrated and I will be buying my very own hardcopy ASAP to display on my shelf with all of my knick-knacks and plants. Intertwined with tales of women murderers, a pretty rare breed of individual (look at the stats!) is a commentary on historical womanhood, the patriarchy, and the double standards that are often used when reviewing the crimes of men vs. women, and even "average" vs. attractive women.

Interesting and beautifully illustrated, but I wish it had a bit more depth. Some of the information I was already familiar with, and I found myself disappointed when the events were simplified or glossed over. However, I did appreciate the attention paid to events from all over the world, and women who have not been reported on extensively before. I also liked how the author made an effort to evaluate the societal pressures and issues that led to these crimes. However, at times I wish the murderers had gotten less sympathy and the victims had gotten more, especially in cases where the victims were the children of the killer.

I have appreciated Lisa Perrin’s art for a while now, both on Instagram and on the various book covers she has designed. Her style is perfect for a book like this, and her illustrations are utterly gorgeous. Her writing also feels incredibly well researched and is so entertaining. With such a collection of stories about women poisoning people, you’d think it would become monotonous after the tenth or twentieth one, but each account is distinct, sometimes told with humor, and sometimes with social commentary on the circumstances of these fascinating women. The subject matter is certainly not for everyone, but if you like history and are mildly morbid, you will enjoy this one.

I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The League of Lady Poisoners is filled with delightful tales of poisoning crimes. I appreciated that it included a list of common poisons and their symptoms, and I loved (most of) the drawings. They fit the classic, timey feel of Perrin's work. Overall, the League of Lady Poisoners is a perfect read for true-crime lovers. Personally, I found it to be interesting due to its lighter feel compared to other crime narratives.

Personally, I deducted a few stars from my rating, however, because I did not feel that the author gives a general balanced view of crime versus social factors on one or two specific cases. Although elements in society did need to change, the majority of these women still committed crimes warranting punishment. As a result, I disagree with a few statements. (It should be acknowledged that no scenario is completely black and white - the topic is tricky.)

I admit, the gorgeous cover and title are what drew me to this book (kind of sounds like a graphic novel 😊). Thankfully, this one did not disappoint.

The chapters were broken down by the main motives of the poisoners (love, revenge, desperation, etc), which was a nice change from the usual chronological breakdown. The included illustrations and quotes were nice additions to the various stories.

I was familiar with some of the stories, but there were definitely more that haven't been repeatedly covered...will be busy for a while going back over my MANY bookmarks reading up more on these 😉.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think what I need to write here really needs to be read by NetGalley. If this new shelf app is going to eventually become mandatory then you will lose participants because you are not using a feature to increase type size in both formats. I’ve been trying to read this book since I got it, and the font is so small I’m suffering eye strain and headaches. So I have no review

This was an interesting look into women who posion. From product of their time to deemed as crazy.

This was a fun and informative true crime novel. It was interesting to learn how history shapes lady poisoners and society and male dominate society add in myths and ledgends.
I also really enjoyed the art. I cannot wait to see what this looks like in print.

Thank you netgally and publisher for the ARC.

I loved this book! The exact balance of entertainment and history, blended with crime. The illustrations and design of the book are spot on, and gorgeous. Cyanide green!

Advanced reader copy.

Wow, this book was absolutely mind-blowing! You can tell that a ton of work went into the research and writing of "The League of Lady Poisoners." It is, unfortunately, “not a how to book”, but as a reader, I seriously appreciate the insane amount of time and effort that was put into it.

What made this book really come alive for me was the author's use of humor and storytelling. Perrin knows how to spin a tale that keeps you hooked from start to finish. I found myself laughing out loud and getting totally engrossed in the narratives of these notorious poisoners. It's like they jumped off the page and into my imagination!

And let's talk about the graphics in this book, folks. They were downright beautiful. Perrin's attention to detail and artistic talent really shine through. The illustrations are just stunning and perfectly complement the stories being told. They're like eye candy, seriously.

"The League of Lady Poisoners" is a true masterpiece that showcases Perrin's incredible skills as a researcher and storyteller. She manages to blend historical facts with captivating storytelling in such a seamless way. You learn a ton while being totally entertained.

Listen, this book isn't just for die-hard true crime fans. It has something for everyone. The meticulous research, the gripping narratives, and the jaw-dropping visuals make it a must-read for anyone who loves a good story. Trust me, you'll be hooked from the first page.

In a nutshell, "The League of Lady Poisoners" is an absolute gem. Perrin knocked it out of the park with this one. It's a wild ride that will leave you in awe of these deadly women and hungry for more. So grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to have your mind blown!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me the the eARC.

An interesting concept for a book, that takes the reader back through the ages at all the famous, or should I say infamous lady poisoners. Good details and images throughout, and while easy to read a bit and then put down again, I would highly recommend this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"You know,
the way most friendly neighbors are there to
lend a cup of sugar or a thimbleful of the dust
of human remains."

A delightful look at poisons and some of the true crimes that women committed using them throughout history. Whether motivated by money, power, or fear these women all had a motive for their crime.

This book was tongue in cheek, snarky and sarcastic, funny and informative. The author did a great job with her illustrations that helped bring the stories to life as well along with her writing. This book is beautiful and I will be buying myself a hardback copy

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the advance copy of this book.

I will be honest, I picked up this book based on the cover. It is one of the prettiest covers that I have seen in a long time. I was drawn into the book by the interior illustrations too. The subject matter is grave and the author did a great job both informing and keeping the information about each lady poisoner brief but yet highly informative. I was shocked to see how many lady poisoners there were even though I assume there are numerous that were never recorded for history. I look forward to any other books that Lisa Perrin writes.

I really enjoyed this well-researched book about the history of poisons and how women have used poison to kill. Some of the stories are typical Victorian-era stories of women disposing of abusive husbands with a little arsenic in their tea, but there were also stories of psychopathic serial killers and women who allegedly used poison for political gain. Some of the women were people I've heard of, but many were not, so it was great to get this overview of many different stories and time periods;

This was a fun read, and was obviously well-researched. Covering a variety of notorious female poisoners, this book takes a look at the women behind the stories and the reasons they may have had for doing what they did. The profiles are grouped by the motive-political gain, escape from domestic abuse, collecting life insurance, etc.-and each one includes a illustration. The illustrations are well done, with vibrant colors and fun designs. I felt like there was a good selection of people featured, though I would have like to see more diversity if it was possible. Overall, this was a fun, quick read.

What first intrigued me about The League of Lady Poisoners is the mention of Giulia Tofana. I have been fascinated with her story since she was featured on Bailey Sarian's "Murder, Mystery, and Makeup Monday" series on YouTube. If you have ever watched Bailey, then you know she has an amazing way of telling true crime stories that pull you in, and I have been looking for a book that gives me a similar vibe. I definitely felt that from Lady Poisoners. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the author does a good job at inserting witty quips when appropriate. It keeps the book light hearted despite the subject matter. Lisa Perrin also does not paint all the women as gruesome murders without a conscience. She sheds light on their humanity as many were forced into circumstances due to a patriarchal society and lack of mental health awareness.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am excited to purchase this book and add it to my shelf because it is stunning.

Loved this book! The perfect combination of wit and facts. The author references a number of people's work on similar topics and has done a lot of research on these women.

What an informational read! This story was very eye opening. I loved reading about the poisons and why women chose to use them. I feel like many women from many walks of life were represented in this story. I also enjoyed the artwork that went along with the story.