The book is a comprehensive collection of true crimes throughout British history that does tend to hop around quite a bit at time and at other times it seems to flow more. It is, however, the kind of book that could be read from start to finish or in intervals. Since each story is self contained, it allows the reader to read as much or as little as desired.

There were plenty of the usual stories that an aficionado of true crime has read about multiple times. It also has a nice selection of some more obscure and not as well known crimes. Often it deals with not only the murderer but the judges or the executioners and of course, the victims. It is a compendium that would find a welcome home in your library. Four purrs and two paws up.

I don’t understand how the true crime stories are selected as they aren’t, by and large, very interesting cases. On top of that, I understand this is pre-publication, but who edited this? The grammar and mechanics are quite badly done. It doesn’t smack professional.

A Dictionary Of True Crime by Stephen Wade, I read a lot of True Crime and my favorite thing about this. True Crime book is the author referenced older writers of the genre those who were in the beginning and onward. not only that he talked about everything the different types of murders from infanticide even to his opinion of the word, murder and all it’s inceptions and I haven’t even got to the nitty-gritty the actual crimes themselves. I do believe he covered every type of murderer in the historical days of highway robbers body snatchers cannibals in so much more. I love the way the author wrote the book and broke it up until it’s different chapters. I have read a lot and I mean a lot of True Crime lately and have more books on my TBR shelf to be read and so really was dreading having to read another but once I started, I was all in. I really was engrossed in the narrative and found the author had me wanting to turn the page in although some were those I have read. I am always shocked when I get to one I have and they had a few of those in this book. I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this book and highly recommended. #NetGalley,#PenAndSwordPress, #StephenWade, #ADictionaryOfTrueCrime,

A well-thought and researched dictionary of true crime for true crime fans, but also for artists for inspiration.

A Dictionary of True Crime by Stephen Wade was a very informative book from start to finish and I really enjoyed reading it. It is a great guide to the most compelling cases of extreme and violent crimes in the writing files, from the 17th century to present day.

I liked the way this book was formatted and arranged in an A-Z format, this well-researched dictionary which made it a great reference book especially if you are studying these violent crimes for college work etc. A great book for everyone interested in true crime.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for my ARC.

Review on Goodreads and Amazon UK

Informative entries, including not just people who committed crimes, but also a few entries on related things. Over all, a fascinating read. My only complaint is I wish it were longer.

‘So many nasty murders inhabit the chronicles of crime in Britain, and many of them are concerned either with domestic conflicts or with violent crimes, but some of the most infamous are in that rare category that relates to great national issues and events.’

True crime readers, this one is for you!

From the acid bath killer to the man they could not hang, A Dictionary of True Crime will have you hooked.

Oh my goodness. I had no idea I was in for such a feast when I requested a review copy of this title. Stephen Wade’s knowledge of true crime is encyclopaedic and is well reflected in the content of this dictionary. It’s so much more than a simple dictionary; the introduction alone gives a fascinating insight into the history of true crime, murder and includes a scholarly and fascinating overview of De Quincey and the Scottish lawyer, William Roughead. Roughead has clearly been an early influence on crime reporting and writing and references to his work have, alone, whetted my appetite to learn more about him.

Stephen Wade is a notable author of numerous true crime books covering specific cases, people, places etc and also on other topics including hangmen and prisons. Added to this, he’s a fiction author and the introduction gives the reader insight into writing fiction; the mechanics and thought processes which informs the development of his plot and characters. I was mesmerised.

As for the dictionary, it’s just packed with detail. Many of the more famous cases, ably covered by many authors over the years, are briefly outlined. This allows the reader to learn more about numerous less famous cases. There’s a comprehensive index so it’s easy to find a specific case or person. Best of all are the illustrations at the end of the book. All the pictures were new to me; a Lambert and But,er cigarette card depicting Turpin, a booklet about Newgate, Mary Bateman, the Yorkshire witch portrait. Absolutely fascinating in their own right. And the bibliography is extensive; a wide and varied resource with much material for readers interested in further relevant reading. This book is one to dip into and I’ve put the title on my wish list for a hard copy which will really do the text and pictures justice. It’s a book I want on my shelf. Pen and Swird have some outstanding non fiction titles and I’ve read many, but this is certainly in my top 10 best. Social history, true crime and more all rolled into one absorbing title. Outstanding.

I really enjoyed this book. I am a massive true crime fan anyway so anything to do with true crime I devour so this was such an interesting read. There was a good mix to between things that I knew and things I didn't know.

This is a must read for anyone who is interested in true crime! This goes from a-z on various true crime cases throughout history and is very informative and well researched. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Stephen Wade, Pen & Sword and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I found that some of these stories ran on. Some were good, others weren't so much. This one wasn't really for me; but that doesn't mean it wasn't good.

Spanning British history from the 17th century to the modern day, this guide profiles violent crime from infamous cases such as Jack the Ripper to lesser-known yet equally captivating cases. It also explores the stories of some of the investigators and executioners who shaped these infamous events. It’s written in an engaging style that left me wanting more.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A Dictionary of True Crime: A Reference Guide to the Dark and Curious Crimes of British History by Stephen Wade is an A-Z book of true crime. It has a lot of information. I suspect everyone interested in true crime will find something they like in this book. I was familiar with some cases, like Jack the Ripper, but most of the information was new to me.

Thank you to the author, Pen & Sword, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Update: Added TikTok link to expanded review
Stephen Wade's A Dictionary of True Crime exceeded my expectations. This is a phenomenal resource for anyone interested in crime in Britain. A well-establishe author, Wade brings extensive research and a conversational style to his wealth of descriptions and insights.

This kind of material isn't for everyone. I like Wade's approach, influenced by literary true crime. I could tell from the introduction that he's a serious researcher. There are so many chilling facts available, it's not necessary to exaggerate anything. He limited his time on the best-known cases in favor of illuminating lesser-known crimes and presenting a broad exploration of criminality in context. It's an impressive feat, covering Britain from the eighteenth century to recent decades. Along with some extreme and truly odd cases that were new to me, I learned more about people involved in many aspects of dealing with crime. There's even a ghost story.

He includes relevant social factors such as poverty and the vulnerabilities of women due to their disadvantaged status under the law. I was delighted by his many references to authors who were inspired by specific cases and his sympathetic report of Oscar Wilde's court cases and imprisonment. I also enjoyed Wade's comments about his childhood memories of how certain cases maintained an impact for many decades, such as the name Crippen being on a par of darkness with Frankenstein or Dracula. An example in the US is a rhyme about Lizzie Borden.

The book details several punishments, including the most barbaric practices. Wade gives a wide ranging account of crime and punishment, from robbers using garrotes to a hangman with special nooses for the worst offenders. The cross references between listings are helpful along with the complete contents list at the end. The many photos and illustrations show some of the criminals, publications, and key places in the book. The annotated bibliography and sources list is a treasure. This book reads like a series of conversations with a personable expert. It's one I'll continue to recommend and consult.

Highly recommended for non-squeamish readers interested in True Crime, British History, and the social sciences.
Thank you, Pen and Sword for the e-ARC for consideration. These are my honest opinions.

"sorts of murderers has convinced me that however disparate their methods may be, all have this common characteristic: self-conceit, so abnormally developed as to become a sort of moral cancer – an overwhelming sense of their individual importance in the scheme of creation, and a corresponding indifference to, and disregard of, the claims and feelings of others."

As described, this one is slow-paced, judicious and gently educative. An A-Z of true crime cases ranging from the strange and extreme oddities to such horrendous and heinous track records of murder and methods involved.
Some are interesting like the chapters on Ripperologists and poisoners whilst some also sort of meh or forgettable. I do however have noted a few books mentioned in here that have sparked my interest and added on my tbr like The Five by Hallie Rubenhold and The Three Faces of Eve by Corbet Thigpen and Hervey Cleckley.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the arc. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.25✨

this was informational and I enjoyed it. I do however prefer fiction books. I did like learning more about true crime

A Dictionary of True Crime by Stephen Wade is touted as a "Reference Guide to the Dark and Curious Crimes of British History."

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Pen & Sword True Crime, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

  
My Synopsis and Opinions: 
First, I hate when I receive a pdf file of a book.  They are notoriously hard to read on an e-reader, so that's never a good start.  I'll try to remain objective.

The author says he was selective as to which crimes were included in this book.  He tried to balance those cases he personally researched and found notably interesting and significant, and the cases which are indispensable.  

Murder is the main crime, including some rather fearsome methods, but other crimes including baby farming (that's a new one to me!),  body stealing, as well as burglary and horse stealing...and the list goes on.   There are some popular names in here - Jack The Ripper,  Burke & Hare, and even Oscar Wilde takes up some pages in this book of crime!  But there were a lot of names that this Canadian certainly didn't know...which made it interesting.  Punishments include prison, hanging, and pressing -- heavy stones placed on the condemned until he died.

The crimes are shown in alphabetical order.  ie the first is The Acid Bath Killer (John Haigh), who killed 9 people, horribly.  The last entry is for Graham Young, a poisoner, who started at the early age of 14.  The book has an index which lists all the perpetrators in alphabetical order showing the page on which they can be found.

That same index, has information on Trials, Prisons, Police, Punishment, Bibliography and Sources, and finally Internet Material

I do wish that the index was at the front of the book, so that you could go to whatever page you wanted much more easily.  Again, the problem with an e-reader.

This is one of those books that should only be purchased/read as a "coffee table" book, although why you would want this displayed in this manner is beyond me.  As much as I am a fan of true crime, I probably wouldn't set this out for everyone's perusal.

Overall,  this was a well-researched book.  Just make sure you get a hard copy of it, and don't attempt an e-reader pdf.  I read it on my computer though, and didn't have a problem.

I received a free copy of, A Dictionary of True Crime, by Stephen Wade, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book goes from A-Z on horrible true crimes, from arson to murder. This was an informative read on true crime.

Stephen Wade's A Dictionary of True Crime is a must read for any crime fan - fact or fiction. It takes us through the alphabet of the most horrific crimes of our history and bringing the attention of the perpetrators. I was fascinated by this book, which didnt feel glamourised as some are.

As a true crime enthusiast this book was my perfect read, it covered so many cases I knew and ones I didn't. I loved the layout and format as it made it easy to differentiate between cases, each letter had so many different cases so overall it was a very informative and interesting read that I would recommend.