Katy Horan's "Murder Ballads" masterfully weaves together musical history, true crime, and folklore into a captivating exploration of these haunting songs. Each of the twenty featured ballads comes alive through Horan's stunning folk horror-inspired illustrations, which perfectly complement the thorough research into their origins and evolution. The balance between academic insight and accessible storytelling makes this more than just another coffee table book – it's a thoughtful examination of how these dark tales have been preserved and transformed through generations.

What truly sets this collection apart is how Horan contextualizes these ballads within their broader cultural framework, acknowledging their complex history while celebrating their enduring impact on modern music. The included playlists and recording recommendations are a brilliant touch, inspiring readers to explore these songs beyond the page. While some might wish for even deeper dives into certain ballads, this beautifully curated collection serves as both an art book and a compelling historical document that will fascinate anyone interested in the darker side of musical tradition.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully written and illustrated. A unique view on the murder ballads with a perspective of storytelling that is intriguing and well thought out. Easy to read and captured the imagination. An absolutely perfect read that can be done leisurely but won't be because you'll be too into the stories to put it down. If I could give this more stars I would, I'll absolutely own physical copy when I'm able to,

1. That forward by Irish writer Sinéad Gleeson is *everything* !
2. I loved seeing a quote from Hurray for the Riff Raff’s “The Body Electric” on the first page <3

Clearly I did not read the synopsis of this closely, because I was pleasantly surprised by Murder Ballads being so much more than a thoroughly researched and BEAUTIFULLY illustrated non-fiction book about the musical storytelling tradition found across genres and cultures (although it is that also).

Murder Ballads is incredibly interesting and so much more than the “Gift Book” I imagined it might be (Read: a Gift Book is a sub-genre I made up that includes coffee table books and any book compelling enough in premise to warrant gifting to someone you know, like books about bartending and certain Boss Girl self-help novels). I think it masterfully achieves what it sets out to do, offering a new sense of agency amongst the misogyny-laden tropes and a “safe space in which to grieve for the women in the rivers.”

Thanks for the ARC <3

5/5

As an illustrator, history lover, and true crime fan, I love the concept of this book. As it turns out, murder ballads are hit or miss for me. I would love to see a book about a different topic written with the same care and style. I do appreciate all the research that must have gone into this!

My thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance copy of this illustrated guide to the history of songs about love and betrayal, hate and murder, and why these songs serve as warnings to us all, for the heart will almost always overwhelm the mind, leaving the soul to deal with the consequences.

My parents were big music lovers before I was born. My father was a little bit of a taper, recording shows that he would see with my Mom when they were courting, and later when they were married. Having a child meant they put away their childish things, and music was sadly one of these things. However they had a big collection of records, and lots of reel to reels that I was able to explore as I got older. This was later, as my first music was AM sounds, but as my taste evolved, and my brother began to like songs outside of the mainstream also we would listen to these old songs. Many were Irish and folk tunes, and a sadder lot of music one couldn't find. I don't mean the performances, these were songs about the dead. Dead fighting in wars, fighting for freedom, of dead by a lovers hand. I was enthralled, especially listening to these songs as my parents heard them live. So much sadness, so much evil. And yet full of beauty. I like story songs, and my goodness did these tell a story. A story that seems to keep touching ears and hearts even in some cases hundreds of years later. Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore by Katy Horan is a history of select songs, complete with lyrics and illustrations by the author that try to track down the truth behind these songs that even now have the power to shock and awe listeners.

The book begins in one of the best places on Earth Brooklyn. An artist, Katy Horan is at a pub listening to a friend's band when Horan hears a song about two sisters, one of which killed the other in a fit of jealousy. Horan was an artist finding their way in art, and this song spoke to Horan, and began an interest in songs known as muder ballads. Popularized by many folk acts from Boiled in Lead, Steeleye Span, roots rockers like the Grateful Dead and goth gods like Nick Cave these are songs usually based on violent acts, acts that seemed beyond the usual muder. Most of these songs deal with women getting into trouble, as they would say, and murdered by the father of the trouble, who didn't want to marry. Or a woman who just had enough and shot a man to stop him from taking revenge on her. These songs are poetic in nature, sad, violent, and sometimes weird. Horan looks at many of the popular ballads, tracks down the history of the song, and the participants involved. Horan also includes lyrics, usually to the most popular version, as many ballads have been adapted and altered to fit moods or cultural times.

I was going to write this is a fun book, and for a certain segment this will be. I really enjoyed it. I love to read about how art is created, and how many of this songs had real counterparts in the world. These songs are sad in many places, but to read about the real victims, those who were murdered, and those who had to life with the legacy of the song they were the basis of give listeners even more of an emotional punch. Also the art that Horan has created is amazing. Many are as disturbing as the songs. A violent beauty in a way that explains why these songs are still so popular. Horan also adds a nice listing of different versions of the songs, so one can hear how these songs changed, or were adapted over the years.

This is a book that will appeal to many different readers. True crime fans will love the history, music fans will like the creation of the songs, and the playlists. Artists will enjoy the pictures inside, and maybe gain some inspiration for their own work. And all will enjoy all the work that Horan has done. I look forward to what Katy Horan has planned next.

This is genuinely so cool and would be the perfect addition to any home in Appalachia, or anyone into a darker side of history and music. Not only is it informative, but the illustrations are beautiful. I will likely be ordering a copy to have in my home. This was awesome.

It was interesting and highly informative. However, the information bits were too loaded with information. I would have liked more development to some of the legends and lore behind the murder ballads.

Filled with background on some of the most popular murder ballads, including potential historical inspirations and different versions and accompanied by Horan’s gorgeous folk horror illustrations, Murder Ballads is a must-have for any fan of this song style (or music history or folk horror in general).

I'd happily read several volumes of this, an interesting look behind some old folk songs/murder ballads


I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

4/5. Thank you to Ms. Horan, the publisher, and Netgalley for the beautifully illustrated ARC.

This was a very interesting read. I know some of these songs from my own childhood, but to trace back the origin of them (and the many, <i>many</i> variations) is an adventure. I can't say that as a child I noticed the rampant misogyny and racism, but the way Ms. Horan has laid it out really does begin to tell the tale.

Murder Ballads are exactly what they sound like: ballads that deal with gruesome crimes. Sometimes, they're from a single event that has been twisted through years of oral tradition. Sometimes they get changed from place to place to suit the local traditions. They can come from the UK, Ireland, America, Scandinavia - anywhere.

What Ms. Horan does is trace these songs from their origin (or as near as can be found) to modern day, where artists continue to sing and adapt these songs. Accompanying the historical perspective and lyrics are illustrations that I adore. That was one of the big reasons I wanted to read this ARC: I love her style. And each piece had so many lovely little details to admire.

I don't know if this is a book one will read over and over again, but it is certainly a fun addition to a library that loves musical history, true crime, or folklore.

This book is not what I hoped it would be. It's very light on the history, and very heavy on the author's own views - which are very narrow, 21st century feminist ones. There's holes in several different areas of her research (ie her failure to bear a male heir was not the historical grounds that Henry VIII used to divorce Katherine of Aragon). And although she claims in her introduction that she loves these ballads and is fascinated by them, Ms. Horan spends a good deal of time in the essay sections of her book lecturing the audience and telling them reasons why they SHOULDN'T like these ballads, or listen to them. These include, but are not limited to: sexism, racism, and misogyny.

Yes, it's unfair that women were treated badly histortically. It's unfair that black people were, at any point, thought to be less than white people. It's unfair that Hollywood doesn't do its due diligence and see if there is any real people behind these songs that they should pay royalties to for use of their life stories - but those things did happen, and Hollywood isn't going to change. Ms. Horan should go rant about those things and do a book about those things if that's what really interests her. She shouldn't advertise her book as a collection of history and lore, when that appears to be the third or fourth thing on her mind after her opinion on why these ballads are in actuality quite horrible. It felt almost like reading one of those articles that try to lecture and make a person feel badly for enjoying true crime documentaries and podcasts - because, after all, their motives for doing so must be terrible.

I follow an amazing podcast called "Bone and Sickle". It has several episodes on historical ballads. I would recommend anyone go listen to those instead of reading this book. I would give it zero stars if I was able. Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel publishing for the advanced reader's copy. This review is voluntary, all views and opinions are my own.

5⭐/5 - An eerily fascinating exploration of the history of macabre songs, each complemented by the author's captivating illustrations.

I want to thank NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and the author/illustrator Katy Horan for providing this e-ARC for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Katy Horan offers a unique history of twenty murder ballads. Each ballad's origins and lore are explained in great detail, including various adaptations. The author pairs the lyrics of these ballads with hauntingly beautiful folk illustrations that would make an excellent addition to any coffee table book!

This work was a delightful surprise. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in the historical perspective of true crime as reflected in folk music.

"For history enthusiasts and lovers of folk music and lore...." I really enjoyed this collection of ballads and learning about their origins. The art work is wonderful. It took me a little longer to read than probably should have but after reading about a ballad, I had to listen to its various versions before moving on to the next.

I really enjoyed this book, and will probably invest in a physical copy for the illustrations. I have enjoyed this author/artists Literary Witches deck, and as a fan of murder ballads, folklore, folk horror, & passed-diwn songs, this title was right up my alley. It's an easy read, with enough history to give you the meat of the story, accompanied by a gorgeous illustration of the ballad, and then the song itself. I could easily see this book being a podcast, because I'd love to hear these songs with an audio of the lore. Each chapter is easy to read & then put down, so I enjoyed it over a few evenings. Highly recommend for fans of musical history & folklore.

What a stunning mix of history, folklore, music and tragedy. The folklore and events behind the beautifully written lyrics are about tragic and heartbreaking events but they remain alive and passed down through the generations due to the music and stories shared.

The art work by Katy is so hauntingly gorgeous! Its absolutely mesmerizing to look at the detail in these simple pictures 🥀

There’s a recommendation for addition reading and the known recordings of the ballads at the end of the book 🎶

This was well put together and would be amazing as an audiobook where you could listen to each of the ballads!

Thank you to the author and artist, Katy Horan, publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book. I received an epub and am leaving my review voluntarily.

This book will be published 4/29/25.

What an interesting concept. I really enjoyed the collection. Each piece really was enjoyable. It's something different.

The illustrations were great but what really made this one stand out for me was how original the idea was. It reminds me of one of those wikipedia-rabbit-hole nights where you become obsessed with a specific topic and wanna know more and more. When we're following one random story, graphic novels tend to get a bit boring for me; this stopped that form happening. Instead of one story that doesn't get enough time to be explores, we get a collection of well researched mini-stories and enough information to never get bored.

This is the kind of book you can get as a gift for a book lover, not having to worry about if maybe they already read/have it, or if it will fit their taste exactly, because as long as they're into creepy stuff, good art or graphic novels, this will be fun and original.

3.5 Murder ballads are something I’ve been fascinated with since I first found out about them. I love seeing a collection of them. I really enjoyed that each ballad is paired with a historical note and an artwork. Although I do feel the informational sections could’ve been better written. Maybe a little more engaging of a voice would draw me in better. However, the artwork was perfect, emotional and dark, I liked it a lot. The ballads themselves are great, and I like the wide variety covered here. .

I loved this! Admittedly anything illustrated gets an extra star in my book, but this one didn’t need it. It was already at five stars! The format kept a quick pace, combined with interesting stories and beautiful art, I read this whole thing in one sitting. I just couldn’t stop!

As posted on Goodreads:

This book is a brilliant combination of history, folklore, lyrics, and beautiful artwork that I absolutely loved. Murder ballads are not something I knew a lot about going into this book, but the concept was intriguing and the book cover is gorgeous - and before I even finished the foreword I was hooked.

I took my time reading through this book, enjoying the artwork and even making a playlist of the songs mentioned (when I could find them), and listening to them from start to finish.

If you, like me, enjoy folklore/folk art, music and true crime (kind of a bizarre combination, but it works), this is a beautiful coffee table book that you’ll actually want to read, and that will spark plenty of interesting conversations.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.