Strange Deaths: More Than 375 Freakish Fatalites

by Ian Simmons (Editor)

A great many things are dying very strangely all the time.

A gleaning of ungraceful exits into the arms of Grim Reaper, Strange Deaths sets out to prove that the ways we die are sometimes more strange than the ways we live. The deaths range from unseemly to ironic---and sometimes downright tragic. In this collection, you can find the stories of:

The golfer who was kicked to death by fellow golfers when his game was not up to par. The serial rapist who died of shock when he discovered his latest victim-to-be was a transvestite. The arsonist who boiled himself to death. The woman who accidentally swallowed ants and followed up with a swig of insecticide---intending to kill the ants---and offed herself in the process.

Culled from newspaper reports around the globe, Strange Deaths is a catalog of catastrophes the likes of which you've never seen---and hopefully you'll never experience.

Genres: Nonfiction

126 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Mileena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange Deaths
3/5 stars

This was just a fun little book that I picked up because it was like under a dollar at my store and I flipped open to an interesting funny page.

This had probably like a hundred really interesting weird deaths that could be full blown short stories that I might even use as prompts for inspiration whenever I'm bored.

The second story in this about the closeted couple that died in the elevator had me shook.

The rest felt repeatative after a while. And some of them felt too boring to be considered "Strange".

But if it seems like something that would appeal to you, I would recommend it.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

its cute

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment to me. I was expecting something interesting and maybe even a bit humorous, but what I really got was a very depressing book full of stories that may or may not be true and a messy writing-style. Not only that, but most of the deaths that were covered didn't seem that strange. But I guess Vaguely Interesting Deaths wouldn't make for a very good book title.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought this was a rather silly book. Soon, though, I was captivated by it! It's interesting to read just a few pages in between other activities!

[Bryan Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

The guys at the Fortean Times serve up this collection of summarized press clippings devoted to those who have shuffled off the mortal coil in unique or otherwise amusing ways. To be sure, many of the entries are likely to be urban legends; the editors admit as much. And what is it about the Russians and cannibalism? If you’ve got the kind of sense of humor it takes to derive amusement from the outré passings of your fellow humans, then you should find this an amusing bathroom read. But probably not much more.