Question of Sanity: The True Story of Female Serial Killers in 19th Century New York

by Michael T. Keene

The women who serve as the subjects for this book all share compelling stories. To be considered a serial killer one must kill at least three people, all within proximity to each other in terms of time. The motive is generally the same, from one murder to the next, as is the means by which death is brought about. Most are from North Central New York, living along the Erie Canal in small, isolated, rural communities. A majority of these women were dubbed 'Black Widows', women who murdered multiple husbands-often for profit. Some were called 'Baby Farmers', a title given to women accused of murdering infants. Others were known as 'Angels of Death', those who kill beneath the guise of providing care to the ill and infirmed. There were a few titled 'Avengers', women motivated by revenge and greed. And finally, those whose sanity is questioned, impelled to kill by delusions and paranoia. This is their story...

Genres: True Crime, History

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Author, film producer, financial advisor, folklorist, hockey puck (not necessarily in that order)

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You know, some guys just can't hold their arsenic." - from Chicago

Once again, Michael T. Keene proves himself a fairly shallow, dry history writer. But the topic is nevertheless a fascinating one. There's some potentially great Gothic imagery here, with most of these women being of limited intelligence, living in isolated backwoods communities, and surrounded by secrets and drama. Ella Holdridge especially. Fourteen-year-old girl murders children because she looks forward to seeing how pretty they look in their coffins. WTF.

[Gay Goddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories.

[Mary Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather boring and disconnected. History is presented proceeds to into women murderers. Where's the connection?

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book on local history by the author of "Abandoned". Mr. Keene tells the stories of female serial killers in New York, in the 19th century. Most were from rural areas along the Erie Canal. There were the "Black Widows" - who murdered multiple husbands. "Baby Farmers" was the name given to women accused of murdering babies. And, there were the "angels of death" - who killed the sick.