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The Curse: A Shocking True Story of Superstition, Human Sacrifice and Cannibalism
In 1894, Leonarda Cianciulli was born into an abusive household. As a young girl, she attempted suicide twice to rid herself of the misery. After decades of abuse, Leonarda sought stability and married Raffaele Pansardi. Her mother did not approve and conveyed her anger in the strongest possible sense. She cursed the marriage. Leonarda believed that her mother’s words had power and they haunted her for the rest of her life. Following the curse, Leonarda experienced fits and seizures, was imprisoned for fraud, lost her home to an earthquake, had three miscarriages and lost ten children due to ill health in their youth. Her fears were exacerbated when she visited a Romani fortune teller who informed her, ‘In one hand I can see prison. In the other, a mental asylum.’ In 1939, Leonarda’s eldest son, Giuseppe, informed her that he was going to join the Army. As one of only four remaining children, she needed to protect him at all costs. She decided that the only way to do that was through the most extreme means – human sacrifice. The Curse is a chilling account of one of the most brutal and bizarre true crime stories in history. Ryan Green’s riveting narrative draws the reader into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic This book contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read any further.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2019
2063 people are currently reading
1439 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Green
32 books487 followersRyan Green is a true crime author in his late thirties. He lives in Herefordshire, England with his wife, three children, and two dogs. Outside of writing and spending time with his family, Ryan enjoys walking, reading and windsurfing.
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
November 12, 2020
Audio 5 Stars
Story 5 Fucked up Stars
I have a really serious problem. I'm addicted to this horrible true crime series. The stories are horrendously horrifying and are nightmare inducing 😣😖😵 I'm totally blaming it on the rona. 🤷🏽♀️
Story 5 Fucked up Stars
I have a really serious problem. I'm addicted to this horrible true crime series. The stories are horrendously horrifying and are nightmare inducing 😣😖😵 I'm totally blaming it on the rona. 🤷🏽♀️
August 12, 2024
Przyznam szczerze, że ta książka jest mocno chaotyczna - przez pierwszą połowę nie miałam pojęcia do czego właściwie dąży, a cały wstep do właściwej historii mocno mi się dłużył.
November 22, 2020
5 stars audio
5 twisted superstitious stars story.
5 twisted superstitious stars story.
September 5, 2020
Madness, Superstition and Bizarre Beliefs.
I love true crime. I watch and read about many killers but this one I'd not heard of. My first but not last Ryan Green book.
Ryan writes like you are reading a story rather than dry, boring facts on a page. The book took me right back to the killer as a child and background history of how she came to be. Essentially she was a rare female serial killer. Her obsession with superstition and occult practices tied in with her instability to create a dark human being.
It wasn't anywhere near as gory or too hard to read difficult scenes. Not for me anyway but I have strong resilience from years of true crime obsession. The book covers her whole life, not just the killings. This may or may not appeal to you. Overall an interesting read, with only 120 or so pages I read this in under an hour. I will be trying more of Ryan's books now.
I love true crime. I watch and read about many killers but this one I'd not heard of. My first but not last Ryan Green book.
Ryan writes like you are reading a story rather than dry, boring facts on a page. The book took me right back to the killer as a child and background history of how she came to be. Essentially she was a rare female serial killer. Her obsession with superstition and occult practices tied in with her instability to create a dark human being.
It wasn't anywhere near as gory or too hard to read difficult scenes. Not for me anyway but I have strong resilience from years of true crime obsession. The book covers her whole life, not just the killings. This may or may not appeal to you. Overall an interesting read, with only 120 or so pages I read this in under an hour. I will be trying more of Ryan's books now.
January 19, 2020
Leonarda Cianciulla was a different kind of killer. She lived her life terrified by superstitions. That fear eventually drove her to murder.
Like most serial killers, Leonarda had an awful childhood. To me though, she wasn’t like other serial killers. She didn’t kill for joy, but rather to placate the belief that if she killed someone, she would be able to keep her children safe. It’s too bad her story occurred before mental illness aware was a thing because I think it would’ve been interesting to study her mind and see everything she had going on.
Narration by Steve White is perfect as always.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
Like most serial killers, Leonarda had an awful childhood. To me though, she wasn’t like other serial killers. She didn’t kill for joy, but rather to placate the belief that if she killed someone, she would be able to keep her children safe. It’s too bad her story occurred before mental illness aware was a thing because I think it would’ve been interesting to study her mind and see everything she had going on.
Narration by Steve White is perfect as always.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
September 7, 2021
Another riveting exposé…
In the true crime genre, no one can take a subject and write a personalized memoir of that killer the way Ryan Green can. His research is meticulous and his psychological insights into the inner workings of the criminal mind border on unsettling. In The Curse we are treated to a highly detailed and totally absorbing depiction of the life of the infamous Italian serial killer Leonarda Ciancuilli, often referred to as the “Soap-Maker of Correggio”. She is most famous for murdering three women between 1939 and 1940 and using their blood to bake teacakes which she served to her unsuspecting family and friends. She would also use their bodies to make soap. Her actions were the result of numerous factors including horrendous abuse she endured as a child, injuries which likely caused permanent brain damage, and a belief in superstitions which were not all that uncommon in her time. Factual details, keen psychological analysis, and reasonable speculation are adroitly combined to generate this riveting and profoundly sad composite of one life filled with disappointment, tragedy, and a cornucopia of misfortune. Her actions were, of course, inexcusable but reading this account of her life sheds light on how a person could be driven so very far off the rails of reason and sanity. Buy it, borrow it, read it – it is well worth an evening of your time.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book by the author but I also chose to purchase a copy and I am voluntarily offering this honest and unbiased review.
If you find this review helpful, I would thank you for so indicating.
In the true crime genre, no one can take a subject and write a personalized memoir of that killer the way Ryan Green can. His research is meticulous and his psychological insights into the inner workings of the criminal mind border on unsettling. In The Curse we are treated to a highly detailed and totally absorbing depiction of the life of the infamous Italian serial killer Leonarda Ciancuilli, often referred to as the “Soap-Maker of Correggio”. She is most famous for murdering three women between 1939 and 1940 and using their blood to bake teacakes which she served to her unsuspecting family and friends. She would also use their bodies to make soap. Her actions were the result of numerous factors including horrendous abuse she endured as a child, injuries which likely caused permanent brain damage, and a belief in superstitions which were not all that uncommon in her time. Factual details, keen psychological analysis, and reasonable speculation are adroitly combined to generate this riveting and profoundly sad composite of one life filled with disappointment, tragedy, and a cornucopia of misfortune. Her actions were, of course, inexcusable but reading this account of her life sheds light on how a person could be driven so very far off the rails of reason and sanity. Buy it, borrow it, read it – it is well worth an evening of your time.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book by the author but I also chose to purchase a copy and I am voluntarily offering this honest and unbiased review.
If you find this review helpful, I would thank you for so indicating.
April 4, 2025
Brrr... Straszne to było. Tym bardziej, że oparte na faktach.
Zgwałcona kobieta, która za karę, że utraciła cześć, dostaje za męża swojego gwałciciela. Rodzi się dziewczynka, której matka nienawidzi. Jako dziecko podejmuje dwie próby samobójcze. Kiedy dorasta, chce wyjść za mąż, co burzy plany matki wobec niej. Nie tylko nie pojawia się na ślubie córki, ale przeklina jej małżeństwo. Jakby tego było mało, pewna Cyganka przepowiada dziewczynie, że wszystkie jej dzieci umrą przed nią. Można oszaleć? Można. Tym bardziej, że klątwa działa. Dzieci Leonardy umierają jedno po drugim. Do tego sama cudem unika śmierci podczas silnego trzęsienia ziemi i jej dom wali się w gruzy. Kobieta szuka pomocy w magii.
Najstarszy syn jest jej ulubieńcem, ale ma dość nadopiekuńczości matki, więc postanawia zaciągnąć się do wojska. Leonarda wpada w panikę. W okolicy znikają trzy kobiety. A Leonarda pewnego dnia dokładnie myje dorosłego już syna własnoręcznie ugotowanym mydłem, które ma magiczną moc ochrony życia. Karmi go też ciasteczkami, które mają dziwny posmak żelaza...
Mydlarka z Corregio, to postać makabryczna, a jednocześnie bardzo tragiczna.
Zgwałcona kobieta, która za karę, że utraciła cześć, dostaje za męża swojego gwałciciela. Rodzi się dziewczynka, której matka nienawidzi. Jako dziecko podejmuje dwie próby samobójcze. Kiedy dorasta, chce wyjść za mąż, co burzy plany matki wobec niej. Nie tylko nie pojawia się na ślubie córki, ale przeklina jej małżeństwo. Jakby tego było mało, pewna Cyganka przepowiada dziewczynie, że wszystkie jej dzieci umrą przed nią. Można oszaleć? Można. Tym bardziej, że klątwa działa. Dzieci Leonardy umierają jedno po drugim. Do tego sama cudem unika śmierci podczas silnego trzęsienia ziemi i jej dom wali się w gruzy. Kobieta szuka pomocy w magii.
Najstarszy syn jest jej ulubieńcem, ale ma dość nadopiekuńczości matki, więc postanawia zaciągnąć się do wojska. Leonarda wpada w panikę. W okolicy znikają trzy kobiety. A Leonarda pewnego dnia dokładnie myje dorosłego już syna własnoręcznie ugotowanym mydłem, które ma magiczną moc ochrony życia. Karmi go też ciasteczkami, które mają dziwny posmak żelaza...
Mydlarka z Corregio, to postać makabryczna, a jednocześnie bardzo tragiczna.
June 5, 2020
I took a chance on this book after seeing it come up in my recommendations, and I am very glad that I did.
Green has a great talent for weaving a truth into a narrative. I was hooked on the story and felt strongly about many of the tragic events that both Leonarda, and even her mother, had been through. The spiraling that she experienced throughout the story was well-written and done in such a way that I was often rendered speechless with shock.
This was an incredible story with an abundance of twists, turns, and craziness, and to think that it was based on a true story made it all the more entertaining. Wow. I will definitely be looking into Green's other books.
Green has a great talent for weaving a truth into a narrative. I was hooked on the story and felt strongly about many of the tragic events that both Leonarda, and even her mother, had been through. The spiraling that she experienced throughout the story was well-written and done in such a way that I was often rendered speechless with shock.
This was an incredible story with an abundance of twists, turns, and craziness, and to think that it was based on a true story made it all the more entertaining. Wow. I will definitely be looking into Green's other books.
February 4, 2020
Human bodies make decent soap, maybe
Ryan Green does I again, exploring a crazy true crime story (this time from Italy) that follows a woman who thinks she is cursed. She'll eventually do anything to save her children, especially her son, even if it means killing a few women and turning them into soap. And if you think that the first recipe for human soap turned out perfect, well... And of course, there are some cannibalistic tea cakes.
Fascinating and disturbing at the same time!
Ryan Green does I again, exploring a crazy true crime story (this time from Italy) that follows a woman who thinks she is cursed. She'll eventually do anything to save her children, especially her son, even if it means killing a few women and turning them into soap. And if you think that the first recipe for human soap turned out perfect, well... And of course, there are some cannibalistic tea cakes.
Fascinating and disturbing at the same time!
June 6, 2022
As with Ryan Green's Black Widow: The True Story of Giggling Granny Nannie Doss that I read, The Curse: A Shocking True Story of Superstition, Human Sacrifice and Cannibalism is well-written, intriguing, and enthralling. I like his writing style.
This story about Leonarda Cianciulli (1894-1970) and her crimes are indubitably haunting:
And Leonarda Cianciulli gruesomely killed three of her friends for a reason that will horrify readers.
As horrific as her crimes are, I just could not look away.
🏮 Kindle Unlimited version.
This story about Leonarda Cianciulli (1894-1970) and her crimes are indubitably haunting:
Leonarda began to piece together her understanding of magic, influenced in places by her studies of the Wicca-like Stregheria.
That was the trouble with Mama’s odd behaviour. It always started out sounding so calm and reasonable that it was only when the sun had set, and you were still wandering the woods looking for a very specific kind of spider’s web, that you realised you’d been dragged over the precipice of madness again.
And Leonarda Cianciulli gruesomely killed three of her friends for a reason that will horrify readers.
As horrific as her crimes are, I just could not look away.
🏮 Kindle Unlimited version.
August 12, 2024
4,5 ⭐
Chyba do tej pory najlepsza książka tego autora jaką przesłuchałam. Historia przerażająca i niezbyt optymistyczna, ale bardzo ciekawa.
Chyba do tej pory najlepsza książka tego autora jaką przesłuchałam. Historia przerażająca i niezbyt optymistyczna, ale bardzo ciekawa.
May 27, 2020
I might be in the minority here, but this woman; all I could do most of the book was pity her. It’s an incredible story and also heartbreaking story because it starts at her mother and leads you through the circumstances of Leonardo’s birth. From there, Green takes you through her life, if someone can call it that.
Of course, I severely disagree wholeheartedly with what she did and I abhor her actions! But how can I not feel that she was made into what she was?
I will definitely be reading more of Green’s True Crime research novels because they are written in such a straight forward and truthful way.
At some point; Leonardo’s mind left reality and Green has his opinions on that and now so do I.
This is a fascinating story. It’s not until the end that I can’t decide some things.
When she killed, it hurt her. She lamented about the life wasted. She did it for love of her son. She cried. She believed she was saving him. She did things that hurt her and she confessed. Then she was proud of it. Don’t throw things about me, but trying to fit myself in her crazy mind... I get it, but only after reading this.
I will say things like this, and abuse, neglect, how she even came to exist make me boiling mad. Never take something out on someone else ! I know it’s hard, but geez!
And if it’s not yours can’t you just not touch it!
This is what happens ! If ... that is you bother to read. This was a poor soul that I can only hope was delivered somehow ...
Of course, I severely disagree wholeheartedly with what she did and I abhor her actions! But how can I not feel that she was made into what she was?
I will definitely be reading more of Green’s True Crime research novels because they are written in such a straight forward and truthful way.
At some point; Leonardo’s mind left reality and Green has his opinions on that and now so do I.
This is a fascinating story. It’s not until the end that I can’t decide some things.
When she killed, it hurt her. She lamented about the life wasted. She did it for love of her son. She cried. She believed she was saving him. She did things that hurt her and she confessed. Then she was proud of it. Don’t throw things about me, but trying to fit myself in her crazy mind... I get it, but only after reading this.
I will say things like this, and abuse, neglect, how she even came to exist make me boiling mad. Never take something out on someone else ! I know it’s hard, but geez!
And if it’s not yours can’t you just not touch it!
This is what happens ! If ... that is you bother to read. This was a poor soul that I can only hope was delivered somehow ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2020
This is a truly creepy story, made even more creepy by the fact that it is true! This book tells the tale of a woman, abused as a young girl, who is convinced that she has been cursed by her mother. My heart ached both for the girl, Leonarda, and her mother as the tale unfolded.
Leonarda knew that her beloved son, Guiseppe, would die in WW!! unless she intervened. Using her skill as a soap maker and her obsession with witchcraft, she terrorized her small town while most of the community respected her knowledge of superstitious things. The author's descriptions of the murders she committed are truly the stuff of nightmares. I would not recommend this book for those who are squeamish!
Ryan Green does more than just give you the facts in this book (as well as his other works). He spins the facts into a tale worthy of a screenplay. While not an extensive treatise of this madwoman, it is a good, quick look into her life and her crimes. The narrator, Steve White, is perfect for this book and really adds a lot to the listener's enjoyment. If you enjoy true crime books written from a different angle, check out Mr. Green's works. You won't be disappointed!
I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.
Leonarda knew that her beloved son, Guiseppe, would die in WW!! unless she intervened. Using her skill as a soap maker and her obsession with witchcraft, she terrorized her small town while most of the community respected her knowledge of superstitious things. The author's descriptions of the murders she committed are truly the stuff of nightmares. I would not recommend this book for those who are squeamish!
Ryan Green does more than just give you the facts in this book (as well as his other works). He spins the facts into a tale worthy of a screenplay. While not an extensive treatise of this madwoman, it is a good, quick look into her life and her crimes. The narrator, Steve White, is perfect for this book and really adds a lot to the listener's enjoyment. If you enjoy true crime books written from a different angle, check out Mr. Green's works. You won't be disappointed!
I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.
January 15, 2021
It is always problematic when true crime authors try to embroider the thoughts and emotions of the people involved. Leonarda Cianciulli wrote down her memoirs, and R. Green I am sure also drew from that. But how the victims felt in their last moments on earth, or other people that crossed Leonarda Cianciulli's path becomes too speculative and not at least, just feels like an attempt to flesh out the book. It all makes the book feel less factual, and more a fiction novel based on real events and have you wonder what else has been made up to "improve" the narrative.
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October 15, 2023CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS--
sad......depressing......almost makes you want to cry..... Can you imagine being put into a situation where you had to marry your rapist and before being raped knew nothing about the birds and the bees?? ON top of that you end up pregnant from that terrible night?? 🥺
sad......depressing......almost makes you want to cry..... Can you imagine being put into a situation where you had to marry your rapist and before being raped knew nothing about the birds and the bees?? ON top of that you end up pregnant from that terrible night?? 🥺
April 6, 2025
Na tą chwilę kończę przygodę z książkami Ryana Greena, no chyba że na Legimi pojawią się kolejne 😉
Autor przybliża nam historię Mydlarki z Correggio - Leonardę Cianciulli. Została przedstawiona tak, że generalnie od dnia poczęcia była już na przegranej pozycji. Ciężkie dzieciństwo od którego uciekła w małżeństwo przez co została przeklęta przez swoją matkę. Kobieta usilnie wierzyła w tą klątwę, a liczne poronienia i trzęsienie ziemi w jednej z licznych miejscowości w których mieszkali tylko umocniło ją w tym wierzeniu.
Kiedy osiadli w miejscowości Correggio Leonarda zajęła się produkcją mydeł oraz wróżbiarstwem. Niestety chcąc ochronić swojego najstarszego syna przez wojną zaczęła studiować coraz to ciemniejsze aspekty magii Romów. I tak nastał jej upadek.
Ryan Green ma fajny styl pisania bo dobrze się to czyta, ale nadal nie jest to reportaż. Nadal sceny morderstw są bardzo brutalne pokazane. W tej książce przeszkadzał mi fakt, że czyny Leonardy zostały najpierw przedstawione jako matkę chcącą ochronić syna za wszelką cenę a później jako bezwzględną morderczynię.
Tą serię mogę polecić osobą które nie znają tych historii, ale żeby na fakty zfabularyzowane spojrzały z przymrużeniem oka. I szczerze, albo lepiej kupić te książki na promocji albo przeczytać je w ramach jakiegoś abonamentu bo ich standardowa cena jak na wielkość tych książek jest mocno wygórowana.
Autor przybliża nam historię Mydlarki z Correggio - Leonardę Cianciulli. Została przedstawiona tak, że generalnie od dnia poczęcia była już na przegranej pozycji. Ciężkie dzieciństwo od którego uciekła w małżeństwo przez co została przeklęta przez swoją matkę. Kobieta usilnie wierzyła w tą klątwę, a liczne poronienia i trzęsienie ziemi w jednej z licznych miejscowości w których mieszkali tylko umocniło ją w tym wierzeniu.
Kiedy osiadli w miejscowości Correggio Leonarda zajęła się produkcją mydeł oraz wróżbiarstwem. Niestety chcąc ochronić swojego najstarszego syna przez wojną zaczęła studiować coraz to ciemniejsze aspekty magii Romów. I tak nastał jej upadek.
Ryan Green ma fajny styl pisania bo dobrze się to czyta, ale nadal nie jest to reportaż. Nadal sceny morderstw są bardzo brutalne pokazane. W tej książce przeszkadzał mi fakt, że czyny Leonardy zostały najpierw przedstawione jako matkę chcącą ochronić syna za wszelką cenę a później jako bezwzględną morderczynię.
Tą serię mogę polecić osobą które nie znają tych historii, ale żeby na fakty zfabularyzowane spojrzały z przymrużeniem oka. I szczerze, albo lepiej kupić te książki na promocji albo przeczytać je w ramach jakiegoś abonamentu bo ich standardowa cena jak na wielkość tych książek jest mocno wygórowana.
January 27, 2022
This is the second time I have been fooled by slick advertising into buying a book by this writer. But as the saying goes "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me". I will definitely not be purchasing any more books by this writer.
I have already critiqued Obeying Evil by this writer and all the same general comments still stand. Sadly pretentious photo, no research or other works credited, same over reliance on drama and shock to cover the fact the details are flimsy. I read the Wikipedia page on Leonarda Cianciulli and got a more thorough and interesting story than was related in this book.
I do feel sorry for Leonarda though. Apparently her mother's curse was so powerful it continues to affect her even after her death. How else can you explain this poor excuse for a book.
I have already critiqued Obeying Evil by this writer and all the same general comments still stand. Sadly pretentious photo, no research or other works credited, same over reliance on drama and shock to cover the fact the details are flimsy. I read the Wikipedia page on Leonarda Cianciulli and got a more thorough and interesting story than was related in this book.
I do feel sorry for Leonarda though. Apparently her mother's curse was so powerful it continues to affect her even after her death. How else can you explain this poor excuse for a book.
January 31, 2020
I love Ryan's books. He has the knack of taking a true crime story and weaving it into an actual story not just a report of what crime was done. He does it in a way that let's you get behind the eye of the killer. This one is no different. He explains the history of this person to the point that you can somewhat understand their thinking and why they did what they did. This particular story is so over the top that you would think it's made up.
And I love Steve White's narration for these stories. Always spot on, and voice inflections that make what should be uncomfortable to hear sort of cozy. I know, that sounds weird, but it's true. He helps make it more palatable.
I received a free audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
And I love Steve White's narration for these stories. Always spot on, and voice inflections that make what should be uncomfortable to hear sort of cozy. I know, that sounds weird, but it's true. He helps make it more palatable.
I received a free audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2023
Leonardo and her mother were not born evil. They've been broken, smashed, torn and brought through the muthafuckin ringer. So no wonder Leonardo assumed a curse was following her. Did she go too far? Uhh thats an understatement.. She... She did what she did … I think I originally heard this story from a true crime podcast, well the book did it better! Obviously, it’s more in-depth but I was so hooked. Finished it in a day.
Wheewieee it’s crazy. When she lost it she … really just .. went all in ..🤯 this is the term “mommas boy” to a whole new level.
Adding another Ryan green book to my tbr pronto 🏃♀️
Wheewieee it’s crazy. When she lost it she … really just .. went all in ..🤯 this is the term “mommas boy” to a whole new level.
Adding another Ryan green book to my tbr pronto 🏃♀️
January 8, 2020
This is a horrific true story of an unhinged Italian woman who killed 3 women in WW2 Italy. She did it because she was trying to remove a curse from her family and to protect her son, who had just enlisted in the Italian army. She was a small city soap maker, psychic and witch, well thought of in the community. Imagine their surprise when they found out a secret ingredient in their soap was liquified neighbors. In spite of the monstrous nature of her crimes, the author does a pretty good job of giving us a sympathetic view of the woman. Not an easy thing to do.
January 26, 2020
I had my doubts when I saw the run time under four hours, but Green's efficient economy makes an engaging and complete story of one unique woman's life from being born of rape to soapmaker 'wise woman' (my phrase) to serial killer and foiled necromancer. After this and The Monster of Florence I wonder what other prolific criminals from Italy await book length analysis.
July 29, 2024
Chaotyczna. Mam wrażenie, że niektóre sceny nijak miały się do kolejnych, w teorii ze sobą powiązanych.
December 10, 2020
Was shocking and an interesting read on the mindset on why what was done
February 17, 2022
I love true crimes but this wasn't for me some parts were good and some dragged on
December 15, 2019
As always superbly told. Highly recommended.
December 11, 2019
Brilliant again
I could not put this page turner down, stories of love with twists, I read the whole book in 1 sitting. Easy to read very well written. Would highly recommend if you like true crime, the occult and motherly love this 1 has it all.
I could not put this page turner down, stories of love with twists, I read the whole book in 1 sitting. Easy to read very well written. Would highly recommend if you like true crime, the occult and motherly love this 1 has it all.
July 3, 2025
porządne true crime, wydaje mi się że autor musiał włożyć duży wysiłek w sprawdzenie autobiografii tej pani, lektor audiobooka mega przyjemny, wydaje mi się że występuje też w kryminatorium, ale to tak off topic. niesamowicie podobało mi się to, że autor nie przedstawia sucho „ona zabiła tego tego i tego zrobiła to tak i wgl skazano ją na tyle” tylko mocno wgłębia się w motywy samej zbrodniczej ścieżki, ukazując jak bardzo rodzina i otoczenie wpływa na nasze losy
December 13, 2019
This book gave me the shivers.
By the time I had only read a few pages of this book, I was overcome by a case of the extreme shivers and heebie jeebies. The author has such a keen insight into what makes people tick; even those that are evil and completely insane. At first, I almost felt pity for Leonarda, as her life is consumed by her irrational beliefs, which stem from her mother cursing her marriage. Her feeble attempts at attempting to repel this curse, which she believes is the reason why she has had so much bad luck in her life, are almost laughable. However, her total descent into evil begins when she decides that she must make a blood sacrifice by murdering someone and using their blood in cakes and soaps. The descriptions of the 3 murders that she commits, and what she does with the bodies afterwards are extremely graphic, violent, and heartbreaking. The ending is very satisfying; where she got arrested and jailed for several years until she died. I really feel for Leonarda's surviving family, and the families of the victims. I hope that they all found some sort of peace.I recommend this book to lovers of true crime and crime fiction. It is so well written and narrated, that it could easily also pass as a crime fiction book.
By the time I had only read a few pages of this book, I was overcome by a case of the extreme shivers and heebie jeebies. The author has such a keen insight into what makes people tick; even those that are evil and completely insane. At first, I almost felt pity for Leonarda, as her life is consumed by her irrational beliefs, which stem from her mother cursing her marriage. Her feeble attempts at attempting to repel this curse, which she believes is the reason why she has had so much bad luck in her life, are almost laughable. However, her total descent into evil begins when she decides that she must make a blood sacrifice by murdering someone and using their blood in cakes and soaps. The descriptions of the 3 murders that she commits, and what she does with the bodies afterwards are extremely graphic, violent, and heartbreaking. The ending is very satisfying; where she got arrested and jailed for several years until she died. I really feel for Leonarda's surviving family, and the families of the victims. I hope that they all found some sort of peace.I recommend this book to lovers of true crime and crime fiction. It is so well written and narrated, that it could easily also pass as a crime fiction book.
December 21, 2019
You will not be disappointed!
I know folks hate abortion but when one is raped and forced to not only marry her rapist but bear his child can anything good come from it? In Leonarda, the child of a rapist, no. It would have been better for society if perhaps she was never born.
The book touches on rape, child abuse, mental illness, murder and the occult but not in a way that is utterly grotesque. In fact this book is quite good the way the author has written this true story. Read it you will not be disappointed.
I know folks hate abortion but when one is raped and forced to not only marry her rapist but bear his child can anything good come from it? In Leonarda, the child of a rapist, no. It would have been better for society if perhaps she was never born.
The book touches on rape, child abuse, mental illness, murder and the occult but not in a way that is utterly grotesque. In fact this book is quite good the way the author has written this true story. Read it you will not be disappointed.
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