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Lady Killers - Deadly Women Throughout History
Lady Killers - Deadly Women Throughout History | Tori Telfer
When you think of serial killers throughout history, the names that come to mind are ones like Jack the Ripper and Ted Bundy. But what about Tillie Klimek, Moulay Hassan, Kate Bender? The narrative we're comfortable with is the one where women are the victims of violent crime, not the perpetrators. In fact, serial killers are thought to be so universally, overwhelmingly male that in 1998, FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood infamously declared in a homicide conference, 'There are no female serial killers'. Lady Killers, based on the popular online series that appeared on Jezebel and The Hairpin, disputes that claim and offers fourteen gruesome examples as evidence. Though largely forgotten by history, female serial killers such as Erzsebet Bathory, Nannie Doss, Mary Ann Cotton, and Darya Nikolayevna Saltykova rival their male counterparts in cunning, cruelty, and appetite for destruction. Each chapter explores the crimes and history of a different subject, and then proceeds to unpack her legacy and her portrayal in the media, as well as the stereotypes and sexist cliches that inevitably surround her. The first book to examine female serial killers through a feminist lens with a witty and dryly humorous tone, Lady Killers dismisses easy explanations (she was hormonal, she did it for love, a man made her do it) and tired tropes (she was a femme fatale, a black widow, a witch), delving into the complex reality of female aggression and predation. Featuring 14 illustrations from Dame Darcy, Lady Killers is a bloodcurdling, insightful, and irresistible journey into the heart of darkness.
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Pickpick

Lady Killers reminded me of the My Favorite Murder podcast! Each chapter covers a different woman serial killer. Happy to get this one off my Kindle TBR, it's been there for literal years.

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Reading about women serial killers with Shadow keeping guard!

dabbe Hello there, Sweet Shadow! 🖤🐾🖤 1y
WildAlaskaBibliophile Oooo, sounds good! 1y
ladym30 Shadow has a sweet face!❤️ 1y
See All 8 Comments
Tamra Cutie! 1y
WorldsOkayestStepMom @WildAlaskaBibliophile so far it's been really interesting! Just crossed the halfway point today. 1y
mabell 🥰🥰 1y
Gissy Look that sweet face🐶🤎🤎🤎 1y
51 likes8 comments
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rachelsbrittain
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Pickpick

I enjoyed learning about the history of of female serial killers from black widow poisoners to murderous inn keepers. I do feel like it sometimes lacked the full and proper historical context (at one point Telfer insinuates it was an unfeeling disconnection from her infants to name one baby after a recently deceased one when that was pretty common historically). An interesting read that didn't fall into glorifying or erasing these women.

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LibraryCin
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Pickpick

As interesting as I found all of these stories as I read them, they do read like short stories, so by the end, I have already forgotten details of the earlier stories in the book. Even so, I was certainly very interested and very much “enjoyed” reading the stories. Many of the women killed via poison, but not all. There were a few very cruel women included (that is, they killed by other cruel ways); cont in comments...

LibraryCin the two that immediately come to mind were both nobility in their respective countries and time periods. I really liked the author‘s writing style, and she even injected a bit of humour at times. I also liked that the author was also able to find out personal information on these women, not just information about the murders they committed. 2y
9 likes1 comment
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FantasyChick
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Eggs 🖤🕯💀 2y
34 likes1 comment
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kera_11
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i don‘t enjoy true crime so I don‘t know why I read this. while the author was trying to be humorous, it felt a little too girl-boss for me sometimes, I mean, they were murderers ya know? but it was interesting to hear about the public perceptions of them and how they potentially used them to their advantage.

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rsteve388
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Pickpick

What an intriguing read about why and how women kill, who they kill and how they get away with it for so long. Excellent book. Recommend. #NFN21 #NFN #NonFictionNov 4.5 Stars

Readergrrl Research project? 😂 3y
rsteve388 @Readergrrl LMAO no.. 3y
32 likes1 stack add2 comments
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EadieB
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@Eggs Thanks for sending me this book. It looks so good and I will put it in my book spin Bingo list for December. Thanks again!

wisherwishinguponastar That has been on my TBR for a long time! Hope it is good! 3y
Eggs Great❣️ Hope you enjoy it! 3y
EadieB @Eggs Thanks! I‘m sure I will! 3y
45 likes1 stack add3 comments
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eanderson
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Pickpick

Finished while out on a walk with my Theo. I really enjoyed this audiobook. I found out most women killers enjoyed a good poisoning and also were very motivated by money💰. 😂 🌟🌟🌟🌟

MicheleinPhilly I‘m ashamed to admit how much I laughed while reading this book. 3y
eanderson @MicheleinPhilly lol! I laughed and was concerned that my humor has changed from dry/immature to strangely dark. 🤣 I‘m glad I‘m not the only one! (edited) 3y
41 likes2 comments
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guinsgirlreads
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@MaleficentBookDragon I am blown away by your #fallingforfallswap package! 🤩🤩 Everything is (and smells) amazing and I am in love with the book sleeve you made!! Thank you!! 🧡 #fffs

Avanders That book sleeve!! 😍😍🍁🍂🧡 3y
guinsgirlreads @Avanders I know right?! Ahhhh! 💛🧡🤩 3y
MaleficentBookDragon Yay! I thought the box smelled amazing too when it shipped out. I am a big Koontz fan so I hope you like 3y
46 likes3 comments
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eanderson
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Out on a walk with Matty and starting a new audiobook! Happy Friday! 😎😊
#SuperSeptember

EadieB @eanderson I hope you enjoyed your walk! That audio book looks very interesting! Lady killers throughout history. Stacked! 3y
Cinfhen Happy Friday 💕💕💕💕 3y
Mitch Have you listened to her podcast? She has a very infectious story telling voice! 3y
robinb Looks like a beautiful day for a walk! :) 3y
eanderson @Cinfhen 😀💕 @Mitch I didn‘t but I am going to look it up now! That‘s awesome! 👍😁 @robinb it was! 💕💕💕 3y
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

While this book covers some of the female killers I‘ve read about before, Telfer does so in a way that isn‘t reductive, allowing these women to be whole people. She by no means excuses their crimes, but her cheeky in places tone helps keep the book lighter. She also purposefully focuses on historical women. This was interesting!

eanderson I love this review! I have it on Audible so I‘m looking forward to it! 3y
53 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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KateD1
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Finishing up this book today!
I‘ve never heard about any of these deadly women until reading this book. Telfer breaks down the myths behind these women and tells their stories to the point.
#LadyKillers #TrueCrime #Historic

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NotCool
Bailedbailed

I couldn‘t even make it through the introduction where the author wrote about Elizabeth Bathory being sexy and saying “there‘s something so seductive about the word “murderess”, before I thought this book might not be for me.

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LeahBergen
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I‘m thinking that there might be a few more “Lady Killers” like Nannie here during these Covid lockdown times.

😆😆

BarbaraBB Potentially definitely. Our lockdown has just been prolonged for another month 😬 4y
TrishB 😂😂 agreed! @BarbaraBB ours just seems to be endless!! 4y
MicheleinPhilly I laughed throughout this book. It was great. 4y
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Redwritinghood Seems like a good reason to me! 4y
rubyslippersreads I think Doss deserved it. 😂 4y
veritysalter I‘ve got this on my TBR, I‘m looking forward to starting it. 4y
83 likes6 comments
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veritysalter
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#Jolabokaflod Thank you so much @kaysworld1 for my fabulous book, I have wanted this one for so long. Merry Christmas. Thank you @MaleficentBookDragon for hosting #JolabokaflodSwap

Sharpeipup The book does look good! (As does the chocolate) 4y
kaysworld1 This is one of my favourite books I hope you enjoy it and merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 🥰 4y
veritysalter Thank you again and Merry Christmas @kaysworld1 4y
LeahBergen Lovely! I have this one (and just bought it for my best friend, too 😆). 4y
56 likes4 comments
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starlight97
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Pickpick

This very interesting nonfiction focuses on the forgotten female serial killers of history. It might or might not be creepy that two stories were about Hungarian women. 😱
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
📷 cjessferreira on instagram

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LostInSpace
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Pickpick

The women in this book are cruel, heartless and violent, they kill their parents, their children, anyone who gets in their way.

Although these women are notoriously evil, Tori‘s writing made me empathise with their situations, all of them born in a time where women had no control over their lives or their futures, some of them did what they had to to survive. Others were just straight up murderers.

- a really interesting read 4⭐️

#ladykillers

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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

Fascinating look at historical female serial killers. Telfer does a fantastic job of detailing the crimes but also portraying the women as human beings, not villainous caricatures. She tells their stories in a way that you can‘t help but feel empathy for them while also being appalled by their actions.
I knew about a few of these but most were new to me.

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K.Wielechowski
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(The 1950s) “...housewives spent their days vacuuming, with martinis in hand, and a look of existential horror in their eyes”
😂😂

TheRomantiCate If you are a fan of My Favorite Murder, then this is a book you should read 😎 4y
TheRomantiCate @K.Wielechowski #murderino 🖤 4y
9 likes3 comments
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CharismaRaven13
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Pickpick

Very interesting and very good researched book. Definitely 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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FantasyChick
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Pickpick

Finished 2 more #bookspinbonanza picks while getting some work done today 👊👊

This one I absolutely adored. I love reading about killers (who doesn't) but there are never enough female murderers. I found each murderess' story was really thorough in the time she had but I will definitely be looking into some of these women to learn more!

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 5y
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
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FantasyChick
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Getting some work done today and starting another #bookspinbonanza pick!

I've decided that the only way I'm going to get this list done is if I mix up physical and audio so I'm failing hard at getting these read in order but I'm making my way through the list pretty fast so I'm ok with cheating 😂

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks haha sometimes the rules are made to be broken!! 😂 I've had a few people mix up the list mostly due to similar format issues. I've decided to turn a blind eye. 😁 5y
32 likes1 comment
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FantasyChick
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I feel like it's been FOREVER since I've done a #readathon and I'm on a huge kick right now so I'm going to roll with it 👍

My goal is to get through some of my #bookspinbonanza stack. I've pulled 6 so let's see how it goes! I feel good about this one 😊

#nutsinmay @Andrew65

magyklyXdelish Ladykillers is on my TBR, excited to see if you like it 5y
Andrew65 Good luck, great to have you with us. 😊👍 5y
RainyDayReading I really enjoyed Lady Killers, hope you do too! 5y
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TheLudicReader I read The Harrowing years ago. It‘s a good one. 5y
FantasyChick @magyklyXdelish @RainyDayReading I'm looking forward to it! 5y
FantasyChick @TheLudicReader Oh good! It was a total impulse buy at a library sale so I really have no idea what it's about 😂 But that's all part of the fun. 5y
49 likes6 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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1. Lives of the Saints - Nino Ricci
The Blackhouse - Peter May
Charlotte's Web - EB White (family read aloud)

2. Lady Killers (tagged)

3. Completed? 1917
Started? Ant-Man (I can only watch about half a movie in an evening before I fall asleep)

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Sharpeipup Love Antman especially the part when Luis tells his story! 😂 (edited) 5y
50 likes1 comment
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toochers
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Books read March 2020

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SquirmyBookwormy
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Pickpick

A grisly but entertaining look at several female serial killers throughout history.

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Tiltedwhirled
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Mehso-so

I wanted more detail from this book but it was still an enjoyable read.

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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
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Pickpick

Absolutely fascinating! Couldn't put it down. If you're into true crime, then I strongly suggest this book about female serial killers.

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MidnightBookGirl
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Pickpick

I remember, as a kid, being angry when my father, incorrectly, told there were no female serial killers. It's just women are better at flying under the radar. ;) This should make for a great true crime book club, and the author was really thorough with history of the women's whose stories are shared. Book 7 of 2019.

Bielzebubby Hey, it‘s Jessica from TCBC! 5y
67 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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MidnightBookGirl
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Today is my first day at a new job! I still work at the bookstore part time, but from now on my full time job will be as a Activities Coordinator in a Memory Unit (and helping out in Assisted Living and Adult Day Center)! Started the tagged audiobook because A. Our true crime book club is discussing it this month and B. Because I hope to slay at orientation today and tomorrow and C. My commute is about 40 mins in the am and an hour in the pm.

Jas16 Congratulations and good luck today! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Congratulations!! That sounds like a very rewarding job ❤️ 5y
mariaku21 Congrats on the new and exciting job! Good luck 🤞 5y
Booklover57 Looks like an interesting book. 5y
61 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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shanaqui
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This must be from #SantaThing! I am intrigued... (And my choice of Book Depository as the store means I also get a bookmark for my collection!)

Mitch Really liked this one. 👍🏼 5y
ElizaMarie I thought this one had such good little stories in it. It was perfect to read a story during a lunch break. 5y
shanaqui @Mitch @ElizaMarie That's good to know! I might have to dig in soon, I've been needing more bitesize reading material. 5y
25 likes3 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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Had to purge that nastiness from my soul so paid a visit to my favorite bookshop. #bookhaul

MicheleinPhilly Have you read the tagged book @Reviewsbylola? 5y
Reviewsbylola No, but it‘s been on my radar. Stacking so I don‘t forget about it! 5y
vivastory I loved the tagged book 5y
See All 8 Comments
emilyhaldi Sweet!! Looks like we had similar Saturday mornings 😉 5y
Megabooks I‘d love to go book shopping with you! You have such great hauls. I‘m definitely texting if I‘m anywhere near Philly!! 👍🏻📚 5y
Ashley_Nicoletto Good choices! I need to pick up In the Dreamhouse immediately. 5y
Tamra Hahaha, I like how you phrased it. It‘s sort of an exorcism, I agree. 5y
MicheleinPhilly @Megabooks I will bankrupt you, Meg. ☺️ 5y
59 likes1 stack add8 comments
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FantasyChick
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Oh this is sooo me! I actually squealed when I saw the MFM book sleeve! I adore the bookmarks. And I died laughing when I saw the colouring book 😂 I'm going to have so much fun with it. The book picks are spot on. I used to have a copy of The Cases That Haunt Us but we had a leak & it got ruined before I could read it. My twisted 🖤 is so happy right now!! @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego You're the best 😘😘

#nightmareswap @LibrarianRyan

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I though you'd like this theme! I had the most fun shopping for you. Happy Halloween. 🖤🔪☠😵 5y
LibrarianRyan Yeahh. That is a killer swap. 🥴 5y
46 likes2 comments
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Mitch
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Pickpick

Telfer is such a good story teller. Each woman‘s disturbing yet compelling story is told with wit and compassion. She separates facts from mythology well. It sparked some thoughts around how history has changed our relationship with these horrific crimes and how the retelling off each story owes a moral responsibility to really do it right. Both of these themes Tefler draws out in the conclusion.

74 likes9 stack adds
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Mitch
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Jumped on the train today to do a long walk - it‘s cold, but the suns out and the air is fresh. Trying to finish my book during a lunch stop for fish and chips. Every good walk needs lunch!

Chrissyreadit How is the book? It sounds interesting. 5y
ElizaMarie I really loved this one! It had little quick stories that I found myself reading during lunch or when I had a quick break. It was super interesting all these evil women! 5y
Mitch @Chrissyreadit really liked it! She‘s sensitive to ensure the cases are presented carefully - but she doesn‘t loose sight of the power of storytelling! 5y
See All 6 Comments
Mitch @ElizaMarie just finished it - really loved it to. Although on some stories I wanted her to go deeper and flesh them out - novel length! 5y
Chrissyreadit Stacked! 5y
ElizaMarie I totally get you! Some of them did warrant a deeper dive :) 5y
64 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Mitch
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No one seems to want to sit near me on the train this morning! Perhaps my book is putting them off! 🤣

Andrew65 😂😂😂 Have to remember to try that! 5y
Mitch @Andrew65 perfect way to get a seat during rush hour! 5y
Gissy 😂🤣 5y
See All 6 Comments
TheLibrarian 😂 5y
DGRachel That's awesome! 😂 5y
KendallHershey I looooved this read. So fascinating! 5y
96 likes6 comments
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Mitch
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Walking home - clocks have changed and it‘s getting dark early - winter is coming! Listening to Criminal Broads - the podcast with this author. Great story telling.

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Mitch
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Picked up the tabbed book whilst on holiday recently... then accidentally found this great podcast... didn't realise for a while that they're both by the amazingly great to listen to, Tori Tefler.

In the episode I listen to she's signing off to go on maternity leave, so no new episodes for a while - but theres a great back list to listen to !

Daisey I just recently listened to the audiobook. Thanks for sharing about the podcast. 5y
Mitch @Daisey it was weird - independently picking up the book and finding the podcast in the same week! 5y
62 likes2 comments
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Mitch
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A little holiday treat ❤️🙌🏼❤️#texasroadtrip

Chrissyreadit Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! 5y
95 likes1 stack add1 comment
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AprilMae
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Part 2 of 2 of my #screamathonswap box! All these lovely goodies!!! Thank you so, so much @JenlovesJT47 ! You spoiled me 🎃🎃🎃 I can't wait to jump in to it all!!!

Thanks for hosting @4thhouseontheleft !!!

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AprilMae
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Part 1 of 2 of my #screamathonswap box from @JenlovesJT47 !!! I'm stocked to read these bad boys!!!!

@4thhouseontheleft

JenlovesJT47 I hope you like everything! I just opened mine, will be posting soon, love everything! 🤗 5y
AprilMae @JenlovesJT47 I do love it all! I can't wait to jump in to it after I run my errands today! Yay day off to enjoy the great package!!! 5y
26 likes2 comments
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Daisey
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book about female serial killers. Some of the women I‘ve heard or read about elsewhere and others were new to me. The most recent was in the mid 1900s, but this was a deliberate choice by the author. The format was perfect for listening a bit each day.

#audiobook #nonfiction #Hoopla

52 likes2 stack adds
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Daisey
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This post is really just an excuse to share a beautiful photo of the sky from this evening‘s #audiowalk. I‘m finding the book interesting, and each biography of a different female serial killer is great for a short listen.

#nonfiction #audiobook #Hoopla

TalecArashi Wonderful sky 😍 5y
Daisey @TalecArashi Thanks! Views like this really help with making time for my walk every day. 5y
TalecArashi @Daisey I can believe it! 😄 5y
Liz_M Stunning photo! 5y
Daisey @Liz_M Thanks! 5y
58 likes1 stack add5 comments
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MsRadioSilence
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Today‘s #colormepretty is #CMYK!

Lady Killers is a book about - you guessed it! - ladies that kill. All the stories are ones I‘ve either never heard of before or know very little about. As a big fan of true crime, this book is a must.

You Are A Writer is a great book for any aspiring authors of literally any written work. It‘s helped me set up a plan to get published, and it provides plenty of motivation too.

15 likes2 stack adds
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Bookish_B
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Pickpick

I am a bit morbid and like reading about this stuff. Every chapter is about a different “murderess” ☠️ It‘s a fast and interesting read!

RohitSawant Great picture! 5y
Bookish_B @rohit-sawant thank you 😊 5y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
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callielafleur
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Pickpick

A really interesting look at lady serial killers in history. Most were pre-20th century, and some were as early as the 16th century. My only negative is that I wish more had been more recent, but according to the conclusion section, the author made that choice with lots of intention, so all the more power to her.

Bookish_B This is my next read! Really looking forward to it 👍🏼 5y
93 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Emory
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Today's theme is pink! #bookandabath

WhatWouldJaneDo Your pairing is very appropriate for that gruesome looking bath! Love it! 6y
87 likes1 comment
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PathfinderNicole
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Starting a new book this evening while the husband grills! Enjoying a Crown and Coke (his) and a Cherry limeade Moscow mule (mine) while we‘re at it! #booksandbeverage #springintoreading @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love it!!! Enjoy 🍹🥃 6y
vkois88 Ooooh fun 6y
24 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Patchshank
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1. Virgo ♍♍♍
2. Got some errands done that I've been procrastinating on.
3. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
4. Work and sleep. Maybe squeeze in something fun, but yay for overtime 🤑
5.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️