This book was great to read during spooky season...It's been over a century since all those murders happened so the distance lets me let myself off the hook for being so fascinated with the crimes. A man who hopped on and off trains, killing entire families with the blunt side of an axe in the middle of the night, and doing this for years without ever being caught--goosebumps.

I did read other reviews of the book and have my own thoughts on the common complaints:
- "Chatty" or "snarky" writing voice--yes, true, on audio I thought it was entertaining like a podcast but I certainly wouldn't have liked it if I was reading a hard copy. Same with the constant repetition of the killer's MO and signature.
- Lack of footnotes, citations, and index -- with the audio I couldn't tell, but I think it's very unprofessional and even shameful that the publisher OK'd this. Considering that the authors frequently say they read newspaper reports etc, why not let us see those sources?
- Confusing timeline and narrative structure -- At first I thought it was just me because there are so many crimes that were committed in the exact same way and it is easy to get lost. But starting in the middle of the crime spree, then jumping backwards in time, then forwards past where the book started, plus the inclusion of other crimes that the authors deemed "unrelated" in the midst of "related" crimes is very hard to follow. I think the similar yet unrelated crimes are a worthy inclusion, but should have all been together in one chapter.
- Lack of maps and photos -- I actually went searcing for this. A simple line map with locations numbered chronologically would have done wonders for spatially understanding the crimes. Any photos of locations, victims, and crime scenes (yes they exist online... and are referenced in the book) would have been a welcome addition.
- Lots of speculation -- Yes, lots. Most of the book actually. It kind of bothered me when they speculated on what people were thinking, but I guess it did add flavor to the story. Think of this book more as a gossip rag and you'll enjoy it more ;)

Overall I did really like this book. I had never heard of any of these cases and tend not to be too interested in true crime pre-1950s, but this was just so interesting. Some small details helped me appreciate the time and setting more. For example, an explanation of the role that literacy rates played in enabling media coverage of the crimes (north vs south and from one year to the next literacy grew exponentially). Or how the killer had a habit of using gas lamps instead of flashlights even after flashlights were quite common could point to generational differences.

Well. Compared to this guy, Lizzie Borden is overrated.