Murder is not an equal-opportunities activity. Just 13 per cent of homicides and serious violent crimes are committed by women. However, the perpetrators face particular opprobrium. The fondest memories of most of us are the times we spent as a child with our mothers and we believe that all women should be as nurturing. The women in this book are not like that. Some murder their husbands - sometimes, like Tillie Klimek, they make a habit of it. Others, like Tracey Connelly, kill their own children. Enriqueta Martí, the 'Vampire of Barcelona', killed other people's children to make cosmetics. There are those like Florence Ransom who killed rivals in love, Vera Renczi who disposed of her many young lovers with poison, Phoolvan Devi who killed those who had raped and humiliated her, and Rosemary West for whom murder became the ultimate thrill her depraved sex life.
