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roxanamalinachirila's review
5.0
This was much nicer than I was expecting.
Well - not the murders. The murders were pretty horrible for the victims, because this is part of a "True Crimes" series, depicting some of the most mysterious and horrible real cases, all nice to read about with a century's worth of time between then and now.
The year is 1918 and the scene is New Orleans, a vibrant city. The first chapter tells us its history rather charmingly, starting with its being founded by the French and going through successive rules, until the axe-man makes his appearance. I can't stress enough how nice this is - absorbing American culture through osmosis only goes so far, and I finally understand what's up with New Orleans.
Back to the story. The axe-man is a serial killer who comes at night, often removing a panel from the victims' door with a chisel, and then attacking them with their own axe with blows to the head. The victims are often Italian and own grocery stores. Nothing is stolen. Sometimes, the possessions are gone through, but nothing is taken. However, occasionally the patterns are broken, leading to more and more questions about who the axe-man is and why (and how) he does what he does. The mood of fear and paranoia that grips the city is conveyed quite well, and I love the specific details that crop up here and there.
The volume is great, the pacing perfect, it's short, but gripping.
Well - not the murders. The murders were pretty horrible for the victims, because this is part of a "True Crimes" series, depicting some of the most mysterious and horrible real cases, all nice to read about with a century's worth of time between then and now.
The year is 1918 and the scene is New Orleans, a vibrant city. The first chapter tells us its history rather charmingly, starting with its being founded by the French and going through successive rules, until the axe-man makes his appearance. I can't stress enough how nice this is - absorbing American culture through osmosis only goes so far, and I finally understand what's up with New Orleans.
Back to the story. The axe-man is a serial killer who comes at night, often removing a panel from the victims' door with a chisel, and then attacking them with their own axe with blows to the head. The victims are often Italian and own grocery stores. Nothing is stolen. Sometimes, the possessions are gone through, but nothing is taken. However, occasionally the patterns are broken, leading to more and more questions about who the axe-man is and why (and how) he does what he does. The mood of fear and paranoia that grips the city is conveyed quite well, and I love the specific details that crop up here and there.
The volume is great, the pacing perfect, it's short, but gripping.
orangerful's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid entry in this series (despite some very odd printing errors - no proof reader at the publishing house?). I was not familiar with this bit of true-crime history at all, but it is one gruesome unsolved mystery!
librarianguish's review
3.0
Another volume in the fascinating true crime graphic non-fiction series by Rick Geary. Quick and interesting reads, with great illustrations that really bring out the sense of the time period.