The book looks at murder cases throughout history and how the law, description and penalty for being found guilty of committing murder has evolved over time. Some well known phrases and even superstitions can be traced back to or linked to different murders or cases. The author also looks at the different terminology that has been used throughout history to describe murder. The book covered more recent well documented murder cases as well as looking at the death penalty, and how the type of death penalty has changed through out history. This book is interesting as well as being informative, it is quick and easy to read and holds the readers interest, by moving throughout history looking at the different crimes and opinions that surround them. The book briefly touches on the way society views individuals, with wealthy people not being judged in the same way a poorer person would be.