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srmilesauthor's review against another edition
3.0
Historical accounts of the lives of black women are so rare that I had to pick this one up. Especially, in light of the fact that I'm just beginning some research on a historical novel I've had brewing in my brain for a good while now. While the gritty details might titlate the true crime set I was disappointed with the lack of compare and contrast between Hannah and other everyday black women. I wanted to know how propriety was handled in the Victorian era of such repression that buffered against the era of slavery, where rape was common, relationships could be torn apart and sex outside of wedlock was more common than not. Did black folk, and black women especially live with a level of shame at all times or was the culture more forgiving? I wanted more information and I was definitely disappointed with the inordinate amount of notes at the end. It made it feel more like a dissertation than a quick read.
gremlin175's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent true crime while also an analysis of race in the public opinion/judicial system in the late 1800s.
graventy's review against another edition
2.0
The author spends quite a bit of time on what it was like being black in late 19th century Philadelphia, which is interesting. Despite some of the salacious details, I found the actual case at the center pretty dry.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
In 1887, a man out for a walk in his neighborhood noticed some unusual packages. When he opened them up, he discovered a torso; no head, no limbs. It stymied the Philadelphia police force. They couldn't tell even what race the torso was. And race factors into and is woven throughout this entire story. I wish there more about the wider world. The story just dives right in with little build up or an explanation of what is going on in the wider world.
I got this as an ARC from NetGalley on a whim. I enjoy micro-histories and thought this might provide a nice look at race relations nearing the turn of the century. It was a disappointment to me that there wasn't more of a discussion there, it was mainly "whites were intimidated by the new freedoms black people enjoyed" which is true, but awfully brief. But that may not be an issue for readers who are more interested in the macabre story of a woman who killed in a manner that (according to popular culture at least) isn't usually a female purview.
I got this as an ARC from NetGalley on a whim. I enjoy micro-histories and thought this might provide a nice look at race relations nearing the turn of the century. It was a disappointment to me that there wasn't more of a discussion there, it was mainly "whites were intimidated by the new freedoms black people enjoyed" which is true, but awfully brief. But that may not be an issue for readers who are more interested in the macabre story of a woman who killed in a manner that (according to popular culture at least) isn't usually a female purview.
borrowedbooks's review against another edition
2.0
It's a fascinating story and clearly in-depthly researched. It was a slog to read though, it's not written with the average reader in mind. It's a lot of notes and references and maybe because here was little to go on the people in the story seemed 2D.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book after listening to the author on Things You Missed in History Class. As a statement on how race was viewed in society and the court of law in the late 1800s, this was a good book. However, I thought the book was about Hannah Mary Tabbs as the super villian. In that area, I do not feel Ms. Gross proved her point. That was a disappointment for me.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: ARC read via Netgalley.
It shames to know that I live in Philadelphia and never heard of this case. Thankfully, Gross wrote a book about it.
In a book about a murder case, Gross does far more than look at police procedure. She showcases how a woman was able to maneuver in, around, and thorough the system. Gross does this without turning a murderer into folk hero. The book also presents information about African-Americans in large cities post Civil War.
Honestly, it is great read. Gross’ writing has vigor, and she tells the story in a gripping way. The book is the best kind of a teacher - one that teaches without seeming to.
It shames to know that I live in Philadelphia and never heard of this case. Thankfully, Gross wrote a book about it.
In a book about a murder case, Gross does far more than look at police procedure. She showcases how a woman was able to maneuver in, around, and thorough the system. Gross does this without turning a murderer into folk hero. The book also presents information about African-Americans in large cities post Civil War.
Honestly, it is great read. Gross’ writing has vigor, and she tells the story in a gripping way. The book is the best kind of a teacher - one that teaches without seeming to.