Murder by the Decade

Killers, Gangs, and Justice, 1800 – 1930

They didn’t look like monsters.
They looked like spouses. Caretakers. Neighbors.
Between the 1800s and the early 1900s, some of the most dangerous killers in history lived ordinary lives. They married. They hosted dinners. They offered help. And behind closed doors, they killed again and again.
This book explores real, documented cases of men and women who murdered multiple victims during the rise of modern society, when cities were growing, newspapers were spreading stories faster than ever, and trust was often misplaced. Some poisoned their victims quietly at the table. Others buried bodies in their own yards. Many escaped suspicion for years simply because they appeared respectable.
Inside, you’ll find true stories drawn from public-domain newspapers, court records, and official reports, including:

• Killers who married repeatedly and left a trail of unexplained deaths
• Women who turned homes and farms into burial grounds
• Men whose crimes were hidden behind manners, money, and status
• Investigations that struggled to keep up with repetition and deception

Written in clear, teen-friendly language, this book focuses on what happened, how patterns were missed, and why these crimes were so difficult to stop, rather than shock or gore. Each case shows how ordinary settings became dangerous, and how early law enforcement slowly learned to recognize serial behavior.
Perfect for curious readers, homeschool studies, and anyone interested in the darker side of history, this volume reveals how some of the most terrifying crimes were committed not in dark alleys - but in homes that looked perfectly safe.