It was okay. I read it but found it hard to get through. It did not capture my interest as much as I thought it would.

I've always been curious about hangings. Execution, accidental, murder or suicide, just what or better yet, why would anyone do that? Seems hardcore to me. Actually, it seems pretty dang gruesome. The thought that people would watch these hangings, and make a day of it is astonishing. Bring the beer and pack a picnic, we have a death to watch! Hey, maybe their head will pop off like last time! Fun times. Ms. Poplak did a great job in researching these stories, and giving me an insight into Canadian history. Whether they were murderer or victim, it seemed very sad and tawdry. The book was occasionally repetitive, but it still gets 4 stars from me. My thanks to Netgalley and Dundurn Press for this e-arc.

A book focused on hangings in Canada sounds like a weird topic, right? But it was actually quite interesting.

The book covers the hangings starting in 1867 when the British North American Act established the Dominion of Canada and ends when capital punishment was abolished in 1967. In total, there were 704 people hanged in Canada during these years and in this book are stories are the first and last men to be hung, the first and last women to be hung, the youngest to be hung, and many more.

In addition, there are chapters dedicated to famous people such as Thomas D'Arcy McGee, who had been murdered, and Louis Riel, who had been hanged. There is a chapter on Arthur Ellis, Canada's most famous hangman. There are chapters dedicated to those who had been on death's row such as Stephen Truscott (who has since been acquitted).

I liked the writing style of this book. There was lots of information but not too much.

Drop Dead: A Horrible History of Hanging in Canada gives an outline of the death penalty in Canada from 1867 to 1976, when the death penalty was abolished in Canada. There has been debate in Canada about re-establishing the death penalty after serious, hard-hitting cases like the Paul Bernardo murder case. In the 109 years of Canadian capital punishment, 704 Canadians were hanged. 703 hangings were for various crimes like murder, rape, burglary, etc., and 1 for treason.

I am a bit surprised at how engaging, interesting and thought provoking I found this book by Lorna Poplak. She presents stories of the condemned, information on the job of executioner, backgrounds and history of famous executioners, plus the science and art of properly hanging a prisoner without undue suffering. The book also provides thought provoking insights on related issues such as public vs private executions, the debate on the death penalty as crime deterrent or sanctioned revenge killing, botched hangings, executing women, and wrongful convictions. The book is not ghoulish and does not delight in the history of death by hanging. Instead, it presents balanced information on the practice using historical fact and leaves readers to make their own conclusions about the death penalty.

I enjoyed this book. I am still unsure about my opinion of the death penalty. On the one hand, I believe that justice should fit the crime. But on the other hand, does anyone have the right to take a human life? I'm not sure what the correct answer is.

Anyone interested in the death penalty debate, Canadian history, criminal justice and related topics will enjoy this book. I found it fascinating. The topic is discussed respectfully, without undue gory details or any disrespect towards the condemned or court/law enforcement officials. Drop Dead is a very thought provoking book! I'm glad I read it!

Drop Dead: A Horrible History of Hanging in Canada will release August 22, 2017 from Dundurn Press.

**I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book from Dundurn via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**

Many thanks to Lorna Poplak, Dundurn Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Interesting fact to remember for Pub Trivia night: between the years 1867 and 1976, when the death penalty was abolished in Canada, 704 people were hanged, and only one for treason.

I love Dundern books. I have a dear friend who is Canadian, and these books give me the opportunity to learn obscure lessons about his country. I can't tell you how many conversations have been sparked by these tomes.

The treason case was a fickle case. It was still raising its head in 1973, almost 100 years later. But his hanging instigated the bill to move all such punishments out of the public eye. And so it goes; hangings either having a direct effect on legislation or culture.

The towns would hoist a black flag and ring the church bells every time someone succumbed to the rope. And succumb they did-for murder. Women, too. Women seemed to enjoy murdering their husbands. Almost every case of female hanging is for that.

Types of hanging are discussed as well as their after effects. It seems to be an art for the executioner. A few men made it their main profession traveling cross country and being on retainer with the government.

Parliament has no intention of reintroducing the death penalty in Canada (I doubt it would be by hanging), but it seems a large portion of the population would support it if it were to happen. Certain heinous crimes spark retribution.

Dundern didn't fail me. I had another interesting conversation with my Buddy about his country's philosophy as well as his own belief system. I'm a vengeful person. I believe in the death penalty. An eye for an eye. Poplak's book was an insightful experience. I'd like a book like this about my own country, but I'm afraid it would be quite thick. It just proves Canada is a more docile environment while America is, shall we say, quite fervid?

Meticulously researched, however a bit of a dry read.

Lorna Poplak does a wonderful job of weaving interesting historical narrative with fact to make an informing read on a dark part of Canadian history. Great job entertaining the reader while they learn!