Whether or not someone supports capital punishment, it should be done in a humane manner. This book provides ample evidence that that is not happening. Inadequate drugs are used, and the people approving and administering them don't know enough about them. There are multiple descriptions of times when the state attempted an execution and it went badly wrong, which shouldn't be happening. If it's possible to euthanize pets humanely, it should be possible for humans. This was appalling and depressing.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

"In 2018, cultural historian Colin Dickie wrote: 'The work of American torture has always been twofold: not just the violence itself, but the complex legal and rhetorical strategies that obfuscate it away to maintain a myth of America as a civilized place without cruel and unusual pun-ishment.' He wasn't writing about lethal injection. But nowhere are those words more true than here..." p.273

That pretty much sums it up. This is peak investigative journalism - the receipts, the absurdity, the tea-spilling. Whether you're a proponent or protestor of the death penalty, this is a must read. Lain's well-researched and in-depth analysis of modern capital punishment draws attention to huge flaws in the system that are deplorable, inhumane, and impossible to ignore. (The states know that too, hence secrecy laws. Wowzer.)

Also a reminder that we aren't much different than we were 200 years ago hanging people in the public square. We like to think we've matured, that we've grown more consciously aware, but we haven't. Not really.

The book's exploration of the human psyche is both captivating and unsettling, forcing readers to confront the darker aspects of human nature. Lain's analysis is thought-provoking and insightful, encouraging readers to think critically about the complexities of human behavior.

Before this book, I had assumed (retrospectively very naively) that lethal injection in the United States was like pet euthanasia (quick, painless, humane) but for humans. To my surprise, people incarcerated on death row will choose the electric chair over lethal injection when given the choice on their method of execution.

The author, Corinna Barrett Lain, is a law professor who specializes in the death penalty and clearly is extremely knowledgeable on the topic. Barrett Lain is not directly advocating for or against the death penalty in this book and focused on the issues associated with lethal injection (although her position on death penalty is clear). She covers the scientific fallacies of states' lethal injection methods, moral issues of the state sponsor of torture and cruel punishment, the financial drain on taxpayers to execute prisoners, gross misconduct and disregard for human life by government employees, indirect implications for public health, and concerted cover up by the government of the above.

Barrett Lain's writing itself is digestible for those of us who are not pharmacological or legal experts. The book provides a mix of eyewitness testimony, legal reviews, and expert opinions in a professorial tone (paraphrasing, like "as we learned in the previous chapter", "as we will learn in chapter 3"). I was very surprised with the sheer amount of information and evidence provided in less than 300 pages. Regardless of your position on the death penalty, I think this book is an important read for any taxpaying American whose tax dollars go to the lethal injection effort (and that's all of us- we all contribute to federal executions regardless of our state's opinion on death penalty!)

Thank you, NYU Press, for the arc!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Corinna Barrett Lain’s Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection is a meticulously researched and profoundly unsettling examination of the realities behind one of the most controversial methods of capital punishment. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the ethics, legality, and human impact of the death penalty.

Lain pulls back the curtain on the practice of lethal injection, revealing a system fraught with incompetence, secrecy, and inhumanity. Contrary to the popular belief that lethal injection is a humane and painless method of execution, Lain presents evidence of botched procedures, unqualified personnel, and the use of torturous drugs.

Strengths: One of the book’s greatest strengths is its thoroughness. Lain leaves no stone unturned, providing a comprehensive overview of the history and current state of lethal injection in the United States. Her writing is clear and compelling, making complex legal and medical issues accessible to a broad audience. The inclusion of real-life cases and personal stories adds a poignant and humanizing touch to the narrative.

Weaknesses: While the book’s depth is a strength, it can also be overwhelming at times. The sheer volume of information and the graphic nature of some of the content may be difficult for some readers to process. Additionally, the focus on U.S. practices may limit its relevance for international audiences, although the ethical questions raised are universally significant.

Lain’s writing is both scholarly and engaging. She balances detailed analysis with narrative storytelling, ensuring that the book is informative without being dry. Her ability to convey the gravity of the subject matter while maintaining a clear and accessible style is commendable. The book is well-organized, guiding readers through the complexities of the topic with ease.

Secrets of the Killing State explores themes of justice, morality, and the abuse of power. It challenges readers to reconsider their views on the death penalty and the methods used to carry it out. The book also highlights the broader implications of state-sanctioned violence and the ethical responsibilities of those involved in the process.

Secrets of the Killing State is a powerful and eye-opening book that sheds light on the dark realities of lethal injection. Corinna Barrett Lain’s rigorous research and compelling writing make this an essential read for anyone interested in criminal justice, human rights, and ethical governance. The book’s revelations are both shocking and necessary, prompting critical reflection on the practices carried out in the name of justice.

Highly recommended for readers interested in criminal justice, human rights, and ethical issues surrounding the death penalty. Secrets of the Killing State is a crucial contribution to the ongoing debate about capital punishment and the methods used to enforce it.

This was extremely informative and educational.
I am from Australia where capital punishment has long been abolished, so this was really eye opening to the horrors that are still occurring in the world. The language used is really easy to understand and flows well.

Very interesting, but I admit I did skim over some of the drug names and other things that felt too technical for someone like me who knows nothing about this topic.

hello Corinna,
I hope you are doing well. This book is very interesting to me and I would love to review it but sadly the book is not in a format I can access. I hope we can resolve this issue as I would love to read this book. I hope that I can read this book soon.

This was a fantastic concept and worked with the history element that I was looking for. Corinna Barrett Lain wrote this well and had that element that I was looking for in a history book.

Thank you, NYU Press, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Mr. Book just finished Secrets Of The Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, by Corinna Barrett Lain.

This book will be released on April 22, 2025.

This book was an excellent look at the horrors of lethal injection. The author made an extremely strong case for how inhumane that method of punishment is. There is no way that someone could read this book and not be convinced that it is the very definition of cruel and unusual punishment.

The book backs up its claims with both anectodal and medical evidence, along with plenty of information from people involved in the system.

Out of all of the books that I have read on the death penalty, this was the best one.

I give this book an A+ and inducted it into the Hall of Fame.

Goodreads and NetGalley require grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, an A+ equates to 5 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).

This review has been posted at NetGalley, Goodreads and my blog, Mr. Book’s Book Reviews

I finished reading this on November 3, 2024.

This is fascinating and exposes a level of detail which society should understand when accepting the death penalty as a viable response within the criminal, justice system. The author is pretty clear about which side of the fence they fall on from a moral perspective but delivers a comprehensive and balanced narrative overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this already knowing the basics of a lot of it. There's a difference, though, between knowing and having it all set out before you in such an easy-to-read way. The descriptions of what happens to the prisoners were horrifying and helped drive the point home, and the book flowed well. Some parts felt a bit repetitive, but I suppose that's par for the course when trying to write something like this.

If this is a topic you're interested in, I would absolutely recommend it. I look forward to being able to get a physical copy when the book is released.