Well uh... this isn't really about axe murder?

This is a collection of historical stories where an axe happens to be present. When I read the title I was expecting more of a collection of true crime murders perpetrated by someone wielding an axe. But the majority of these stories are from historical battles where people get killed by axes during wartime, leaders buried with axes as a show of force, or just beheading executions. I'm not joking when I say that the first true "axe murder" story doesn't happen until chapter 9 (and there's only 12 chapters).

I'm not sure if this one is on me but I was expecting something different. But then again the actual definition of axe murder is never clearly stated. I feel like the author and I have very different views on what that could mean. I just feel very misled with what this book is actually about.

The author's writing just wasn't my style either. It's a mix of casual discussion with academic research and it comes off as very jarring and tonally confusing. I also didn't love the lack of respect towards the deceased that some of the stories got.

I should also mention that I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's voice kept me going. If I had the physical/e-book of it, I think I would've DNF'd it. I think in a different format it wouldn't have kept my attention.

This book's title is misleading. It is not a 'history' of axe murder, it is a series of stories of axe murder over a span of thousands of years. The author had some good perspectives on the changing role of the axe throughout, but I didn't feel like I got much out of it other than getting some true crime thrills. It was good in audio format, I honestly think I would have DNFed it had I read it visually.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audio Review: the narrator is fitting and easy to listen to

Review: I enjoyed learning more about the history of the axe. The authors love for the topic really shone through and was probably my favorite aspect of the story. I appreciate that this book was written, it's a good history of almost like older forms of "true crime." The author also does a careful job of addressing social justice issues and is just overall very thoughtful in her approach to the topic. All in all had a good time listening!