Well researched and easy to listen to despite the subject matter. The story of lethal injection is a story of gross incompetence, law breaking, torturous deaths, and a stunning indifference to the way in which human beings die at the hands of the state. These are the secrets of the killing state―all that we know from litigation files, scientific studies, investigative journalism, autopsy reports, interviews, and scholarship across a number of fields. Death penalty expert Corinna Barrett Lain uses this groundbreaking journey into the dark reality of lethal injection to shine a light on the American death penalty more broadly and show that the state at its most powerful moment is also the state at its worst.

Wow!

First of all, a big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this insanely informative read. Seriously. I mean that. This one... this one was well-worth the read and the review.

The book is an incredibly eye-opening read (or in my case - listen) that brings to light the deep and often shocking problems within the lethal injection system in the United States. Corinna Barrett Lain expertly weaves together history, investigative journalism, and harrowing real-life cases to reveal just how flawed and fraught the process truly is. As someone who thought I was fairly knowledgeable about the death penalty, I was genuinely surprised by how much I learned and how widespread the issues are. We're talking everything from botched executions to hidden agendas and bureaucratic missteps.

What I appreciate most about this audiobook is how it forces listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about a system many assume is clinical and humane. The book isn't so much an attack on one's underlying beliefs about capital punishment itself; instead, the author focuses on the practical realities and ethical quandaries of lethal injection.

Personally, while this book didn’t change my fundamental perspective on the necessity of capital punishment for certain crimes -- I truly believe there are some people who shouldn't live in this world -- it did ensure that if I'm ever in the hot seat myself, I'll be sure to ask for the firing squad.

The narration is engaging and clear, making complex legal and medical topics accessible without feeling overwhelming. My only real critique is that the book can be a bit dense in places. There were a couple of times when I had to go back and re-listen to a bit that I'd kind of zoned out on.

But still! It’s well worth your time if you're interested in justice, ethics, or the inner workings of the legal system.

In all, it's a compelling and thought-provoking read that challenges assumptions, sparks critical thinking, and sheds much-needed light on a hidden corner of the American justice system. An easy four stars!

Honestly a fantastic book! It was well thought out into chapters and the facts were well presented. If you are on the fence about capital punishment this may sway your view! America should be ashamed of itself for what they do to people

To say that this book is "eye-opening" would be a massive understatement. Corinna Barrett Lain makes the case, with copious research and numerous mind-boggling examples of botched executions, that lethal injection is not the humane, peaceful government-assisted death that we are led to believe.

Lain explores at great depth the inner biological workings of lethal injection, including the dubious origins and questionable efficacy of the widely-used "three drug protocol." Unlike pet euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, lethal injection is neither quick nor painless. Furthermore, it is not necessarily overseen or approved by medical professionals, and is not designed with patient comfort in mind. Because of this, government agencies incorporate a degree of smoke and mirrors for the benefit of the execution witnesses; the appearance must present as a painless death, although even with these attempts at concealment (or conceal-er… in one case literally using concealer on the wounds of a deceased inmate), witnesses have seen evidence to the contrary.

The chapters on supply chain issues and lethal injection drugs are a unique angle. Drug companies don't want to associate with government-assisted killing, so the state has had to resort to shady, and sometimes illegal, means to obtain lethal injection drugs. Naturally, this means that the drugs are not always reliable, leading to further potential for botched executions.

If you aren't convinced by the amount of informational evidence presented by Lain, the numerous examples of botched lethal injection cases covered in this book will push you over the edge. There is a reason convicted inmates facing the death penalty have started to request the electric chair over lethal injection. Throughout the book, Lain presents her case effectively and engagingly; truly, the information is like nothing I have ever heard or read before. Absolutely shocking -- this needs to be required reading for law students.

If you are listening to the audiobook, the narrator is fantastic. She manages to cover this incredibly dark topic with a respectful yet engaging vocal cadence. That said, I may be purchasing a written format as well so that I can more easily go back to reference content. This book is unforgettable and will be on my mind for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Corinna Barrett Lain, and Highbridge Audio for sending me this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

WOW!! This was an excellent and thought-provoking, yet absolutely horrific, read about the unknown story of lethal injection. I found it eye-opening and shocking, but sadly not surprising considering all the atrocities committed by the government. It was full of information and facts delivered in an extremely compelling narrative that never failed to hold my attention. She did an amazing job researching, and it really showed in her final product. The narrator did a fantastic job at bringing the story to life. She was very articulate with a clear and engaging voice that was just as compelling as the narrative itself.

This book is absolutely amazing. Though it's long and technical, it’s incredibly informative and compelling. The writing flows smoothly, and the author explains complex topics with clarity, holding my attention from start to finish.

I highly recommend it to everyone—regardless of political beliefs or opinions on capital punishment—this is a must-read.
4.5 stars

Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for an audiobook arc of this book.

This has to be one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read ( and over some 7 decades, I’ve read thousands). I listened to the audio version, very well narrated throughout, with clear, inflective delivery. It was perfect. I’m against capital punishment and over the years I’ve followed a few cases in the US where the death penalty has been handed out. The electric chair was appalling and when death by lethal injection was introduced as an option in the mid 1970’s, it seemed a more humane alternative. After all, most of us have experienced humane end of life treatment for pets and assisted dying for humans is possible. Rather like the author, my belief about this being a humane option was based on an entirely incorrect set of assumptions.

Corinna Barrett Lain has undertaken extensive research to determine the truth behind legalised killing and its barbaric. Virtually every assumption I had was wrong. The drugs used; single, combination or whatever often not tested or their application in lethal injection was not appropriate. That’s the first mind boggling fact, The way in which they’re administered, by incompetent, inexperienced and unqualified people is unbelievable. The whole ‘show’ of the final minutes, behind a screen in front of an audience is a facade. The author takes the reader on a journey they’ll never forget. With minute by minute accounts of the final hours (yes, hours in some cases) of death penalty victims and the subsequent enquiry or autopsy report make fir stomach churning reading, Prisoners with 18 or more stick holes trying to find a vein, cut ins and use of needles that are too short. Incorrect timing so the subject was septillion conscious after allegedly being sedated. Evidence that they died from drowning due to pulmonary embolism. It’s truly horrifying. I have little sympathy for those who’ve committed dreadful crimes, but in a civilised society, this is not the way to resolve the problem.
This is a harrowing read but it certainly reinforces my belief that the death penalty never be right. I’d urge anyone with an interest in society to read this book and not be swayed. The author shoukd be commended for an intelligent and informed insight presented with honesty and compassion.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

I read the written book and also listened to this audio version as well. I think this was a phenomenal audiobook. The author did a great job. It’s well researched and well written. This is a subject I feel strongly about so I was happy to be approved on this title and I thoroughly enjoyed it. More people should listen and read this book.

Absolutely chilling and revolting. And I don't mean the convicts.

Lain has given us a masterclass in reporting on lethal injection in the states. I'm sure most readers will be just as shocked as I was to learn that there's not only misconduct but secret, illegal markets driving a terrible state of affairs, where people on death row aren't given the proper treatment when it's their time, usually leading to drawn-out, terrible deaths or even stays due to the illness and impairment that occurs. I hesitated to write "unexpectedly." Some of this relates to incompetence. Not a shocker given the regular downturn in the states for decades on that front. Some of it, though, relates to greed and dirty deals. A hidden drug market, cover-ups, use of expired products, and so on. The medical profession and the oaths taken brush up against the state and the legal system in ways that end up being worse for society, yet nothing changes.

May this act as a treatise for fundamental shifts in the lethal injection system and the entire death row system altogether.

Elizabeth Miller is the perfect narrator, a calm and humane voice for such a dreadful topic.