Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore

"In this fully illustrated book, Katy Horan digs into the history and cultural life of 20 murder ballads. The stories behind the songs are told with careful empathy, impressive research and a storyteller’s surety. Murder ballads are rooted in violence: Somebody’s voice was taken. When possible, Horan gives those who were silenced their due. You don’t need to be a folklore, true crime, or music expert to enjoy this book or appreciate how well Horan’s strikingly evocative illustrations complement the subject. I loved this. Add a list of notable recordings and an extensive bibliography, and this brief but evocative book has an afterlife."