This is a chronicle of 30 notorious New England murder cases spanning from the 1800s to 2000, from well-known cases that shocked the country to lesser-known cases that petrified the small towns they were committed in. At one point in the 1970s there were so many murders in one small Connecticut county that a New York newspaper openly asked if this tiny area was perhaps the most violent county in the nation. The irony was incredible, with bloody old New York, known well for its own homicides, looking at a tiny speck of New England with something like awe. But if anyone ever kept track, they'd probably think New England was the home of depravity, with every small town harboring at least one madman with murder on his mind. New England crime has been well covered when it comes to gangland stories or high-profile murder trials, but less attention has been given to the more deviant killers, the wandering drifters, and maniacs who butchered their way into the headlines and, often, straight to the gallows or electric chair. From a quiet Connecticut farmer who one day picks up an axe and wreaks havoc on his village; a young Maine man who decides to kill his wife and mother-in-law because he was tired of being nagged; to a 13-year-old boy who stabbed a neighbor 58 times, each chapter is a brand-new horror show. Author, Don Stradley examines the killers, the trials, and the historical context of the crimes, the media's reaction, the way mental health experts played an increasing part in trials, and the impacts of such crimes on their respective communities. “Disturbing and darkly provocative, master storyteller and dogged investigator Don Stradley reveals New England's murderous secrets in this bloody and extremely readable compendium.” ―Robert Mladinich, author, "From the Mouth of the Monster: The Joel Rifkin Story;" co-author, "Case Files of the NYPD: More Than 175 Years of Solved and Unsolved Crimes" “Don Stradley's New England's Wickedest Killers is a gripping, meticulously researched journey into the region's darkest crimes. With a storyteller's flair and a journalist's precision, Stradley humanizes victims while unflinchingly examining the minds behind the violence. A haunting, compelling read that lingers long after the final page.” ―Ron Chepesiuk, true crime writer, screenwriter and podcast host “Stradley takes readers on a merry-go-round of mayhem from the 19th to the 21st century and from Rhode Island to Maine. e murderers pro led here represent all ages, races, economic classes, and genders, demonstrating there is no one factor that leads to homicide. In dispassionate, meticulous, and compelling detail, Stradley recounts the crimes, the perpetrators, and the devastating effects the deaths had on communities throughout the region. A grisly but fascinating compilation that will leave you wondering about human nature.” ―Stephanie Schorow, author, The Boston Mob Guide: Hitmen, Hoodlums & Hideouts" Don Stradley is an award-winning journalist and author of several books. Boston Tabloid: The Killing of Robin Benedict (2022) was a top seller on Amazon Kindle and The War was a #1 seller in its category, praised in the Times of London, and selected as a Favorite of 2021 by The Progressive Magazine . His earlier titles Berserk (2019) , A Fistful of Murder (2020) , and Slaughter in the Streets (2020) focused on how the sport of boxing was touched by the world of crime. He has also written for various movie-streaming companies, including Fandor, The Film Detective, and Film Masters. He has appeared on several true crime podcasts.