Ugly Prey by Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi
The author of this book was on a panel at Murder and Mayhem in Chicago a few weeks ago, which is where I picked this book up.
Sabella Nitti was a poor, hardworking, rundown Italian immigrant living on the outskirts of Chicago. In 1923, she was tried and convicted of killing her husband and became the first woman in Cook County to be sentenced to hang. It was a gross miscarriage of justice if for no other reason that there was no proof her husband was actually dead. She had an inept lawyer, a pair of scumbag sons, and an ugly face.
While Sabella sat in jail, awaiting an appeal, a stream of pretty, fashionable husband killing women passed through the Cook County court system, most of them acquitted of their crimes. A couple of these femme fatales inspired the main characters in the musical Chicago.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was true crime but with heart. I felt like I not only knew Sabella but I became indignant about the way she was treated throughout this ordeal. Now, I will say, if you’re looking for definitive answers on what actually happened, you will be disappointed. Even almost 100 years later, there is still no consensus on that.
I’d give this 5/5 stars. It captured me nearly from the start and I had a hard time putting it down! Truly one of the best books I’ve read so far this year.
