Each trial is briefly introduced with a little about the criminals, what they did and the person reporting it, and they certainly make thrilling (and chilling) reading. There is also a fine introduction, which outlines the history of crime reporting and the changing times covered in the book as well as initially introducing many of the cases and discussing why they are included in this book. There aren’t any photographs except on the front cover, but there is a useful list of sources (no websites) so if you put this book on your coffee table you might not need any conversation pieces around. Absorbing, well presented and concise.