I loved this book. I first listened to the audio book years ago in the midst of my divorce. It has wonderful information and history about arsenic uses and poisoning. At one point it discusses pine coffins and corpses who were prepared with arsenic. My X was still living at home and got quieter and quieter as I listened to the story. Just before the end of the book my parents brought my childhood toy box over for my kids. It was a long pine box with a lid. He left the next day. Once I realized w...

This fiction novel, published in 1995, focuses on three Southern USA women who have been controlled and emotionally abused by their husbands. One woman was portrayed around the time of the Civil War, and the other two are modern day (although to a Yankee like myself, these two gals still seemed to have ideas of wifehood that my grandmother progressed beyond in 1920. Sorry to any Southern sisters I may have offended.) I like that this novel portrays a bizarre portrait of humanity. From Eleanor Ro...

Sharyn McCrumb is a favourite author who caught me by surprise with this book. This is from the Elizabeth MacPherson, forensic anthropologist series. Elizabeth is still mourning her husband lost at sea in Scotland, or maybe he is not, we have no idea if he is dead or alive. Elizabeth keeps writing letters to him regardless, but of course she just hides them away. This story brings her back to Virginia when her brother Bill invites Elizabeth to join him and his partner A.J. Hill, offering her wor...

I can see why the book, If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him... by Elizabeth McPherson won the Agatha Award for best novel of 1995. It answers all women's favorite mystery novel questions: How can you stop a man who won't take no for an answer?; How to poison with arsenic and get away with it; The easy way and the hard way to keep peace with a tyrant; ... AND... If a male dolphin really wants to have sex with you, should you let him? I know that last question is not really a classic mystery but hey

Great storyline with a variety of characters and innuendos to make you laugh aloud. McCrumb brings out the sad part of abuse, not just physical but mental, that tends to be overlooked in marital relationships, which may lead to serious consequences.

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read! I have had two friends who were in, or leaving, abusive relationships, and they found this novel hugely cathartic.Be aware that this is VERY dark humor. Don't hand it to your 12-year-old, even if they can read it. If you do not care for edgy humor, this may not be your book. I won't go into plot and spoil it. Sharyn McCrumb generally writes mysteries (but not always) and they are set in her Appalachian homeland. (The middle a is soft, as in "ap...

Another white-trash delicacy. This book is one in a series, but it started my obsession with Sharyn McCrumb who is one of the best Appalachian writers currently working. She's funny, she has wild imagination and, most of all, she incredibly talented. This is a story of polygamy. Some backwoods preacher gets it in his head that God has told him to marry again after he sees some sweet thang staring up at him from the pews. (Honestly, the joke opportunities are limitless and McCrumb takes some seri...

There are as many reasons for murder as there are murderers. What these women have in common are cruel and abusive husbands. Is murder ever justified? And can you get away with it? In her captivating manner of story-telling, Sharon McCrumb explores these issues. Grounded in reality and history, this fiction read will keep you turning pages. Put yourself in the place of these women . . . or on the jury. What would you do?

A quick and fun read, witty and entertaining, covering three different murder mysteries. Although not a comedy at all, in places you laugh out loud, and others you wrinkle your brow and shake your head. The writer's style and main characters are enjoyable and interesting enough in this her #8th to make me want to backtrack to read the 1st installment of this Elizabeth MacPherson novel series.

Synopsis: brother Bill and his feminist partner take on two complex cases that will require Elizabeth MacPherson's forensic skills. Both murders.

Intriguing plot--or multiple plots, all interesting. The characters are well-drawn and although there are some serious topics here, the tone is lightened with humor, occasionally verging on farce.

Delightful ...

One of the best mystery stories I ever read and I love the title. This novel is one that remains with you for many years. I think I want to re-read it as I am mentioning it in my blog www.BestBooksByBeth.com as an example of complex characters. Both Eleanor Royden and Donna Jean Morgan are accused wives who have interesting stories to defend. You do not need to read the first Elizabeth MacPherson mystery in the series to appreciate this one.If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him...Sharyn McCrumb

The dolphin plot and Bill's enthusiastic treatment of it really kept this from being more of a typical vaguely entertaining mystery novel. Was its resolution meant to be funny? Just, no. This was my first McCrumb book, so I'm honestly not sure if we are meant to infer some anti-LGBT sentiment from the book. The dolphin bit seemed too close to homophobes' absurd pearl-clutching about "if gay people can get married what's next?" and the professor/mom situation seemed to position intellectuals and

Men are beasts. That is the overriding message in Sharyn McCrumb's "If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him . . ." Eleanor Royden shoots and kills her ex-husband, a powerful lawyer who robbed her of everything when they split, and his bimbo new wife. Donna Jean Morgan has a husband, a preacher, who has decided God wants him to have a sweet, young thing as a second wife. He winds up dead. Men are beasts, but at least they have the decency to die . . . except for Porky. He lives.

Luckily this is the last book in this series that I have. I won't be buying the others.At the first, when I realized there was multiple related stories all told together, I was really happy. That's how my favorite Ballad novels were told - many intertwined stories in a single narrative, all variations on a theme. I should have recalled that it's an Elizabeth McPherson mystery, where nothing gets taken seriously -- to the point where it becomes a farce.So, I started with low expectations, worked

Wow! I've found a new Southern author that gives great stories, unusual characters and out-loud chuckles! A friend recommended her books. Am I ever glad! I chose this one to read first because it has lawyers and its a mystery. Now my lawyer husband wants to read this because he kept hearing me laughing out-loud. I learned some unusual facts in this story. All I have to say is watch out for dolphins.

I had been wanting to read one of her books, and now I have. Not to my taste. The overall tone brought me a small amount of despair. I need some positive feelings in the books that I read. This one read a bit like an angry white man who tells jokes meant to advance his agenda. Funny, right? No, not even if I agree with the agenda.

I love McCrumb's characters. They're fully realized and a joy to read. About the only thing I didn't like was one of the cases taken on in this book. Eleanor felt a little too much like Betty Broderick. I like my mysteries when the victims are unknown to me. I knew too much about the Broderick case and it made me really uncomfortable. While I figured out the ending before I got there - it was really a fun ride.

This was a very interesting murder mystery -- but a little "out there" at times! It will make for good discussion tonight at book club -- especially in the area of gender roles, gender bias, and marriage.