In this sequel the author surveys the history of murder and its motives, whether robbery, rape, black magic, jealousy, sadism or just boredom. The cases range from the Roman Emperors to the gaslit streets of Victorian London, from political graft in 1930s America, to the Dingo Baby Case in 1970s Australia and the epidemic of serial murder in the Western World. Mising general comment on the changing nature of violent crime with individual cases, Wilson's collection is stimulating, thought-provoking and astonishing.