This book made me cry so there's that. While the writing felt fairly simplistic, nothing to go on about, it did mean it felt like this case was treated with a respect and also made it a very easy and understandable read. There is something... interesting, about speculating on a real life criminal case, and also then "inventing" new backstories and versions of people and events that theorise on what could maybe have happened, but is ultimately fiction at its core. But this was very interesting and all over tragic. Ultimately men, especially those in positions of power and with influence and money, come out of this book looking bigoted, violent and ignorant.. It was enjoyable to read a book set mostly in New Zealand and to spot so many places I know. That Albert Black was the second to last person to be hanged is also the final tragedy; he was so close to being tried in a country with laws that would have given him a chance to grow and his family a chance to know him for even longer.