The Murderess

A Novel

By: Laurie Notaro

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurie Notaro comes a haunting true-crime novel about Winnie Ruth Judd, one of the twentieth century’s most notorious and enigmatic killers.

It’s October 1931. When Winnie Ruth Judd arrives at the Los Angeles train station from Phoenix, her shipping trunks catch the attention of a suspicious porter. By the time they’re pried open, revealing the dismembered bodies of two women inside, Ruth has disappeared into the crowd.

The search for, and eventual apprehension of, the Trunk Murderess quickly becomes a headline-making sensation. Even the Phoenix murder house is a sideshow attraction. The one question on everyone’s lips: How could a twenty-six-year-old reverend’s daughter and doctor’s wife—petite, pretty, well educated, and poised—commit such a heinous act on two people she’d called “my dearest friends in the world”? Everyone has their theories and judgments, but no one knows the whole truth.

What unfolds in this gripping work of true-crime fiction is a collision of jealousy, drug addiction, insanity, rage, and inescapable choices. At its heart, a condemned and tragic mystery woman whose trial—and its shocking twists—will make history.

©2024 by Laurie Notaro. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Notaro’s expertise shines best in the neutral tone with which she breathes new life into an old story…An impressive biographical crime novel, well worth reading.”—Historical Novels Review

“As complex as it is deftly crafted—this is a pulse-pounding, page-turning, heartbreaking account of the misunderstood woman behind a sensational news story that gripped a nation. A haunting novel that never lets the reader go.”—Kirkus Reviews

This book is EVERYTHING!

I grew up in Phoenix, not far from the actual scene of this crime, and I’ve been fascinated by the “Trunk Murderess” story my entire life! I love how the pov shifts in this story, making Ruth a relatable character and conjuring a vivid picture of life “out West” in the 1930s when the crime was committed. This book would be a great read even if it wasn’t a true story…but knowing it IS true makes it all the more compelling!

Well documented historical fiction, awful narration

Narration sounded robotic, it was very distracting. I stopped listening halfway through and read the book instead.

Such a fascinating case

I love how this story was brought to life by both the narrator and the author.

Entrancing!

Although this was historical fiction, I know there were a lot of facts. It kept me enraptured and was like a trip back to the 1930's. What a different time! It kept me entertained overall, I recommend it to people who are into true crime!

Great thriller

I loved this book. It brings true crime to life, get to know Old Arizona.