"Carolyn Strange is unquestionably the leading historian of capital punishment in Canada, and Fatal Confession displays all the virtues of this very fine scholar. This is exemplary research, and a story very well told."

Jim Phillips, Faculty of Law and Department of History, University of Toronto

"No hanging is inevitable. Carolyn Strange’s riveting tale of a west-end Toronto teenager's rape and murder offers a fascinating glimpse into the gendered assumptions of 1950s Canadians. Some decried 'lust-maddened fiends' who ravaged innocent young girls; others defended men with 'normal sex impulses' lured to their demise by precocious sexpot pickups. This tenacious tug-of-war between prosecution and defense will leave readers astonished at the 'arbitrariness of capital justice.'”

Constance Backhouse, professor of law, University of Ottawa

"Fatal Confession is a gripping and insightful book by one of the masters of Canadian criminal justice history. As she unravels the tragic and disturbing Fitton case, Strange illuminates the intricate ties between criminal law, sexuality, psychology, and the media. A compelling and thought-provoking read – I learned something on every page and couldn’t put it down."

Bradley Miller, Department of History, University of British Columbia