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Death Row: The Final Minutes

My life as an execution witness in America's most infamous prison
3.75 goodreads logo

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( 1,872 ratings, 246 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Death Row: The Final Minutes by Michelle Lyons is a gripping memoir that draws on the author's experiences working as a death row prison guard for over a decade. The book delves into the human stories behind the executions, offering a poignant insight into the complexities of life, crime, and justice. Michelle Lyons shares personal reflections on the convicted individuals she encountered and the emotional impact of her role in witnessing their final moments.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This compelling memoir offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Texas death row through the eyes of a person who witnessed nearly 300 executions. You might enjoy it if you are interested in exploring moral complexities, the justice system, and the human stories behind death row inmates.

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The remarkable, unbelievable and provocative story of one woman's experiences working on death row in Huntsville, Texas.

The remarkable, unbelievable and provocative story of one woman's experiences working on death row in Huntsville, Texas.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Death Row: The Final Minutes is a haunting book in which Michelle Lyons shares her experience of witnessing nearly 300 executions over 12 years.

As a reporter and later as a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Michelle frequently visited Huntsville's Walls Unit. There, she recorded the final moments of death row inmates' lives before they were put to death by the state.

Michelle witnessed the last words of some of the most notorious criminals, including serial killers, child murderers, and rapists, as a cocktail of lethal drugs surged through their veins.

As the number of executions increased, Michelle began to feel misgivings. She came to know and like some of the condemned individuals she witnessed die, prompting her to question the seemingly arbitrary nature of the death penalty. Do executions actually make victims of us all?

"Haunting, dark and hard to put down" - Houston Chronicle

"A portrait of what it's like to be surrounded by death... a memoir of perseverance in the face of routine tragedy" - The Daily Beast

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788701495

Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 December 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: BLINK Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 224g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Michelle Lyons was a prison reporter before becoming a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In both roles, she witnessed the executions of some of the most infamous inmates of Texas death row. In 12 years, she saw nearly 300 inmates die by lethal injection, and this is the story of how those executions took their toll. The thoughts of Larry Fitzgerald, Michelle's dear friend and former colleague, also form part of her compelling narrative.

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