{"product_id":"the-blood-countess-murder-betrayal-and-the-making-of-a-monster-hardcover","title":"The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eShelley Puhak\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA March Indie Next Pick * A Barnes \u0026amp; Noble Most Anticipated Nonfiction Book of 2026 * \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Barnes \u0026amp; Noble Reads Best Book of February 2026 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom the author of the national bestseller \u003ci\u003eThe Dark Queens\u003c\/i\u003e, an incandescent work of true crime and feminist history about Elizabeth Bathory, the woman alleged to be the world's most prolific female serial killer.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor centuries, Elizabeth Báthory has been remembered as the Blood Countess—a Hungarian noblewoman accused of torturing and murdering hundreds of young women and bathing in their blood. Her name became inseparable from castles, cruelty, and one of history’s darkest legends. But what if the story the world remembers was carefully constructed?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrawing upon archival evidence and challenging generations of repetition, Shelley Puhak reopens the case against Báthory. She examines the Countess not simply as a legendary monster, but as a wealthy and politically influential woman navigating a volatile world shaped by religious conflict, reactionary power, fear, and betrayal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs the accusations, political interests, and historical records begin to collide, The Blood Countess asks a compelling question: Was Elizabeth Báthory a prolific killer, the target of a remarkably successful disinformation campaign, or a more complicated figure somewhere between the two?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKEY FEATURES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical true-crime narrative\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReexamination of the Elizabeth Báthory legend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDraws upon archival research and newly considered evidence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeparates documented history from centuries of folklore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExplores political betrayal and religious conflict\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExamines the treatment of powerful women in history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten with the momentum of an investigative mystery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the author of The Dark Queens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTHEMES \u0026amp; SUBJECTS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElizabeth Báthory and the Blood Countess legend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical accusations and disputed evidence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePolitical intrigue and betrayal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWomen, authority, and social power\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReligious division and reactionary movements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisinformation and the creation of public myths\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrue crime, biography, and feminist history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMemory, reputation, and historical justice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePLEASE NOTE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis book discusses allegations of torture, murder, persecution, and violence against women.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany stories associated with Elizabeth Báthory remain disputed or unsupported by reliable historical evidence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe book critically examines the surviving records and the political circumstances surrounding the accusations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a work of historical nonfiction rather than a fictional vampire story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCover artwork, format, and publisher markings may vary by edition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct colors may appear slightly different due to lighting and screen settings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReview the available format, edition, and condition information before ordering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWHY YOU’LL WANT TO READ IT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDark legend meets archival investigation in a book that looks beyond the blood-soaked mythology. The Blood Countess offers a layered portrait of a powerful woman, a turbulent age, and the dangerous ease with which accusation can harden into accepted history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePRODUCT TYPE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical True-Crime Books\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShelley Puhak\u003c\/b\u003e is a critically acclaimed writer whose work has appeared in the \u003ci\u003eAtlantic\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSmithsonian\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTime\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLapham's Quarterly\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eVirginia Quarterly Review\u003c\/i\u003e, and other publications. She is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Dark Queens \u003c\/i\u003eand three books of poetry, including the Anthony Hecht Prize-winning \u003ci\u003eGuinevere in Baltimore\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHarbinger\u003c\/i\u003e, a National Poetry Series selection. She lives in Maryland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 304\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.19 x 9.41 x 6.37 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 17, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53245634576695,"sku":"9781639732159","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0858\/0612\/1271\/files\/4M5oSJvoKi9781639732159.webp?v=1791895111","url":"https:\/\/urbanoverlooked.com\/es\/products\/the-blood-countess-murder-betrayal-and-the-making-of-a-monster-hardcover","provider":"Urban Overlooked","version":"1.0","type":"link"}