This is a very well-researched and well-illustrated collection of case studies of "crimes of passion" -- usually a man killing his wife or lover. Not all of the cases included fit the criteria, though; for example, included was the case of Chester Gillette, who killed his pregnant girlfriend. Gillette at first said her death was an accident, then that it was a crime of passion, but it turned out he'd murdered her in cold blood because he didn't want to marry her or support their child.

If you want a good grounding in any of these cases but don't have a lot of time, this book would be a good place to start. It goes from the 1800s up to the present day; I only wish non-Western cases were included. ( )