Kenneth Grahame 
The Headswoman (Barnes & Noble Digital Library) [EPUB ebook] 

This 1898 satire depicts a medieval village whose executioner—a beautiful woman—wins the hearts of those she must kill.  Upon publication,
Literary World deemed the book, “A delightful little tale with a tinge of satire in it. For gracefulness of style and charm in the telling of a story it is in the front rank, and that is saying a great deal.”