Serial Killer / Audiobook and Book Reviews by Audiothing

The Girl in the Ice

Monday, 15 February 2016

Publisher: Bookouture (February 12, 2016)
Publication Date: February 12, 2016
Sold by: Amazon
Language: English
ASIN: B019G6DSDE
ISBN 9781910751763
3 Star review
Excerpt from publishers summary:
"When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation.
The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London."
My Review
I don't like to disagree with everyone else, but I was asked for an honest review in return for my Netgalley ARC and this is it.
The prologue, written from the victims point of view, seemed promising, full of intrigue and tension, and the anticipation of getting a good read hooked me. Sorry to say it, but for me it all went downhill from there on, my disillusionment began with Erika. Erika is the lead character and, like so many fictional female detectives, is emotionally damaged and socially inept. She resents authority and goes her own way against all orders and common sense. She is hell bent on her own theory and won't cooperate with anyone else. That her presence will engender resentment from her new colleagues pretty much goes without saying. I'm not even sure she should even have been placed in that particular setting. Would the Metropolitan Police Force, with all their resources really bring in an officer from another territory to investigate a murder? Would the officers really act in the manner portrayed? I don't think it likely, not these days but then, I'm sure the author would have used the services of a police media advisor.
There were far too many stereotypical characters for my liking, even the old prostitute is a dirty, foul mouthed, ill mannered, drug addicted woman with crooked brown teeth. The working classes and criminals are portrayed as arrogant and ill mannered because they are poor, and the are rich portrayed as arrogant and ill mannered because they are privileged.
I thought it was a real shame because the actual plot itself is quite good and that is what earns it the 3rd star. It failed for me though because the whole story ran along predictable lines, including the usual part where the protagonist finds herself facing almost certain death (and that's not a spoiler because we know it's a serial). Having said that, judging by the number of 5 stars and the gushing comments, this style of writing must be exactly what many people want to read, I'm just not one of them.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Bookouture in return for an honest review.

True Crime: The Wicked West of Cromwell Street

Thursday, 11 February 2016

Written by: Jack Smith

Narrated by: John N Gully

Length: 1 hr and 47 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:12-28-15

Publisher: Kemah Bay Marketing LLC

Genre: True Crime,

Audible

5 STARS

Publishers Summary

What Fred and Rose West did for decades before getting caught in their house on 25 Cromwell Street, nicknamed the "House of Horrors", goes beyond anything anyone could ever imagine....

As a society we are fascinated by murder. It is a constant theme throughout much of our media, and many news outlets will prioritize a murderous story, knowing that it will enthrall audiences. There is something about those who decide to take a life that makes them so incredibly interesting to the rest of us.

While many of the most famous murderers are known across the world, there are those whose crimes are relatively less known. One of the strangest stories involves the married couple Fred and Rose West. Together they killed. Up until the time they were caught, they engaged in a string of murders, each motivated by hate, jealousy, passion, and a fundamental lack of morals.

In this audiobook, we will go in depth and learn about the history of the murderers. We will examine Fred and Rose's early lives, their relationship, and their personalities and will ultimately try to discover what it was that drove them to become two of the most notorious killers in the history of the British Isles. Though their crimes made front-page news at the time, few people outside of the country know the extent of their criminality. In this book we will learn exactly what made their killings so infamous.

For those who are in any way interested in the depths of human morality, the Wests represent some of the most depraved and sadistic murderers ever to have lived. Not only did they prey on unsuspecting young girls, but their attentions were even turned toward their own daughters. In a case involving kidnap, rape, and murder, Fred and Rose went beyond the realms of what many of us consider possible as people. Listen to learn exactly what drove Fred and Rose West to become two of history's greatest monsters.

©2015 Jack Smith (P)2015 Jack Smith and Maplewood Publishing

My Review

This is True Crime and as such, is a very difficult listen. That two people could inflict such unutterable pain, terror and degradation upon their victims before eventually murdering them is just beyond comprehension.

I well remember the impact this had on people when every day yet another body would be found, every day a new atrocity exposed, it seemed endless.

This is a short account, but I thought the book to be well written, it's a comprehensive review of all the components of the case, the life stories of those two flawed characters, how they met and how their deviant lives developed. Of course, there's nothing new, but how can there be? It's history now, and for those interested, here are all the facts brought together. I appreciate how the author sticks to what has been reported, no amateur psychological profiling, and no embellishments. I'm more accustomed to reading and reviewing fiction, but in my opinion, within its genre, this deserves 5 stars, but be warned, it's not for the faint hearted.

Narrator

John N. Gully narrated this awful story in the only acceptable way, and that is by using a reporter style, It would not be possible to listen to the evil activities and the suffering of real victims if the narration were infused with emotion. Excellent job.

Audiobook provided by narrator in exchange for an honest review

The Casanova Killer

Thursday, 31 December 2015

Written by Jack Smith

Narrated by John N. Gully

Length: 1 hour 29 minutes

Unabridged Audiobook

Released 2/11/15

Published by Kemah Bay Marketing LLC

Available from Audible

Publishers Summary

"Paul John Knowles, nicknamed the Casanova Killer, went on a four-month killing spree in 1974. He still remains one of the lesser known serial killers of his generation. Learn all about this psychopath who wanted fame before his life ended.

November 7, 1974

As she entered her home in Milledgeville, Georgia, all Ellen Carr probably had on her mind was going to bed. She was a registered nurse who worked a night shift, and although her small family welcomed the money, the job was a demanding one.

Inside, the house was unnaturally quiet. She found that odd. Her husband, 45-year-old businessman Carswell Carr, and 15-year-old daughter, Amanda, usually greeted her when she came home from the hospital.

That wasn't the only sign that something was seriously amiss. As an investigator later put it, "The [place] looked as if it had been attacked by an animal." Mirrors were smashed. Slashed furniture lay everywhere, some of it in pieces. Books from the bookshelves littered the floor.

Had they been robbed? Where were Carswell and Mandy? Heart pounding, Mrs. Carr ran from room to room, calling out. Minutes later, she was back outside, screaming hysterically. Neighbors called the police to what was obviously the scene of gruesome double ........

My Review

At around 1/12 hours in length this is obviously not an in-depth study of these horrendous murders, nor does it delve deeply into the possible causes of psychopathy. What is though is an almost detached rendering of the basic facts. Facts which are quite shocking to read or to listen to. I'm surprised that I had no prior knowledge of this killer who, despite his terrible acts of violence, somehow escaped the notoriety of other serial killers.

I mostly read crime fiction and, whilst listening to this I realised I had to change my listening mode, I had to stop allowing this information to merely flow through my head, bypassing the deeper thought processes, it dawned on me: this stuff is real! A human being actually did this to another human being! Once this thought sinks in, well, that's when it becomes a little harrowing, especially so when this man, this fellow member of the human race, committed these crimes for his own pleasure. Best not to attempt to understand why.

I like the way this book is written, it gives us the bare facts, dig deeper if you will.

Narrator

Narrated by John N. Gully, and what a darned good job he made of it too. He has a pleasant, easy to listen to and clear voice and related this account of the crimes of Paul John Knowles in exactly the right manner.

It would have been easy to spoil the narration by using a news reporter or advertising voiceover style, I'm so pleased he avoided this through his use of a professional and dignified approach