New Book on Rose West
on July 7, 2011 in Serial Killers by Brian CombsThere is more evidence of the depth in interest in, and information on, Fred and Rose West today, with the release of Rose West: The Making of a Monster by Jane Carter Woodrow. According to Amazon.com, it is available in paperback and Kindle eBook.
The book covers the childhood of Rose West, attempting to explain why she became a sadistic killer. I don’t see anything in the publicity that suggests that there’s much new here, but I won’t be picking up the book, at least not immediately. I’m almost done profiling Fred and Rose, and don’t really have time to review additional source material.
I certainly appreciate it if anyone who reads the book could let me know if there’s anything new.
I read this book yesterday and there is some new material. The author has interviewed family members and neighbours to gain some insight into Rose West’s childhood. As far as I am aware none of the other published material has covered this ground.
Also, there is an interesting angle which, again, I haven’t seen covered elsewhere. The impression most of us have of Rose West is of the dumpy middle-aged woman in the photographs taken of her at the time of her trial. Most of the joint murders committed by Fred and Rose took place when Rose was still a young woman. At the time of the murders Rose was a very attractive teenager and, most interestingly, many of the victims resembeld Rose physically (slim girls with long brown hair) at the time.
Thanks for the input!
The Sounes book definitely talks about how attractive Rose was when she was young. If memory serves, he pointed out that one or two victims resembled Rose, but didn’t make a bit deal of it.
By the way, how does the new book read?
Mrs. SK Podcast is about to dive in Fred and Rose. She was going to read Sounes book, but if this one is good, maybe I’ll get her the Kindle version of it (gotta love that instant gratification).
It is written in straightforward narrative style. I found it quite engrossing and read it in two days.