Welcome to my blog, where every Wednesday for the next few weeks, I will be sharing my reviews of several books about the infamous Fred and Rose West. As a true crime enthusiast, I recently fell down a black hole researching the crimes of this notorious couple and became fascinated with understanding the gaps between their offences.
Fred and Rose West were a married couple who became infamous for their heinous crimes in the 1970s and 80s. Together, they were responsible for the sexual assault, torture, and murder of at least 12 young women and girls, including two of their own children. Their home at 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester, England, became known as the “House of Horrors” and is considered one of the most shocking crime scenes in British history.
Despite the notoriety of their crimes, there is still much that remains unknown about the Wests and their motivations. What led them to commit such horrific acts? What was the dynamic of their relationship, and how did they manage to evade detection for so long? These are questions that continue to intrigue true crime enthusiasts and investigators alike.
Serial killers are often referred to as addictive killers, ones who are unable to stop themselves from committing more murders unless something major happens. This may be why they appeared not to kill after they killed their daughter, Heather, perhaps it was devastating enough to stop them, but there are other significant gaps in their killings that I don’t understand the cause of. What might have happened during those times? Could it be that Fred was imprisoned for petty offences, as he had been charged with before? Or were there other factors at play?
Of course, there are also psychological considerations of the case too, what causes people to be interested in such practices or to make them more than just fantasy? Why causes people to carry out such sick and depraved acts and what of their children, those who grew up in such an environment?
Through my reviews of books about Fred and Rose West, I hope to shed light on some of these questions and gain a deeper understanding of the couple’s crimes. Some of the books I will be reading include “Fred & Rose: The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of Horrors” by Howard Sounes, “The Serial Killers: Fred and Rose West” by Brian Masters, and “Depraved – Fred and Rose” by C.G.C Cooke as well as books from their children, Anna Marie, Mae and Stephen.
As I delve into these works, I will be looking for insights into the psychology and motivations of the Wests, as well as the societal and cultural factors that may have contributed to their crimes. I will also be evaluating the writing style and level of research in each book, to determine which ones are the most engaging and informative.
At the end of this journey, I hope to have a better understanding of the complex and disturbing world of Fred and Rose West, as well as a list of recommended books for others who may be interested in this topic. So, stay tuned for my reviews, and let’s explore together the dark and unsettling history of the Wests.
