Inside 25 Cromwell Street by Stephen and Mae West Book Review

True crime stories have always been captivating, mixing horror, reality, and the unbelievable. Inside 25 Cromwell Street by Stephen and Mae West is a book that definitely fits this description. Based on the horrific crimes committed by Fred and Rosemary West in Gloucester, England, this book is a chilling and unforgettable account of what happened inside the notorious house on Cromwell Street. I recently read this book and thought it would be worth sharing my thoughts on it.

Click me to go to my Review

Synopsis

This will be the most important book published on the Gloucester murders.
Other books will be written about the events at 25 Cromwell Street. Only
1 book, this book, can take you inside the house itself. Stephen and Mae
are the 2 oldest surviving children of Fred and Rose West. How does a
serial killer stay concealed within a family for 23 years? What kind of
family could let this happen? The answers are complex, and this book is the
most important step towards unravelling them.

About The Author

Mae and Stephen West’s parents were two of Britain’s most notorious serial killers, Fred and Rose West, who brutally tortured and murdered 12 people, including two of their own children.

Their sister, Heather, was 16 when her parents murdered her after she tried to escape – then buried her in the garden.

My Review

Inside 25 Cromwell Street tells the story of the Wests, focusing on the crimes they committed and the investigation that followed. The authors, Stephen and Mae West, are the son and daughter of Fred & Rose West. As such, they have a unique perspective on what went on inside the house. Since the book was written in 1995, it follows the investigation up until then, which was when Fred and Rose West had both been charged, through Fred’s suicide and Rose’s trial.

The book starts with a detailed description of Fred West’s background and upbringing, which undeniably played a role in the twisted person he became. The book then goes on to describe Rosemary West, the woman who became his wife and accomplice in his crimes. The authors describe in harrowing detail how Fred and Rose lured young women to their home, subjected them to unimaginable torture and abuse, and then killed them. The book is certainly not for the faint-hearted, and the descriptions of the crimes are graphic and disturbing.

One interesting aspect of the book is the way it portrays Fred West. As a reader, you get a sense of how manipulative and deceptive he was and how he managed to hide his monstrous actions from those around him. The authors also describe how the police investigation unfolded and how the Wests were eventually caught. This is an important part of the book and gives a much-needed sense of justice to the story.

Despite the gruesome nature of the book, I found it to be a gripping read. The author’s style comes across as quite young and indeed they were when this was written. Everything was new and shocking to them as they started to come to terms with the crimes of their parents and their own childhoods. Written by their children, who were no doubt in the house during some of their more hideous crimes, adds a personal touch which adds more depth to the book and makes a more engaging read.

Having read another book by Mae West which was published much later, it’s clear to see how things have progressed since this was written and how things have changed for her and her family since. It was interesting to go back and see how that differed from these early days when everything was just coming to light and the shock of coming to terms with their new notoriety as the children of Britain’s worst killer couple.

In conclusion, Inside 25 Cromwell Street is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It’s a chilling account of the crimes committed by Fred and Rosemary West, and a stark reminder of the cruelty that some people are capable of. Despite the horror of the story, the book is well-written and engaging. If you’re interested in true crime stories, this is definitely a book worth checking out. But if you’re easily disturbed, it’s probably best to avoid it.

Rated