The Wicked West of Cromwell Street by Jack Smith Book Review

Do you love reading true crime stories about infamous serial killers? Then, “The Wicked West of Cromwell Street: The Lives of Serial Killers Fred and Rosemary West” by Jack Smith is a must-read for you. This book recounts the spine-chilling story of the Wests – the husband and wife duo who sexually abused and murdered at least twelve young women between 1973-1987. The book is a detailed account of their killings, their trial, and their lives before and after their crimes were discovered.

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Synopsis

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 readers. 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 book, we will go in-depth and learn about the history of the murderers. We will examine Fred and Rose’s early lives, their relationship, their personalities, and will ultimately try and 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 to have ever lived. Not only did they prey on unsuspecting young girls, but their attentions were even turned towards 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. Read on to learn exactly what drove Fred and Rose West to become two of history’s greatest monsters.

About The Author

Jack Smith is fascinated with true crime, specifically serial killers. After finishing his university degree in medicine, Jack continued to become a pathologist. He has traveled far and wide and has seen many cases in the thirty years. Jack started documenting some of the peculiarities in these cases to observe trends among crimes. From this early fascination with murderers, he decided to pursue this by writing about cases that he found most interesting both from a psychological point of view as well as the story behind the murders. He is from Maine and has since retired, allowing him to focus on his true crime research, which he documents in his books.

My Review

The book opens with a prologue that sets the tone for the entire narrative. The author introduces us to the grotesque lifestyle of the Wests and the crimes they committed, leaving the reader with an instant sense of horror. The first chapter details the lives of the Wests before they began to murder young women. Smith paints a vivid picture of their childhoods, upbringing, and the incidents that led them to become serial killers. The book then moves on to discuss the Wests’ modus operandi, their victims, and the authorities’ efforts to track them down.

One of the things that make this book stand out is the author’s extensive research. Smith has done a commendable job of piecing together the Wests’ lives and their crimes by interviewing police investigators, journalists, and friends of the victims. The book also includes a lot of information from court transcripts and media reports from the time the crimes happened. Smith’s attention to detail keeps the reader invested in the narrative.

This is a very short book at just 98 pages, but it packs a punch. If you want a quick, insightful, and well-researched overview of the Wests then this is the book for you.

In conclusion, “The Wicked West of Cromwell Street: The Lives of Serial Killers Fred and Rosemary West” is not for the faint-hearted. The book is a spine-chilling account of the lives of two of the most notorious serial killers in the UK’s history. It is a testament to the author’s research and writing skills that he has managed to tell this gruesome tale in a way that is informative, engaging, and emotionally compelling. The book captures the horror of the Wests’ crimes and their impact on the victims and their families. If you are a true crime enthusiast looking for a well-written, short overview story of the Cromwell Street murders, this book is a must-read.

Rated