My book review for this month isn't one which everyone will want to read, it's about Wales' worst serial killer, Peter Moore. I'd read about this book on Eileen's Deja Brew II blog and Eileen offered to send me the book after she'd finished reading it.
"The sensational true story of Peter Moore, mild-mannered business man and Wales' worst-ever serial killer. At his trial, the prosecution branded him "the man in black, with black thoughts and the blackest of deeds" and the judge called him "as dangerous a man as it is possible to find".
25 years after he was found guilty of four murders and confessed to more than 20 brutal assaults over two decades, Moore's defence lawyer Dylan Rhys Jones finally tells all. As his brief, they spent hours together, discussing Moore's compulsion for violent sexual assaults, his overwhelming urge to kill, his involvement with a circle of gay men who gained sexual gratification from domination and torture, his plans for further murders, and how it feels to end someone's life.
An in-depth, first-hand account of full and frank dealings with a particularly vicious and sadistic individual who gained pleasure from killing."
I'm fascinated by the minds of serial killers and what makes them commit such horrendous crimes. I'm also fascinated by the police procedure, how they catch these individuals and how they bring them to justice. This book looks at things from another angle, from the point of view of the lawyer who defended Peter Moore. It's an interesting read and though it won't be everyone's cup of tea, I couldn't put it down.
Eileen read this book as she'd known Peter Moore many years ago and thought he was a very nice man. Her post tells of how he was Not A Nice Man. It's funny how many serial killers come across as charming and charismatic and how most people can't see through their facade. I remember my sister had a friend who lived near Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, had chatted to him many times and even walked home from the chip shop with him. She said he was lovely. Hmmmm.
Thank you for sending the book to me, Eileen, it was a great read.
I can watch crime programmes on the telly but I don't think I could read the book. Good for you for reading it, Jo.
ReplyDeleteMy sister in law lived by Fred and Rose West and she said they were nice. Fred helped her when she locked herself out of her flat.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the book Jo, it was compelling reading. I'm sure he went off the rails after his mother died. We used to call in the hardware shop they owned and their home was above the shop. I watched a news report with a video of him as a youngish man with his German Shepherd dog. It was reported he'd said that death seemed to follow him around after his dog and koi carp died. Who knows what sends someone off the rails to kill strangers as he did. We had no idea he was gay and he seemed to be such a pleasant man.
ReplyDeleteI remember being worried when the Yorkshire Ripper murders were being reported even though not in my part of the UK. Strange to learn that he was lovely too!
Just shows you can't tell the book by the cover, you never know who you are talking to do you?
ReplyDeleteI'm struggling to find a good book at them moment but maybe it's just the mood I'm in. It's got to be good to keep me reading and I prefer a book to hold and not on the ipad.
Briony
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An interesting choice, but not a book I would read. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the book Jo I can see how it would be an interesting read, I always wonder how murders think it's ok to kill and have no remorse, what kind of minds have they got? fascinating but I don't think I could read it myself.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how many of these killers can come across as a normal nice person!
Enjoy your Friday evening and have a good weekend, although I don't think the weather forecast is too good!
All the best Jan
I know someone who will LOVE this book. She loves creepy Bundy stories etc.
ReplyDeleteI love crime programs on TV and to read about it too, I find true crime books fascinating to read about, to get an insight into their minds. I used to read a lot of true crime books at one time but have never come across his name.
ReplyDeletenot a book for me buy friend would love it !
ReplyDeleteHello Jo,
ReplyDeleteWell it is certainly debatable whether this could be a contender for bedtime reading. Perhaps if one is wanting an early start and no need for sleep, then this would be a great choice.
Although from the cinema and television screens one might think that there are legions of serial killers, in practice [so to speak] there are only a few. At least that much is reassuring and, as you say, it is surprising when killers are discovered that, for many, they appeared perfectly normal. Just like you or we....maybe!!
Oh my goodness! I had never heard of him and didn't recall the case at all so I looked it up. I'm interested now in Dylan Rhys Jones (what a lovely Welsh name) and how the case affected him. x
ReplyDeleteThat sounds interesting but people like that freak me out.xxx
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