Tag: true crime

The Spider and The Fly by Claudia Rowe

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 1 Comment

The Spider and The Fly by Claudia Row is a true story about a reporter and her unique connection with a convicted serial killer.

the SPIDER and the FLY

I stumbled across this book whilst browsing the shelves at a local book store when I was travelling in San Francisco. It caught my eye when looking originally because of its cover, which generally is the case when looking in a book store, which is simple yet intriguing. Once I had read the blurb I felt I had to buy it.

I tend to read the same genre, crime fiction (which I am going to venture from) and although this is a crime novel it is nonfiction. For that reason I decided to give it a go, well that and it sounded really good.

When i started reading I realised I had made a good choice. It shows Claudia Rowes experiences and connection to this serial killer whom she talks with for over 4 years. How it shows the darkness inside, what motivates people, how people connect and how a serial killer and a reporter can forge this unusual connection.

The story of Kendall Francois is an interesting one and seeing this reporter show a different side to it is something I enjoyed. Kendall Francois was convicted of killing 8 women in 1998, and stashing their bodies in the house he shared with his mother, father and sister.

Claudia had many questions about this crime and set out to find answers. She may have found more about herself than she was expecting.

I really enjoyed this book and reading how the connection grew, and changed throughout their correspondence. I think the book was written in an engaging manner and kept you wanting to read on and felt almost poetic. Chapters varied in sizes but were generally fairly short which is something I like as it excited me to read on. I thought it was well written and although it is a true story had the feel of a fictional book. I would say at times it felt a bit all over the place but it didn’t necessarily bother me. I mean it would have enhanced the experience a little if it was structured in a more ordered way.

The book isn’t really a book of suspense (which the title may suggest) but more about the writers journey throughout, understanding more about herself and others. Even though it it isn’t your typical “true crime” book, I almost enjoyed it a little bit more as it gave a different perspective. The perspective of how another’s actions can affect your own (although maybe to the extreme, not everyone has years long connection to a serial killer)

Just thought I would mention where I picked this book up. This book I got when I was in San Francisco and popped into Green Apple Books on the Park. This was a great little bookshop with both new and used books. This one I got was used, yet it was almost as good as new!

Overall, I would recommend this book! Especially if your interested in psychology. I wouldn’t go into this book expecting it to be centred on the crimes committed as it is more about the reporters connection to the serial killer and how that takes her on her own journey.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(Ps feel free to like and comment, share your own opinion.)

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Book Haul

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 1 Comment

I recently took a trip to the book shop and bought some more books!

The first book I picked up was ‘Perfect Crime’ by Helen Fields. I already knew that I wanted this one as I love the series. It is the latest book in the DI Callanach series and if you have read my previous books you know I love this series. It follows Callanach and Turner as they investigate a crime and search for the perpetrator across Edinburgh.

The second book I picked up was ‘I’ll be gone in dark’ by Michelle McNamara. It is a true crime novel that follows one woman’s obsessive search for the Golden State Killer. I picked this up so I could explore another genre which I imagine I will like!

The last book I bought was ‘The book of Hidden Things’ by Francesco Dimitri. This author is well known but tends to write in his native language and this was debit novel that was written in English. This looks at 4 Friends who make a pack to meet up once a year at the same spot , when one of them doesn’t turn up they try to figure what has happened. Whilst they do this they uncover many secret things.

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please comment if you have ever read any of these books)

Talking with Female Serial Killers – Mini Review

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

talking with female serial killers

‘Talking with Female Serial Killers’ is a book written by Christopher Berry-Dee, released in May 2018, which looks at the most chilling female serial killers in the world. Christopher Berry-Dee is a criminologist and author who has previously released books on true crime including ‘Talking with Female Serial Killers’ and ‘Monster’. The book looks at those women who not only kill but kill again and again.

In this book, Berry-Dee looks at the female killers who are the masterminds behind the murders as well those who kill under the influence of a partner such as Myra Hindley and Rosemary West. He looks at the motives behind their crimes as well as looking at those killers who were influences by being victims themselves or a witness to crime.

I enjoyed reading this book as I find learning why people kill fascinating however I felt that the book was confusing at times skipping between stories and events. The information given was necessary in explaining the crimes but I think it could have been written in a smoother structure as at times I felt lost and was insure what part I was reading.  I also think this book’s title was misleading as there were no real interviews with any serial killers. There were quotes from previous interviews conducted by Berry-Dee and others however which helped to understand where the convicted females stand.

I have read a lot of reviews on this book and feel that a lot of them were unfair. The book is an interesting read and I did enjoy reading it even after what I said above. A lot of reviews stated that it was badly written and full of too many adjectives and metaphors however I do feel that this was the case due to the writer trying to get people more engaged as well as adding a little bit of humour to a dark book.

Overall, I would say that if you are interested in reading about female serial killers then it is a good book however do not expect for there to be lengthy interviews with them. I personally quite liked this book but do be aware than many people didn’t enjoy this book.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion on this book or if you have read another book about female serial killers)