Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "non-fiction"

Signs of Murder: A small town in Scotland, a miscarriage of justice and the search for the truth by David Wilson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


July 1973. In the small Scottish town of Carluke, Margaret McLaughlin was brutally murdered, stabbed a total of nineteen times on her way to catch a train one evening. Local man George Beattie was convicted of her murder.

Yet, behind closed doors, many of Carluke’s residents were dubious about Beattie’s guilt. Despite providing a confession to police, Beattie maintained his innocence throughout his trial and subsequent prison sentence.

Leading criminologist David Wilson, himself a resident of Carluke as a child, reexamines Margaret McLaughlin’s murder and the evidence against George Beattie. Uncovering new evidence and exploring different perspectives of the evidence in the public domain, which suggests Beattie’s conviction may have been a devastating miscarriage of justice – for Margaret, for George, for their families and the wider Carluke community, Wilson pursues lines of enquiry that should have undoubtedly been explored more by the police at the time of the murder, which may lead to the true perpetrator of this horrific crime.

I first encountered Wilson’s work when I, with much excitement, spied ‘Hunting Evil’ on bookshelves – the definitive account of the case of the Suffolk Strangler and the serial murders in Ipswich in 2006. I’d followed the case in the media from the beginning (which had comprised a small single column, with no photograph, midway through the newspaper) and had become fascinated by it. Later, I was hooked by Wilson’s TV series on criminal psychopaths, and have since looked out for his documentaries in TV schedules, most recently ‘In the Footsteps of Killers’, in which he and Emilia Fox reexamine cold cases, as well as his published works. His autobiography, ‘My Life With Murderers’, was a fascinating insight into his time working in the prison system and latterly as a criminologist, exploring the criminal justice system and the psychopathology of violent criminals.

‘Signs of Murder’ is a natural successor to ‘My Life With Murderers’, exploring a case that is close to Wilson’s heart, one that took place in his hometown during his childhood. Reexamined in later years through the eyes of a criminologist, the concerns with the handling of the case and inconsistencies in the evidence become glaring, both the true murderer and corrupt officials protected by a veil of silence – something that, as a society, we are growing ever more conscious of, a discomforting issue that we must tackle again and again if we hope to overcome it.

Drawing on psychological analysis, investigative techniques and historical research, ‘Signs of Murder’ is an engrossing account of the unofficial investigation into a decades-old crime and exploration of how the system and society of the time may have enabled a miscarriage of justice. Reviewing the events and evidence in detail, while always sensitive to the pain caused to the individuals involved, this is gripping true crime and highly recommended to anyone who has an interest in detection, psychology and criminal justice.



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Little Girls Lost by Eileen Ormsby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Shauna Howe, eleven years old, attends a Hallowe’en party in 1992, but never returns home.

Sian Kingi, twelve years old, is kidnapped and abused by a predatory, sadistic couple in November 1987.

Leigh Leigh, fourteen years old, attending a party in November 1989, is gang-raped and murdered.

Martha Puebla, sixteen years old, becomes the target of gang vengeance after being falsely labelled as a witness to a crime.

Eileen Orsmby reviews four horrific cases of child murder; young lives brutally torn from the world, leaving their families bereft and communities in shock. Each narrative builds a portrait of the victims and the tragic circumstances in which they met their killers, reviewing the police investigations and studying the psychology of the perpetrators.

The book explores themes of sexual violence, three of the crimes being sexually motivated, and toxic masculinity, which had a strong influence on two of the crimes; highlighting where there were flaws in the response of the various police forces, which in some cases go as far as corruption; as well as conducting a social analysis, in both how the crimes are viewed by the communities, and the effect that the crimes have on their communities. The cases of Shauna Howe and Leigh Leigh in particular struck a chord with me, the latter shocking in its brutality and in the response of the community at large.

Intriguing, emotional and thought-provoking, Eileen Ormsby’s accounts of these four cases deal sensitively with such difficult subject matter, striving to ensure that the names of the victims will never be forgotten, their memory a lasting legacy. I shall undoubtedly be looking out for more of Eileen Ormsby’s true crime work in the future.



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A Plot to Kill by David Wilson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An engrossing study of a murder in a small English town.

October 2015. Peter Farquhar - writer, lecturer and former teacher - is murdered by his abusive partner and former student, Benjamin Field.

Farquhar's death would initially be ruled non-suspicious, allowing Field to continue his schemes and crimes, including an alleged attempted further murder, before he was apprehended and subsequently convicted of Peter's murder in August 2019.

Criminologist David Wilson undertakes an analysis of the crime and the relationship between the victim and his murderer. With emphasis on psychology, sociology and literature, Wilson examines the circumstances surrounding the murder and how Field was able to abuse and ultimately kill in plain sight and avoid apprehension for so long.

The book details investigations into many aspects of the case - including the domestic violence and abuser's modus operandi of gaslighting and manipulation, in the context of Field's probable psychopathy. Also explored are the attitudes and prejudices of wider society towards homosexual relationships and those perceived as elderly, as well as the beliefs of the Church with regard to homosexuality, contributing to a culture in which abuse and murder are able to be perpetrated and remain undetected.

For legal reasons, Wilson is unable to explore certain peripheral elements of the case in great detail, which may leave some unanswered questions. Of course, that is often the nature of reality, without the neatness of fiction. This, too, is an ongoing theme of Wilson's analysis - the murder having appeared like a plot from 'Midsomer Murders' or a traditional English mystery, complete with poisonings and malice aforethought. In the same way that fiction can be a reflection or imitation of reality, so too can reality reflect or imitate fiction.

At its core, the book explores the question as to our duty, as a society, to protect the most vulnerable; and, within our organisations and institutions, our obligation to safeguard and protect others from harm. While the primary responsibility for someone's murder absolutely belongs with their murderer, we must continue to confront the often uncomfortable reality that they may be enabled and that they will, until society accepts certain responsibilities, be able to continue causing harm.

Insightful and fascinating, 'A Plot to Kill' is another brilliant book from David Wilson, examining a true crime plot as absorbing as a mystery novel.



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Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A mesmerising biography of the Queen of Crime.

Agatha Christie - novelist, short story writer and playwright; a true icon of Golden Age detective fiction, indeed, across the spectrum of crime fiction; the creator of Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple and many more, a pioneer amongst female writers and an inspiration to all who write.

In 'Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman', historian Lucy Worsley takes us on a journey through Agatha's life, from her birth in 1890 and early years with her family, through her courtship and first marriage, her work during the First World War and the beginnings of her writing career, with significant attention to her famous 1926 disappearance. From there, we explore her continued flourishing career and second marriage, through the decades which saw the Second World War, the beginning of the Cold War, and many developments in the world of art and entertainment. Agatha's success continued through to her death in 1976, and continues posthumously.

Worsley's style of making history accessible and thrilling to a modern audience is brought superbly to the life and work of Agatha Christie and reference to almost a century of contemporary context. Beautifully written with insight and empathy, and impeccably researched, with the hindsight of our modern perspectives on mental health, feminism, and societal views, Worsley's writing makes even existing knowledge fascinating to discover anew - channeling the magic of her subject. At the core of the narrative is Agatha’s craving for privacy and her battle to maintain it alongside her incredible success. No one can admire Agatha and her work and not feel, at times, the emotion in exploring the lowest points of her struggles and the heights of her successes, and ultimately at her passing.

Worsley pays special attention to the novels Christie wrote under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott; within these, she explores some personal segments of her life and her own struggles through the characters. It should be noted, in segments of literary analysis and exploration of how Agatha's stories related to periods of her life and historical context, some plot details, including the final twists, are revealed - as such, I would highly recommend reading at least Agatha's most famous works before embarking on this biography. Also, don't miss the brilliant accompanying three-part documentary which Worsely produced for the BBC - 'Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen' – as riveting as the written biography.

Compelling and insightful, ‘Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman’ is a fascinating, inspiring and moving portrait of a talented and remarkable woman, who was truly groundbreaking in her field and whose legacy lives on to this day.



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MURDER AT HOME by David Wilson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Professor David Wilson explores murders in our safest of places – our homes.

There is no place like home: our sanctuaries, the scenes of family drama and tranquillity, host to social gatherings, witness to the entire span of our lives. But within the bricks and mortar that we transform into a home, there may be hidden darkness.

Statistically, you are more likely to be murdered in your home than in a public place. While we may be familiar with the dictum that you are more likely to be murdered by someone known to you (the data fluctuates year on year, with significant difference between genders), it is not only these ‘domestic’ situations which impact the location statistics – even stranger attacks and the relative anomalies of serial murder contribute to this sobering data. Criminologist David Wilson investigates how our safest space is actually where we are most in danger.

Fascinating, informative and as gripping as fiction, Wilson takes us on a tour through the home – from the public threshold of the front door step to the back garden, into the semi-privacy of our living rooms and bedrooms, and the shadowy recesses of our attics and cellars. Alongside the case studies and analysis of the crimes, there is also exploration into the general psychology of our perceptions of these rooms – their differing and sometimes conflicting levels of access and privacy – something to which everyone can relate. Wilson never fails to keep the narrative grounded in our everyday experience, juxtaposed as it may be with these horrific crimes.

Detailing a mix of infamous and lesser-known cases – amongst them the crimes of Ian Brady (and Myra Hindley), Mary Ann Cotton, Fred and Rose West, and Peter Tobin, and a review of the Clydach Murders – each chapter groups them by the location within the home where significant elements of the crimes took place. Where necessary, there are some graphic crime scene descriptions and insights into the murders as they were committed, though Wilson ensures the victims are front and centre of his analysis and treats them with respect. The subject of dark tourism is also touched upon: murderers fascinate us – perhaps certain types of murderers more so – their psychology and the circumstances surrounding their crimes never failing to mystify and intrigue, but it is always important, specifically when dealing with true crime, to remember that people have tragically lost their lives and the impact still felt by their loved ones to this day.

Spanning over a century and a half of murder, the narrative interrogates how time has impacted these spaces and individual rooms, as the result of changing social attitudes and even technology. In recent times, we have only to open our social media feeds to see inside people’s homes; yet, perhaps, never before has there been such a veneer over those private spaces. Sometimes, the more we can see, the less we are seeing. We truly never know what is happening behind closed doors.

A riveting and thought-provoking study of murder, ‘Murder at Home’ is a superb addition to Wilson’s already expansive library of criminological works.



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Demonic Foes: My Twenty-Five Years as a Psychiatrist Investigating Possessions, Diabolic Attacks, and the Paranormal by Richard Gallagher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A captivating study of diabolic attacks from a professor of psychiatry.

Richard Gallagher's 'Demonic Foes' is part memoir, part study in demonology, a fascinating exploration of the reality behind phenomena we often witness in horror fiction. As a psychiatrist and member of the International Association of Exorcists, Dr. Gallagher has spent many years working alongside exorcists to combat demonic assaults - including oppression, infestation, and possession - and lead sufferers to their path to deliverance.

Gallagher's involvement began when he was contacted by a priest to undertake a psychiatric assessment of someone believed to be possessed. Contrary to common misconception, responsible clergy will seek medical and psychological assessment prior to an exorcism being performed. As Gallagher notes, the vast majority of suspected diabolic attacks ultimately prove not to be so. Yet, despite their relative rarity, some prove to be paranormal in origin.

In addition to selected accounts of suspected cases of possession he has assessed, Gallagher also details comparison to cases of psychosis and personality disorders, defining how they and spiritual attacks present differently. Gallagher also examines a history of belief in demons, evil spirits and possession across belief systems, with particular focus on the Abrahamic religions and the development of the concept of the Devil and his legion of fallen angels.

It should be noted that, as a Catholic, his beliefs influence his views on spiritualism, pre-Christian beliefs and Eastern religions. Nevertheless, the narrative is largely balanced and consideration given that belief systems in opposition to some Christian beliefs are not necessarily malignant. Regardless of your own beliefs or agnosticism on the subject, 'Demonic Foes' is an endlessly intriguing dossier of spiritual inquiry, religious history, psychological insight, and witness evidence. Intelligent and thought-provoking, it proves powerful testimony for the existence of malign spiritual forces.



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Into the Uncanny by Danny Robins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fascinating study of the unexplained.

'Into the Uncanny' is a paranormal non-fiction examination/memoir by Danny Robins, and companion to both the podcast and TV series 'Uncanny'. Robins' investigations originally began while researching his hit play '2:22: A Ghost Story', the true tales people shared with him spawning several podcasts, all proving popular, with 'Uncanny' ultimately coming to TV as a three-part series for BBC2 in 2023. Much like Robins, I have been entranced by the subjects of the paranormal, supernatural and otherworldly mysteries since I was a child. When I watched the TV series, I was gripped, and I equally devoured this book.

Investigating several cases of paranormal phenomena, including poltergeist activity, historic hauntings, messages via Ouija boards, alien encounters and UFO sightings, and suggestions of the demonic, Robins discusses and dissects the bizarre and creepy experiences of multiple witnesses, documenting their testimony in detail, ensuring the witnesses are both credible and their accounts reliable. As to explanations and solutions, these are perhaps further out of reach. But, in the absence of lies and delusions, it is clear that something has occurred that defies explanation. Ultimately, it is only our own views as believer or sceptic which may provide answers, the agnostics amongst us still asking the questions.

From remote villages nestled in the Yorkshire moors to a Catholic college in Rome, we follow these strange occurrences that have had such a profound effect on the lives of those who experienced them, also taking a meander through history, theology, mythology, psychology and philosophy. Robins presents a riveting piece of work, as thrilling as a novel; a beautifully chilling exploration of these mysteries that have been with us throughout our history - which, no matter our advances in science and technology, we are perhaps no closer to solving. Maybe we never will.

But I think one thing is certain - no matter whether these stories and the many like them inspire fascination or terror, there is a part of us all that wants to believe, isn’t there?



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Getting Away with Murder: My Unexpected Life on Page, Stage and Screen by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An insightful and entertaining memoir from the legendary crime writer.

Lynda La Plante has created some of the most iconic crime dramas and leading characters in crime fiction – amongst them DCI Jane Tennison of ‘Prime Suspect’, the first high-ranking female detective to lead a series on British television; Dolly Rawlins and her fellow widows, who took the lead on an audacious robbery at a time when women leading a television drama was scarce; and the innovative and groundbreaking ‘Trial and Retribution’. She has written and produced countless hours of television and published over fifty novels and novelisations since ‘Widows’ first hit the screen in 1983. I have been a huge fan of her work since my early teenage years, eagerly devouring every novel and television drama over the last two decades.

In ‘Getting Away With Murder’, Lynda looks back on her life and her career, from her early childhood where her desire to tell stories began, going on to train at RADA and embark on her early career as an actress on stage and television, interspersed with tales of her family and friends, her marriage and dreams of having a child, and how she first decided to write a script of her own. Given the opportunity by producer Verity Lambert, Lynda discovered her true passion for writing as she developed the story that would become the first series of organised crime drama ‘Widows’. Following two seasons of ‘Widows’, she went on to write her first novel, family saga ‘The Legacy’, these two early works beginning an illustrious career as both a screenwriter and novelist. A prolific body of work followed in the next three decades, including organised crime epic ‘Bella Mafia’ (1990), police procedural drama ‘Prime Suspect’ (1991-93), psychological thriller ‘Entwined’ (1992), prison drama ‘The Governor’ (1995-96), police procedural and legal drama ‘Trial and Retribution’ (1997-2009), police procedural novels featuring Anna Travis (2004-13), and so much more.

Her dedication to research has been a cornerstone of her work since the beginning – whether exploring the dangerous underbelly of the criminal world, the ingenious intricacies of forensic science, the technicalities of police procedure and the criminal justice system, or the unspeakable, inhumane horrors of the Holocaust. Never one to shy away from the true horror of her subject matter, Lynda has often tackled this darkness in her stories, exploring compelling characters, intricate plots, and often the most shocking crimes. Through her company La Plante Productions, she was able to take full creative control of her projects, a rarity for a screenwriter in the days before the role of a lead writer showrunner became more mainstream. So often ahead of the curve and with a keen eye for spotting acting talent, her work became event television and her name synonymous with quality crime drama.

Featuring many anecdotes from throughout her career, with multiple guest appearances – including Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Ann Mitchell, David Hayman, and many more – Lynda takes us behind the scenes of her most famous dramas and novels, told with laugh-out-loud humour, poignant moments, and insights into the entertainment industries, including personal and professional challenges she has faced and the battles she has overcome – amongst them her dyslexia, the struggles of the acting industry, the fight for screenwriters to earn respect, and suffering the realisation that she didn't own the rights to some of her most popular characters.

In more recent years, since adopting her beloved son, Lynda’s focus has primarily been on her novels, with a triumphant return to Jane Tennison with the prequel series of books (2015-24), and the creation of new detective Jack Warr, through whom we made a return to the world of ‘Widows’, in her ongoing series that began with ‘Buried’ in 2020. Having recently reached her milestone eightieth birthday, Lynda continues to write, and long may she gift us many more gripping stories!

‘Getting Away With Murder’ gives us a fascinating insight into Lynda’s world, in a riveting, moving, and inspiring life story of an incredible writer and icon of crime fiction.



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Madonna by Mary Gabriel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An engrossing and powerful biography of the Queen of Pop.

Madonna exploded onto the music stage in the early 80s and has dominated the charts worldwide for four decades, blending infectious melodies, multi-layered lyrics, provocative performances, and controversial themes into immortal pop music, propelling her to superstardom and crafting a legacy as a legendary, timeless icon.

In 'A Rebel Life', Mary Gabriel studies Madonna's life and career – from her birth in August 1958, her early childhood and the devastating loss of her mother, through her teenage years and her move to New York with dreams of becoming a dancer, and how she began to create music and signed the record deal that would change her life, beginning her meteoric rise to megastardom – and builds a portrait of the woman behind the superstar everyone thinks they know.

Exploring in detail the writing and recording of each of her albums, the creation of her concert tours and performances, the production of her movies, plus books and photographic projects, this is a rich study of her art and her impact on music, film, fashion, and popular culture. Her unique style and infusion of themes and imagery – religious and spiritual, sexual and romantic, political and social – and blending of genres – dance, rock, disco, R&B, punk, gospel – has produced a varied and diverse artistic range; infectious music always emblazoned with Madonna’s signature.

Alongside her music itself, Madonna was one of the leading artists to embrace and drive the medium of the music video, creating mini movies to accompany a single that could deliver an impactful message, tell a story, and enhance the power of a song; just one of the ways Madonna proved herself a trailblazing inspiration in the music industry and beyond, coupled with her flair for reinvention securing her longevity and an enduring impact that remains unrivalled. Madonna always has a message to deliver, and you're going to listen whether you like it or not.

As well as Madonna the artist, we examine Madonna the radical cultural icon, Madonna the philanthropist and political activist, and get to know Madonna the human being, exploring her relationships with her family, her friendships, her romances and two marriages, and as a mother to her six beloved children. Featuring insights and anecdotes from many who have known her over the years, including key collaborators, Gabriel has produced a riveting and stunning biography, with multiple facets and layers.

Often misunderstood and maligned for her artistic choices, criticised for her rebellious nature, dismissed and underestimated, at so many points during her career and personal life, Madonna could have allowed herself to break, to become the tragic and contrite figure many may have been more accepting of. But she refused. She has remained, despite all the adversity, an artist committed to her craft and her vision, and a warrior who never gave up on her dreams, always emerging as a survivor no matter the battle she has faced.

Amongst the rewards and controversies of her art, she has been confronted with staggering misogyny throughout her career, combined with increasing ageism since her thirties, through which she has beaten a path for women in the music industry in a way that no one before her had done – Madonna’s career proving to be a powerful feminist tale, inspiring countless artists who followed her. Sexism has also not been the only prejudice she has combatted – from the very beginning, her unwavering support for the gay community at a time when society wished to ignore and vilify them has proved her a true LGBTQ ally.

Suffering many tragedies throughout her life, including the loss of friends to AIDS, inspired her commitment to supporting the children of Malawi, only then to be faced with further battles and vitriol over her adoptions of David and Mercy. Often moving and deeply emotional, the stories of the injustices Madonna has overcome and the people she has helped give a voice are amongst her greatest achievements and a cornerstone of her legacy.

Madonna’s story is also a piece of history, so entwined is her art and career with the development of popular music, plus socially and culturally, both in terms of her influences and inspirations and the environment that nurtured them, and the monumental impact and influence she herself has had through the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Concluding with one of the final shows in London of the 'Madame X Tour' in early 2020, Gabriel’s biography covers over six decades of Madonna’s life and the astonishing career she built for herself. I've read several Madonna biographies and this is amongst the best and by far the most detailed and insightful.

A fascinating depiction of an icon and an entrancing revisitation of her art, ‘Madonna: A Rebel Life’ is an enthralling and captivating chronicle of one of the most important and enduring figures in popular culture – a visionary performance artist whose work and influence has already continued beyond the biography’s final pages with ‘The Celebration Tour’ in 2023-24, which concluded with a performance at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach and set a new record for the largest audience for a standalone concert. Still holding the record as the bestselling female recording artist of all time (and fourth bestselling of all recording artists) and with a new studio album poised for release, Madonna remains the unsurpassable empress of pop.



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