Killer Child: Mary Bell: A Tragic True Story

by Sylvia Perrini

BUS STOP READS ARE QUICK SHORT READS ONLY TEN-YEARS-OLD AND SHE MURDERS TWO BOYS. WHY? True Crime Story of One of the Youngest Serial Killers Ever! In December 1968 Mary Bell, aged eleven, appeared before a criminal court in England, accused of murdering, Martin Brown, aged four, and Brian Howe, aged three. Mary was found guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and was sentenced to 'detention' for life. What would induce a young child to murder two other young children? In this short book, Sylvia Perrini, looks at Mary’s tragic life, her years in prison and life since prison. This short book follows in the tradition of great true crime writers such as Ann Rule, M. William Phelps and R J Parker.

Genres: True Crime

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2015

Reviews

[Nick Rippington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was reading this book for research on witness protection and found this bite-sized format - cleverly known as a 'bus stop read' - incredibly useful. Gives you everything you need to know about one of the most famous child-killer cases in our history. Succinct and to the point with no padding. Thanks Sylvia, it was very enlightening

[Gabbie Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but got the job done

I liked this read because it was exactly what I was looking for; A short version of a detailed description on Mary Bell. I would recommend this to someone who just wants a basic outline of her life. I also liked that I was able to read this in one sitting!

[Gina Stowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic story of how a Parent can truly destroy a child. So very sad and horrific what this Girl did. Very well written and factual. It was a tough story to read due to the topic, but I like how it was to the point and not glamorized as so many of these stories are these days.

[Jennifer Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, to the point . If you are looking for just the basics of the Mary Bell case this is the book. Definitely a good book, worth the short amount of time it takes to read, especially if you enjoy true crimes.

[Gina Stowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heart wrenching story.

[Tammy Lavergne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best

Not the best read at all. It really didn't give anymore insight on why she killed those two little boys. The story is truely sad.

[Belinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting subject but extremely poorly expressed, repetitive, with tons of basic mistakes.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it for my serial killer class and wow.

[Armida Matejcek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad story. Adults need to set a good example .

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books by Sylvia Perrini and this is probably the best one I have read yet. It is full of detail, the facts contained illustrate when happened really well and whilst I knew the story of Mary Bell, I wasn't aware of her childhood and the abuse she had suffered herself, really does make you see what happened in a different light - an excellent book for true crime fans out there like myself.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Direct

It was a short read but it seemed to cover what the main points of the case were. I would have liked to read more about her childhood. But this made me want to learn more about this case.

[Marietta Vaccaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great telling of a tragic story.

This is a short and straightforward version events. It has a lot of the same info as the BBC special but has a few jaw droppers that I never would have guessed. Definitely makes me want to read "Cries Unheard" ( which I have on order).

[Barbara Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tragically disturbing.

[Rachel Hazlewood]

Interesting story but far too brief. I imagine that if I googled this story I could get just as much information. Fascinating true story however.

[angela daw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

I chose this rating because its a factual book rather than anything else.
I read it in 1.5 hours, non very insightful at all.

[michaela furr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok

OK book read the hole book in about 1.5 hours interesting to hear backgrounds and that will read more from this autr