This was a very interesting read, covering some of the least talked about aspects of the second World War. While crime can be rampant, sometimes it can go unnoticed at first, especially when there is already a lot of turmoil in the area. But what happens when those killers are members of the armed forces? They could be there one moment, and gone the next, as units moved on.

The Brookwood Killers was a very well-researched book, and while it can take a bit to get through it, the information was presented very clearly. The author did not disappoint with the details of the cases, as best he could with materials available.

Recommend for those who enjoy military history and true crime.

This book introduces the reader to the Brookwood Memorial which commemorates 3,500 men and women of the Commonwealth who died during the Second World War but have no known grave and could not be commemorated on any other memorial in the various theatres of war. Most of those commemorated are honourable men and women, who died as Special Operations Executive agents who died as prisoners, servicemen killed in the various raids on enemy occupied territory in Europe, men and women who died at sea in hospital ships and troop transports, British Army parachutists, and even pilots and aircrew who lost their lives in flying accidents or in aerial combat.

However, there are 19 men on the memorial who's deaths were not at all heroic - they all committed murder whilst enlisted in the armed forces. Their graves are known, but no headstone marks their passing.

The book is an interesting premise. The author presents each case, with details culled from censuses and trial transcripts to put flesh on the bones of assailant and victim. The cases are all very different, and present an interesting picture of life in Britain in WW2, with civilians interacting with army personnel and families coping with very difficult situations either without their breadwinner, or when a damaged soul returned.

The only thing I did not like is that the author did not realise the past of 'hang' when dealing with humans suspended by the neck until dead is 'hanged' and not 'hung'. He used it throughout the book, then finally corrected himself in the last chapter or so. A shame his editor didn't spot such a silly mistake, as almost every perpetrator was hanged (one committed suicide and one was shot by firing squad).

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword and Frontline Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Paul Johnson unearths the tales of men in uniform not killing for the country but for self and perverted desire or rage. These Nineteen men hid behind the uniform and committed murder during a time of war. This little bit of dark twisted history is well worth the time.

I found this to be a well-written and researched book about servicemen who died in WWII and whose names are inscribed alongside actual heroes of the war, but who aren't heroes at all.

Some of the stories contained herein are gruelling, it has to be said. Some really vicious behaviour and it made me terribly sad about the victims.

I know it is not quite the same thing, but in these days of the pandemic, we are all under much more strain than we were pre-pandemic and so the cracks in relationships are showing up much more. So it was during wartime, but even more so. I don't think those of us who were born well after WWII can have any real idea of what it was like to live then but if you have people who are already not coping too well or who have mental health issues, something like war brings out the worst in them.

So happy that the author wrote this book to shine a light on the victims and to make sure they are never forgotten.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword.

The book tells the story of murders committed by British soldiers in civilian life during World War II. Many times I felt that there were too many details involved, and other times that some cases could fill an entire book. The crimes and the events before and after them were written in an interesting and exciting way.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book.

Having visited the huge cemetery at Brookwood, and viewed some part of vast expanse of memorials, the title of this book caught my attention. While the subject is macabre in itself the detailed accounts tell their own story of life in England during WWll and the pressures on individuals that conflict applied on the Home Front. The separation of couples and the presence of tens of thousands of overseas troops in the UK inevitably would generate the circumstances whereby these horrific crimes were committed.
It was interesting to observe at this time distance, of the rapidity of the investigations of the crimes and the subsequent delivery of justice that reflected the society of the time. A very sad observation made in the book is that while the perpetrators are remembered at Brookwood, many of the victims’ last resting places are today, unknown.
A very factual account of some of the more abhorrent crimes during those times however, I will look for the commemorative plaques at Brookwood on my next visit.

A great true crime book regarding murders committed by servicemen in England during WW2. The author does an outstanding job of weaving the tale of the victim and assailant together, with how the crime was committed and the trial afterwards. A great read for the true crime enthusiast

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Omg I had no idea about this crime. Wonderful writing too.

Millions serving in WWII lost their lives. However, the author of The Brookwood Killers focuses on those British and Commonwealth land forces who attacked, raped and/or murdered during WWII and were executed. These were crimes which took place during the war as opposed to war crimes. Each chapter concludes with the haunting "Remember Them" as the victims are often buried in unvisited unmarked graves whereas murderers are commemorated with their names on panels amongst about 3,500 in the Brookwood Memorial in Surrey.

Most murders and other violent crimes seem to be committed because of lust, greed, fear, hate and revenge. In times of war blackouts, air raids and other restrictions created more opportunities to commit crimes. The author notes he contacted as many family members related to those mentioned in his book out of respect and hopes that we will remember. Described are the executioners, execution procedures and burial. He then goes on to describe each brutal crime in detail, the victim(s), assailant, Brookwood panel number, service number and unit of the criminal, not only Brits and Canadians but other in the Commonwealth. He includes letters of appeal, trial, outcome and execution for each.

Many stories stand out in my mind but one tragic letter of appeal came from the assailant's mother who was desperate to have her son die in battle, not executed. One of the executions was botched. Another heartbreaking story is about the little boy who witnessed his father kill his mother. Actually, there is no information on record of what happened to the little boy. Gut wrenching in every way. There was one soldier executed for treachery in WWII and a murder/suicide ("disgraceful death"). As evinced in letters back and forth, one couple planned the death of their baby. And many others.

Nonfiction WWII readers and those interested in true crime/forensics ought to read this enlightening book from a completely different perspective of criminals and tragically, their victims during the war. This book does contain graphic descriptions so is not for everyone.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword for the privilege of reading this evocative book. It is so important to know about the bad to recall the good and honour the victims and their families. That is my most profound takeaway.

I received an ARC, of The Brookwood Killers, by Paul Johnson. This is a well written book on a sinister topic. Murders who get to share a cemetery with war heroes. The depravity of some individuals, and what they get away with.