This was a fascinating look at serial killers and how these crimes most likely happened. Absolutely fascinating and nothing like I had read before.

London is well known for the Jack the Ripper killings - but there are other serial killers who roamed the streets, and stayed in the shadows.
Crime is ever present, but most serial killers in this arena have taken a backseat to the more well known - however, it is a shame to dismiss them out of hand. Reviewing these old cases shows just how desperate some people were, and what they would do in order to cash in on life insurance, obtain property, or just killing for pleasure.

The bathtub murders, a poisoner, and more - all are listed in these pages, and you are not going to be disappointed! I really enjoyed the many different killers that were shared in these pages, and even found a few that I did not know about!

True crime lovers - grab this one now!

This was an interesting and jam-packed book filled with the disturbing history of London’s less notorious killers. I enjoyed this immensely and found it so intriguing to learn about the other crimes that were taking place in the shadows of the infamous killers of this period. Something different, well researched and well written.

Gross, gory, morbid.

This is a well researched piece on London Serial Killers. Had to take a few breaks reading this, as I haven't read true crime in a good while.

Will be recommending to true crime fans.

I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

...

I went into this book highly interested in the topic however I also went into it knowing I believe a fair bit about the topic already.

I was not shocked that it was a good read. I was happily surprised however over the fact that I learned a good deal of tidbits about various people that I did not previously know.

I suggest this book not only for readers new to the topic but also those who know a bit about the individuals discussed.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this arc!

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting it was set out in a more academic way than I thought it would be. It was good for what it was meant to do.

This book was interesting. I liked the way the writer writes.

I will be recommending this book to a few friends.

I am a massive fan of true crime books so I was delighted to be able to pick up a copy of London Serial Killers, I love picking up a new book on the topic and seeing a different perspective, as well as noting if there is anything new for me in the book.

I had read about most of the Serial Killers featured in the book but there were a few that were new to me and I loved finding out more about them. Serial Killers are fascinating to me, I have a passion for the psychological side of it all and what makes them tick and what drove them to commit the crimes.

I loved the layout for this book, the chapter length was great – plenty of detail and just long enough to speak an interest to enable you to read further around some of those mentioned if you have a wish to do so. It is easy to follow and it is a book that you can easily dip in and out of too and I loved the mix of well known, and little known killers written about.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended – I thought that it was a great read!!

There’s just something about murder that fascinates people. Add in a serial killer and you’ve got them hooked. This book did just that. I loved learning about UK serial killers, especially being from the US. It was truly an interesting book to read and I enjoyed the details.

This has been well researched and is presented in a clear and factual way, without unnecessary drama and subjective observations. It is this approach which gives it such balance across the components of each case -the criminal, the victims, the police and their procedures, the crimes themselves. There are some fascinating cases here, some of which have received limited attention in other such analyses. This is a great book for people interested in true crime without the theatrics.

Princess Fuzzypants here: There is something about serial killers that seems to fascinate. I am sure that throughout modern history there has been much discussion on what passes for insanity and what is simply sociopaths and psychopaths. While a number of the killers included in the book attempted to avoid the death penalty by trying to convince a jury they were insane, none of them succeeded. They were simply warped individuals who cared nothing for anything or anyone other than themselves.

The book covers the major purveyors of this crime from the late Victorian era to mid 20th Century. There were the poisoners, and the ones with unique calling cards such as bathtub drownings and acid baths. The first and last major killers share one sad fact. No one has ever been brought to justice for the horrors they perpetrated.

It is well researched but the writing seems to lack any particular passion or purpose. As a piece of documentation it is satisfying but if you are looking for something that will sweep you up, this is not the book. Three purrs and two paws up.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a writer of true crime myself, (Bloody Yorkshire series) I know what hard work and research go into these books. I enjoyed this book, a great read for us true crime buffs. Recommended.

London Serial Killers is a true crime book from Dr Jonathan Oates.
I enjoyed this read although having read True Crime books on this topic before I knew most of the stories. Still an interesting read and professionally researched.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pen and Sword for the ARC Copy. This review is my own opinion.

London Serial Killers is a true-crime biography of historical murderers from London and its environs curated and written by Dr. Jonathan Oates. Due out 12th May from Pen & Sword on their True Crime imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

The author writes accessibly and well, without resorting to overly lurid detail. The chapters are arranged chronologically by subject, starting with the perennial (Jack the Ripper), and including both well and lesser known killers, both male and female down through the 20th century. The author examines both motives and methods along with the biography and historical highlights. There are a number of fascinating transcripts from the trials of the murderers.

The text is meticulously annotated and written in accessible and easy to understand language. The chapter notes and bibliography will provide hours of further reading for students of true-crime history. The text is enhanced with an appendix which contains historical and modern photos of the environs and some of the sites where the murders occurred as well as facsimile documents. There are no lurid crime scene photographs.

Four stars. Well written and absorbing. Recommended for readers of true crime history.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

An informative, entertaining, and well researched true crime book that talks about the serial killer in London history, starting with Jack the Ripper.
It's talks about the killing, the victims, how the police investigated, and the suspects/culprits.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Apparently, serial killers have lived among us for quit some time, centuries in fact. In this chilling book, we are introduced to the infamous killers of London, from Jack the Ripper, to the only female serial killer, the Deptford Killer. Along the way we are introduced to a cast of vile murderers along with their backgrounds as well as those of their many victims.

I was surprised to learn about the occurrences of the use of poison to do away with people, and of course the motives ran from collecting insurance to depravity. Chillier still was the fact that some of these monsters were never caught. (Jack the Ripper, Soho Prostitute killings)

Many of the victims were prostitutes and of course poor living pretty much on the streets and were prime victims for these predators. The psychology and the history provided by the author was well detailed and fascinating. Including the culture and background made for a story that brought both the murderer and their victims into perspective.

My one gripe with the story was it did at times seem unemotional as if the author was just giving us a list of things that comprised the tale, and so I felt it was a bit too long winded.
However, for those who enjoy this type of story, there was much worth reading.
Thank you to Jonathan Oates and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out April 30, 2022.

Thank you for the advance copy.
This book was so interesting and I enjoyed reading it and learning things I didn't know and adding information to things I knew about. Highly recommended

Love reading true life crime and this was good. Well written, explained well, detailed. Very happy with reading this

Lovers of True crime will love this collection of Killers from London. There are some cases I've heard about and some this was the first. I loved how detailed it was.

This is a really in depth review of the infamous and not so famous serial killers of the early 19th century. Some we have all heard of, and many that were unknown (at least to me) until I read this most informative book. It was interesting and horrifying at the same time.