I love true crime and so this was such an interesting read for me. I of course knew of Christopher Halliwell but this book fleshed out the facts I already knew and gave me some that I didn't already know. A great read if true crime is your thing.

A lover of true crime, getting a book based in the UK is exciting because I’m not as familiar with cases there. To immediately start and tell the reader there are potentially many more victims that the police don’t have plans to further investigate Christopher Halliwell’s potential crimes is heartbreaking.

The book’s purpose is to persuade the Wiltshire Police in a public forum to further investigate the trophies found among Halliwell’s possessions. This plea could link those items to the women described in this book. By writing these requests in the book, the authors are shining a light on the department’s less than stellar follow up on closing these cases and would provide the needed closure to families. I hope the book rouses the public to demand these actions take place.

The authors describe in detail a number of missing and murdered women and how they could be potential Halliwell victims. Even if they are not actual victims of Halliwell, the book thrusts these cases back into the open and hopefully will capture the public’s attention to be solved. Again it all goes back to the Wiltshire police who may have some of these women’s clothing or possessions and do not seem to be willing to show them to the public. How disappointing to read that Steve Fulcher was discipled for using his gut instinct which resulted in locating the body of Becky Godden. I understand the law behind the disciplinary action but it’s disappointing that Wiltshire Police would rather have had the suspect reminded once more he can have an attorney over the recovery of a missing woman and peace of mind for a family.

I hope at the end of the day this book prompts the Wiltshire Police to provide the clothing and sketches they have to the public (similar to the way the dating game killer’s photos were published online) and make an attempt to solve these cases.

Thank you to Pen & Sword for this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free copy of, The New Millennium Serial Killer, by Chris Clark, Bethan Trueman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Halliwell ( not saving his full name, he does not deserve it) is a sick man, he got away with so much much murder and carnage, before he was finally caught. As a cop he was to protect people not murder them. Well written book, on a despicable animal. So many murders linked to him, and some he has not admitted too. Women young and old, just a travesty.

True crime fans, this book is definitely for you--let me explain my rating in detail:

Reasons this book is great:
I love how this book goes into detail surrounding the victims of the crimes of Christopher Halliwell, as well as victims of other crimes that have never been solved. In so many true crime books/podcasts/etc. the story focuses around the person committing the crimes and not the victims. This book gives voice to those victims which is so incredibly important. In addition, the authors discuss police not being transparent to the public in not giving reasoning/evidence as to why Halliwell has been ruled out as a suspect in so many situations where the authors have given reason to link him as a potential suspect. While reading, I was initially a bit frustrated by the lack of primary sources but once finished with the reading, I have concluded that this was more than likely not lacking on the authors end, but rather the police have not made necessary information accessible. When a book elicits emotion, it is typically a good thing for me, and I definitely felt frustration and I think after you read this book, you will feel similarly.

Reasons why I didn't give a 5 star rating:
Based on the description of the book and the title, I thought I was going to get more damning evidence linking Halliwell to some of the crimes mentioned in the book that have not yet been solved; a lot of hypotheticals were at play. (Note: I do believe that this is due to the lack of transparency from many police departments but I think it is also necessary to note for my lovers of evidence/fact/). There were also definitely points in the book where I could sense bias--it was clear that the authors are convinced of the connections between the unsolved crimes and Halliwell (again, with a lack of primary sources and a lot of hypotheticals). Lastly, there was a lot of repetition. Now, the author may have done this on purpose for emphasis, however, I think it was often clear what they were getting at and could have trusted the reader to come to the conclusion on their own. The repetition made reading a bit tedious at times.

Overall, this was an okay read for me. Giving voices to the victims of Halliwell and those still unsolved are so important. This may be what puts pressure on the police departments to start sharing the information with the public in order to help the families of those still seeking answers. If you do decide this is a book for you, I would just like to add a TW for discussion of sexual assault.

What a tragic story. If only all 60 pieces of evidence in the pond could be tested then maybe some more families could have closure.
This book was well written and the best true crime book I’ve read this year.
Thanks NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this ARC!

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Pen & Sword and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

If you love true crime you’ll be pleased.

A very detailed examination of the theory that Christopher Halliwell killed many more women than he has been convicted for.

I did not know much about Christopher Halliwell until I picked up this book. It is extremely sad that so many families will not receive the closure that they deserve. The book really dives into possible connections around unsolved murder that could be the work of Christopher Halliwell. His MO was to kill in one village then take the body to another village to be disposed of. At the time there was very little communication between police departments and no full police database. Hopefully the police departments will work together and be able to prosecute him for other murders.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher and author for allowing me to rate this book.

Fascinating story. I had read about Christopher Halliwell’s case, but found out so much more after reading this book. Lots of new details about Halliwell’s possible involvement in other missing women cases, specifically Claudia Lawrence. The writers have conducted a lot of new research, seemingly disregarded by the police.
Highly recommended.

This is a frustrating book to read because it posits so many theories which could be tested but are not. I realise this is outside the control of the authors - they can’t force the police to act - but it does lead to a sense of dissatisfaction.