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xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
This book outlines the 1895 murder case involving Robert and Nattie Coombs. Robert and Nattie, thirteen and twelve, were noticed spending large sums of money and going around London without any type of parental supervision. When questioned, the boys stated that they were left home alone while their mother went out of town to visit relatives and friends. A family member eventually gained entrance to the home, where the body of the boys' mother was discovered terrifically decomposed. Robert eventually confessed to stabbing her, but the case took a few more turns. I really like old historical cases, and I also really enjoy the work I have read thus far by this author. I have another written by this author that I am looking forward to getting to this year. If you are into older Victorian Era crimes, do yourself a favor and check out this author.
jobustitch's review against another edition
5.0
Often with a true crime book, you focus on the crime and the people involved in that small moment in time. This book shows a fascinating look at a child criminal, the crime, and then follows him throughout the rest his life. I loved this book!
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
1.0
This is the second of her Victorian-type, historical mysteries and unfortunately I haven’t found either all that interesting. Perhaps it’s the lack of information. Perhaps it’s the court transcript that reveals nothing. Or maybe it’s just the story that veers towards the boring after several chapters. Whatever it was, just not a book that grabbed my attention and held it.
zoefruitcake's review
3.0
Not quite as enjoyable as The suspicions of Mr Whitcher, but overall an interesting read. Not wanting to give anything away I found the very last part the most interesting of all of it
frauleinn8123's review against another edition
4.0
Such a great narrative non-fiction, totally drawn into the story and could not wait to find out what happened next!
dilchh's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book about the murder that happened in 1895 London. The murder of a mother by her own 13 yo son, Robert Coombes. The book covers the story of the day of the murder, the coverup, the trial and what follow afterwards.
I genuinely wasn't expecting much about reading this book. Especially putting into account that this murder had happened so long time ago. But I had enjoyed the storytelling of the author. I felt no remorse nor hatred for Robert Coombes. The murder was to be one of those awful things that happened, I presume. But then, the author brought us along to Robert Coombes's story following the day he was sent to the asylum, all through his journey to Australia.
I rarely paid any attention to epilogues when I read a book, but I'm glad I had read the epilogue in this book. I think it was such a beautiful and bittersweet ending to the story of Robert Coombes. It was such a heartwarming feeling to have finished the book and to see Robert Coombes in a different light, and not just as someone who had killed his mother, for reasons we would never know.
I genuinely wasn't expecting much about reading this book. Especially putting into account that this murder had happened so long time ago. But I had enjoyed the storytelling of the author. I felt no remorse nor hatred for Robert Coombes. The murder was to be one of those awful things that happened, I presume. But then, the author brought us along to Robert Coombes's story following the day he was sent to the asylum, all through his journey to Australia.
I rarely paid any attention to epilogues when I read a book, but I'm glad I had read the epilogue in this book. I think it was such a beautiful and bittersweet ending to the story of Robert Coombes. It was such a heartwarming feeling to have finished the book and to see Robert Coombes in a different light, and not just as someone who had killed his mother, for reasons we would never know.
jilly7922's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a true story based on a 13 year old boy killing his mother in 1895 in London. I rated this book three stars out of five. It was a detailed in-depth description of a mother's murder committed by her son. This book was jam packed with information. It was definitely well researched. It also was an interesting and intriguing story. It painted the picture of the crime well. This book was good, however it could have been so much better. This book lacked emotion. It read like you are reading a newspaper article. This book covers a serious subject, but yet doesn't convey any emotion. It would have been so much stronger if it had. However, I still enjoyed reading this book because it was so very well researched.
I would like to thank Netgalley, First to Read, Kate Summerscale, and The Penguin Group: The Penguin Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com/
I would like to thank Netgalley, First to Read, Kate Summerscale, and The Penguin Group: The Penguin Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com/