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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/
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
3.0
There's really no mystery in "The Wicked Boy," which is why it fell so flat with me. Robert Coombes killed his mother, and he, his younger brother, and a friend went to cricket games and ate out with money taken from his mother's purse. The three would then return home and play cards while Mrs. Coombes lay dead in the bedroom, disintegrating in the summer heat.
Why? We never know. A great deal of research went into this book, but without Robert ever having said anything to report, he remains the mystery.
I liked Kate Summerscale's books much more than this one, which should have been the most gripping and fascinating of them all.
Why? We never know. A great deal of research went into this book, but without Robert ever having said anything to report, he remains the mystery.
I liked Kate Summerscale's books much more than this one, which should have been the most gripping and fascinating of them all.
jdhobbes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/day-976-the-wicked-boy-the-mystery-of-a-victorian-child-murderer/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/day-976-the-wicked-boy-the-mystery-of-a-victorian-child-murderer/
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
I have never read anything by this author. Although I do own another book by this author. Now, after finishing this one I am going to read the other book. Wow, this book is not only a must read but a have to read!
It has been a long time since I have read a true crime novel. Right from the beginning, I was hooked. It is amazing to think that the boys, Robert and Nattie could be that calm while still living in the same home with their dead mother right upstairs. Yet, the more I read about Robert and his trip to see a murderer and his reaction both at the murderer and at his own trial, I am not shocked by his reaction. Robert was disassociated with the situation. Yet I found it very intriguing as well about his time as an adult afterwards with his time in the war and him befriending Harry and showing compassion. A very well written book.
It has been a long time since I have read a true crime novel. Right from the beginning, I was hooked. It is amazing to think that the boys, Robert and Nattie could be that calm while still living in the same home with their dead mother right upstairs. Yet, the more I read about Robert and his trip to see a murderer and his reaction both at the murderer and at his own trial, I am not shocked by his reaction. Robert was disassociated with the situation. Yet I found it very intriguing as well about his time as an adult afterwards with his time in the war and him befriending Harry and showing compassion. A very well written book.
missiesue's review against another edition
1.0
ugh!!! Too much fluff and most of it on information that is not pertinent to the story. I couldn't even finish the book.
wholewheatwhale's review against another edition
3.0
The narrative is very muddled a d unclear I early chapters but gets better later on. An okay book. Nothing great but nothing terrible.