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Escape from Evil
Cathy was just sixteen, and living on her own, when she met a charming older man called Peter Tobin. She saw him as a knight in shining armour, a man who made her feel safe. He saw a vulnerable girl whose troubled childhood made her the perfect victim.This considerate man, who appeared so normal to anyone who met him, became first controlling, then violent, and Cathy found herself trapped in a terrifyingly abusive marriage. Eventually, for the sake of her young son, she found the strength to escape and over the years managed to create a good life for her boy, making sure he never had the memories of fear and daily trauma she had suffered. Still Tobin remained a threatening presence in the background. Then, turning on the television set in 2006, she screamed with horror when a familiar face appeared on the news. Her ex-husband, her son's father, was a serial killer.Writing with complete honesty, Cathy describes her marriage, and how the past continued to haunt her until she stood in court, a witness against the man who could so easily have murdered her too. Totally compelling Escape From Evil is the story of a woman who survived the worst nightmare of all..The Pan Real Lives Series brings together some truly remarkable stories. From moving accounts of suffering and redemption to fun and fabulous confessions, entertaining adventures and touching tales of devotion, these are life-changing stories told from the heart.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
32 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 21, 2023
I also feel when Ï read books about abuse of women and children like this , like a moth that has been drawn to a flame and then burned.
And this book is unbelievably harrowing, upsetting and disturbing. Reading what Cathy went through from age 4 having a knife held to her throat and threatened while watching her mother being gang raped and tortured. The inhumanity of man to vulnerable women and children is something sickening indeed.t
And when Cathy thought she would start a life she fell prey to man who is an absolute study in evil. Peter Tobin. The abuse he subjected to her was horrific from a man who tortured and savagely murdered several young women who were documented and other who we may neve hear about. While married to and held captive by Tobin she witnessed his cruel torture of several prostitutes in Tobin's house - these poor vulnerable young women's stories may never be heard,
I still could not understand how Cathy could have given Tobin access to her son even after she escaped his sadistic evil , even though she did not know of the serial killings of two young girls he had carried out and before Tobin the rape and torture of horrific torture of two 14 year old children
Ultimately I salute Cathy;s courage and the life she made for herself and her son and not least her writing of this book that had to be written
As regards Peter Tobin, that demon is a true study in evil.May he burn in hell forever!
And this book is unbelievably harrowing, upsetting and disturbing. Reading what Cathy went through from age 4 having a knife held to her throat and threatened while watching her mother being gang raped and tortured. The inhumanity of man to vulnerable women and children is something sickening indeed.t
And when Cathy thought she would start a life she fell prey to man who is an absolute study in evil. Peter Tobin. The abuse he subjected to her was horrific from a man who tortured and savagely murdered several young women who were documented and other who we may neve hear about. While married to and held captive by Tobin she witnessed his cruel torture of several prostitutes in Tobin's house - these poor vulnerable young women's stories may never be heard,
I still could not understand how Cathy could have given Tobin access to her son even after she escaped his sadistic evil , even though she did not know of the serial killings of two young girls he had carried out and before Tobin the rape and torture of horrific torture of two 14 year old children
Ultimately I salute Cathy;s courage and the life she made for herself and her son and not least her writing of this book that had to be written
As regards Peter Tobin, that demon is a true study in evil.May he burn in hell forever!
December 5, 2020
I also feel when Ï read books about abuse of women and children like this , like a moth that has been drawn to a flame and then burned.
And this book is unbelievably harrowing, upsetting and disturbing. Reading what Cathy went through from age 4 having a knife held to her throat and threatened while watching her mother being gang raped and tortured. The inhumanity of man to vulnerable women and children is something sickening indeed.t
And when Cathy thought she would start a life she fell prey to man who is an absolute study in evil. Peter Tobin. The abuse he subjected to her was horrific from a man who tortured and savagely murdered several young women who were documented and other who we may neve hear about. While married to and held captive by Tobin she witnessed his cruel torture of several prostitutes in Tobin's house - these poor vulnerable young women's stories may never be heard,
I still could not understand how Cathy could have given Tobin access to her son even after she escaped his sadistic evil , even though she did not know of the serial killings of two young girls he had carried out and before Tobin the rape and torture of horrific torture of two 14 year old children
Ultimately I salute Cathy;s courage and the life she made for herself and her son and not least her writing of this book that had to be written
As regards Peter Tobin, that demon is a true study in evil. I hope he is sucked back into hell very soon!
And this book is unbelievably harrowing, upsetting and disturbing. Reading what Cathy went through from age 4 having a knife held to her throat and threatened while watching her mother being gang raped and tortured. The inhumanity of man to vulnerable women and children is something sickening indeed.t
And when Cathy thought she would start a life she fell prey to man who is an absolute study in evil. Peter Tobin. The abuse he subjected to her was horrific from a man who tortured and savagely murdered several young women who were documented and other who we may neve hear about. While married to and held captive by Tobin she witnessed his cruel torture of several prostitutes in Tobin's house - these poor vulnerable young women's stories may never be heard,
I still could not understand how Cathy could have given Tobin access to her son even after she escaped his sadistic evil , even though she did not know of the serial killings of two young girls he had carried out and before Tobin the rape and torture of horrific torture of two 14 year old children
Ultimately I salute Cathy;s courage and the life she made for herself and her son and not least her writing of this book that had to be written
As regards Peter Tobin, that demon is a true study in evil. I hope he is sucked back into hell very soon!
March 4, 2017
The true story of the author's struggles to survive, from a very early age, more challenges than you can shake a stick at. Just when she thought she was out of the woods, she moved in with a guy who would make all the other problems she'd ever had look pretty mild. Well written, and an impressive testament to the human ability to endure.
November 24, 2011
Oops I forgot to write a review about this book the moment i finished it which sucks cause I forget easily.
I was a bit disappointed cause I wanted to hear more about the serial killer. (The title made me think it would be) So at the end when I discovered after reading all her sorrows that this had happened all before Tobin's murders and rapes I knew I'd made a mistake buying this book. Should have bought the book about Peter Tobin instead. I used to love reading true stories but I guess I've read too many cause it starts to annoy me now when people keep on taking the abuse and I have to read pages filled with it. So it is probably not the book that sucks but just that I am fed up reading all those I've been abused stories.
I was a bit disappointed cause I wanted to hear more about the serial killer. (The title made me think it would be) So at the end when I discovered after reading all her sorrows that this had happened all before Tobin's murders and rapes I knew I'd made a mistake buying this book. Should have bought the book about Peter Tobin instead. I used to love reading true stories but I guess I've read too many cause it starts to annoy me now when people keep on taking the abuse and I have to read pages filled with it. So it is probably not the book that sucks but just that I am fed up reading all those I've been abused stories.
August 21, 2014
This is a very misleading title; she wasn't married to a serial killer...she happened to be married to someone who, after their divorce, became a serial killer. Slight difference. This book is mainly about her life, and the title is a way to bring people in to read it. I feel like I've been tricked. After the first few chapters the story got old, fast.
September 19, 2016
Revealing and disturbing memoir - 8/10.
April 16, 2022
An absolutely chilling and horrific read, I admire Cathy Wilson's courage in writing this book. Parts of it were sickening and hard to read, but it was also a very hard book to put down.
Wilson's mum was only fourteen when she found out she was pregnant with Cathy and while she loved her daughter, she was a neglectful mother, not helped by the fact that she and Cathy'sfatuer broke up and she was left to raise her alone. Plagued by drug addiction; men she barely knew would come to her home for drug parties, while Cathy was plied with sleeping tablets and sent to bed. Things only got worse from there as the men would then resort to violence and threats of violence towards the then eight-year-old girl.
Years later, history would virtually repeat itself when Cathy found out she was pregnant when she was fifteen. Cathy however was determined not to repeat her mother's mistakes and tried to give her son everything he needed, especially a present father.
Unfortunately, that father was Peter Tobin, an infamous and very dangerous man. Soon after Cathy told him she was pregnant, his behaviour changed and escalated from verbal abuse to physical abuse and eventually rape. Years later though, she had her biggest shock when she saw his face on the news, the headlines calling him a serial killer.
This book is a fascinating and very honest look at child abuse as well as spousal abuse. Wilson wrote extremely honestly and didn't try to paint people in a better light than they deserved, even the mother she loved so much. It can't be said enough how brave a person would have to be in order to live through all of this and be able to write about it as well.
If you enjoy true crime and have a strong stomach, this is an excellent example of the genre.
Wilson's mum was only fourteen when she found out she was pregnant with Cathy and while she loved her daughter, she was a neglectful mother, not helped by the fact that she and Cathy'sfatuer broke up and she was left to raise her alone. Plagued by drug addiction; men she barely knew would come to her home for drug parties, while Cathy was plied with sleeping tablets and sent to bed. Things only got worse from there as the men would then resort to violence and threats of violence towards the then eight-year-old girl.
Years later, history would virtually repeat itself when Cathy found out she was pregnant when she was fifteen. Cathy however was determined not to repeat her mother's mistakes and tried to give her son everything he needed, especially a present father.
Unfortunately, that father was Peter Tobin, an infamous and very dangerous man. Soon after Cathy told him she was pregnant, his behaviour changed and escalated from verbal abuse to physical abuse and eventually rape. Years later though, she had her biggest shock when she saw his face on the news, the headlines calling him a serial killer.
This book is a fascinating and very honest look at child abuse as well as spousal abuse. Wilson wrote extremely honestly and didn't try to paint people in a better light than they deserved, even the mother she loved so much. It can't be said enough how brave a person would have to be in order to live through all of this and be able to write about it as well.
If you enjoy true crime and have a strong stomach, this is an excellent example of the genre.
April 21, 2017
I seem to be on a roll with reading stories about abuse. She went from an abusive childhood to an abusive marriage. As some other reviews have said, she was not married to the serial killer while he was actively killing and so there is virtually no details about those murders. For me this book was ok, but not the best as far as the writing. I'm glad she came out of it ok.
January 17, 2012
I don't normally read true crime books but this was very enthralling.
Every chapter left me wanting more.
It's hard to say you "enjoyed" a book covering a whole range of abuse but it was incredibly difficult to put down.
Not the best written book in the world but very much an eye opener.
Every chapter left me wanting more.
It's hard to say you "enjoyed" a book covering a whole range of abuse but it was incredibly difficult to put down.
Not the best written book in the world but very much an eye opener.
August 24, 2014
The true story of a young girl who married a serial killer.
I enjoyed it. It was well written and packed with emotion. I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish it.
I enjoyed it. It was well written and packed with emotion. I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish it.
December 27, 2022
I really appreciated the author's complete candor and honesty, in sharing some of the turmoils of her life, particularly as the wife of serial killer, Peter Tobin. From the depths of despair, Cathy shares her darkest hours to her finest hours. It is plain to see that nothing and no one can keep her down for long, as she has a fierce survival instinct; possibly developed and honed from the time she was very young, and living an uncertain life with a mother who was a drug addict. Throughout her often troubled life, there are human angels who help to steer her on her way to a better life. When Cathy first finds out that her then ex husband Tobin was a serial paedophile, and then a serial killer, she is shocked but not totally unsurprised. The police treatment of her and her son, as the case approaches trial, was disgusting and unnecessary. The way this book was written is brilliant, gripping, at times sad, but also life affirming.
February 4, 2021
Była to moja pierwsza styczność z gatunkiem autobiografii/biografii w moim życiu. Zaliczam to spotkanie do dość udanych.
Jednak początkowo mimo zanudzenia o tym jak wyglądało dzieciństwo Cathy, podobało mi się, że podczas opisywania wydarzeń, wplatała komentarz zachowań. Oceniała je z perspektywy czasu, jako dorosła kobieta z doświadczeniem. Pozycja była momentami tak odrealniona, że miała wrażenie, że czytam książkę fikcyjną, a nie skrawki pamiętnika Cathy.
Bardzo dobrze mi się to czytało, chociaż momentami na prawdę ciężko było przebrnąć przez kolejne strony. Zanim doszliśmy do jakiekolwiek sensu związanego z tytułem, minęło ponad pół ksiażki.
Nie mówiąc o tym, że dało się pomylić w datach i nie do końca wiedziało się co się dzieje w jakim czasie. Zwłaszcza pod koniec książki, gdzie ''tajemnica'' Petera Tobina zostaje rozwiązana.
Jednak początkowo mimo zanudzenia o tym jak wyglądało dzieciństwo Cathy, podobało mi się, że podczas opisywania wydarzeń, wplatała komentarz zachowań. Oceniała je z perspektywy czasu, jako dorosła kobieta z doświadczeniem. Pozycja była momentami tak odrealniona, że miała wrażenie, że czytam książkę fikcyjną, a nie skrawki pamiętnika Cathy.
Bardzo dobrze mi się to czytało, chociaż momentami na prawdę ciężko było przebrnąć przez kolejne strony. Zanim doszliśmy do jakiekolwiek sensu związanego z tytułem, minęło ponad pół ksiażki.
Nie mówiąc o tym, że dało się pomylić w datach i nie do końca wiedziało się co się dzieje w jakim czasie. Zwłaszcza pod koniec książki, gdzie ''tajemnica'' Petera Tobina zostaje rozwiązana.
March 15, 2024
Wow. What a story. I'm amazed by her resilience. She had so many chances to give up, yet she persevered. She really makes you understand what a Mothers love encapsulates, and I can imagine relating to it someday. I'm so happy she and her family survived, especially her having the braveness to tell her story. Some of the things she endured make me think the things I've gone through aren't half as bad as what she did, and if she survived, then so can I. Her story made me feel motivated and encouraged me to never give up on my problems. I'm grateful she shared this because it raises awareness of the violence against women and why it can be dangerous to be obsessed with serial killers. I couldn't help but feel proud of her, and I know her mum would be too.
December 11, 2018
EXTREMELY MISLEADING TITLE.
I’m really disappointed. The title suggests that we will read about the life as a wife of a serial killer *while he’s actually killing*, and instead we get a biography of some random woman who, after the divorce, found out that her ex-husband is a serial killer. I didn’t buy this book to read about the life of some random person, I bought it because I saw “serial killer” and I thought it would be interesting to see how she is living with him knowing he kills people. But oh well. Not always do we get what we want.
I’m really disappointed. The title suggests that we will read about the life as a wife of a serial killer *while he’s actually killing*, and instead we get a biography of some random woman who, after the divorce, found out that her ex-husband is a serial killer. I didn’t buy this book to read about the life of some random person, I bought it because I saw “serial killer” and I thought it would be interesting to see how she is living with him knowing he kills people. But oh well. Not always do we get what we want.
February 22, 2024
Great read
I really enjoyed this book and got to like Cathy's way of explaining her own story and her own background and how it led her into the clutches of Peter Tobin. I feel like there were so many parallels between what she had to endure in her childhood and what she ended up having to go through in her relationship and marriage with Tobin. Being a counsellor, it was a really interesting read that gave me an insight into human behaviour.
Cathy's strength is admirable!
It is a great read! I couldn't put the book down.
I really enjoyed this book and got to like Cathy's way of explaining her own story and her own background and how it led her into the clutches of Peter Tobin. I feel like there were so many parallels between what she had to endure in her childhood and what she ended up having to go through in her relationship and marriage with Tobin. Being a counsellor, it was a really interesting read that gave me an insight into human behaviour.
Cathy's strength is admirable!
It is a great read! I couldn't put the book down.
April 22, 2019
I find this book really hits home with the trials of Peter Tobin being so recent and also knowing that when was in Bathgate was so close to where I live (including when he was here). Have seen and heard about the crimes he committed before but the book gives a different side with it focusing on his home life. It also gives a chance to see his wife's earlier life and shows how easy can be to fall under someone's lies and be stuck there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2024
Such a sad and harrowing memoir! It made me feel so terrible for the things that Cathy had been through but in the same thought relieved she had made it through stronger on the other side. It amazes me how someone who has gone through ALL of that can come out on top. Truly inspiring and an incredible read!
October 7, 2025
I bought this book years ago, but once I've started reading this properly I thought it was a good read.
Cathy had a rough start to her life, but she is such a strong woman. I thought it's amazing how she has achieved so much in her life in spite of what she went through.
It was a very interesting read
Cathy had a rough start to her life, but she is such a strong woman. I thought it's amazing how she has achieved so much in her life in spite of what she went through.
It was a very interesting read
October 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this book.
It is not so much about the serial killer and more about the authors life. Not what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed the book.
The author's story is amazing and shows the resilience of children
It is not so much about the serial killer and more about the authors life. Not what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed the book.
The author's story is amazing and shows the resilience of children
July 22, 2020
What a brilliant book. Cannot believe such a lovely lady got mixed up with the animal Tobin. This book explains how it happened. The lady has my utmost respect. If i could give more than five stars I would.
June 12, 2023
I was absolutely glued to this book. Couldn't put it down.
Very well written, fascinating, harrowing. Everything you want from a book.
Very well written, fascinating, harrowing. Everything you want from a book.
January 5, 2024
A very powerful memoir of being married to such evil that it really makes you admire the courage and power she to stand up.
July 29, 2025
I struggled with this book, didn't enjoy it.
August 19, 2025
Wow. What a story. So thankful for my parents. And so proud of Cathy for her life story and resilience.
January 3, 2021
Trudno oceniać książkę będącą swoistą formą terapii. Książkę stanowiącą zapis trudnego dzieciństwa, a później równie trudnej młodości. Bo nie można przecież oceniać autentyczności przeżyć, słuszności wyborów, sposobów radzenia sobie z doświadczeniami, nieraz (jak w tym przypadku właśnie) zupełnie dla nas abstrakcyjnymi.
Nie oceniam zatem ani autorki ani jej postępowania ani wreszcie samej historii, o której można wprawdzie powiedzieć, że jest ciekawa ale wiedząc, że to opowieść prawdziwa i stanowi część czyjegoś życia, brzmi to co najmniej niezręcznie.
A jednak ocenię tę lekturę jako książkę bardzo dobrą. Dlaczego? Przede wszystkim z uwagi na tematykę, którą porusza. Oczywiście, większość z nas nie zetknie się nigdy z seryjnym mordercą, jednak już problem przemocy domowej i molestowania dzieci jest o wiele bardziej powszechny i niestety, wciąż aktualny.
Aktualny pozostaje również problem psychicznego uzależnienia w patologicznych często związkach. Na podstawie tej opowieści można by stworzyć modelowy wręcz przykład ofiary takiego uzależnienia.
W końcu, historia Cathy jest doskonałą ilustracją wpływu wychowania dziecka na jego późniejsze życie. Bo stanowiąca znaczną część książki opowieść autorki o dzieciństwie spędzonym z matką-narkomanką i przyspieszonym kursie dorastania pokazuje jak bardzo te doświadczenia zdeterminowały jej późniejsze decyzje, jej postrzeganie rzeczywistości, jej relacji z innymi ludźmi.
Na szczęście lektura daje nadzieję. Że są wartości, o które można i trzeba walczyć (w przypadku Cathy to miłość do dziecka), takie które nie poddają się manipulacjom i że z beznadziejnych nawet sytuacji są wyjścia. Trzeba jednak mieć na kim się oprzeć i umieć prosić o pomoc.
Dlatego właśnie jest to książka ważna. Dla tych, którzy wychowują dzieci, dla osób młodych, buntujących się, szukających drogi, dla kobiet, które są na jakimś życiowym zakręcie, może eksperymentują, może zastanawiają się co dalej, dla tych którzy tkwią w związkach pełnych manipulacji i przemocy. Trochę taka książka - przestroga, na pewno warto przeczytać.
Niestety, o to przyczepić się muszę. Czytałam wersję elektroniczną i oczywiście edycja bardzo niechlujna, co niezwykle psuje odbiór. Plus rażący błąd ortograficzny (zamienione "ż" i "rz"). Zbyt rażący, by pozostawić to bez komentarza.
Nie oceniam zatem ani autorki ani jej postępowania ani wreszcie samej historii, o której można wprawdzie powiedzieć, że jest ciekawa ale wiedząc, że to opowieść prawdziwa i stanowi część czyjegoś życia, brzmi to co najmniej niezręcznie.
A jednak ocenię tę lekturę jako książkę bardzo dobrą. Dlaczego? Przede wszystkim z uwagi na tematykę, którą porusza. Oczywiście, większość z nas nie zetknie się nigdy z seryjnym mordercą, jednak już problem przemocy domowej i molestowania dzieci jest o wiele bardziej powszechny i niestety, wciąż aktualny.
Aktualny pozostaje również problem psychicznego uzależnienia w patologicznych często związkach. Na podstawie tej opowieści można by stworzyć modelowy wręcz przykład ofiary takiego uzależnienia.
W końcu, historia Cathy jest doskonałą ilustracją wpływu wychowania dziecka na jego późniejsze życie. Bo stanowiąca znaczną część książki opowieść autorki o dzieciństwie spędzonym z matką-narkomanką i przyspieszonym kursie dorastania pokazuje jak bardzo te doświadczenia zdeterminowały jej późniejsze decyzje, jej postrzeganie rzeczywistości, jej relacji z innymi ludźmi.
Na szczęście lektura daje nadzieję. Że są wartości, o które można i trzeba walczyć (w przypadku Cathy to miłość do dziecka), takie które nie poddają się manipulacjom i że z beznadziejnych nawet sytuacji są wyjścia. Trzeba jednak mieć na kim się oprzeć i umieć prosić o pomoc.
Dlatego właśnie jest to książka ważna. Dla tych, którzy wychowują dzieci, dla osób młodych, buntujących się, szukających drogi, dla kobiet, które są na jakimś życiowym zakręcie, może eksperymentują, może zastanawiają się co dalej, dla tych którzy tkwią w związkach pełnych manipulacji i przemocy. Trochę taka książka - przestroga, na pewno warto przeczytać.
Niestety, o to przyczepić się muszę. Czytałam wersję elektroniczną i oczywiście edycja bardzo niechlujna, co niezwykle psuje odbiór. Plus rażący błąd ortograficzny (zamienione "ż" i "rz"). Zbyt rażący, by pozostawić to bez komentarza.
October 13, 2019
A bit hard core for me. It was given to me by a friend who knew the author. Wouldn’t have been a book of choice but good to widen your horizons, especially as a true story of a very tough life. I’m not sure whether it was the way it was written but at the end I lost some of my empathy with the author.
December 20, 2013
The abuse this poor woman suffered is harrowing. It is a reminder that women need to get away from abusive men as quickly as possible. These men don't change. Because she wanted a father for her son, she continued to see him
October 26, 2012
I loved this book! For me it was a real page-turner. I could not put it down (I finished it in two days). I highly recommend it and will probably read up more on Peter Tobin himself.
July 24, 2013
brilliant book makes people think about how others suffer more than yourself
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews