The Baby Farm Murders: The Terrifying Case of the Angel-Maker, Amelia Dyer

by Ryan Green

In Victorian England, 1896, Evelina Marmon gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, Doris. As was typical of the era, she sought adoption to provide a more stable upbringing for her child.

She chanced upon a newspaper advert, ‘Married couple with no family would adopt a healthy child, nice country home. Terms, £10.’ Could this home be the baby’s good fortune?

Evelina wanted to pay a more affordable ongoing fee for her daughter’s care, but Mrs Harding insisted on the substantial one-off payment in advance. She was reluctant to hand over Doris, but Mrs Harding was a trained nurse and respectable married woman who would provide a loving home for her child. So, she agreed.

But Mrs Harding had no intention of caring for Doris. She wasn’t married, and her real name was Amelia Dyer. She wanted money.

Amelia never passed on a new address to the anxious mother. Instead, she found some dressmaking tape and bound it tightly around Doris’s neck, watching and waiting. She disposed of the body in the river Thames and pawned the clothes Evelina had packed.

The Baby Farm Murders is a chilling account of Amelia Dyer, who was responsible for the deaths of up to 400 children, making her one of the most prolific serial killers in True Crime history. Ryan Green provides a suspenseful narrative that draws the reader into the real-life horror experienced by the victims with all the elements of a captivating thriller.

This book contains descriptive accounts of child abuse and extreme violence. If you are sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read further.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2024

Reviews

[Julie Young Buckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haunting Tale

This book was some hell of a story. It's grisley but well written. In fact, if not for the composed writing I may not have been able to tolerate this abhorrent tale. However, it was real and the Victorian Ages had cruel societal undertones. Darkness always follows the light.

[Heidi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 stars simply because that even though this book opened my eyes to how things use to be and told the most horrific true story, it also didn’t answer many questions.

The main question being: what happened to “Jane ‘granny’ Smith”??

Also, I am not into the whole bit of the Author writing his opinion on her Mental Health and assuming she had a Mental Disorder. Some people can be simply cruel, it doesn’t mean they have a medical condition.

[Lorna Battista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legit insane. Save yourself and just read the wiki. Insane amount of detail for 1800 crimes due to her writing out journals. Writing is clear and concise.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Business

I heard of baby farms before reading this book. There was mention of a notorious baby farm on the news run by nuns. A large monument had been erected and intricately etched with the names of the sisters. Yet there was no mention of the many young children that were unearthed. While the subject of this book might be the most infamous baby farmer due to her cunning, mental instability, abandonment by her family, addiction to the drug often used to make babies sick, and in the case of quite a few baby farmers leave them to starve to death. But that method took too long Amelia Dyer.

She was often just one step ahead of the law. She would not leave any evidence behind though, she was certainly suspected of being a baby farmer. Jail terms, psychiatric stays, and even torturous conditions in a poor man's facsimile of a psychiatric center - none of these punishments dissuaded Dyer. It only made her more determined to not get caught, which necessitated frequent moves and disposal of the infants' bodies off sight.

Cruelty that had been heaped on Amelia by caring for a psychotic mother - bleed any compassion or empathy for others with two exceptions her first husband and daughter who she protected with her life. Despite the hard life she had endure Amelia had still been raised by a Father who ensured that she was well educated. She could have easily chosen another pathway in life by joining the family business or continue to work for her aunt.

But Amelia seemed destined and determined to experience the hard knocks of life in Victorian England where being a single woman meant suffering all types of indignities. So she understood why single mothers would try to find a place to for a child born out of wedlock until better circumstances made it possible to reclaim the child. Except with the Dyer Baby Farm there was no reclaiming a baby a mother paid money to the proprietor to care for her child. This tale of murder shows that even the most innocent were not immune from the horrors induced by the possibility of financial gain.

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic But Important History
I found this book fascinating. The book gives the account of Amelia Dyer, who was believed to have killed many babies during a career as a 'baby farmer.” Middle aged women like Amelia Dyer advertised for babies, whom, for a fee they would take care of. Depending on the health of the child, or the involvement of the father, the price could reach up to £80. Frequently these babies would be sold on to another, although some women genuinely wanted a child as a companion. To provide anonymity for the mother (and the baby farmer) the baby was often handed over in a large railway station.
Despite being admitted more than once into a mental asylum Dyer kept under the radar and she would use the baby's deaths for personal financial gain until a shocking discovery was made under the Clappers footbridge across the river Thames when a decomposing baby was found tied to a brick and strangled with rope around its neck. This led back after police enquires to Dyer’s doorstep and to her arrest and death.
I found this book to be a remarkably interesting read that will give you an insight into the terrible things that occurred in times gone by. It is truly appalling currently to think that baby farming went on, but as we know it was just part of the Victorian way back then. Sadly, it was a Double Trauma for those poor babies and the mothers who had no choice but to give them up.
I found I could not put this book down. Ryan has done a thorough research into all events of this case and this book is professionally written. It is Graphic but important history and is necessary for anyone who enjoys history and psychology. Once again Ryan I was not disappointed, a great read and brilliantly written. A truly horrible and despicable women. Thanks to Ryan Green for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melanie Davis]

While I knew that in Victorian times those who had babies out of wedlock were looked down upon I had never in my mind even considered the fact that these conditions would create these types of baby farms. I understand the need for adoption. For some it is the absolute best choice for both themselves and their child. However, the fact that some in society saw these deliberate killings as just punishment for their social status is utterly disgraceful. Society never should have created this situation and government should have intervened sooner, ensuring the safe adoption of every single child. My heart aches for the mothers of these babies who simply hoped for a better life for their child, and knew due to society’s opinion of unwed mothers that both mother and child would suffer simply because the woman wasn’t married if they had chosen to keep their baby with them.

This woman, and those like her, are disgustingly evil and should not have had the consideration of a swift death. She should have been made to hang there for however long it took for her brain to die, just as she did those babies. Maybe starve her for a few days leading up to it as well just for good measure. Also, that warden should not have told her about the outcome of her daughter. She did not deserve to have that peace of mind.

I am thankful that there are others out there capable of writing this type of book. I would never get through the research let alone writing of such stories. And while there were moments during reading that I nearly became ill I do understand the importance of these stories being remembered. I think about the mother that was shot dead by ICE yesterday in the US and am incredibly thankful that I live in Canada. I am scared of what I may read one day about these horrible years and mistreatment of immigrants and what happened to their children.

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first chapter of the story, we meet Evelina Marmon. She had a brief encounter with a boy, which unfortunately resulted in an unwanted pregnancy. Fearful of people's negative comments, she tried to hide her pregnancy.

Despite her efforts, her baby, Doris, was born. Although it was an unforgettable moment, her situation was challenging as she had to work and there was no one to look after her baby.

Evelina found a newspaper post where a couple sought to adopt a child one day. They had been unable to have children of their own, and so they turned to adoption as their last resort. Upon seeing the post, Evelina quickly got in touch with them, knowing that once she became financially stable, she could have her daughter back.

The next chapter introduces Amelia Dyer, who spent her childhood taking care of her mother while enduring moral abuse. Her life consisted of multiple challenges. Despite her selfless acts on behalf of her family, her brothers were indifferent to her struggles. Amelia dreamt of having enough money that would grant her freedom.

Later, she experienced many twists and turns in her days but eventually found happiness by getting married, having a child, and owning a home. As all good things come to an end, the most harrowing times returned, and the only way out was to slaughter the lives of defenceless innocents.

Imagine being entirely consumed by an emotionally intense story that overwhelms you and is even a little disgusted. When the story finally ends, you will be shocked that you won't be able to forget anytime soon. Prepare for an exciting and unpredictable ride of emotions as you embark on this thrilling and unsettling journey.

Worth a try.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrifying tale beyond comprehension…

The year 1837 saw the birth of a lovely baby girl who, instead of being coddled, pampered and spoiled, was doomed to a life of hardship and misery that molded her into a force of evil that defies explanation or understanding. In this riveting narrative, Ryan Green peels back the layers of Amelia Elizabeth Hobley’s path of misfortune to provide the unforgettable and terrifying tale of her transformation from pitiable child into the “Ogress of Reading,” one of Victorian England’s most infamous baby farmers. I was fascinated by the detailed descriptions of the societal mores of that time period and how those beliefs and conventions actually birthed the industry known as “baby farming.” We will probably never be able to irrefutably quantify the actual human toll of Amelia’s wickedness, but this book provides an eye-opening account of the potential impact of a single evil individual. It is heart-wrenching to realize that, while Amelia may have been one of the worst, she was definitely not the only entrepreneur in this vile trade. With his customary incisive examination of every known aspect of Amelia’s existence and his insightful analysis of Amelia’s psychological state, I feel the author has presented as complete a picture of this woman’s life and crimes as could be offered for someone of that era. The story is sad, it is shocking, and it is a tale that will haunt my thoughts for some time to come. Having said that, it is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts, history buffs, and students of human nature.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a deeply disturbing book on many levels. While it focuses on the atrocities committed by Amelia Dyer in the late 1890's, there is much more to this book than just that.

The book exposes the problems caused by the social mores of Victorian England, which ostracized young women who became pregnant out of wedlock. A society that cares more about propriety than about the lives of innocent children is pretty despicable. Women who found themselves in this difficult situation often turned to people who claimed to offer a place for their babies to grow up in a loving family through adoption. Instead, horrific deaths awaited these innocents.

Amelia Dyer was one of those offering this adoption service, but she was ultimately executed for her horrific crimes. No one truly knows how many babies died at her hands, but this book brings to light the extent of her deeds. It is unfortunate that it often takes the discovery of unimaginable crimes to cause social reform.

The author has once again brought a fact-filled story to life through his ability to humanize the victims. As you read this tale, you will find yourself weeping for the innocents that suffered at the hands of this monster.

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, informative, sad.
There is no question that, right from the start, Amelia Dyer had an extremely hard life. As her psychotic mother descended further and further into madness, and could no longer look after herself, young Amelia was expected to be her full time carer, and to do all of the household tasks. With only occasional help from her siblings. It's like her childhood was robbed from her.
After her mother's death, and finally out in the world, Amelia's life takes many twists and turns. She had to fend for herself, which was pretty hard for women in those days. She eventually became a baby farmer; where a person pretends to adopt an unwanted baby for a fee, then later kills the baby and disposes of the body. The descriptions of the methods that Amelia employs to kill those poor little babies are horrific. I felt very satisfied that finally, after years of evading arrest, Amelia finally gets captured. Although, as the author pointed out, there were still plenty more baby farmers to take her place. I found this book very eye opening and also very sad.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia Dyer, the "ogress" behind the Baby Farm Murders, was eventually undone 30 March 1896 when a bargeman hooked a reeking parcel from the river Thames at Caversham. Inside the brown paper package was the body of a baby girl who had been strangled with distinctive white tape. Ryan Green takes us into the persistent and even microscopic efforts of the determined police who discovered a faint name and address. Green takes through the background of Amelia which gives us context to how she grew into such a monster. He also puts this legal case into a history of improved adoption regulation. He doesn't raise this issue, but here in the States as I see women's access to abortion increasingly restricted, I wonder what evils find fertile ground in government-enforced pregnancy. The potentially very prolific infanticide may have suffered from, by Green's analysis borderline personality disorder (BPD) as considered in the final pages.

You can support my reviews with purchases made on Amazon through this link.

[Susan Vrabel-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I received a n ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I've not heard of Amelia Dyer before now, but I'm not going to soon forget her. A true story from the late 19th century, Amelia grew up with a very mentally unbalanced mother and had to take over all of her mother's chores/duties at the tender age of five.
When her first husband died, she slowly started her downward spiral... murdering babies, after agreeing to "foster" them from desperate single mothers.
Staying ahead of the authorities by moving and changing her name, and dragging her eldest daughter with her, Amelia is estimated to have killed upwards of four hundred infants and babies.

I don't know how he does it, but Ryan Green has the eerie ability to make you feel like you're hovering just out of sight, watching events unfold. I read this in less than a day...very good read, a solid four and a half stars!!!

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Victorian era in Britain did not treat poor unmarried women who found themselves pregnant kindly at all. No safety nets such as exist today. To become pregnant spelled disaster. Very often these women would turn to "baby farms". People who, for a price, would take these young babies and toddlers and would, ostensibly, find good homes for them. In The Baby Farm Murders, Ryan Green takes us through one operator of such a place/places. From her terrible beginnings to her horrendous crimes and finally to her punishment we learn of one such a woman. Written in a straight forward manner, with no embellishments or overt sentimentality, we read of the horrendous crimes perpetrated upon the most vulnerable of us all, Children. It is a gruesome but fascinating read.
I received a free reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CDWB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Dyer's Baby Farm

Amelia was thrown into adulthood at a very early age. She had to care for her crazy mother, do the cooking and cleaning for the household, and an abusive father. This was set in the Edwardian era where they had little to no rights as a child. It lets you see why and how she became what she was.
After leaving her family farm, she found work with a baby farms matron. You take them in for a fee and let the baby die from starvation and neglect. She soon left there and created her own baby farm. Her story progressed from there until she's caught. I found this book to being very disturbing hence the three stars review. Ryan you have more talent then this book.

[Joanne Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book 8 /10
Set in Victoria Times. It's the true story how Amelia Dyer was killing babies slowly, making them suffer and getting away with it due to moving places, getting section.

After looking after her mam who should of been in a mental hopsital it gave Amelia all the tricks to claim insane till at last she was trail in court.

Amelia was well educational but had a hard life she became the black sheep of the family.

Book lost 2 marks for dragging the ending out, we didn't need another chapter on Amelia mental health, and we don't find out what happened to Granny Smith.

It's worth a read if it won't upset you.

[Daniel Kupres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsterous mother

Amelia Dyer as bad as the Ripper. While his crimes seemed to be so gruesome to make a statement, in my mind, Amelia was just as gruesome if not worse. The Ripper had to be precise yet quick. Amelia was neither but she was cold, calculated and enjoyed watching new lives expire by her hand slowly, savoring every moment like one would enjoy their favorite dinner. The only saving grace for the reader, is that Ryan didn’t go into depth baby after baby after baby.

[Jane P Ebersole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby Killer Amelia

This was an excellent albeit macabre read. Ryan Green's afterwards assessment regarding Amelia Dyer's possible mental state in relation to today's mental illness standards was an invaluable addition. I highly recommend this book especially to those interested in mental health or how horrible events were handled in Victorian England. Be forewarned the subject matter is gruesome as it details the murder of the most innocent and helpless of victims.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details the life and crimes of Amelia Dyer, a woman who took in illegitimate babies, with the promise of finding them a good home only to murder them. Her despicable crimes are both terrifying and heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book to other true crime readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Sherrie Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motherly Love

Crazy how evil someone can be to justify their own needs. This woman, clearly off the rails, put sick in a category of its own. Ryan does an excellent job of showing the human nature of this woman before diving into her disturbing mind. It is one of the many things I enjoy about this author.

[Ann237 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over & over this author pulls me into the unbelievable actions of another, in this case taking the life of a infant/toddler. His research into these atrocities are complete & presented in a way that it is impossible to pool the book down! If you have yet experienced the writings of Ryan Green now is the time to pick him up!

[Shirley Baerken · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW - what some people will do to make money!! I understand that, back in those days, things were soooo different but how can you kill so many innocent newborns and not have any conscience? At least she did the right thing for her daughter in the end but it's all just so sad for the mothers of those babies. A good tale well told. AAA+++

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story of a woman and her crimes in Britain in the 1890s. Amelia Dyer liked to run her scam using fake names and moving repeatedly. It’s great when a book’s subject is new to me and I can learn all about them for the first time.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading this book. I was horrified by the actions of Amelia Dyer, but I kept going, hoping that she would be caught and punished. This story is intriguing and thought provoking. I would definitely recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Destiny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads Like a Persuasive Paper

A good story about a historical event that I thought would be interesting to read about. While the subject matter is alluring to fans of true crime the actual book is written like a college persuasive essay that’s missing the citations.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Wow! I've been reading about serial killers all my life and have never come across Amelia's name. So many questions! What really makes a person tick?? Very informative. Highly recommend although disturbing at some parts!

[David Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting study of Amelia Dyer, a "baby farmer" of the late Victorian Era. I realize the author was writing for a popular audience, not academics, but some source notes and suggestions for further reading would have made this a 5 star book rather than the 4 stars I gave it.

[Jen Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. After reading one of his other books I thought that this story would be better. I feel like by the end he was scraping for info. Not my favourite by this author. This will NOT keep me from trying another book.

[Clive Willcocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well researched and written story from Ryan. One I knew nothing about, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.

[Emma Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

This was really well written and so detailed
Very thought provoking.
I felt I knew her after reading this.
Highly recommended

[Donna McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

longwinded

Strange book. Terrible crimes but the writing goes into the minutest detail about her past life. Not sure it needed that and made the reading quite hard going.