Angel of Death: Killer Nurse Beverly Allitt

by John Askill, Martyn Sharpe

It made national the true story of how state enrolled nurse Beverley Allitt murdered four children on her ward and attempted to take the lives of many others. Liam Taylor's death, on 21 February 1991, was to become the first in a string of infanticides carried out by the soon-to-be-notorious 'Angel of Death'. Between February and April 1991, four babies were murdered and another nine attacked.

Recounting the emotional turmoil of those parents, the 3-month police investigation, Allitt's motive and accounts from her early life, John Askill and Martyn Sharpe tell a sensitive, at times harrowing, tale of how this 'plain', rather 'ordinary' girl from the small village of Corby Glen became one of Britain's most notorious serial killers.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Heather Norsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like non-fiction nursing, serial killer, and mental health. I think this was a good book to read. The reason for my 3 ish stars is I personally wanted more detail and more of Bev’s rationale why she killed or attempted to kill innocent individuals on the pediatric ward. What I learned from this book is that there was a similar style serial killer in the United States. I will now read that book. Rating 3.5.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had loosely heard of the Beverly Allitt case while doing research on another killer nurse case (Genene Jones to be exact, which is mentioned quickly in this book also) but had yet to fully read about the case, and I'm glad I chose this book to learn from. Not bogged down by extra facts, flowed easily and every chapter felt in the perfect spot. This one will stick with me for a bit.

POSSIBLE SPOILER BELOW -

The reason and motive of the crime makes me believe she did it to gain experience for a job position she wanted, the lack of to much history or signs that she would do something like this (as in there wasn't abuse in her past, there wasn't medical issues with any children she watched/babysat or took care of before this happened) the lack of action until almost 12 patients were harmed, and almost her entire hometown backing her even during trial. it all will have me questioning things for time to come.

[Bill reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uh oh; here we have another killer nurse. Beverly Allitt was a plain and pudgy woman who just loved little children and infants. At twenty-two, she was hired as a ward nurse and within a short period, babies and kiddies experienced medical emergencies at an alarming rate. After four deaths supposedly from cardiac arrest and near deaths by eight others, one suspicious doctor had blood tests performed and high levels of insulin and potassium were found in the youngsters. The police were notified and nurse Mengele was found to have been on duty and at the bed sides of all of the victims. Angel of Death is not exactly a whodunit and the only diagnosis was Munchhausen Syndrome. In other words, the woman is bats*** crazy. A much better book with a similar theme is The Good Nurse. Read that one instead of this one.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true-crime story of a serial killer nurse out of England. The nurse, Beverly Allitt was assigned to a pediatric unit of a small hospital. There, she was more or less allowed to have unfettered access to infants and children and succeeded in killing four youngsters, and attempting to kill many more besides.

It is rare indeed to find true-crime books out of England or Europe, particularly medical type murderers so this was a rare treat. Beverly Allitt is regarded as one of England's most notorious female serial killers. She will never be allowed to walk free from prison. This book was something of a nail-biter as there were some moments when I was like "why are you letting this woman walk off with your child?!" Allitt really is crazy. I enjoyed this.

[Carly Whitworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but rushed

Good information, particularly about the families and Allitt's early life. However everything seems very rushed. Not enough information regarding the trial and it would have been nice to read about the families reactions to the trial and how they were years after the trial. Interested to know how Katie Phillips is now or if she has sadly passed away. Also, no further information regarding what happened to Alllit after the trial. I feel this could have been a very good book if only there had been more information and that it had not felt rushed all the way through whilst reading.

[Donna McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Read this in one sitting - until gone 2am! I recall the case very well but this is the first time I’ve read about it. Shocking and very sad, those poor parents and families. It seems she damages everyone she comes into contact with.

The book is well written and proof read. No criticism of the narration or any part of the book. Just so very sad.

[Michelle Birkby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that interesting - some background which is good but very little on the crimes, and the investigation

[Daniel Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a review but an awful women in every capacity

[Erica Greis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story but poorly written and/or edited

[Charli Huston · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

Medically inaccurate throughout.

[Emily Skeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a biography of Beverly Allett, a nurse accused and convicted of the murder and attempted murders of children under her care while they were admitted to their local hospital.

As a nurse I am always intrigued with how someone can train in this profession and then have the impulses to act in such a way to those in their care.

This book is a good balance between investigating the background of the accussed; while also showcasing the lives of the those affected by these crimes; both the victims and their families.

Highly recommend to those who enjoy true crime/medical biographies.

[Roos Boum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Dutch version of the book: Engel des doods.

Als overlever van kindermishandeling door Münchhausen by proxy (Mbp) een must in mijn boekenkast. Een vertaling van een amerikaans verslag inzake het onderzoek naar Beverly Allitt. Lezer krijgt een heel goed beeld over Mbp. Slordig is dat de onderzoekers het een aantal keren over Münchhausen hebben ipv over Mbp. Wat mij in het boek stoorde waren de vele herhalingen. Ik kreeg het gevoel dat de teksten letterlijk waren overgenomen van documentaires en krantenartikelen.

[Marnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow!! While I know this woman has a disease Munchausen Syndrome, which is hurting yourself or someone so that you basically are the center of attention or the "hero" saving them, but I cannot even begin to justify all the wrong doing to those children she did. Not only murder, but forever altering some childs' life and family by the severe outcomes from saving some of them. Shame on her!! And that is being as polite as I can. I sure hope that she is forever locked up. To the families, my prayers to all of you for what you have had to endure because of her.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

very chilling read. It was interesting to find out there was no trauma in Bev's life growing up. well written very informative. definitely worth a read for anyone interested in real life crime/mental illness.

[Lisa Litchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Terrible crime which will be forever etched in history. Well written and factual.
But finished quite abruptly and not really closed.