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Mothers Who Murder
All of these women are notorious, but are all of them deadly?Child murder: A social taboo and one of the most abhorrent acts most of us can imagine. Meet the women found guilty of murdering their own children. They represent some of the most hated women in Australia. The infamous list includes psychologically damaged, sometimes deranged, women on the edge. But, as we will see, accused doesn't always mean guilty. Among the cases covered is that of Kathleen Folbigg, accused and found guilty of killing four of her children, even with a lack of any forensic evidence proving her guilt; Rachel Pfitzner, who strangled her 2-year-old son and dumped his body in a duck pond; as well as Keli Lane, found guilty of child murder though no body has ever been found.Dr Mallett goes back to the beginning of each case; death's ground zero. That might be the accused's childhood, were they abused? Or was their motivation greed, or fear of losing a partner? Were they just simply evil? Or did the media paint them as such, against the evidence and leading to a travesty of justice.Each case will be re-opened, the alternative suspects assessed, the possible motives reviewed. Informed by her background as a forensic scientist, Xanthe offers insight into aspects of the cases that may not have been explored previously. Taking you on her journey through the facts, and reaching her own conclusion as to whether she believe the evidence points to the women's guilt.Hear their stories.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
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125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 23, 2014
Many readers would hold a macabre curiosity attached to the topical nature of this book if not a passing interest by virtue of the unspeakable act implicit in the title. The very thought of a maternal parent undertaking such a heinous crime in murdering their child is incomprehensible to many (myself included) yet, there are a sinister few who have done this. Dr Xanthe Mallett looks at a number of infamous cases and provides an objective interpretation and overview of the particulars that led to the unfortunate course of events while also examining the core police investigation, witness accounts, forensic evidence, and passing her theory on the presumption of innocence or justifiable conviction.
MOTHERS WHO MURDER is a hard book to put down; the writing style and chapter layout make it instantly readable and easily consumable in a few sittings. Dr Mallett’s use of layman’s terms integrated within the narrative make this more of a read for casual true crime enthusiasts as opposed to a text book laden with jargon - instantly appealing to a broader audience of reader.
Familiarity with the cases isn’t a prerequisite to comprehend what Dr Mallett is further elaborating on as each chapter detailing a case provides sufficient background and extensive reference points for further reading.
Do I feel any different about some of the cases depicted in MOTHERS WHO MURDER in comparison to what I knew of these crimes prior to reading? Yes. It’s an answer that shocks me but one that I imagine, Dr Mallett had intended throughout the course of writing the book. Presenting detailed factual evidence forensically examined and subsequently explained in layman’s terms allows the reader to make their own judgement without prejudice.
Dr Mallett at the end of the book favourably leans towards writing more – given how MOTHERS WHO MURDER turned out; I hope this eventuates in more true crime books in the future.
This review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
MOTHERS WHO MURDER is a hard book to put down; the writing style and chapter layout make it instantly readable and easily consumable in a few sittings. Dr Mallett’s use of layman’s terms integrated within the narrative make this more of a read for casual true crime enthusiasts as opposed to a text book laden with jargon - instantly appealing to a broader audience of reader.
Familiarity with the cases isn’t a prerequisite to comprehend what Dr Mallett is further elaborating on as each chapter detailing a case provides sufficient background and extensive reference points for further reading.
Do I feel any different about some of the cases depicted in MOTHERS WHO MURDER in comparison to what I knew of these crimes prior to reading? Yes. It’s an answer that shocks me but one that I imagine, Dr Mallett had intended throughout the course of writing the book. Presenting detailed factual evidence forensically examined and subsequently explained in layman’s terms allows the reader to make their own judgement without prejudice.
Dr Mallett at the end of the book favourably leans towards writing more – given how MOTHERS WHO MURDER turned out; I hope this eventuates in more true crime books in the future.
This review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
May 26, 2015
My alarm bells should have rung when I saw that the author had used the title "Dr" on the cover. Many writers have a PhD (including me) but don't emblazon their book covers with it unless on a self-help book and they have acquired a doctorate from a post office box in Texas. Mallett continues her self-indulgence by boasting about her qualifications and even worse, speaking to the readers as if they are morons. It is not necessary to explain the meaning of "supine", nor the many other common medical terms, included in brackets. Mallett's use of "we" and the recurrent rhetorical questions are infuriating and distracting, as is the inconsistency between the appellations of the subjects. ("Kathleen" in one sentence and "Folbig" in the next.) I suspect Mallett has "borrowed" chunks from the secondary sources she cites as there are distinct changes in style across many passages. I was reminded of students' essays before the advent of plagiarism detection software. (Reminder to self: check citations.) Given her criticism of expert witnesses who speak outside their expertise, it is a bit rich for Mallett to diagnose mental illness or dispute legal decisions. But then, this is consistent with her over-inflated sense of self-importance.
I can't believe this badly written book was for sale at the Sydney Writers' Festival and that this woman was invited to speak. Further, I can't believe that an editor would have allowed this book (which reads like a first draft) go forward to publication. On the other hand, I'm not sure Mallett would have accepted an editor's suggested changes. Don't waste your time reading this book: just Google all the cases and read them on line.
I can't believe this badly written book was for sale at the Sydney Writers' Festival and that this woman was invited to speak. Further, I can't believe that an editor would have allowed this book (which reads like a first draft) go forward to publication. On the other hand, I'm not sure Mallett would have accepted an editor's suggested changes. Don't waste your time reading this book: just Google all the cases and read them on line.
October 7, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Mothers Who Murder focuses on some of Australia’s most notorious murder cases. Killing a child is probably the worst thing imaginable. Some of the mothers featured in this book are wrongly accused, and have eventually been cleared, as in the case for Lindy Chamberlain, whose baby got kidnapped by a dingo.
Then there are the cases that aren’t as straightforward, where evidence points in two different directions, and can be interpreted both ways. Some of them have been found guilty, although evidence itself seems far from convincing. Then there are the cases where the mother confessed to her crime, or the evidence is so overwhelming guilty is almost certainly proven. Several cases focused on children dying in their crib, in mysterious circumstances, and the question remainds whether they passed away from illness, or were murdered. I was surprised to read that while one suspicious child death may be seen as an illness, when it happens several times, it used to be seen as murder, without any additional evidence. Glad this was overruled though, and that now more evidence is necessary.
The cases were gruesome at times, but I did enjoy reading through them. The material is quite fascinating, and detailed enough to offer sufficient information about the cases. I liked how the author doesn’t jump to conclusions, but instead provides the evidence, and lets the reader decide for themselves.
Mothers Who Murder focuses on some of Australia’s most notorious murder cases. Killing a child is probably the worst thing imaginable. Some of the mothers featured in this book are wrongly accused, and have eventually been cleared, as in the case for Lindy Chamberlain, whose baby got kidnapped by a dingo.
Then there are the cases that aren’t as straightforward, where evidence points in two different directions, and can be interpreted both ways. Some of them have been found guilty, although evidence itself seems far from convincing. Then there are the cases where the mother confessed to her crime, or the evidence is so overwhelming guilty is almost certainly proven. Several cases focused on children dying in their crib, in mysterious circumstances, and the question remainds whether they passed away from illness, or were murdered. I was surprised to read that while one suspicious child death may be seen as an illness, when it happens several times, it used to be seen as murder, without any additional evidence. Glad this was overruled though, and that now more evidence is necessary.
The cases were gruesome at times, but I did enjoy reading through them. The material is quite fascinating, and detailed enough to offer sufficient information about the cases. I liked how the author doesn’t jump to conclusions, but instead provides the evidence, and lets the reader decide for themselves.
September 13, 2014
This book covered most of the Australian cases of mothers who have murdered their children. Shocking subject and difficult to comprehend. This book also details some cases of miscarriages of justice and some overseas cases too. I read a lot of true crime so I was familiar with most of the cases and therefore I flicked through the book, rather than read it in detail but it's very thorough. A really excellent first book by Xanthe Mallett. A longer review is here. http://truecrimereader.com/2014/08/mo...
August 25, 2014
Although I enjoyed the gruesome but unfortunate true stories that are in this book. I found the writing repetitive and drawn out. I understand that when presenting information like this, there has to be an overall picture given before reading the full story, but it was repeated wholly and in each chapter.
February 9, 2019
I came across this book while sitting next to the author at a crime writers' festival and couldn't wait to read it. The author, a forensic scientist, analyses many cases with which we will only be familiar through media reports and does so in an unemotional and factual way until the final chapter where she reflects on the effect writing this book had on her. I was hoping she would take a feminist approach to these cases but she travels a rather impartial road through the legal minefield. The addition of colour plates in the middle of the book is welcome, although I would have liked to see them in the relevant chapters.
This is a meticulously researched book which one would expect from an academic - she calls herself a forensic anthropologist - however she assumes that her readers are less knowledgeable than she eg explaining in great detail the literal meanings of "forensic" and "anthropologist". This condescending tone pervades the book and spoiled it for me. Even if one has a PhD, it is extremely "uncool" to use the title on the cover of a non-academic book.
This is a meticulously researched book which one would expect from an academic - she calls herself a forensic anthropologist - however she assumes that her readers are less knowledgeable than she eg explaining in great detail the literal meanings of "forensic" and "anthropologist". This condescending tone pervades the book and spoiled it for me. Even if one has a PhD, it is extremely "uncool" to use the title on the cover of a non-academic book.
July 14, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Child murder: A social taboo and one of the most abhorrent acts most of us can imagine. Meet the women found guilty of murdering their own children. They represent some of the most hated women in Australia. The infamous list includes psychologically damaged, sometimes deranged, women on the edge. But, as we will see, accused doesn't always mean guilty.
Among the cases covered is that of Kathleen Folbigg, accused and found guilty of killing four of her children, even with a lack of any forensic evidence proving her guilt; Rachel Pfitzner, who strangled her 2-year-old son and dumped his body in a duck pond; as well as Keli Lane, found guilty of child murder though no body has ever been found.
Dr Mallett goes back to the beginning of each case; death's ground zero. That might be the accused's childhood, were they abused? Or was their motivation greed, or fear of losing a partner? Were they just simply evil? Or did the media paint them as such, against the evidence and leading to a travesty of justice.Each case will be re-opened, the alternative suspects assessed, the possible motives reviewed. Informed by her background as a forensic scientist, Xanthe will offer insight into aspects of the cases that may not have been explored previously. Taking you on her journey through the facts, and reaching her own conclusion as to whether she believes the evidence points to the women's guilt. Hear their stories.
Is it wrong to say that I enjoyed reading a book about mothers who kill their own children? As a parent myself, I find the subject both horrifying and fascinating. So when this book became available, I was torn between requesting it and ignoring it.
I found this book to be quite interesting - there were some cases that I was already aware of, namely Lindy Chamberlain, Kathleen Folbigg and Keli Lane. These garnered a lot of press in Australia (especially Chamberlain - that case found its way into popular culture via Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Buffy, Frasier and many others) and are well known among a lot of Australians.
Some of the other cases were just as fascinating as I wasn't aware of them - the Kristi Abrahams story was possibly the worst of the lot as far as the facts go - and I was left wondering about the depths that mothers have to reach before they react in these ways.
Thankfully, the author went into quite some detail of the circumstances, giving me a good understanding of the situations and, while I still can't condone the behaviours of these women, I am a little closer to understanding it.
A well-researched book, written in a style that is very easy to read. Highly recommended for fans of true crime books.
Paul
ARH
Child murder: A social taboo and one of the most abhorrent acts most of us can imagine. Meet the women found guilty of murdering their own children. They represent some of the most hated women in Australia. The infamous list includes psychologically damaged, sometimes deranged, women on the edge. But, as we will see, accused doesn't always mean guilty.
Among the cases covered is that of Kathleen Folbigg, accused and found guilty of killing four of her children, even with a lack of any forensic evidence proving her guilt; Rachel Pfitzner, who strangled her 2-year-old son and dumped his body in a duck pond; as well as Keli Lane, found guilty of child murder though no body has ever been found.
Dr Mallett goes back to the beginning of each case; death's ground zero. That might be the accused's childhood, were they abused? Or was their motivation greed, or fear of losing a partner? Were they just simply evil? Or did the media paint them as such, against the evidence and leading to a travesty of justice.Each case will be re-opened, the alternative suspects assessed, the possible motives reviewed. Informed by her background as a forensic scientist, Xanthe will offer insight into aspects of the cases that may not have been explored previously. Taking you on her journey through the facts, and reaching her own conclusion as to whether she believes the evidence points to the women's guilt. Hear their stories.
Is it wrong to say that I enjoyed reading a book about mothers who kill their own children? As a parent myself, I find the subject both horrifying and fascinating. So when this book became available, I was torn between requesting it and ignoring it.
I found this book to be quite interesting - there were some cases that I was already aware of, namely Lindy Chamberlain, Kathleen Folbigg and Keli Lane. These garnered a lot of press in Australia (especially Chamberlain - that case found its way into popular culture via Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Buffy, Frasier and many others) and are well known among a lot of Australians.
Some of the other cases were just as fascinating as I wasn't aware of them - the Kristi Abrahams story was possibly the worst of the lot as far as the facts go - and I was left wondering about the depths that mothers have to reach before they react in these ways.
Thankfully, the author went into quite some detail of the circumstances, giving me a good understanding of the situations and, while I still can't condone the behaviours of these women, I am a little closer to understanding it.
A well-researched book, written in a style that is very easy to read. Highly recommended for fans of true crime books.
Paul
ARH
August 31, 2014
A pretty good read, this book provides fascinating detail on each of the cases it covers. Perhaps the title is somewhat misleading since most of the Australian cases seem to be women who are either definitely innocent (Lindy Chamberlain), or may be (Keli Lane, Kathleen Folbigg), or at least there is not enough evidence to be able to conclude they are murderers. But I suppose sometimes a lurid title helps sales. The main reason I was interested in reading it was that I had a problem with the verdicts in the Folbigg and Lane trials and was looking for some more detail. On that level the book succeeds.
Some of the detail, particularly in the UK section towards the end, is so shocking that it can be tough going - perhaps reading it in short grabs might make it easier to bear.
I'm not familiar with the author (or her TV show), but her writing is repetitive and she seems to enjoy talking about herself. All the me me me stuff at the beginning and end detracts from the overall impact of the book.
Some of the detail, particularly in the UK section towards the end, is so shocking that it can be tough going - perhaps reading it in short grabs might make it easier to bear.
I'm not familiar with the author (or her TV show), but her writing is repetitive and she seems to enjoy talking about herself. All the me me me stuff at the beginning and end detracts from the overall impact of the book.
September 16, 2014
Found this a most interesting read, why do women murder those who mean so much to them, their children who they have carried and nurtured through their lives. Each of the cases in the book have already taken place and the reader has to read each one to see that there were a series of behaviour patterns, women who were either abused of damaged as children, sexually, physically and emotionally., How in one case a miscarriage of justice of Lindy Chamberlain whose baby was taken by dingos and how to often we can judge a person by their behaviour not realising there is more to this than just cold blooded murder. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED A MUST READ BOOK
October 1, 2014
This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found the subject of this book fascinating. Each chapter covered a different criminal case involving the death of a child or children allegedly by the hand of their mother. The author discusses each case, presents facts, trail transcripts and medical reports. She provides alternate theories and lots of background information regarding the child and the parents. There is a lot of discussion around medical issues. I found the author to be very thorough in her writing. At times it was quite repetitive. However, it was very interesting despite being horribly sad.
I found the subject of this book fascinating. Each chapter covered a different criminal case involving the death of a child or children allegedly by the hand of their mother. The author discusses each case, presents facts, trail transcripts and medical reports. She provides alternate theories and lots of background information regarding the child and the parents. There is a lot of discussion around medical issues. I found the author to be very thorough in her writing. At times it was quite repetitive. However, it was very interesting despite being horribly sad.
December 7, 2015
Well written, clinical and factual. It certainly gives an informed and expert opinion. I knew about post natal depression but nothing about post natal psychosis. Sad and depressing but real life. I did not quite finish the book, it was very drawn out. It does make you question our justice system and where do prosecutors 'find' their so called experts who seemed to provide questionable opinions.
Not to say there is a clear conclusion to be drawn on guilt or non guilt (except for the obvious, like Lindy Chamberlain). Touches on some shocking abuse of children and neglect by authorities.
Not to say there is a clear conclusion to be drawn on guilt or non guilt (except for the obvious, like Lindy Chamberlain). Touches on some shocking abuse of children and neglect by authorities.
October 23, 2025
It was all right, the author seems concerned with why these people murder their children and at times seems to downplay and excuse their actions, there are plenty of people who grew up abused, poor and mentally ill and don't turn out to kill their children, it felt more like a discussion rather than an outright description of the crimes committed, which some true-crime novels do, I'm not sure whether that is a good thing, it did open my mind to an array of different cases and it is always nice to finally have a true crime novel centred on people not from America.
October 13, 2014
Very good book written with the facts. Was also great to meet Xanthe the other night at UNE in Parramatta
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews