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A Cruel Love: The shocking true story of Ruth Ellis behind the ITV drama
Soon to be an ITV drama starring Lucy Boynton, A Cruel Love is the definitive story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in Britain. Previously published as A Fine Day for a Hanging.
'A forensically researched book that casts a haunting new light on the last woman to be hanged in Britain.' —DAILY MAIL
In 1955, former nightclub manageress Ruth Ellis shot her lover, David Blakely, dead. A two-day trial followed, but despite huge public outcry, she was found guilty and sentenced to death. At 28, Ruth became the last woman executed in Britain, her hanging one of the most notorious under prolific hangman Albert Pierrepoint.
Carol Ann Lee examines the facts behind the headlines surrounding this infamous case, which many believe led to the dismantling of the death penalty a decade later. Drawing on interviews and in-depth research into the full range of sources, she reveals the woman behind the crime.
Previously published as A Fine Day for a Hanging , this is the acclaimed biography that inspired the ITV drama, A Cruel Love – a portrait of 1950s club life in all its seedy glamour, and a tragic true tale of murder, class, love and betrayal.
'Wonderful . . . it will become the standard reference on Ruth Ellis' Stewart P. Evans, crime historian
'A forensically researched book that casts a haunting new light on the last woman to be hanged in Britain.' —DAILY MAIL
In 1955, former nightclub manageress Ruth Ellis shot her lover, David Blakely, dead. A two-day trial followed, but despite huge public outcry, she was found guilty and sentenced to death. At 28, Ruth became the last woman executed in Britain, her hanging one of the most notorious under prolific hangman Albert Pierrepoint.
Carol Ann Lee examines the facts behind the headlines surrounding this infamous case, which many believe led to the dismantling of the death penalty a decade later. Drawing on interviews and in-depth research into the full range of sources, she reveals the woman behind the crime.
Previously published as A Fine Day for a Hanging , this is the acclaimed biography that inspired the ITV drama, A Cruel Love – a portrait of 1950s club life in all its seedy glamour, and a tragic true tale of murder, class, love and betrayal.
'Wonderful . . . it will become the standard reference on Ruth Ellis' Stewart P. Evans, crime historian
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 11, 2025
When I was a was a kid, all I knew about Ruth Ellis was from the film Dance With A Stranger. Which wasn't accurate. I never normally read books about true crime, I prefer to stick to fiction. However, I felt compelled to read this book after watching the ITV series about Ruth Ellis. Lucy Boynton's performance was outstanding as Ruth. I wanted to know more about the case, so I chose to read this book on which the series was based. It's an enthralling read and goes into every minute detail, which I found riveting. It's a skillfully written book that I would thoroughly recommend.
March 26, 2026
I finished this book it was okay the main character I really didn’t understand the book I enjoyed reading this book
June 28, 2025
A Sad Story. I don't think she should have been hanged considering the way Blakely treated her. But she did not help herself I think. This is a good book and Lucy Boynton played Ruth Ellis excellently in the Tv series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews