Out of the Shadows: Fred West's Daughter Tells Her Harrowing Story of Survival

by Anne Marie West, Virginia Hill

The poignant and horrifying life story of Anne Marie West, Fred West's eldest daughter, brought up by Fred and Rose West until the age of 15, when she ran away from home. Anne's mother and two sisters were murdered, but her story unfolds as one of hope and survival.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Horror

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

anne marie west should be given a lot of credit for what she has been through and to write the book for the whole world to know what she has been through. she is a role model for all abused children and I hope she works in that field to help others that have gone through similar things. anne marie was fred wests daughter a child who thought her mother abandon her and rose the stepmother who was evil and loved to abuse others and anne marie went through so much from the age of 8 that no child should go through but she trusted and loved her dad and if he said it was normal she trusted him. they were charged with 10 counts of murder anne marie tells the story of her life and how she survived what she went through and came out of the dark shadows that hung over her for many years...

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read, but I might not have liked it nearly as much if I hadn't already known the story of the author's family. Only if you have already read other books on Fred and Rose West do you really know what events she is responding to -- she tells you about her emotional reaction, but not always the event that triggered it. Still, it was a pretty gripping read and I hope her life continues to improve from here.

[Elias Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book I read back in 2013. I have no words. Just that it is a strong and sad book. It’s a true story about a girl being abused and her parents are also child murders.

[Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the nature of this book I found it a compelling read. Even though it was written some years ago I admire and sincerely hope Anna Marie has had a better life since. The first part of the book did feel rushed you could see it was an instant yet difficult out pouring of all that had happened, however as it progressed I felt as though she found it somewhat easier to lay down her words and the strength of her resilience and determination came through. I think she’s an amazing woman to have retained the level of love and kindness she has for others despite the trauma and fully understood and connected with that. From just reading this small insight into her she is not what you’d think having read two other books prior to reading this. The impression I’d got was different for want of a better word. Reading different view points about the same situation is insightful and helps get a better understanding of the sad horrors that took place.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary book. You are left debating if Fred or Rosemary was the worst. Hard to comprehend such evilness under one roof collaboratively.

[Isabella Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Mae West's heartbreaking book, I just had to go back and find another from one of the children's perspective. This is a story of strength and dealing with abuse no person should be objected too. I wish Anne Marie the best of luck and can't imagine how much she and her siblings have suffered.

I would definitely put a trigger warning though. I found myself putting down the book a couple times just to really take a break. I think that's enough dark books for me

[Alfred Nobile · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read. Less about Fred and Rosemary West and more about the abuse that her and her siblings suffered at the hands of these monsters.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

MELAINA THIS IS NOT FOR YOU! Lol

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult read. Can't even begin to imagine what some of these women went through

[Toni Semmens · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are anything like me then you probably haven't put to much thought into what happens to the kids of people who commit henous crimes like the West's. I knew they had killed off a couple of their girls and that they had probably, if not certainly, abused the remaining but you don't really think too much about what happens next to the kids. I'm a bit of a fan of true crime so for me this made really interesting reading. Its not the best written book in the world but due to the nature of the story is still fairly hard to put down. Covering before, during and after the infamous crimes it will leave you feeling rather saddened for all the kids, not just Anne Marie, that the West's left with this legacy. I can't imagine that any of the survivors have escapped the nightmare that was their parents intact.

[Bailey Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recognize that this story needs to be told and is so so important. And I listen to murder podcasts and am aware of the horrors of the world… but wow is this intense. Having just had a baby girl of my own I just couldn’t finish it. Maybe someday and it’s a harrowing tale, but be prepared, it’s some of the most heartbreaking writing and the most gut wrenching story I have read in a long time.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a book by Mae West the movie star and came upon the horrifying story of Fred and Rose West. Having read Anne Marie's story all I can say is that I hope the unfortunate children of this story have finally found safety and peace.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Marie West is the eldest daughter of Fred West, daughter of his third victim, Rena Costello and half-sister of his or Rose West’s youngest victim, Charmaine West. She grew up in the house of horrors in Gloucester and was abused terrible by the pair.

The first part of the book is particularly gripping, as Anne Marie West lays out the details of her horrific childhood experience. She writes with raw honesty about how she was taken away from her mother, abused by multiple people throughout her childhood, and eventually escaped at fifteen. Despite all this trauma, Anne Marie somehow finds it in herself to retain hope and love for those around her.

The second half of Out of the Shadows follows Anne Marie’s transition into adulthood as she confronts her abusers, learns to trust again, and eventually finds happiness in a new life. This section of the book is particularly inspiring as we see Anne Marie reclaim control over her own story and build a better future for herself. It’s an incredible demonstration of strength and courage that will leave readers feeling motivated to conquer their own struggles.

Anne Marie’s writing style is simple yet effective; it does not attempt to be flashy or overly poetic but rather captures the reader’s attention with its straightforwardness and sincerity. There are some points where the pacing feels slightly rushed – especially during the initial recounting of events – but overall, this serves to make the narrative even more powerful as we feel swept up in Anna Marie’s intense emotions during these moments. It also must have been terribly difficult to put down on paper having had to relive her horrors.

I felt the writing improved in the second half of the book, Anne Marie West appears to have calmed herself and seems more confident and surer of herself as she expresses how her life has been since leaving home and her first husband. She is now building a new life with her best friend (her partner) and her two children.

As this book is now getting older (and more difficult to find a copy of that doesn’t cost a fortune!) I wonder how Anne Marie West is getting on with things now and how her life continues to improve.

All in all, Out of the Shadows by Anne Marie West is an incredibly thought-provoking read that will leave you inspired and motivated by its message of resilience and courage in spite of overwhelming odds. The honest yet hopeful tone creates an intimate connection between writer and reader that makes this book impossible to put down until you reach its final page. If you're looking for a powerful read full of grit, determination, love, and hope then look no further than Out Of The Shadows!

[Elise Miramor · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was the first time i read a book in this nature. it was horrifying and extreemly sad. i always had empathy towrds serial killers because of their terrible upbringing and what made them to act on such a horrific way, but this book made me to realize no amount of mistreat, terror, and trauma should let anyone to do it upon other human beings. You feel it with whole your heart what every victim went through. it makes you doubt the justice system that how this kind of people are allowed to live in prison for rest of their lives in some sort of peace.

the reason i gave 4 stars is because i believe this book needs a proper editing because of many grammatical and spelling errors that makes it difficutl to read at times. you lose the flow. i read the e-book version.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of grammatical errors and was quite badly written generally. This was I suppose excusable due to the author being who she is. I would've assumed that it would have been proofread before publishing but it obviously wasn't. The story itself is as you would expect very disturbing. I don't think that I learned much more from the this book than what I already knew about Fred and Rose West and Cromwell Street. I had read one other book about it years ago. This book has made me hope that Rose West is getting what she deserves in prison.

[Candace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel very sorry for Anne Marie, her life was destroyed by her father and stepmother. Although on a logical level I can see why she still calls him dad, and her feelings are confused, but at the same time, I found it difficult to read her emotions. On some level, I can't empathise with her because if my father killed my sister I would want to kill him myself, and that is before you get into what he did to her. Maybe you have to come from an abusive background to see how grey it can be.
I hope Rose is never released.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A harrowing tale of survival. This hurt my heart and soul. Deducting a star because it’s not easy to find or easy to read based on the information shared, but it’s important to know that monsters look like people too.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but I just wish the author had written it more chronologically.

[Nicki Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disturbing but yet inspiring book by one of Fred and Rose West's daughters. Not only did she live with them during their raping and killing sprees but she survived to tell her story

[Claire Longley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. Can be hard or expensive to find but worth it. I read in less than 24 hours. Very gripping and disturbing tale. If easily upset then might not be for you.

[wendi c duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gruesome

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit boek vergeet je nooit

[Margaret Simeon]

How can I get this book I have been trying for ages and it is very expensive really want to read it .

[Stfnie]

DNF.

[Aalima Gazal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poor West children, most notably Anne-Marie. This book was heartbreaking and dreadful. I had to stop a multiple points to calm my racing heart and hold in tears.

[Μαρία · Rating 3 out of 5]

Η Anne Marie West ήταν η κόρη του Fred West και θετή κόρη της Rosemary West, ενός ζευγαριού κατά συρροή δολοφόνων που σκότωσαν μαζί 10 γυναίκες, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της 16χρονης κόρης τους, Heather. Η ζωή της Anne Marie με τον Fred και τη Rosemary ήταν μια τραγωδία, ένας εφιάλτης, μια φρίκη. Οι «γονείς» της την κακοποιούσαν συχνά, ξεκινώντας από την ηλικία των 8 ετών. Ο εφιάλτης της τελείωσε μόνο όταν εγκατέλειψε το σπίτι τους και παντρεύτηκε. Λόγω του τεράστιου τραύματος που υπέστη, η Anne Marie προσπάθησε να αυτοκτονήσει πολλές φορές αλλα, τελικά, κατάφερε να επιζήσει.

Πριν πιάσω στα χέρια μου το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, είχα πάρει μια ιδέα του τι εστι οικογένεια West και, πραγματικά, είχα σοκαριστεί. Το βιβλίο της Anne Marie, ωστόσο, μου έδωσε μια βαθύτερη εικόνα για τις φρικαλεότητες της οδού Cromwell 25. Δεν είναι εύκολο ανάγνωσμα σε καμία περίπτωση. Με εξέπληξε η εξαιρετική δύναμη και η ηρεμία αυτής της νεαρής γυναίκας, παρά τα όσα αναγκάστηκε να υπομένει για χρόνια. Αν μη τι άλλο, είναι μια ιστορία θάρρους και σίγουρα αποκαλύπτει πολλές από τις προσωπικότητες των West. Μια άγρια ιστορία ενός βασανισμένου παιδιού, του οποίου το στωικό θάρρος και η ικανότητα να αποδεχτεί το αναπόφευκτο πιθανότατα της έσωσαν τη ζωή. Αξιοθαύμαστη η αποφασιστικότητά της να βρει μια καλύτερη ζωή για την ίδια και τα παιδιά της.

[Verity Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. An absolutely incredible woman. I have complete respect for her to survive such a tragic life.

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It a good story but no really end.

It just seem to talk about abuse and how the victims were found.

I think its good she wrote it to get a lot off her chest but as a read not so good.

[Tom Lemmens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure horror

[Deborah Cleaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for those working in child abuse and for police investigators. Excellent.