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Every Mother's Nightmare: The Killing of James Bulger
Discusses the case of Jamie Bulger, the British toddler who was murdered by two ten-year-old boys. Written with the cooperation of the Bulger family, this book is both a sensitive look at crime itself and an attempt to understand how it could have happened.
291 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 26, 2012
Written in 1993, soon after the murder trial of the two ten-year old killers of young Jamie Bulger, this record is sensitive, factual, compassionate and objective.
Thomas was one of the Press Association journalists reporting on this tragedy from the time two-year old James was lured from his mother’s side by two juveniles with pre-meditated murder on their minds and his in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the case is clear.
The book introduces us to all the players; takes us step by heart-wrenching step through the final hours of young James’ life; shows us the Merseyside police commitment to solving the case; discreetly and compassionately shows how this terrible act forever changed all the people it touched; breaks our hearts with the funeral of James; raises crucial questions through the trial; and finally debates what could create two boys who were killers before they were teenagers.
Thomas is to be highly commended for providing an excellent, well-balanced record of a frightening example of the human capacity for evil.
Thomas was one of the Press Association journalists reporting on this tragedy from the time two-year old James was lured from his mother’s side by two juveniles with pre-meditated murder on their minds and his in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the case is clear.
The book introduces us to all the players; takes us step by heart-wrenching step through the final hours of young James’ life; shows us the Merseyside police commitment to solving the case; discreetly and compassionately shows how this terrible act forever changed all the people it touched; breaks our hearts with the funeral of James; raises crucial questions through the trial; and finally debates what could create two boys who were killers before they were teenagers.
Thomas is to be highly commended for providing an excellent, well-balanced record of a frightening example of the human capacity for evil.
February 12, 2018
Absolutely heartbreaking. Those evil boys should have been jailed for life
August 31, 2022
A very fair and interestingly contemporary (to the time) account of the horrific James Bulger killing, this was a genuine and professional telling of the true crime written by a local journalist of some standing. I can understand the choice to write this in a fairly flat style free from emotional heft - the tragedy at the centre invokes enough feeling without the author needing to tell us how to react - but it did read slightly newspaperish at times, a lot of background and what happened, less insight (as much as I understand insight is difficult to provide). In addition, the book having been published in 1993 not long after the trial of the two ten-year-old murderers was concluded, there's an inevitable lack of depth there in the 'after' aspects of the crime.
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August 19, 2016This book was probably the most terrifying and heart wrenching book I ever read. I first learned about the James Bulger's case when I was in high school, my friend and I chose to do research on this particular case. I have wanted to read the book ever since. It hard to give a full review on something so sad and something we would not ever find a reason why this crime took place. Moreover, doesn't make sense.
August 30, 2021
A good recount by a journalist who was living in the town at the time and had access to many of the parties involved. Unbiased and factual, yet also warm and empathetic. However, I had to give a lower rating as it is as though this book has not been edited at all. The errors in grammar and punctuation are extremely distracting and frustrating which is a shame as it definitely takes away from the work.
January 12, 2016
I remember the sheer horror of this like it was yesterday. The book was written at the time so there is no follow up on the boys. It's written by a local journalist who was reporting on it at the time so it is a very "on the fence" account of happenings.
February 3, 2016
Just as the title says this book was every mothers nightmare, it was awful and shocking to read what these boys done to a innocent little boy. It was well written and interesting.
September 2, 2023
decent summary of an awful case
Yes, it’s badly edited, but the writing is good enough to have kept me reading on instead of just ditching it. The case was horrific and the book conveys that without grinding the awful details into your brain. Not the best true crime book I’ve ever read but far from the worst.
Yes, it’s badly edited, but the writing is good enough to have kept me reading on instead of just ditching it. The case was horrific and the book conveys that without grinding the awful details into your brain. Not the best true crime book I’ve ever read but far from the worst.
September 26, 2017
The father of the murdered 2-year-old boy had this to say about the two ten-year-olds who tortured his son to death ... "Evil little bastards" ... I have to agree with him.
Nothing but pure evil could do what those boys did.
Nothing but pure evil could do what those boys did.
November 20, 2019
Habe sehr schlecht geschlafen nach beenden des Buches und bin immer noch schockiert!
June 11, 2023
Eye opener. Hard to finish at times due to being so confronting and not to mention life but great book to read.
January 14, 2020
Littered in typos, spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes and they all ruin a good read. Also the book should be mark '15' as it is obv for the weak hearted and kids. I'm a responsible, intelligent adult I want to be able to choose what I read, IT IS in the public interest for ALL facts to be known but no lets spend millions on PROTECTING the 2 evil KILLERS of an 3 YEAR OLD. Well Done again Britain,. Give this a miss and find a better one
March 3, 2015
Although the book generally was a very interesting read, which took me right back to the time It happened, I had a real problem with this book because it has so many spelling mistakes in it.
Its like the book was never proof read before it was published. The author was one of the journalists at the time too so there really is no excuse for it.
Its like the book was never proof read before it was published. The author was one of the journalists at the time too so there really is no excuse for it.
March 2, 2015
Very harrowing read and hard going in many places!
Written in an o. The fence style by a reporter who was there from start to finish of the whole ordeal! Can't begin to imagine what the poor child went through and indeed the family afterwards!
I think Ralph sums up the feelings very well when describing Venebals and Thompson! "Evil little bastards"
Written in an o. The fence style by a reporter who was there from start to finish of the whole ordeal! Can't begin to imagine what the poor child went through and indeed the family afterwards!
I think Ralph sums up the feelings very well when describing Venebals and Thompson! "Evil little bastards"
May 20, 2009
WARNING - This is an extremely harrowing read. It tells the true story of the horrific killing of little James Bulgar and it will make you ask, "what must we do to prevent this from ever happening again?"
January 9, 2012
A very harrowing and upsetting book which begs the question WHY?? And how could these evil twisted psychopaths make this poor little boy suffer such disgusting crimes before putting him out of his misery :( a great interesting read though obviously awful to know it is true.
September 30, 2012
An excellent treatment of the horrific Jamie Bulger murder. Does a good job of explaining the background of the crime and the possible meanings of it, without drowning you in things you don't want to know.
March 3, 2011
Harrowing and haunting. This is one of those crimes that you can't get out of your mind.
July 21, 2012
Insightful read. Shows the mindset of children who kill. Interesting to read about the aftermath as well
March 28, 2017
Brilliant
Even with the few grammer errors its an amazing read. Hooked from the start. Poor baby James rip
Xx x
Even with the few grammer errors its an amazing read. Hooked from the start. Poor baby James rip
Xx x
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews