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Homicide True Crime Cases #5
James Fairweather: Britain's Youngest Serial Killer
James Fairweather, 15, Britain's youngest serial killer would have continued to hunt random victims had it not been for an observant dog walker. Eerily, she was also Fairweather's third intended victim. Fueled by the grief of his grandmother's passing and anger from being picked on at school, Fairweather turned to violent video games, horror movies, and pornography to escape reality. Soon thereafter, he developed a deep passion for serial killers - becoming one dominated all of his thoughts. When asked by his school teacher what he wanted to be when he grew up, James replied, "A murderer." Fairweather, true to his word, struck twice before police apprehended him and put a stop to this teen-aged killer.
With Photos
This is the Chris's 5th book in his 'Homicide True Crime Cases Series'
1. Robert Black: The True Story of a Child Rapist and Serial Killer from the United Kingdom
2. Deadly Voices: The True Story of Serial Killer Herbert Mullin
3. Peter Manuel: The Beast of Birkenshaw Serial Killer
4. The Clairemont Killer: The True Story of Serial Killer Cleophus Prince, Jr.
5. James Fairweather: Britain's Youngest Serial Killer
With Photos
This is the Chris's 5th book in his 'Homicide True Crime Cases Series'
1. Robert Black: The True Story of a Child Rapist and Serial Killer from the United Kingdom
2. Deadly Voices: The True Story of Serial Killer Herbert Mullin
3. Peter Manuel: The Beast of Birkenshaw Serial Killer
4. The Clairemont Killer: The True Story of Serial Killer Cleophus Prince, Jr.
5. James Fairweather: Britain's Youngest Serial Killer
- GenresTrue Crime
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2016
About the author
C.L. Swinney
20 books173 followersC. L. Swinney is the author of eleven international best-selling true crime books and a best-selling Crime Fiction series.
Chris consulted for a mini-series in Hollywood, has been interviewed several times for television and radio programs, and several of his books have been considered for television and film rights.
He donates proceeds from book sales to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Cancer research, PTSD/Military support groups, StopHungerNow.Org, and victims of violent crimes.
Find him at the following locations:
Email: theclswinney@yahoo.com
TWITTER: @clswinney
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/clswinney
Chris consulted for a mini-series in Hollywood, has been interviewed several times for television and radio programs, and several of his books have been considered for television and film rights.
He donates proceeds from book sales to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Cancer research, PTSD/Military support groups, StopHungerNow.Org, and victims of violent crimes.
Find him at the following locations:
Email: theclswinney@yahoo.com
TWITTER: @clswinney
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/clswinney
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 7, 2016
This book wasn't as exciting as it sounds, at least for me.
I was expecting a lot more details about James Fairweather and his crimes, and I was also kind of assuming that the author had personally worked on the James Fairweather case, but he just researched it. That led to him giving his own opinions about what could have been done and how we should feel, which would have been completely fine with me if he had just said everything once, maybe twice, but he repeated the same things over and over, so it got a little old and made the book less enjoyable for me. It does make me interested to see how Swinney would approach a book about a case he personally worked, though.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I was expecting a lot more details about James Fairweather and his crimes, and I was also kind of assuming that the author had personally worked on the James Fairweather case, but he just researched it. That led to him giving his own opinions about what could have been done and how we should feel, which would have been completely fine with me if he had just said everything once, maybe twice, but he repeated the same things over and over, so it got a little old and made the book less enjoyable for me. It does make me interested to see how Swinney would approach a book about a case he personally worked, though.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
June 18, 2016
When you look at James Fairweather's picture, he looks like a normal, clean-cut teenager, which we definitely was not. James was into violent video games and blamed voices in his dead telling him to kill the random victims he chose. There were many red flags that should have been investigated especially when he kept telling people that he wanted to be a murderer. Chris Swinney does an excellent job detailing the life and crimes of James Fairweather. I highly recommend this book.
October 24, 2016
This book discusses not just the actions of one young man, but societies contribution to the actions of this young man and all of the youth in western society. The truth is, as this author points out, we are appalled by the behaviors but do nothing to change the factors that are creating a society of individuals that do not feel the consequences of their behavior.
This is not to say I believe James Fairweather or even that the author is saying James is not responsible for his actions. But the point of this book is to ask us what are we going to do to stop this change in our youth. The author points at us as parents, educators, and society and says, "Do something! These are your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends! Don't let these children guide their own ships to adulthood. That method is failing them." Okay, he doesn't say that, but that's what I heard, perhaps because that is what I believe.
When I was a child, mothers were criticized for using television as a babysitter. Today television is not enough. We let the internet and the gaming industry provide our child care, but what are the children learning from that experience? It's not safe, and it's not healthy if they are not given guidance as to what is and is not acceptable. We are raising a generation of individuals that have only their friends and the internet to teach them about what is right and wrong. We let the media tell them what is and is not acceptable. We are the only ones who can change it!
... Alas this is a critique of the message and not the book, so I'll get back to business.
This book is a great short book. It outlines the details of the crime, the planning, how Fairweather was caught, and what there is to know about Fairweather. Officer Swinney takes time to tell us about the victims, their families, and their loss. We get information on his behavior with the arresting officers, and in the court. All of which is stunning to me.
I would recommend this book to individuals who enjoy a case study in criminology or psychology.
This is not to say I believe James Fairweather or even that the author is saying James is not responsible for his actions. But the point of this book is to ask us what are we going to do to stop this change in our youth. The author points at us as parents, educators, and society and says, "Do something! These are your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends! Don't let these children guide their own ships to adulthood. That method is failing them." Okay, he doesn't say that, but that's what I heard, perhaps because that is what I believe.
When I was a child, mothers were criticized for using television as a babysitter. Today television is not enough. We let the internet and the gaming industry provide our child care, but what are the children learning from that experience? It's not safe, and it's not healthy if they are not given guidance as to what is and is not acceptable. We are raising a generation of individuals that have only their friends and the internet to teach them about what is right and wrong. We let the media tell them what is and is not acceptable. We are the only ones who can change it!
... Alas this is a critique of the message and not the book, so I'll get back to business.
This book is a great short book. It outlines the details of the crime, the planning, how Fairweather was caught, and what there is to know about Fairweather. Officer Swinney takes time to tell us about the victims, their families, and their loss. We get information on his behavior with the arresting officers, and in the court. All of which is stunning to me.
I would recommend this book to individuals who enjoy a case study in criminology or psychology.
June 18, 2016
James Fairweather.. Serial Killer at 15
The crimes in this book are fairly recent! On March 29, 2014, James Attfield was brutally stabbed to death. On June 17, 2014, Nahid Almanea met the same fate! At first the 2 crimes did not seem related. The only similarity being that they were both stabbed! What was discovered in the end though shocked just about everyone! Both crimes were committed by 15 yr old James Fairweather! It's hard to believe that a 15 yr old could have so much hate in his heart..( or in his head), to commit such horrific crimes!
As usual with CL Swinney books, these is well researched and well written! The way he tells the story it almost feels like he is sitting next to you telling it personally! Keep up the great work!
The crimes in this book are fairly recent! On March 29, 2014, James Attfield was brutally stabbed to death. On June 17, 2014, Nahid Almanea met the same fate! At first the 2 crimes did not seem related. The only similarity being that they were both stabbed! What was discovered in the end though shocked just about everyone! Both crimes were committed by 15 yr old James Fairweather! It's hard to believe that a 15 yr old could have so much hate in his heart..( or in his head), to commit such horrific crimes!
As usual with CL Swinney books, these is well researched and well written! The way he tells the story it almost feels like he is sitting next to you telling it personally! Keep up the great work!
June 23, 2016
Could this boy have been saved?
The story of James Fairweather is a tragedy in so many ways. It is a tragedy that a teenager wasted his life, threw it away, to pursue the thrill he got from committing cold-blooded murder. It is a tragedy that James Attfield was asleep beside the river, doing no harm to anyone, when a teenager searching for a victim stumbled upon him. It is a tragedy that Nahid Almanea was walking alone on a path, doing no harm to anyone, when she was stalked, attacked and murdered by a teenager in search of a thrill.
Author Swinney presents this case clearly and succinctly along with the possible reasons for James Fairweather passing the point of no return.
The story of James Fairweather is a tragedy in so many ways. It is a tragedy that a teenager wasted his life, threw it away, to pursue the thrill he got from committing cold-blooded murder. It is a tragedy that James Attfield was asleep beside the river, doing no harm to anyone, when a teenager searching for a victim stumbled upon him. It is a tragedy that Nahid Almanea was walking alone on a path, doing no harm to anyone, when she was stalked, attacked and murdered by a teenager in search of a thrill.
Author Swinney presents this case clearly and succinctly along with the possible reasons for James Fairweather passing the point of no return.
January 20, 2017
Very important insight
Thank you for pointing out some very information regarding the juveniles in this country and others have. I too believe that children of today spend far too much time on social media and video games. The ability for todays children to socialize is diminishing. This book should be read by those with teenagers so they may look at their own children.
Thank you for pointing out some very information regarding the juveniles in this country and others have. I too believe that children of today spend far too much time on social media and video games. The ability for todays children to socialize is diminishing. This book should be read by those with teenagers so they may look at their own children.
June 24, 2016
Misleading title
This author keeps referring to this James Fairweather as a serial killer, presumably to make his book sound more interesting.He is not! According to Wikapedia, a serial killer is someone who has killed 3 or more people.
This author keeps referring to this James Fairweather as a serial killer, presumably to make his book sound more interesting.He is not! According to Wikapedia, a serial killer is someone who has killed 3 or more people.
September 10, 2017
Great book
Chris is one of my favorite TC authors. This book is short, sweet and the details are great. James was a very lonely teenage boy who wanted attention. Innocent people were taken away for no reason. A must read
Chris is one of my favorite TC authors. This book is short, sweet and the details are great. James was a very lonely teenage boy who wanted attention. Innocent people were taken away for no reason. A must read
October 26, 2017
Short, precise and well researched. I'd not heard about James Fairweather before this case and his attitude and lack of remorse are chilling.
May 28, 2017
The author repeated just about everything at least 3 times. He did not give a lot of motivation for the crimes, not did he develop ideas very well. Similar to reading a high school paper in which the student repeats to get a page count.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews