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Fred & Rose West: Britain's Most Infamous Killer Couples
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Fred & Rose West - Britain's Most Infamous Killer Couples
On the 24th of February 1994, police knocked on the door of an aging house in the English town of Gloucester. They’d come to serve a search warrant in the case of a missing girl – the daughter of the house's inhabitants. What they uncovered would shock the world: decades of child abuse, an underground torture chamber, and a burial ground containing the bodies of the spent victims of the torture-- including that of the missing daughter. The address was 25 Cromwell Street, and these discoveries would earn it the moniker “The House of Horrors”.
At the end of the investigation, the number of the murdered was twelve – all young females, including one daughter and one stepdaughter. The couple responsible were Rosemary and Frederick West, and this book will tell you their story. We’ll start from the very beginning, with the killers’ childhoods and upbringings, exploring in detail the factors that contributed to their later depravities. From there we’ll detail the crimes themselves, following the tragic tales of their victims, including the mechanisms that led them to their grim fates. We’ll examine how the full extent of their crimes was uncovered in the subsequent investigation. Finally, we’ll dig into the malignancies both surrounding the killers and within themselves that drove them to perpetrate their heinous acts.
This book is not one for the faint of heart. It enters into graphic details that may upset those of a delicate constitution. It is a true life report on real events. If you believe as I do that we are better served knowing and understanding the full depths of darkness the human soul is capable of, and if you are able to stomach this knowledge, then read on and discover the story of one of Britain's most infamous killer couples.
Scroll up and click on the Buy Now button at the top of this page, and begin looking into the life and minds of Fred & Rose West.
Fred & Rose West - Britain's Most Infamous Killer Couples
On the 24th of February 1994, police knocked on the door of an aging house in the English town of Gloucester. They’d come to serve a search warrant in the case of a missing girl – the daughter of the house's inhabitants. What they uncovered would shock the world: decades of child abuse, an underground torture chamber, and a burial ground containing the bodies of the spent victims of the torture-- including that of the missing daughter. The address was 25 Cromwell Street, and these discoveries would earn it the moniker “The House of Horrors”.
At the end of the investigation, the number of the murdered was twelve – all young females, including one daughter and one stepdaughter. The couple responsible were Rosemary and Frederick West, and this book will tell you their story. We’ll start from the very beginning, with the killers’ childhoods and upbringings, exploring in detail the factors that contributed to their later depravities. From there we’ll detail the crimes themselves, following the tragic tales of their victims, including the mechanisms that led them to their grim fates. We’ll examine how the full extent of their crimes was uncovered in the subsequent investigation. Finally, we’ll dig into the malignancies both surrounding the killers and within themselves that drove them to perpetrate their heinous acts.
This book is not one for the faint of heart. It enters into graphic details that may upset those of a delicate constitution. It is a true life report on real events. If you believe as I do that we are better served knowing and understanding the full depths of darkness the human soul is capable of, and if you are able to stomach this knowledge, then read on and discover the story of one of Britain's most infamous killer couples.
Scroll up and click on the Buy Now button at the top of this page, and begin looking into the life and minds of Fred & Rose West.
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About the author
Ryan Green
32 books482 followersRyan Green is a true crime author in his late thirties. He lives in Herefordshire, England with his wife, three children, and two dogs. Outside of writing and spending time with his family, Ryan enjoys walking, reading and windsurfing.
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 28, 2020
Story: 3.75 stars ⭐️
Audio: 4.5 stars ⭐️
Quote: Victimhood does not give a person free reign to create other victims in turn.
Audio: 4.5 stars ⭐️
Quote: Victimhood does not give a person free reign to create other victims in turn.
June 22, 2022
كتاب قصير (استمعت له صوتيا) يحكي قصة حقيقية لقاتل متسلسل من بريطانيا، مارس جريمة القتل والتعذيب بمعاونة زوجته وبلغ عدد ضحاياه ما يقارب 12 من النساء والأطفال.
October 7, 2018
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was a tad disappointed by this book. Normally I don't know a lot about the topics discussed in these True Crime books, but I actually know quite a bit about the Wests and as such I noticed quite a lot of errors in this book. I also found the "this may be what they were thinking..." and the "possibly the kids felt like this..." extremely annoying because this is a True Crime book and not a book about the author guessing emotions and motivations. Give me accurate facts and information that doesn't feel like it came out straight out of newspaper articles.
Also the last chapter talking about how the Wests were a "normal family". Ughhh.
I was a tad disappointed by this book. Normally I don't know a lot about the topics discussed in these True Crime books, but I actually know quite a bit about the Wests and as such I noticed quite a lot of errors in this book. I also found the "this may be what they were thinking..." and the "possibly the kids felt like this..." extremely annoying because this is a True Crime book and not a book about the author guessing emotions and motivations. Give me accurate facts and information that doesn't feel like it came out straight out of newspaper articles.
Also the last chapter talking about how the Wests were a "normal family". Ughhh.
December 9, 2017
What a horrible book. When I read things like this, I want *facts*, not "perhaps this is what they were thinking", or "imagine what it was like", or such speculation. I don't give books a one-star rating easily, but this earned it. It was so bad, I returned it for a refund of my whopping $3. I guess I'll have to find another, better book on the topic.
September 19, 2020
Typos and grammatical errors aside......
I prefer to read the facts even if there are many unknowns and found myself distracted again and again by the author's opinions.
A proof read or three would have helped too!
I prefer to read the facts even if there are many unknowns and found myself distracted again and again by the author's opinions.
A proof read or three would have helped too!
May 1, 2023
OK book but the 2nd half is very padded out with what ifs and maybes I'm sure there's much more "fact" could have been added
May 30, 2024
Out of the books that I read on this case, I felt as though this one was the most informational and easy to follow.
May 5, 2016
I thought the author did a good job writing the details of the case without going into graphic descriptions. The descriptions he wrote were horrifying as is. I liked the way the author went into the why and how of this crime. I read crime books trying to figure out what went wrong in someone's life that they could do the things they did. The author gave his thoughts on it and invited us to make our own. With the West Family the children were failed so many times. My heart breaks for them. Surviving the horrors they survived leaves a lasting mark.
This book, while not gratuitously graphic, does describe some of the horrific events. Not just the actual murders either. There is child abuse and sexual abuse. Some readers may have trouble reading through those. I had to take breaks while reading this. For some readers, particularly those who have survived abuse, the descriptions may be too much. I thought the author did a good job balancing what to include and what information was just too explicit.
I appreciated the author giving a small update on some of the survivors. I also appreciated his inclusion of 2 sentences that I feel are extremely important: "An important thing to realize when talking about childhoods is that nothing that happens to someone as a child excuses bad behaviour as an adult. Victimhood does not give a person free reign to create other victims in turn." I do believe that we can change our lives and break child abuse circles. We can make appropriate decisions and many, many survivors do. I am so grateful the author included that paragraph.
This book, while not gratuitously graphic, does describe some of the horrific events. Not just the actual murders either. There is child abuse and sexual abuse. Some readers may have trouble reading through those. I had to take breaks while reading this. For some readers, particularly those who have survived abuse, the descriptions may be too much. I thought the author did a good job balancing what to include and what information was just too explicit.
I appreciated the author giving a small update on some of the survivors. I also appreciated his inclusion of 2 sentences that I feel are extremely important: "An important thing to realize when talking about childhoods is that nothing that happens to someone as a child excuses bad behaviour as an adult. Victimhood does not give a person free reign to create other victims in turn." I do believe that we can change our lives and break child abuse circles. We can make appropriate decisions and many, many survivors do. I am so grateful the author included that paragraph.
October 30, 2024
This book is about 2 of the worst human beings that ever lived. Ryan Green, the author, does a really good job of taking the facts and just stating them, not adding emotions or judgment to them, which would be hard with the facts of this case. The book was easy to ready and hard to put down, even though it is hard to read the facts in the story. It is presented very well, a fact I truly apprecitate. He did not glorify the Wests or try to give them any sympathy. He just stated facts. I do recommend this book. I have also read many of Ryan's other books and really liked them as well.
February 28, 2023
Do you ever fall down a bit of a rabbit hole that you can't find the way out of? that’s what happened with this book. After reading Brian Masters' book on the trial of Rose West and having read many others previously, this book, ‘Fred and Rose West, Britain’s Most Infamous Couple Killers’ by Ryan Green fell into my basket as well. Sometimes you just have to follow the path and keep reading…
This is a very short, 68-page book, which I didn’t realise when I got it. Thankfully I obtained it through Kindle Unlimited so it didn’t cost me anything. I say thankfully because it was probably the worst book I have ever read on the case and I have read most of them over the years, to be honest.
Ryan Green gives a very basic overview of the crimes of Frederick and Rosemary West, and their victims, something I could have probably written myself in a few hours without anything more than a basic google for the girl's ages and date of death.
It is good if you know nothing at all about this case, this will give you the basic overview. Between 1967 and 1987, Rosemary and Frederick West killed at least 12 young women and girls, including their own daughter and stepdaughter. Most of their victims were hitchhikers or runaways whom they lured back to their home with promises of food or shelter. Once there, they would rape and torture their victims before ultimately killing them. They would then dismember the bodies and bury them in shallow graves, mostly around their property.
Both Rosemary and Frederick were arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder. Frederick hanged himself in his jail cell before he could be tried, while Rosemary was sentenced to life in prison where she remains today.
In conclusion, if you want a really basic overview of two heinous murderers then this is a good introduction for you. It doesn’t contain many details so will save you from the majority of the gruesome facts. However, if you enjoy reading true crime, or want something to get your teeth into then there are far better books than this one. Ones with more information and a more in-depth look at the crimes and trial of Rosemary.
This is a very short, 68-page book, which I didn’t realise when I got it. Thankfully I obtained it through Kindle Unlimited so it didn’t cost me anything. I say thankfully because it was probably the worst book I have ever read on the case and I have read most of them over the years, to be honest.
Ryan Green gives a very basic overview of the crimes of Frederick and Rosemary West, and their victims, something I could have probably written myself in a few hours without anything more than a basic google for the girl's ages and date of death.
It is good if you know nothing at all about this case, this will give you the basic overview. Between 1967 and 1987, Rosemary and Frederick West killed at least 12 young women and girls, including their own daughter and stepdaughter. Most of their victims were hitchhikers or runaways whom they lured back to their home with promises of food or shelter. Once there, they would rape and torture their victims before ultimately killing them. They would then dismember the bodies and bury them in shallow graves, mostly around their property.
Both Rosemary and Frederick were arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder. Frederick hanged himself in his jail cell before he could be tried, while Rosemary was sentenced to life in prison where she remains today.
In conclusion, if you want a really basic overview of two heinous murderers then this is a good introduction for you. It doesn’t contain many details so will save you from the majority of the gruesome facts. However, if you enjoy reading true crime, or want something to get your teeth into then there are far better books than this one. Ones with more information and a more in-depth look at the crimes and trial of Rosemary.
November 21, 2019
"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."
Thoughts: DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART INVOLVING UNCONSENTUAL BDSM ACTS AND GROTESQUE BODY PART REMOVALS! Another novel enjoying the authors’ perspective on explaining the graphic and grotesque acts on Fred and Rose West. Appreciative that the author went into a bit of research into the world of BDSM but felt it wasn’t necessary to make a mockery of it in one specific part involving bondage. This couple, in particular, used BDSM as a way to enforce rape and in that, felt it shouldn’t have even been researched or mentioned in terms of their sexual appetites.
This is one of the authors’ writings where he asks MANY questions, forcing you to place yourself into the victims’ shoes. A bit redundant, you’re listening to the story and imagining how on earth something like this could happen but also how a couple could get away with it. It is appreciated that he takes the time to ask the ‘why’ but it seemed like he got a little too carried away trying to put the listener/reader into the victims’ shoes.
It was a good telling of their story but one that wasn’t for me, he has other writings that are much better than this, as gory as it was.
Thoughts: DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART INVOLVING UNCONSENTUAL BDSM ACTS AND GROTESQUE BODY PART REMOVALS! Another novel enjoying the authors’ perspective on explaining the graphic and grotesque acts on Fred and Rose West. Appreciative that the author went into a bit of research into the world of BDSM but felt it wasn’t necessary to make a mockery of it in one specific part involving bondage. This couple, in particular, used BDSM as a way to enforce rape and in that, felt it shouldn’t have even been researched or mentioned in terms of their sexual appetites.
This is one of the authors’ writings where he asks MANY questions, forcing you to place yourself into the victims’ shoes. A bit redundant, you’re listening to the story and imagining how on earth something like this could happen but also how a couple could get away with it. It is appreciated that he takes the time to ask the ‘why’ but it seemed like he got a little too carried away trying to put the listener/reader into the victims’ shoes.
It was a good telling of their story but one that wasn’t for me, he has other writings that are much better than this, as gory as it was.
January 23, 2022
Prolific true crime author Ryan Green shines a light on another case in his own UK (so much true crime mines the rich lode of US actors...) with Fred West. This English serial killer committed at least a dozen murders between 1967 and 1987 in Gloucestershire, the majority with his second wife, Rose West. The victims were young women and these murders typically involved the Wests' sexual gratification and included rape, bondage, torture, and mutilation. The victims' dismembered bodies were typically buried in the cellar or garden of the Wests' Cromwell Street home in Gloucester and without kneecaps, etc. What's that trophy gathering about? This "House of Horrors" was later erased from existence after the couple were arrested and charged in 1994 as covered here in this end-to-end coverage in an economic two hours.
There is a lot detail gathered here on the victims, incest, and the duo's downfall with Fred taking the easy way out and doing hard time. A natural sequel is the Rose West and Myra Hindley Their Untold Story with Trevor McDonald 2020 documentary. ("Women who kill in partnership[ are almost unique.")
There is a lot detail gathered here on the victims, incest, and the duo's downfall with Fred taking the easy way out and doing hard time. A natural sequel is the Rose West and Myra Hindley Their Untold Story with Trevor McDonald 2020 documentary. ("Women who kill in partnership[ are almost unique.")
October 17, 2018
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I really appreciated that the author was sensitive to readers and maintained as much dignity for the victims as possible considering the graphic nature of the crimes. However, I felt that the author presented quite a bit of opinion and hypotheticals. While I understand it is natural to do that in the context of a conversation, I would have preferred more facts about the case itself, or even opinions from someone close to the case. Opinions and hypotheticals are also, in my opinion, different when they come from someone looking in versus someone close to the events (a police officer, for example).
The narrator was perfect for a true crime book. There is a really delicate balance between it being engaging to listen to but also not “performed” like a work of fiction.
I would like to thank the author, who provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review thanks to Audiobook Boom.
The narrator was perfect for a true crime book. There is a really delicate balance between it being engaging to listen to but also not “performed” like a work of fiction.
I would like to thank the author, who provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review thanks to Audiobook Boom.
April 2, 2025
This was a fairly swift run through of the horrific lives of the Wests. Unlike most of Green's books, there was negligible background to the pair, just noting a few aspects of their childhood and early years that may have had a part in their evil acts. The book does just shy away from suggesting that Fred was how he was because of a motorbike accident injury, but the suggestion is very much there - one feels there must have been some evil lurking before this however. And similarly with Rose, while she had a pretty unpleasant upbringing, she seems to have committed the first murder and this didn't feel in keeping with her childhood trauma.
We then get a rapid run through of their crimes, mainly giving sparse details as so little was known/remembered about the victims, a lot of them really were random young women in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I was hoping for more insight into this pair, having been alive when they were found and arrested, but we just get a short history of their acts. it could be simply that they were so evil it was just down to pure badness and nothing more to see than that.
We then get a rapid run through of their crimes, mainly giving sparse details as so little was known/remembered about the victims, a lot of them really were random young women in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I was hoping for more insight into this pair, having been alive when they were found and arrested, but we just get a short history of their acts. it could be simply that they were so evil it was just down to pure badness and nothing more to see than that.
July 27, 2025
I knew nothing about this case before reading this book, but I have read many other true crime books by this author. His style might not be for everyone, but I enjoy his work. Instead of just stating a lot of facts and interviews like a lot of books in this genre, Mr. Green writes in a way that is easy to read and is almost like reading a novel.
Unfortunately, the story is true and not fiction. It's hard to imagine that there are such monsters in the world. A couple that can sexually abuse, torture and kill people, even their own daughter, have to have a special place of punishment. And, even though they might have had a rough start in life and even suffered abuse themselves, that does not excuse their crimes. "Victimhood does not give a person free reign to create other victims in turn."
Unfortunately, the story is true and not fiction. It's hard to imagine that there are such monsters in the world. A couple that can sexually abuse, torture and kill people, even their own daughter, have to have a special place of punishment. And, even though they might have had a rough start in life and even suffered abuse themselves, that does not excuse their crimes. "Victimhood does not give a person free reign to create other victims in turn."
July 30, 2023
This is better than the other two I’ve read but you breeze through a lot of the core info and then at the end Green will say something like we know what he’s on about but he hasn’t mentioned it before.
I dislike the way he tries to explain why the Wests did what they did. It feels too much like he wants us to sympathise with their upbringing, trauma and mental health. I find the link between childhood trauma, brain injury and other such things interesting, but the way Green does it is so half hearted and I think quite pretentious.
I dislike the way he tries to explain why the Wests did what they did. It feels too much like he wants us to sympathise with their upbringing, trauma and mental health. I find the link between childhood trauma, brain injury and other such things interesting, but the way Green does it is so half hearted and I think quite pretentious.
February 24, 2025
fred and rose west killed 12 girls one daughter i stepdaughter at 25 cromwell st glaucester. roses mom had electro shock therapy when she was pregnant with rose when fred was in jail rose would beat the children and she killed charmain freds daughter when charmines mom came looking for her they killed her also the west children had 31 hospital visit and no one thought there was a problem rose would prositute herself for money for them when fred killed he removed the fingers and toes and knee caps not sure why knee caps when caught 1n 1995 fred hung himself in his jail cell
March 16, 2020
FANTASTIC READ!
Another great book from Ryan Green! This delves into the psyche of two very depraved and dangerous people as it tells the story of how they came to be as they were, and all of the atrocities they committed! Not for the faint of heart as Mr. Green gives details that will make your blood run cold at the thought of what their victims, both strangers AND family, had to endure! Dont miss this one if you love true crime!
Another great book from Ryan Green! This delves into the psyche of two very depraved and dangerous people as it tells the story of how they came to be as they were, and all of the atrocities they committed! Not for the faint of heart as Mr. Green gives details that will make your blood run cold at the thought of what their victims, both strangers AND family, had to endure! Dont miss this one if you love true crime!
September 16, 2018
Fred & Rose West: Britain's Most Infamous Killer Couples (True Crime, Serial Killers, Murderers) by Ryan Green was a good read. This book followed the lives of Fred and Rose West who were Britain's most infamous killers. These two inflicted years of abuse to their children and their house became known as "The House of Horrors".
April 15, 2020
Disappointing
Having read most of the books on this subject I found this one lacking research leading to incorrect statements. I am usually a fan of Ryan Green so although this only had a three star rating I thought I would try it. Disappointing. Not written in the style I have previously enjoyed from him.
Having read most of the books on this subject I found this one lacking research leading to incorrect statements. I am usually a fan of Ryan Green so although this only had a three star rating I thought I would try it. Disappointing. Not written in the style I have previously enjoyed from him.
April 16, 2020
Very Interesting Read
Although disturbing and horrifying to read of the happenings caused by the Wests, it provides a fascinating insight into the minds of murderers and abusers. It's short and concise so keeps people interested but I personally would of enjoyed a more detailed analogy of the psychology behind their crimes. Very informative with only the necessary detail.
Although disturbing and horrifying to read of the happenings caused by the Wests, it provides a fascinating insight into the minds of murderers and abusers. It's short and concise so keeps people interested but I personally would of enjoyed a more detailed analogy of the psychology behind their crimes. Very informative with only the necessary detail.
August 4, 2025
This is a short book about Fred and Rose West and their heinous crimes. The book is short compared to a lot of Fred and Rose West books, but there is enough detail to understand their crimes and their pasts. This couple was seriously depraved and Ryan makes sure to bring this into the book. A good quick read.
October 28, 2018
Short but informative look at Fred and Rosemary West. (I would have preferred the audiobook to have been read by a British narrator as both the subject matter and author are British but that's incidental). A lot of typos but not a bad read overall.
June 17, 2020
Match made in hell
This was a well written story that captured not only the crime and conviction of this twisted couple but have background information that helps to answer what may have contributed to the horrors that occurred.
This was a well written story that captured not only the crime and conviction of this twisted couple but have background information that helps to answer what may have contributed to the horrors that occurred.
February 6, 2021
Good Read
This was a fascinating account of this horrific couple. I was expecting more detail and insight to the psychology of the perpetrators. But still a good book and easy to read despite the grammatical errors.
This was a fascinating account of this horrific couple. I was expecting more detail and insight to the psychology of the perpetrators. But still a good book and easy to read despite the grammatical errors.
February 8, 2021
How could this book be published? The grammar, syntax,punctuation and spelling are all appalling- did no one edit it? Was there no proof reading? Ryan Green can do so much better than this. Don’t waste your money.
October 8, 2024
This was a truly horrific telling of the lives of Fred and Rose West. I prefer true crime written in a storytelling format, and although this didn’t necessarily have that it was a fascinating book nonetheless.
September 3, 2017
Didn't like
Boring book. Author needed to do better research. Looks to me like he just made up a story from reading old newspaper articles.
Boring book. Author needed to do better research. Looks to me like he just made up a story from reading old newspaper articles.
September 4, 2017
Decent
This book wasn't anything I hadn't read before but was good enough to keep me reading. Not a bad book at all.
This book wasn't anything I hadn't read before but was good enough to keep me reading. Not a bad book at all.
May 26, 2019
Good read
Good book with clear information and detail. Read this a long time ago but I remember it's content. Interesting subject
Good book with clear information and detail. Read this a long time ago but I remember it's content. Interesting subject
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews