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Return to hell : the continuing story of Moors murderers Brady and Hindley
The continuing story of the Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley - the sequel to the author's earlier work on the same theme, "Devil's Disciples".
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
10 people want to read
About the author
Robert Wilson
223 books4 followersLibrarian note:
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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 6, 2025
'Return to Hell' is the sequel to journalist Robert Wilson's earlier book on the 'Moors Murders' case, 'Devil's Disciples.' As with the first, it is written in parts, almost like a novel, and always in the style of 'True Detective.' It's an engaging style, and although sensationalist like its predecessor, it offers a voice to the victims' families.
If you haven't read the first book, it doesn't matter. Although this one details the developments in the case from 1985 to 1988, Wilson does give his readers the main details of what happened in the 1960s when Ian Brady and Myra Hindley were committing their crimes.
The book focuses on the events that transpired after Brady finally confessed to a journalist that he and his ex-lover had killed two more children. Hindley, who was always looking for parole, eventually realised that it would serve her interests to come clean, and so she did.
The search on Saddleworth Moor, where the body of 16-year-old Pauline Reade was finally unearthed, is detailed at length. Also included is the correspondence Hindley had with some of the mothers of her other victims. Printed in full is the letter that she wrote to Mrs. Ann West, whose daughter, Lesley Ann Downey, was the youngest victim, pleading with her to accept that her ten-year-old daughter wasn't 'physically tortured.' Anyone familiar with this case will find that most extraordinary.
Brady himself also received letters in prison from two young women who appear to have been fascinated with him. Their correspondence is detailed in one chapter.
What really hits home to the reader is what those poor families must have gone through as a direct result of two evil people's actions. Some became very troubled indeed, and the book really does put all of this across very well. Of course, the mother of 12-year-old Keith Bennett went to her grave never knowing where her son was. His remaining family will never give up on the search, and my heart goes out to them.
As 'Return to Hell' primarily covers just three years' worth of events, Robert Wilson has to take more 'poetic license' than the first book to fill it up. He does this by 'padding' and using descriptive language to set the scene, as well as telling the reader how the murderers are feeling at different times. I didn't mind this, as, at it's heart, it really does consider the poor children and their loved ones. If you enjoyed (for want of a better word) 'Devil's Disciples,' you will probably enjoy this sequel.
If you haven't read the first book, it doesn't matter. Although this one details the developments in the case from 1985 to 1988, Wilson does give his readers the main details of what happened in the 1960s when Ian Brady and Myra Hindley were committing their crimes.
The book focuses on the events that transpired after Brady finally confessed to a journalist that he and his ex-lover had killed two more children. Hindley, who was always looking for parole, eventually realised that it would serve her interests to come clean, and so she did.
The search on Saddleworth Moor, where the body of 16-year-old Pauline Reade was finally unearthed, is detailed at length. Also included is the correspondence Hindley had with some of the mothers of her other victims. Printed in full is the letter that she wrote to Mrs. Ann West, whose daughter, Lesley Ann Downey, was the youngest victim, pleading with her to accept that her ten-year-old daughter wasn't 'physically tortured.' Anyone familiar with this case will find that most extraordinary.
Brady himself also received letters in prison from two young women who appear to have been fascinated with him. Their correspondence is detailed in one chapter.
What really hits home to the reader is what those poor families must have gone through as a direct result of two evil people's actions. Some became very troubled indeed, and the book really does put all of this across very well. Of course, the mother of 12-year-old Keith Bennett went to her grave never knowing where her son was. His remaining family will never give up on the search, and my heart goes out to them.
As 'Return to Hell' primarily covers just three years' worth of events, Robert Wilson has to take more 'poetic license' than the first book to fill it up. He does this by 'padding' and using descriptive language to set the scene, as well as telling the reader how the murderers are feeling at different times. I didn't mind this, as, at it's heart, it really does consider the poor children and their loved ones. If you enjoyed (for want of a better word) 'Devil's Disciples,' you will probably enjoy this sequel.
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