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Mary Flora Bell: The Horrific True Story Behind An Innocent Girl Serial Killer
What can drive a young and seemingly innocent child to kill?
Murder is horrible enough when perpetrated by adults, and yet the concept takes on a whole new level of chilling morbidity when a murderer is revealed to be a young boy or girl. Is it the result of severe trauma manifesting itself in the most macabre of ways? Is it the progeny of some severe mental disorder? Or were they influenced by the actions of the people they grew up with?
Most of the time, the answers to such a question are simple but no less horrific.
Eleven-year-old Mary Flora Bell was tried and found guilty in 1968 for the coldhearted murders of two very young boys – crimes which she committed without any hint of remorse. After her past and motives have been examined, hindsight asks the pressing question: Was she a victim in as much as she was a killer?
From the details of her murders to the dark childhood she suffered, Mary Flora Bell’s short but horrific time as a child serial killer will be analyzed in detail within Mary Flora Bell: The Horrific True Story Behind An Innocent Girl Serial Killer . Get your copy now and learn the tragic nature of these details.
Murder is horrible enough when perpetrated by adults, and yet the concept takes on a whole new level of chilling morbidity when a murderer is revealed to be a young boy or girl. Is it the result of severe trauma manifesting itself in the most macabre of ways? Is it the progeny of some severe mental disorder? Or were they influenced by the actions of the people they grew up with?
Most of the time, the answers to such a question are simple but no less horrific.
Eleven-year-old Mary Flora Bell was tried and found guilty in 1968 for the coldhearted murders of two very young boys – crimes which she committed without any hint of remorse. After her past and motives have been examined, hindsight asks the pressing question: Was she a victim in as much as she was a killer?
From the details of her murders to the dark childhood she suffered, Mary Flora Bell’s short but horrific time as a child serial killer will be analyzed in detail within Mary Flora Bell: The Horrific True Story Behind An Innocent Girl Serial Killer . Get your copy now and learn the tragic nature of these details.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 2, 2018
This story seems so hard to believe at first. An 11 year old girl kills two young children pretty much just because she wants to. Her friend is there when she does and hoes nothing. Then she taunts the families of the dead children. This girl was an angry hateful mess. Sure she was brutally abused as a child but in 1968, nobody really understood or could identify the bedwetting and torture of animals as the triad we now understand today of serious psychopathy.
The most bizarre thing, is she is eventually released and able to live (reportedly) a normal life and have a child and presumably raise it well.
Additionally, there is a free book about 12 true crime cannibals which is a great 'extra'.
That said, there are a lot of typos which is a bit frustrating
The most bizarre thing, is she is eventually released and able to live (reportedly) a normal life and have a child and presumably raise it well.
Additionally, there is a free book about 12 true crime cannibals which is a great 'extra'.
That said, there are a lot of typos which is a bit frustrating
June 17, 2024
Mary’s Crime
Mary Bell. Many books have been written about her life. I found the writing to be disjointed, repetitive but in spite of that I learned a lot about Mary. Too much tragedy for one child to go through. Absolutely mind boggling to understand most of this but it appears to be true.
Mary Bell. Many books have been written about her life. I found the writing to be disjointed, repetitive but in spite of that I learned a lot about Mary. Too much tragedy for one child to go through. Absolutely mind boggling to understand most of this but it appears to be true.
March 12, 2019
I am so glad I didn't actually put out any money for this book.
The title of it, for one, is really deceiving. Yeah, it glosses over the story of Mary Flora Bell, her crimes and life, but it didn't go into it any more detail than what I already knew. The story of Mary Flora Bell abruptly ended at 44% of the book. So what pray tell was the remaining 56% of the book about? Research perhaps? Reference notes and legit sources? NO. The remaining 56% of this book was "BONUS BOOK True Crime Stories 12 Terrifying True Crime Murder Cases (List of Twelve Vol 3)". So why name a book "Mary Flora Bell: The Horrific True Story Behind An Innocent Girl Serial Killer" when more than half the book was about cannibalistic killers? AND NOT WELL WRITTEN ONES AT THAT! This book needs a serious amount of editing done for typos, grammar, and punctuation. There were peoples names spelled one way and then two paragraphs later spelled another way. ROTC written as RTOC. The last letter left off of many words. And many more errors. Poorly done and a disappointing read.
The title of it, for one, is really deceiving. Yeah, it glosses over the story of Mary Flora Bell, her crimes and life, but it didn't go into it any more detail than what I already knew. The story of Mary Flora Bell abruptly ended at 44% of the book. So what pray tell was the remaining 56% of the book about? Research perhaps? Reference notes and legit sources? NO. The remaining 56% of this book was "BONUS BOOK True Crime Stories 12 Terrifying True Crime Murder Cases (List of Twelve Vol 3)". So why name a book "Mary Flora Bell: The Horrific True Story Behind An Innocent Girl Serial Killer" when more than half the book was about cannibalistic killers? AND NOT WELL WRITTEN ONES AT THAT! This book needs a serious amount of editing done for typos, grammar, and punctuation. There were peoples names spelled one way and then two paragraphs later spelled another way. ROTC written as RTOC. The last letter left off of many words. And many more errors. Poorly done and a disappointing read.
August 6, 2018
Do yourself a favor and give this badly written "book" a hard pass. The Wikipedia entry on Bell is better written and researched.
May 15, 2018
This book was poorly written, contained lots of typos and showed lazy research. That in itself deserves one star. In addition the author very blatantly sticks to a theme throughout the book -- poor killers, they had horrible lives\childhoods, it's no wonder they became monsters. Constant personal quips of this theme in every page distracted from the story. The book is also written the way a person would talk with cliches and colloquialisms. The only redeeming factor is the author is a story teller and does so well. However, being a true crime buff, this was a poor attempt at accuracy, names spelled wrong and rather than research more than one Google search, the author put "date unknown" for birth dates which were easily found. My advice, read an Ann Rule book instead.
June 25, 2018
⭐⭐⭐
Melodramatic and trite. The story continues far beyond the point of available facts. The entire book takes up 40% of the pages the rest is descriptions of other books, which can be read on any site selling them.
Melodramatic and trite. The story continues far beyond the point of available facts. The entire book takes up 40% of the pages the rest is descriptions of other books, which can be read on any site selling them.
May 21, 2018
It's like reading a high school essay.
Glad I didn't have to pay for this. Largely unreadable. I had to stop on page 20 or so because I couldn't take another minute of poorly worded sentences, oddly built paragraphs, and writing that was reminiscent of high school. It's too bad, as the story could've been an interesting one.
Glad I didn't have to pay for this. Largely unreadable. I had to stop on page 20 or so because I couldn't take another minute of poorly worded sentences, oddly built paragraphs, and writing that was reminiscent of high school. It's too bad, as the story could've been an interesting one.
June 19, 2018
While the story itself is horrifically fascinating, this was terribly written. I forced myself to finish it but someone needs to go back and edit this because some sentences didn’t make sense, there was typos everywhere and it was just really cringe worthy. It took away from the stories to be honest.
August 16, 2018
Poorly written
The way the book is written was very poor. The main story of Mary Flora Bell felt like I was reading comments from facebook, going back and forth on topic without good order to it. Sounded like someone was just talking out loud someone else wrote it down and just decided it would be a book.
The way the book is written was very poor. The main story of Mary Flora Bell felt like I was reading comments from facebook, going back and forth on topic without good order to it. Sounded like someone was just talking out loud someone else wrote it down and just decided it would be a book.
December 12, 2018
So very disturbingly sad 😞🤢
May 22, 2018
This was a devastating nonfiction story of a serial killer that seemingly grew up somewhat rehabilitated. Shocking true events kept me reading. I was also surprised that the first death was a 4 year old. He woke up, dressed himself and his sister, then fed his sister before going out to play. My 4 year old has just learned how to use the bathroom by himself, an could not do any of these things.
I digress. This story is fairly short and easy to read. Some parts were repeated, similar to when Unexplained Mysteries did on television. I did not need the recap, but I think the author wanted to highlight important parts. Overall, a very good book.
I digress. This story is fairly short and easy to read. Some parts were repeated, similar to when Unexplained Mysteries did on television. I did not need the recap, but I think the author wanted to highlight important parts. Overall, a very good book.
January 17, 2019
Recommend picking a different book.
The author turns an interesting story into a meandering repetition of minimal facts; making this book abysmal and boring. If you're interested in this particular true crime, there are better options.
The author turns an interesting story into a meandering repetition of minimal facts; making this book abysmal and boring. If you're interested in this particular true crime, there are better options.
July 8, 2019
Quite informative but too repetitive.
Unfortunately this can only be awarded 2 stars despite its promising start, as the same subjects are raised a few times, which becomes tiresome.
It is well written though.
Unfortunately this can only be awarded 2 stars despite its promising start, as the same subjects are raised a few times, which becomes tiresome.
It is well written though.
August 12, 2018
This was an odd, sad story as this young girl took the lives of 2 little boys for no reason whatsoever. It was also sad Mary had been mistreated & abused by her mother. This story offers a quick look at the crimes committed & Mary's life including adulthood.
September 28, 2019
It's a fast read and very interesting!
May 1, 2018
Ryan Becker's books have always been well researched and well organized. The subjects he chooses range from the well-known to the obscure. The subject of this book, Mary Flora Bell, is particularly interesting due to the killer's age and the ages of her victims. It's also a quick study into the possible effects of childhood abuse and trauma. As always, if you like stories that delve into the backgrounds of serial criminals, I recommend reading Mr. Becker's book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2022
Mary Flora Bell is infamous in England for strangling and mutilating two boys, a three-year-old and a four-year-old. Mary's mother was a prostitute who specialized in sado-masochism . The girl was used by mommy dearest during some of the sexual encounters. The details are nauseating. I don't know what is worse, the mother pimping out a small child or the many "clients" with no conscience.
In 1968, Mary was sent to a reform school and later to prison and was released after twelve years and gave birth to a girl and is now a grandmother.
The book is good but much too short at 132 pages and the source material cited, Cries Unheard by Gitta Sereny is on my to-read list.
In 1968, Mary was sent to a reform school and later to prison and was released after twelve years and gave birth to a girl and is now a grandmother.
The book is good but much too short at 132 pages and the source material cited, Cries Unheard by Gitta Sereny is on my to-read list.
May 1, 2018
Mary Flora Bell - what an interesting subject to write about. At ages 10 and 11, Mary Flora Bell killed 2 little boys (one 3 and one 4). She started showing psychopathic tendencies at this young of an age. I had not heard of this before, so this was extremely interesting to read about. Of course, the book is written very well. The research was excellent as well. He wrote about the stories of these 2 murders, keeping on point and easily read. I could not put it down! I read it in one sitting. I loved it! Please read it.
April 29, 2018
High School Quality Would Be Nice
This book is written on a middle school level. Additionally, it contains title information that one couldn't have gathered from a newspaper. Lack of research plus poor analysis plus weak writing skills, equal blah book.
This book is written on a middle school level. Additionally, it contains title information that one couldn't have gathered from a newspaper. Lack of research plus poor analysis plus weak writing skills, equal blah book.
May 4, 2018
Had the feel of a paper written in high school. You can read this info on wikipedia to understand Mary Bell's crimes, instead of trudge through this (although it is quite short).
April 18, 2018
‘Was Mary Flora Bell born “bad,” or were her early years of ridicule and abuse to blame for her actions?’
Ryan Becker is relatively new to the literary scene, a handsome young man with a penchant for the gruesome. His list of books to date are TRUE CRIME STORIES Volumes 1 and 2, ROBERT BERDELLA: The True Story of a Man who turned his Darkest Fantasies into a Reality Volume 1, EDMUND KEEPER: The True Story of the Brutal Co-Ed Butcher Volume 2, JEFFREY DAHMER: The Gruesome True Story of a Hungry Cannibalistic Rapist and Necrophiliac Serial Killer Volume 3, TED BUNDY The Horrific True Story behind America’s Most Wicked Serial Killer Volume 4 and now MARY FLORA BELL The Horrific True Story behind an Innocent Girl Serial Killer. At the end of this book his biography is scant though important – ‘Ryan Becker aims to write all the stories he has read and watched and letting himself be taken into the world of true mysteries and psychological murder crime stories. He also wants to share his experience of his younger days with the readers on how he immersed himself with the dark reality of the world. He loves to tell a true story that will make you solve a puzzle on your mind. He is now living with his wife and two sons. Ideally, Ryan wants to leave a mark on the reader with his dark true crime stories.’ In this volume he is joined by author Nancy Veysey.
In the Introduction Ryan and Nancy delve into the psychology of children as killers: ‘Evil kids. One of the most terrifying things any writer can possibly conjure up. The twins from The Shining, Samara from The Ring, hell, even young Michael Myers, before he gets all serial kill-ery is one creepy-ass kid. But that’s just fiction, right? Well, what happens when the lines of fiction and reality blur, causing kids to cross them? It wasn’t that long ago we heard about two young girls trying to sacrifice a third girl to the fictional character known as Slender man. If they’re telling the truth, then maybe, just maybe, these girls confused fictional evil acts and the reality of committing evil deeds. So, what about kids who make a conscious choice to commit violent acts, including mutilation and murder? The story that follows is a real story of violence and murder committed by a real kid, who knew exactly what she was doing when she violated other children. She wanted to inflict pain. She wanted to kill. And that’s exactly what Mary Bell did, fifty years ago, in 1968.’
The synopsis is succinct and well scribed- ‘What can drive a young and seemingly innocent child to kill? Murder is horrible enough when perpetrated by adults, and yet the concept takes on a whole new level of chilling morbidity when a murderer is revealed to be a young boy or girl. Is it the result of severe trauma manifesting itself in the most macabre of ways? Is it the progeny of some severe mental disorder? Or were they influenced by the actions of the people they grew up with? Most of the time, the answers to such a question are simple but no less horrific. Eleven-year-old Mary Flora Bell was tried and found guilty in 1968 for the coldhearted murders of two very young boys – crimes which she committed without any hint of remorse. After her past and motives have been examined, hindsight asks the pressing question: Was she a victim in as much as she was a killer? From the details of her murders to the dark childhood she suffered, Mary Flora Bell’s short but horrific time as a child serial killer will be analyzed in detail within.’
Fine writing, expert investigation and documentation, and a pace that speeds the reader through this grotesque tale make this a book to recommend and an introduction to a solid writer. Incredible as it sounds, this book makes a fine if terrifying novel! And to add to the shivers, Ryan adds a Bonus Book of 12 other true crime stories at book’s end!
Ryan Becker is relatively new to the literary scene, a handsome young man with a penchant for the gruesome. His list of books to date are TRUE CRIME STORIES Volumes 1 and 2, ROBERT BERDELLA: The True Story of a Man who turned his Darkest Fantasies into a Reality Volume 1, EDMUND KEEPER: The True Story of the Brutal Co-Ed Butcher Volume 2, JEFFREY DAHMER: The Gruesome True Story of a Hungry Cannibalistic Rapist and Necrophiliac Serial Killer Volume 3, TED BUNDY The Horrific True Story behind America’s Most Wicked Serial Killer Volume 4 and now MARY FLORA BELL The Horrific True Story behind an Innocent Girl Serial Killer. At the end of this book his biography is scant though important – ‘Ryan Becker aims to write all the stories he has read and watched and letting himself be taken into the world of true mysteries and psychological murder crime stories. He also wants to share his experience of his younger days with the readers on how he immersed himself with the dark reality of the world. He loves to tell a true story that will make you solve a puzzle on your mind. He is now living with his wife and two sons. Ideally, Ryan wants to leave a mark on the reader with his dark true crime stories.’ In this volume he is joined by author Nancy Veysey.
In the Introduction Ryan and Nancy delve into the psychology of children as killers: ‘Evil kids. One of the most terrifying things any writer can possibly conjure up. The twins from The Shining, Samara from The Ring, hell, even young Michael Myers, before he gets all serial kill-ery is one creepy-ass kid. But that’s just fiction, right? Well, what happens when the lines of fiction and reality blur, causing kids to cross them? It wasn’t that long ago we heard about two young girls trying to sacrifice a third girl to the fictional character known as Slender man. If they’re telling the truth, then maybe, just maybe, these girls confused fictional evil acts and the reality of committing evil deeds. So, what about kids who make a conscious choice to commit violent acts, including mutilation and murder? The story that follows is a real story of violence and murder committed by a real kid, who knew exactly what she was doing when she violated other children. She wanted to inflict pain. She wanted to kill. And that’s exactly what Mary Bell did, fifty years ago, in 1968.’
The synopsis is succinct and well scribed- ‘What can drive a young and seemingly innocent child to kill? Murder is horrible enough when perpetrated by adults, and yet the concept takes on a whole new level of chilling morbidity when a murderer is revealed to be a young boy or girl. Is it the result of severe trauma manifesting itself in the most macabre of ways? Is it the progeny of some severe mental disorder? Or were they influenced by the actions of the people they grew up with? Most of the time, the answers to such a question are simple but no less horrific. Eleven-year-old Mary Flora Bell was tried and found guilty in 1968 for the coldhearted murders of two very young boys – crimes which she committed without any hint of remorse. After her past and motives have been examined, hindsight asks the pressing question: Was she a victim in as much as she was a killer? From the details of her murders to the dark childhood she suffered, Mary Flora Bell’s short but horrific time as a child serial killer will be analyzed in detail within.’
Fine writing, expert investigation and documentation, and a pace that speeds the reader through this grotesque tale make this a book to recommend and an introduction to a solid writer. Incredible as it sounds, this book makes a fine if terrifying novel! And to add to the shivers, Ryan adds a Bonus Book of 12 other true crime stories at book’s end!
November 2, 2018
It takes place in 1968 in Newcastle Upon Tyne England. It was a time when the world was still far more innocent to the evils that can, and does still, lurk in some hearts. The idea that the killer was female was hard enough to grasp, that she was a child herself was truly shocking - but she wasn't alone! She had an accomplice with her during those crimes. She was another young child from the same area and would also be prosecuted and ultimately acquitted. Her name is Norma Bell and she was only 13.
Mary Flora Bell is a profile in what happens when evil is unrestrained and allowed to act upon bad impulses. She began killing at 10 years old and prosecuted at 11. She killed because she wanted to, but to also hurt the families after the deaths. She visitied them and made odd comments and requests to prolong her enjoyment and their agony. Why? No one really knows because we don't understand the motivation behind the crime.
There are of course theories as to how these offenders get started. Childhood trauma seems to be the biggest indicator. Her childhood was no bed of roses. That's an understatement! However, the children might have been saved if someone, anyone would have cared enough to look after her. She was acting out the turmoil and hate that was being inflicted upon her on a daily basis. Even after her incarceration she continued to be violent.
Her accomplice, Norma Bell, (no relation) is less fully described. I definitely would have liked more on her. I don't know if much information is available about her; if that's the case this could explain why it's a bit flat in regards to her.
Having read Ryan Becker's books before, I am familiar with his style of writing. This book is different. It's noticeable right from the start. The introduction to the time and place feels more like proper introduction than in past books but from there....it merely coasts.
While the info presented is fascinating, especially since I had never done any real research into this little girl, I think this book is more of a jumping off point rather than enough to satisfy my curiosity. They present a full story. Please don't misunderstand. However, it feels like they just collected and collated a bunch of prior articles and wrote a book.
It doesn't have that personal touch. It's cold and hard. Maybe that's a purposeful move on the part of the authors considering the subject matter. I don't know. As I said earlier, it departs from Mr. Becker's style and having never read anything written by Ms. Veysey, I'm unsure if this is her style. That may well be the case.
The authors included a bonus book at the end. True Crime Stories: 12 Terrifying Crime Murder Cases (List of Twelve Vol. 3). This is about killers you may never heard mentioned because they were cannibals or committed cannibalism in the commission of another crime such as Austin Harrouff. He killed two people and attempted to kill another. When police arrived he was chewing on his second victims face. It is macabre and I loved it.
The book has some style issues and a few typos that were inconsequential. When taken into account with the impersonal touch on this book, I have to be honest.
Mary Flora Bell is a profile in what happens when evil is unrestrained and allowed to act upon bad impulses. She began killing at 10 years old and prosecuted at 11. She killed because she wanted to, but to also hurt the families after the deaths. She visitied them and made odd comments and requests to prolong her enjoyment and their agony. Why? No one really knows because we don't understand the motivation behind the crime.
There are of course theories as to how these offenders get started. Childhood trauma seems to be the biggest indicator. Her childhood was no bed of roses. That's an understatement! However, the children might have been saved if someone, anyone would have cared enough to look after her. She was acting out the turmoil and hate that was being inflicted upon her on a daily basis. Even after her incarceration she continued to be violent.
Her accomplice, Norma Bell, (no relation) is less fully described. I definitely would have liked more on her. I don't know if much information is available about her; if that's the case this could explain why it's a bit flat in regards to her.
Having read Ryan Becker's books before, I am familiar with his style of writing. This book is different. It's noticeable right from the start. The introduction to the time and place feels more like proper introduction than in past books but from there....it merely coasts.
While the info presented is fascinating, especially since I had never done any real research into this little girl, I think this book is more of a jumping off point rather than enough to satisfy my curiosity. They present a full story. Please don't misunderstand. However, it feels like they just collected and collated a bunch of prior articles and wrote a book.
It doesn't have that personal touch. It's cold and hard. Maybe that's a purposeful move on the part of the authors considering the subject matter. I don't know. As I said earlier, it departs from Mr. Becker's style and having never read anything written by Ms. Veysey, I'm unsure if this is her style. That may well be the case.
The authors included a bonus book at the end. True Crime Stories: 12 Terrifying Crime Murder Cases (List of Twelve Vol. 3). This is about killers you may never heard mentioned because they were cannibals or committed cannibalism in the commission of another crime such as Austin Harrouff. He killed two people and attempted to kill another. When police arrived he was chewing on his second victims face. It is macabre and I loved it.
The book has some style issues and a few typos that were inconsequential. When taken into account with the impersonal touch on this book, I have to be honest.
September 23, 2018
Pretty Good
I rarely hear about the detail killers in other countries so this was an eye opening case. Their justice system is a lot different than the American one but this book gave me pause and also made me appreciate that we have Child Protective Services (which is usually overworked and underfunded) but without cases like this, we wouldn't understand th true need for that system to be out into place. No one spoke up for her as a child when she was being abused. Her mom was trash but who knows what happened to her as a child to make her turn out the way she did. I truly hope the cycle ended with Mary and that her child and grandchild had happy lives.
The bonus story was good too. I personally wished that there were some pics of the scenes. In other crime books I have read, there are pics. I know my request sounds gory but I am looking to get my Masters in Forensic Psychology.
I rarely hear about the detail killers in other countries so this was an eye opening case. Their justice system is a lot different than the American one but this book gave me pause and also made me appreciate that we have Child Protective Services (which is usually overworked and underfunded) but without cases like this, we wouldn't understand th true need for that system to be out into place. No one spoke up for her as a child when she was being abused. Her mom was trash but who knows what happened to her as a child to make her turn out the way she did. I truly hope the cycle ended with Mary and that her child and grandchild had happy lives.
The bonus story was good too. I personally wished that there were some pics of the scenes. In other crime books I have read, there are pics. I know my request sounds gory but I am looking to get my Masters in Forensic Psychology.
June 6, 2019
Was she truly a bad seed?
I thought this story was a fascinating read into the life of a 11 year old girl, Mary Flora Bell, who was convicted of murdering two toddler-aged children.
Mary had a very abusive childhood. Her mother was a prostitute and was extremely distant and abusive to Mary.
Her mother, Betty, would involve Mary in her sexual acts with men and this was when Mary was just a toddler. Betty was always drinking and on drugs; a good role model she was not.
I am not going to get into a lot of details about this story as I think one needs to read the book to get the full prospective of it. I could not put the book down because I was so thoroughly glued to the storyline. I think this book is one of Ryan Becker's best endeavors yet.
I will tell you that Mary eventually gets released from prison, becomes a mother, and later on becomes a grandmother.
Dianna,
Prescott, AZ.
I thought this story was a fascinating read into the life of a 11 year old girl, Mary Flora Bell, who was convicted of murdering two toddler-aged children.
Mary had a very abusive childhood. Her mother was a prostitute and was extremely distant and abusive to Mary.
Her mother, Betty, would involve Mary in her sexual acts with men and this was when Mary was just a toddler. Betty was always drinking and on drugs; a good role model she was not.
I am not going to get into a lot of details about this story as I think one needs to read the book to get the full prospective of it. I could not put the book down because I was so thoroughly glued to the storyline. I think this book is one of Ryan Becker's best endeavors yet.
I will tell you that Mary eventually gets released from prison, becomes a mother, and later on becomes a grandmother.
Dianna,
Prescott, AZ.
July 28, 2018
Only 40% of this book was about the title story. The remainder was about a bunch of cannibals. If I wanted to read about a bunch of cannibals, then that’s the book I’d have chosen. Furthermore, the main story was not put together well. It was scattered. I am a huge true crime reader and know a good true crime writer when I come across one. These are not good true crime writers. More time should have been taken to develop Mary Bell’s background and the lead up to the crimes. This was a rare opportunity to give a glimpse into the mind of a child killer and what lead her to become a killer. The writers did not take the time and the care with this story that they should have. Quite frankly, I’m kind of disgusted that they even bothered to write this at all. It was a waste of their time and it will be a waste of anyone’s time who bothers to read this “book”.
October 31, 2018
A sad story of an abused child turned killer
You can feel for Mary Bell as the people that should protect her instead continually abused and degraded her till she didn't understand about compassion or had any normal feelings. The abuses she was made to endure left her with no mental way to understand the basic nature of how to be normal because nothing in her life was ever normal. She was basically in survival mode all her life and although most people wouldn't think of doing the things that she did, it never occurred to her that what she was doing was wrong. Especially since she had passed pain by becoming numb everything. Great book to read if you want to delve into the mind and history of a child killer.
You can feel for Mary Bell as the people that should protect her instead continually abused and degraded her till she didn't understand about compassion or had any normal feelings. The abuses she was made to endure left her with no mental way to understand the basic nature of how to be normal because nothing in her life was ever normal. She was basically in survival mode all her life and although most people wouldn't think of doing the things that she did, it never occurred to her that what she was doing was wrong. Especially since she had passed pain by becoming numb everything. Great book to read if you want to delve into the mind and history of a child killer.
July 1, 2024
I found this book about Mary Flora Bell a very adolescent girl serial killer an interesting read. I really don’t believe you can blame children for some of their actions especially when they were subjected to abuse and neglect at a very young formatage age. Poor Mary deserved better than the hand she was dealt from the beginning from a very unfit mother and I’m guessing from many that turned a blind eye when it came to getting her help. Glad she was able to get out of the cycle as an adult and do better for her children and be a better example to her future generations. I give this book 5 ⭐️’s!
June 10, 2022
I did not know the story of Mary Flora Bell. It is a sad story for all involved. It tells of how environment does impact how a child develops. Was she born a killer? I can’t say. Did her home life and the lack of nurturing help mold her into a killer? I absolutely believe it did. I think it is further evidenced by her development once incarcerated. I think there is much to be learned by her story. I think more needs to be done in the study of child development and how to fix lives, if we can, that were broken in early development.
It is a tragic tale that broke my heart in many places.
It is a tragic tale that broke my heart in many places.
May 25, 2018
Important to know but....
This case is an important one for true crime buffs to know about but I didn't really care for the book. There was a lot of author commentary throughout which sometimes is ok but here I didn't like it. This story seemed like something that would have taken place 100 years ago instead of in the 1960's. There are other cases of children, females even, killing other children and some of those I found more interesting.
This case is an important one for true crime buffs to know about but I didn't really care for the book. There was a lot of author commentary throughout which sometimes is ok but here I didn't like it. This story seemed like something that would have taken place 100 years ago instead of in the 1960's. There are other cases of children, females even, killing other children and some of those I found more interesting.
August 16, 2019
Written for us morbidly curious readers who like true crime, the prose feels cranked out. It is a brief book, and a quick read. I know more about Mary Bell now, but it seems even Mary Bell does not know why she killed two little boys, except she was abused and used by her angry mother, and she was all about striking out and hurting someone else. The book is one of a series based on famous murderers.
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