Britain's Forgotten Serial Killer: The Terror of the Axeman

by John Lucas

Serial killer Patrick Mackay was dubbed the most dangerous man in Britain when he appeared in court in 1975 charged with three killings, including the axe murder of a priest. The Nazi-obsessed alcoholic had stalked the upmarket streets of West London hunting for victims and was suspected of at least eight further murders.

Now, after more than 40 years behind bars, where he has shunned publicity, Mackay has been allowed to change his name and win the right to live in an open prison - bringing him one step closer to freedom. For the first time, Britain’s Forgotten Serial Killer reveals the full, untold story of Patrick Mackay and the many still-unsolved murders linked to his case.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2019

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was afraid this would be almost identical to the other book I read about him, but there was a lot of new information in here including much more information on crimes the killer is suspected of or is known known to have committed. This guy really has issues. I found myself thinking that the countless medical professionals who dismissed him as "just a psychopath" were really missing the point. He had a serious drinking problem, plus any amount of unresolved trauma and he used to sit by the hour talking to garden gnomes. You can't make him not be a psychopath, but there are plenty of other issues to iron out here that might have saved lives if anyone had bothered.

[Caitlyn Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in the UK, and with a love of true crime fostered by my mother who loved reading about serial killers, I was genuinely shocked to realise I had never even heard of Patrick Mackay, despite his killing at least five, possibly eleven or more people, in a period of just two years in the 1970s. In this excellent and detailed examination of Mackay’s life, crimes and victims, I learned all about this terrifying psychopath, a juvenile delinquent who killed seemingly on a whim and began a life in jail before his 22nd birthday. That’s right,he was barely out of his teens when he started killing, and Mackay is still in prison 44 years later, Britain’s longest-serving prisoner - though it seems not outside the realms of possibility that he could yet be released into the community, an alarming thought considering the nature of his crimes.

John Lucas has obviously done extensive research into as many of the original case files as he could access, as well as interviewed relatives of the victims and detectives who investigated the original cases, and the result is what is likely to be the definitive work on Patrick Mackay, especially since many files are sealed for decades yet to come and others may never see the light of day. Lucas does not shy away from describing the brutal nature of Mackay’s crimes or from delving into the background of abuse and deprivation which certainly contributed to Mackay’s antisocial attitude, but it’s Lucas’ sympathy for the innocent victims and sensitive writing about their deaths which really stands out. Almost half a century later, it would be easy to treat them as just names on the page, but Lucas has clearly made an effort to get to know them and describe the small details of their lives which caused them to cross paths with Mackay, making their tragedies really come to life for the reader.

It’s probable that Mackay’s case never achieved a great deal of notoriety because none of the cases never went to trial; he pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility in just three, and was jailed for life. What struck me was how careless Mackay was; he made no real effort to cover up his crimes, wandering around in bloodspattered clothes, leaving fingerprints behind at crime scenes and keeping jewellery and other souvenirs from his victims. It’s the way the mental health system was unable to keep the public safe from a man who was identified while still a child as ‘likely to kill a woman one day’ that’s truly chilling, though. Mackay spent his teenage years in and out of various psychiatric facilities including the infamous Moss Side in Liverpool and Tooting Bec, where doctors correctly identified him as a dangerous, violent psychopath but still didn’t have the power to keep him sectioned and off the streets.

This is a superbly researched, detailed examination of one of Britain’s worst serial killers, even though you very likely never heard of Patrick Mackay. Highly recommended for a fascinating read. Five stars.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Like many people, true crime intrigues me. It’s always bothered me that someone can take a life and feel no remorse. And there seem to be so many serial killers who not only feel no remorse but enjoy killing and feel the need to kill over and over.

Because I’ve read quite a few true crime books and I watch a lot of true crime shows on TV, I was surprised that I’d never heard of Patrick Mackay. Even though he’s on the other side of an ocean, I’m surprised that I didn’t hear anything about him.

Mackay was charged with killing three people but he confessed to many more. Some of those were set aside and he wasn’t charged for them, and others he recanted and they’re still unsolved. It’s believed that there are probably more murders that he committed. What’s scary is that he could go free and since he’s changed his name, no one will know. I don’t understand how that could happen!

Britain’s Forgotten Serial Killer is interesting. It was a little too detailed at times, but the interviews of Mackay are fascinating. It’s hard to tell if he can’t remember parts of the murders, or if he just didn’t want to share everything. He talked about a mist several times, implying that he wasn’t in his right mind when he committed the murders? He didn’t even try to cover up that he did them.

Anyone who likes true crime will find the story of Patrick Mackay interesting, disturbing, and a good read.

[Bill reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read Psychopath by Tim Clark, I was familiar with the notorious axe murderer Patrick Mackay. This book does not add anything new to that one. Patrick's Scots-born father was a raging alcoholic who beat the hell out of his wife and son and so it was not a surprise that his offspring would follow in dear old dad's footsteps.
As a youth, Patrick had frequent stays at mental asylums where a series of shrinks declared the youngster a psychopath. After setting fires and torturing animals Mackay moved on up to robbery and murder with the highlight being the axe butchering of a Catholic priest. He left Father Anthony Creem bloodied with his brains oozing from his head in a blood filled bathtub. Bless me Father for I have sinned. His devout RC mother also spent time in a loony bin. The lunatic confessed to three similar murders and is suspected of a few others. The author lays out some those cases with some sketchy evidence and I found this one to be a bit of a drag.

[Kaili (Owl Book World) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I was a little worried. I kept starting it and then sitting it back down because it was hard for me to get into. I'm glad I stuck with it because this book was very interesting! I love true crime. I don't know why but I like reading books and watching movies that deal with killers mostly because I want to know why they did what they did. I want to know what causes them to do what they do.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1975 a young, deeply troubled alcoholic boy, came before the court in London, charged with three brutal murders. Two were elderly women, one a neighborhood priest. The youth charged with their murders, Patrick MacKay was twenty-two at the time and had a criminal career stretching back eleven years.

Journalist John Lucas has written a sober, detailed biography of this Nazi-obsessed youth, speculating over eight other similar murders of which Mackay might reasonably be accused, making him one of the most prolific and dangerous serial killers ever experienced in England.
At the time of his trial, Mackay was dubbed The Axeman, The Monster of Belgravia and the Devil’s Disciple. He never held a regular job for more than a few days, he was committed numerous times to psychiatric and other mental institutions for evaluation and treatment, but he was always released after short treatment or simply left the institution. Early on, a number of omissions, errors and missteps by various law enforcement agencies allowed Mackay to escape arrest and thus eight brutal murders attributed to him remain unresolved.

The book is evenly written with comprehensive research clearly presented. One of the most interesting aspects of the case of Patrick David MacKay is the number of citizens with whom he interacted and even occasionally lived with who, despite his erratic behavior never tumbled to the many clues to his murderous behavior. The book contains an extensive index, bibliography and several photographs of some of the principal characters.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one due to a personal connection - a close friend of mine actually met Mackay at the height of his killing spree (little did he know it at the time). Lucas's book is as comprehensive and readable as you could wish for, exploring the career of one of Britain's most prolific and yet at the same time little-known serial killers. It's written in journalistic prose throughout, very matter-of-fact and focusing on the details of who, where, when, and how, with the why left up to the reader. Mackay is an intriguing character who sometimes seems a victim of an extreme kind of ailment, psychopathy, outside of his control, hence his repeated suicide attempts, and it's easy to see how his upbringing affected his mind. None of this lessons the shocking, callous and entirely disturbing nature of his crimes, however, lest one feel the slightest bit sympathetic. Altogether this is another well-researched slice of British true crime.

[Gav Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking this man slipped through the net to kill. They had him several times and several times he gets away to destroy lives. Doctors warnings he will kill ignored . Brutal descriptions of his crimes and a great read about someone who should never be forgotten!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book but a bit too much waffle padding it out, not for the squeamish.