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Cold Blooded Evil: The true story of the 'Ipswich stranglings'
On 2 December, 2006, the naked body of a woman was discovered in a brook at Thorpes Hill, Hintlesham, a sleepy village just south of Ipswich, Suffolk. She was identified as Gemma Adams, who worked as a prostitute in Ipswich's red light district. While tragic and shocking, this seemed like an isolated event. But six days later, on 8 December, the body of Tania Nicol, was found also naked in a waterway near Copdock Mill.
Journalists poured into Ipswich and the surrounding area. When a third body, that of Anneli Alderton was discovered just two days later, fear set in among the local community. The police knew they were in a race against time to get a result. But just days later, two further bodies were discovered - Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls. All the victims were prostitutes. All had worked in Ipswich's red light district. All had been strangled. Police were drafted in from forces all over the country in what would become one of the UK's biggest and most urgent police investigations in recent years, to catch the man behind a series of murders which produced more fear and terror than any in Britain since those carried out by the Yorkshire Ripper 25 years earlier.
This is the shocking story of the Ipswich killings, from the discovery of the bodies and the impact on the families of the victims to the harrowing trial and conviction of serial killer Steven Wright.
Journalists poured into Ipswich and the surrounding area. When a third body, that of Anneli Alderton was discovered just two days later, fear set in among the local community. The police knew they were in a race against time to get a result. But just days later, two further bodies were discovered - Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls. All the victims were prostitutes. All had worked in Ipswich's red light district. All had been strangled. Police were drafted in from forces all over the country in what would become one of the UK's biggest and most urgent police investigations in recent years, to catch the man behind a series of murders which produced more fear and terror than any in Britain since those carried out by the Yorkshire Ripper 25 years earlier.
This is the shocking story of the Ipswich killings, from the discovery of the bodies and the impact on the families of the victims to the harrowing trial and conviction of serial killer Steven Wright.
292 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
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About the author
Neil Root
14 books2 followersI was born in London in 1971. I love reading and writing, as well as films, travelling, and meeting people. I write true crime, crime fiction, literary criticism and journalism.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 28, 2022
Steven Wright was a regular user of the sex workers in Ipswich and his car was often seen trawling the red-light district. But when the first of the bodies was discovered, the police did not pick up on him although he was once stopped by police but nothing suspicious was spotted so he got away with his visit.
When more bodies were found, and each of them sex workers, an epidemic of fear swept Ipswich, particularly within the working girls' clan. But police were baffled and when two more bodies were discovered close to one another, the level of fear escalated. The death toll eventually became five and an extensive police hunt, with forces drafted in from elsewhere helping, was put into place. It became one of the UK's biggest and most urgent investigations. The series of murders had produced more fear and terror than any in Britain since the days of the Yorkshire Ripper, 25 years earlier.
Neil Root gives the background to the killings as well as an insight into the mind of a serial killer before covering the investigation in question in some detail. Eventually Wright was identified by a finger print and police moved in and arrested him in his house, which ironically was close by the red-light district.
He pleaded not guilty, therefore, there is little background as to why and how he killed and moved his victims' bodies and the story-telling becomes somewhat bland as a result. He is eventually convicted and imprisoned for life while the victims' families, who at least had the satisfaction of seeing the killer brought to justice, could only reflect on the way Wright had snatched their loved ones from them.
It is a horrifying tale in which 'the banality of evil' is difficult to understand.
When more bodies were found, and each of them sex workers, an epidemic of fear swept Ipswich, particularly within the working girls' clan. But police were baffled and when two more bodies were discovered close to one another, the level of fear escalated. The death toll eventually became five and an extensive police hunt, with forces drafted in from elsewhere helping, was put into place. It became one of the UK's biggest and most urgent investigations. The series of murders had produced more fear and terror than any in Britain since the days of the Yorkshire Ripper, 25 years earlier.
Neil Root gives the background to the killings as well as an insight into the mind of a serial killer before covering the investigation in question in some detail. Eventually Wright was identified by a finger print and police moved in and arrested him in his house, which ironically was close by the red-light district.
He pleaded not guilty, therefore, there is little background as to why and how he killed and moved his victims' bodies and the story-telling becomes somewhat bland as a result. He is eventually convicted and imprisoned for life while the victims' families, who at least had the satisfaction of seeing the killer brought to justice, could only reflect on the way Wright had snatched their loved ones from them.
It is a horrifying tale in which 'the banality of evil' is difficult to understand.
April 2, 2011
It was an OK read but nothing more than that. maybe I have become a bit more picky though. It was all a bit dry. You get the information but because the killer always said he was innocent you will not find out what really happened except on what the prosecution thinks what happened based on DNA. It was definitely not a bad read but nice book to borrow, not buy.
January 5, 2025
This is a pretty good telling of the Ipswich Stranglings that focuses on the investigation and trial and some of the issues around the media coverage, which I wasn't so aware of. Root does cover some of the backstories of the 5 victims but he does focus more on the two suspects, which is understandable given some of the key areas he covers later, including the defense approach and media issues. He does make efforts to show that the victims were more than 'just sex workers', a position that the local community reflected at the time and took action on. There are some inconsistencies around some of the facts which is a bit of a shame but the overall telling is a good introduction to events in the aftermath of each of the women being found. There isn't much in terms of insights into why he did these things but Root does pull out some of his past and links it to his possible state of mind and motives but as he hasn't said himself this is conjecture, albeit fairly sound conjecture.
October 6, 2010
Written by my old college friend and I was very proud of what he's achieved. He's written several others, which I haven't read and is currently writing about a Victorian murder case, wouldn't say which one though! My only previous ventures in to true crime have been Ann Rule's books, so I was very impressed that this was his first attempt at writing a true crime book.
December 20, 2017
I tried to like this book as the premise was interesting however the author goes on long, irrelevant tangents and the information is inconsistent. A woman has light brown hair then a few pages later it's black. Another is 26 years old and then 24 a page or 2 later. Written better this could be really interesting but as it is it's not worth it.
January 17, 2016
A really great read about a terrible situation. The Ipswich community's response to the crimes was really uplifting and the swift resolution was a rare delight. Now if only we could bring those unlucky women back to their families. I feel lucky to have found this one.
September 7, 2008
Interesting but not really insightful.A bit more detail on serial killers,police procedures or personal experiences
would have made it more interesting.
would have made it more interesting.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews