Killers: Britain's Deadliest Murderers Tell Their Stories

by Kate Kray

The story of the one of Britain's most visible unsolved murders! On April 26, 1999, BBC-TV personality Jill Dando, the host of Crimewatch, a program designed to catch criminals on the street, was murdered in front of her house with a single bullet fired into the back of her head. Today, a year later, the case is still unsolved and it continues to captivate millions around the world. The ongoing police investigation has been a troubled one, with no end in sight. Now, journalist John McVicar, himself a former criminal who has been following the case since it happened, goes inside the murder squad and reveals what exactly the police know and makes some startling conclusions.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography

320 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Bella-Mae Stapleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read books where psychiatrists tell the story of a killer and why they do what they do but this book rakes a different approach, the actual words of the killer and how they tell their story. Overall a great read.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting interviews from some notorious and not so well known murderers. The perspective from the side of the prisoners gives a unique insight but I do get the idea that the most honest of the interviewees is Harry Roberts. Still, interesting book if a bit dated now, I would have liked an updated book stating what happened to these people.

[Hayley Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘‘It’s like being on another planet…that’s the only way you can cope with it. I had to forget about my life before and think of it as being taken away from the world I had always known and put into another world.’’

Kate Kray, the wife of the notorious twin, Ronnie Kray, has written this book to introduce the reader to 10 murderers that are ‘lifers’ (have a life sentence). It sounds simple and like every murder documentary on Netflix going, but I found this so much more than that. Some readers may believe that people who have murdered others don’t deserve their story to be told, but after reading this, you might think differently.

Kate Kray repeatedly says she agrees with these people being in prison, quite rightly(!), however listen to this: ‘In her chapter she openly admits taking the knives that killed the boy, but she didn’t kill him. Someone else did. Ricky too, should be punished for what he did, but doesn’t the fact that the vicar tried to abuse him count for anything?’ I recommend you read this book and see for yourself what the ‘lifers’ have to say.

The book is so interesting from the get go! It has sections on how disabled people cope in prison without any facilities, and it explains what happens when a woman is pregnant when she goes into prison. I’ve seen the standard Orange is the New Black, Prison Break, Line of Duty etc. but this book is so much more real; painting the picture of the ‘lifers’ from their own point of view. Were they in the wrong situation at the wrong time? Are they down-right lying? Or are they completely innocent?…

It’s so easy to get lost in the short stories of the different people and some parts are so interesting and unforgettable that I’ve gone back to read sections to my partner! I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re fascinated by criminals, unsolved cases and most of all – murders.

‘I don’t think that murder should carry a mandatory sentence. I do think that if you commit murder you should go to prison, but I think that each case should be judged on its own merits.’

Do you agree?

4/5 from me!

[James Tidd · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this true crime classic, if that's what you want to call it then so be it, Kate Kray, the widow of Ronnie Kray, explores the lives of ten of Britain's most dangerous prisoners. Kray conducts first hand interviews with them, resulting in this book which does offer authentic and gripping insight into the criminal mind.

Kray interviews three women: Linda Calvey, Avril Gregory and Sue Butterworth (both Avril and Sue were introduced to Kate by Linda) and seven men: John Straffen, Daniel Reece, James Dowsett, Harry Roberts, Colin Richards, Charlie Smith and Richard Dennick.

I have my own opinions of a couple of the aforementioned prisoners, but that is not warranted here, however if I am asked then I will have my say. A good book, which could have been great, had it been a bit longer.

[Anni · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an OK read, not overly interesting in most parts because I think a lot of it was BS. Its written from the point of view of the prisoners and I did like the style in that it was said in their own words so you could actually imagine yourself sitting talking to them in person but overall it was just a bit dull for me.i think I would've liked a bit more context around their crimes to compliment their stories as you sort of felt like you only got half a story with some of them and I guess you couldn't really get a good feel for any of the ones that were really short. The majority I have forgotten already but it was still an OK easy to read in one go book.

[Will Templeton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, clear, well written accounts of the stories of some of the UK's worst murderers, as related by the criminals themselves.

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't written how I was expecting it to be, it was interesting to have a bit of context first and then the stories of the prisoners. It was an addictive book.

[Nicola (Nikki) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I thought it was going to be but an enjoyable read that kept me hooked from start to finish

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another prime example of someone related (by marriage) to a murderer and trying to elicit sympathy whilst claiming to do no such thing. Perfect. This was immensely boring, and I would have given up on it anyway due to that fact, but it is so terrible I have to rant. The author tries to justify people's crimes and praises them on being artists or being so nice to her. Seriously? They murdered people and you want to talk about how great their art is? I find it really hard to feel anything but cynical towards her attitude. Yeah, the prison system is messed up and yes, there should be some changes; fair enough. BUT when you start talking about how badly you feel for prisoners, it gets ridiculous. Of course they knew prison wouldn't be amazing, so if they wanted to avoid it they shouldn't have killed children, police men, etc. to end up in prison. It's really that simple. The other funny thing about this book was that the author is married to one of the Kray brothers, whom I never heard of but my husband told me about. That makes this whole book lose credibility right there. It's hard to be objective when you married a murderer. Just saying. I almost don't want to donate this to the British Heart Foundation, because I don't think it should be read, but I am a Gift Aider so at least if someone buys it they get more money for the charity. That is really the only upside to this. Also - one last comment - the killer's telling their stories was insanely boring and offered me no entertainment value, so even that part was awful. Just a terrible book!

[Megan Wintrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read, we always hear the accounts of the victims/victim's family but we don't often hear the stories from the culprits themselves.

As imaginable it is difficult for the families who have lost loved he's ones due to these people but it is exhilarating to hear the other side of the story. Well... Their story. Some admit what they have done, some still say they don't know what happened and some just plain and simply lie and say they didn't do it, it was someone else. The book contains the crimes of: John Straffen, Daniel Reece, James Dowsett, Harry Roberts, Linda Calvey, Colin Richards, Charlie Smith, Avril Gregory, Richard John Dennick and finally Sue Butterworth.

I enjoyed the honesty and I love the way Kate Kray captured the stories of each assailant. I like how she explained each case thoroughly, what the person did and also what it was like meeting them. She met some of the criminals through her husband Ronnie Kray and her brother in law Reggie Kray.

The book itself is well layed out, nicely written and an overall such a great read.

[Lottie Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book with an interesting choice of interviewees. Each story within the book was carefully crafted to be short enough to make you want to do more research but detailed enough to give you a good idea of each case. The only negative I could give is the last story seemed a little rushed and shortened but other than that it was amazing. Highly recommend.

[Matt Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to hear what lead to the events that happened. Would of been 5 stars if the individuals talked about their time behind bars and the other lifers, incidents that took place in the jails etc

[karen tabassum. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

There's some nasty evil ppl in this world. Great book though. ........ ...... ....... ... ... .... ..... ... ..

[Meera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting to hear real stories from the inmates point of view. By the end I was questioning my own views on how criminal justice is 'served' . Would highly recommend.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic audiobook I was listening to this book is such a good read