Inside 10 Rillington Place

by Peter Thorley

During the 1940s and 1950s John Christie, an English serial killer and necrophile from Halifax, murdered at least eight people - including his wife, Ethel - by strangling them in his flat at 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill, London.

Two further bodies were found wrapped in a tablecloth in the washhouse behind 10 Rillington Place - those of Beryl Evans and her baby daughter Geraldine. They were his lodgers.

In 1939 Beryl Thorley, then 19, married Timothy Evans. Baby Geraldine followed quickly and, determined to stand on their own two feet, the couple rented a room from John Christie and his wife Ethel, at 10 Rillington Place, not knowing how fatal this would prove.

Over the years this case has sparked huge controversy surrounding the question of who actually killed Beryl and Geraldine. Now, more than 50 years later, Peter Mylton-Thorley, Beryl's youngest brother, is ready to tell his story. With first-hand knowledge of the real horror of life inside 10 Rillington Place, it is time to set the record straight.

Peter has collected unseen evidence, never released crime scene photos and statements to the police. This is the shocking true story of the crimes and horror of life with John Christie, Timothy Evans and 10 Rillington Place.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction, Biography, History

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2020

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who watches and reads way more true crime than she perhaps should, this case is one that is relatively unheard of and relative to other murder cases this one has very much flown under the radar in both the UK, where the crimes took place, and the wider world; this may have a lot to do with the fact that the crimes actually occurred sixty years ago. During the 1940s and 1950s John Christie, an English serial killer and necrophile from Halifax, murdered at least eight people - including his wife, Ethel - by strangling them in his flat at 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill, London. Two further bodies were found wrapped in a tablecloth in the washhouse behind 10 Rillington Place - those of Beryl Evans and her baby daughter Geraldine. They were his lodgers.

In 1939 Beryl Thorley, then 19, married Timothy Evans. Baby Geraldine followed quickly and, determined to stand on their own two feet, the couple rented a room from John Christie and his wife Ethel, at 10 Rillington Place, not knowing how fatal this would prove. Over the years this case has sparked huge controversy surrounding the question of who actually killed Beryl and Geraldine. Now, more than 50 years later, Peter Mylton-Thorley, Beryl's youngest brother, is ready to tell his story. With first-hand knowledge of the real horror of life inside 10 Rillington Place, it is time to set the record straight. Peter has collected unseen evidence, never released crime scene photos and statements to the police. This is the shocking true story of the crimes and horror of life with John Christie, Timothy Evans and 10 Rillington Place.

This is a long-awaited true-crime serial killer thriller that not only makes for compulsive reading but packs in a lot of action and takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride for the duration of the story too. You can feel the passion and heartfelt emotion oozing from Thorley’s words as he attempts to tell his murdered sisters story as best he can. It is well written, pacey and it develops an atmosphere of oppression and claustrophobia as life within 10 Rillington Place and its four walls is described. The life, brutal murder and subsequent investigation into Beryl’s slaying in 1940s London is harrowing, thought-provoking and deeply disturbing, to say the least. It is clear that this would've been a difficult book to write and at times it's also a difficult book to read; it's deeply personal and deals with a lot of trauma. I hope in some way the writing of it was cathartic and that it will help the author to heal. Many thanks to Mirror Books for an ARC.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1950 Timothy Evans was hanged for murdering his wife & daughter at 10 Rillington Place in London. A key witness against Evans was John Reginald Halliday Christie. Three years later it was discovered that Christie was in fact a serial killer, having possibly killed eight people, & he was hanged for murder. Evans was granted a posthumus pardon in 1966 as it was widely believed that Christie was the real murderer.
In this new factual crime book 85 year old Peter Thorley is convinced Evans (& not Chrsitie) was guilty of the murder of his wife Beryl & daughter Geraldine. Thorley is Beryl's brother & has spent his life believing Evans guilty, spending 35 years resaerching the case. Although only a teenager at the time Thorley knew Evans & Christie & often visited his sister at 10 Rillington Place.
There are plenty of inconsistencies in the original conviction of Christie for these two murders. However, there are just as many in Thorley's theory as well. Readers can make up thrir own mind & decide if Chrisitie or Evans is guilty. The truth, sadly, will remain lost in the mists of time.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the 1940's and 50's, John Christie, an English serial killer from Halifax, murdered at least eight people- including his wife Ethel - by strangling them in his flat at 10, Rillington Place, Notting Hill, London. Two further bodies were found wrapped in a tablecloth in the washhouse. They were Beryl Evans and her baby daughter, Geraldine. This is a shocking true story.

Peter Thorley is the brother of Beryl Evans who was murdered along with her baby. Timothy Evans was convicted of the murder of his wife and child, he was hanged. People thought it was a miscarriage of justice that Timothy had been convicted. But now his brother-in-law, Peter Thorley has written this book and he believes that the verdict was justified. Peter tells us how Timothy was a drunk and violent towards his wife. This is an engrossing, fascinating, thought provoking and informative read. I highly recommend this book to all true crime fans.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fascinating account from the brother of murder victim Beryl Evans. Peter Thorley shows us the horrible, abusive side of Timothy Evans that is barely heard about today. (In other accounts, films and any other media he's never portrayed as a nasty piece of work, more someone who's a bit "slow" and misunderstood). He describes how terribly his sister Beryl was treated, and also explains how he believes without a shadow of a doubt that Timothy Evans murdered Beryl and Geraldine alone - without the help of John Christie. It was truly fascinating hearing Peter talk about his upbringing, his relationship with his sister who he quite clearly adored (he even kept her wedding ring all these years) as well as his interactions with John and Ethel Christie at 10 Rillington Place when he used to regularly go to see Beryl. He has a great way of telling this story, and during book I had completely forgotten I was reading a non fiction account. I had never realised what a nasty, narcissistic, lying scumbag Tim Evans really was. Someone who drank away what little money he made instead of giving to his wife and child, as well as constantly fabricating tales from his earlier life that landed him in trouble, cheating on Beryl and beating her up when she failed to look after him like he believed a wife should. He was also verging on mentally retarded, which appear to skewer his views of the world even more. He struck me as one of those people who believe the world owes them a living. That he shouldn't have to work hard for anything and that he has some godly right to treat people however he chooses without repercussions as well as believing that he should never have to take responsibility for anything. When he had murdered Beryl and Geraldine, he still continued to slag them off to anyone who would listen, saying Beryl was the one who had murdered her daughter and that she was a terrible mother who was out cavorting about instead of looking after her first born. He also said Beryl walked out on him and left Geraldine behind - such a cruel thing to say about someone who would've fought to the death for her child. What made me even more angry was hearing how Evans wasn't charged for Beryl's death - he was only charged with Geraldine's and sentenced to death for that, which in effect "cancelled out" the other. So Beryl was never given justice. Thank god for Peter bringing his book out.
It was ironic, however, that while this was going on, Christie was also a special sort of sexual deviant, murdering and stuffing bodies into the cupboard in his kitchen, as well as having sex with their deceased bodies. His wife Ethel was the last of his victims. I'm going to be very controversial and say that whatever opinions I have on Christie and however much he fascinates me (and I have read numerous accounts of his crimes) reading this account made me all the more disgusted with Evans and how he treated the 2 people closest to him. He really was a heartless b******.
Truth really is stranger than fiction.

[Vonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The truth this book is labeled. The entire book was the victims brother's views and opinions and the facts are ones anyone knew. There was no "truth" or basis for truth. The first 30% of the book was his childhood, WWII and facts of WWII.....bombing, rationing, coupon books etc.

[Kaora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed reading the author's take on the tragic events that ended his sister and his nieces lives. Out of curiosity after reading this I looked up the movie and was shocked at how differently the events were portrayed. While a hard topic for this author I can tell it is one dear to his heart. He presents a very solid argument about what he believes that his sister was not killed by John Christie, and I found myself believing him.

The story flows very well, although I did find myself flagging a little bit when his brother in law is lying to the police, creating big elaborate (but false) stories. I feel like that could have been condensed and honestly I didn't care about anything a notorious liar had to say. Maybe just include the points that were consistent with what only the killer would know.

Other than that a heartbreaking read about the killers among us that look and act like normal people, but carry dark secrets and how a community and a family failed a woman who so badly needed help. Chilling.

[Ruthy lavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really, really good account of the now infamous story of Reginald Christie and 10, Rillington place.
Written with first hand knowledge by the brother of one of the alleged victims, it is honest, harrowing, detailed and compelling.
A must read for fans of true crime.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars, with the inclination to go even lower.

John Reginald Halliday Christie and Timothy John Evans were both hanged in Britan after being convicted of a series of murders that took place in the 1940s and 1950s. This book, written by Peter Thorley 35 years later is his recollections of these killers that he grew up around because his sister was married to Evans and the events of what took place at 10 Rillington Place which is where his sister Beryl and niece Geraldine both died. Unfortunately, the bulk of this book deals with the history of the author’s family, WWI, and WWII which are not really relevant to the murders. Actually, the book is more about Peter than anything.

Gruesome descriptions of the violence while being a very tiresome read at the same time. My main problem with the book is that the author speculates just about everything related to the murders so it's hard to swallow his constant “I believe that this is what happened” or “I think this is what said” or “this is what my sister was thinking at the time”, etc. So, it's really a lot of bull.

My thoughts - Don't waste your money.

[Milly Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a great crime aficionado and I was intrigued by this book. Thorley certainly puts forward a convincing argument that his sister Beryl was murdered by Timothy Evans and not Christie. I was pleasantly surprised that this book wasn't 'fluffed out' with a lot of irrelevant detail, just enough to colour the era. A bit has been said that there were repetitions of things like having sticky buns with 'Uncle Reg' but Thorley isn't a novelist and this, to me, added to narrative of a conversational style. I think it's picky to knock his writing style which didn't get in the way of what I thought was a compelling new take on what was a fascinating crime at the time and still continues to be long after most of the major players have gone.

[julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, staggeringly researched and with a personal touch that will resonate with the reader, this is one of the best true crime books I've read in the past five years.

This is the shocking true story of the crimes and horror of life with John Christie, Timothy Evans and 10 Rillington Place.

[M.C. Chronister · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I was granted an ARC of this from Mirror Books through NetGalley***

I watch and read anything that is true crime related so I have come across many different cases through the years, but this one I had not. Which is surprising due to the crimes that John Christies committed. This was an emotional roller coaster ride throughout the entire book. Having the account told from the victim's brother was so gripping because you could feel his emotions through the words on the page. Peter Thorley had spent 35 years researching this case and is convinced that Beryl's husband Timothy Evans is actually his sister's killer and not John Christies as the police believe. It is truly fascinating to get a first hand account from someone that personally knew each 0f the key players in this crime. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is a true crime buff.

[Dylan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A real lesson in how to resist an impulse purchase from an Amazon recommendation. And a strong challenge to the dubious belief that “everyone has a book in them”.

Peter Thorley is the younger brother of Beryl Evans, who was killed in the infamous Rillington Place murders in the ‘40s and ‘50s. Timothy Evans was convicted and hanged for the crime, but was eventually pardoned when John Christie’s other crimes in the house were uncovered. Evans confessed, then retracted, saying that he was manipulated by Christie, and it was “Christie what done it”.

I fully empathise for the author’s lifelong loss and sense of grief. This book is an attempt to firmly blame the murderers of Beryl and her baby Geraldine on Evans. Unfortunately, it raises more questions than it answers, is poorly written in a tabloid gossip style, and offers no real proof that counters the much discussed and examined course of events.

There are repeated phrases, about Christie being a kind man offering “sticky buns and tea” when young Peter paid a visit, and unfortunate references to Evans being an illiterate “mental retard”. There’s the horrible and hard to overlook coincidence that two murderers who both strangled their victims ended up sharing the same house at the same time. Constant referencing of “crucial documents” which are never explained, or any explanation of why the author would have access to them. The sources and theories are at best, irrelevant, at worst pure speculation. One piece of evidence presented is a quote from the hangman Pierrepoint, that he was convinced that Evans was “absolutely guilty”. And, when on trial, Christie claimed to have murdered Beryl and baby Geraldine “purely to add to his claim of insanity”.

The writing is sadly rather amateur, clichéd and unconvincing. Evans came home and “it all kicked off”. “Reg Christie was hiding dark secrets of his own in 10 Rillington Place”.
“Christie used cord to secure the blanket Beryl was wrapped up in; he had worked for the Post Office and knew how to wrap parcels securely”.

Why wait 70 years, to publish these theories? What new evidence is there that’s been missed all this time? And where was the editor on this?

I’m not completely dismissing the book; I have no idea of the truth, nor does anyone now. And I can understand the need to want to tell the story from the point of view of the forever grieving. There may well be another tale to be told in this dark and troubling history, but this really isn’t it.

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this was a very interesting new take on the dreadful murders of Beryl Evans and her baby daughter Geraldine at 10 Rillington Place I finished it feeling a little confused and wondering if the author, being a relative of the victims was perhaps a little biased. There is a lot of previously unknown first-hand information about the build-up to and aftermath of the awful murders but I am still unsure if Timothy Evans was guilty of the murders or not. The case of Reginald Christie and the murders he committed are well known and it is widely believed that he was responsible for the murders of Beryl and baby Geraldine and Evans was given a posthumous pardon for their murders. The author is the brother of Beryl and is convinced that Timothy (a man he disliked and despised intensely) was responsible for her death, it is true that the couple had a very stormy relationship and that Evans was a habitual liar and a very heavy drinker. I feel so sorry for poor Beryl trying to cope at the age of just 19 with a baby of thirteen months and pregnant with another child whilst living with a violent drunk and little money. However, it is a big coincidence that Beryl happened to get strangled in the house where Christie killed six or other women including his own wife Ethel.
The book goes into great detail about Christie and Timothy Evans and it is also a fairly detailed autobiography of Peter Thorley himself. The writing is not brilliant but it is interesting reading and it gave a very different perspective on the story.

[Caroline David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never heard of this but goodness, what a crazy experience to read about.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst this book dealt with a very tragic story, the first few chapters were, to my mind, out of sequence and dealt with matters which had no bearing on the actual events. The reader will quickly realize that a lot of the information is repeated over and over again in different chapters, which makes tedious reading. The account was far to emotionalized as I suppose one can expect from a family member, but this rendered the writing quality to be poor. Only when there was actual factual information did the writing improve. I am also puzzled as to why the Halifax/Huddersfield area is stated to be close to Sheffield when in fact it is not only in a different county, but some distance apart. I had been expecting a more detailed account of the court cases of both Evens and Christie, sadly this was not the case.
Summing I have to say this was in many ways, a disappointing read.

[Georgia Greenhalgh · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5)

Inside 10 Rillington Place by Peter Thorley takes a closer look at the tragic case of Beryl Evans and her daughter Geraldine. Unlike many other accounts, this book is written from a deeply personal perspective: Thorley is Beryl’s younger brother. He traces the story from her childhood through to her murder, placing particular emphasis on the difficulties within her marriage and why he remains convinced that Timothy Evans, Beryl’s husband, was responsible for both murders.

Having already seen the film, TV dramas, and read multiple accounts of the infamous 10 Rillington Place murders, one thing stands out: the sheer number of inconsistencies surrounding this case. Was it Evans, or was it John Christie, the serial killer living downstairs? The truth remains murky, and Thorley’s book adds another layer to the ongoing debate.

This isn’t a definitive account — no book could be, given the contradictions and missing pieces — but it is thought-provoking. The most unsettling fact remains that two men were hanged for murder, and questions about justice still linger decades later. Did both deserve their fate, or was one innocent? Sadly, we’ll probably never know for certain.

A compelling read for true crime enthusiasts, though perhaps best approached alongside other sources to fully grasp the complexity of this case.

[Patricia Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on the 10 Rillington Place murders written by the brother of Beryl Evans. Whilst I found the background information from the perspective of a 14 year old boy to be worth hearing, I do wonder how much time he actually spent with his older married sister in reality.

This book turns on it’s head everything that is purportedly the truth about this case. Timothy Evans was allegedly a violent drunk and not the simple easily influenced boy/man as portrayed in other books and films. Christie apparently didn’t help with an abortion that went wrong ( I have always suspected that the abortion part was just a ruse to get Beryl helpless and at his mercy ), and lo and behold there were actually two stranglers working independently of each other at 10 Rillington Place.

I don’t believe in coincidences like that.

Evans was posthumously pardoned but interestingly the conviction of killing his baby was never quashed. Sadly there is no one left alive to either corroborate or disprove the thoughts of the author.

Definitely a heavy burden to carry all these years and especially with the knowledge that his own father did little to help his daughter and grandchild.

I do wish that his research had been explained in more depth. Telling us he had looked at crucial evidence without details leads me to believe that the whole book is based on the fact that as a schoolboy he disliked his sister’s husband .

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating read not only as another perspective on the crime that both Timothy Evans and Reginald Christie hung for, that of the murder of his sister Beryl Evans and her daughter, his niece Geraldine, but of the effect that murder has for ever more.

Peter Thorley was still in his teens when his sister and his niece were killed while living at 10 Rillington Place although he was on his way to a new life at the time the murders happened. But, his is the only first-hand account that we have of the victims and it sounds as if he spent a fair amount of time with the Christies while visiting his sister and of course he was only too aware of Timothy Evans's temper!

Typically any books about this crime concentrate on the miscarriage of justice that caused Timothy Evans to hang for the murder of his daughter and this book therefore gives another view as well as some social history relating to what life was like in the post-war years in England from one who was there!

[Robin Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read true crime books. They don't appeal but Rillington Place has a macabre iconic fascination.
Peter Thorley has more reason than most to tell the truth. For the last seventy years he has been mourning the murders of his sister, Beryl, and niece, Geraldine at 10 Rillington Place.
This is an unique and very personal approach to the question of who killed them. Ludovic Kennedy's book, published sixty years ago, portrayed Timothy Evans as an innocent man. In 1966 he received a royal pardon and common myth has continued to name Christie as the killer.
Peter Thorley knows this is not true. His book is a monument to his sister and his niece and a very clear guilty verdict for Timothy Evans. It is a powerful testament of love and grief.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed, if that is the right word, this book. Like many, I have watched the story on TV and read about it but this comes from the heart of the only surviving family member of the time who was very close to it all and questions everything I was led to believe from TV productions etc. This is definitely much more plausible to me. Yes, Evans was definitely guilty and so was Christie but not of the same murders. There just happened to be two murderers murdering separately residing in the same building.

The writing could have been better with a few sentences being repeated on multiple occasions. There were a few chapters that could have been cut considerably as didn't give anything to the story, just fluffed it out somewhat but this has come from Beryl's brother Peter, in his own words and was quite difficult to put down.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Mirror Books for the arc of Inside 10 Rillington Place

4 stars- it had me hooked and page turning it was a great read, I loved how it told the story of John Christie the serial killer! i find true crime books so interesting so I loved this and how well written it was and how it was portrayed perfectly well done Peter Thorley. Definitely recommend

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was a bit boring in parts due to background and other people’s lives. But I’m glad I know the full truth. Very fact telling and to the point. Few little details left out but nothing major. True account of the story.

[Mark Higginbottom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow this was pretty bad stuff!I will do a more extensive review soon.....as soon as I've got my head around it all....but oh my this was definitely a struggle.......🙄😞....Okay...my review.It was awful!There were some brief fairly interesting parts for example detailing when Beryl was young and the author ( her brother ) and she were evacuated out of London during WWII....but unfortunately the main chunk of the book was maddening, frustrating, nonsense twaddle.I think it's patently obvious Beryl's brother has got one huge annoying complex toward Timothy Evans,believes he's guilty of killing his Sister and niece and won't accept any other opinion.The hate he injects throughout the book towards Tim oozes....nay,pours ,out of every page!I have read just about every book and magazine based on the Rillington case and have a pretty good knowledge of the facts known.I therefore found it so puzzling and frustrating that the author chose to ignore a lot of them and seemed content to plough on determinedly with this blinkered ' Tim did it,Tim was guilty ' mindset,even describing Tim at one point as evil!There is a huge yawning chasm between a person that hits his wife and drinks profusely ( always a terrible thing of course) to someone that is evil !...He chooses to ignore the fact that when Beryl 's body was discovered she had on no knickers , chooses to make light of the fact she had bruises on her inside thigh and internally ,as of ' forced intercourse ',didn't mention once the fact that the tie used to strangle the baby Geraldine could not be traced to either Tim or Christie ( most probably it came from Mr Kitchener's flat, the man on the first floor who was in hospital at the time of these crimes),brushes over the fact that Tim would have needed help to get Beryl's body down the stairs and into Mr.Kitchener's flat,that Christie showed Tim some light booklets he had of general first aid , maintaining he had previous medical experience,that Tim loved his daughter Geraldine and would never even think of strangling her even if drunk,maintains that Tim strangled Beryl in a drunken fit of passion...did he stop and say hold on Beryl I'll just go and get a piece of rope from my van with which to strangle you with wont be a tic!!!The autopsy showed she was strangled from behind,surely if it was all done in a drunken rage he would have simply grabbed her round the throat with his hands!!!Also,what about this newspaper cutting found in Tim and Beryl's flat about the recent Stanley Setty/Donald Hume murder case?Tim was mostly illiterate and read only comics, he'd hardly have a newspaper cutting...unless he was teaching himself to read at night's?!?! ( More probably it was planted by Christie to further blacken Tim's character! ).I could go on and on forever.Tim Evans was violent towards Beryl,was often drunk but he was certainly not an evil scheming murderer who strangled his own wife and child.There was only one person in that house more than capable of cold bloodedly and brutally killing women and children and that was Christie.The police wanted the case solved as quickly as possible ( conveniently ' losing ' some of Tim's statement paperwork!! ).The author here says often ' in my opinion....'....' I believe what happened....' etc.When the crimes were committed he wasn't present ,nobody was apart from the persons living in 10 Rillington Place so he can only offer his opinion not facts!What about the time Beryl's friend called round to apologise to Beryl for a previous argument and swears that someone was in the kitchen holding the door closed from the other side and wouldn't answer her?Why would Beryl do such a thing?Tim was at work! Christie?yes,more likely than not!Aaagh....it felt to me like the author just chose to use this book to have a chance to vent his anger and frustrations towards Tim for who he 'suspects ' killed his sister and niece.Either that or just saw a chance to cash in on the whole 10 Rillington Place case!Yes,I can understand of course his being heartbroken still at his loss....but one shouldn't then use that emotion to pour scorn and hate towards a person that many still feel was innocent of any murders in that awful house!I guess it's all down to people's own personal opinions but it doesn't make for a comfortable read.

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot has been written about the events at 10 Rillington Place. John Christie murdered his wife, Ethel, there along with a number of prostitutes. However, two other murders took place during his tenancy which have been the cause of great speculation ever since. Beryl Evans and her young daughter Geraldine were also killed and her husband Timothy Evans was hanged for the murder of his daughter (it was felt easier to prove that murder, as a child could not have provoked him and provided any extenuating circumstances). The court, the hangman, all were convinced Evans was guilty.

However, Christie claimed he had killed Beryl - possibly to bolster his claim for insanity, thinking the more murders, the more unstable he could present himself. Eventually a pardon was issued to Evans.

Enter Peter Thorley, Beryl's younger brother and apparently the only member of her family to seek justice. Peter had been close to Beryl, until his father's new wife decided he was unwelcome and they shipped him off to a new life in New Zealand. Peter had seen evidence of the violence perpetrated by Evans on his sister, and had been very concerned on her behalf. Sadly his father and older brother didn't share his concerns and left her very much to cope alone.

Thorley has now gone through all the records as well as his own memories, to construct what he believes happened - that Evans murdered both his wife and child. He makes a compelling case. Certainly Evans was no great husband, but did he murder her?

The sticking point has always been the unlikelihood of two killers with the same methods living in the same house. However, as the book shows, their modus operandi were not identical.

I hope writing the book has provided Peter with some measure of peace - he clearly felt guilty at leaving his sister, although only a teenager himself and not in a position to help her. He makes a very compelling case to identify what really happened at 10 Rillington Place.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ant Koplowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had initial reservations about picking up yet another book about the infamous 10 Rillington Place; surely everything that there is to be said has already been said? In a way, this is a companion piece to the excellent book by Jonathan Oates (John Christie of Rillington Place, 2012), but giving voice to the family's version of events. Peter Thorley is Beryl Evans' younger brother and he recounts visiting her at Rillington Place, meeting Christie and his wife, and even playing with their dog in the garden where a number of Christie's murder victims were burried.

This is an, understandably, emotive account of the death of Beryl and Geraldine Evans, as well as the other known victims. Thorley provides a further compelling explanation as to why we need to disregard both the veracity of Evans' statements to the police, as well as the numerous revisionist accounts of the events at Rillington Place. Chief among these (and the most famous) is Ludovic Kennedy's 1961 book, 10 Rillington Place. Thorley is convincing in his interpretations of events, and demolishes the others. The only conclusion left to draw is that there were indeed two murderers living at Rillington Place, but only one serial killer. Christie was the serial killer and Evans was the emotionally inadequate and immature, impulsive murderer who killed his wife and daughter.

It's fascinating to speculate about the allingment of forces that brought these two together for that brief period during 1949/50, and how, had fate taken a different course, the outcomes would have been so different for the Evans family. But there would still have been a serial killer residing at Rillington Place, although his deeds may not have had quite the same impact and grisily fascination over time. Finally, I am still amazed at the number accidental and sloppy errors made by the police, some of the legal profession and those responsible for the official inquiries, as well as the millions of words written about the case since.

© Koplowitz, 2020

[Kate Southey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Beryl would be incredibly proud of her younger brother if she could read this book. Peter and his wife have clearly spent years tracking down sources and reading medical reports from the time, which frankly no brother should ever have had to do. I believe Peter. I believe the original investigation and I’m shocked and a little disgusted that Evans was ever pardoned for his murder of baby Geraldine.
I had heard of the case, I think most English people over 40 will have, but I hadn’t watched the film. I was glad of this as films can be incredibly emotionally attaching and they ‘feel’ like the truth. I am sure there will be people who review this book poorly on the basis that it doesn’t match the film (you can probably hear my eyes rolling from here) I was impressed that Peter was able to give good reviews of the actors in the film and not be too angry to give them that credit.
The pace of the book was brisk and very readable while not creating false dialogue or scenes in order to make it read like a thriller. It was gripping and heart wrenching but without being sensationalist which is often hard in crime books. In fact, as Christie’s crimes aren’t Peter’s prime concern he gives a brief paragraph over view of each victim before moving on. Where he does spend time on Christie it is to show us how well a psychopath can be seen as kind, interested and responsible and hide in plain sight. He also helped give validity to the original police investigation that said they saw no evidence at all that Christie was involved with abortions or had ever claimed to be involved in the medical field.
I hope this book going out into the world gives Peter some peace. He truly deserves it having cared for Beryl so well when she was alive and since her murder. I wish him and Lea a happy retirement now their quest is at an end.

[Lucretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came into this with no prior information on the case, it being in another country and before I was born. The opening of the book, giving backstory and setting the scene was utterly fascinating. I had only a brief understanding of what things were like in England in war time since my husband is from England. Though it was also before his time, so I hadn't really understood the scope of what life was like. Such hardships are difficult to imagine.

As the story unfolded my heart really broke for Beryl. It puzzled me as to why John Christie would have helped in a coverup of something so horrific... Then, come to find out the nature of John Christie! I was stunned. I have studied a lot of criminals in my forensic lessons but hadn't heard of this monster. The way his actions shed doubts onto what happened to Beryl and her baby must have been like ripping open old woulds for Beryl's brother and you can understand the passion with which this story is told.

As with most cases like this, once time is passed and evidence destroyed no one will ever know what really happened and I appreciate the opportunity to read the account from someone who was close to those involved, so close. Regardless of which way you lean on who was guilty, there is no escaping they were horrific murders. I will be researching more now that I am also left with so many questions.

A heartbreaking case, worth reading.

[Rachel | Raesbookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big true crime fan and have read many books and know so many different cases but I surprisingly had no knowledge of this case at all. I liked that the book started with the backstory and information about the the people involved. It was interesting that the author described what life was like during the time.

Just a warning at the top of this, the kindle copy of this book I received had images placed in between the text, the images are quite graphic and do show images of a dead body, I was quite put off by this as there wasn't any warning. I then had to continue reading the passages on the page with that image right at the top. personally I would have preferred if these were at the end so i could choose to look if I wanted to.

I loved that this was written by Peter Thorley, the brother of the victim. This really gave the book such a personal touch, he knew first had what life was really like inside 10 Rillington Place, he was able to give toy information that you wouldn't normal get. He made sure that you understood the situation and made you aware of how human and helped you relate to the victims, this made you feel the tragedy so much more. I managed to read this book so quickly asI wanted to know everything that happened. It was such an interesting and informative read.

I would recommend this book to any true crime fan, whether you are familiar with the story or not.

Thank you to #NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[the overstuffed bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror Books for this advance reader's copy of Iniside 10 Rillington Place by Peter Thorley.

Having read many books from the true-crime genre, I had a specific expectation when I began reading this book about the events that occured at 10 Rillington Place. Anyone who reads true crime knows that most of the books of that genre have a pretty specific formula that they follow. Inside 10 Rillington Place does not follow that formula and that is a good thing. Hearing the story of Peter Thorley and his memories of his sister, Beryl Evans, and his niece, Geraldine Evans, made the victims very relatable and the crime that much more shocking. The fact that the author spent considerable time visiting 10 Rillington Place and was an acquaintance of both convicted murderers who called that address home, made his account all the more shocking. I can't imagine what it must be like to have actually met two men who were hanged for murder. What a story.

This book is very much like hearing your Grandfather tell you about his life. At times the language used makes you feel like Peter Thorley is sitting right next to you telling his story firsthand. I had trouble adjusting to the conversational tone but once I got used to the writing style I was thoroughly engrossed.

For true crime fans, put this one on the top of your TBR. You won't regret it!

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 Rillington Place - the very name conjures up the horrors of decomposing dead bodies and the images of Christie looking like a mild-mannered bank manager. In the 1940s/1950s, John Reginald Halliday Christie strangled at least eight women including his wife, Ethel and hid their bodies at 10 Rillington Place where he lived. Christie was found guilty and hanged for his crimes but controversy still exists over whether he killed fellow lodgers Beryl Evans and her daughter Geraldine. Beryl's husband and father of Geraldine, Timothy Evans, was found guilty of his daughter's murder and hanged, but later reviews led to him being given a royal pardon and their murders attributed to Christie. Peter Mylton-Thorley, Beryl's youngest brother, had first-hand knowledge of both Evans and Christie, and believes that Evans was absolutely guilty of killing his own wife and child.

I read about this case years ago, and I distinctly remember the author of that book arguing that Evans had been an innocent party. It always sat a little uncomfortably with me as the murders of Beryl and Geraldine did not fit with Christie's other crimes. It was, therefore, interesting to read about both men from someone who knew them and I think that the author puts together a convincing case. It was written in a very accessible style without being sensationalist (although there is a photograph of Beryl from the morgue which is rather shocking). I recommend this for anyone who is interested in true crime books.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Mirror Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.