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The Lost British Serial Killer: Closing the case on Peter Tobin and Bible John
Peter Tobin was already serving a life sentence for murder when he was charged with the murder of two young women - Vicky Hamilton and Dina McNichol, in November 2007. Both girls went missing in 1991. Their bodies were discovered by police in 50 Irvine Drive, Margate - where Tobin once lived. In their new true crime investigation, Paul Harrison and Professor David Wilson examine this shocking case, including full details of Tobin's trial. But perhaps even more importantly, they look into other similar cases around the country. With developments in DNA testing, the police are coming closer and closer to solving a range of terrible and high profile murders. There have been at least five major arrests in recent months, with further arrests sure to follow. Harrison and Wilson investigate these cases, and ask how new DNA tests will change police investigations. But they also ask whether this will be enough to stop murderers in the future, and whether there are larger forces at work in society that need to be addressed before we can stop people from killing again and again.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
19 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
David Wilson
25 books130 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
David Wilson is Professor of Criminology and founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University – one of the university’s “research centres of excellence”. He is the co-Editor of the prestigious Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, which is produced five times per year. Prior to taking up his academic appointment in September 1997, David was Senior Policy Advisor to the Prison Reform Trust, and between October 1983-April 1997 he worked as a Prison Governor.
David completed his PhD at Selwyn College Cambridge in 1983, and immediately joined HM Prison Service as Assistant Governor at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. He worked as a Prison Governor at a variety of establishments, including HMYOIs Huntercombe and Finnamore Wood – where at the age of 29 he was the youngest governing Governor in the country – and at HMPs Grendon and Woodhill. At HMP Grendon he ran the sex offender treatment programme, and at HMP Woodhill he designed and managed the two specialist units for the 12 most disruptive prisoners in the penal system. This experience brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the country.
David has advised on live police investigations related to a linked series of murders and has provided training to new Senior Investigating Officers who will take charge of murder inquiries.
His current research interests range from the phenomenon of British serial murder, family annihilation, hitmen and lethal violence within organised crime, to all aspects of prison history and penal reform.
His first work of fiction is The Rules of Restraint.
David Wilson is Professor of Criminology and founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University – one of the university’s “research centres of excellence”. He is the co-Editor of the prestigious Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, which is produced five times per year. Prior to taking up his academic appointment in September 1997, David was Senior Policy Advisor to the Prison Reform Trust, and between October 1983-April 1997 he worked as a Prison Governor.
David completed his PhD at Selwyn College Cambridge in 1983, and immediately joined HM Prison Service as Assistant Governor at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. He worked as a Prison Governor at a variety of establishments, including HMYOIs Huntercombe and Finnamore Wood – where at the age of 29 he was the youngest governing Governor in the country – and at HMPs Grendon and Woodhill. At HMP Grendon he ran the sex offender treatment programme, and at HMP Woodhill he designed and managed the two specialist units for the 12 most disruptive prisoners in the penal system. This experience brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the country.
David has advised on live police investigations related to a linked series of murders and has provided training to new Senior Investigating Officers who will take charge of murder inquiries.
His current research interests range from the phenomenon of British serial murder, family annihilation, hitmen and lethal violence within organised crime, to all aspects of prison history and penal reform.
His first work of fiction is The Rules of Restraint.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 30, 2022
A very plausible theory that is thoroughly substantive and hard to argue against. Are the numerous similarities between Peter Tobin and "Bible John" mere coincidences? It does seem quite far-fetched to suggest this for every single one of them.
Although Tobin's DNA and the semen stain uncovered on Helen Puttock's sock had seemed to eliminate Tobin as a suspect, since no discernable match was found, the sample itself could be worthless - either through contamination, or the fermention of the DNA. The scrupulous standards that the police apply today in collecting and storing forensic evidence at a crime scene just didn't exist at the time of these murders, and unfortunately what may have once been seen as a "smoking gun" that would at some point crack the case, in fact, will never definitely prove who this notorious serial killer was - or wasn't. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to suggest the police are aware of this possibility and have kept it from both the victims' families, and the wider public.
Certainly, enough circumstantial evidence should, at least, keep Peter Tobin as a prime suspect in the "Bible John" murders. But without definitive proof it cannot, at this point, be said that he definitely was the sadistic killer in Glasgow during the late-1970's.
With Tobin himself succumbing to cancer in October 2022, as well as his staunch refusal to co-operate with the authorities prior to his death, the chances of solving this case are slim to none - providing he was Bible John. Peter Tobin for sure killed more than the 3 he was ultimately convicted of - unfortunately, as he takes the truth to his grave, many families may never get any closure.
4/5.
Although Tobin's DNA and the semen stain uncovered on Helen Puttock's sock had seemed to eliminate Tobin as a suspect, since no discernable match was found, the sample itself could be worthless - either through contamination, or the fermention of the DNA. The scrupulous standards that the police apply today in collecting and storing forensic evidence at a crime scene just didn't exist at the time of these murders, and unfortunately what may have once been seen as a "smoking gun" that would at some point crack the case, in fact, will never definitely prove who this notorious serial killer was - or wasn't. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to suggest the police are aware of this possibility and have kept it from both the victims' families, and the wider public.
Certainly, enough circumstantial evidence should, at least, keep Peter Tobin as a prime suspect in the "Bible John" murders. But without definitive proof it cannot, at this point, be said that he definitely was the sadistic killer in Glasgow during the late-1970's.
With Tobin himself succumbing to cancer in October 2022, as well as his staunch refusal to co-operate with the authorities prior to his death, the chances of solving this case are slim to none - providing he was Bible John. Peter Tobin for sure killed more than the 3 he was ultimately convicted of - unfortunately, as he takes the truth to his grave, many families may never get any closure.
4/5.
September 16, 2015
My interest in serial killers is growing, and I love reading about killers I haven't heard of, I guess that is what interested me about this book (that and the photographs, there's nothing like a book with photos of the killer, their victims and the locations) but the more I read this book, the more annoyed I got.
The authors David Wilson and Paul Harrison seemed to get side tracked a lot, I recall they talked about the football (and how important it was in Glasgow in the 1960's) and about the style of clothes the gangs would wear (which was similar to the clothing worn by the serial killer Bible John) but they both had little to do with the actual killings, you see as important as which team you were supporting was back in them times, I don't feel like it needed to go into extreme detail just for the reader to know that it was that odd for him to say he didn't care about the football, the same with the clothing. I feel like they went into a lot of detail, just for it to make me want to close the book and forget about it.
Although they have more than enough evidence to prove that Peter Tobin is Bible John, they couldn't confirm it 100%, overall I feel like I spent three days reading a book that was entirely wasteful.
The authors David Wilson and Paul Harrison seemed to get side tracked a lot, I recall they talked about the football (and how important it was in Glasgow in the 1960's) and about the style of clothes the gangs would wear (which was similar to the clothing worn by the serial killer Bible John) but they both had little to do with the actual killings, you see as important as which team you were supporting was back in them times, I don't feel like it needed to go into extreme detail just for the reader to know that it was that odd for him to say he didn't care about the football, the same with the clothing. I feel like they went into a lot of detail, just for it to make me want to close the book and forget about it.
Although they have more than enough evidence to prove that Peter Tobin is Bible John, they couldn't confirm it 100%, overall I feel like I spent three days reading a book that was entirely wasteful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2019
I enjoyed this book and it did not disappoint me in any way. David Wilson is one of the most knowledgeable criminologists in this country today. I am still left wondering though if Peter Tobin was Bible John.
September 15, 2024
Well, I can't lie, there's parts of this books that had me gaping at the page. I am not a gore queen. But, unfortunately, I am a details freak!
This like any other book of this type is difficult at times to read, but also highly insightful, in terms of my thirst for psychological knowledge. I am very interested in going into criminology and I am deeply invested in it, so these resources are so important to that journey.
Very well written, and I would recommend for the above, and other educational or inquisitive, reasons.
This like any other book of this type is difficult at times to read, but also highly insightful, in terms of my thirst for psychological knowledge. I am very interested in going into criminology and I am deeply invested in it, so these resources are so important to that journey.
Very well written, and I would recommend for the above, and other educational or inquisitive, reasons.
December 11, 2025
Time taken to read - 3 days
Pages - 273
Publisher -
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Peter Tobin was already serving a life sentence for murder when he was charged with the murder of two young women - Vicky Hamilton and Dina McNichol, in November 2007. Both girls went missing in 1991. Their bodies were discovered by police in 50 Irvine Drive, Margate - where Tobin once lived. In their new true crime investigation, Paul Harrison and Professor David Wilson examine this shocking case, including full details of Tobin's trial. But perhaps even more importantly, they look into other similar cases around the country. With developments in DNA testing, the police are coming closer and closer to solving a range of terrible and high profile murders. There have been at least five major arrests in recent months, with further arrests sure to follow. Harrison and Wilson investigate these cases, and ask how new DNA tests will change police investigations. But they also ask whether this will be enough to stop murderers in the future, and whether there are larger forces at work in society that need to be addressed before we can stop people from killing again and again.
My Review
Bible John, there was so much about him and yet very little, always a cloud of mystery and conspiracies/guesses a bit like Jack the Ripper. The book covers what is known of the victims and suspected victims of Bible John. Then it goes into Peter Tobin, past and present, what an evil horrible man. The book covers coercion, abuse, SA, SV, DV, animal abuse/murder, threats and murder, interviews with people from his life and the name and location changes.
Some of the things he has done is so so horrific to read, there was no limits to what he would do and threaten to get what he wanted. The authors then go into why they feel Tobin could be Bible John. Some of the book is a bit all over the place and dare I say some straws in why Tobin could be Bible John.
There was also a few passages I swear I read when I started the book so a bit of repetition and just some of the way they put things to say why they think both killers are the same.
There was a lot I didn't know as I haven't read much on either killer and the Glasgow history was interesting too. Sometimes it strayed a wee bit from the killer stuff but I did find it interesting but I think for some people who read a lot of true crime they might not find this as in depth as they are used to. 3/5 for me this time, I think if you know a lot on these two killers you may not have gotten anything new from here however I did and it was interesting.
Pages - 273
Publisher -
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Peter Tobin was already serving a life sentence for murder when he was charged with the murder of two young women - Vicky Hamilton and Dina McNichol, in November 2007. Both girls went missing in 1991. Their bodies were discovered by police in 50 Irvine Drive, Margate - where Tobin once lived. In their new true crime investigation, Paul Harrison and Professor David Wilson examine this shocking case, including full details of Tobin's trial. But perhaps even more importantly, they look into other similar cases around the country. With developments in DNA testing, the police are coming closer and closer to solving a range of terrible and high profile murders. There have been at least five major arrests in recent months, with further arrests sure to follow. Harrison and Wilson investigate these cases, and ask how new DNA tests will change police investigations. But they also ask whether this will be enough to stop murderers in the future, and whether there are larger forces at work in society that need to be addressed before we can stop people from killing again and again.
My Review
Bible John, there was so much about him and yet very little, always a cloud of mystery and conspiracies/guesses a bit like Jack the Ripper. The book covers what is known of the victims and suspected victims of Bible John. Then it goes into Peter Tobin, past and present, what an evil horrible man. The book covers coercion, abuse, SA, SV, DV, animal abuse/murder, threats and murder, interviews with people from his life and the name and location changes.
Some of the things he has done is so so horrific to read, there was no limits to what he would do and threaten to get what he wanted. The authors then go into why they feel Tobin could be Bible John. Some of the book is a bit all over the place and dare I say some straws in why Tobin could be Bible John.
There was also a few passages I swear I read when I started the book so a bit of repetition and just some of the way they put things to say why they think both killers are the same.
There was a lot I didn't know as I haven't read much on either killer and the Glasgow history was interesting too. Sometimes it strayed a wee bit from the killer stuff but I did find it interesting but I think for some people who read a lot of true crime they might not find this as in depth as they are used to. 3/5 for me this time, I think if you know a lot on these two killers you may not have gotten anything new from here however I did and it was interesting.
January 31, 2024
Since publication co-writer Paul Harrison has stated he no longer believes that Tobin was Bible John. Likewise recent Police investigation has established that Tobin was living in Brighton when the second and third murders took place. The second murder took place just ten days after he was married in Brighton. There is no evidence of him traveling to Scotland at this time. Tobin has been ruled out by Police as a suspect in the Glasgow murders. This account reaches its conclusions without any real evidence whatsoever, in fact contrary to the evidence.
Bible John left his victims exposed, whereas Tobin concealed his victims by burial. A red flag for any profiler. Most of the 'evidence' presented by the writers to prove Tobin was Bible John is mere speculation. The writers are guilty of tunnel vision... attempting to make the suspect fit the evidence instead of the evidence fitting the suspect. Some of the convoluted reasoning as to why Tobin fits the Bible John crimes is really clutching at straws.
The book is an interesting read, but I am not a great believer in David Wilson's 'expertise' and 'insight'. Witness his staged and awfully clichéd TV series 'In The Footsteps Of Killers'. Pop criminology. The cover of the book describes Wilson as the UK'S No1 expert on serial killers. In whose estimation? Not mine.
The profile of Bible John that the writers come up with could have been provided by anyone who has read an account of the case. No great insight there. They do tell us that the violence used by the killer indicates a 'deep seated hatred of women'. What a revelation!
Bible John left his victims exposed, whereas Tobin concealed his victims by burial. A red flag for any profiler. Most of the 'evidence' presented by the writers to prove Tobin was Bible John is mere speculation. The writers are guilty of tunnel vision... attempting to make the suspect fit the evidence instead of the evidence fitting the suspect. Some of the convoluted reasoning as to why Tobin fits the Bible John crimes is really clutching at straws.
The book is an interesting read, but I am not a great believer in David Wilson's 'expertise' and 'insight'. Witness his staged and awfully clichéd TV series 'In The Footsteps Of Killers'. Pop criminology. The cover of the book describes Wilson as the UK'S No1 expert on serial killers. In whose estimation? Not mine.
The profile of Bible John that the writers come up with could have been provided by anyone who has read an account of the case. No great insight there. They do tell us that the violence used by the killer indicates a 'deep seated hatred of women'. What a revelation!
October 24, 2020
This is the first book I've read on this Scottish mystery. I enjoyed reading Wilson's take on it.
March 14, 2017
An interesting theory, well researched, balanced, and compelling, but ultimately frustrated by a lack of comment by Tobin on any crime other than his last one, never mind the lack of any hard forensic evidence to connect him with the Bible John murders. Worth reading for the main author's insight into the psychology of such killers, his balanced view of how effective profiling really is in contributing to solving cold cases, and honesty in letting the reader decide if his theory is correct. Personal word of caution : although never used salaciously, the narrative contains graphic details of Tobin's sadistic treatment of a number of women.
March 6, 2017
Interesting if unpleasant. We love unsolved mysteries, and there is certainly enough food for thought here to wonder whether Peter Tobin can be identified with "Bible John" or not. In favour, the Glasgow connection, the apparent stopping of "Bible John"'s activities (coinciding with Peter Tobin's known absence from Glasgow and his imprisonment), various other circumstantial things. Against, lack of specific evidence, contradictions in eyewitness accounts, some differences in MO, some lack of clarity over movements in 1969. Also, the Old Testament flavour of the supposed "Bible" comments sounds more Protestant than Catholic to me. The conjectured timeline comes rather late in the book and has a lot of unknowns (uncertainty as to Tobin's whereabouts). However, in spite of the gaps, I think on balance I am ready to be convinced. Probably.
December 13, 2016
I was fascinated with the Tobin story from the moment it hit the headlines. Whilst stopping short of naming him as Bible John the book does point out the large number of comparisons between those murders and the ones Tobin was convicted of.
Definitely, in my opinion, the definitive text on both Tobin and Bible John
Definitely, in my opinion, the definitive text on both Tobin and Bible John
February 18, 2014
A really interesting, gripping true crime book. It was very factual and informative, but the authors did push their opinion on the reader a bit. I did enjoy it though, and would be interested to read more by these authors.
September 20, 2012
I actually really enjoyed this i thought i'd hate it, but it was written really well and i quickly got into it, it was really interesting though sick in places
September 2, 2014
Very interesting and had me really gripped.. Prof Wilson is a very clever guy. I have a lot of time and respect for him.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews