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A Plot to Kill
The shocking story of the murder of Peter Farquhar and the churchwarden who groomed and betrayed him, from the UK's leading criminologist David Wilson
Two deaths.
Three doors apart.
An unsuspecting community about to realise there's a killer in their midst.
In October 2015, Peter Farquhar was found dead in his house in Maids Moreton, lying on the sofa next to a bottle of whisky. An inquest was made, and Peter's death was quickly ruled an accident.
But after the death of another elderly neighbour, the dreadful truth began to emerge: both victims had been groomed, seduced and mentally tortured by a young man, Benjamin Field, who had used his position of power in the community to target and exploit the elderly.
He almost got away with it.
Very little shocks criminologist David Wilson, but this extraordinary case in his sleepy hometown astounded him. Wilson felt duty-bound to follow its trail, discovering how his tightknit community failed to intervene, how a psychopath went undetected for years, and how Peter unwittingly supplied the blueprint for his own murder.
A Plot to Kill is a chilling, gripping account of a callous murder in the heart of middle England, a fight for justice, and a revealing insight into the mind of a killer.
Two deaths.
Three doors apart.
An unsuspecting community about to realise there's a killer in their midst.
In October 2015, Peter Farquhar was found dead in his house in Maids Moreton, lying on the sofa next to a bottle of whisky. An inquest was made, and Peter's death was quickly ruled an accident.
But after the death of another elderly neighbour, the dreadful truth began to emerge: both victims had been groomed, seduced and mentally tortured by a young man, Benjamin Field, who had used his position of power in the community to target and exploit the elderly.
He almost got away with it.
Very little shocks criminologist David Wilson, but this extraordinary case in his sleepy hometown astounded him. Wilson felt duty-bound to follow its trail, discovering how his tightknit community failed to intervene, how a psychopath went undetected for years, and how Peter unwittingly supplied the blueprint for his own murder.
A Plot to Kill is a chilling, gripping account of a callous murder in the heart of middle England, a fight for justice, and a revealing insight into the mind of a killer.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published June 17, 2021
34 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
David Wilson
25 books125 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 30, 2021
Having read another of David Wilson’s books, I have been very keen to read more by him. I can’t say I remember hearing about the murder of Peter Farquhar but being a fan of true crime documentaries and books, I was definitely interested in learning more.
The author has created a book which gives us not only an insight into the victim and killer but also issues that may have contributed to the killing. He covers things like homophobia within the church and how sexuality even to this day by some churches, is very much frowned upon. It is quite sad to see how far we have come with the human race yet in some respects we are very much back in the dark ages.
I found this a fascinating read and was great to see a book that was written during covid times and how this also had some impact on how the author did his research and interviews. I was a little disappointed to see that Field’s never replied to the author’s letters to be able to talk to him. Having previously read the author’s My Life With Murderers, I think this would have added even more but we can’t always have it all and the author’s clinical insight into this man is definitely the next best thing.
A Plot To Kill is a must for readers who enjoy books on true crimes. It focuses on different aspects so you get a much more rounded view of the people involved and to the whys. This is an author who is very thorough in his research and gives a detailed account at the back of the book of the books he also used to help him in writing this one. It isn’t filled with clinical jargon that makes it harder for some readers to understand and enjoy. I basically read this book in three sitting as it was so intriguing. Be warned though, it will have you hotfooting it to go buy more of this author’s books as they really are brilliantly written and that whilst insightful, will give you goose bumps.
The author has created a book which gives us not only an insight into the victim and killer but also issues that may have contributed to the killing. He covers things like homophobia within the church and how sexuality even to this day by some churches, is very much frowned upon. It is quite sad to see how far we have come with the human race yet in some respects we are very much back in the dark ages.
I found this a fascinating read and was great to see a book that was written during covid times and how this also had some impact on how the author did his research and interviews. I was a little disappointed to see that Field’s never replied to the author’s letters to be able to talk to him. Having previously read the author’s My Life With Murderers, I think this would have added even more but we can’t always have it all and the author’s clinical insight into this man is definitely the next best thing.
A Plot To Kill is a must for readers who enjoy books on true crimes. It focuses on different aspects so you get a much more rounded view of the people involved and to the whys. This is an author who is very thorough in his research and gives a detailed account at the back of the book of the books he also used to help him in writing this one. It isn’t filled with clinical jargon that makes it harder for some readers to understand and enjoy. I basically read this book in three sitting as it was so intriguing. Be warned though, it will have you hotfooting it to go buy more of this author’s books as they really are brilliantly written and that whilst insightful, will give you goose bumps.
June 23, 2021
It is done. I have finished reading A Plot To Kill by David Wilson. Spoiler alert: this review has expletives.
Well, that was a patronising wanker of a book. It seemed to have a scope so broad and yet so specific as to be utterly baffling. These themes included: old age (very broad); serial killers of the elderly (rather specific); literature (way too broad); the Church Of England; sexuality; rugby (what?!); and of course, Buckingham (and Aylesbury, but only for shit-talking purposes). Try putting that into a coherent book. No, don't.
Literature as a theme in a book about murder does make some sort of sense when you consider that it was a professor of literature that got murdered, but David Wilson spends the first few chapters likening characters to Frankenstein and Tom Ripley which feels like a kid's English essay, and then he throws in random analogies to The Owl And The Pussycat which is just nuts. It all ends up feeling rather farcically thrown together.
The writing style doesn't credit the reader with much intelligence at all, at one point Wilson defines 'patronising' for us, completely missing the irony.
I'm left with the feeling that I've sort of read a biography of both Peter Farquhar and a contemporary diary of David Wilson, and also sort of read a literary criticism of Edward Lear, Patricia Highsmith, Mary Shelley and Graham Greene. Neither of which I was intending to read. I've never known anyone to write a book about someone else's murder and insert themselves into the writing so much. I now know where Wilson eats breakfast of a weekend and how important rugby is in his life, the nicknames of his friends and which pubs he drinks in. It's not unheard of to write in such a way, but it doesn't sit easily when the story is about a tragedy that has nothing to do with the author.
Also the repetition, oh the repetition! I am BORED.
I get the sense Wilson is trying to change our society and the way we view old people, which is a noble effort but I think he's probably using the wrong platform. Maybe it is our fault as readers, we're picking up a book called A Plot To Kill and we're hoping for some interesting murderer psychology or something fascinating and shocking and not a dissertation on morality and aging. I'm not saying it's comfortable to be the reader and admit this wasn't what I was looking for, I'm not saying I'm on the moral high ground with this but to be honest, if you're looking for that sort of reader maybe don't call your book A Plot To Kill.
All in all, not a good book. 1.5 stars (the point 5 is for the research, which was all present and correct).
Well, that was a patronising wanker of a book. It seemed to have a scope so broad and yet so specific as to be utterly baffling. These themes included: old age (very broad); serial killers of the elderly (rather specific); literature (way too broad); the Church Of England; sexuality; rugby (what?!); and of course, Buckingham (and Aylesbury, but only for shit-talking purposes). Try putting that into a coherent book. No, don't.
Literature as a theme in a book about murder does make some sort of sense when you consider that it was a professor of literature that got murdered, but David Wilson spends the first few chapters likening characters to Frankenstein and Tom Ripley which feels like a kid's English essay, and then he throws in random analogies to The Owl And The Pussycat which is just nuts. It all ends up feeling rather farcically thrown together.
The writing style doesn't credit the reader with much intelligence at all, at one point Wilson defines 'patronising' for us, completely missing the irony.
I'm left with the feeling that I've sort of read a biography of both Peter Farquhar and a contemporary diary of David Wilson, and also sort of read a literary criticism of Edward Lear, Patricia Highsmith, Mary Shelley and Graham Greene. Neither of which I was intending to read. I've never known anyone to write a book about someone else's murder and insert themselves into the writing so much. I now know where Wilson eats breakfast of a weekend and how important rugby is in his life, the nicknames of his friends and which pubs he drinks in. It's not unheard of to write in such a way, but it doesn't sit easily when the story is about a tragedy that has nothing to do with the author.
Also the repetition, oh the repetition! I am BORED.
I get the sense Wilson is trying to change our society and the way we view old people, which is a noble effort but I think he's probably using the wrong platform. Maybe it is our fault as readers, we're picking up a book called A Plot To Kill and we're hoping for some interesting murderer psychology or something fascinating and shocking and not a dissertation on morality and aging. I'm not saying it's comfortable to be the reader and admit this wasn't what I was looking for, I'm not saying I'm on the moral high ground with this but to be honest, if you're looking for that sort of reader maybe don't call your book A Plot To Kill.
All in all, not a good book. 1.5 stars (the point 5 is for the research, which was all present and correct).
February 24, 2022
Hugely disappointed in this book. I bought this because his Signs of Murder was very, very good. This effort is so poor on many levels. Full of nugacious details that are completely irrelevant to the story of Peter Farquhar and have no place in the book other than to pad out the story.
There are little or no detection details in how the police snared Benjamin Field and again no evident detail about his second victim, the 81 year old Ann Moore-Martin, other than the prurient fact that she fellated him.
Again there are no photographs, which would have added considerably to the story, and no index.
This subject would have been far better told with an established true-crime writer.
There are little or no detection details in how the police snared Benjamin Field and again no evident detail about his second victim, the 81 year old Ann Moore-Martin, other than the prurient fact that she fellated him.
Again there are no photographs, which would have added considerably to the story, and no index.
This subject would have been far better told with an established true-crime writer.
July 13, 2024
In 2015 69 year old Peter Farquhar, a retired lecturer, was found dead in his house with an empty bottle of alcohol next to him. It wasn't ruled as anything sinister until a couple of years later when it all came out how his 20 something boyfriend had gaslighted and then killed him. Wilson looks at how something like that could happen in a sleepy Buckinghamshire village. It's an interesting tale and Wilson takes a novel approach. Literally as Peter was also a published author. Bit mansplainy at times and, patronisingly, he decided to explain what patronising meant.
May 6, 2022
An engrossing study of a murder in a small English town.
October 2015. Peter Farquhar - writer, lecturer and former teacher - is murdered by his abusive partner and former student, Benjamin Field.
Farquhar's death would initially be ruled non-suspicious, allowing Field to continue his schemes and crimes, including an alleged attempted further murder, before he was apprehended and subsequently convicted of Peter's murder in August 2019.
Criminologist David Wilson undertakes an analysis of the crime and the relationship between the victim and his murderer. With emphasis on psychology, sociology and literature, Wilson examines the circumstances surrounding the murder and how Field was able to abuse and ultimately kill in plain sight and avoid apprehension for so long.
The book details investigations into many aspects of the case - including the domestic violence and abuser's modus operandi of gaslighting and manipulation, in the context of Field's probable psychopathy. Also explored are the attitudes and prejudices of wider society towards homosexual relationships and those perceived as elderly, as well as the beliefs of the Church with regard to homosexuality, contributing to a culture in which abuse and murder are able to be perpetrated and remain undetected.
For legal reasons, Wilson is unable to explore certain peripheral elements of the case in great detail, which may leave some unanswered questions. Of course, that is often the nature of reality, without the neatness of fiction. This, too, is an ongoing theme of Wilson's analysis - the murder having appeared like a plot from 'Midsomer Murders' or a traditional English mystery, complete with poisonings and malice aforethought. In the same way that fiction can be a reflection or imitation of reality, so too can reality reflect or imitate fiction.
At its core, the book explores the question as to our duty, as a society, to protect the most vulnerable; and, within our organisations and institutions, our obligation to safeguard and protect others from harm. While the primary responsibility for someone's murder absolutely belongs with their murderer, we must continue to confront the often uncomfortable reality that they may be enabled and that they will, until society accepts certain responsibilities, be able to continue causing harm.
Insightful and fascinating, 'A Plot to Kill' is another brilliant book from David Wilson, examining a true crime plot as absorbing as a mystery novel.
October 2015. Peter Farquhar - writer, lecturer and former teacher - is murdered by his abusive partner and former student, Benjamin Field.
Farquhar's death would initially be ruled non-suspicious, allowing Field to continue his schemes and crimes, including an alleged attempted further murder, before he was apprehended and subsequently convicted of Peter's murder in August 2019.
Criminologist David Wilson undertakes an analysis of the crime and the relationship between the victim and his murderer. With emphasis on psychology, sociology and literature, Wilson examines the circumstances surrounding the murder and how Field was able to abuse and ultimately kill in plain sight and avoid apprehension for so long.
The book details investigations into many aspects of the case - including the domestic violence and abuser's modus operandi of gaslighting and manipulation, in the context of Field's probable psychopathy. Also explored are the attitudes and prejudices of wider society towards homosexual relationships and those perceived as elderly, as well as the beliefs of the Church with regard to homosexuality, contributing to a culture in which abuse and murder are able to be perpetrated and remain undetected.
For legal reasons, Wilson is unable to explore certain peripheral elements of the case in great detail, which may leave some unanswered questions. Of course, that is often the nature of reality, without the neatness of fiction. This, too, is an ongoing theme of Wilson's analysis - the murder having appeared like a plot from 'Midsomer Murders' or a traditional English mystery, complete with poisonings and malice aforethought. In the same way that fiction can be a reflection or imitation of reality, so too can reality reflect or imitate fiction.
At its core, the book explores the question as to our duty, as a society, to protect the most vulnerable; and, within our organisations and institutions, our obligation to safeguard and protect others from harm. While the primary responsibility for someone's murder absolutely belongs with their murderer, we must continue to confront the often uncomfortable reality that they may be enabled and that they will, until society accepts certain responsibilities, be able to continue causing harm.
Insightful and fascinating, 'A Plot to Kill' is another brilliant book from David Wilson, examining a true crime plot as absorbing as a mystery novel.
February 4, 2023
Hmm. This isn't a book about the murder of Peter Fahquar by Ben Field in the normal tradition. David Wilson fills the pages with references and comparisons to literature and long interludes of the history of towns and places in some cases taking it as far back as the Middle Ages. It's pretty difficult to see how any of that is relevant. As others have said, in parts it reads like a fairly average GCSE English Lit essay. David Wilson would do better to stick to what he knows best - Criminology!
February 8, 2025
Great analysis of one of the most horrific cases of recent years by one of the most respected criminology professors in the world. He goes into why social trends and government policies towards the elderly, class, homophobia and misogyny played a role in these events and the murderer being missed. Unfortunately, especially after Covid, more cases like this will occur if something does not change.
June 19, 2021
I pre-ordered this book on Audible weeks ago and had been counting down to it’s release, looking forward to listening to it a great deal. I saw a documentary about the case a while ago and was looking forward to learning more.
I’m about a third of the way through and am becoming more and more disappointed, the more I hear. Did the author have a word count they were aiming for, find they were far from it and then pad out the narrative with superfluous information? Did we really need to know the names of the author’s friends’ kids? Did an explanation of the San Andreas fault and the earthquake of the 1900s really add anything to the story? Does the author think that most of their readership won’t understand the Romantic period? Honestly, it’s like listening to my Nan tell me about something insignificant that happened in the afternoon by starting at the moment she woke, through her first cup of tea (white, two sweeteners) and via every tiny action and tangent she can muster.
I keep hoping that it will get better as I keep listening.
PS The similarities drawn between the relationship between Peter and his killer and the morals of Frankenstein are stretched until they break. Strange.
EDIT: I have now finished this title. It didn’t improve. I know little more about the case than I did before I started. I do, however, know a great deal about the author’s friendship groups, the University of Buckingham and Frankenstein, strangely enough. This book is tangent-city.
I’m about a third of the way through and am becoming more and more disappointed, the more I hear. Did the author have a word count they were aiming for, find they were far from it and then pad out the narrative with superfluous information? Did we really need to know the names of the author’s friends’ kids? Did an explanation of the San Andreas fault and the earthquake of the 1900s really add anything to the story? Does the author think that most of their readership won’t understand the Romantic period? Honestly, it’s like listening to my Nan tell me about something insignificant that happened in the afternoon by starting at the moment she woke, through her first cup of tea (white, two sweeteners) and via every tiny action and tangent she can muster.
I keep hoping that it will get better as I keep listening.
PS The similarities drawn between the relationship between Peter and his killer and the morals of Frankenstein are stretched until they break. Strange.
EDIT: I have now finished this title. It didn’t improve. I know little more about the case than I did before I started. I do, however, know a great deal about the author’s friendship groups, the University of Buckingham and Frankenstein, strangely enough. This book is tangent-city.
July 25, 2023
Poor. Unfortunately, I didn't err on the side of caution having read many other reviews on here and went ahead with my purchase, thankfully only paying 99p. This book should have been called "The meanderings of David Wilson's mind in the Covid 19 pandemic".
If you want to find out something on this awful crime, watch the C4 documentary or watch the dramatisation or do some research on your own but don't bother reading this book. If on the other hand you want to read about David Wilson's opinion on Kidlington, various very loosely connected novels, Buckingham rugby club, the changing carpark ticketing situation in the town, his preferred coffee blah blah blah, feel free to read this rambling waffle. Alternatively you could just find a local drunken middle aged bloke who loves the sound of his own voice and sit there for 5 hours whilst he rambles ad nauseum. Don't say you haven't been warned.
If you want to find out something on this awful crime, watch the C4 documentary or watch the dramatisation or do some research on your own but don't bother reading this book. If on the other hand you want to read about David Wilson's opinion on Kidlington, various very loosely connected novels, Buckingham rugby club, the changing carpark ticketing situation in the town, his preferred coffee blah blah blah, feel free to read this rambling waffle. Alternatively you could just find a local drunken middle aged bloke who loves the sound of his own voice and sit there for 5 hours whilst he rambles ad nauseum. Don't say you haven't been warned.
August 11, 2022
Benjamin Field we are told cared only about Benjamin Field. David Wilson the author of this book surely has a high opinion of David Wilson. He came across as pompous and pretentious. His theories about the influence of literature , and location on the murderer were explored at length, with a lot of repetition and did not really convince me. Where I did agree with him was the effect on the victim of the Church of England’s stance on homosexuality and the vulnerability of those who must live with “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.
This is not my usual genre of reading but I’m trying to expand my horizons - despite being old and therefore invisible according to the author.
This is not my usual genre of reading but I’m trying to expand my horizons - despite being old and therefore invisible according to the author.
September 14, 2021
A disappointing read
This is a poor book. The case itself is fascinating but David Wilson fails to examine it with much forensic skill. I had expected an analysis of the details of the case & the trial but that is not here. It may be that the pandemic hindered Wilson’s research or simply that those close to the case did not want to talk to him. As a result much of what he writes is gathered from talking to his friends or speculating about works of literature.
It is written in a casual style & in my opinion lacks real credibility.
This is a poor book. The case itself is fascinating but David Wilson fails to examine it with much forensic skill. I had expected an analysis of the details of the case & the trial but that is not here. It may be that the pandemic hindered Wilson’s research or simply that those close to the case did not want to talk to him. As a result much of what he writes is gathered from talking to his friends or speculating about works of literature.
It is written in a casual style & in my opinion lacks real credibility.
September 1, 2021
A pretty interesting true crime story with a broad mix of the good and the bad. I liked it overall despite some obvious flaws and moments that didn't grab me. One interesting aspect is that the stoy is bang up to date and includes passages talking about life in a COVID-19 world which makes it feel relevant. While the book covers the well-publicised Peter Farquhar murder case in which the elderly parishioner and academic was killed by his young gay lover, Wilson's novel victim-centred approach keeps this feeling fresh and makes it stand out from rival fare.
The author is a former prison governer and academic and this is much better written than some basic true crime accounts I've encountered. It's very well researched and with excellent references as you'd expect. The main problem with it is the padding which veers into indulgence and irrelevance at certain points. We really don't need to know how the author takes his poached eggs and sourdough and the long conversations at rugby matches are aimless too. At certain points he goes into deep literary analysis of classics like FRANKENSTEIN and BRIGHTON ROCK and I think these sections belong in another book entirely; they should have been cut down to a page each at most here as a minor digression rather than being more in-depth. Still, I found this a good experience overall and I'd like to read more from this author.
The author is a former prison governer and academic and this is much better written than some basic true crime accounts I've encountered. It's very well researched and with excellent references as you'd expect. The main problem with it is the padding which veers into indulgence and irrelevance at certain points. We really don't need to know how the author takes his poached eggs and sourdough and the long conversations at rugby matches are aimless too. At certain points he goes into deep literary analysis of classics like FRANKENSTEIN and BRIGHTON ROCK and I think these sections belong in another book entirely; they should have been cut down to a page each at most here as a minor digression rather than being more in-depth. Still, I found this a good experience overall and I'd like to read more from this author.
October 16, 2024
Not the greatest book of all time!
For a start, you could probably skip the majority of the first 100 pages as 99% of it bears no relation to the case itself. Instead, it's filled with nonsense and waffle such as the author going off about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Or the ENTIRE chapter about the town of Buckingham where the author regales us with such nuggets as which cafe he likes to sit in and have poached egg on toast whilst people watching.
Or what his favourite shops are.
Hmm! Fascinating!
In fact, the whole book is so very vague when it comes to the ACTUAL case surrounding Peter, Ian and Anna. In the first few pages I started to get the feeling I had somehow recognised this case - possibly due to a documentary or a drama. It was only when the book mentions the BBC drama "Sixth Commandment" that I realised that was this.
However, if I'd never have seen that programme I'd not really be much the wiser. The author appears to prefer skirting round the whole issue, seemingly wanting to talk about anything other than what actually happened. The author seems to be more bothered telling the reader about himself and his thoughts than the actual murder plot. Quite narcissistic, to be honest.
An incredibly disappointing and drab book.
For a start, you could probably skip the majority of the first 100 pages as 99% of it bears no relation to the case itself. Instead, it's filled with nonsense and waffle such as the author going off about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Or the ENTIRE chapter about the town of Buckingham where the author regales us with such nuggets as which cafe he likes to sit in and have poached egg on toast whilst people watching.
Or what his favourite shops are.
Hmm! Fascinating!
In fact, the whole book is so very vague when it comes to the ACTUAL case surrounding Peter, Ian and Anna. In the first few pages I started to get the feeling I had somehow recognised this case - possibly due to a documentary or a drama. It was only when the book mentions the BBC drama "Sixth Commandment" that I realised that was this.
However, if I'd never have seen that programme I'd not really be much the wiser. The author appears to prefer skirting round the whole issue, seemingly wanting to talk about anything other than what actually happened. The author seems to be more bothered telling the reader about himself and his thoughts than the actual murder plot. Quite narcissistic, to be honest.
An incredibly disappointing and drab book.
January 29, 2024
Really enjoyed reading this and understanding the psychology from an Academic perspective. I'm not sure why other reviews are so negative, I don't really know what they were expecting but the book is aimed at people with an interest in reading this kind of thing written by somebody who earns a living researching this kind of thing, who then has to present his findings back to the aforementioned people (the target audience) who generally don't earn a living in this area and therefore it isn't all that technical to understand. I didn't find it patronising, I found it interesting, informative and well worth a read. Nice one, David 👍
July 8, 2021
I followed this case closely when it was in court and so I knew many of the details.
This book, like many of Professor Wilson's books, isn't a rehash of the facts. It is more of a scholarly analysis of WHY this happened.
This book digs deep in to the myriad factors that allowed this murder to happen without any of the community becoming concerned by the apparently wonderful Ben Field
Fascinating as ever
This book, like many of Professor Wilson's books, isn't a rehash of the facts. It is more of a scholarly analysis of WHY this happened.
This book digs deep in to the myriad factors that allowed this murder to happen without any of the community becoming concerned by the apparently wonderful Ben Field
Fascinating as ever
November 29, 2023
I felt this book had a lot of potential however I did feel it was more about the personal history and background of the author himself. I was disappointed with the lack of continuity about the criminal case. This was due to, too much irrelevant background and history which I had to wade through.
February 2, 2024
A compelling read! David Wilson brings an experienced eye to the complexities of the murders in Maids Moreton by Ben Field. A wider insight into the issues have you gripped to the last page! Insightful and coming from a balanced perspective
January 31, 2022
An extremely boring book about an extremely interesting case by 'pop' criminologist David Wilson.
Rambling, pretentious, and patronising.
I had my doubts about Prof Wilson after watching his TV documentary Dark Son. It featured a photo which was supposedly of murderer Harold Jones under arrest, but which was actually a photo of American serial killer Earle Nelson. Poor research, inexcusable from someone who claims to be an expert on serial killers.
And as author Michael Robotham once wrote,
It's easy to explain the how and why of particular murders in hindsight.
Rambling, pretentious, and patronising.
I had my doubts about Prof Wilson after watching his TV documentary Dark Son. It featured a photo which was supposedly of murderer Harold Jones under arrest, but which was actually a photo of American serial killer Earle Nelson. Poor research, inexcusable from someone who claims to be an expert on serial killers.
And as author Michael Robotham once wrote,
It's easy to explain the how and why of particular murders in hindsight.
August 29, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
November 26, 2023
I had to stop reading after the first 30 pages . It wasn’t as promised about the real life crime . Very boring and couldn’t read anymore
July 21, 2025
Jesus wept, that was painful. Quit 3/4 of the way. What a patronising bore of a man….
July 13, 2021
I adore the work of David Wilson so was very excited about the release of this book, especially as the events happened in an area quite local to me. However, In the end, I was left quite disappointed with the authors approach to the subject. It felt a very worthy discussion of motivation, background etc but without any real description of what actually happened and the various people who were involved.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews