Torn Apart: The Most Horrific True Murder Stories You'll Ever Read

by Tim Miles

Torn Apart takes an in-depth look at 14 gruesome murder cases and examines how "victim impact statements" used in court finally give a voice to the suffering of those dealing with the death of a partner, child, or loved one. The cases discussed include lawyer Tom ap Rhys Pryce, who was murdered for £20, a cell phone, and his oyster card; Caroline Dickenson, who was assaulted and murdered in a French youth hostel; and Peter Falconio, a British tourist murdered while backpacking around the Australian outback.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book filled with short true crime stories. Some of them really made me upset and I read a lot of true crime so yes, the title says it all. They were some of the most horrific true crime murders. Especially the ones in the UK.

I think the one that got me the most was the one about 18 year Sally Ann Bowman who after a night out was slaughtered by the depraved necrophiliac killer Mark Dixie.

You know what his excuse was during the trial? He said he just happened to pass her battered,murdered body and decided to take his chance and rape her, he did not know she was dead and did not see all the blood.

This is just one example of all the horrific selfish creeps that are mentioned in this book and their poor victims. I feel so much for their parents because I have a daughter myself and was always so worried when she went out to party with her friends.

The stories are well written Most of them also include the victim impact statements that are very hard and sad to read.

I recommend this book to true crime readers.

[L. Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, unpleasant, more unpleasant, highly unpleasant! Yeah, liked it a lot. Enjoyed Miles' descriptive writing and I am always left aghast at the horrors of such grisly murders. Will forever bless the stomach strength of these emergency services teams. How they deal with this stuff day in and day out is truly a miracle. Okay, want to get one more book in before year's end...

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good true crime book, but even some of these made my stomach churn. Not for the faint hearted!!

[joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much sentimental slush from the author. Should have stuck to reportage. Facts ruined by constantly harping on alleged tear jerking remembrances by relatives

Narrative became boring by its repetition of slush. As for being the most horrific true murder stories. Just forget it.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good -- a collection of thumbnail sketches of horrid crimes and the victims' impact statements made at sentencing hearings afterwards. Some of those statements were lead-ins to changes in the law. The photos were of the victims instead of the criminals, for a change. Well worth a look.

[Lucii Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read..well written, and highly addictive!