Gripping, Respectful, Candid

Would you consider the audio edition of Fred and Rose to be better than the print version?

Yes, the narration contributed to the realism, in my opinion.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration was very matter of fact and respectful- a constant reminder that real people died. The facts of the story are so beyond normal it would be easy to slip into believing this was fiction, perhaps more comfortable viewing it that way. This is a challenging read it has to be said.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The Author's summary at the end is an excellent end to a very difficult but gripping read

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found the book very emotional. The author, quite fittingly, built a picture of the girls who fell victim to Fred & Rose and I was very upset despite already knowing their fates as each one fell into the clutches of these predators.

Any additional comments?

I started this book wondering if the motivation to read it was just voyeurism. I'm still none the wiser, but feel now that people should read this book and others like it for lessons learned. We can never learn enough about how to pick up cues that indicate that a young person is in danger.

20 people found this helpful

The Depths of Depravity

What did you like best about Fred and Rose? What did you like least?

It was not a question of liking or not liking the book, it was a matter of reading about an event in greater depth than afforded by reading the popular press at the time

Would you be willing to try another book from Howard Sounes? Why or why not?

Yes, in order to learn more of the ways of the World

What about Jonathan Oliver’s performance did you like?

It was a good reading of the dreadful subject

Did Fred and Rose inspire you to do anything?

Draw my virtual comfort blanket a little closer

Any additional comments?

I am getting to the end of my life and realise how the average person is ignorant of the wicked happenings going on around us. We should all be more vigilant and aware of the dangers lurking in the shadows in order to protect the more vunerable members of society. Having said that, what protection can be offered against pure evil?

16 people found this helpful

thorough and excellent

very detailed, the trail of Rosemary was my favourite bit and the narrator was excellent

3 people found this helpful

Very Interesting Listen

Where does Fred and Rose rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was an extreamley interesting book, I really enjoyed listening to it, This is the kind of book I like, a book I can take something away from, or learn something from.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fred and Rose?

Chapter 2 and 3 were highlights for me, learing about the childhood of both Fred and Rose, the detail and construction was rather good, and the actual content was quite fascinating.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Oliver – was your favourite?

The character of Fred was very good, the whole book was an excelent performance on narrators part

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have very easily been able to listen to it in one sitting, but that is just not possible for me to do, but every spear minute I had I was listeing to it.

Any additional comments?

Jonathan Oliver was a treat to listen to, and the book itself was a great listen.... Really, really enjoyed it.

7 people found this helpful

Fred And Rose

Sick Sick Sick!
This is not for the faint hearted you need a strong stomach,
This author has done a great job on getting all the information on Fred and Rose growing up it is fascinating to know about their childhood and how they met, you can see why they ended up dysfunctional has with many serial killers it always starts in childhood.
A lot of people will know the story I have read the surviving daughter Ann Marie's book but there was still a lot I did not know about this couple great book.

6 people found this helpful

Spoiled by Narration.

This is a reasonable publication sadly spoiled by the narration. Personally I would have liked to have seen more about the investigation and the ways in which the Wests defensive strategy they concocted came undone and more about the trial. I appreciate the balance may work more for others though. My main problem with this publication is the narration which had long extended gaps between sentances. I also found the attempt to emulate the west country accent along with others such as the Caribbean accent were poor at best and bordering on offensive at worst. in short this was a reasonable book that was frankly spoiled by narration that detracted from its value rather than added to it.

2 people found this helpful

Very in depth and interesting

Well written, unbiased account of such awful crimes. Well narrated and gripping. I'd recommend to anyone that is interested in true crime.

2 people found this helpful

Great story, poor narration

Would you listen to Fred and Rose again? Why?

A well researched detailed account of Fred and Rose West. The author has obviously gone to a lot of trouble to use the main part of the book only to tell the known facts, leaving an analysis until the epilogue. For anyone interested in this subject I would highly recommend this book - but buy the written work not this audible version.

What didn’t you like about Jonathan Oliver’s performance?

Unfortunately the narrator all but ruined this book for me. His style of "gambling" through a paragraph and then pausing was extremely annoying, and it was only the quality of the story that made me continue. I have never wished so much that I had bought the book. Unfortunately there were no audible reviews at the time of my purchase.

Any additional comments?

The author narrated the prologue and epilogue. A shame he did not do the whole book.

5 people found this helpful

brilliant book.

brilliant book, couldn't put it down, very interesting and full of factual details definitely worth a read.

4 people found this helpful

Mindblowing

Would you listen to Fred and Rose again? Why?

Yes. Beacuse I listen to all my audiobooks more than once. With this one it will be a while though. Only because it's facts and not fiction.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fred and Rose?

Halfway through I felt kind of more openminded towards the couple. Their upbringing was hard listening to. I don't believe anyone is born evil. But I forgot all about that as the story progressed, They were evil.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Oliver – was your favourite?

In this case I don't have a favourite. Jonathan Oliver did a good job, though, all the way through.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many to pick one.

1 person found this helpful