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The Babes in the Woods Murders

The Shocking True Story of How Child Murderer Russell Bishop Was Finally Brought to Justice

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The Babes in the Woods Murders

By: Paul Cheston
Narrated by: Karl Jenkinson
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About this listen

The heartbreaking true story of two families' 30-year fight for justice for their murdered daughters

On 9 October 1986, Russell Bishop sexually assaulted and strangled nine-year-old Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, in woods near Brighton. He did not answer for his crimes for over 30 years.

Bishop - a petty criminal known to both girls' families - was charged after his suspiciously close involvement in the search for the bodies. But a last-minute change of testimony from his then-girlfriend allowed him to go free, and the Babes in the Woods murders became one of Britain's most infamous cold cases.

In this first book on the case, veteran crime reporter Paul Cheston brings to life this 30 year saga of murder, betrayal and injustice - before three decades of hurt led, at last, to healing, justice and hope for the parents of two murdered girls.

Written with the approval and cooperation of the Fellows family, The Babes in the Woods Murders sheds light once and for all on the awful truth behind what happened on 9 October 1986 and how the courtroom dramas that unfolded over a generation finally brought down one of Britain's most depraved killers.

©2019 Paul Cheston (P)2019 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Crime Murder True Crime Emotionally Gripping
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Heartbreaking but a brilliant insight into this case, the police errors and the coldness of the defence barirster who deliberately encouraged suspicion to fall on nicky, father Barry The narration beyond excellent.

Excellent. brilliantly written and narrated

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No parent should go through torment like this, I really think men like this should have the death penalty, they will never change. I was only young when this happened so I just wasn't aware of things that happened like this obviously my parents did say don't talk to strangers by this man was not a stranger, so sad.

So utterly sad

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Telling the stories of the families rather than focusing too much on police procedure etc, thus is a painful insight into that most awful of crimes.

The families involved lived on an estate in Brighton where life was a bit rough and ready. The story is full of everyday domestic violence and affairs on the estate, where many of the inhabitants are more like children, shouting and swearing and gossiping about each other

That being the case it would gave been a good idea to have someone with the right type of voice narrating this; or, have two or more voices, one to read the story and one or more to speak the dialogue, of which there is plenty. Instead, they chose a narrator with the usual queen’s English type voice who then adopts a sort of Danny Dyer type accent for the men and also attempts a rough female voice. He does his best and no disrespect to him but posh people doing rough voices does jar slightly when listening

Minor point though - the book was grimly fascinating. The cliche “every parent’s worst nightmare” is shown to be true here as the very worst of humanity is exposed for the scum that it is

Horrible story but interesting

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Great job on the telling of this horrific story. I found it well rounded and suitably compassionate to the victims families, especially Barry Fellows, who who has suffered outrageous treatment on the word of evil liars. Thank you for telling that story this way.

Excellent

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The names were all a little confusing to follow to begin with but my growing hatred for this man and empathy for the families made this audible hard to put down.

Definitely recommend

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