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Het opzienbarende verhaal van Robert Coombes by Kate Summerscale, Ankie Klootwijk, Ernst Boer
jilly7922's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a true story based on a 13 year old boy killing his mother in 1895 in London. I rated this book three stars out of five. It was a detailed in-depth description of a mother's murder committed by her son. This book was jam packed with information. It was definitely well researched. It also was an interesting and intriguing story. It painted the picture of the crime well. This book was good, however it could have been so much better. This book lacked emotion. It read like you are reading a newspaper article. This book covers a serious subject, but yet doesn't convey any emotion. It would have been so much stronger if it had. However, I still enjoyed reading this book because it was so very well researched.
I would like to thank Netgalley, First to Read, Kate Summerscale, and The Penguin Group: The Penguin Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com/
I would like to thank Netgalley, First to Read, Kate Summerscale, and The Penguin Group: The Penguin Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com/
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
3.0
There's really no mystery in "The Wicked Boy," which is why it fell so flat with me. Robert Coombes killed his mother, and he, his younger brother, and a friend went to cricket games and ate out with money taken from his mother's purse. The three would then return home and play cards while Mrs. Coombes lay dead in the bedroom, disintegrating in the summer heat.
Why? We never know. A great deal of research went into this book, but without Robert ever having said anything to report, he remains the mystery.
I liked Kate Summerscale's books much more than this one, which should have been the most gripping and fascinating of them all.
Why? We never know. A great deal of research went into this book, but without Robert ever having said anything to report, he remains the mystery.
I liked Kate Summerscale's books much more than this one, which should have been the most gripping and fascinating of them all.
jdhobbes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/day-976-the-wicked-boy-the-mystery-of-a-victorian-child-murderer/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/day-976-the-wicked-boy-the-mystery-of-a-victorian-child-murderer/
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
I have never read anything by this author. Although I do own another book by this author. Now, after finishing this one I am going to read the other book. Wow, this book is not only a must read but a have to read!
It has been a long time since I have read a true crime novel. Right from the beginning, I was hooked. It is amazing to think that the boys, Robert and Nattie could be that calm while still living in the same home with their dead mother right upstairs. Yet, the more I read about Robert and his trip to see a murderer and his reaction both at the murderer and at his own trial, I am not shocked by his reaction. Robert was disassociated with the situation. Yet I found it very intriguing as well about his time as an adult afterwards with his time in the war and him befriending Harry and showing compassion. A very well written book.
It has been a long time since I have read a true crime novel. Right from the beginning, I was hooked. It is amazing to think that the boys, Robert and Nattie could be that calm while still living in the same home with their dead mother right upstairs. Yet, the more I read about Robert and his trip to see a murderer and his reaction both at the murderer and at his own trial, I am not shocked by his reaction. Robert was disassociated with the situation. Yet I found it very intriguing as well about his time as an adult afterwards with his time in the war and him befriending Harry and showing compassion. A very well written book.
missiesue's review against another edition
1.0
ugh!!! Too much fluff and most of it on information that is not pertinent to the story. I couldn't even finish the book.
wholewheatwhale's review against another edition
3.0
The narrative is very muddled a d unclear I early chapters but gets better later on. An okay book. Nothing great but nothing terrible.
nuthatch's review against another edition
5.0
This is an interesting account of an actual murder in Victorian London. Highly recommended to mystery and true crime fans. I also recommend [b:The Queen of Whale Cay: The Eccentric Story of 'Joe' Carstairs, Fastest Woman on Water|18556|The Queen of Whale Cay The Eccentric Story of 'Joe' Carstairs, Fastest Woman on Water|Kate Summerscale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1166974978s/18556.jpg|19947], another excellent book by this author.
readingfromfrance's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting but not quite what I was expecting. In fact I though we’d have a more in depth study about Robert’s mind when in fact this book just relate the facts, trial etc. But this book contained a lot of details about the London of this period, the mentality and how people lived. It was a great introduction to this period.
But to me, the title and blurb were misleading.
But to me, the title and blurb were misleading.