Search Results for: True Crime

Filled with terrifying tales of gruesome murders, grand theft and kidnappings, this compendium of the worst side of humanity is guaranteed to chill the blood

Did you hear about London’s Victorian, all-female gang? What about the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist? Do you know the story of the killer nun? Prepare yourself for the urge to sleep with the light on and to double-check you’ve locked the door, because this collection of True Crime Stories is not for the faint-hearted.

Spanning criminal activity from across the world, this book will take you on a journey to the darkest reaches of human nature. Ranging from white-collar criminals and con artists to kidnappers and killers, there’s plenty to shred your nerves.

Whether you’re a true crime junkie or just morbidly curious, let these stories of charismatic criminals and their sinister deeds ensnare your interest and send a shiver down your spine.

Put your knowledge of real-life kidnappers, killers, con artists and thieves to the test with this gripping compendium of puzzles and trivia

Journey to the darkest corners of human nature and discover the events that have ensnared the interest of humankind across the globe and throughout time. Dive deep into this entertaining book, where the most notorious heists, cons and crimes are reimagined as puzzles.

From crosswords and counting conundrums to spot the differences and sudoku, whether you’re a true crime junkie or just morbidly curious, there’s plenty in these pages to sharpen your mind and shred your nerves.

Inside you will find a variety of puzzles, including:

– Spot the differences between the two detective boards
– Shuffle the letters to reveal three types of murderer
– Guide the stolen goods through the maze to the getaway vehicle
– Solve the trivia questions to uncover gruesome facts about notorious serial killers

The business of death can be seriously absurd, and nothing illustrates this better than these gruesome true tales. This gory compendium details the frankly ridiculous ways in which a number of ill-fated unfortunates met (or failed to meet) their maker at the hands of lamentably inept executioners. With black and white illustrations, this book brings together a mixture of bungled executions, strange last requests and classic one-liners from medieval times to the present day.

All of these men and women were in good professions… and all of them were hiding dark secrets.
Why do outwardly normal people commit horrendous crimes? In this collection of incisive profiles, veteran crime writer Carol Anne Davis turns the spotlight on men and women from respectable backgrounds who crossed the line into depravity. Whether a model pupil, a trusted member of the clergy or the chief of police, these otherwise ordinary people revealed their hidden capacity for the darkest crimes.
 Over 35 profiles, including:
The Sunday school teachers who killed their spouses in order to be together The nurse who wanted a baby so badly that she cut one from another woman’s womb The trainee vet who tried to kill his ex-girlfriend’s entire family out of jealousy

This investigation into spree killing analyses the psychology of this chilling and relatively new phenomenon. Cawthorne carefully examines each case and shows how the killers suppress their rage and violent fantasies until a small incident sparks off their fatal rampage.

The cases include that of Michael Ryan, who slew sixteen in the quiet English town of Hungerford; Wade Frankum, who went berserk with a rifle in a shopping plaza in Sydney, Australia; teenage students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold and their killing spree at Columbine High School in Colorado, USA; Seung-Hui Cho, responsible for the Virginia Tech massacre, the deadliest shooting frenzy by a single gunman in the history of the USA; and the incident with Isaac Zamora in Mount Vernon, Washington State.

Dr Harold Shipman told his unsuspecting patients he was conducting blood tests as he injected them with a massive dose of heroin; they were dead within minutes. Before his trial, many assumed he was an over-zealous GP who went too far in providing comfort to dying patients. In the end, he was found guilty of deliberately and coldly murdering 218 of his patients. But although Britain’s worst serial killer, he is far from alone.

Doctors have power over both life and death, and this shocking and grisly book reveals terrifying cases of those who exploit this to meet their twisted pathological needs, including:

• Dr Harry Bailey, a psychiatrist who dispatched more than 20 patients using Deep Sleep Therapy

• Dr Radovan Karadizic, the psychiatrist who led the genocide during the Bosnian War

• Dr William Palmer, who poisoned his victims for insurance money Kaplan analyses the chilling paradox of why these trusted practitioners spent years learning how to preserve life, only to turn their focus on how to end it.

It wasn’t until I was twelve years old that I knew for certain that my father was a gangster. Even then, I knew not to ask any questions.

Karen Gravano is the daughter of Sammy ‘the Bull’ Gravano, one of the Mafia’s most feared hitmen. With nineteen confessed murders, the former Gambino Family underboss was John Gotti’s right-hand man, and the highest-ranking gangster ever to testify against members of his high-profile crime family.

To Karen, though, Sammy Gravano was a sometimes elusive but always loving father figure – he was ever-present at the head of the dinner table and made a living running a construction firm and several nightclubs. But by the age of twelve, Karen knew he was a gangster, and as she grew up, while her peers worried about clothes and schoolwork, she was coming face-to-face with crime and murder. She was nineteen when her father turned his back on the Mafia and cooperated with the Feds, which left her family broken and living in fear of retaliation – this is the compelling true account of her life as a Mob daughter.

Filled with tales of con artists and their mind-bending schemes, from the terrifying to the downright unbelievable, this thrilling compendium of the world’s most incredible scams is truly stranger than fiction

Did you hear about the scammer who posed as a wealthy socialite to fund her lavish lifestyle? What about the people who use dating apps to steal not only your heart, but your money? Do you know the story of the man who tried to sell the Eiffel Tower?

Spanning criminal activity from across the world, this collection of real-life crimes will fascinate and shock you in equal measure. From swindlers and imposters to double lives and faked personas, discover the people behind these schemes and the lengths they went to in order to commit them.

Whether you’re a true crime junkie or just can’t resist a glimpse of the darkness within the human psyche, let these stories of predator and prey ensnare your interest and dare you to believe the unbelievable.

A gripping compendium of some of the world’s most infamous and shocking mass murderers, such as John Wayne Gacy, the Boston Strangler, the Moors murderers and Harold Shipman, as well as some lesser-known figures

Who was the Zodiac Killer?
What drove Jeffrey Dahmer to dismember his 17 victims?
How many women really fell prey to Ted Bundy?

Maybe it’s because our animal instincts draw us to dangerous situations; maybe it’s because reading about predators allows us to learn about their behaviours in a safe setting. Whatever the reason, serial killers and their crimes have fascinated us for centuries.

This true crime compendium not only relates the disturbing events that transpired but also delves into the psychology of the perpetrators. The stories within are shocking and often difficult to comprehend, but with this deep dive into the world of the macabre, readers may gain a greater understanding of the motivations and thought processes of these murderers. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the psychology of crime and the human mind.

Life isn’t perfect, but dogs certainly make it better

Meet the incredible dogs in this inspiring collection of true stories, championing the often underestimated role of man’s best friend

– Daisy, the tiny Dachshund who put her life on the line to save her humans from a bear.
– Charco, the veteran sniffer dog who has saved countless human lives, and yet still keeps his tail wagging.
– Delta, the dog who died trying to protect her young owner from a volcano – after already having saved his life three times.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that dogs are pretty great. But when it comes to facing peril, these loyal creatures always seem willing to step up to the mark and become true doggy heroes. Whether they’re saving humans from dangerous people or situations, helping the sick, fighting crime or just following their animal instincts to do good, the true stories featured in this expanded and updated collection prove that dogs aren’t just man’s best friend – they’re also inspirational, courageous and selfless companions to us all.

Daisy, the tiny Dachshund who put her life on the line to save her humans from a bear. Charco, the veteran sniffer dog who has saved countless human lives, and yet still keeps his tail wagging. Delta, the dog who died trying to protect her young owner from a volcano – after already having saved his life three times. It’s a truth universally acknowledged that dogs are pretty great. But when it comes to facing peril, these loyal creatures always seem willing to step up to the mark and become true doggy heroes. Whether they’re saving humans from dangerous people or situations, helping those who are ill, fighting crime or just following their animal instincts to do good, the true stories collected in this book prove that dogs aren’t only man’s best friend – they’re also inspirational, courageous and selfless companions.

The fairer sex get it in the neck in these grisly tales from the gallows, guillotine and gas chamber. You have been warned.

From Nan Hereford, the cloaked highwayman who held up coaches with just her fists, to the woman who survived the gallows and took her empty coffin away with her, Female Executions illuminates history’s darker periods with a detailed and factual approach. Grimly funny and darkly gripping, interspersed with unusual last requests and black and white illustrations throughout, this is history at its most morbidly fascinating.

‘Qué es esto? Qué es esto? Es cocaína!’

I couldn’t speak a word of Spanish but I understood the word ‘cocaína’ and knew that I was in a lot of trouble. I should have been paralysed with fear but it didn’t seem real. I was only twenty-three.

In 1997, English holidaymaker Terry Daniels was wrongfully accused of smuggling a million pounds worth of cocaine from Brazil to Spain. Although she didn’t know it then, her companion had been paid by a judge and two police officers to transport the class A drugs. Charged with drug trafficking, she was eventually granted bail but suffered a near-fatal brain haemorrhage. Once she recovered, the Spanish authorities granted her the right to return to the UK. She assumed that her ordeal was over, but it had only just begun.

Five years after her arrest, Terry moved to Northern Ireland where, after giving a friend a spare key to her house, she awoke one morning to the anti-terrorist police breaking down her door. Firearms and a pipe bomb were discovered in a cupboard. Terry was arrested and although she was found not guilty, the Spanish authorities requested that she return to Spain. In 2005 she was sentenced to ten years in a maximum-security Spanish prison. She repeatedly pleaded her innocence and was eventually granted a royal pardon and released in January 2009. This is the hard-hitting account of her fight for justice, a page-turning memoir of an ordinary woman who survived and triumphed over remarkable misfortune.

How did it feel to be faced with the prospect of being branded, pressed to death or boiled alive in oil?
In this classic account of the history of torture, Geoffrey Abbott guides us through some of the worst torture methods known to man, from chilli powder punishment to needles under nails, with a style both chilling and full of dark humour. Prepare to be shocked to the core with this gruesome collection of tormenting tales that span from the early days of the Normans right up to the late nineteenth century.

Political idealism? Financial reward? The thrill of the chase? What drives a person to risk their life by entering the deadly world of high-level espionage? 

A unique investigation of the most important cases of the twentieth century, this exploration of the world’s most glamorous and dangerous job – including information newly released under the Freedom of Information Act – will keep you enthralled until the last page. Find out the dark secrets of:

• Sidney Reilly, considered by many to be the greatest spy of the century and an inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond

• The ‘Atom Bomb’ spy Klaus Fuchs, who gave the Russians atomic capability

• George Blake, who betrayed over forty British agents, and is still alive in Moscow

• The Cambridge Spies, the double agents who did more damage to British intelligence in the twentieth century than any other group

Neil Root’s insightful book focuses on the personalities of these enigmatic figures, discusses their motivations and influences, and asks whether they were heroes, traitors or just scapegoats.

Aviation security expert Philip Baum delves into the archives to reveal the stories behind the most astonishing and shocking crimes in aviation history, calling on real-life testimonies from hijackers, crew members, passengers and politicians. The human stories behind the criminal attacks that have plagued aviation since 1911 are detailed in this authoritative and thrilling account of aviation security history, from the legendary hijacks by left-wing and Palestinian groups of the twentieth century, to the more recent suicide attacks carried out by fundamentalists and the psychologically disturbed.

Belief system or brainwashing? Captivated or captive? Community or cult? Uncover stories of the world’s most infamous cults in this true crime compendium…

Building spacecrafts to transport humans to a new plane of existence, kidnapping children to create a master race that would survive the apocalypse, murdering innocent people to secure a place in the afterlife… these only scratch the surface of the strange, sinister and shocking world of cults.

Throughout history, cult groups have formed across the globe, promising followers freedom, family and fortune. In reality, religious, destructive and doomsday cults capture, coerce and control people. From mass murders to child marriages, polygamy to life insurance policies, blackmail to sex bait, discover the cruelty and curiosities of cults in this illuminating anthology.

Filled with stories of the world’s most notorious cults, this book details their origins, beliefs, leaders, followers and victims, and uncovers the unthinkable horrors hidden by these “utopian” societies.

Whether you’re new to the subject or looking to expand on your knowledge, discover the truth behind the world’s killer and criminal cults in this gripping compendium.

Execution is a gruesomely fascinating account of methods of judicial execution from around the world and through the ages, and includes such hair-raising categories as death by cannibalism, being sewn into an animal’s belly and a thousand cuts. In his own darkly humorous style, Geoffrey Abbott describes the instruments used and their effectiveness, and reveals the macabre origins of familiar phrases such as ‘gone west’ or ‘drawn a blank’, as well as the jargon of the underworld.

From the preparation of the victim to the disposal of the body, Execution answers all the questions you are ever likely to ask, and some you would never want to imagine.

Where did the Coronavirus outbreak originate and was the pandemic predicted?

Did aliens help to build the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza, and what were they trying to tell us?

Is the food industry colluding to make us addicted to sugar?

Prepare yourself for some startling revelations on these topics and many more in this updated and expanded compendium of the world’s scariest and strangest conspiracy theories. Leaving no stone unturned, it delves into such conundrums as:

– the growing number of people who believe the Earth is flat
– the unsolved disappearance of Flight MH370
– the uncertainties surrounding the assassination of Osama Bin Laden
– the mysterious circumstances of Bruce Lee’s death
Whether you’re a doubter or a self-confessed conspiracy junkie, you’ll find a cover-up for every occasion. And remember, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you…

If you think you’re safe, then you’d better think again…

Explore some of the world’s most inexplicable occurrences, mind-bending conspiracy theories, spine-chilling urban legends and totally unbelievable truths in this weird and wonderful collection.

Whether you’re a sceptic, a self-confessed conspiracy junkie or just curious about what the world might be hiding from you, the stories in this book will push the boundaries of your belief and set your imagination alight – but only if you’re brave enough to read it.

Did Michael Jackson fake his own death in a bid to escape financial ruin or was he murdered?

Was it aliens that helped to build the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids and what were they trying to cover up?

Is the food industry colluding to make us addicted to sugar?

You’ll discover startling evidence on these topics and many more in this compelling compendium of the world’s scariest and wackiest conspiracy theories. It leaves no stone unturned as it delves into such conundrums as:
– the mysterious circumstances of Bruce Lee’s death
– the alleged withheld evidence pertaining to the 7 July bombings
– the controversy surrounding Barack Obama’s rise to power
– the unsolved disappearance of Flight MH 370

Whether you’re a sceptic or a self-confessed conspiracy junkie, you’ll find a cover-up for every occasion. And remember, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you…

This captivating collection of puzzles and trivia, exploring the world’s weirdest events and crazy conspiracies, is sure to set your mind reeling

Test your knowledge of US presidents with fiendish trivia questions
Solve clues to discover how the CIA allegedly control their subjects
Help the reptilian find the right path to its royal throne

Discover some of the most perplexing mysteries that have bewildered humankind for centuries! Dive deep into this entertaining book, where the most enduring conspiracy theories are reimagined as puzzles.

From crosswords and counting conundrums to spot the differences and sudoku, whether you’re a sceptic or a self-confessed conspiracy obsessive, there’s plenty in these pages to sharpen your mind and have you believing the impossible.

Inside you will find a variety of puzzles, including:
– Spot the difference between two Illuminati symbols
– Find the names of the politicians who are secretly controlling us within word searches
– Shuffle the letters of anagrams to identify the names of paranormal beings
– Figure out what happened during the most mysterious unexplained events throughout history

Step into the unknown

Tales of the paranormal have seduced us and spooked us for centuries, passed around from person to person and frequently retold and reimagined in books, films and TV. Whether they’re based on real events or they’re simply urban legends which have taken on a life of their own, the strange happenings, unexplained events and unsolved mysteries in this book will take you on a frightening journey to the outer limits of plausibility, and dare you to believe the unbelievable.

Ranging from the mysterious to the macabre, the stories in this book span a broad range of supernatural subjects including ghosts, spirits and the undead, witchcraft and occultism, extraterrestrial life, mythical creatures, and much more.

Whether you’re a believer or a sceptic, a paranormal junkie or an interested observer, let these stories spark your imagination, capture your curiosity and perhaps even send a shiver down your spine.

Seek the truth at the heart of the world’s most bizarre cases in this chilling collection of unsolved mysteries

Did you hear about the woman who died inside a tree?

What about the legend of the Beast of Bodmin Moor?

Do you know that UFOs flew over Belgium?

Intriguing, captivating and downright bizarre, this heart-pounding collection of unexplained events is guaranteed to keep you up at night. Throughout history, unsolved mysteries have left us searching for answers.

Baffling stories of strange happenings and seemingly supernatural events mean we are terrified of what we can’t understand. Theories and folklore surround these events, but as we look for a rational explanation, perhaps the truth might be even more sinister.

Learn about the world’s most elusive secrets, and how people have attempted to explain them. Unsolved Mysteries includes:
– Strange disappearances
– Suspicious deaths
– Ghosts and hauntings
– Mystifying landmarks
– UFO sightings
– Mythical beasts

Dive into this peculiar collection of cold cases and paranormal events and see if you can uncover the “truth”.