Fred & Rose

The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of Horrors

By: Howard Sounes

Narrated by: Howard Sounes

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

FRED & ROSE IS THE DEFINITIVE ACCOUNT OF THIS INFAMOUS TRUE CRIME CASE - NOW UPDATED WITH A POSTSCRIPT FROM THE AUTHOR. AS FEATURED ON TV, AND IN THE PODCAST SERIES, UNHEARD: THE FRED & ROSE WEST TAPES

Fred and Rose West are virtually unique in British criminal history: a husband and wife who loved and killed together.

During their long relationship, the Wests murdered a series of young women, burying the remains of nine victims under their home at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester, including those of their daughter. What was left of Fred West's eight-year-old stepdaughter was dug up from under the Wests' previous Gloucester home; his first wife and nanny were buried in open country. Most victims had been decapitated and dismembered, their remains showing signs of sexual torture. These twelve are just the ones police found when the Wests were arrested in 1994. There may be more whose bones have not been located . . .

Howard Sounes broke the first major story about the Wests as a journalist, and covered the murder trial of Rosemary West, before writing Fred & Rose, the definitive account of this infamous case. Beginning with Fred's and Rose's bizarre childhoods, Sounes charts their lives and crimes in forensic detail, creating a fascinating and truly frightening account of a marriage soaked in blood.

©1995 Howard Sounes (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Craziest true crime I’ve heard of…

This book gives an incredible account of the devilish lives of Fred and Rose West. The details and follow up paint a picture that at times was even too much to listen to but is one of the most intriguing and puzzling true crime stories I’ve heard about.

Not for bedtime listening

this book was a thorough account of the West's development and crimes. It leaves and encourages some reflection on how these two people became the monsters they were. Not simply relying on statements that they were evil. while a good listen I don't think I will run through it soon. the descriptions of violence against women and children is graphic without being obscene for the sake of shock value. The book recounts the horror that the West's victims experienced. It also provides the always sought, where are they now? sometimes true crime addicts are always wondering.

TL;DR
Great book but be mindful you will be hearing graphic accounts of sexual abuse, incest, rape, domestic violence, and murder.

Shocking!

Story 5/5
Narration 5/5

How do people like this exist in a modern world? How do they become subhuman sex beasts in oh-so-proper England?

Detailed, illuminating, and explicit when it needs to be, but you're going to be shocked in ways you didn't know about.

Recommended but will probably trigger someone less jaded than I

creepy

knowing this is true made things worse! In the best way! really enjoyed this book. bumped up narration to 1.10.

Horrific!

At times the details are brutal and detailed. The Wests have to be the countries worse human beings?

Amazing narration!

I liked this book OK, but I mainly just wanted to say that the author did a great job narrating this.

I feel like he also did a good job of not going for the sheer exploitation available in this story.
It isn't a masterpiece of research or reporting or style, but it gets you through the essential facts of a very long and depressing story, in a respectful manner and play length.

The definitive story

This should be your primary source for this story. Great narration throughout.

Recommend; Love from Ma by Mae West as a secondary source. It’s details of the crimes aren’t good but give a view of what growing up in the house was like.

Great storytelling

I enjoy listening to the narrators voice, it's as complete as complete can be in regard to the Wests.

The depth of research is why I kept on.

The author spent a great deal of time and energy in interviews, and puzzling this grief ridden and abominable story together. The secrets behind smiling faces remains good reason to take great care in with whom one associates. There are still valuable lessons to be learned here.

Heart wrenching

A hard story to hear by superbly done.
May God be with the victim’s families.