In 'The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer' by Kate Summerscale, readers are taken on a journey through the true crime case of Robert Coombes, a 13-year-old boy who murdered his mother in 1895. The book delves into the crime itself, the aftermath, and Coombes' life post-incarceration, providing a thorough exploration of historical, social, and cultural themes of the Victorian era. Summerscale's writing is described as superb, with thorough research that balances factual information with engaging storytelling, making it a compelling read for fans of true crime and historical fiction.
Summerscale's narrative not only covers the crime and trial but also examines possible motivations behind the murder, the treatment of criminals in mental institutions like Broadmoor, and the concept of rehabilitation. Readers are taken on a journey through Coombes' life, from his time in the criminal lunatic asylum to his later years, offering a glimpse into his transformation and redemption. The book intertwines historical context, social commentary, and meticulous research to provide a captivating account of a chilling crime and its long-lasting repercussions.
Genres:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains content warnings for graphic descriptions of murder, child trauma, and mental illness.
From The Publisher:
Winner of the 2017 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime Book!
From the internationally bestselling author, a deeply researched and atmospheric murder mystery of late Victorian-era London
In the summer of 1895, Robert Coombes (age 13) and his brother Nattie (age 12) were seen spending lavishly around the docklands of East London - for ten days in July, they ate out at coffee houses and took trips to the seaside and the theater. The boys told neighbors they had been left home alone while their mother visited family in Liverpool, but their aunt was suspicious. When she eventually forced the brothers to open the house to her, she found the badly decomposed body of their mother in a bedroom upstairs. Robert and Nattie were arrested for matricide and sent for trial at the Old Bailey.
Robert confessed to having stabbed his mother, but his lawyers argued that he was insane. Nattie struck a plea and gave evidence against his brother. The court heard testimony about Robert's severe headaches, his fascination with violent criminals and his passion for 'penny dreadfuls', the pulp fiction of the day. He seemed to feel no remorse for what he had done, and neither the prosecution nor the defense could find a motive for the murder. The judge sentenced the thirteen-year-old to detention in Broadmoor, the most infamous criminal lunatic asylum in the land. Yet Broadmoor turned out to be the beginning of a new life for Robert-one that would have profoundly shocked anyone who thought they understood the Wicked Boy.
At a time of great tumult and uncertainty, Robert Coombes's case crystallized contemporary anxieties about the education of the working classes, the dangers of pulp fiction, and evolving theories of criminality, childhood, and insanity. With riveting detail and rich atmosphere, Kate Summerscale recreates this terrible crime and its aftermath, uncovering an extraordinary story of man's capacity to overcome the past.
Reader Stats (2):
Want To Read (2) |
What can you read after
The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer?
About the Author:
Kate Summerscale lives in London. She attended Oxford and Stanford universities and then worked at the Independent and the Daily Telegraph, where she was obituaries editor from 1995 to 1996. She is currently the editor of the Independent on Sunday…
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
