On June 22, 1954, teenage friends Juliet Hulme—better known as bestselling mystery writer Anne Perry—and Pauline Parker went for a walk in a New Zealand park with Pauline’s mother, Honora. Half an hour later, the girls returned alone, claiming that Pauline’s mother had had an accident. But when Honora Parker was found in a pool of blood with the brick used to bludgeon her to death close at hand, … hand, Juliet and Pauline were quickly arrested, and later confessed to the killing. Their motive? A plan to escape to the United States to become writers, and Honora’s determination to keep them apart. Their incredible story made shocking headlines around the world and would provide the subject for Peter Jackson’s Academy Award–nominated film, Heavenly Creatures.
A sensational trial followed, with speculations about the nature of the girls’ relationship and possible insanity playing a key role. Among other things, Parker and Hulme were suspected of lesbianism, which was widely considered to be a mental illness at the time. This mesmerizing book offers a brilliant account of the crime and ensuing trial and shares dramatic revelations about the fates of the young women after their release from prison. With penetrating insight, this thorough analysis applies modern psychology to analyze the shocking murder that remains one of the most interesting cases of all time.
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A riveting tale of two odd New Zealand teens, who live in a grandiose fantasy world they create. One is the daughter of influential parents and the other from a working class family. But no matter the background, each struggles with health, family and parental issues that bond them to one another.
Their dependence on one another propels them to …
Interesting and informative if the last few chapters seemed a bit like fill. The author did a good job with providing some insight into the two girls and the intensity of their relationship.
Too much British lingo that I didn’t understand. This made it difficult to get the story line.
Fascinating examination of the infamous murder committed in 1954 New Zealand by two teenage girls. The victim was the mother of one of those girls. The other girl later became known as bestselling mystery novelist Anne Perry. If you are interested in true crime, this is a definite keeper for your bookshelf.
Difficult to read – NOT because of the content, but because of unnecessary details that belabor the story.
Boy, people can really be creepy!
This book is about some of the creepiest around.
BORING!!!
I love Ann Perry’s books. This was a very interesting book. I never knew about young life. Was shocked. Ending was boring
Very well-researched, detailed telling of the famous crime.
Average for a true-crime book. There was some filler & some assumptive opinions, but entertaining
An incredible true story that has more excitement since one of the subjects profiled became a successful writer.
I thought there was too much repetition in it. It could have been better organized.
Absolutely Horrible!
Maybe suitable as a textbook in graduate criminology studies, but not for enjoyable reading
People are so fascinating and scary!
Very bland read
I found the book fascinating for the complex interpersonal dynamics that set the stage for a horrific crime (matricide) and drastically changed the trajectory of so many people’s lives. The good news is that redemption for some eventually followed. I recommend The Search for Anne Perry by Joanne Drayton as a follow up, and Anne Perry’s novels as …
Interesting psychological study. I was familiar with the story but not the back story of both families. Detailed and nicely paced. A good read
I knew of this case already; but wondered “why” and “where are they now”? This books answers those questions. The author clearly explains the psychological issues that afflicted each girl.
Starts out good. And then gets better.
Excellent account of the Hulme-Perry murder case, with a keen, unsensationalized study of the evidence and the aftermath.