I downloaded & listened to ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ as an audiobook. While I liked the British narrator Kristin Atherton’s ‘normal’ storytellinI downloaded & listened to ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ as an audiobook. While I liked the British narrator Kristin Atherton’s ‘normal’ storytelling voice, I found many (actually the overwhelming majority) of her character voices - male & female, young & old - extremely irritating.
Similar to the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard, the dialogue literally made me wince. So much so that I almost threw in the towel several times. But, because the plot & the pacing of the story were pretty good, & I wanted to find out whodunnit, I resorted to increasing the play speed in my Audible app to 1.5x so I could get to the end of it as fast as possible instead.
I really think that when a novel has over a dozen characters & a lot of dialogue, the publisher should invest in multiple voice artists. The OTT thespian nature of this audiobook’s narration was absolutely cringey & it detracted a great deal from my enjoyment of the story itself. A sad case of ‘the girl not wearing the dress’ but rather ‘the dress wearing the girl’. If I were the author of this book, I would be pretty peeved, to be honest.
Oh, & I’m not sure if this was the author’s working title, or whether it was the publisher’s choice. But in terms of the content, the title makes no sense. I definitely felt a tad hoodwinked by a clever marketing team.
As far as YA crime mysteries go, this is not too shabby. It’d probably make for a good TV series, if that hasn’t been done already (this is my first taste of Holly Jackson, so I’m not familiar with her career & other projects). But, if you are going to read this, I would seriously advise against the audiobook & go with the paperback or ebook edition instead.
UPDATE: A cursory Google search shows that there is indeed an upcoming BBC Three series. It is an adaptation of the novel, with Emma Myers & Zain Iqbal playing Pip & Ravi. Production started in June 2023. Filming, which took place around Bristol in the UK, ended in August 2023....more
An intimate take on & unique treatment of this fascinating case. Far more detailed & nuanced storytelling than Sky Crime’s ‘Murder at the Cottage’ proAn intimate take on & unique treatment of this fascinating case. Far more detailed & nuanced storytelling than Sky Crime’s ‘Murder at the Cottage’ produced by Jim Sheridan, or Netflix’s ‘Sophie: A Murder in West Cork’, both of which came out in 2021. Insightful, revealing, absolutely riveting. A must listen for anyone intrigued by this tragic mystery....more
Although I had seen / heard snippets of the intriguing Betty Ketani story on the local news at the time the investigation and then the trial were unfoAlthough I had seen / heard snippets of the intriguing Betty Ketani story on the local news at the time the investigation and then the trial were unfolding, I didn’t follow it very closely.
I’d never met Alex Eliseev, the journalist who was covering the story, but I did know his sister, Anastasya Eliseeva, from around the Joburg alternative club scene during the 2000s. (She is an incredibly creative soul and talented artist who actually designed the cover for this book.)
I also knew about Cranks in Rosebank, the legendary Thai restaurant with fornicating Barbie dolls hanging from the ceiling, which was at the centre of the story, but for some reason I’d never eaten there. (Which is weird, because I love Thai food and quirky decor, and it wasn’t too far from home.)
Anyway, when I heard that Alex had released a book covering Betty‘s tragic murder, and the bizarre confession letter found under a carpet over a decade later which set in motion a complex investigation, followed by an extremely lengthy trial with more twists and turns than a crazy rollercoaster ride, I really wanted to read it.
So when I was invited to one of his author talks on 28 May 2016, shortly after the book’s release, I jumped at the opportunity to meet him in person and get my hands on a signed copy. (I actually published the Kindle edition of my own debut, ‘Umbilicus: An autobiographical novel’, on Amazon just three days later, and hosted the paperback launch two months after that, when Alex’s book was still relatively new on bookstore shelves.)
I remember Alex revealing during his author talk that he and his wife and their young son were about to emigrate to the UK. (I also remember the camera on my phone dying on me that day and not being able to get any decent photos of the event.) And now here we are, almost exactly four years later, and my husband and I and our nine-year-old son are also about to head to the UK. (Well, to the Isle of Man, which is part of the British Isles, so close enough.)
I also find it quite poignant that on page 387, in the final chapter of Alex’s book, which I finished reading just a couple of hours ago, he writes: “Bulelwa knows it won’t be easy or cheap, but she is pleased that her mother will finally get her own grave. Bulelwa says she, Lusanda and Thulani will be able to visit it on Mother’s Day or when they experience problems in their own lives.” Today, 10 May 2020, is Mother’s Day.
I am a very slow reader, and I knew this would be a heavy read - in terms of both facts and subject matter - but I’m not sure why it took me quite so long to actually sit down and get into it. I guess life just got in the way. It took a national lockdown (six weeks, and counting) during a pandemic for me to finally find both the time and focus I knew I needed to really sink my teeth into such a convoluted story.
For those who love true crime, particularly the forensics and legal side of bringing criminals to justice, this is an astounding read. It goes into exquisite detail, of every aspect of the case, and leaves no stone unturned.
Although many of the bad guys have had their day in court and have served / are serving time behind bars, I do believe that Monique Neeteson-Lemkes has a LOT to answer for. Only if / when she is extradited from Australia to stand trial in South Africa will we understand the full extent of her involvement in the Cranks-related thefts and interrogations back in 1999, and possibly, hopefully, the elusive motive behind the murder of Betty Ketani.
I just wanted to write this little review to say a big thank you to Alex, for telling Betty’s story with such clarity, and empathy. For giving her a voice, and helping keep her memory alive. And to let Betty’s children know that my heart goes out to them this Mother’s Day, almost exactly 21 years after their mom’s life was so cruelly ripped away. I hope her soul is finally at peace....more
Goran (age 8): Mom, I finished Anne Frank’s Diary. Can you get me Anne Frank’s Diary 2? Me (holding back my tears): There’s no number 2, my angel. GoranGoran (age 8): Mom, I finished Anne Frank’s Diary. Can you get me Anne Frank’s Diary 2? Me (holding back my tears): There’s no number 2, my angel. Goran: Awww, but it’s my favourite book.
#innocence #heartbroken
I read most of it with him. He just loved it so much that he ended up picking it up & finishing it on his own last night....more
My husband & I took turns reading this book WITH our 8-year-old, who wasn’t grossed out or embarrassed by anything. Some chapters he read to us, otherMy husband & I took turns reading this book WITH our 8-year-old, who wasn’t grossed out or embarrassed by anything. Some chapters he read to us, others we read to him. It helped open dialogue about stuff I knew he was curious about, & we had a few laughs together. I would far rather he learns the facts of life from us, & a well-researched, age-appropriate book, than from kids at school, or YouTube, or similar. He’s a super bright boy, & the subject of sperm & eggs led to a whole discussion about genes & DNA & evolutionary biology & the dinosaurian origin of birds, etc, etc. Honestly, I wish I had had a book like this growing up back in the 70s & 80s. My parents never explained anything to me. I learnt about sex from the World Book Encyclopedia, & a lot of experimentation during my teen years, haha!! I am really glad to now have this little resource in the house, for my son to dip into as & when he feels the need. Highly recommended for all families who want to raise informed children with a healthy respect for the human body, what it can do, & physical relationships with other human beings....more
I loved this book! It totally delivers on the promise of its blurb: “Original and edgy, unleashing a millennial’s unapologetic take on our world.”
The I loved this book! It totally delivers on the promise of its blurb: “Original and edgy, unleashing a millennial’s unapologetic take on our world.”
The millennial, Christy Chilimigras, is a sexy, sassy 24-year-old Greek South African. In this poignant coming-of-age debut memoir, with a maturity and wisdom that belies her tender years, Christy takes us down the rabbit hole of her unstable upbringing in a dysfunctional family in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs.
We get to experience, through the eyes of a growing Christy, the ugly reality of covert incest and parental drug addiction, and the enduring impact it has on her life choices and relationships, as she blossoms into womanhood.
Fellow Joburg author Steven Sidley describes Christy’s writing style as “a sort of narrative Jackson Pollock ... her chaotic life splattered across the page.” He compares it to the work of Hunter S. Thomson, Lori Groff, Jack Kerouac, and Irvine Welsh.
While I agree with all of the above, I personally liken it to the sweet spot where Augusten Burroughs’ ‘Running with Scissors’ and Laurian Clemence’s ‘Mushy Peas on Toast’ collide. Accompanied by a kickass soundtrack - the full-length titular album by She Wants Revenge.
Confessional, emotional, erratic, experimental, exploratory, naked, probing, raw, redemptive, reflective, revelatory, vulnerable, witty, wry - it is everything a memoir should be!
Christy is a very likable protagonist, who uses self-deprecating humour to shine a light on her quirks and flaws. She has a colourful cast of supporting characters, with names like Old Lass (her mother), Soul & Protector (her older sister), Stinky (her little brother), and her various lovers - Olive Oil, The Italian, and Milk. But it is the volatile, vile antagonist, My Father, who will linger with you the longest.
I have just one gripe. The title. Had I not been privy to this book’s original working title - ‘The Tiger, the Mouse, and the Furious Masturbator’ - it may not bug me as much. But now that I’ve actually read the story in its entirety, I can say for sure that some things are better left alone.
Apparently “certain booksellers and media were slightly hot and bothered by the mention of the ‘M’ word”, so Christy’s publisher decided to play it safe with a watered down alternative which, I believe, was a mistake.
All in all, an engrossing and enlightening read. I look forward to reading future work from this fresh voice in SA literature!...more
I’ve been a diehard Cure fan since the age of 16, back in 1991. My boyfriend (now husband) and I saw them play at Earl’s Court in London on 1 June 199I’ve been a diehard Cure fan since the age of 16, back in 1991. My boyfriend (now husband) and I saw them play at Earl’s Court in London on 1 June 1996, when I was 21. It was an experience of such significance in my life (the first time I experienced Stendhal syndrome), that I am actually dedicating a scene to it in my second book (manuscript currently in progress).
Last week I bought us tickets for their very first show in South Africa - in Johannesburg, on 16 March 2019. It’ll have been almost 23 YEARS since our last Cure gig, and needless to say, we are ridiculously excited.
Anyway, this was a book I had been wanting to read ever since I first heard about it from a friend of mine, who’s a musician and also a Cure fan. (Many of my most instant and enduring friendships - some of them going back almost three decades - were forged on a mutual love of the band.)
My husband gave me a Kindle for my 44th birthday on 18th August, and ‘Cured’ was the very first ebook I bought on Amazon. Just five days later, we heard about the upcoming tour to SA, and it honestly felt like all my Christmases had come at once!
While I do think it needs another good edit (lots of little typos and quite a bit of repetition), it’s still a great read. I got immersed in the band’s world during those exciting formative years, and learnt a bit more about their amazing chemistry, and what made each member tick.
My four favourite Cure albums are all from the Eighties - ‘Seventeen Seconds’, ‘Faith’, ‘Pornography’, and ‘Disintegration’ - so it was really cool that Lol was able to offer so much insight into that *specific* period in their history. And one of my most treasured possessions is their 2004 ‘Join the Dots: B-Sides & Rarities’ box set, which contains loads of material from that same era. It’s an item I’d literally grab and save if my house was burning down.
I have always been fascinated by the inspiration behind art, and the methodologies employed in the creative process. I absolutely LOVE a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the private lives of artists I admire. And so I am incredibly grateful to Lol, for taking the time to share his story with us - the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly. He sounds like a really decent bloke, with a heart of gold, and I wish for him all the very best in his future endeavours.
This book is a must-read for EVERY Cure fan....more
I very rarely buy or read tabloids. In early June 2017, however, there were not one, but *two* cover lines in that week’s edition of YOU magazine whicI very rarely buy or read tabloids. In early June 2017, however, there were not one, but *two* cover lines in that week’s edition of YOU magazine which piqued my interest enough to make me pick up a copy, whilst stuck in bumper-to-bumper trolley traffic in my local Woolies’ check-out queue.
The first, ‘Henri and Girlfriend Loved Up in the Park’, was an exclusive pictorial showing family axe murder accused Henri van Breda taking a break during his trial, cosying up to his better half in Cape Town’s public Company’s Garden. I have been fascinated by and speculated endlessly on this horrific case since the story broke in January 2015.
And the second, ‘Farewell, Top Cop: Piet Byleveld’s Moving Last Interview’, was an intimate conversation with the legendary detective who had lost his battle with lung cancer just a few weeks prior. He was 66 years old, with a career spanning almost four decades in the South African Police Service (SAPS). I have always been somewhat in awe of this softly spoken “man hunter”, with his Caesar haircut, hooded eyes, and fearsome reputation for being able to crack even the most challenging of cases, helping to bring dozens of notorious murderers, serial killers and rapists to book. It was a sad, yet heartwarming article about the inner peace and much longed-for happiness he had finally found over the past few years, in the arms of his second wife.
Just a few months later, I found a copy of ‘Byleveld: Dossier of a Serial Sleuth’ in my local library. It was a book I had been meaning to get my hands on since its release in 2011, the year following Byleveld’s retirement from SAPS. Originally written in Afrikaans by journalist Hanlie Retief, and translated into English, it is a gripping read. A retrospective on the most high profile cases on which Byleveld worked, as well as a window into his private life.
From humble beginnings as a self-confessed “wimpy farm boy from the Waterberg” (page 24), who had plans to go to varsity and then dedicate his life to serving God, Byleveld did an about-turn after completing his national service in the Defence Force, and chose to join SAPS instead. He became a workaholic early on in his police career to escape the stress of a loveless, emotionally abusive marriage, which he endured for most of his adult life. He was also a chronic asthmatic, who chain-smoked, and swore by a cocktail of Grand-Pa headache powder and Coke, to get himself through long and grueling shifts.
Through Retief’s tight and fast-paced storytelling, we are taken on a thrilling, sometimes chilling, behind-the-scenes tour of Byleveld’s world. We become privy to the machinations of his razor sharp mind, the old skool investigative techniques he employed, and his uniquely empathetic style of interrogating suspects, which enabled him to gain their trust, and then extract a confession.
This book shines a light on the dark and depraved underbelly of society, populated by violent psychopaths and sexual deviants, and offers an insight, through Byleveld’s eyes, on what makes this type of criminal tick. He believes the perpetrators of these heinous crimes cannot be rehabilitated. Something inside them is broken, damaged beyond repair. It is obvious to me that many of them suffer from undiagnosed and/or untreated mental illness and/or personality disorders, the catalysts for which can often be traced back to early childhood trauma. Frequently, though not always, the compulsion experienced by a man to rape and/or kill seems to stem from a highly dysfunctional relationship with his mother. Asserting dominance over and inflicting pain and humiliation on his victims becomes a way for him to gain a sense of autonomy and power and control. Byleveld believes if these men, who show no remorse for their actions, are released back into society, it’s just a matter of time before they re-offend.
This view is backed up by police forensic psychologist Prof. Gerard Labuschagne who, during the trial of Sipho Dube, testified that serial killers are not candidates for rehabilitation. He matter-of-factly informed the court that “no rehabilitation programme exists for serial killers and rapists”, and that “no serial killer has ever been released from a South African jail.”
This is as much a dossier on Byleveld’s illustrious career as it is a cautionary tale about the reality of serial killers and rapists who will continue to quietly hunt amongst us until they get caught. Sadly, it is doubtful we will see another SAPS detective of Byleveld’s calibre for many years to come. I loved the inclusion of colour photos throughout. It really helped bring some of the characters and crime scenes to life. Apart from a typo on page 89 - the date should read 1998, not 1988 - it was a good, solid read. Highly recommended for fans of the true crime genre.
PS. If anyone can tell me what an “upright white hearse” (page 261) is, I would be most grateful! I suspect it may be one of those ‘lost in translation’ foibles between Afrikaans and English, but I stand to be corrected....more
I read this book in the 1990s, and 20-something years later, it is *still* one of the most psychologically disturbing books I've ever read. The writinI read this book in the 1990s, and 20-something years later, it is *still* one of the most psychologically disturbing books I've ever read. The writing style reminds me somewhat of Nick Cave's 'And the Ass Saw the Angel', which was also published in 1989. I've just discovered that the author, Katherine Dunn, passed away last year (2016), at the age of 70, from lung cancer....more
**spoiler alert** According to Wikipedia, "the [shark] dive industry in Gansbaai, South Africa consists of six boat operators with each boat guiding 3**spoiler alert** According to Wikipedia, "the [shark] dive industry in Gansbaai, South Africa consists of six boat operators with each boat guiding 30 people each day. With fees between £50 and £150 [R900 - R2,700] per person, a single live shark that visits each boat can create anywhere between £9,000 and £27,000 [R160,000 - R480,000] of revenue daily."
The sex trade industry in Muizenberg, 150km north on the same shark-infested coastline, consists of a number of sex workers, each servicing several local and foreign clients each day. With fees between R50 and R100 (£3 and £6) per client, a prostitute operating without a pimp can earn just enough to put a humble roof over her head and basic food in her belly, and those of her children. But it's a dangerous, sometimes deadly game, and those working for a pimp, usually a gangster from the notorious Cape Flats nearby, will earn virtually nothing. Instead, her money will be used to support his tik or buttons habit.
Tess is one of these solo-operating Muizenberg sex workers. Sassy and streetwise, with an acerbic wit and tough as nails, she lives in a wind-battered block of dilapidated flats and plies her illicit trade at the south end of Prince George Drive. Just a couple hundred metres away, over the main beachfront road and across the sand, a largely unseen population of cold-blooded great white sharks cruises and hunts beneath the waves. The chilling parallels between the two juxtaposed worlds - a clearly defined pecking order between predators and prey - is not lost on me.
Through gripping storytelling and colourful prose, the author takes us behind the picture-postcard façade of the Cape Town suburb as painted by tourism brochures, and into the day-to-day life of Tess and her impoverished, marginalised community.
We learn that a month after Tess was conceived, her mother's lover drowned in the ocean. When Tess was two, her mother married. When she gave birth to Tess's half-sister four years later, her husband started sexually abusing Tess. The abuse at the hands of her step-father went on for most of Tess's childhood. Her mother was fully aware, but feigned ignorance.
Tess dropped out of high school in Standard 8 (Grade 10) and left home, moving 100km north from the seaside town of Hibberdene on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast where she had grown up, to the big port city of Durban. At the age of 15, she found work in an escort agency. By the time she was 21, she had worked for three different agencies, and developed an addiction to over-the-counter painkillers, which she used to numb her physical shell and anaesthetise the demons within.
Fast-forward to the present day in Muizenberg and, through some cruel twists of fate, the now 26-year-old Tess finds herself facing a succession of challenges of nightmarish proportions. But with the help of a motley crew of friends - soul connections she forges in the most unlikely of places - we bear witness to a profound transformation. Tess manages to extricate herself from a dead-end life of hooking and hustling, and starts moving towards a brighter future filled with hope and healing.
Nine times out of ten, I prefer a book to its film adaptation. But this is one of those rare cases where I'd actually recommend watching the movie first. For me it really helped bring the characters and setting to life. Despite its gritty subject matter, it is an exquisitely written story. One of those books I read slowly, savouring every word, not wanting it to end. A solid five-star rating from me. Honestly, one of the best movies I've seen and best books I've read in 2017.
NB. Trigger warnings include: rape, sexual assault, sexual violence, sexual abuse, molestation, abortion, and adoption....more
When I bought this beautiful book, my six-year-old son read it, or wanted me to read it to him, every day that week. He was in awe of Nathalie Du ToitWhen I bought this beautiful book, my six-year-old son read it, or wanted me to read it to him, every day that week. He was in awe of Nathalie Du Toit. Fascinated by Glenda Kemp and Oupa. And we did a whole bunch of Googling afterwards to see what Mrs Ples would’ve looked like when she was alive. Who would’ve thought that a little boy would love reading about anything other than dinosaurs and superheroes, eh?! Such a great little book, one which truly makes you feel Proudly South African....more
**spoiler alert** THE AUTHOR Micki Pistorius is South Africa's most famous criminal profiler. She also happens to be the aunt of Oscar Pistorius. It sh**spoiler alert** THE AUTHOR Micki Pistorius is South Africa's most famous criminal profiler. She also happens to be the aunt of Oscar Pistorius. It should be noted that this book was published in 2003, a decade prior to the death of Reeva Steenkamp, and the author had to sit out what was described as "the country's biggest-ever murder trial", because she was family.
THE BOOK Part memoir, part true crime, 'Catch me a Killer' sheds light on the darkest core of the human psyche. Through first-hand accounts of some of the most harrowing cases she worked during her early career, the author examines the motives and psychology of serial killers and rapists. It focusses on a six-year period in her life, 1994 - 2000, when she was a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS), during which time she founded and headed up the investigative psychology unit. In the five years that she worked as a profiler, where she held a rank equivalent to colonel, she was involved in more than 30 serial killer cases. After resigning from SAPS, she joined a private investigation company, and she continues to consult for several government agencies today.
SA SERIAL KILLER STATS According to the author (the stats in this book are probably a bit outdated), SA has the second highest rate of serial murders globally (behind the USA), and the third highest murder rate in the world (behind Colombia and Swaziland). The high rate of murder illustrates the amount of work that a SAPS Murder and Robbery detective has to cope with, and yet SA holds the record for apprehending serial killers within three to six months of a special investigation team being established, provided the killer stays active.
DEFINITION OF A SERIAL KILLER A serial killer is a person/s who murders several victims, usually strangers, at different times and not necessarily at the same location, with a cooling-off period in between, during which they either willingly refrain from murder, or they are incarcerated and unable to commit murder, or they move to another place where they carry on undetected.
Serial killers are psychopaths. They generally present themselves as normal people to the rest of the community. Their killings are usually revenge-motivated. They feel like they have been a victim in life and have no internal locus of control. They are arrogant. They do not take responsibility for killing; they are of the opinion that it is law enforcement’s responsibility to prevent them from killing. Even when they have been arrested, not even the threat of a prison sentence will prevent them from killing again.
NATURE VS NURTURE Serial killers are not born. They are made. These so-called ‘monsters’ develop as a result of deeply ingrained and unbearable pain, a consequence of what happened to them during childhood. They kill as a way to express their pain and anger. It is an existential manifestation to them. Most serial killers suffer from one or more personality disorders. But they are NOT insane.
It takes a person about 20 years to ‘become’ a serial killer. The process starts during the first five years of life. According to Freud, every human being passes through five psychosexual developmental phases. They are the oral phase, anal phase, Oedipus or phallic phase, latency phase, and the genital phase. A person can fixate in any of these phases and failure to resolve the fixation would be cause for pathology. A layman’s term for a fixation would be a mental short-circuit. It is an individualistic reaction to being exposed to too much or too little of something.
EPIPHANY To become a serial killer, a person must have fixated in one or more of the phases, which caused a fantasy to evolve in the subconscious. And there is ONE phase that ALL (male) serial killers fixate in, and that is the latency phase. This was possibly the most startling revelation for me in the entire book...
LATENCY PHASE All (male) serial killers that the author interviewed had fathers who were emotionally absent to them as young children. They never had the chance to identify with a father figure at the beginning of the latency phase, which starts at around age six. This is the time when kids go to school, socialise, and incorporate society’s moral and ethical values, and this marks the development of a conscience. These children simply didn’t learn to socialise and empathise like other children, and they didn’t develop a conscience.
WARNING SIGNS Children often give clues that they are disturbed in their play and in their art. Many serial killers had domineering or over-protective mothers, and report themselves as very lonely children who felt alienated and isolated from, and were often bullied by, their peers. The absence of friends, poor performance at school, excessive daydreaming, continuous masturbation during the latency phase, signs of abuse (physical, mental, or emotional) or neglect, as well as the triad of bed-wetting, fire-setting, and cruelty to animals - which psychoanalysis regards as a child’s revenge and mental self-defence mechanism - are all red flags.
These children go on to experience ardent sexual and aggressive urges, but because of a lack of socialisation during the latency phase (see above), they are not socially equipped to form relationships or handle these urges, and so they develop fantasies. During the teenage years they rehearse these fantasies. And they usually start killing in their early twenties.
MOTIVE FOR FIRST KILLING There is always a catalyst that triggers the fantasy that had been brewing inside the killer’s mind since childhood to become a reality. A moment when their fragile self-esteem is challenged or threatened, and it reminds them of the time when they were not in control of their life or their body. A flashback to the original childhood trauma causes a psychological imbalance, and the only way they feel they can regain control is by doing to others what was done to them, in order to restore the mental homeostasis.
The motive for killing is intrinsic, an irresistible compulsion, fuelled by fantasy. As children they were passive victims. As adults, they identify with their aggressors. The passive-active role reversal process and compulsion to repeat the trauma influences their idiosyncratic selection of victims. They can either directly repeat what was done to them by choosing victims who represent themselves, or they may symbolically avenge their suffering.
MOTIVE FOR CONTINUED KILLINGS They experience the power over life and death as omnipotence, and become addicted to the godlike sensation that having control over someone else’s life gives them. There is also a correlation between their early fixations - the seed from which their particular fantasy germinated and evolved in the subconscious - and the fantasy they act out on their crime scenes.
IS REHABILITATION POSSIBLE Serial killers KNOW right from wrong. And their urge to kill CAN be controlled - as proven by the sometimes long cooling-off periods during which they commit no murders, and by the fact that some refrain from murdering all their victims. But most incarcerated serial killers have admitted that as soon as they are released they will murder again. They cannot be rehabilitated, and the best way of preventing a person from becoming a serial killer in the first place, is for trained professionals and concerned members of the public to learn to identify the warning signs of a troubled child (see above), and intervene before it’s too late.
HOW TO CATCH A KILLER It is the job of the investigative psychologist to try and decipher the serial killer’s particular fantasy from their crime scenes. The fantasy will point to the fixation, which gives law enforcement a key to understanding the killer they are investigating - what kind of upbringing and/or trauma they might’ve experienced. The profiler will look at the killer’s general modus operandi, and then tackle each crime scene separately, noting any changes that creep in, how the killer’s fantasy is developing, the mistakes they made, how they tried to correct them, and how they improved.
PROFILE DESCRIBES A PERSONALITY, NOT A PERSON The press seems to have the attitude that the investigation team owes them a profile. This is a misconception. The profile belongs to the investigating officer as it is their aid - an instrument by which they can eliminate suspects and concentrate on those who fit the profile. A profile describes a personality and not a person, as two people could have similar personalities. To release an accurate profile and a lot of details about a person when one is close to apprehending them could always provoke them to run.
RECOMMENDATION Besides being a bit repetitive (the book could do with a good edit), and a tad alarmist and sensationalist in parts (I just don't buy the author's assertion that a five-year-old child has the capacity to fantasise about raping and mutilating his mother), this is a compelling read. A front-row seat to a fascinating subject. Highly recommended for all fans of true crime....more
**spoiler alert** Like Trevor Noah, Baby Karoline was "born a crime." In her case, she was the result of an affair between a white woman and a black m**spoiler alert** Like Trevor Noah, Baby Karoline was "born a crime." In her case, she was the result of an affair between a white woman and a black man in apartheid-era South Africa, when "illicit carnal intercourse" between the two race groups was punishable by law.
Instead of risking imprisonment, and the baby being sent to live in a 'Coloured' children's home, the birth mother and her husband - to whom she confesses her infidelity once it becomes clear the child is not genetically his - arrange for Karoline to be placed for adoption in England. They concoct a story that she has a rare disease which requires specialised treatment only available at a specific children's hospital in London. When they return to SA, without her, they tell everyone that she died in the UK. Meanwhile, Baby Karoline is adopted by a white couple who already have a mixed race adopted son. They change her name to Sarah Jane.
SJ's childhood in rural England is, for the most part, pretty idyllic. But when she is 10, and her brother 13, her parents split up, and her father starts dating, then moves in with, the family's cleaning lady, who shares a first name with Sarah Jane. When she is 11, SJ changes the spelling of her name to Sara-Jayne. (And eventually her adopted surname Kirk back to her original surname at birth, King.)
When he is 15, SJ's brother runs away from home. Shortly thereafter he puts himself into voluntary care, and ends up in a children's home in South London. Around this time SJ starts cutting. She takes her first overdose when she is 13. Her father writes her a letter telling her she is an attention seeker, and she never sees him again.
At the age of 14, SJ discovers a letter written to her by her birth mother, hidden away by her adoptive mother. The letter chronicles the events leading up to the birth of SJ and the reasons why she was placed for adoption.
At 18, SJ moves out of her mother's home and in with a 30-year-old divorcé. Shortly thereafter she receives news that her brother has committed suicide. He was just 22. Her father doesn't attend the funeral.
When she is 21, and with her adoptive mother's blessing, SJ goes in search of and makes contact with her birth mother. But the encounter does not go according to plan, and SJ is left with more questions than answers.
In the years that follow, SJ completes a law degree, followed by a masters degree in journalism. She also develops an eating disorder. When she moves over to Dubai for work, she develops an alcohol addiction. A year later, at the age of 26, she leaves the desert for a rehab centre in South Africa, the land of her birth. It is here that she finally seems to find a sense of belonging, helped in part by meeting her younger maternal half-brother, and various extended family members.
There are certain parts of the story that, as a fellow adoptee, really struck a nerve. SJ's brother's suicide was particularly distressing for me. "Statistics show that adopted people are four times more likely to attempt suicide than non-adoptees." - Keyes, et al., Pediatrics online, Sept. 9, 2013. Had this broken soul received the professional help he so clearly needed when he started acting out as a teenager, things could've turned out very differently. I believe the system failed him.
I was also outraged by the social worker's refusal to "deliver any further presents or written communication to Sarah or her parents" beyond SJ's first birthday, telling her birth mother that "there can be no benefit to anyone if attempts to continue this tenuous contact are maintained through the years ahead." In my opinion, this social worker failed not only SJ, but her birth mother AND her adoptive mother, the latter of whom had to help SJ glue back together the pieces of her shattered soul in the decades that followed.
Arguably the most gut-wrenching part of the book is the birth mother's response to her daughter, her own flesh and blood, when SJ initiates contact as an adult. So cold-hearted! What a missed opportunity for redemption!
This is a poignant story, written in elegant, evocative prose. The book definitely has one of the most powerful titles and blurbs I've come across in a long time, and I love the full colour photo section. Sara-Jayne ought to be extremely proud of the beautiful, accomplished woman she has become, despite the barrage of personal challenges she has had to face. My only complaint was not learning more about her birth father, & hearing his side of the story. Otherwise, a stunning read....more
**spoiler alert** Phew! Read in one sitting. An incredibly brave confessional memoir in which the author confronts her demons head on in an effort to **spoiler alert** Phew! Read in one sitting. An incredibly brave confessional memoir in which the author confronts her demons head on in an effort to find forgiveness from the family she unwittingly ruined, and an elusive sense of inner peace. It is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of secretly reconnecting with old flames on Facebook; of mistaking the neurochemical rush of early romance - known as limerence, for love; and being naïve enough to think that a (cheating) leopard can change its spots. A stark reminder about the fragility and unpredictability of life. An evocative read....more
"Every working mothers nightmare... a puking feverish child on a Sunday night, just one week after starting a new job!" - Tweet by Sharon van Wyk, 20 "Every working mothers nightmare... a puking feverish child on a Sunday night, just one week after starting a new job!" - Tweet by Sharon van Wyk, 20 August 2017
It just so happened that while my friend Sharon was Tweeting about her predicament last night - one all too familiar with working moms the world over - I was finishing Niki Malherbe's 'From Courtrooms to Cupcakes'. It's a confessional memoir about one woman's struggle to reclaim, or rather reshape, an identity she felt she had lost when she sacrificed her ambitions for an intellectually stimulating career in Law for the somewhat less intellectually stimulating role of wife and full-time mom - to no less than four children, all born within the space of seven years.
Malherbe started keeping a diary to make sense of her world when her kids were very young, during a stage when she said she found it hard to "measure her own self-worth", and, 15 years later, these journalings formed the basis of this, her first book. Filled with observations and musings about love, loss, and everything in between that makes up what she so eloquently describes as "the scrapbook of life", it contains many universal truths, and also some unashamedly bold opinions that are bound to ruffle a few feathers...
"I had always believed I could be the success my mother was. She was the first woman judge to have been appointed in Gauteng and only the second in the history of our country. I was proud of her achievements and wanted her to be proud of mine ... [But] having children made me realise that if you dedicate your life to your career, then you are not giving fully to your children. And though I loved my career, I believed that my place was to be with my children who I loved too. My mother had chosen a different route to follow but I am not my mother. I am a real mother to four children and I strongly believe that it is not possible to do both. To do both thoroughly and completely is not possible when you are pursuing a career. Mothering is not like correspondence learning where you mother from a distance. Sure, you can be a mother and then delegate your functions, but you are not that then, are you? You are not the mother. Sure, there are mothers who are judges but then they are real judges and not real mothers. I don't believe you can be both." (page 253-254)
For me, this book is mostly a cautionary tale about the danger of comparing oneself to, and trying to measure up to the perceived expectations of others - be it parents, spouses, colleagues, or friends - as well as the danger of nostalgia keeping us trapped in the past, with notions of 'what could've been'. It is a reminder to *accept* the guaranteed unpredictability of this journey, and to consciously *appreciate*, in the here and now, the abundance of blessings the Universe has quietly, and so generously bestowed upon us over the years. It calls to mind a quote I had in one of my own diaries during high school: "Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet." - Jeremy Bentham (1748 - 1832)
Now that her children are older, Malherbe has returned to work - lecturing LLB students, writing academic material, and freelance legal editing - and it seems to have restored a much-needed sense of balance in her life. She has, once again, discovered the joy of feeling complete, relevant, and worthy as she manages to successfully juggle a career with "disciplined, structured science which has logic and reasoning as its basis", and the "go with your gut stuff" of motherhood. An insightful, inspiring read for any woman grappling with myriad push-pull responsibilities of a fast-paced life in modern society....more
As an authorpreneur, I am always keen to learn more about ways of leveraging my 'book as business card', to open more doors to paid speaking gigs. So As an authorpreneur, I am always keen to learn more about ways of leveraging my 'book as business card', to open more doors to paid speaking gigs. So when I received a personal invitation from Bronwyn Hesketh - boss lady at the biggest speakers bureau in the country - to the launch of her first book, I jumped at the opportunity. I wanted to introduce myself in person, and obviously pick up a signed copy to mine for nuggets of info I could apply to my own business.
Although written by a South African for the local market, I would say most of the themes are universal to the global speaking community. I found the content highly accessible, relatable, informative, and inspiring. Jam-packed with practical industry advice, and liberally peppered with behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Bronwyn's career as a booking agent spanning two decades, this is both textbook and memoir. Textmoir? A veritable smörgåsbord of insider tips and tricks on how to - and perhaps more importantly, how NOT to! - position, market, and conduct yourself in the professional speaking world.
On page 33 she explains that "there are various routes to the Professional Speaking Circuit", and I am what she categorises as an 'Author Speaker'. Thankfully there was plenty of content aimed specifically at me. I found her ideas on best practice for maintaining 'fee integrity' and handling 'back of room' (BOR) sales of particular value. The extracts below illustrate her keen insight and self-assured tone of writing...
"I would strongly advise that *you* do not stand at the table where the books are being sold. Get somebody else to do the transactions for you. It just looks unbecoming of a guru and so much more professional if you're not seen taking the money, as if you were a flea-market trader. Instead, stand a short distance away signing the books. With that single act, you sub-consciously reaffirm in the delegate's mind that you are one in command." (page 66)
"There's no such thing as a free talk! They are showcases! ... Don't ever consider doing a talk for free, always make sure there is a value exchange. Ask the organiser for a list of the delegates attending so that you can market to them afterwards; agree that you will be allowed to sell your books after your talk (and that there is time in the programme allocated to this, in the form of a break, immediately following your talk, or as soon as possible thereafter); or that you get an HD copy of the video they are making of the event. Something that is of value to you. Then it's a win-win, not a freebie." (page 143)
She warns that you should only negotiate your speaker's fee if: "1. It's for a cause you are passionate about. 2. You will get *relevant* media exposure for the talk. 3. You will get the list of attendees, plus contact details, *and* permission to market to them afterwards, plus the opportunity to sell your books at the back of the room ... While it might not be cash-flow helpful right at the moment you are asked to negotiate, try and take the long-term view ... you never know who is in the audience!" (page 162)
"A word of advice about negotiating: make sure when you invoice the client - yes, even when it's free! - that you invoice for your full fee, but then detail the value of the discount you are giving them, so that the balance is either zero or the reduced fee you agreed to ... This will do two things. Firstly, it will reinforce in your client's mind that you are a professional and the value of the discount you are giving them. People rarely value that which they get for free. Remind them, even if sub-consciously, that you and your time are valuable. Secondly, this will maintain your 'fee integrity' and protect your brand." (page 162)
For anyone considering professional speaking as a career path, or perhaps adding a skill set to your repertoire, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Thanks for a hugely enjoyable read, Bronwyn!...more
A few months ago I received an invitation to debut my 'Age of the Authorpreneur' talk at the inaugural Johannesburg Design Week's 'Authors' Day'. I waA few months ago I received an invitation to debut my 'Age of the Authorpreneur' talk at the inaugural Johannesburg Design Week's 'Authors' Day'. I was to be sharing the stage with three other authors, all traditionally published heavyweights, each with a few titles under the belt. The one I was most intimidated by was Douglas Kruger. Not only is he a business author, he is also an award-winning professional speaker. This is what he does for a LIVING. As expected, he delivered *the* most phenomenal speech - one of the most engaging and inspiring I have ever seen - but I was pleasantly surprised to discover he's also a really, really nice guy. After lunch we exchanged paperbacks (as authors often do). He had a serious collection of titles from which to choose, but this was the one that really piqued my interest. And it did not disappoint. In fact, it surpassed all my expectations! Douglas can speak, sure. But he can also WRITE. Carefully curated in witty, accessible prose, jam-packed with practical industry advice, and liberally peppered with behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his speaking career (which dates back to 2004), this is both textbook and memoir. Textmoir? A veritable smörgåsbord of insider tips and tricks on how to prep and present like a consummate pro. I cannot wait to start applying what I've learnt to my own presentations, and I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone who is keen on taking their speaking career to the next level. Bravo, Douglas!...more
I was gifted one of the limited edition copies exclusive to Waterstones, where the author (real name Joseph Knobbs) actually works as a crime fiction I was gifted one of the limited edition copies exclusive to Waterstones, where the author (real name Joseph Knobbs) actually works as a crime fiction buyer. It's the beautifully designed hardback with red sprayed page edges and Joy Division 'Unknown Pleasures' endpages.
Manchester is both the birthplace of this iconic postpunk band, and where the story is set. It is divided into six sections, five of which are named after Joy Division albums, and one after the Anton Corbijn biographical film of the band. It also includes a short story at the end, which introduces the next book in the DC Aidan Waits series, called 'The Shining Man'.
I loved this debut offering from Knox, with his highly relatable protagonist, and am looking forward to watching his writing career unfold....more
Our 26-year-old protagonist Esmé Snyders is an occult crime expert, with degrees in Criminology and Theology. She was an infant when her mother abandoOur 26-year-old protagonist Esmé Snyders is an occult crime expert, with degrees in Criminology and Theology. She was an infant when her mother abandoned her, and just six years old when she saw her first murder victim. The fiery redhead now works for the family business which, among other things, consults to the SAPS on occult and paranormal-related crimes, including muti crimes.
What appears to be a deeply disturbed serial killer dubbed the 'Pretoria Slasher' by the local press is on the loose. Corpses are found mutilated, body parts and organs crudely harvested ante-mortem, presumably in the pursuit of procuring potent ingredients for the concoction of powerful traditional medicine. A more demented, depraved, demonic villain you'd be hard-pressed to find. Vivid descriptions of grisly crime scenes, and great pacing makes this a seat-of-the-pants read. Not for the squeamish or faint-hearted.
In terms of writing style, I was pretty blown away by the fact that this book is penned in the author's second language. I do hope, for the sake of her Afrikaans audience, it will also be translated [back] to her mother tongue. The portrait she paints of modern day Pretoria and its rural surrounds really brings the city to life, and her characterisation is superb. I particularly loved the delightfully quirky Tweedledum and Tweedledee - wizened twin sangomas, "two halves of one soul" - who are ironically 'consulted by the consultant' when she eventually finds herself in over her head on this case.
I could tell this was a very well-researched book, and I love the way Snyman wove in factual elements of real-life, high profile local crimes over the past couple of decades, dating back to the 'Satanic panic' era of the early Nineties, which I personally remember from my own teenage years. Her subtle social commentary on the current landscape of organised religion is also very astute: "Then comes the older part of the city where centuries-old churches compete with pop-up ministries for souls."
The one thing that bugged me though was the scene where the protagonist wears *red stilettos* to an early morning crime scene. Incongruous and improbable - what I can only imagine is a 'continuity error'. Oh, and a few minor typos. But I'm sure these little gremlins will be corrected in subsequent editions of the book.
Overall, a devilishly good read. Definitely an exciting new voice to watch out for on the local crime thriller scene. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what gruesome muti / magic case our feisty Esmé Snyders finds herself working on next. Perhaps a bit of voodoo in New Orleans? I guess we'll just have to wait and see......more
**spoiler alert** It's been a good few days since I finished reading this book; I wanted to stew on a few things before writing a review. But now I ju**spoiler alert** It's been a good few days since I finished reading this book; I wanted to stew on a few things before writing a review. But now I just have to come out and say it - the way the police and nurses handled this case was utterly disgraceful. Shame on them - for their lack of compassion, their shocking 'bedside manner'!! Why on earth go into this line of work if you have no empathy, no desire to HELP your fellow [wo]man?!
There is one particular part of the story which haunts me. On page 15, the author writes: "Look at his face. Remember his face. They will want to know what he looks like. I stare and stare and stare." And yet NOWHERE in the aftermath of the horrendous event is a forensic sketch artist ever called in to render a composite drawing of the rapist(s), to help the detective generate leads. Surely this would've been a powerful tool in law enforcement's arsenal during the investigation?? Appallingly, it appears that NO investigation ever took place. The rape victim(s) never heard from the police EVER again!
The perpetrators of this heinous crime are extremely dangerous men. They should be *behind bars*, not walking around the streets of Cape Town, on the hunt for their next victims. Who knows how many others have fallen prey to them since the armed robbery, assault, rape, & attempted murder described in this book. This is not a once-off, isolated incident, *that* I can guarantee. WHY are the cops not pulling out all the stops to catch these vile men before they go on to destroy other people's lives??
Kudos to Michelle Hattingh for being so brave and honest in the telling of her story. She has come a long way in the past five years, but I believe she still has a long way to go. She herself says that although the rape *did* define her, *she* gets to choose in which ways it reshapes her. And for this I salute her. I wish her well on her journey to healing. This book is an eye-opener to the reality of rape culture & should be read by every South African....more
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