The first of my non-fiction reads for the year, The Lost Boy is a return to an old interest. The Moors Murders were frequently in the papers while I was growing up, and I found the story fascinating. This is perhaps how I developed an enduring interest in true crime stories, in particular those of serial killers.
Duncan Staff provides a unique insight into the life of Myra Hindley, her relationships with her family and critically, Ian Brady. At no point does Staff appear to excuse Myra Hindley’s actions, rather he details the background that led to some of the most reviled crimes in British history. With access to Myra Hindley’s letters and papers, including her unpublished autobiography, as well as his own correspondence with her, Staff builds a detailed and fascinating picture.
It seems odd to say that I enjoyed The Lost Boy, given the subject matter. It is an uncomfortable subject, without doubt, but one that it is nice to get a thoroughly researched look at.
One body remains to be found, that of Keith Bennett. His mother has been waiting for more than forty years to bury her son. It apparently isn’t in the interests of the authorities to take the risk of potential humiliation should they renew the search effort. So, although he was convicted and sentenced for the other murders, Ian Brady currently holds on to his dream – the perfect murder. I truly hope that they do eventually locate Keith Bennett’s body, so that his family can put him to rest.
——————————————–
We picked up Taika at the weekend, and she soldiered through the four hour car journey. She has settled in very well, and really I am the only one who is having issues adjusting (I swear, in the last year I have become even more of a chronic worrier). It’s a bit strange having a dog in the house again after six months of being without one, and it is even stranger to only have one on her own. We’ll muddle through, no doubt.
One thing we have come to learn over the last year is that dogs and laminate flooring do not mix well. Mum discovered this first at the house in Wales, as the living room, hall, dining room and kitchen are all laminate floors. With two dogs, this proved nightmarish; whenever they ran to see who was at the door, or to go outside, they would hit the laminate and skitter around losing control. After the laminate was replaced with carpet the problem disappeared and their behaviour was more controlled. I’m now noticing this here in our rental place. The entire lower floor here, bar the kitchen, is laminate flooring. We have a huge rug in the living room, but there is an uncovered (and awkwardly sized) patch of laminate at the end of the living room and in the hall. So, when Taika hears someone at the door, or goes to trot out of the living room for any reason, she skitters out into the hall and loses control, which makes her a little hyper.
Also, the sound of claws on laminate just about sets my teeth on edge. It is one of those noises that is very difficult to block out. In short, when the tenancy here is up in May, even if The Boy’s work contract is extended, we will be looking for another place to rent. It would be good to find somewhere a little quieter too, being on a busy road isn’t so great either. In the meantime, I’m measuring up for a couple more rugs. Fun!
I’m now reading another non-fiction book – The Innocent Man by John Grisham. It has been a number of years since I last read a John Grisham book, so this should be interesting.
The Lost Boy sounds like an awesome book…I don’t know if awesome is the word, but it sounds like something that I’d really like. I love books about true crimes…and serial killers. I’ll have to get that one.
I know that sound of claws on laminate that you’re talking about all too well :p We had Buddy at my house over the weekend when Megan came in town and it’s impossible to ignore! We also forget to take Buddy’s collar off one night when he slept in the bed with us and I was so lazy that I refused to do it all night and got no sleep. He jingled all night :p Dogs….They’re so damn cute though.
I know what you mean about dogs and laminate floors!
The book sounds fascinating, even if uncomfortable. Books like that are always interesting to me…I like to have the chance to try and understand what could possibly be going on in the head of someone who does things like that.
Hmm, I might have to give that one a look for my mother – she’s a giant real life crime fan and has every book she can get her hands on to do with the Moors murders. I’ve not really got into real life crime stories, I prefer my crime novels trashy and securely fictional. If it’s too real I always end up wondering about the families and wondering how I’d cope.
Glad Taika’s settling ok! Kitties are similar on wooden floors too, especially when they go nuts, which in Cat 2’s case is quite frequently. Easy for clearing up though, which with the vomit tendencies of Cat 1 is a welcome benefit!
Poor skittery Taika! I slide around on the wooden floor in our kitchen when I’m in there with just socks on, so I sympathise. I’m not so noisy, though!
Pity we can’t swap floors! The pigs do like to kick woodshavings all over our carpet (we’re currently designing a perspex wall to go around their run which should cut down on the shaving-flinging, but still let them peer out).
I’m glad I’m not the only one who knows the laminate pain. I have moved our existing rugs around a bit and that has helped a great deal. The next house HAS to have carpet in the living areas. GAH. I don’t think it can possibly good for Taika’s joints/back either.
Stormfilled – I’d be interested to know if your mum has any particular recommendations on books about the Moors Murders. I love true crime stories – my Dad used to try and find interesting ones for me when he went away on trips.
Wipe clean flooring is definitely useful for pets with vomiting/regurgitating tendencies. Taika does have a tendency to regurgitate food that she has bolted down…as long as I’m fairly “with it” I can usually catch her in time though and get the back door open.
Just finishing reading The Lost Boy – a brillant book more people need to read it and a public campaign launched for the gov to get the correct people out to the Moors to find Keith’s body so that this innocent victim gets the burial he deserves and his family some closure.
Great Read Duncan!