poweful insight.

Gave poweful insight into the story underlining a reason for the abolition of hanging

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Very Informative And detailed

I’m of an age to remember this (77) I remember asking my mother at the time, are they really going to hang a woman?
My Mum was obviously against My Father sat on the fence, All in all very moving.

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3 people found this helpful

The ultimate book on Ruth Ellis

An exhaustive, occasionally exhausting, study of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain.

Ruth Ellis unquestionably killed her lover David Blakely (despite some fantastical conspiracy theory in one of the appendices) however, viewed through 21st century eyes, her conviction and execution feel extraordinarily harsh.

In 1955, women were expected to embrace homemaking and motherhood, not to harbour serious career aspirations, and to be chaste. Working class people were expected to know their place. Ruth broke all these "rules" and was characterised as promiscuous, calculating, a bad mother, ambitious, and self-serving.

That she had been abused as a child, was recovering from an abortion, and she had been regularly battered by David Blakely was ignored, furthermore she was given a loaded gun by another man, a rival for her affections, who drove her to the pub where the murder took place. He was never prosecuted.

'A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story' must surely rank as the ultimate book about Ruth Ellis. Carol Ann Lee has left no stone unturned in her quest to understand Ruth’s life, the life of her victim David Blakely, the murder, conviction, hanging, and the aftermath.

Whilst reading the book I occasionally found it wearisome and too detailed, however on reflection, the extraordinary detail allowed me to really understand all the main players in this tragedy and to gain an in-depth understanding of the case.

Anyone interested in the era, or true crime more generally, will ultimately be fascinated by this illuminating and comprehensive account.

4/5

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4 people found this helpful

Recommended

I had little interest in this story & little knowledge of the case but bought this book after reading Carol's book about Myra Hindley. After a while the narrative drew me in and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this title.

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3 people found this helpful

Well written, well narrated

I feel this gave a balanced account of what is known of this case, whether that be factual, verifiable accounts as well as those surmised

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A fabulous book

I cannot paradise Carol Ann Lee enough as a meticulous researcher and excellent author. The narration was great, really enjoyable, conveying the story appropriately. I’ve previously read a hard copy of this book and the audible version was equally impressive. A brilliant retelling of the events concentrating on the facts. Highly recommended

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Thoroughly compelling.

Whilst the execution of Ruth Ellis in 1955 is well known, her story is not. This book, narrated very well by Maggie Ollerenshaw, is compelling from start to finish. Carol Ann Lee’s account of Ruth’s sad and tragically short life is brilliantly written. Highly recommended.

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Poor Ruth

I knew of Ruth Ellis of course but this book told me so much more. It’s sad really…she was really used and abused by people that were suppose to love her all her life. Even her defence team let her down.

I personally think class, snobbery and the old boy network closed ranks and this was responsible for her legal murder (hanging)..She came from a poor family, worked as a “good time girl’ and struggled most of her life and was seen as a wicked woman trying to get her claws into a spoiled rich, woman beater, spineless rat of a man. Sad sad sad…

Well written and well read.

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4 people found this helpful

Ruth

The story never fails to upset. Hanged for being abused and finally retaliating let down by men even at the end. Well written thank you

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Powerful and compelling

This is a fascinating book, and the best I have come across about Ruth Ellis.

The meticulous research by the author manages to disentangle a lot of the sensational and often exaggerated or invented stories about Ruth Ellis.

The listener is left with a heartbreaking, thought-provoking life-story and a description of a woefully inadequate justice system heavily biased against women.

It is written in a well-balanced way, allowing the listener to form their own conclusions.

I learned a lot about Ruth Ellis as a person, and it was hard not to cry as she began to unravel and lose her sense of self prior to killing David Blakeley.

The book portrays the harsh realities of addiction, domestic violence, exploitation and abuse going unchallenged in a society that expected women to keep quiet and do as they’re told. Ruth Ellis had too much spirit and independence to follow the norm.

But this book also provides a compelling insight into the post-war club scene in Britain, and the rollercoaster of hope and despair experienced by young girls and women aspiring to be film stars and glamour girls.

This book exposes the complexities of human nature and relationships in a gripping context.

The narration is pretty average, but in my view it didn’t detract from the book and I was glued to it from start to finish.

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