This book was the inspiration for the TV drama 'Dark Angel' which will
be shown on ITV and PBS in 2016. As one of the UK's leading
commentators, David Wilson shows how some serial killers stay in the
headlines whilst others rapidly become invisible - or "unseen". Yet Mary
Ann Cotton is not just the first but perhaps the UK's most prolific
female serial killer, with more victims than Myra Hindley, Rosemary
West, Beverly Allit or male predators such as Jack the Ripper and Dennis
Nilsen. But her own north east of England (and criminologists) apart,
she remains largely forgotten, despite poisoning to death up to 21
victims in Britain's 'arsenic century'. Exploding myths that every
serial killer is a 'monster', the author draws attention to Cotton's
charms, allure, capability, skill and ambition - drawing parallels or
contrasting the methods and lifestyles of other serial killers from
Victorian to modern times. He also shows how events cannot be separated
from their social context - here the industrial revolution, growing
mobility, women's emancipation and greater assertiveness. And concerning
the reticence of 'human nature', like Dr Harold Shipman, Cotton was
allowed to go on killing despite reasons to suspect her. The book
contains other resonances to aid understanding of how serial murderers
can go undiscovered despite such things as coincidence, gossip, whispers
or motives that become more obvious with the benefit of hindsight. It is
also a detective story in which the persistence of a single individual
saw Cotton tried and executed, events analysed first-hand from the
archives and location visits as the author fills the gaps in a
remarkable story. By a leading expert on serial killers Meticulously
researched and highly readable Fresh interpretations mean this book is
destined to be the definitive title on Mary Ann Cotton. Review 'An
enthralling read.David Wilson does not write generic "true crime", but
history of the highest order': Judith Flanders, best-selling author,
journalist and historian. Author David Wilson is Professor of
Criminology and Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at
Birmingham City University. An ex-prison governor he has broadcast for
the BBC, Channel 4, Sky and Channel 5 (where he presents 'Killers Behind
Bars'). His books include Serial Killers: Hunting Britons and Their
Victims 1960-2006 (2007) and Looking for Laura: Public Criminology and
Hot News (2011).
