The Disturbing Case of Mary Bell

There’s no question about it, we love a good murder mystery, especially if it’s a true crime story. But with many of the true crime stories proving to be nothing but more of the same, a retelling of the Bundy murders or another look into the Manson family, for example, we’re often left wanting for something new. One story that we’d love to see, be it in books, TV, or movie form, is the story of Mary Bell: The 11-year old serial killer.

Mary Bell grew up under tough circumstances: Her mother, a teenage sex worker, was often absent from the home leaving young Mary with her father, an active criminal. By May 25th, 1968, the day before her 11th birthday, Bell had found herself in a derelict home. It was on that day that Bell strangled a defenseless 4-year old child named Martin Brown. Bell and her associate, a 13-year old girl named Norma Joyce Bell (no relation) would later vandalise a nursery, leaving behind notes which claimed responsibility for the murder. Police dismissed the notes as a prank, however.

The duo weren’t done, however. On July 31st, 1968, the girls took part in the strangulation death of Brian Howe, a 3-year old boy. Not being satisfied with the murder alone, Mary later returned to the body and carved an M into young Brian’s stomach, then went on to mutilate the young boy’s genitals. Mary was found guilty, but was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder and served a 12-year sentence. Norma was found not guilty.

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Thrilling and Suspenseful Books That Are Well Worth the Read

Here are three great books to consider when looking for your next thrilling read.

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson. Suffering from anterograde amnesia, a disease that causes her to lose all her memories after she goes to bed, Christine Lucas wakes up every morning with more questions than answers. Not recognizing the bedroom she wakes up in every morning or the man sleeping beside her who identifies herself as he husband Ben, Christine keeps a personal diary in which one day she finds three words written in her own handwriting: "Don't trust Ben."

Bird Box by Josh Malerman. An apocalyptic attack leaves survivors struggling as a creature stalks them, leading them to violence and fatal madness with a mere glimpse. Malorie, one of the few survivors, leads her two small children on a dangerous voyage down the river while blindfolded, in an attempt to find sanctuary. Now a Netflix motion picture starring Sandra Bullock, Bird Box is nothing short of edge-of-your-seat suspense both in novel form and on the screen.

Sphere by Michael Crichton. When an alien spacecraft is discovered on the ocean floor, US Navy psychologist Norman Johnson joins a team of scientists assembled to examine it and quickly finds himself with far more to deal with than he bargained for. Adapted into a major motion picture in 1998, and the type of non-stop thriller we’ve come to expect from Crichton.

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Three best thriller authors

There are thousands of thriller authors out there, but which of them are the best at what they do? Here is a rundown of some of the best thriller authors to ever put pen to paper.

Peter James

The creator of the Roy Grace novels, Peter James is a gifted crime writer that has sold over 19 million books worldwide and seen his books translated into 37 languages. He has 34 separate titles to his name including 17 standalone titles, 3 books in his vintage series and 14 books in his DS Roy Grace series. Peter James has a talent for plot twists that keep you guessing.

James Patterson

James Patterson is not only one of the best thriller authors around, he is also one of the most prolific and successful thriller authors out there. He has written 147 novels since 1976 and has had 114 of them on the New York Times bestsellers list and 67 of them have reached the #1 spot – a world record that no one else has equaled.

Val McDermid

Is a woman with a real talent for thriller fiction and has 38 books to her name to date in four series that feature a number of different protagonists. But her talents don’t just write in fiction novels, there are also radio plays, short stories, a children’s book and non-fiction work that have all come from her unique storytelling mind.

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Thrillers About Killers

When looking for a thrilling read a good old fashioned murder mystery is always an excellent choice, and with new authors taking a crack at the genre there’s never been a better time to find a wealth of diversity within it. Here are two thrilling murder mysteries than are bound to get the blood pumping and the heart racing.

The Secret Place by Tana French. Named one of the best books of 2014 in the mystery, thriller and suspense category by Amazon, The Secret Place tells the tale of murder in an unlikely place, the St. Kilda's, a girls' boarding school in Dublin. When Chris Harper, a teenage boy, is found dead on the boarding school grounds, the only clue Detective Stephen Moran has is a note on a bulletin board that says, “I know who killed him.” Alternating between the perspective of the detective and the memories of a teenage girl, French’s murder mystery is as unique as it is compelling.

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith. If you think The Cuckoo’s Calling may show some similarities to something you’ve already read and love, you’re not alone. Robert Galbraith is in fact the pen name of none other than beloved Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. The first in her Cormoran Strike series, The Cuckoo’s Calling brings us into the world of war veteran and private investigator Cormoran Strike as he investigates the suicide of famous actress Lula Landry.

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