Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Wicked Boy
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
Early in the morning of Monday 8 July 1895, thirteen-year-old Robert Coombes and his twelve-year-old brother Nattie set out from their small, yellow-brick terraced house in East London to watch a cricket match at Lord's. Their father had gone to sea the previous Friday, the boys told their neighbours, and their mother was visiting her family in Liverpool. Over the next ten days Robert and Nattie spent extravagantly, pawning their parents' valuables to fund trips to the theatre and the seaside. But as the sun beat down on the Coombes house, a strange smell began to emanate from the building. When the police were finally called to investigate, the discovery they made sent the press into a frenzy of horror and alarm, and Robert and Nattie were swept up in a criminal trial that echoed the outrageous plots of the 'penny dreadful' novels that Robert loved to read. In The Wicked Boy, Kate Summerscale has uncovered a fascinating true story of murder and morality - it is not just a meticulous examination of a shocking Victorian case, but also a compelling account of its aftermath, and of man's capacity to overcome the past.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Ephemera
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

The wicked boy was a 13 year old lower class youngster who killed his mother in 1895 in London, England. An outrageous crime that gripped the local populace and furnished the local tabloids with an opportunity to rail against penny dreadful reading material, the boy was soon convicted but sent to Broadmoor asylum for the criminally insane. An excellent book and more than just true crime, it‘s a tale of redemption. Five stars

10 likes1 stack add
review
Grrlbrarian
post image
Pickpick

Finished my #Bookspin! Intriguing tale of a tween boy who kills his mom (not a spoiler, it‘s on the jacket flap). The book explores whether he was insane, acted alone or had an accomplice, and what became of him afterward. There‘s little suspense here but a fascinating peek at criminal justice for children tried as adults for serious crimes in Victorian Britain. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
32 likes1 comment
review
Mitch
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

Summerscale is an amazing researcher - & uses recorded facts to lay out the crime, the aftermath and society's response. I appreciate the fact there is no filling in the gaps of what isn't recorded fact.The book runs at a fast pace. That does leave the story rather cold - Summerscale doesn't project or speculate - but neither does she suggest or bring in hindsight, so the telling, whilst compelling, can feel rather clinical.

54 likes1 stack add
blurb
veritysalter
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

@jenniferw88 @Powered_By_Plants @Mrs_B #LMPBC (011) Would any of these interest you?

See All 10 Comments
jenniferw88 Either of the Summerscales or Bedlam for me. Have tried to read confessions but found it a bit slow. 4y
Mrs_B Mrs Robins's Disgrace sounds fascinating - as does Bedlam. Great choices! 4y
Powered_By_Plants Oh wow all of them 😂 , Mayeb - The wicked boy or bedlam but would be happy with any ☺️ 4y
veritysalter We‘ll go with Bedlam. Looking forward to doing this with you all. 4y
Mrs_B 👍 👍 👍 4y
50 likes10 comments
review
amedwards117
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

It‘s very refreshing when I stumble upon a very well written true crime novel and this book absolutely fits in that category. 4/5 stars - the last third of the book was a bit tedious for me but I‘m going to chalk that up to me enjoying the grisly crime sections of books more than the aftermath 😅 definitely with the read, though.

review
LiteraryLona
post image
Mehso-so

I wanted more from this one than it was able to get around to. Overall, an interesting overview of a horrendous crime, but I didn‘t care for the retellings. #campandread

review
Natascia.Brondino
Mehso-so

I liked Kate summerscale style, clear and straight, well-documented, but I struggled to finish this book. Too gaunt and not so fluid

review
JPeterson
post image
Pickpick

Interesting tale of a child murderer and the Victorian justice system. Overall, I found it an enjoyable read, I just lost interest at the end (reasons why with spoiler tags in comments.)

JPeterson I just couldn‘t care about the story when Robert was freed and his military history. The last part of him helping a young child to overcome his troubles was neat, and that was the only saving grace for the last few chapters. 6y
58 likes1 comment
blurb
JPeterson
post image

#BlackCatChallenge: #Nightmare

This is my boyfriends nightmare - how many books will I return with after a library sale. 😱😉

I am impressed I only came back with 7, for a total of only $20. 🤗

coffeenebula Hild is SO great! 6y
SarahSaysRead Fledgling! 🖤 6y
79 likes3 comments
blurb
Suetara
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

The best boxes are the ones that contain books. #bookoutlethaul

review
LiteraryLona
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

@BookaholicNatty you‘ve outdone yourself! Thank you!!!

BookaholicNatty @LiteraryLona I‘m soooo glad you got it!!!! ❤️🎉 I had fun picking out some books for you!!! Did you have any of the books already? I tried to pick out ones I thought you would like 6y
LiteraryLona I love them all and didn‘t have any of them already :) they‘re perfect! 6y
9 likes2 comments
blurb
Leelee08
post image

My $10 haul from the used bookstore!💙

MemoirsForMe 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
gibblr Niiiice! 6y
68 likes2 comments
blurb
MaeMaeLu
post image

Starting my 3rd book for #24in48. Tbf I finished a book I was half through first but it counts! @24in48

review
TracyReadsBooks
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

In 1895, 13 year-old Robert Coombes confessed to killing his mother. Found guilty but insane, he was sentenced to Broadmoor (a criminal lunatic asylum) where he stayed until he was released 17 years later. The author challenges what you think you know about Robert in the second half of the book—the story of what he did when he got out and how his crime might be explained. Very well-written, engrossing account of the crime & the era. Recommended.

10 likes2 stack adds
quote
TracyReadsBooks
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

Ohhh, I know some kids who definitely wish this was a thing!

blurb
TracyReadsBooks
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

Time to finish this one now that I‘m back from vacation.

blurb
Emenendez
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

quote
TracyReadsBooks
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

Really interesting discussion of compulsory & free education, the resulting increase in literacy and the rise of penny dreadfuls which often served as a distraction, according to the author, from the rote learning in school.

quote
TracyReadsBooks
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

The 19th c. equivalent of video games...

15 likes2 stack adds
blurb
TracyReadsBooks
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

The cover pretty much says it all...what it doesn‘t say is that this is an account of a 13 year old boy who confessed to killing his mother. Described not only as an investigation of the murder and its aftermath but also an examination of London and its inhabitants coming to grips with new social and political climates, this book has great reviews. I‘m anticipating a good read.

review
TheWellAccompaniedBook
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

A really good listen. Well researched and Summerscale evokes a vivid Victorian setting. Tho there were some parts that, although interesting, did seem to not be relevant for eh story and dragged it out a bit. Would read another of hers tho.

Mdargusch I love Victorian true crime! 7y
38 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
TheWellAccompaniedBook
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

Started The Wicked Boy audiobook in the bus on the way back to Nanjing from Yangzhou. This pic is taken at the Bamboo garden we visited today.

kspenmoll Gorgeous. Is that a rock formation in forefront? 7y
britt_brooke Beautiful! 7y
TheWellAccompaniedBook @kspenmoll yep. Some Chinese gardens aren‘t considered finished without this sort of rock formation. 7y
45 likes3 comments
review
kezzlou85
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

This was an interesting read. It tells the story of Robert who murders his mother and then we follow his life after the trial which was fascinating to read.

35 likes2 stack adds
blurb
KennedyBooks
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

Has anyone read any of these little lovelies yet?! This weeks mini book haul with the weekend still to come!#howtostoptime #thesecrethistory #bookhaul

ShookBelf The Secret History is one of my all-time favourite books. 7y
15 likes1 comment
blurb
Moonpa
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
review
Deborah42
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

After murdering their mother, thirteen year old Robert Coombes and his younger brother spend the next ten days watching cricket matches, playing cards, and pawning their possessions. The party is cut short when a nosy relative insists on entering the house to investigate a noxious odor. Emily Coombes‘ decomposing body is discovered and Robert confesses on the spot.

Robert‘s story is meticulously researched. For true crime fans.

review
Samanthalack
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image
Pickpick

Fun and intriguing read.

blurb
Moonpa
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

Brought the kids home to their parents and of course I had to go to the local book store! Toby wanted to be in the photo too. #dogsoflitsy

Melissa_J Toby is so cute 🐶❤️ 7y
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
melissanorr
post image

Tried 4 books in the last 8 hours but none of them have held my attention. Trying to decide what to read next in #24in48.

blurb
Redwritinghood
post image

Just got some holiday book mail. This was a recent GoodReads win. One more for my tbr!

vivastory Hadn't heard of this one. Stacked! 7y
65 likes7 stack adds1 comment
review
tarabu42
Pickpick

I don't know what I was expecting, as I haven't read True Crime in years, but wow these are awful people doing awful things.

tarabu42 Spoiler: The Wicked Boy grew up and made good, in spite of growing up as a child in that house. 7y
2 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Shazzer
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
Pickpick

Enjoyed this book. From the brutal murder to how Robert lived his life afterwards was so interesting. I especially liked the description of the trial and the press reactions. Things haven't changed. Really like this author

review
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader
post image
Pickpick

I found this book very interesting. I learned a lot on the Victorian justice system. Definitely a good read ;)

blurb
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader
post image

Time to read... and eat... and drink... tea of course!

Faibka Mmm those madeleines look good 😊 8y
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader They were good ;) I bought them at Whole Foods 8y
4 likes2 comments
blurb
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader
post image

Reading with my cat warming my feet ;)

Faibka 😻😻😻 8y
3 likes1 comment
blurb
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader
post image

Time to read ;) With a tea, and a wonderful caramel/amber scent...

Faibka Perfect! 😃 l recognize that mug 😉 8y
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader I love my mugs, the woman who made them for me is a dear friend, who I visit each time I go back home. 8y
4 likes2 comments
review
deirdrebeecher
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
Pickpick

I recently read a comment, where someone said they shouldn't have to push through a story, it should grab them from the start. Normally I would agree. But you know that is the problem with true stories, they can be inconsistent. I thought the first third, which dealt with the crime a little depressing. But I am so glad I pushed on, because it builds to a fascinating ending.

blurb
Bookish_Predator
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

Thought I'd start this one today. Still trying to get through my NetGalley list and currently failing miserably 😏

8 likes1 stack add
review
amypeveto
post image
Pickpick

I know it's only August, but I'm calling it now: favorite read of 2016.

1 like1 stack add
blurb
Karli
post image

Because having a good reference is just a good way to start, right?

10 likes1 stack add
review
Reviewsbylola
post image
Panpan

I know I am in the minority, but I did not enjoy this one. It is touted as a mystery but really, where was the mystery? We are told from the start that Robert killed his mother (Victorian England, 1895), so I kept waiting and waiting for some other mystery to unveil itself. Now that I have finished the book, I get where Summerscale was going with it, but to me it just read of a boring biography of a man that just happened to kill his mother.

heylucy Bummer! I have that one from the library right now! 8y
Reviewsbylola I have only seen positive reviews for it so far so hopefully you like it! @heylucy 8y
33 likes2 comments
blurb
Reviewsbylola
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

It's almost 1:30 AM and I am awake . . . for now. So I may as well jump in and start on the #24in48. This is my current read and I am just over 50% in. I'll be honest, it is dragging for me. Something about Summerscale's writing is just too matter of fact, like she is just spitting out facts. I have to say though, I wish newspapers these days were as interesting as the ones back then!

LauraJ Tempted by this book... 8y
Reviewsbylola The first book of hers I read, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, was fantastic. Then she published a book a few years ago that I was so excited for but ultimately bailed on because I couldn't get into it. This one is picking up but jury's still out on how I feel about it. @LauraJ 8y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
SarahBZ
The Wicked Boy | Kate Summerscale
post image

When your apartment is too hot you head to your neighborhood wine bar for a Gruner and Victorian true crime, The Wicked Boy by Kate Summerscale #booksandbooze

BookBabe Perfect solution! 🍷📚 8y
Reviewsbylola This is one of my current reads too! 8y
MrBook One smart woman, ye are! 😎👍🏻 8y
8 likes3 comments
blurb
Penguinpress
post image

One of EW's must reads for the summer!

Reviewsbylola Reading this right now! 8y
6 likes1 comment
quote
missfarin
post image

"Suicide during temporary insanity, induced by reading trashy novels." ?

Biblio_Bon Clearly a reasonable conclusion 😂 8y
13 likes1 comment
blurb
missfarin
post image

Very few people write nonfiction like Kate Summerscale. Completely hooked.

LitHousewife That sounds really good! 8y
[DELETED] 2232195534 I read a great review of this one recently. Have it on my list even though I don't read a lot of non-fiction. 8y
BethFishReads How I'd miss this? 8y
See All 7 Comments
missfarin @BethFishReads I feel like it came in way under the radar. So far, it's just as good as Mr. Wicher. 8y
missfarin @kaysreadinglife This is the perfect kind of nonfiction for a fiction reader. It feels exactly like a regular mystery/thriller. 8y
BethFishReads I've got it on hold at the library. Only one person ahead of me 8y
MrBook I listened to the author get interviewed on a history podcast. Great author! 8y
17 likes6 stack adds7 comments
blurb
DGRachel
post image

OMG! I'm so excited for this book. @Liberty had this on today's new books newsletter. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher was amazing. I'm #10 in line on my library's hold list. I can't wait! Curse you for adding to my TBR stack Liberty! 😂

Liberty 😝 8y
Liberty 😝 8y
1 like2 comments