Love as Always, Mum xxx: The true and terrible story of surviving a childhood with Fred and Rose West

Mae West

Sep 2018 · Sold by Seven Dials

About this ebook

'A CHILLING new memoir by the daughter of mass murderer Fred West and his wife Rose describes the savage cruelty of her upbringing in 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester' DAILY MAIL

'Mae, I mean this ... I'm not a good person and I let all you children down ...' Rose West, HM PRISON DURHAM

It has taken over 20 years for Mae West to find the perspective and strength to tell her remarkable story: one of an abusive, violent childhood, of her serial killer parents and how she has rebuilt her life in the shadow of their terrible crimes.

Through her own memories, research and the letters her mother wrote to her from prison, Mae shares her emotionally powerful account of her life as a West. From a toddler locked in the deathly basement to a teen fighting off the sexual advances of her father, Mae's story is one of survival. It also answers the questions: how do you come to terms with knowing your childhood bedroom was a graveyard? How do you accept the fact your parents sexually tortured, murdered and dismembered young women? How do you become a mother yourself when you're haunted by the knowledge that your own mother was a monster? Why were you spared and how do you escape the nightmare?

What other readers are saying about Love as Always, Mum xxx:

'A fascinating read. Mae West seems like such a warmhearted and caring person. It was heart-breaking to hear about what she went through.' 5* Goodreads

'This book is truly moving in many ways and as much as I want to say I enjoyed it, I didn't, because it was heart-wrenching, but that's why it's a 5-star read. So much emotion and truth. It's definitely hard not to be moved by this.' 5* Goodreads

'This is an extremely important story to read, giving Mae a voice to be verbal about breaking the cycle of abuse and surviving a terror she never thought she would be a part of. And because of that, it deserves five stars.' 5* Goodreads

'This has got to be the most heartbreaking and emotionally demanding book I have ever read ... a heart wrenching and powerful read.' 5* Goodreads

'As an avid reader of true crime books I had read a lot about Feed and Rose West. However with all of those books I had never considered their surviving children. This feels like such a raw, honest and real account of day to day life in 25 Cromwell Street. Good on you Mae for your strength to tell your story.' 5* Goodreads

'A hauntingly tragic book. I couldn't put it down from start to finish.' 5* Goodreads

Ratings and reviews

Emotional and core-shaking.This touches on deep ethics and morals that everyone can feel and connect with. To all the victims, friends of victims, and families of victims, my you find everlasting peace and love.

If you are looking for gruesome details about the murders, this is not the book for you. If you want to learn about about what goes on in the heads of those who love, loved, or have been raised by, the duo, then this is the book for you. Mae does an excellent job describing her emotional and real world turmoil in a way that grips your soul and reminds you she's just as human and you or I.

A very sad story but happy you are in a much better place

About the author

Mae West moved from Gloucester as soon as she could. She has rebuilt a life for herself and her family, but still lives in the shadow of her parents' crimes.

Neil McKay has written extensively for radio, television and film to great acclaim. He met Mae whilst writing Appropriate Adult, a drama about Fred West, for which he received the Writer's Guild of Great Britain award for best single drama. Other credits include This is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, which won the broadcast award for best single drama, and See no Evil: The Moors Murders, which won the BAFTA for best drama series.