The Baby Farm Murders

The Terrifying Case of the Angel-Maker, Amelia Dyer

By: Ryan Green

Narrated by: Steve White

Length: 4 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In Victorian England, 1896, Evelina Marmon gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, Doris. As was typical of the era, she sought adoption to provide a more stable upbringing for her child.

She chanced upon a newspaper advert, ‘Married couple with no family would adopt a healthy child, nice country home. Terms, £10.’ Could this home be the baby’s good fortune?

Evelina wanted to pay a more affordable ongoing fee for her daughter’s care, but Mrs Harding insisted on the substantial one-off payment in advance. She was reluctant to hand over Doris, but Mrs Harding was a trained nurse and respectable married woman who would provide a loving home for her child. So, she agreed.

But Mrs Harding had no intention of caring for Doris. She wasn’t married, and her real name was Amelia Dyer. She wanted money.

Amelia never passed on a new address to the anxious mother. Instead, she found some dressmaking tape and bound it tightly around Doris’s neck, watching and waiting. She disposed of the body in the river Thames and pawned the clothes Evelina had packed.

The Baby Farm Murders is a chilling account of Amelia Dyer, who was responsible for the deaths of up to 400 children, making her one of the most prolific serial killers in True Crime history. Ryan Green provides a suspenseful narrative that draws the listener into the real-life horror experienced by the victims with all the elements of a captivating thriller.

CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of child abuse and extreme violence. If you are sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to go further.

©2024 Ryan Green (P)2024 Ryan Green

Good Listen

I was given this book for free.

This is a good listen, and narration is fine as well.
Recommend,

A terrifying tale beyond comprehension...

The year 1837 saw the birth of a lovely baby girl who, instead of being coddled, pampered and spoiled, was doomed to a life of hardship and misery that molded her into a force of evil that defies explanation or understanding. In this riveting narrative, Ryan Green peels back the layers of Amelia Elizabeth Hobley’s path of misfortune to provide the unforgettable and terrifying tale of her transformation from pitiable child into the “Ogress of Reading,” one of Victorian England’s most infamous baby farmers. I was fascinated by the detailed descriptions of the societal mores of that time period and how those beliefs and conventions actually birthed the industry known as “baby farming.” We will probably never be able to irrefutably quantify the actual human toll of Amelia’s wickedness, but this book provides an eye-opening account of the potential impact of a single evil individual. It is heart-wrenching to realize that, while Amelia may have been one of the worst, she was definitely not the only entrepreneur in this vile trade. With his customary incisive examination of every known aspect of Amelia’s existence and his insightful analysis of Amelia’s psychological state, I feel the author has presented as complete a picture of this woman’s life and crimes as could be offered for someone of that era. The narrator, Steve White, brings both the characters and the hardships of Victorian England into sharp focus in my mind with his excellent reading. The story is sad, it is shocking, and it is a tale that will haunt my thoughts for some time to come. Having said that, it is a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts, history buffs, and students of human nature.

Killing Babies

I don't understand how people can be so cruel. I love Ryan Green and his writings

The Baby Farm Murders

This book is a deeply disturbing book on many levels. While it focuses on the atrocities committed by Amelia Dyer in the late 1890's, there is much more to this book than just that.

The book exposes the problems caused by the social mores of Victorian England, which ostracized young women who became pregnant out of wedlock. A society that cares more about propriety than about the lives of innocent children is pretty despicable. Women who found themselves in this difficult situation often turned to people who claimed to offer a place for their babies to grow up in a loving family through adoption. Instead, horrific deaths awaited these innocents.

Amelia Dyer was one of those offering this adoption service, but she was ultimately executed for her horrific crimes. No one truly knows how many babies died at her hands, but this book brings to light the extent of her deeds. It is unfortunate that it often takes the discovery of unimaginable crimes to cause social reform.

The author has once again brought a fact-filled story to life through his ability to humanize the victims. As you read this tale, you will find yourself weeping for the innocents that suffered at the hands of this monster. The narrator has become the voice of Ryan Green's books and he does his usual fantastic job with this one. His performance is perfect for this book and adds a lot to the listener's experience.

Amelia Dyer

I loved everything about this book. From the narrating to the storyline.. Ryan jam packs his books with horrifying detail. If you are a veteran true crime reader looking for some next level stuff? This guy is YOUR guy.

Don't waste your money

So boring, can't believe I paid money for this. I wish I would've returned it. They took a five minute story and made it into a book!