The Pembrokeshire Murders

Catching the Bullseye Killer

By: Steve Wilkins, Jonathan Hill

Narrated by: Peter Kenny

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

1980s. In the beautiful, unspoiled landscape of Pembrokeshire, a serial killer is at large: two double murders; an assault; the rape and assault of two teenagers - all potentially the work of one man.

This is the fascinating true story of a brutal murderer and the detectives who worked the cold case for six years in order to bring him to justice. Combining cutting-edge forensic techniques with old-fashioned detective work, a team of detectives worked to build a case against their prime suspect. But it was a race against time: would he strike again? 

No one could predict that the killer's appearance on the gameshow Bullseye would provide bizarre but crucial evidence. 

The operation is now recognised as one of the greatest cold-case reviews ever undertaken in the UK. 

The killer is now serving a 'life means life' sentence.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2021 Steve Wilkins, Jonathan Hill (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group

Detailed & thorough

Very thorough account of the crimes with details of the gathered evidence and forensic analysis. It gives insight into the killers personality.
There is also some background on the victims as well as the officers and other investigators involved.
The narration was a little fast for me but when I adjusted it to 0.9 the letter ‘s’ sound was distorted.

Well told

Appropriately narrated at a brisk and straightforward pace; if only all readers narrated this way, it held my attention, don't blink or you miss it. There was no ear-splitting or sudden loudness, accents or "performance" to interfere with listening with ear pods, so different from performing onstage or radio. One criticism would be that it could have been just very slightly slower but not much. The events are horrific, a criminal with an extremely untidy MO who didn't consider ever being caught and then he was.

A Gripping Story

I have just finished listening to this book and I loved it the story is so gripping and the narater Peter Kenny made it come alive. I thought that the way the book had been laid out was amazing Peter even did some Welsh accents the detail of how the police put the case together was quite incredible also the detail of how John Cooper was trying to deny all knowledge of the crimes he committed even trying to implicate his own son. The only reason why he protested in court was because he had been convicted of a rape and sexual assault against to young ladies and he knew what would happen to him in prison.
This book is really well written and interesting as it takes the reader on a journey through the process of collecting all relevant evidence so as to bring John Cooper to justice also the cost to personal lives as a result but what a result he will never be able to hurt or terrorise anyone again.
In conclusion I recommend this book as I think it is a great insight into what the Police have to do to secure a conviction I am now planning to watch the drama to see hiw close it is to the book. Great!!!

A very detailed and immersive account

Fascinating and detailed account of how one of the UK's most wicked monsters was finally brought to justice by the man who led the final investigation. The narration by Peter Kenny is very clear but the rise and fall of each sentence is a bit distracting (although that could be my problem not Mr Kenny's).

The narrator spoiled it

Having watched and was gripped by the series on TV recently, I decided to listen to the book. Whilst the actual story is captivating, the narrative spoiled it for me. It was read very quickly which then made it hard to process the depth of information given. I’ll read it at my own speed and enjoy it more that way.

A pembrokeshire man review

I grew up in Johnston and Milford Haven. My father went fishing on Cooper's boat a number of times and brought him to our house to play cards.


He was a decent man to us, so to know he was the man who did these crimes is especially chilling, for we would never of imagined it.

May he rot in jail.