Hi Simon, I have just purchased your book “In the Dark”. I did so because I have been in contact with an ex-Windmill Dancer. The reason for htis is that one of Gordon Cummins’ victims was Evelyn Oatley, my Aunt, sister of my Dad.
I have only fairly recently found out the full extent of her murder – I knew she had been murdered – I found out when I was about 10 years old after finding a photograph of a woman in a model-type pose. She looked attractive, and when asking my mother who she was, she replied “Your Dad’s dister, Evelyn. I had never met her and on asking where she was, was told that she was dead and that she had been murdered by an airman during the war. I was so shocked that nothing more was said again – you didn’t mention things like that in those days.
It came to light again when I purchased the Daily Mail newspaper unusually, and a few days later read the article featured in there (The underworld at War”. In the middle was mentioned the Blackout Ripper and who were his victims so after reading the article, all was revealed.
I have been to Kew and read the same files as yourself but what I really want to do is find the last resting place of Evelyn and put some flowers on her grave. From what I have read and information gleaned from various sources, I believe something happened in her earlier life which led her down the path she took and that she was a very troubled soul.
Every time I forget about the case, something seems to appear to remind me to not let ht e quest stop and to keep on looking.
I would very much appreciate if you had any information you may have come across to resolve this. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, Ros Seton
Hello Simon,
Thanks for your visit to my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. I’m probably not the caliber writer you would enjoy reading, and I’m not sure how I would go about offering you a free copy of my manuscripts, but I would truly like to know what you think of my first publication. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071I3JN4 I have several other stories of the same theme that I’m preparing for publication now. What I’m doing is building a compilation of short stories about my life, one story at a time. I plan on putting out 15 or 20 of them this year, in a “Patterson-esque” method of generating interest. *wink* I’m hoping hoping that they will rise in popularity as the project continues. If that happens I will publish the compilation also and then think about a print run. Any critique you care to give would be welcome.
Regards,
Roger Engle
Dear Simon, I just purchased your book “Human Game”. Amazing! What struck me immediately was chapter 9 “Saarbruecken”. I was born in Saarbruecken in 1930 and now live in Maine. In May 2012 I published my Memoir “Silk Pumps and Black Boots – growing up in Nazi Germany”.It is available on Amazon but I would gladly send you a complimentary copy. I spent the later war years in Ammerland, Bavaria, returning to Saarbruecken in the fall of 1945. I am shaken to learn of these horrific camps so close to my hometown. Thank you for keeping this important history alive! Respectfully, Christa Marden
Thanks, Christa, for the kind words. If you want to tell me more about your book, you can reach me through the email address I’ve listed on my contact page!
just bought your book human game. my dad was in that prison , and he would never discuss the killings only short bursts of anger and fury and he could not grasp who did it rosalindjohnson woods
Simon, I have just finished Human Game and found it well researched and interesting. As a former US Air Force pilot that went to various bases in Germany in the late sixties and also flew to many European cities as an airline pilot I could visualize many areas that McKenna traveled in search of those Nazi criminals. If your book should come out in paperback I would make several suggestions: include more photos and maps and also put the names of the fifty RAF airmen directly under their photos. Congratulations on such a great read.
Many thanks for the kind words. Great to hear the book struck a chord! The book is indeed coming out in paperback in October. If I come across more photos, I would definitely try to have them included.
We did initially consider printing the names under the mugshots of the victims, but there were certain print limitations that worked against us.
Human Game: The True Story of the Great Escape Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen is out now, available in stores and these fine online retailers:
Hi Simon, I have just purchased your book “In the Dark”. I did so because I have been in contact with an ex-Windmill Dancer. The reason for htis is that one of Gordon Cummins’ victims was Evelyn Oatley, my Aunt, sister of my Dad.
I have only fairly recently found out the full extent of her murder – I knew she had been murdered – I found out when I was about 10 years old after finding a photograph of a woman in a model-type pose. She looked attractive, and when asking my mother who she was, she replied “Your Dad’s dister, Evelyn. I had never met her and on asking where she was, was told that she was dead and that she had been murdered by an airman during the war. I was so shocked that nothing more was said again – you didn’t mention things like that in those days.
It came to light again when I purchased the Daily Mail newspaper unusually, and a few days later read the article featured in there (The underworld at War”. In the middle was mentioned the Blackout Ripper and who were his victims so after reading the article, all was revealed.
I have been to Kew and read the same files as yourself but what I really want to do is find the last resting place of Evelyn and put some flowers on her grave. From what I have read and information gleaned from various sources, I believe something happened in her earlier life which led her down the path she took and that she was a very troubled soul.
Every time I forget about the case, something seems to appear to remind me to not let ht e quest stop and to keep on looking.
I would very much appreciate if you had any information you may have come across to resolve this. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, Ros Seton
Hello Simon,
Thanks for your visit to my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. I’m probably not the caliber writer you would enjoy reading, and I’m not sure how I would go about offering you a free copy of my manuscripts, but I would truly like to know what you think of my first publication. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071I3JN4 I have several other stories of the same theme that I’m preparing for publication now. What I’m doing is building a compilation of short stories about my life, one story at a time. I plan on putting out 15 or 20 of them this year, in a “Patterson-esque” method of generating interest. *wink* I’m hoping hoping that they will rise in popularity as the project continues. If that happens I will publish the compilation also and then think about a print run. Any critique you care to give would be welcome.
Regards,
Roger Engle
[...] Contact [...]
Hello,
I wrote to you about Jerzy T. Mondschein. I hope you get my e-mail?
Best regards
RB
Hi Rafal,
I just checked my email but didn’t seen anything. Can you send it to me again at SimonRead1974(at)gmail.com?
Thanks,
Simon
Dear Simon, I just purchased your book “Human Game”. Amazing! What struck me immediately was chapter 9 “Saarbruecken”. I was born in Saarbruecken in 1930 and now live in Maine. In May 2012 I published my Memoir “Silk Pumps and Black Boots – growing up in Nazi Germany”.It is available on Amazon but I would gladly send you a complimentary copy. I spent the later war years in Ammerland, Bavaria, returning to Saarbruecken in the fall of 1945. I am shaken to learn of these horrific camps so close to my hometown. Thank you for keeping this important history alive! Respectfully, Christa Marden
Thanks, Christa, for the kind words. If you want to tell me more about your book, you can reach me through the email address I’ve listed on my contact page!
just bought your book human game. my dad was in that prison , and he would never discuss the killings only short bursts of anger and fury and he could not grasp who did it rosalindjohnson woods
Simon, I have just finished Human Game and found it well researched and interesting. As a former US Air Force pilot that went to various bases in Germany in the late sixties and also flew to many European cities as an airline pilot I could visualize many areas that McKenna traveled in search of those Nazi criminals. If your book should come out in paperback I would make several suggestions: include more photos and maps and also put the names of the fifty RAF airmen directly under their photos. Congratulations on such a great read.
Hi Bill,
Many thanks for the kind words. Great to hear the book struck a chord! The book is indeed coming out in paperback in October. If I come across more photos, I would definitely try to have them included.
We did initially consider printing the names under the mugshots of the victims, but there were certain print limitations that worked against us.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
Cheers,
S.