Love as Always, Mum xxx

The true story of an abused childhood, of shocking brutality and life as the daughter of notorious serial killer, and master manipulator, Rose West.

'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?

About the Authors

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.