The first and only insider's account of the Babes in the Wood, one of Britain's most shocking and disturbing murder cases.

Shortlisted in the 'True Crime Book Of The Year' category for Capital Crime's Fingerprint Awards, 2023.


On Thursday 9th October 1986, Michelle Hadaway's worst fears came true. After watching her daughter Karen playing in the neighbour's garden with her best friend Nicola, Michelle returned to cook dinner for her family. Unbeknownst to her, this would be the last time she would ever see Karen alive.

In the following days and months, shocking details would come to light about the nature of Karen and Nicola's murders, and the case which had come to be known as 'the Babes in the Wood murders' would lead to one of the most infamous and cruellest miscarriages of justice in British history.

For decades, Michelle fought tirelessly to bring justice to her daughter's murder, shining light on countless police failings and media manipulations in the process. Finally, in 2018 after 32 years of suffering, Russell Bishop, the man Michelle had long known to be guilty, was sentenced in court.

This is the story of two stolen lives, of the long road to justice, but most of all the story of a mother's love and determination.