Peter Manuel killed repeatedly, both random and targeted victims, including men, women, and children, because he enjoyed the rush.
As a life-long criminal, Manuel mainly committed property crime. That all changed when his heart was broken. The woman he'd been engaged to called off the wedding and left him, causing Peter to snap. His violence escalated then, and Peter terrorized various communities for almost two years. His cockiness had no end, and he went as far as giving a police inspector a ride while the inspector was searching for one of the teenage girls Peter had murdered. Peter toyed with the detective and advised him he thought the police were looking in the wrong spot for the girl.
Ultimately, Peter's arrogance and insatiable need for attention led to his demise...one that made him meet his own executioner as he hung from a noose on prison gallows.
Peter Manuel: The Beast of Birkenshaw Serial Killer
"As the name says, the beast! Wow as much as I enjoy reading true crime, this guy is up there with the crazies. Peter Manuel was a combination of a serial killer, a criminal and a control freak! As he committed these horrific crimes, the more aroused he would get because he felt a rush being in total control! Great book, Chris Swinney has another hit with this book!" - Marlene Fabregas
"This is an astounding case of a young serial killer in Scotland during the 1950s. Apparently his criminal career began at age 9 with stealing, progressing to breaking and entering, then finally to senseless violence and murder. This is a well-researched and well-written account of the life and crimes of the "Beast of Birkenshaw." - B. Mckee
"Peter Manuel was born in New York to Scottish parents and returned to Scotland when he was 5. He had problems from the beginning and was a petty thief by the time he was 10. He started sexually assaulting females when he was 16 and served time in prison. After he was released from prison, his assaults escalated to murder. He was convicted of murdering 7 people between 1956 and 1958, but he was suspected of other murders. This is an excellent book by Author Chris Swinney and I highly recommend it." - Lee Husemann
"Again, Chris Swinney has went over the top and beyond with another wonderful true crime book. He has very good detail of the murders,the capture and his conviction. This was a brutal man. He targeted men,children and some women. He was a sick man til the day he died. A must have for all true crime fans and also part of a really good collection." - Amanda