How did a petite dancer from a Welsh mining town become a killer in wartime London? Set against the chaos of the Second World War, Wartime London's 'Bonnie and Clyde' unravels the gripping true crime story of Betty Jones and Karl Hulten, whose crime spree led to tragedy and infamy. Betty's life, shaped by poverty, upheaval, and trauma, took a dark turn when war erupted. After surviving assault, rejection, and a violent marriage, she fled to London from Wales, seeking glamour but found herself ensnared in a shadowy world of striptease dancing, black-market dealings, and fleeting romances. In 1944, she crossed paths with Karl Hulten, a charming yet volatile American deserter, and together they embarked on a reckless spree culminating in the fatal shooting of a taxi driver, a case that would be dubbed the 'Cleft Chin Murder.' Drawing from newly uncovered evidence, police records, court transcripts, and first-hand accounts, this narrative delves into Betty's transformation and the media frenzy that followed. Was she a cold-blooded killer or a pawn in a destructive partnership? And what became of her after she narrowly escaped execution? Wartime London's 'Bonnie and Clyde' is a haunting tale of crime, justice, and redemption, exploring gender roles, societal attitudes, and the profound impact of war on those living in its shadow. It challenges readers to question how far circumstances and choices shape those who kill, and whether justice was truly served in a case where all were victims. AUTHOR: Prash Ganendran is an investigative researcher and true crime podcaster, while his wife Melissa is the writer behind their joint projects, which to date have included the Murder Casebook series and Jack the Ripper: Straight for the Jugular. They are driven by a desire to tell the stories of both victims and killers objectively and compassionately to try to understand some of humanity's darkest moments. Find out more at www.prashganendran.com 30 b/w illustrations
