The Curse: A Shocking True Story of Superstition, Human Sacrifice and Cannibalism (True Crime)

This book is another example of Ryan Green's ability to compose a completely riveting exploration of the life of a serial killer. His research is meticulous and his psychological insights into the inner workings of the criminal mind border on unsettling. In The Curse we are treated to an absorbing depiction of the life of the infamous Italian serial killer Leonarda Ciancuilli, often referred to as the “Soap-Maker of Correggio”. She is most famous for murdering three women between 1939 and 1940 and using their blood to bake teacakes which she served to her unsuspecting family and friends. She would also use their bodies to make soap. Her actions were the result of numerous factors including horrendous abuse she endured as a child, injuries which likely caused permanent brain damage, and a belief in superstitions which were not all that uncommon in her time. Factual details, keen psychological analysis, and reasonable speculation are adroitly combined to generate this riveting memoir of a life filled with disappointment, tragedy, and a cornucopia of misfortune. Her actions were, of course, inexcusable but reading this account of her life sheds light on how a person could be driven so very far off the rails of reason and sanity. Buy it, borrow it, read it – it is well worth an evening of your time.I was provided with an advance copy of this book by the author but I also chose to purchase a copy and I am voluntarily offering this honest and unbiased review.If you find this review helpful, I would thank you for so indicating.

I know folks hate abortion but when one is raped and forced to not only marry her rapist but bear his child can anything good come from it? In Leonarda, the child of a rapist, no. It would have been better for society if perhaps she was never born.The book touches on rape, child abuse, mental illness, murder and the occult but not in a way that is utterly grotesque. In fact this book is quite good the way the author has written this true story. Read it you will not be disappointed.

Ryan Green never disappoints!!Another "have to read until finished" novel. This one has quite a bit of excellent research done, considering how long ago these events happened.Mr. Green always has a knack for getting his readers, especially me, sucked into his stories easily before the first chapter is over. Not an exactly easy job for readers like me, who have actually spent some time in Criminal Justice studies.I think I'd have to say this and his last book "The Townhouse Massacre" -the story of Richard Speck - to be the two best books (so far). I've read every one of his boss, some more than once, and he never lets me down.He does excellent research on the subjects he chooses and he doesn't stay with just one type. He's very flexible and it is that which draws me to his books. If you're a True Crime junkie, and i know there are a lot of us out there, pick up this or any of Ryan Green's books and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!!!

is not much changed from the past, specifically Leonard's Cianciulli/Pansardi. No matter how many true crime stories I read, I'm rarely surprised, except for this one. Green does an admirable job of providing not only a full background of Leonarda's life, he gives step by step accounts as to what led this woman down the path in life that she took.The reader feels actual sorrow for the wretched childhood she endured, then shock at the crimes she committed. Yet, given her upbringing and her superstition, not at all surprised.I couldn't help but wonder, how can the author know so much, then discover the woman wrote her own autobiography!This was an excellent book, very well written.Lorie

This was a very disturbing story. All based on true fact, especially since the lady confessed to her crimes and did so over and over, and in a lot of grim detail as well. I just find it very sad that anyone should come to the state of mind that she did to begin with.Very graphic, but not really sickeningly. The fact are the facts, and well known. Well written and you come to feel a bit of sympathy for the woman, and sorry there was not more help for her when she needed it. But in those times, it was what it was.If you enjoy reading true crime, you would probably enjoy this. Not a very long book either.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about this woman who went to extreme lengths. I was so engrossed in the book I had a difficult time putting it down. Never underestimate what some people will do !

I have read a couple of other books by Green and enjoyed them just as I did this one. He paints a full picture with his writing. You get full backgrounds on the characters and detailed accounts of everything that led up to their crime as well as the crime itself. His books are not for those sensitive to graphic violence. It is interesting to read about crimes and killers, many that I had never heard of, from a long time ago and see that they were not much different than the ones today. If you like reading true crime, then I recommend Ryan Green.

Well written and researched book about a mother that no one would want to admit was their own. This book will take you to the kitchen where everything happens. Could you eat in this kitchen afterwards? I sure couldn't. Wow. Ryan Green has the abiity to take you on a reading adventure that is pretty much the front row seat of the crime. You have a visual connection and can experience what Leonarda did minus the smell and how she felt no shame or guilt in what she was doing. I would not have wanted to be one of her kids. No wonder there weren't any family reunions. It's a fascinating book. I couldn't stop reading it.

what a load of rubbish. why would anyone give 5 stars for this book. and the caution warning of nasty bits in the book. i've heard and read worse on the daily news. was not worth £2.99. pathetic.

Easy to read and understand. No errors.Too many kindle books with punctuation and spelling mistakes. This was perfect.... oh and very descriptive.

Easy reading and good for all true crime lovers! written as a novel so different format to other true crime books but I enjoyed it and will be reading more of his books.

Strongly recommend. One of the best true crime books I’ve ever read. Unique writing style for this genre. Fully engaging.

By the time I had only read a few pages of this book, I was overcome by a case of the extreme shivers and heebie jeebies. The author has such a keen insight into what makes people tick; even those that are evil and completely insane. At first, I almost felt pity for Leonarda, as her life is consumed by her irrational beliefs, which stem from her mother cursing her marriage. Her feeble attempts at attempting to repel this curse, which she believes is the reason why she has had so much bad luck in her life, are almost laughable. However, her total descent into evil begins when she decides that she must make a blood sacrifice by murdering someone and using their blood in cakes and soaps. The descriptions of the 3 murders that she commits, and what she does with the bodies afterwards are extremely graphic, violent, and heartbreaking. The ending is very satisfying; where she got arrested and jailed for several years until she died. I really feel for Leonarda's surviving family, and the families of the victims. I hope that they all found some sort of peace.I recommend this book to lovers of true crime and crime fiction. It is so well written and narrated, that it could easily also pass as a crime fiction book.