The Alice Crimmins Case by Anya Mora is an incredibly immersive audiobook that reads more like fiction than a true crime account, which speaks to the author’s skill in storytelling. The level of research is evident throughout, and as someone who had never heard of the case before, I was completely captivated by the details and context presented. Mora does a fabulous job of providing the facts without trying to convince the listener of Alice Crimmins’ innocence. Instead, she lets the evidence (not that there is much considering how horrible of job police did) speak for itself, giving a balanced perspective of the case.

What stood out to me the most was how the case turned into a witch hunt against Alice Crimmins. The inappropriate and invasive questioning she faced during the trial – especially about her sex life and what she was wearing at various times – was shocking. It was appalling to see how little her character had to do with the actual crime. How does promiscuity have any bearing on the cold-blooded killing of children? The book really highlights the misogyny that permeated the investigation, especially from the detectives, which ultimately clouded their ability to focus on finding the real killer.

This case is a perfect example of how societal biases can derail justice, and Mora’s approach to telling this story was both thought-provoking and eye-opening. By sticking to the facts and letting the truth speak for itself, Mora has created a compelling narrative that’s a must-read for anyone interested in how media and misogyny can shape a criminal investigation.

I appreciate Netgalley providing me with an advance copy in return for my candid assessment. Although I don't usually give non-fiction ratings, I thought this one was deserving of a strong four stars. Eddie Crimmins Jr., age five, and his sister, Missy, age four, vanished from their beds on a sweltering summer night. Supposedly. Alice Crimmins, their mother, quickly emerged as the prime (only) suspect. Law enforcement and the media closely scrutinized Alice's lifestyle because she had recently left her husband, had several lovers, and enjoyed going out to parties. Law enforcement made every effort to blame this "moral less" mother for the children's deaths, which were discovered soon after the disappearance. As someone who enjoys reading true crime novels, I was excited when I found this book as I haven't heard of the Crimmins case before. The author did a thorough job in their research and it was very evident throughout.

If you aren’t familiar with this case, Alice Crimmins was convicted of killing her two children, Missy and Eddie Jr., in the 1960s. From the very beginning, Alice was a suspect. Alice was recently divorced and a lot of people did not agree with how she was living her life, so she was under a microscope for the investigation. But, was she really guilty or did the police drop the ball?

I enjoyed this book. I think any true crime fan will. It was well researched and didn’t come off as the author being biased or using opinions instead of facts. It really gets the reader thinking “Was she truly guilty?” Towards the end, it also gives the reader a glimpse as to what life can be like for people like Alice who get paroled and try to live life outside of the prison system.

I listened to the audio version of this book. I enjoyed the narrator and thought she did a great job.

I received an ARC of the audiobook version from Netgalley and HighBridge Audio in exchange for an honest review. This has not impacted my review at all. Thank you Netgalley and HighBridge Audio!

I listened to the audiobook version of The Alice Crimmins Case, and I have to say—the narrator was fantastic. She had a calming, almost chill voice that kept me engaged the entire time. I never felt like she was losing me, which is rare for true crime audiobooks. Granted, I do listen at an increased speed, so keep that in mind, but the tone and delivery were spot on.

Now, onto the book itself—extremely well-written and clearly well-researched. The author makes her stance on the case pretty obvious, but that’s fine because the way she lays out the evidence and perspectives makes it easy to form your own opinions. And honestly? The whole case is infuriating. So much of it feels like a mess of missed opportunities and biased assumptions, largely thanks to chauvinistic detectives who couldn’t see past their outdated ideas of what a "good mother" should look like.

One of my favorite aspects was hearing about the press interactions with Alice Crimmins—it was fascinating to see how they portrayed her and how she handled it. I also really appreciated how the author wove in the larger historical context, like the feminist movement gaining traction at the same time. It added a layer of depth that made the story feel even more impactful.

Overall, this was a gripping and frustrating read (in the best way). If you enjoy true crime that dives deep into the societal forces at play, this one is worth checking out.

3.25 stars

This was a decent true crime case study that goes into the vilification of Alice Crimmins, a mother accused and charged of killing her two children. The focus of this work is the court proceedings and their fallout on Alice’s life moving forward. A lot of good points were made, particularly on the treatment of women and mothers.

I do think more of an emphasis could have been placed on the crime itself and the victims, as it felt the two children who tragically died were pushed to the background. It also feels a bit icky to be so publicly focusing on a woman who has desperately tried to get out of the public view.

Overall I think this is a good work for people who are interested in this case.

Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

This was a very interesting story and one I would recommend to true crime fans. This is not a case that I am familiar with before listening to this audiobook, even though I have read the fictionalized version of it by Mary Higgins Clark without ever realizing it was loosely based on a true story. The biggest problem I had was the narrator. She has a very monotone voice and while she tried to include some inflections at time, they were very subtle. This paired with the topic lead the audiobook to take on a classroom lecture feel that I wasn’t for me.

As a young woman, too young to have children of my own, I learned about Alice Crimmins, a NYC mom who was accused and convicted of murdering her two small children. from newspapers and tv news. The case was headline worthy, causing locals to ponder what would possess mother to callously kill her daughter and son. I never forgot the infamous name, “ Alice Crimmons” but the particulars of the case were lost for me over the years until I had the opportunity, courtesy of NetGalley and High Bridge Audio, to listen to an advance copy of the audio version of the book, “ The Alice Crimmins Case,”

It came as no surprise to me that the evidence presented for trial was engineered by the prosecutor to potentially railroad an attractive woman, who was perceived guilty by virtue of sleeping around and wearing revealing clothing and what was considered too much make up. After all it was the 1960s and 70s, a time when moms were expected to stay home cooking, cleaning and looking like mothers were supposed to look. Never does the author say that Alice was innocent of all accusations, but instead through meticulous research, brings the reader to question whether or not reasonable doubt which would negate a guilty verdict, existed.

Listening to this book was a totally immersive experience for me. The reader, Lisa S Ware, did an impeccable job of bringing the story and characters to life in what turned out to be a compelling and important journey. I learned that about a prejudicial police investigation and courtroom proceedings . The book was beautifully and meticulously written by Anais Renevier. Although it is non fiction the literary components of fiction danced off the page: well drawn characters, protagonists, antagonists , various points of view, climax and action. Five well earned stars for a short read/ or listen which I highly recommend.
It will be published soon, Feb 11,2025. Go for it!

Based on the other reviews this is totally a "me" problem, but the narrator drove me crazy. I'm not sure if it was the voice, intonation, no idea. But I didn't enjoy it and struggled to pay attention 9r want to keep reading.

I'd love to give this another chance in print.

Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Highbridge Audio, Anais Renevier and Lisa S. Ware for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I hate to say it but this story just made me so mad. The audiobook is narrated beautifully but the actual true life crime story is just so hard to hear. Those poor babies that were murdered never had justice for them. The prejudice that was so present at that time coupled with terrible police work and wild goose chasing. I just didn’t enjoy hearing this story.

I think that the unfolding of this story was very slow. I liked the narrators voice, but overall was not kept engaged in the details.

Anais Renevier’s The Alice Crimmins Case is a meticulously researched and compelling true-crime account that revisits one of the most infamous cases in American legal history. The book delves into the tragic and controversial story of Alice Crimmins, a mother accused of murdering her two children in the 1960s. With a narrative that is both gripping and thought-provoking, Renevier presents the case’s facts, testimonies, and legal battles in a way that allows readers to draw their own conclusions.

One of the book’s strongest qualities is its objective approach. Rather than pushing a particular theory, Renevier lays out all available evidence, highlighting inconsistencies, investigative biases, and the intense media scrutiny that shaped public perception of Alice Crimmins. The author’s detailed presentation of the case encourages readers to question whether justice was truly served or if Crimmins was unfairly vilified.

Renevier’s writing is engaging and immersive, transforming court documents and police reports into a narrative that feels as suspenseful as a legal thriller. The book does not sensationalize the tragedy but instead maintains a respectful and analytical tone, making it an excellent read for true crime enthusiasts who appreciate fact-driven storytelling.

Overall, The Alice Crimmins Case is a compelling and well-researched true crime book that presents all sides of a complex case, leaving readers to grapple with the lingering question: Was Alice Crimmins guilty, or was she a victim of circumstance and a flawed justice system?

This case is compelling. I wanted more evidence of her guilt but that is just it they never did have enough information. It feels like this crime will never truly be solved and justice wasn't served. I liked the narrator and it was a,quick compelling story

Very interesting listen. Fast paced and informative. Would definitely recommend listening to. Quick listen and drama galore. Would read anything by this author again