The Curse: A Shocking True Story of Superstition, Human Sacrifice and Cannibalism by Ryan Green

The Curse: A Shocking True Story of Superstition, Human Sacrifice and Cannibalism Reviews

• 
  Lyn❤Loves❤Listening #AUDIOBOOKADDICT

  Audio 5 Stars
  Story 5 Fucked up Stars
  
  I have a really serious problem. I'm addicted to this horrible true crime series. The stories are horrendously horrifying and are nightmare inducing 😣😖😵 I'm totally blaming it on the rona. 🤷🏽‍♀️
• 
  Miriam on hiatus

  5 stars audio
  5 twisted superstitious stars story.
• 
  Maxine (Booklover Catlady)

  Madness, Superstition and Bizarre Beliefs.
  
  I love true crime. I watch and read about many killers but this one I'd not heard of. My first but not last Ryan Green book.
  
  Ryan writes like you are reading a story rather than dry, boring facts on a page. The book took me right back to the killer as a child and background history of how she came to be. Essentially she was a rare female serial killer. Her obsession with superstition and occult practices tied in with her instability to create a dark human being.
  
  It wasn't anywhere near as gory or too hard to read difficult scenes. Not for me anyway but I have strong resilience from years of true crime obsession. The book covers her whole life, not just the killings. This may or may not appeal to you. Overall an interesting read, with only 120 or so pages I read this in under an hour. I will be trying more of Ryan's books now.
• 
  Kayla Krantz

  Leonarda Cianciulla was a different kind of killer. She lived her life terrified by superstitions. That fear eventually drove her to murder.
  
  Like most serial killers, Leonarda had an awful childhood. To me though, she wasn’t like other serial killers. She didn’t kill for joy, but rather to placate the belief that if she killed someone, she would be able to keep her children safe. It’s too bad her story occurred before mental illness aware was a thing because I think it would’ve been interesting to study her mind and see everything she had going on.
  
  Narration by Steve White is perfect as always.
  
  This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
  
• 
  Kim

  Another riveting exposé…
  
  In the true crime genre, no one can take a subject and write a personalized memoir of that killer the way Ryan Green can. 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 a highly detailed and totally 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 and profoundly sad composite of one 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.
  
• 
  Samantha

  I took a chance on this book after seeing it come up in my recommendations, and I am very glad that I did.
  Green has a great talent for weaving a truth into a narrative. I was hooked on the story and felt strongly about many of the tragic events that both Leonarda, and even her mother, had been through. The spiraling that she experienced throughout the story was well-written and done in such a way that I was often rendered speechless with shock.
  This was an incredible story with an abundance of twists, turns, and craziness, and to think that it was based on a true story made it all the more entertaining. Wow. I will definitely be looking into Green's other books.
• 
  Michelle Boyer

  Human bodies make decent soap, maybe
  
  Ryan Green does I again, exploring a crazy true crime story (this time from Italy) that follows a woman who thinks she is cursed. She'll eventually do anything to save her children, especially her son, even if it means killing a few women and turning them into soap. And if you think that the first recipe for human soap turned out perfect, well... And of course, there are some cannibalistic tea cakes.
  
  Fascinating and disturbing at the same time!
• 
  Susan

  As with
  Ryan Green's
  Black Widow: The True Story of Giggling Granny Nannie Doss that I read,
  The Curse: A Shocking True Story of Superstition, Human Sacrifice and Cannibalism is well-written, intriguing, and enthralling. I like his writing style.
  
  This story about Leonarda Cianciulli (1894-1970) and her crimes are indubitably haunting:
  

  Leonarda began to piece together her understanding of magic, influenced in places by her studies of the Wicca-like Stregheria.
  
  That was the trouble with Mama’s odd behaviour. It always started out sounding so calm and reasonable that it was only when the sun had set, and you were still wandering the woods looking for a very specific kind of spider’s web, that you realised you’d been dragged over the precipice of madness again.

  
  
  And Leonarda Cianciulli gruesomely killed three of her friends for a reason that will horrify readers.
  
  As horrific as her crimes are, I just could not look away.
  
  🏮 Kindle Unlimited version.
  
• 
  Shainlock

  I might be in the minority here, but this woman; all I could do most of the book was pity her. It’s an incredible story and also heartbreaking story because it starts at her mother and leads you through the circumstances of Leonardo’s birth. From there, Green takes you through her life, if someone can call it that.
  Of course, I severely disagree wholeheartedly with what she did and I abhor her actions! But how can I not feel that she was made into what she was?
  I will definitely be reading more of Green’s True Crime research novels because they are written in such a straight forward and truthful way.
  At some point; Leonardo’s mind left reality and Green has his opinions on that and now so do I.
  This is a fascinating story. It’s not until the end that I can’t decide some things.
  When she killed, it hurt her. She lamented about the life wasted. She did it for love of her son. She cried. She believed she was saving him. She did things that hurt her and she confessed. Then she was proud of it. Don’t throw things about me, but trying to fit myself in her crazy mind... I get it, but only after reading this.
  I will say things like this, and abuse, neglect, how she even came to exist make me boiling mad. Never take something out on someone else ! I know it’s hard, but geez!
  And if it’s not yours can’t you just not touch it!
  This is what happens ! If ... that is you bother to read. This was a poor soul that I can only hope was delivered somehow ...
  
• 
  Beverly Laude

  This is a truly creepy story, made even more creepy by the fact that it is true! This book tells the tale of a woman, abused as a young girl, who is convinced that she has been cursed by her mother. My heart ached both for the girl, Leonarda, and her mother as the tale unfolded.
  
  Leonarda knew that her beloved son, Guiseppe, would die in WW!! unless she intervened. Using her skill as a soap maker and her obsession with witchcraft, she terrorized her small town while most of the community respected her knowledge of superstitious things. The author's descriptions of the murders she committed are truly the stuff of nightmares. I would not recommend this book for those who are squeamish!
  
  Ryan Green does more than just give you the facts in this book (as well as his other works). He spins the facts into a tale worthy of a screenplay. While not an extensive treatise of this madwoman, it is a good, quick look into her life and her crimes. The narrator, Steve White, is perfect for this book and really adds a lot to the listener's enjoyment. If you enjoy true crime books written from a different angle, check out Mr. Green's works. You won't be disappointed!
  
  I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.
• 
  Susanne Alethea Larssen

  It is always problematic when true crime authors try to embroider the thoughts and emotions of the people involved. Leonarda Cianciulli wrote down her memoirs, and R. Green I am sure also drew from that. But how the victims felt in their last moments on earth, or other people that crossed Leonarda Cianciulli's path becomes too speculative and not at least, just feels like an attempt to flesh out the book. It all makes the book feel less factual, and more a fiction novel based on real events and have you wonder what else has been made up to "improve" the narrative.
• 
  Amanda Borys

  This is the second time I have been fooled by slick advertising into buying a book by this writer. But as the saying goes "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me". I will definitely not be purchasing any more books by this writer.
  
  I have already critiqued Obeying Evil by this writer and all the same general comments still stand. Sadly pretentious photo, no research or other works credited, same over reliance on drama and shock to cover the fact the details are flimsy. I read the Wikipedia page on Leonarda Cianciulli and got a more thorough and interesting story than was related in this book.
  
  I do feel sorry for Leonarda though. Apparently her mother's curse was so powerful it continues to affect her even after her death. How else can you explain this poor excuse for a book.
• 
  danielle

  I love Ryan's books. He has the knack of taking a true crime story and weaving it into an actual story not just a report of what crime was done. He does it in a way that let's you get behind the eye of the killer. This one is no different. He explains the history of this person to the point that you can somewhat understand their thinking and why they did what they did. This particular story is so over the top that you would think it's made up.
  
  And I love Steve White's narration for these stories. Always spot on, and voice inflections that make what should be uncomfortable to hear sort of cozy. I know, that sounds weird, but it's true. He helps make it more palatable.
  
  I received a free audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Bob

  This is a horrific true story of an unhinged Italian woman who killed 3 women in WW2 Italy. She did it because she was trying to remove a curse from her family and to protect her son, who had just enlisted in the Italian army. She was a small city soap maker, psychic and witch, well thought of in the community. Imagine their surprise when they found out a secret ingredient in their soap was liquified neighbors. In spite of the monstrous nature of her crimes, the author does a pretty good job of giving us a sympathetic view of the woman. Not an easy thing to do.
• 
  Tom Schulte

  I had my doubts when I saw the run time under four hours, but Green's efficient economy makes an engaging and complete story of one unique woman's life from being born of rape to soapmaker 'wise woman' (my phrase) to serial killer and foiled necromancer. After this and
  The Monster of Florence I wonder what other prolific criminals from Italy await book length analysis.
• 
  Caz Freeman

  Was shocking and an interesting read on the mindset on why what was done
• 
  Claire

  I love true crimes but this wasn't for me some parts were good and some dragged on
• 
  Clive Willcocks

  As always superbly told. Highly recommended.
• 
  Vicky

  Brilliant again
  
  I could not put this page turner down, stories of love with twists, I read the whole book in 1 sitting. Easy to read very well written. Would highly recommend if you like true crime, the occult and motherly love this 1 has it all.
• 
  Zelda

  This book gave me the shivers.
  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.
• 
  Emily Ross

  This was so disturbing! I don't think that I'll be able to look at soap the same way again. This book was interesting, if not quite gruesome, and makes me want to read more of Green's true crime books.
• 
  Mich

  Sad tale of a sad situation. It’s proof you’re a product of your upbringing....
• 
  Vickie Bridge

  Yikes!!! Fast moving and riveting. There are some real crazies out there!
• 
  Daniel Kupres

  The first thing you can count on with The Curse and Ryan, is that he does not have a writing formula. Aside from each of his works being true crime, his approach has not been the same. One thing I really enjoy, aside from being exposed to new stories to me, is that he always adds in new words that I’ve never heard of.
  
  Ryan really pulls you in with this odd tale of Giuseppe getting ready to depart for WWII, for the Italians and has probably the strangest of encounters with his mother. As a grown man at his age, especially in those days, she decides to bathe him one last time before he is off. A mother letting go of her son or cleansing him of his sins? Ryan’s approach differs in this story as we learn about his mother first and how we got to this strange ritual bathing before we get to gruesome acts that occur within their house. The commonality of all of Ryan’s works seems to be the upbringing of the child that causes them to unleash their evil upon the rest of us.
  
  With a title like The Curse, I expected a darker story that may turn my stomach but oddly, it’s almost light and somewhat uplifting, which only makes sense, if you look at it from the point of view of what lengths a parent will go to for their child. This is a must read, as I tried to explain it to my wife, she couldn’t believe it was a true crime novel.
• 
  Jean Merritt Jones

  Once Again, A Fantastic Read!!
  
  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!!!
• 
  Lisa

  VERY WELL WRITTEN!
  
  A historical true crime story that drills down on a mother's obsession with keeping her first born son safe from what she perceives as a curse placed on her and her family after she loses many children to miscarriage and illness, and her little family suffers through many tragedies.
  
  A very well written, well researched older true crime story from yesteryear.
  
  I always love running across a good true crime story I haven't read yet. Most of this author's works are of serial killers that have been written about over and over, and frankly, that seems to be all that's available lately is re-writes of the same old crimes or murders.
  
  Having something NEW (even though it's old) is refreshing and I wish there was more like this because sometimes it feels like true crime is a dying genre with authors not writing anything new, but switching to writing psychological thrillers instead (like Greg Olsen who lists those under true crime even though they aren't, which is very annoying and deceptive!)
• 
  Andi

  Given the time period this book is set in, it's fascinating and disturbing all at once. There aren't enough details to satisfy me on the "why" of this woman's actions but again, this was a very long time ago and the only way to truly know what happened is to review the woman's own book that was never even published and was written by a psychotic, abused and manipulated product of a bad society.
  
  There can never be enough said about the unfair treatment of women and lower class people in this time period, but the fact that families genuinely turned their backs on each other always makes me wonder just how mentally off these people were to be able to completely cut ties with children and grandchildren all for the sake of their pride... And marrying off your daughter to her own rapist? I can't fathom believing that was ok in her mother's heart.
  
  I'd really like to know what happened to her children though!
• 
  Shelley

  This is a fascinating trip into the mind of a cold blooded killer with no remorse. The story and its details are disturbing, graphic, and downright heartbreaking. Leonarda's story and that of her mother are ones of a different time when women were rarely acknowledged for anything. Mental illness was not spoken of or treated.
  
  This is well researched account of the life of Leonarda Cianciulli. It is chronologically organized and doesn't leave any part of the story to the imagination.
  
  This story includes rape, victim blaming, forced marriage, child abuse, murder, the occult, and a host of other very sensitive topics. Nothing has been sugar-coated.
  
  I give it three stars because the writing is very simple and choppy. It reads like it was written by a twelve year old. If you like true crime it would be a way to pass a few hours.
• 
  Pelin Tekneci

  “The Curse” by Ryan Green is a true crime story about Leonarda Cianciulli, an Italian serial killer who murdered women to prevent her son’s getting killed as he was going to join the army during WW2.
  
  The novel was about 100 pages and I was able to finish it within a day. The first two third of the book explains how Leonarda turns into a mentally fragile woman and gets obsessed with occult practices. Then the murders are explained in vivid details. And finally the last chapter provides snapshots of Leonarda’s latter life, which have many interesting details.
  
  I am not a true-crime reader though I like watching true crime series. But I really liked this book. And guess what? The night I finished the book, I had a nightmare where I witnessed these murders. I received a free thriller in my dreams.