A gap year, a tragedy and a lucky escape.

At just 18 years old, Karen Hamilton spent a year of her life sleeping at 25 Cromwell Street, the house of horrors where the infamous serial killers Fred and Rose West committed their despicable crimes. Whilst staying with a lodger and friend, Liz, she slept on the top floor whilst unthinkable acts happened beneath her and behind the closed doors of the maze-like house.

A story that shook the world. Karen was living inside a nightmare but who knew that she was paying rent to the landlords from Hell?

In her debut memoir, Karen reveals the untold Australian story of her harrowing experiences in the house, her interactions with Fred and Rose and the reoccurring dreams that haunted her for over a decade afterwards. Her life would be permanently altered by the unassuming house just five doors down from her aunt's home.

This story honours the young women who lost their lives and is about friendships lost, found and lost again.