Category Archives: Murder & Mayhem

Biographies of Murder & Mayhem, book review, Crime, Crime and Criminal Biographies, Criminal and Memoirs of Criminals, Criminal Biographies, Institutional Abuse, Mental Health, Murder & Mayhem, Murder and Mayhem, Non-Fiction, Prison and Inmates Stories, Prison Stories, Real Crime, Survival, Survival Biographies, Survival Biographies & Memoirs, True Crime

THE INNOCENT MAN:  Murder and Injustice in a Small Town – Review

Leave a comment

Litercurious Book Review

The Innocent Man by John Grisham
TitleThe Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a
Small Town
AuthorJohn Grisham
PublisherAnchor (March 9, 2010)
FormatKindle, Hardback, paperback & Audiobook
Pages449
GenreTrue Crime, Murder & Mayhem, Legal Thrillers,
Non-Fiction, Legal History, Law Enforcement,
Mysteries
LanguageEnglish
ASIN# B003B02NZQ

AUTHOR

John Grisham is a master storyteller and one of America’s best-loved authors. Born in Arkansas, Grisham’s journey from practicing lawyer to bestselling author is as compelling as the stories he writes. With over 300 million books sold and several of his works adapted into major motion pictures, Grisham has captivated readers with his intricate legal dramas and unforgettable characters. His deep knowledge of the law and his gift for suspense have made his books perennial bestsellers.

SYNOPSIS

“The Innocent Man” by John Grisham is a riveting true-crime masterpiece that unravels the harrowing tale of Ron Williamson, an all-American dreamer turned tragic figure in a small Oklahoma town. This book dives deep into the flaws of the American justice system, illuminating how easily an innocent life can be destroyed by wrongful conviction.

In “The Innocent Man,” we journey through the tumultuous life of Ron Williamson, a former minor league baseball star whose promising career was derailed by mental illness and personal demons. In 1982, the quiet town of Ada, Oklahoma, was rocked by the brutal murder of Debra Sue Carter, a young waitress. The town’s desperation for justice led to Ron Williamson and his friend Dennis Fritz being accused of the crime. Despite a glaring lack of physical evidence and an array of questionable tactics used by law enforcement, both men were convicted

Grisham paints a vivid picture of the flawed investigation and the series of injustices that followed. We see Ron’s life spiral as he battles schizophrenia, all while enduring the horrors of death row. Grisham highlights the shaky testimonies, coerced confessions, and overlooked exculpatory evidence that sealed Ron’s fate. The narrative intensifies as the reader learns about the tireless efforts of Ron’s family and the Innocence Project, an organization dedicated to freeing wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and legal advocacy.

The book takes readers inside the courtroom and behind prison walls, revealing the emotional and psychological toll on Ron. Grisham’s powerful prose and detailed account of Ron’s eventual exoneration in 1999, after 11 years on death row, underscores the fragility of the judicial process. It’s a testament to human resilience and the unyielding quest and fierce determination for the justice.

CONCLUSION

“The Innocent Man” is more than just a chronicle of a grave miscarriage of justice; it is a poignant call to reform. John Grisham shines a light on the systemic failures that can lead to tragic errors and emphasizes the importance of vigilance and advocacy in the pursuit of true justice. This compelling narrative is a stark reminder of the real human cost of wrongful convictions and serves as an urgent plea for reform in the legal system.

The Innocent Man marks a departure from John Grisham’s usual legal thrillers. Stepping into the realm of true crime with a journalist’s eye for detail, Grisham turns legal intricacies into an engaging narrative; that talent is on full display here. He masterfully humanizes Williamson, introducing him as a victim of incredible injustice and a man battling personal demons. However, The Innocent Man is not without its weaknesses. Grisham’s transition from fiction to non-fiction is difficult—at times, constrained as it is by procedural details and legal jargon. As a result of these necessary evils, the prose did become formal, resulting in a more strictly formed narrative. I did not find that this impeded my enjoyment of the work, but a few may prefer his creative writing over his real-crime retelling. 

Despite these critiques, “The Innocent Man” remains a powerful and important read. It appeals to those interested in true crime, legal dramas, and stories of justice and redemption. It’s a must-read for anyone who cares about the integrity of the legal system and the profound impact it can have on individual lives. This book will resonate deeply with readers who value truth, fairness, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Grisham’s meticulous research and gripping narrative style make this book not just a read, but an experience.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR

RELATED POSTS

Biographies of Murder & Mayhem, Biography, book review, Crime and Criminal Biographies, Criminal and Memoirs of Criminals, Criminal Biographies, Murder & Mayhem, Murder and Mayhem, Non-Fiction, Real Crime, Serial Killers, Ted Kaczynski, Terrorism, True Crime

TED-KACZYNSKI – HUNTING THE UNABOMBER – REVIEW

Leave a comment

Litercurious Book Review

Hunting The Unabomber, Lis Wiehl
TitleHunting the Unabomber: The FBI, Ted Kaczynski,
and the Capture of America’s Most Notorious
Domestic Terrorist
AuthorLis Wiehl
PublisherThomas Nelson (April 28, 2020)
FormatKindle, Paperback, Hardback, Audiobook
Pages336
GenreSerial Killers true accounts, Terrorism,
Crime & Criminal Biographies
LanguageEnglish
ISBN#978-0718092122

AUTHOR’S BIO

Lis Wiehl is an author with an extensive background in law and journalism. A former federal prosecutor, former legal analyst, and reporter for Fox News, Wiehl possesses a J.D. from Harvard Law School, which lends her a robust legal perspective in her writing. With a career that spans various high-profile legal commentaries and several best-selling books, Wiehl’s expertise is well-established in the crime and legal analysis field. Her previous works often explore legal themes and true crime, with “Hunting the Unabomber” standing out as a testament to her investigative prowess and skill at translating complex legal issues into accessible narratives for a diverse audience.

SYNOPSIS

“Hunting the Unabomber” by Lis Wiehl unfolds as a true crime masterpiece, encapsulating the profound complexity of one of America’s most enigmatic criminal cases. Wiehl, with her formidable background as a legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, brings to the fore a narrative enriched with legal insights, presenting an exhaustive account of the pursuit and capture of Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber.

The book meticulously constructs the historical landscape of the late 20th century, setting the stage for a series of bombings that would grip the nation with fear. Wiehl’s descriptive prowess takes readers through the early incidents initiated by the Unabomber, providing a detailed analysis of each attack that contributed to a growing sense of terror and urgency. The Unabomber’s campaign spanned from 1978 to 1995, during which he orchestrated 16 bombings that resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries. Wiehl delves into each event with considerable precision, unraveling the Unabomber’s calculated moves to outsmart law enforcement agencies.

Wiehl’s account does not merely chronicle the events; it breathes life into the intensive investigation that ensued. Wiehl introduces an ensemble of characters – the dedicated FBI agents, the brilliant profilers, and the relentless journalists – each playing a pivotal role in Kaczynski’s apprehension. The narrative captures the evolution of criminal investigation techniques during this period, highlighting the nascent stages of forensic linguistics and its role in profiling the Unabomber.

The author offers a compelling examination of the Unabomber’s psyche, interweaving psychological analysis with the factual timeline. Kaczynski, a former mathematics professor and a Harvard University alumnus, retreated from society to a secluded cabin in Montana, where he fostered a growing animosity towards modern technology and industrialization. Wiehl dissects his anti-technological manifesto, allowing readers to ponder the paradox of a man using technology to wage a war against it.

Wiehl focuses on the cat-and-mouse game Kaczynski played with the judicial authorities as the narrative progresses. She portrays the Unabomber’s cryptic correspondence with the media and his demand to publish his manifesto as both a psychological gambit and a crucial turning point in the investigation. Wiehl’s legal expertise shines through as she illustrates the constitutional debates surrounding the decision to publish the manifesto. This move would ultimately lead to Kaczynski’s sibling recognizing his circuitous, declamatory and learned writing style and alerting the FBI.

The book goes beyond the extraneous facts of the case, examining the ethical and legal challenges the investigative team faced. Wiehl scrutinizes the media’s role in aiding and complicating the investigation, the public’s reaction to the unfolding events, and the judicial aftermath following Kaczynski’s arrest. The author paints a vivid picture of the trial preparations, the defense’s strategy to plead insanity, and the prosecution’s efforts to present Kaczynski as a man fully aware of his actions.

On page 2, I will expand on the latter stages of the investigation, the capture of Kaczynski, the trial proceedings, and the case’s aftermath, including its impact on legal practices and forensic science.

CONCLUSION

Lis Wiehl’s “Hunting the Unabomber” is a monumental work within the true crime genre, not merely for its meticulous recounting of a harrowing period in American history but for its introspective gaze into the machinery of justice and the psychology of terrorism. Wiehl’s narrative transcends the boundaries of traditional crime writing, weaving together a tapestry of legal scrutiny, investigative persistence, and ethical contemplation that encapsulates the full breadth of the Unabomber case.

The book’s concluding chapters, which detail the eventual capture and trial of Ted Kaczynski, serve as the culminating point of Wiehl’s extensive examination. These chapters do more than chronicle the end of a nationwide hunt; they present a piercing look into the soul of the American legal system. Wiehl’s background as a legal expert comes to the forefront as she articulates the delicate balance between the rights of the accused and the necessity for public safety. This theme resonates throughout the book.

In her analysis, Wiehl draws attention to the profound impact of Kaczynski’s arrest and trial on the American psyche. She explores how the case stirred a national conversation on privacy, technological progress, and the nature of evil. While radical and violent, the Unabomber’s philosophy was rooted in a fear of technological domination that Wiehl argues is not entirely alien to the collective consciousness. Through her review of Kaczynski’s manifesto, Wiehl bids readers to reflect on their relationship with technology and the unintended consequences of rapid technological innovation.

Pages: 1 2
Biographies of Murder & Mayhem, book review, Crime and Criminal Biographies, Murder & Mayhem, Murder and Mayhem, Non-Fiction, Organized Crime, Prison and Inmates Stories, Real Crime, True Crime

NO HUMAN CONTACT – REVIEW

Leave a comment

Litercurious Book Review

“No Human Contact” begs the question: When does punishment become a crime? Kado, for Litercurious. March 5, 2025.

TitleNo Human Contact: Solitary Confinement, Maximum
Security, and Two Inmates Who Changed the System
AuthorPete Earley
PublisherCitadel  (April 25, 2023)
FormatKindle, Hardcover
Pages306
GenreMurder & Mayhem. True Crime, Crime & Criminal
Biographies, Biographies of Murder & Mayhem,
Organized Crime, Real Crime
LanguageEnglish
ISBN #978-0806541884

Is “NO HUMAN CONTACT” justice, or is it cruel and unusual punishment? Pete Earley, investigative journalist extraordinaire, investigates this question, and his conclusions demand re-evaluation, especially in light of recent debates on prison reform and human rights. 

AUTHOR’S BIO

Pete Earley, Pulitzer Prize finalist, former Washington Post reporter, and bestselling author of “The Hot House,” is best known for his works on mental health and social issues. “No Human Contact” is a thought-provoking exploration that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the impact of isolation on the human psychology of extreme punitive isolation, its influences, and its effects..

SYNOPSIS

“No Human Contact” is a disconcerting look at the American prison system’s practice of long-term solitary confinement and the two killers whose actions inspired the creation of the “Supermax” prisons and forever changed modern-day corrections. 

In 1983, Thomas Silverstein and Clayton Fountain were members of the Aryan Brotherhood Prison Gang (A.B.). They were both serving life sentences for murder at the U.S. Prison in Marion, Illinois. On the same day, in the same institutional facility, on the same cell block, they separately killed Correctional Officer (C.O.) Merle Eugene Clutts and CO Robert L. Hoffman Sr, respectively. CO Merle Eugene Clutts was stabbed approximately 40 times by Thomas Silverstein due to a personal grudge. Eight hours later, Clayton Fountain brutally murdered Officer Robert L. Hoffman Sr., stabbing him 67 times. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) condemned both men to the severest punishment that they could legally impose at the time, one created specifically for them in response to their incredibly savage attacks. Silverstein and Fountain were deemed too dangerous to be around other inmates and Correctional Officers. The BOP mandated that the two men remain separated, in isolation called “No Human Contact.“  Their combined actions inspired the creation of the first Supermax Prison, United States Penitentiary (USP) Florence in Colorado. 

Following the murders, the Federal Bureau of Prisons separated Silverstein and Fountain. Fountain moved to the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, and Silverstein transferred to the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta. The men initially spent nine months in mattress-sized cells, where the lights burned twenty-four hours a day, completely sealed off from the outside world, with only their minds to occupy their time. Eventually, they received minimal privileges; Fountain turned to religion and became a monk. He spent the rest of his life in isolation in a Missouri prison; he died in his cell in 2004. Silverstein became a skilled artist at the ADX Florence Supermax facility in Colorado, where he was held in solitary confinement until he died in 2019. Silverstein was the longest-held prisoner in isolation at the time of his death.

CONCLUSION

Pete Earley’s “No Human Contact” is a profound exploration into the depths of America’s prison system, focusing on the harrowing experiences of Thomas Silverstein and Clayton Fountain. Known for his insightful forays into complex societal issues, Earley once again demonstrates his prowess in unraveling the intricacies of the U.S. penal system while weaving a narrative that is as enlightening as it is emotionally stirring.

Silverstein and Fountain, two inmates at the Marion prison facility, are central to this narrative. Their stories are not just personal accounts but serve as a lens through which Earley examines the broader implications of solitary confinement and the emergence of supermax prisons. 

Earley’s meticulous research sheds light on the incidents at Marion that led to seismic shifts in prison policies. The book delves deep into the conditions at Marion before and after these changes, painting a vivid and grim picture of the harsh realities of life in high-security prisons.

“No Human Contact” is not merely a chronicle of policies and prisons; it’s a deep dive into the psychological impact of extreme isolation and the moral questions surrounding the treatment of inmates. Earley skillfully interweaves the personal struggles of Silverstein and Fountain with a critical analysis of the implications of their treatment – both for the individuals themselves and society at large.

What sets this book apart is Earley’s ability to humanize his subjects. Despite their crimes and the subsequent punitive measures, he portrays Silverstein and Fountain as complex individuals, not mere caricatures of violence and retribution. This approach provides a more nuanced understanding of their experiences and challenges readers to confront their own preconceptions about crime, punishment, and rehabilitation.

In its emotive conclusion, “No Human Contact” transcends the boundaries of traditional prison literature. Earley doesn’t just record events; he invites introspection. The book becomes a profound commentary on the human cost of extreme penal measures and the often invisible scars left by prolonged isolation. It’s an urgent call to reevaluate the principles underlying the American prison system.

“No Human Contact” is a critique of the penal system and a powerful narrative that resonates with empathy and a deep understanding of the human condition. Earley’s work is a compelling read for anyone interested in criminal justice, prison reform, or the broader societal implications of incarceration. Through the stories of Silverstein and Fountain, Earley masterfully brings to light the often overlooked or misunderstood aspects of life behind bars, making “No Human Contact” a significant contribution to the discourse on prison reform and human rights.  

“No Human Contact” is a captivating and emotionally resonant book that reflects on the importance of human connection and its influence on our well-being. The authors’ adept storytelling and insightful exploration of the human condition make this book a compelling and thought-provoking read. The narrative is poignant and relevant, providing a profoundly moving exploration of the human experience in extreme isolation.

I highly recommend Early’s other works.  I’m reading “The Hot House,” also by Pete Earley, and find it a real page-turner. It retells the personal experiences of those souls condemned to serve time in the Leavenworth Correctional Facility, aka The Hot House. 

To conclude, “No Human Contact” is a must-read for those who appreciate rich character development and a profound understanding of the human psyche.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Pete Earley, Rich Miller, Citadel Publishing, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review “No Human Contact: Solitary Confinement, Maximum Security, and Two Inmates Who Changed the System.”

OTHER WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR

The Hot House
The Prophet of Death
The Serial Killer Whisperer,
WITSEC
Crazy

MS-13 – Review

MS-13’s members are reported to exist in 33 States. A grand achievement considering their inauspicious beginnings in Los Angeles. It is claimed that their current numbers are in excess of three-quarters of a million members.…

Keep reading
by Nemo

GHOSTS OF THE ORPHANAGE – REVIEW

Ghosts of the Orphanage presents a panoply of horrific first person recollections of historic, systemic, and religious sponsored child abuse. Kenneally documents multiple victims accounts that coalesce into nightmarish clarity. She exposes the range of…

Keep reading
by Nemo

SLENDERMAN – REVIEW

It was the crime that shocked the world; every bit as infamous as the first US thrill killers Leopold and Loeb.

Morgan and Anissa acting as proxies in the crime to becalm the Slenderman.…

Keep reading
by Nemo

INSANE – REVIEW

Roth’s expose’ reveals the confluence of factors that combined to create a living nightmare for those suffering from mental illness in the United States of America. She posits that the current system is fundamentally failing.…

Keep reading
by Nemo
Biographies of Murder & Mayhem, book review, Institutional Abuse, Murder & Mayhem, Non-Fiction, Sociology, True Crime, Women's biographies

GHOSTS OF THE ORPHANAGE – REVIEW

Leave a comment

Litercurious Book Review

Ghost of the Orphanage – Christine Kenneally
TitleGhosts of the Orphanage: A Story of Mysterious
Deaths, a Conspiracy of Silence, and a Search for Justice 
AuthorChristine Kenneally PhD
PublisherPublicAffairs (March 21, 2023)
FormatKindle, Hardcover
Pages384
GenreSociology Books on Abuse, Child Abuse,
Murder & Mayhem True Accounts
LanguageEnglish
ISBN #978-1541758513

AUTHOR – DOCTOR CHRISTINE KENNEALLY

Christine Kenneally PhD., is a proud Antipodean born in Melbourne. She is an exceptional, renown award-winning journalist and author. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Linguistics from Cambridge University.

Her debut non-fiction manuscript, “The First Word: The Search for the Origins of Language,” earned her a  place as a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Her next publication, “The Invisible History of the Human Race: How DNA and History Shape Our Identities and Our Futures,” was well received, being included in the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2014. The investigation that would become the inspiration for Ghosts of the Orphanage began with a piece that she was researching whilst working as a senior contributor for BuzzFeed. Her report was published in August of 2018 and was hugely successful; winning an Online Journalism Award. Christine Kenneally also contributed to the Official Police Investigation into the crimes that took place at St. Joseph’s Orphanage. 

SYNOPSIS

Ghosts of the Orphanage is a stirring masterpiece of investigative journalism. Christine Kenneally shares her exploration of the atrocities committed on the wards of St. Joseph’s Orphanage by their ecclesiastical key turns. What follows is a catalogue of crimes that were subjected to police investigation. An investigation that exposed the daily routine horrors that the children endured during their time as reluctant guests of St. Joseph’s reprehensible clerical form of hospitality. 

Ghosts of the Orphanage present’s a panoply of horrific first person recollections of historic, systemic, and religious sponsored child abuse. Kenneally documents multiple victims accounts that coalesce into nightmarish clarity. She exposes the range of neglect and abuse that include: verbal, physical, sexual, mindless violence, cruelty and psychological tortures metered out to the wards of St. Joseph’s. The innocent children would go on to suffer lifetimes of horror, depression, survivors’ guilt, and nightmares.

Keanneally primarily focuses on the accounts of five victims; revealing their vivid and disturbing back-stories. The author exposes the gross and disturbing traumas of the former captives through her skillful dogged determination and dedicated research methods. Through her persistent and unrelenting efforts, she blows the whistle on the generational systematic abuse and neglect that resulted in so many casualties. Internee’s of these religious institutions, according to Kenneally, were subjected to crimes of the most egregious natures. These poor victims suffered decade after decade whilst their alleged abusers still remain unpunished.

It is common among children that endured such abhorrent treatment to self-medicate in later life. They suffer neurological problems, substance abuse issues and difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Many survivors attempted to suppress their recollections of the trauma to which they had been subjected; insightfully, Kenneally includes this in her observations.

CONCLUSION

Christine Kenneally skillfully uncovers a culture of dehumanization and abuse on an industrial scale at St. Joseph’s Orphanage. She applies considerable talents to uncovering the evidence that include: first-person accounts, primary sources, diary extracts, and a range of official documentation to expose the heinous crimes committed against untold numbers of children over decades. The evidence recovered reveals the dark devilish history of the orphanage and the evil actions of the demon inspired clergy.

Ghosts of the Orphanage is an important work as it documents, not just the numerous crimes committed against the children, but also exposes the conspiracy of silence.

This book will likely effect the reader on many personal and emotional levels. It may leave you haunted, angry, sad, and even a little vengeful. The graphic descriptions of mindless cruelty, physical and psychological tortures make the blood run cold. It would be bad enough if this culture of terror was an isolated incident; but a brief internet search will reveal that the same culture spanned the globe in numerous religious institutions. These poor children suffered such great atrocities at the hands of their jailers, and it seems no one cared. The feelings that this book engendered in me are intense and difficult to forget.

Ghosts of the Orphanage makes for difficult reading. I found myself profoundly moved by the graphic nature of the horrors described. The children’s recollections left me with a deep sense of unease and were extremely emotive.

I would like to tell you that the victim accounts are the worst part of this book. However, the decades of abuse remain unpunished to this day, leaving the victims without meaningful justice. The casualties are left to suffer the emotional and psychological fall-out of their abuse leaving them to exist in an uncaring, disinterested world. A world who has yet to discover the degrees of horrors which plagued their young lives.

The narrative instilled a longlasting impression upon me and an infinite number of questions. There is one question that haunts me still:

What ever happened to little Mary Clark?

Be prepared to be enraged. 

Rating: 4 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Christine Kenneally, PublicAffairs and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Ghosts of the Orphanage: A Story of Mysterious Deaths, a Conspiracy of Silence, and a Search for Justice .

OTHER WORK BY THIS AUTHOR

Great to see you again! Thank you for visiting us here at Litercurious. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to providing you with the best experience possible on each and every visit. Feel free to suggest any books or audiobooks through our contact link if you so wish. We look forward to your next fist. Feel free to share our posts on social media.

DID YOU MISS THESE POSTS?

book review, Murder & Mayhem, Non-Fiction, True Crime, United States History

NOTHING BUT THE NIGHT – REVIEW

Leave a comment

Litercurious Book Review

Nothing But The Night By Greg King & Penny Wilson
TitleNothing But The Night
AuthorGreg King and Penny Wilson
PublisherSt. Martin’s Press (September 20, 2022)
FormatKindle, Hardcover, and Audiobook
Pages352
GenreTrue Crime, Murder & Mayhem, United States History
LanguageEnglish
ISBN # 978-1250272669

AUTHOR

Greg King is the author of many internationally published works of history, including The Last Voyage of the Andrea Doria. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Majesty Magazine, Royalty Magazine and Royalty Digest. He lives in the Seattle area.

Greg King bio source: Macmillan

Penny Wilson is the author of Lusitania and The Last Voyage of the Andrea Doria with Greg King and several internationally published works of history on late Imperial Russia. Her historical work has appeared in Majesty Magazine, Atlantis Magazine, and Royalty Digest. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three Huskies.

Penny Wilson bio source: Macmillan

SYNOPSIS

On 21 May, 1924, 14-year-old Robert “Bobby” Franks was found brutally murdered. Bobby was the son of a millionaire business owner. Although murders were commonplace, Bobby Franks killing was, arguably, the first of its kind for America; its first “thrill killing.”

The two accused, both teenagers, viewed themselves as Übermensch; a phrase meaning Supermen as described by nihilist and philosopher Frederick Nietzsche in his book1 Thus Spake Zarathustra. Übermensch is a term to describe men for whom the normal rules do not apply. The grim truth of the crime was even more vomitus than anyone could ever imagine.

Dubbed “the crime of the century,” the court case proved to reveal more than the details of a crime, but introduced America to a sickening new criminal trend; the thrill killers! In the dock were the two accused: 18-year-old Richard “Dick” Loeb and 19-year-old Nathan “Babe” Leopold Junior.

Richard Loeb was the son of a wealthy lawyer who became a senior executive at Sears, Roebuck & Company. He was handsome, well-healed, charming and liked by his peers. Next to Loeb sat his co-conspirator, Nathan Leopold Jr. In contrast to Loeb, Leopold was described as “sinister.” He was once admired for his prodigious intelligence and yet he appeared to some of his cohorts to be “peculiar” because of his haughty attitude and aloof nature; preferring book-learning to social situations. 

Due to the nature of the crime, the two teenagers faced a charge of murder in the first degree. Their legal counsel was the highly esteemed defense attorney, 67-year-old, Clarence Darrow Esquire. Who was arguably the most feared attorney in America at the time. 

Their case was infamous for being the first recognized case of a ‘thrill kill.’ It was also noteworthy due to the fact that it was extensively planned and coordinated for the sole purpose of committing the ‘perfect’ crime and escaping subsequent justice. You can probably appreciate by now that the latter part of the plan failed, or we would not be here analyzing it today. A crime committed not by the usual suspects, but exceptional because of the social status of the individuals, their education and their religious/national identity.

The horrendous crime that Leopold and Loeb committed was so complex, notorious and shocking to the world, that it inspired Alfred Hitchcock to write the 1948 movie Rope starring James Stewart.

CONCLUSION

In a carefully crafted narrative, King and Wilson breathe new life into an old case of murder and mayhem with this, their latest literary masterpiece. Nothing But The Night is a high quality detailed accounting of ‘the murder of the century,’ as it was labeled at the time. The authors provide an unocculted view into the devious nature of the two murderers covering how they conspired together to kill without risk of capture. They guide us through the comprehensive, elaborate, and intricate planning that preceded the crime; to the actual murder, their eventual apprehension and their subsequent trial.

The trial is the end of the book, but the beginning of the conundrum. It is a view into the minds of men who believe that they were outside the norm, superior in every way, exceptional, special and entitled. They believed they held dominion over the life of their chosen, hapless victim.

King and Wilson avoid the trap of focusing on the deviancy of the two men, Leopold and Loeb. Hints of sexual indiscretion are implied but not explicit. Some things are obvious without reference, and this technique adds to the power of the work overall.

There are some books that one reads and discards without a second thought, and then there are others that resonate with us. Well, this is a work that you will contemplate for some time. You will find yourself dwelling on some aspect of the story, and weeks or months later still remember the contents and imagery of this book.

Nothing But The Night is written with consummate skill and unrivaled clarity. It is an exceptional work of its kind, and an absolute must have for true crime aficionados, students of psychology, law, or criminal justice.

If you enjoyed todays review and would like to see more of the same subject matter please like, comment and subscribe for more content.

1Nietzsche F. Thomas Common (trans.), New York: The Modern Library Press, 2017 (1883–5).

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

OTHER BOOKS BY THESE AUTHORS

COMING SOON

BARRED: Why the innocent can’t get out of prison

By Daniel Medwed

book review, Law Enforcement Biography, Murder & Mayhem, Non-Fiction, True Crime

American Demon – Review

Leave a comment

Litercurious Book Review

American Demon by Daniel Stashower
TitleAmerican Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for
America’s Jack the Ripper
AuthorDaniel Stashower
PublisherMinotaur Books (September 6, 2022)
FormatKindle, Hardback, Audiobook
Pages352
GenreTrue Crime, Serial Killers True Accounts
LanguageEnglish
ISBN #978-1250041166

Quote:

It could equally have been called the Beast of Kingsbury Run, Cleveland. AKA Cleveland’s Torso Killer Quote: “Slays in the same manner as Jack the Ripper.”  Loc 57. Page number in this book unavailable.

AUTHOR

Daniel Stashower is an acclaimed biographer and narrative historian and winner of the Edgar, Agatha, and Anthony awards, as well as the Raymond Chandler Fulbright Fellowship in Detective Fiction. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine. 

Excerpt taken from Amazon.

SYNOPSIS

American Demon is written by the highly regarded biographer and historian Daniel Stashower. In this his most recent publication Stashower documents the life, times, and cases of the eponymous Detective Eliot Ness. American Demon focuses on Ness’ most notable cases: The Cleveland Torso Killer, Al Capone and one that got away; the aptly labeled, American Demon.

Daniel used a diverse range of research resources that included: Eliot Ness’ original Manuscripts and the Library of Congress Manuscript Division; as well as books, magazines and journals. Written in a biographical style, Stashower catalogues Ness’ meteoric rise from his humble beginnings as the youngest son of an immigrant family, through his education in law enforcement and to his involvement with some of America’s most ignominious and memorable cases. 

CONCLUSION

American Demon by Daniel Stashower, is an interesting historical account of the trials, successes, and tribulations of Eliot Ness’ many high profile criminal investigations. 

Stashower’s narrative is easy to read, informative, expertly researched and concise. It was not the monograph I was expecting, but a compendium of Ness’ cases across his career. It was remarkably interesting learning about his various cases; some of which I was unacquainted with. 

There is much to discover in this notable work. If you find the accounts discussed in this tome worthy of further research, Stashower  provides an extensive bibliography for your reference.

I highly recommend American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Daniel Stashower, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper.

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR

PREVIOUS POSTS