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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
A extremely fascinating read about race relations in the 60s, the justice system, and the Boston Strangler's personal connection to the author's family. Junger stated in an interview that the best part of the whole book was that it had no concrete, definitive ending. I'd have to agree. It made it a highly recommended read.
cemoses's review against another edition
4.0
It has some interesting information about the legal system.
bookysue's review
3.0
While the book’s ending was somewhat disappointing, I really appreciated how well the author contextualized the crime and Roy Smith’s trial and conviction. The writing too was mostly great throughout, although oddly enough the book had more typos and misspellings than I’ve seen in a while.
lisawhelpley's review
3.0
Fascinating story but it did get repetitive. Maybe needed a better editor?
cjgmiranda220's review against another edition
2.0
The book started off well. It went straight into the action of the crime and details associated with it. There is a true mystery of whether the Boston Strangler committed the murder. Was the accused a black man in the wrong neighborhood? These were very compelling questions. Where the book lost me is during the trial. Too many legal explanations. I kept skipping ahead on the CD. I realized I still had 5 CDs left and I had to stop. I couldn't finish.
heatherg213's review
4.0
As much as I love mysteries, I've never been a huge fan of true crime books. I think it has something to do with not wanting to contribute to voyeuristic, tabloid culture. After all, you can hardly turn on the television without seeing a 20/20, 48 Hours, etc...special dissecting in minute, excruciating detail every thrilling part of the crime. But sometimes a book comes along that intrigues me enough to pick it up. A Death in Belmont is one of those books.
A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger tells the story of The Boston Strangler, but using the context of a black man named Roy Smith, who was convicted of a murder in the suburb of Bemont, MA. The murder fit the profile of the Strangler murders, but there was enough circumstantial evidence to convince police that TBGDI-"the black guy did it". Later, when Albert DeSalvo confessed to the killings, he never confessed to the killing that Smith was convicted of. What made gave it a personal twist was the fact that during the time of the killings, DeSalvo was working on a construction project for Junger's family, and may in fact have left the Junger home to commit the Belmont murder. All pf the principle players died before the complete story was revealed, and experts differ on whether the Belmont murder was a miscarriage of justice against a black man by a racist justice system, or whether Smith did in fact commit the crime.
A Death in Belmont is well researched, and Junger doles out the facts and his own speculation in a well-paced account. He goes back and forth recounting the movements of Smith, DeSalvo, the detectives, and his own family from chapter to chapter. In the end he makes a pretty good case for his theory of the crime. And, of course, what makes the whole things that much creepier is the idea that while he was an infant, his mother spent her days caring for him in the company of one of the most prolific serial killers of the 20th century. Junger's writing is compelling, and even though he goes into pretty exhaustive detail I never felt bogged down by facts or overwhelmed by the amount of information. If true crime is your thing, this book will probably suit you quite well.
A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger tells the story of The Boston Strangler, but using the context of a black man named Roy Smith, who was convicted of a murder in the suburb of Bemont, MA. The murder fit the profile of the Strangler murders, but there was enough circumstantial evidence to convince police that TBGDI-"the black guy did it". Later, when Albert DeSalvo confessed to the killings, he never confessed to the killing that Smith was convicted of. What made gave it a personal twist was the fact that during the time of the killings, DeSalvo was working on a construction project for Junger's family, and may in fact have left the Junger home to commit the Belmont murder. All pf the principle players died before the complete story was revealed, and experts differ on whether the Belmont murder was a miscarriage of justice against a black man by a racist justice system, or whether Smith did in fact commit the crime.
A Death in Belmont is well researched, and Junger doles out the facts and his own speculation in a well-paced account. He goes back and forth recounting the movements of Smith, DeSalvo, the detectives, and his own family from chapter to chapter. In the end he makes a pretty good case for his theory of the crime. And, of course, what makes the whole things that much creepier is the idea that while he was an infant, his mother spent her days caring for him in the company of one of the most prolific serial killers of the 20th century. Junger's writing is compelling, and even though he goes into pretty exhaustive detail I never felt bogged down by facts or overwhelmed by the amount of information. If true crime is your thing, this book will probably suit you quite well.
megs_k's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe the truth isn't even the most interesting thing about some stories, I thought; maybe the most interesting thing about some stories is all the things that could e true. And maybe it's in the pursuit of those things that you understand the world in its deepest, most profound sense. ~ Sebastian Junger
elspeth_h's review against another edition
Seems to be a conventional example of the true crime genre, one I am tired of.
jrae_miller's review
4.0
I really enjoy books like these - true stories, a bit of history, and mystery. I didn't know anything about the Boston Strangler until I read this, and it was really interesting and informative. I liked that Junger didn't try to force a choice on the reader, he just presented all the evidence available and lets the reader make his or her own decision.
Having now read this I think I'll read The Perfect Storm when I get the chance.
Having now read this I think I'll read The Perfect Storm when I get the chance.