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The Goffle Road Murders of Passaic County: The 1850 Van Winkle Killings by Don Everett Smith Jr
helterskelliter's review
3.0
Maybe a 3.5?
Overall, I found the local history to be interesting in this book. Especially as a local myself to Bergen county, I appreciate learning more about this place I live in. I had never heard of the Van Winkle murders before nor had I thought much about true crime in my area — though it clearly must exist. This book did an okay job surfacing this grisly story and putting into the context of the time. I do appreciate the time and effort spent on research and the degree of detail that the author put into telling this story.
That said, for me, I would almost have liked more suspense? It’s a very straightforward telling of this double-murder. More, it’s a very straightforward telling of this history. I would’ve liked a little more critical discussion of things like the relationship between white settlers and natives + slaves at the time (which is really glazed over early on), more discussion of the evidence and how it was analyzed (since no other suspects are considered or questioned and there’s only eyewitness testimony — something that is seldom admissible now), and more elaboration on the precedent this trial sent for law and order. All of these things are hinted at, and there some implications provided, but I feel like this nook and this story would’ve benefitted from that critical lens.
I’m not sure if the research to instigate these critical discussions is there or available though. According to the author, several lines of inquiry were cut short due to a simple lack of material to draw from. Also, I’m not sure if there were any reservations about critiquing a family line with some living relations/friends (many of whom still have a reasonable sum of clout in the area). Since these contacts seem to be primary sources , I could understand treading carefully.
Anyway, that’s just my two cents. I read this book for a local non-fiction book club at my library and I’m looking forward to discussing it more thoroughly soon~
Overall, I found the local history to be interesting in this book. Especially as a local myself to Bergen county, I appreciate learning more about this place I live in. I had never heard of the Van Winkle murders before nor had I thought much about true crime in my area — though it clearly must exist. This book did an okay job surfacing this grisly story and putting into the context of the time. I do appreciate the time and effort spent on research and the degree of detail that the author put into telling this story.
That said, for me, I would almost have liked more suspense? It’s a very straightforward telling of this double-murder. More, it’s a very straightforward telling of this history. I would’ve liked a little more critical discussion of things like the relationship between white settlers and natives + slaves at the time (which is really glazed over early on), more discussion of the evidence and how it was analyzed (since no other suspects are considered or questioned and there’s only eyewitness testimony — something that is seldom admissible now), and more elaboration on the precedent this trial sent for law and order. All of these things are hinted at, and there some implications provided, but I feel like this nook and this story would’ve benefitted from that critical lens.
I’m not sure if the research to instigate these critical discussions is there or available though. According to the author, several lines of inquiry were cut short due to a simple lack of material to draw from. Also, I’m not sure if there were any reservations about critiquing a family line with some living relations/friends (many of whom still have a reasonable sum of clout in the area). Since these contacts seem to be primary sources , I could understand treading carefully.
Anyway, that’s just my two cents. I read this book for a local non-fiction book club at my library and I’m looking forward to discussing it more thoroughly soon~
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