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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I thought I would like this more than I did. I found it extremely detailed, but tedious at times. I think it could have been much shorter.
Even though the military police let the crime scene become contaminated, there is plenty of evidence to pinpoint Jeffrey McDonald's guilt. Even more telling is his coldness and selfishness that do not represent someone who is grief-stricken.
Even though the military police let the crime scene become contaminated, there is plenty of evidence to pinpoint Jeffrey McDonald's guilt. Even more telling is his coldness and selfishness that do not represent someone who is grief-stricken.
3.5, but I bumped it up. I loved the first 300 pages and the last 200 pages, but there was a lot in the middle that just became repetitive. This is a very long book and tells the story of Jeffrey MacDonald's road to conviction in almost too much detail. McGinniss does a great job including the "voice of Jeffrey MacDonald" through transcribed tapes that MacDonald sends him from prison, but the transcribed court hearings are way too long and don't move this book along fast enough. I found the interview with his brother on the stand particularly annoying and irrelevant, and it made me want to murder his stupid brother, which probably wasn't the intent of the author.
I am so happy to be done with this book--it has taken over 2+ weeks of my life.
I am so happy to be done with this book--it has taken over 2+ weeks of my life.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
“I devoted six years of pregnancy to having Colette. So I can certainly devote nine years to finding her killer” (Colette’s mom)
“I can only tell you from the physical evidence in this case that things do not lie. But I suggest that people can and do.” -James Blackburn, prosecutor
“I can only tell you from the physical evidence in this case that things do not lie. But I suggest that people can and do.” -James Blackburn, prosecutor
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
dark
sad
slow-paced
This was long but all in all pretty riveting. Despite the length and the somewhat repetitive nature of the legal case dragged out over a decade+, I couldn't put it down. For most of the book, I was really back and forth about his guilt or innocence. But by the end of the trial, like the jury, I had pretty much made my decision. I think my only complaint about the book were the author's additions at the end, which were included to defend himself against various criticisms. Though I understood his need, it felt self-serving and (at least from my perspective) unnecessary. I thought he covered the material fairly and thoroughly. But beyond that beef, I thought it was just a very good read. This wasn't a case I had heard of before and was just really surprised by the scope of it, reaching the Supreme Court TWICE! What a crazy case.
One of the scariest books I've ever read. For further reading: Janet Malcolm's brilliant "The Journalist and the Murderer."
Rating 5* out of 5. I have read 952 pages with attention, with horror, with fascination and not once been bored. That is a pretty incredible achievement, on the part of the author. This is the most engrossing read I've read in a long time and by far the best book I have read so far this year.
On February 17th, 1970 pregnant Colette MacDonald and her two young children, Kimberly and Kirsten, were brutally murdered. All of them had been stabbed multiple times, far more than needed to actually kill them. In the same house was Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald, Colette's husband and father of the murdered children. He was insignificantly wounded, but claimed four hippies had come in and assaulted them.
Jeffrey MacDonald was considered a succesful and charming young man. No one could believe that he would be guilty and the army dismissed his case. It took years before the case was brought to court. During those years, Fred Kassab, Colette's step father, went from being MacDonald's most adherent supporter to his staunchest opponent.
The initial investigation into the murders was severely bungled, yet the evidence against him was massive at a closer look. Besides, his statements as to what happened where inconsistent to say the least. Despite this, the case was almost not brought to trial.
This book takes you into the psyche of a man who appears charming and well adapted. It's a tremendously scary ride, but well worth it. It is absolutely mindboggling how, despite knowing how it must end, this book could be so riveting. Highly recommended.
On February 17th, 1970 pregnant Colette MacDonald and her two young children, Kimberly and Kirsten, were brutally murdered. All of them had been stabbed multiple times, far more than needed to actually kill them. In the same house was Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald, Colette's husband and father of the murdered children. He was insignificantly wounded, but claimed four hippies had come in and assaulted them.
Jeffrey MacDonald was considered a succesful and charming young man. No one could believe that he would be guilty and the army dismissed his case. It took years before the case was brought to court. During those years, Fred Kassab, Colette's step father, went from being MacDonald's most adherent supporter to his staunchest opponent.
The initial investigation into the murders was severely bungled, yet the evidence against him was massive at a closer look. Besides, his statements as to what happened where inconsistent to say the least. Despite this, the case was almost not brought to trial.
This book takes you into the psyche of a man who appears charming and well adapted. It's a tremendously scary ride, but well worth it. It is absolutely mindboggling how, despite knowing how it must end, this book could be so riveting. Highly recommended.