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createabeast's review against another edition
3.0
Gruesome. Enlightening. Sad, even if the text is detached about things. I am not generally into this kind of book - but it was a quick read.
This book needed several maps, though. Because the text spends a lot of time talking about locations and distances, and those details are crucial to the overall thesis of the book.
It all became a mess (at least for me). I appreciate that some people might not have this problem, but we also don't really know what each person experiences in their mind's eye. Everything I know about conveying information indicates that using only text to deal with this book's data is bad execution. Diagrams and maps would have made this far more engaging and clear to everyone. This annoyed me for the entirety of the book. It annoys me now, thinking back on it.
But otherwise, it was okay.
This book needed several maps, though. Because the text spends a lot of time talking about locations and distances, and those details are crucial to the overall thesis of the book.
It all became a mess (at least for me). I appreciate that some people might not have this problem, but we also don't really know what each person experiences in their mind's eye. Everything I know about conveying information indicates that using only text to deal with this book's data is bad execution. Diagrams and maps would have made this far more engaging and clear to everyone. This annoyed me for the entirety of the book. It annoys me now, thinking back on it.
But otherwise, it was okay.
alitch's review against another edition
3.0
Despite being long and disjointed at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the author's old-time “sleuthing” and the overall enthusiastic tone.
angelic712's review against another edition
3.0
The story itself is fascinating, but the writing style is a bit too stream-of-consciousnesses, especially when trying to keep track of all of the details.
jla's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
3.5
This book has the feel of a book report. It's concise, and the layout of hypothesis and supporting facts were convincing. I liked that most of it was presented in a list like fashion. I didn't particularly like when the authors would present a narrative that couldn't be confirmed by facts, but this didn't happen much, and they didn't use these narratives as part of their argument.
I do think they figured out who was responsible, but I don't think I follow the final conclusion. They should have left that jump out.
I do think they figured out who was responsible, but I don't think I follow the final conclusion. They should have left that jump out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
sheila713's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting nonfiction. Authors present their theories, based on extensive research, about multiple murders in the United States early in the 1900's. They present background information, facts, conjecture, media accounts at the time, etc. Mr. James and his daughter Rachel do a good job of presenting the information, as well as their reasoning for connecting murders to one man who used proximity to railroads for his crimes. Although the authors ramble a little and, at times, confused me, I enjoyed this historical book. I often backtracked in my reading to refresh my memory and better understand what was being said.
redhdlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I know it sounds dark, but I loved this book! It really drew me in when within the first 20 minutes they started talking about a murder that occurred near Marshalltown and Newton (where I live).
Villisca is also a well-known murder location in Iowa. It is highlighted around Halloween every year, and I have even visited the site. I wonder why this particular case has been the highlighted one when others were identical and had just as high body counts.
The research the couple put into this book was very thorough. They compiled all the murders that were similar, based upon their 33 similarities, then ranked them by probability of the same murdered, etc. Who knew there was such a serial killer out and about and no one knew? They all assumed each case was an individual offense until later on in the years.
I will recommend.
Murder, Iowa, Villisca.
Villisca is also a well-known murder location in Iowa. It is highlighted around Halloween every year, and I have even visited the site. I wonder why this particular case has been the highlighted one when others were identical and had just as high body counts.
The research the couple put into this book was very thorough. They compiled all the murders that were similar, based upon their 33 similarities, then ranked them by probability of the same murdered, etc. Who knew there was such a serial killer out and about and no one knew? They all assumed each case was an individual offense until later on in the years.
I will recommend.
Murder, Iowa, Villisca.
ladykitsugo's review against another edition
3.0
Dont know what to really say, while I do think the information and research is really well done I still felt the overall book was alright. Still would say anyone interested in these series of murders should give a look into it
thelonia's review against another edition
5.0
There are a couple of things that I absolutely will carry with me forever:
- that the Villasca murders happened in the same approximate place and time as The Music Man
- that one story with the ventriloquist and a mule
- that the author just started calling the man from the train a "vile little man" at some point
this is how I want all true crime books to be written, thanks everyone
(also, everyone go listen to that John Mulaney bit about old timey murders because Jesus that was too accurate).
- that the Villasca murders happened in the same approximate place and time as The Music Man
- that one story with the ventriloquist and a mule
- that the author just started calling the man from the train a "vile little man" at some point
this is how I want all true crime books to be written, thanks everyone
(also, everyone go listen to that John Mulaney bit about old timey murders because Jesus that was too accurate).