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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Murder
I read this in 3 days, so it was an easy read. It is a true and disturbing story of another faulty police force and legal system. It's not suspensful but there are parts that are exciting and intriguing. My complaint is there are no references in the book. He interviewed the family and the defendants but he also listed some facts about the prison system and other cases that weren't footnoted. I guess he thought he could get away with that b/c of his past writing fiction. Still it reads easy and reminds us of the problems in our american legal system. I would not forget there are some good prosecutors and law enforcement out there. Esp. probation officers....
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Unbelievable true story which has so much sadness. The author put in hours upon hours of research for this book!
In his author’s note at the end of the book, former lawyer and current novelist, John Grisham, states that you can’t make up fiction as good as this. Thus we have the justification for his first foray into non-fiction crime writing. And it’s as good as you can possibly get from the true crime genre.
Ron Williamson was an Ada, Oklahoma, native, a failed professional baseball player, a drunk, a drug abuser, and prone to hallucinations and violent outbursts. However, when he became wrongly implicated in the 1982 murder of Debbie Carter, he also became known as a murderer. The only problem was that the local authorities had no case whatsoever and made use of both circumstantial and imagined evidence to convict him nearly six years later. So desperate were the authorities to place blame for the murder that they made his on-again/off-again friend, Dennis Fritz, an accomplice simply because they were friends.
The book spans nearly two decades of legal wrangling including the official investigation, the trial, and subsequent appeals. The text is absolutely engrossing and heartwrenching as we watch Williamson sink into depression, lunacy, and self destruction as his rights are continually violated and the legal system meant to protect him implodes entirely. You also cannot help but wonder what would happen to you if put in a similar situation. My only complaint is that Fritz’s story is sometimes glanced over in favor of Williamson. Even the title implies that there is only one true focal point to this book.
I have only read one of Grisham’s fiction novels in the past (Bleachers) and it was not even one of his legal ones at that. But if this is a sign of what to expect, it can only mean good reading.
Ron Williamson was an Ada, Oklahoma, native, a failed professional baseball player, a drunk, a drug abuser, and prone to hallucinations and violent outbursts. However, when he became wrongly implicated in the 1982 murder of Debbie Carter, he also became known as a murderer. The only problem was that the local authorities had no case whatsoever and made use of both circumstantial and imagined evidence to convict him nearly six years later. So desperate were the authorities to place blame for the murder that they made his on-again/off-again friend, Dennis Fritz, an accomplice simply because they were friends.
The book spans nearly two decades of legal wrangling including the official investigation, the trial, and subsequent appeals. The text is absolutely engrossing and heartwrenching as we watch Williamson sink into depression, lunacy, and self destruction as his rights are continually violated and the legal system meant to protect him implodes entirely. You also cannot help but wonder what would happen to you if put in a similar situation. My only complaint is that Fritz’s story is sometimes glanced over in favor of Williamson. Even the title implies that there is only one true focal point to this book.
I have only read one of Grisham’s fiction novels in the past (Bleachers) and it was not even one of his legal ones at that. But if this is a sign of what to expect, it can only mean good reading.
Fine. John's voice is slightly overpowering and gives many free passes to a very troubled but also obviously a flawed man. Otherwise a interesting look at how justice systems can go awry.
slow-paced
Jeg har hørt bogen på Libby, og udover at det er en meget chokerende sag, så er fortællingens oplæser bare fuldstændig fantastisk.
This is Grisham's only nonfiction work. I was required to read it as part of a forensic psychology class.
After reading this book, I never want to set foot in the state of Oklahoma. Ever. Again. The story mainly revolved around a man with substance abuse problems as well as diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Due to his rough-and-rowdy past, and some ridiculous police work, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He spent 12 years on death row, his mental health continually deteriorating, unless his conviction was overturned based on DNA evidence.
This was one of those books that was entertaining to read, but, at the same time I wanted to throw the book across the room because the story is infuriating. In addition to the main character, Ron, there are four other men mentioned that were wrongly convicted in the state. I am baffled at how bad the justice system is in Oklahoma, at least, in terms of this book.
After reading this book, I never want to set foot in the state of Oklahoma. Ever. Again. The story mainly revolved around a man with substance abuse problems as well as diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Due to his rough-and-rowdy past, and some ridiculous police work, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He spent 12 years on death row, his mental health continually deteriorating, unless his conviction was overturned based on DNA evidence.
This was one of those books that was entertaining to read, but, at the same time I wanted to throw the book across the room because the story is infuriating. In addition to the main character, Ron, there are four other men mentioned that were wrongly convicted in the state. I am baffled at how bad the justice system is in Oklahoma, at least, in terms of this book.