There will always be a place for true crime, and unsolved
crimes always haunt us and they have a most profound effect on our
culture.
One of the primary reasons that the infamous Jack the Ripper
remains on our minds is that the identity of the madman who terrorized London
remains unknown…Despite the fact that every year someone comes forward claiming
that they have solved the over a century old crimes and know the name of it’s
perpetrator.
In the 1940s after the end of the Second World War, There
was a rash of crimes that many were not aware of. Fans of horror know of the
film that these crimes inspired and children and teens alike have heard of the
famous urban legend of the Hook handed madman that stalked lovers lanes, but
are unaware of the origin of the story.
The Phantom Killer by James Presley tells this tale by a man
who was there he is infact the son of the sheriff at the time and this is in
fact the only factual account of the rash of murders.
A string of attacks, assaults, and killings at many
roadsides in Texarkana as well as a home invasion places the local town
on full alert. The sensationalism of the crimes attracts the attention of not
just the local authorities but the FBI and the Texas Rangers making it
headlines across the nation. Who is the Killer? Why is he doing this? Why was
he never caught?
Heavily researched Presley recreates not just the murders
themselves but shows the reader the true history of Texarkana and the rough
lives of it’s citizens.
Using interviews with police and witnesses as well as
survivors, Presley gives us in depth recreations of not just the crimes, but
the discoveries and reactions of the residents.
Taking in consideration that Presley’s father was the sheriff on the Arkansas side
of the town he has access to many details into the investigation and mistakes
made by different authorities that resulted in the failure to apprehend the
murderer.
That being said the author also gives great details to who
the prime suspect was.
I feel that this book is long overdue and I enjoyed the
details in a case that I grew up learning about.
Definitely a worthy entry to this esteemed book club!
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