Prairie Murders: Mysteries, Crimes and Scandals

by Peter B. Smith

These eight true tales explore the dark side of 20th-century prairie history. A Saskatchewan farmhouse is burned to the ground to conceal the brutal murders of a family of seven. A German prisoner-of-war camp in Medicine Hat is the scene of savage Nazi killings. A convicted killer is given a day pass out of prison for his birthday, only to escape and kill again. From a deadly Prohibition-era shootout to a landmark case solved with DNA evidence, these are riveting stories of murderers and the people who fought to bring them to justice.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2005

About the author

Peter B. Smith is Professor Emeritus of Social Psychology at the School of Psychology, University of Sussex, UK. Peter does research in Cross-Cultural Social Psychology. His current project is 'Contrasts between Dignity, Face and Honor Cultures.'

Reviews

[Brooke Loewen]

I thought the stories in this book were very fascinating and they peaked my interest. However, once I started to read it the writing was very flat and honestly boring. There were even a few grammar mistakes that my English teacher sister pointed out to me. Interesting stories with flat writing I was a little disappointed.

[Erin L]

7 rather short stories about crimes that have happened in the Canadian Prairies. I knew going in they were short stories, but they felt rather glossed over and not very detailed - a little like reading a news report, but not necessarily a well-written new report.

[Diane]

Interesting

[Rowan]

So good!

[Richard Worden]

Well written and very interesting.

[Beth Oehler]

didn’t really contain stories from my area of geographical interest

[Holly]

Quick, informative and interesting read while driving through the prairies!