True Crime: Michigan: The State's Most Notorious Criminal Cases

by Tobin T. Buhk

Includes . . .
Andrew Kehoe and the Bath School Massacre
The rise and fall of the Purple Gang in Detroit
The Michigan victims of lonely hearts killers Beck and Fernandez
Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance
The criminal career of Coral Watts

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2011

Reviews

[Cupcakes & Machetes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect coffee table/bathroom book for any Michigander home.

This easy-to-read true crime novel highlights some of Michigan’s most notorious crimes. From our polygamist king, a couple of serial killers, the original gangsters of Detroit (ones even Al Capone wouldn’t mess with) to the wild west of the Upper Peninsula, if there is one thing Michigan isn’t, it’s boring.

Despite living my entire life in the Great Lakes state, there were plenty of stories about cases I had no idea about in general or I just didn’t realized they had happened here. For example; the largest school massacre in US history happened in Bath, Michigan in 1927 and the culprit was raised in the town I currently call home. (Not exactly something they put on the welcome billboard and I’m sure the historical society likes to keep in the dark.)

Do you have to be from Michigan to enjoy this? Of course not, however, I do think it adds a personal connection to the stories if you are.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of a library challenge. Quick, interesting read.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better books in this series. Includes a brief history of Michigan crime in general, plus interesting chapters on the Ypsilanti Coed Killer, Michigan victims of Ray Fernandez and Martha Beck (the Lonely Hearts Killers), Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance and more.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a Michigander, so I was really interested in this book. It was good, but needed more stories. Southwest Michigan is packed full of juicy stories that could fill many more pages. Examples would be the Valentines Day Massacre bad guys hiding guns in St. Joseph MI and the House of David leader and his crimes.

[Alisa Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection. Well written

I love all these true crime by state books and this is no exception. I do wish it had pictures and had a few more cases.

[Eben Gardner]

Wow! Protect women from bad dudes. There are some really messed up people out there. And if you have money, HIDE IT! Someone less fortunate will probably kill you for it

[Kristina Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of a lot of detail of the top 10
Crimes in Michigan history. Some were pretty gruesome. Which is why I gave it a 4. Some where even done close to Grand Rapids.

[Amy Cook · Rating 1 out of 5]

Down right boring. I love true crime, especially from my state of Michigan, but this book was a snooze fest. I skipped through a lot of it. such a bummer.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical nonfiction read

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating to a Michigan native

[Bill Sleeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

True Crime: Michigan – The State’s Most Notorious Criminal Cases by Tobin T. Buhk. I purchased this as an airport read. Entertaining but not too demanding overall. The author hits all of the high points, or should that be the the low points ) of Michigan crime. The attention to detail in such a small work (136 pages) is good and provides a solid introduction to those unfamiliar with the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti killer, the Bath massacre and the Purple Gang, the latter recently featured in Ken Burn’s Prohibition series on PBS. Although lacking internal notes the book does provide a useful bibliography at the end of the work. Published by Stackpole Books it appears that this book is part of a series of books devoted to true crime in the upper mid-west. Guess those mid-westerners are not so polite and mild-mannered after all.

[Chriss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The task of writing about the state's most notorious criminal cases would be a daunting one. Although I feel the title is somewhat deceiving in that there are so many others that don't appear in this book, I do feel the cases featured are good examples. This short paperback format does not allow for the author to show the range of criminal cases throughout the years but I found myself intrigued by a few that I knew little about. The content and quality of writing is well put together and I wish this subject matter would have been explored in a format that would allow more cases and photos as well. A quick read and recommended for anyone interested in crime and history.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read concerning some true crime causes in Michigan. I liked how the author presented all views and known angles of each tale that was presented in the book. Not a lot of gory detail, but enough emphasis on the severity of the crimes allowed for a clear picture of what took place. Good read.

[Dianna Stampfler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to Tobin and his works based in modern day crimes but it is his historic works that I enjoy most. They're also quick reads. I am always anticipating what stories he will uncover next!

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting & very disturbing. Truth is stranger than fiction!