Bertha

by Mike Ragland

Based on a true story of murder and intrigue in the Post WWII South. Bertha was an actual person convicted and years later exonerated for the murder of several members of her family by arsenic poisoning. This bizarre tale which, took place in Centre, Alabama and Rome, Georgia spanned several decades.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2011

About the author

Mike Ragland was born and raised in Lindale, GA where he attended Pepperell Elementary and High Schools. After graduating from Pepperell High in 1963, he joined the Navy and was assigned to the submarine, The USS Chopper (SS-342) and served from '63 to '67. During that time he served in the north Atlantic, Mediterranean, South America and throughout the east coast and Gulf of Mexico. When Mike rejoined civilian life, he worked briefly laying carpet and was fired the day he planned to resign to join the Rome Police Dept, where he served 40 years and retired as a Major. As a member of the force, he served as a motorcycle officer, patrol Sgt., Shift Commander, and Captain in charge of the Detective Bureau. He also served as Juvenile Officer and as a liaison officer to Juvenile court. Later, Mike also served as Training Officer where he was charged with the task of converting a City owned building to what was to become the new Cleveland Training Center. He secured a grant during this time to build one of the nicest outdoor firing ranges in North Georgia. He served as Training Officer until 1999 when he was promoted to Major. As Major he rotated serving the three major bureaus of the Police Dept.: Operations, Administration and support services. During that time he was also the principal grant writer for the police dept, bringing in many Federal and State grants to secure police officer jobs, positions, and equipment, including the Call to Duty monument that stands in front of the Rome Police Dept. today.

Mike was married to Martha Highfield on August 23rd, 1968, and they have one daughter, Bekki Ragland Fox, and two grandchildren, Caleb and Mattie Parris. He is an avid Crimson Tide and Nascar fan. A much loved speaker and writer in Northwest Georgia, Mike is devoted to writing full time since his retirement from the Police Department in April, 2007. He and his wife currently live in Cave Spring, Ga where he is working on his second historical novel, "If Thine Eye Be Evil", and a collection of his stories and articles, "I've Still Got Cotton in my Blood".

Mike can be reached at mike@mikeragland.com

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's never a good sign when someone dies shortly after you marry them. Bertha marries Leroy, and shortly thereafter, he is found dead, previously suffering from stomach pains—a mysterious demise, indeed. That is, unless you count the trace amounts of arsenic found in his system. But there's no way Bertha had anything to do with it, not Bertha! Never. Until they uncover her parent's deaths are quite similar to Leroy's. Now could they say Bertha did it?

Bertha, Bertha, Bertha—what a charming gal. Mike Ragland’s writing is easy to follow and truly captures the essence of the time period, at least to me. From start to finish, I could hardly believe what Bertha was getting away with. Aside from the possible murder she was suspected of, Bertha was receiving the best treatment I’ve ever heard of for anyone in jail. A perfect 10/10 for her abilities to talk anyone into helping her.

Each character introduced only heightened my interest as they interacted with the infamous Bertha. Although I noticed quite a few misspellings and unusual punctuation throughout the book, I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience. Mr. Ragland told the tale well.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. My expectations were low, since I knew it was locally written and published; but it was very engrossing. I did observe numerous editorial errors (such as plural nouns punctuated as possessives), but the story was well-outlined and well-developed. The characters were fully drawn and engaging. Since this true story actually happened in our town, Rome, GA, I loved reading about familiar places and seeing familiar family names.

[Joy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one by a local author. Fun to read since I knew some of the characters and recognized so many of the places. Bertha actually lived right across the street from me on my sister's property.

[Brittany Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, as a writer myself, I do have to point out that the narrative grammar was not up to par and there were plenty of typos to go around. That said, I've spent a lot of time in Rome, Georgia, as my much of my family is from there. I went into the book expecting to read the writing of someone with southern grammar.

Second, I really enjoyed this book. I felt a lot like Frank throughout most of it. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, Bertha threw me a curveball. I definitely didn't see that ending coming! I should have, but I didn't. For anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery, I would certainly recommend this book! Murder mysteries are always good, better when true crime, and best when they're set in a location you're familiar with. The depiction of Broadstreet and Cave Spring were particularly well done. When Frank and Harry went for water and the creek, I was instantly transported to a time when I was twelve years old or younger and doing the very same thing!

Well done, Mike! I can't give the full five stars, because the grammatical errors were just too striking and frankly, though out of your control, I'm upset with the final verdict, so I can't give the story a full five stars. You've got my four, though!

[Tony Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not big on reading true crime stories. Knowing the local author of this book and realizing the story took place in my hometown, this book was interesting to read and learn about this murderess.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Excellent reading and couldn't put it down. You want be disappointed if you read it. Sure would love to know whatever happened to Bertha Hill

[Rev. Ben Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by a great man!

[Barry Paul Autry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I GREAT BOOK BY MY LATE GOOD FRIEND MIKE RAGLAND!

[Labyrinth Rossiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in my hometown or Rome, GA and includes mention of pretty much my entire stomping grounds including my birthplace Gadsden, AL. Based on a true story of a woman accused of poisoning her family post WWII era. History is always interesting, and so is a good murder mystery.

I thought the elaborate depiction of local culture was extremely accurate and enjoyable. It made me realize that while some things may have changed in this place since the late 40s, others are frozen in time. The author graduated from the high school where I used to work long before my time and served 40 years here in the Rome police department. In the novel, the police working on the case carefully cross the train tracks into Lindale, avoiding ripping out the underbelly of their car, and glance over at the ballfield, and I about fell out of my chair. This was my route to work every morning. That ball field has been standing just like that since WWII. The same houses are there, and the mill is still there although it's been shut down. I knew many of the things he described. Odd feeling.

His characterization of Bertha was creepy. I actually knew somebody much like that and was glad I got away alive. However, the editing of the book is just awful. My inner grammar Nazi was just screaming. The author obviously wrote the way he spoke, but it's possible to add colloquial language to a novel and still use appropriate punctuation and so on. He did a lot of research though and packed it into a short read. In short, it's not Pulitzer material, but it's definitely worth checking out. Hopefully, the book will do well enough that a new edition will be released that is edited better!

[Andrea Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love historical fiction and since this book is based on a true story from my hometown in the years following WWII I couldn't wait to read it. The descriptions of Broad Street and the surrounding area of Rome was very interesting. I enjoyed learning about how the jail was set up and managed. I found myself remembering a simpler time when kids really visited the jail when their father was a cop (I had a friend whose dad was the Sheriff in Chattooga County). Bertha intrigued me as I have know someone much like her in the way that they seem to be able to charm people and influence them to get pretty much anything they want. I was distracted by the many grammatical errors that plague the book. The editing was pretty much non-existant and took away from the merit of the story. I debated giving this book 2 stars but because I enjoyed reading about life in my hometown and the character of Bertha I decided to be generous and give it 3 stars.

[Indie Author Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Bertha by Mike Ragland. The book is based on a true story and takes place in Armurchee and Rome, Georgia in the years after WWII. The main character, Bertha, is a good looking, wily female who is not above trying to use her looks to get her way. As the story unfolds the evil in Bertha is revealed. The beauty on the outside hides a cold and evil heart, and you will be left wondering how someone could do the things she is alleged to have done. The cast of characters are based on real folks from the Rome area of tht time. Many familiar names and landmarks are mentioned in the book. That is not to say that you have to be from this region to enjoy the book. I mention it to just to say that the area and people are presented in an accurate way.
There are many great story tellers out there and Mike Ragland is one of them. I look forward to more stories by him.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting story, though I think the author's style was low on a level of sophistication of writing as there were spelling and grammatical errors throughout. Plus, it read, at times, quite like a police report where every bit of detail was included, even if it lacked relevance to the story.

The story itself was quite interesting though and I'm glad that I read it, especially because I live in Atlanta and have visited Rome. The cast of characters felt true to how 1940's Southern characters would be portrayed.

[Angela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. A very well researched book on the life of the very disturbed Bertha Hardin who was probably the first female serial killer known.

Bertha is a beautiful woman that can attract men and makes lots of friends with her manipulative type personality. When she is accused of killing her party loving husband a whole new side of Bertha comes into the picture that no one can believe.

The crimes start in Cherokee County Alabama, where Bertha was born and end in Rome Georgia with the infamous trial.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author pitched his book as a true rendering of an historical event, however, he quickly turns this into an opinion piece, with him playing cop, judge, and jury instead of writing about the facts. The author needed to find a proofreader to correct his numerous grammatical and spelling errors. Bad writing, bad book by this late author.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

By a guy that found a few articles in his hometown paper and constructed dialogue around the articles. I debated rating it a two but it is endearing and entertaining, especially when he explains eating pastries as "making love to a donut."

[BARRY AUTRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was a great book about my hometown! The Bertha Hill case was one I had not heard, so I want to thank Mike for telling her story!