Mortal Remains: A True Story of Ritual Murder

by Henry Scammell

Recounts the macabre 1980 murder of Karen Marsden in Massachusetts, slain by her female lover at the behest of a Satanist, and the complex forensics work that brought the case to trial

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

302 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

A self described slow starter who was raised in Massachusetts, Henry Scammell applied to Harvard College in 1951, and flunked out before completing his first term. He spent the next several years employed as a cook in the merchant marine; a ticket agent for Pan Am at Idlewild; a credit investigator for Household Finance; and traveling the world.

Returning to Harvard as a freshman in 1958, he graduated two years later with a bachelor's degree magna cum laude and the Bell Prize for contributing to the understanding of American literature. He later received a diploma from the International Marketing Institute at Harvard Business School. He spent five years with the consulting firm A.D. Little, then freelanced as a business writer for several years before starting Scammell Associates, a high-tech advertising agency in Boston.

In 1982 he became a full-time writer and moved to East Orleans where he indulged his love of clamming, fishing and berry picking. Scammell served on the steering committee of the Arthritis Institute of the National Hospital and was co- founder of "The Road Back" Foundation.

His 12 books, often collaborations, were published in several languages. He also wrote more than 500 magazine and newspaper articles.

Reviews

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting story.I am glad I managed to buy a copy of this book. Never heard of these killings before.
After reading this I must say I wonder how they managed to keep Drew in Jail. Robin has changed her testimony so many times, she was totally not trustworthy.
I was sick to read she managed to strike a deal (Murphy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for Marsden’s death and was given immunity for other crimes in return for her testimony) which in general meant she would be able to be paroled after only 15 years while she was active with all the 3 killings.

After I finished reading I googled the main persons. Drew is still in jail and has a site where he demands justice be done.
Robin was not freed after 15 years. (Mainly I think because she kept on changing her stories even to the parole board). She was freed in 2004 and there was a scandal cause some big lady hired her to work for the state.
Then I discovered that last week she was caught in a car with a convicted criminal which brought her back to jail. Next week a judge will decide if her parole will be how do you say that revoked? Hope so but probably not.
Anyways a very interesting read.

Update September 25 2017. Came upon this review of mine and it made me curious .I had of course forgotten the book so I googled Robin Murphy once again and in 2012 she was denied parole Yee Haw and would also not be able to be reviewed for parole for another 5 years. Well 5 years of 2012 means 2017 so I am going to see if I can find out more.



Murphy asking for parole March 2017 Wooh Me. Boo Boo

source: http://turnto10.com/news/local/fall-r...
It seems there is no decision yet or is it there is one and they have silently released her?

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this one for several reasons. First, the book's jacket blurb and photo section are 100% free of spoilers. You won't know until you read it what happened. It's a suspenseful read about (what I hope is) a very unusual criminal case, told primarily from the POV of the investigators. It's well-written, full of human depravity, pure folly, faith, hope, and courage.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew these crazy things happened where I grew up! This book was recommended by my aunt, and I put it off for over a year because the idea of it freaked me out. I finally read it and am glad I did. It was a really quick read, and very interesting. Not nearly as scary as I thought it would be, until the end where one of the murders is recapped in full detail. If you're from the Fall River area and are interested in the history of crime, this is a good read.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is truly amazing about this book is that even after reading it I'm left to wonder...
Who really killed Karen?
Yes, there was a trial, yes, people went to prison but I'm just sitting here shaking my head.
The police were the most unprofessional bunch of bumbling idiots ever and I'm still in shock over the one cop taking a *lady of the night* to the secluded house in the country that he shared with his wife and kids ... I mean, WTH was he thinking?

[Jessica Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in New Bedford and was only a few years younger than the prime players in this tragic tale, I was very aware of this when it happened. The book is an easy read and absolutely haunting. Makes you wonder how people survive at all in those kinds of environments. Bill Drew was certainly a criminal, but you've got to wonder if he got a bum rap on the murder.

[Paula Shonaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mortal Remains: A true story of ritual murder is a well written true crime book. The author Henry Scammell did a lot of research and obtained a lot of evidence and transcripts to ensure that he had all the facts prior to writing this book. It flowed well. At times I was going through the book pretty quickly and wanting to know more and more but other times I found myself struggling to get through the pages as some parts I found boring. Overall, for a true crime book, this one was a decent read.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book, easy read, and interesting. I had Carl Drew as an inmate in the prison where I was a Correction Officer and have his prison I.D. as a book mark.

What is unsettling is what passes for evidence that can put a man in prison for the rest of his life.

Carl Drew might have been someone the D.A. and the police wanted off the street, and let me tell you, in prison Drew has a presents that commands respect.

He may be guilty of the crimes of which he is committed, but he was not fairly tried, that is for sure.

The police, courts and powers to be should never be able to take testimony cohersed or out and out purchased. Deal for lighter sentences in exchange for testimony is bullshit.

[Sara Bragantin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel very fortunate to have gotten my hands on a copy of this 1991, no longer in publication, book. I thought this was a good read. It was presented in a way that was easy to follow. Having moved to the area and become familiar with many of the places in the book, it adds an entire dimension to the story. When in court, the graphic detailing of the most significant crime was difficult to get through, but necessary. Ironically, I finished this book on the day of Robin Murphy's most recent parole hearing, of which I do not know the outcome.

[Karin Mersereau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad story. My heart is broken for Karen. I think the story itself had a very dark history and the author did his very best to present the story based on the information he was given. I just felt it was sort of all over the place and it was hard to keep track of dates and events.

[Colette Matarese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that goes into police procedure, forensic science, and human tragedy!

[Diane Halbardier vieira · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are from the Fall River area this is a good book to read ... fast reading