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Brother's Blood: A Heartland Cain and Abel
A Whydunit How could he do that? Murder a brother, his sister-in-law, and his young niece and nephew as they slept in their beds? Jerry Mark was a Peace Corps volunteer, lawyer, 4-H leader, vice-president of his Cedar Falls High School senior class, and certainly a most likely-to-succeed young man when he graduated in 1960. Sixteen years later he was convicted of four cold-blooded execution-style murders of his own family. How could he? That's what Brother's Blood explores. Author Scott Cawelti knew Jerry Mark in high school, interviewed him in prison, observed his arrest, trial, and conviction with shock and horror. Brother's Blood reveals a mind consumed with anger, revenge, jealousy, and greed. This book is not a whodunit but a whydunit. This account engages readers with the actual the killer's cross-country motorcycle ride, the landmark investigation in which the murderer was fingered in ten days, the trial where circumstantial evidence was used to make a powerful case against him, and his appeals which continued for three decades.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
218 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 4, 2012
I finally managed to finish this book but, boy, it was a struggle. That’s an unusual thing for me to say about a book in one of my favorite genres (true crime), although the “truth” of the story is somewhat debatable since it’s related in a fictional manner, a la “In Cold Blood.” Oh, if only it were even one-tenth as well written as “In Cold Blood!”
The truth is, this book is so poorly written that in places it’s barely readable. I’m still stunned that it was written by an English professor. I’m not talking about minor debatable issues of punctuation and grammar; I’m talking about incomplete sentences; dangling participles; mismatched subject/object; repeated paragraphs...things that make it impossible to lose yourself in the story because you have to spend all your time rereading passages to figure out what’s being said.
The author includes a long acknowledgment list thanking many people who supposedly read through the manuscript before it was published. Personally, I’d be embarrassed to be on that list. I find it difficult to believe that most of those people actually did “pre-read” this book. The list includes a couple of prominent local attorneys; a newspaper reporter; even the former editor of the local newspaper, for cripes sake. Really??? I also can’t believe the people who wrote the “forwards” and “preface” to the book actually wrote (or even read) them. For example, Attorney Dave Dutton’s is so bad it reads like it was written by a sixth grader.
This is such a shame, because the story is SO compelling. The author obviously did extensive research and, by his own admission, spent years putting the book together. This makes the fact that it’s so poorly done even more of a mystery; it certainly wasn’t rushed to publication. I lived very near the location of these murders at the time they occurred (and still do), and working in the legal profession am familiar with most of the key players and events in the trial and appeal phases of this story. So, I can tell he got the basic facts straight and talked to the right people (including the murderer.) Unlike some other reviewers, I don’t even mind the “fictional liberties” he took with the story. But, darn it, why couldn’t he have done a better job telling it?
In spite of all of this I’m giving the book three stars, because the story itself is so good, the research notes at the end of the book are great, and I understand there may be a second printing of the book which corrects some of the issues I’ve raised. Still, why in the world was it published the first time around in the format I read? It was not an “advance reader” copy. (Oh, I would have LOVED to be an advance reader for this book! If I had, and if the author has any ability to accept criticism, the version I read would never have been published.)
Finally, the book’s front cover (by local artist Gary Kelley) is absolutely mesmerizing.
The truth is, this book is so poorly written that in places it’s barely readable. I’m still stunned that it was written by an English professor. I’m not talking about minor debatable issues of punctuation and grammar; I’m talking about incomplete sentences; dangling participles; mismatched subject/object; repeated paragraphs...things that make it impossible to lose yourself in the story because you have to spend all your time rereading passages to figure out what’s being said.
The author includes a long acknowledgment list thanking many people who supposedly read through the manuscript before it was published. Personally, I’d be embarrassed to be on that list. I find it difficult to believe that most of those people actually did “pre-read” this book. The list includes a couple of prominent local attorneys; a newspaper reporter; even the former editor of the local newspaper, for cripes sake. Really??? I also can’t believe the people who wrote the “forwards” and “preface” to the book actually wrote (or even read) them. For example, Attorney Dave Dutton’s is so bad it reads like it was written by a sixth grader.
This is such a shame, because the story is SO compelling. The author obviously did extensive research and, by his own admission, spent years putting the book together. This makes the fact that it’s so poorly done even more of a mystery; it certainly wasn’t rushed to publication. I lived very near the location of these murders at the time they occurred (and still do), and working in the legal profession am familiar with most of the key players and events in the trial and appeal phases of this story. So, I can tell he got the basic facts straight and talked to the right people (including the murderer.) Unlike some other reviewers, I don’t even mind the “fictional liberties” he took with the story. But, darn it, why couldn’t he have done a better job telling it?
In spite of all of this I’m giving the book three stars, because the story itself is so good, the research notes at the end of the book are great, and I understand there may be a second printing of the book which corrects some of the issues I’ve raised. Still, why in the world was it published the first time around in the format I read? It was not an “advance reader” copy. (Oh, I would have LOVED to be an advance reader for this book! If I had, and if the author has any ability to accept criticism, the version I read would never have been published.)
Finally, the book’s front cover (by local artist Gary Kelley) is absolutely mesmerizing.
November 1, 2011
In 1978 I began work as a prosecutor Delaware County, Iowa which is about forty miles east of Black Hawk County. The prosecution of the Mark case was legendary in the area. Over the years I met many of the those in law enforcement who worked on this case. Dave Correll was very helpful to me in learning the ropes in my first few years. Tom Ruxlow was involved with several cases that occurred in my county. In 1986 I went to work for the Iowa Attorney General, and assigned to an office at Iowa State Penitentiary. One of the cases that I became responsible for was the ongoing post conviction proceedings for a murder committed in the murder committed at the prison the same month as the Mark murders. That case mirrored some of the same issues brought up in the Mark case. I became very familiar with the Mark case as well as Jerry Mark who was incarcerated at the prison.
About five years ago I got to know a fellow who after a period of time began to ask me questions about the Mark case. It turned out that he is Jorjean's brother.
Although I never worked on this case, bits and pieces of it have seemed to be part of me for years. This book the murder and trial into perspective. While it is generally well written, there are some editing problems. Even with those problems, I would highly recommend it.
I am writing this review on the thirty-sixth anniversary of this murder.
About five years ago I got to know a fellow who after a period of time began to ask me questions about the Mark case. It turned out that he is Jorjean's brother.
Although I never worked on this case, bits and pieces of it have seemed to be part of me for years. This book the murder and trial into perspective. While it is generally well written, there are some editing problems. Even with those problems, I would highly recommend it.
I am writing this review on the thirty-sixth anniversary of this murder.
June 28, 2012
I read Scott Cawelti’s book Brother's Blood, and I’m sad to say I found it very disappointing. My first objection is that he chose to market it as nonfiction. Except for the notes at the back, this book is primarily a work of fiction. Mr. Cawelti follows the basic outline of the true-life murder case, but spends the majority of the book attributing fictional dialogue, thoughts, actions, and—especially annoying—dreams to the characters. These are conjured completely from the author’s own mind and have nothing to do with the real case. I would have preferred if he'd simply changed the names and location and called the story fiction, because that is, after all, what Brother's Blood is.
Unfortunately, even that would not have saved this book for me. The prose is at best pedestrian. The editing is atrocious. This is shocking, since Mr. Cawelti is a retired professor of English, and Ice Cube Press, although small, is an actual publisher with, presumably, a professional editor. One would think that between them they could have delivered a higher quality product.
I wish I could recommend Brother's Blood. I remember the murders from 1975, and had hoped for more insights into the case and the people involved. But other than the notes at the back, which were interesting, I didn’t learn anything new here. What I got was Mr. Cawelti’s imagination, and if I’d wanted that kind of storytelling, I could have made stuff up myself.
Unfortunately, even that would not have saved this book for me. The prose is at best pedestrian. The editing is atrocious. This is shocking, since Mr. Cawelti is a retired professor of English, and Ice Cube Press, although small, is an actual publisher with, presumably, a professional editor. One would think that between them they could have delivered a higher quality product.
I wish I could recommend Brother's Blood. I remember the murders from 1975, and had hoped for more insights into the case and the people involved. But other than the notes at the back, which were interesting, I didn’t learn anything new here. What I got was Mr. Cawelti’s imagination, and if I’d wanted that kind of storytelling, I could have made stuff up myself.
July 5, 2012
Cawelti bases his story on the murder of Les Marks and his family by his older brother Jerry. To make his story more compelling Cawelti "takes poetic license" to create dialogue, dreams, and to fill in details not entirely supported by factual evidence. Cataloging this would drive my school librarian nuts, is it non-fiction, fiction, or as Cawelti describes it, "creative non-fiction."
The story is interesting and Cawleti presents a strong case for the older brother's guilt. But, since the blurb on the back, and one of the three forwards, mentioned "In Cold Blood," I was expecting more. I'm not a writing expert, but there were times while reading this that I thought a college English professor should be doing better.
I did find the prosecuting attorney's ability to weave together a compelling case based entirely on circumstantial evidence to be interesting. My guess is that today with all the CSI, Law and Order, and NCIS shows, the prosecutors would have to do better to get a conviction.
The story is interesting and Cawleti presents a strong case for the older brother's guilt. But, since the blurb on the back, and one of the three forwards, mentioned "In Cold Blood," I was expecting more. I'm not a writing expert, but there were times while reading this that I thought a college English professor should be doing better.
I did find the prosecuting attorney's ability to weave together a compelling case based entirely on circumstantial evidence to be interesting. My guess is that today with all the CSI, Law and Order, and NCIS shows, the prosecutors would have to do better to get a conviction.
January 13, 2012
I wanted to like this more. I'm from Cedar Falls, vaguely remember the crime and trial (i was a child), and know some of the people who were involved with the case. Somehow, though, this just didn't seem like a satisfying telling. I'm not sure what exactly is lacking here...it just felt distant.
This isn't bad, and it's a very quick read. If you enjoy reading true-crime tales where there is no real mystery, you may like this. You may also enjoy it if you have some connection with the place or family involved.
This isn't bad, and it's a very quick read. If you enjoy reading true-crime tales where there is no real mystery, you may like this. You may also enjoy it if you have some connection with the place or family involved.
November 5, 2011
You have a compelling local story and turn it to crap. The writing was terrible and there was speculation added by the author that added no merit to the story. A fine example of why multiple drafts and editing are needed before publishing.
July 19, 2012
Here is a link to my review of "Brother's Blood": http://jchariscarlson.blogspot.com/20...
March 8, 2012
Creative or literary nonfiction has wide boundaries. Some contend it is nonfiction that happens to use the "styles and techniques" of literature while remaining true to the facts. In other words, writers don't make things up, they style things up. Others believe those literary techniques include creating dialogue or giving characters various attributes or thoughts as long as those elements are based on or arguably supported by actual events or facts.
Author Scott Cawelti makes clear from the outset of his Brother's Blood: A Heartland Cain and Abel that it falls into the latter camp. In fact, the book's copyright page (as well as a later introduction to source material) begins with a disclaimer. It tells readers that although primarily nonfiction, the book includes "interludes of fictional recreation of conversations, personal thoughts and dreams." He admits that while his fictional efforts might come close to the truth, he could not know what actually transpired in those situations. Instead, his goal was to "create a readable and engaging narrative." If that is the test of creative nonfiction, Cawelti largely succeeds.
The book is based on the murders of Leslie Mark, his wife and two young children in their Iowa farm home on Halloween night in 1975. Mark's older brother, Jerry, a former legal services attorney and Peace Corps volunteer, was convicted of the murders, a verdict he has challenged since it was handed down in June 1976. The story plainly has the elements of a novel.
The theory upon which Jerry was convicted is that he became jealous and resentful because, among other things, Leslie was taking over the family farming operation and moving into the "home place" near Cedar Falls, Iowa. On the morning of October 29, 1975, Jerry left his Berkeley, Calif., home on a used Honda motorcycle he bought earlier that month. He pushed himself and the bike hard enough to drive the 1,600-plus miles to arrive at the farm in the early morning hours of November 1. Along the way, he called his girlfriend in Berkeley a couple times, reporting he was hundreds of miles away from where he actually was.
After entering the house and cutting the power, Jerry entered his brother's main floor bedroom, shooting both Leslie and his wife following a brief struggle. He then proceeded upstairs, killing the family's five-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son with two bullets each. He immediately headed back west on the motorcycle, arriving in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on the evening of November 2. When some of his story didn't seem to match up and authorities began checking the length of I-80 to see if anyone saw Jerry, He was arrested the following week in Cedar Falls, where he had returned for the funerals.
In the book, published by Ice Cube Press, located less than 100 miles from Cedar Falls, Cawelti describes the travel and shootings in detail. Much of the latter is gathered from the murder investigation and trial, although Cawelti provides a narrative that is a far cry from the dry, almost clinical, flavor of any police report or trial transcript. Throughout the book and particularly on the journey across the country, Brother's Blood seeks to take us inside Jerry's head and even his dreams. While much of this seeks to help us understand Jerry, there doesn't seem to be as much detail or support as might be expected for the Cain and Abel nature of the story. Much of that, though, appears to be a function of the prosecution's case and evidence.
Brother's Blood doesn't just take the reader into Jerry's thoughts. We also become privy to the emotions, thoughts and conversations of investigators and family members, particularly Jerry's mother and girlfriend. Plainly, much of this is or borders on being made of whole cloth. Yet Cawelti, born and raised in Cedar Falls, leaves the feeling that his familiarity with the area and the roughly 30 years he's spent studying the case provides a basis upon which to ground these passages. Regardless of one's views of creative nonfiction and its boundaries, Cawelti uses it to not only draw the reader in but to keep the story moving apace.
There is, though, a somewhat persnickety blemish. This type of work requires trust in the author, otherwise it suggests the story is more fiction than fact. Yet on just the third page of Cawelti's introduction he mentions a 2006 ruling in favor of Jerry by a judge of "8th U.S. District Court." Then, shortly before the end he calls the judge an "8th U.S. District Circuit Court of Appeals" judge. Neither of those courts exists. Iowa, like every state, has U.S. District Courts, the trial courts in the federal system. Iowa's U.S. District Courts are within the jurisdiction of the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, an entirely separate court which, as the name indicates, is the appellate level (and which reversed the judge's decision). While failing to distinguish between the two happens, a reader hopes it doesn't occur in this type of work.
Undoubtedly, this might slip by the average reader. Yet coming as early as it did, the foundation of trust started with a crack. I couldn't help but wonder if there were errors in areas with which I was not familiar. Still, while the crack caused concern, the bulwark of the story Cawelti was building never failed. And perhaps the risk of such a failure is what justifies his extensive detailing of source material. Nearly a quarter of Brother's Blood consists of referencing the source material for each chapter, much of which sets forth extensive excerpts from trial testimony and police interviews. While I did not compare all the excerpts to the text of the book, the fact Cawelti is willing to allow such comparison provides a level of comfort for readers.
Perhaps that experience exaggerates why I believe readers should approach literary nonfiction with a bit of circumspection. Cawelti, who taught at the University of Northern Iowa for 40 years, does a service to readers by immediately setting out the boundaries within which the work is set. Ultimately, Brother's Blood is also a example of how and why creative nonfiction has grabbed readers over the years.
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
Author Scott Cawelti makes clear from the outset of his Brother's Blood: A Heartland Cain and Abel that it falls into the latter camp. In fact, the book's copyright page (as well as a later introduction to source material) begins with a disclaimer. It tells readers that although primarily nonfiction, the book includes "interludes of fictional recreation of conversations, personal thoughts and dreams." He admits that while his fictional efforts might come close to the truth, he could not know what actually transpired in those situations. Instead, his goal was to "create a readable and engaging narrative." If that is the test of creative nonfiction, Cawelti largely succeeds.
The book is based on the murders of Leslie Mark, his wife and two young children in their Iowa farm home on Halloween night in 1975. Mark's older brother, Jerry, a former legal services attorney and Peace Corps volunteer, was convicted of the murders, a verdict he has challenged since it was handed down in June 1976. The story plainly has the elements of a novel.
The theory upon which Jerry was convicted is that he became jealous and resentful because, among other things, Leslie was taking over the family farming operation and moving into the "home place" near Cedar Falls, Iowa. On the morning of October 29, 1975, Jerry left his Berkeley, Calif., home on a used Honda motorcycle he bought earlier that month. He pushed himself and the bike hard enough to drive the 1,600-plus miles to arrive at the farm in the early morning hours of November 1. Along the way, he called his girlfriend in Berkeley a couple times, reporting he was hundreds of miles away from where he actually was.
After entering the house and cutting the power, Jerry entered his brother's main floor bedroom, shooting both Leslie and his wife following a brief struggle. He then proceeded upstairs, killing the family's five-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son with two bullets each. He immediately headed back west on the motorcycle, arriving in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on the evening of November 2. When some of his story didn't seem to match up and authorities began checking the length of I-80 to see if anyone saw Jerry, He was arrested the following week in Cedar Falls, where he had returned for the funerals.
In the book, published by Ice Cube Press, located less than 100 miles from Cedar Falls, Cawelti describes the travel and shootings in detail. Much of the latter is gathered from the murder investigation and trial, although Cawelti provides a narrative that is a far cry from the dry, almost clinical, flavor of any police report or trial transcript. Throughout the book and particularly on the journey across the country, Brother's Blood seeks to take us inside Jerry's head and even his dreams. While much of this seeks to help us understand Jerry, there doesn't seem to be as much detail or support as might be expected for the Cain and Abel nature of the story. Much of that, though, appears to be a function of the prosecution's case and evidence.
Brother's Blood doesn't just take the reader into Jerry's thoughts. We also become privy to the emotions, thoughts and conversations of investigators and family members, particularly Jerry's mother and girlfriend. Plainly, much of this is or borders on being made of whole cloth. Yet Cawelti, born and raised in Cedar Falls, leaves the feeling that his familiarity with the area and the roughly 30 years he's spent studying the case provides a basis upon which to ground these passages. Regardless of one's views of creative nonfiction and its boundaries, Cawelti uses it to not only draw the reader in but to keep the story moving apace.
There is, though, a somewhat persnickety blemish. This type of work requires trust in the author, otherwise it suggests the story is more fiction than fact. Yet on just the third page of Cawelti's introduction he mentions a 2006 ruling in favor of Jerry by a judge of "8th U.S. District Court." Then, shortly before the end he calls the judge an "8th U.S. District Circuit Court of Appeals" judge. Neither of those courts exists. Iowa, like every state, has U.S. District Courts, the trial courts in the federal system. Iowa's U.S. District Courts are within the jurisdiction of the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, an entirely separate court which, as the name indicates, is the appellate level (and which reversed the judge's decision). While failing to distinguish between the two happens, a reader hopes it doesn't occur in this type of work.
Undoubtedly, this might slip by the average reader. Yet coming as early as it did, the foundation of trust started with a crack. I couldn't help but wonder if there were errors in areas with which I was not familiar. Still, while the crack caused concern, the bulwark of the story Cawelti was building never failed. And perhaps the risk of such a failure is what justifies his extensive detailing of source material. Nearly a quarter of Brother's Blood consists of referencing the source material for each chapter, much of which sets forth extensive excerpts from trial testimony and police interviews. While I did not compare all the excerpts to the text of the book, the fact Cawelti is willing to allow such comparison provides a level of comfort for readers.
Perhaps that experience exaggerates why I believe readers should approach literary nonfiction with a bit of circumspection. Cawelti, who taught at the University of Northern Iowa for 40 years, does a service to readers by immediately setting out the boundaries within which the work is set. Ultimately, Brother's Blood is also a example of how and why creative nonfiction has grabbed readers over the years.
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
October 13, 2022
From the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area murder. Couldn't put this book down.
November 24, 2018
This novel is a fictional account based on the true events of a murder that occurred in Cedar Falls 1975. The novel is written from Jerry Mark’s view.
Jerry Mark was a Peace Corps volunteer, lawyer, 4-H leader, and vice-president of his Cedar Falls High School senior class. He was about the last person you would expect to murder his brother and family in cold blood. Jerry is jealous of his brother inheriting the family farm. He tells everybody that he is taking a motorcycle trip to find himself. He calls his girlfriend a few times and tells her where he is located. However, later the police find out that Jerry lied about his location when they are able to trace his phone calls. He is actually much closer to Iowa than he wants anybody to realize.
This novel is much darker than something I would normally read, but I chose this as part of the true crime genre while participating in the library’s 5-5-5 Challenge. (Read five different books from five genres that you normally do not read from.) The novel was well written, and kept your interest. It is horrifying to think that this really did happen, that a brother would murder his own brother out of jealousy and that he would also murder his sister-in-law and an innocent five year old and a 21 month old toddler.
You can decide for yourself if Jerry is guilty or innocent. However, the evidence presented in the book make a strong case against him. After reading this, you may want to go and hug your own children.
This and other book reviews can be found on http://bookswithkari.blogspot.com/
Jerry Mark was a Peace Corps volunteer, lawyer, 4-H leader, and vice-president of his Cedar Falls High School senior class. He was about the last person you would expect to murder his brother and family in cold blood. Jerry is jealous of his brother inheriting the family farm. He tells everybody that he is taking a motorcycle trip to find himself. He calls his girlfriend a few times and tells her where he is located. However, later the police find out that Jerry lied about his location when they are able to trace his phone calls. He is actually much closer to Iowa than he wants anybody to realize.
This novel is much darker than something I would normally read, but I chose this as part of the true crime genre while participating in the library’s 5-5-5 Challenge. (Read five different books from five genres that you normally do not read from.) The novel was well written, and kept your interest. It is horrifying to think that this really did happen, that a brother would murder his own brother out of jealousy and that he would also murder his sister-in-law and an innocent five year old and a 21 month old toddler.
You can decide for yourself if Jerry is guilty or innocent. However, the evidence presented in the book make a strong case against him. After reading this, you may want to go and hug your own children.
This and other book reviews can be found on http://bookswithkari.blogspot.com/
October 27, 2011
I've been waiting for this book to come out, for as long as Cawelti has been writing it! The Mark murders have always intrigued me, because of the proximity to our cabin. Also, I received a handwritten note from Jorjean Mark, several weeks before I entered college, to ask my consideration in joining the Greek system. A few months later, she was gone.
That being said, I almost gave this book 5 stars. In part, Cawelti's written word is not as good as his spoken ones. I've attended several of his lectures, and they are mesmerizing. The reason I gave it 4 stars? I was astounded by the number of typos in the book! And on one page, a paragraph repeated itself. Knowing that Scott is a retired English professor, and this book has been a labor of love for at least 5 years, I'm amazed that no one edited it, nor Scott himself evidently. I wasn't looking for errors, they just jumped out.
It's still a very good book, one endorsed by Jorjean's family and the law officials involved. I was left wondering about the oldest brother, however. He's only briefly mentioned, and it would be very interesting to know his thoughts. There were 4 Mark brothers, and the youngest one, with mental disabilities, is mentioned several times. Obviously, the 2 middle brothers were the main focus of the story.
That being said, I almost gave this book 5 stars. In part, Cawelti's written word is not as good as his spoken ones. I've attended several of his lectures, and they are mesmerizing. The reason I gave it 4 stars? I was astounded by the number of typos in the book! And on one page, a paragraph repeated itself. Knowing that Scott is a retired English professor, and this book has been a labor of love for at least 5 years, I'm amazed that no one edited it, nor Scott himself evidently. I wasn't looking for errors, they just jumped out.
It's still a very good book, one endorsed by Jorjean's family and the law officials involved. I was left wondering about the oldest brother, however. He's only briefly mentioned, and it would be very interesting to know his thoughts. There were 4 Mark brothers, and the youngest one, with mental disabilities, is mentioned several times. Obviously, the 2 middle brothers were the main focus of the story.
January 20, 2012
I remember the murders of the Leslie Mark family in Nov. of 1975. We had lived in Cedar Falls at the time. I remember feeling so bad for this family to be executed in their beds as they were. Why and what for? Especially, the little children that were murdered for no reason, never to have been able to grow up and become wonderful adults.
I will never understand why someone, especially a brother, would want to do this. Revenge, money, anger, jealousy? A life means more than any of these things.
How could Jerry Mark do this? How could he do this and still say he was innocent? His family was standing behind him on this until all the circumstantial evidence showed he had planned this. And he still claims innocence. In his mind, I suppose, he feels he is innocent, even today he still will say that he is innocent and there should be a retrial.
I do feel something was amiss in the book; like some information was missing. How did they find out the direction he took on his motorcycle trip back to Iowa? How did they know where to look for the bullets he purchased and that he had his Iowa license plate? I guess I would have liked a little more information into how he had gotten into the house, also, without being heard.
I will never understand why someone, especially a brother, would want to do this. Revenge, money, anger, jealousy? A life means more than any of these things.
How could Jerry Mark do this? How could he do this and still say he was innocent? His family was standing behind him on this until all the circumstantial evidence showed he had planned this. And he still claims innocence. In his mind, I suppose, he feels he is innocent, even today he still will say that he is innocent and there should be a retrial.
I do feel something was amiss in the book; like some information was missing. How did they find out the direction he took on his motorcycle trip back to Iowa? How did they know where to look for the bullets he purchased and that he had his Iowa license plate? I guess I would have liked a little more information into how he had gotten into the house, also, without being heard.
October 5, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book -- it is a quick and easy read, somewhat similar to "In Cold Blood." I found it particularly interesting as this occurred in my mid-twenties in the community where I attended college. Somewhat sad, not only because of the tragic murder of the Mark family, but also that the actual killer was the older brother, Jerry. What a waste, Jerry was a bright man who had much going for him yet something inside his mind snapped and he felt compelled to do this terrible crime. Jerry swears that he was an innocent man convicted unjustly and has fought his conviction for many years, never once admitting guilt despite a mountain of evidence against him.
August 12, 2012
I read this book because I graduated with Les and knew many of the names and some of the people involved in the case. I also know the author. Because I wasn't living in CF at the time of the murders and the trial, I heard the rumors and the allegations of what really happened. This book brought it together for me. The fiction intertwined with the non-fiction did keep me engaged. After reading Part 2: Sources ... would have preferred it to be included in Part 1. That said, it was still an interesting read.
November 28, 2011
It was interesting to read, mostly because it all happened in my home town with real life people that I actually know. Like when it mentioned the funeral director who took away the bodies, I know him, been at his place a million times & belonged to the same church as him. Also, the mom used to be our neighbor at the house I grew up in, ok, so she was there after I went to college, but my mom & dad know her. So all in all it was an interesting read.
January 15, 2012
This is a true crime book about a family that was murdered by the brother. The Marks family was the first murder in Cedar Falls, IA and they are distant relations of Dale's. The author worked this case and gives insight into the murders. The story is interesting but mostly because it happened in my hometown, I remember when it happened, I recognize many of the names in the book and Dale is a distant relative to the Marks family.
March 3, 2012
Very weird book; hard to believe Interesting to me mainly because it took place in my home town of Cedar Falls Iowa, and my parents knew the judge in the case and some of the other characters. Very hard to comprehend how the murderer could have committed such a horrific act, and left himself with such a lame alibi. The book would have been much better if it had at least attempted to explain this.
May 10, 2014
An interesting true story about the murder of a family near where I grew up. I was too young to remember the story when it happened. It is hard to believe a brother could murder his brother's family so brutally. I would have liked to have learned more about the guilty brother in prison, but the preparation the brother took to prepare for the murders was very interesting.
February 1, 2015
The only reason I gave this book 5 stars is this guy still thinks he is innocent. He lied so much, & he wouldn't take the stand during his trial because he knew Dutton would tear him apart. But he will face judgment day when he meets God & there are no appeals. I believe he is guilty & needs to do his 4 life sentences.
January 21, 2012
Loosly based on facts found in the investigation, I was interested in learning more about the murders. It wasn't a good book to read before bedtime...too disturbing. I thought it was good how the author kept it as factual as he could.
July 15, 2014
I gave this book four stars because it captivated me. A true crime mystery that occurred not far from where I grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Well written. A pre-DNA, 1975 conviction based on circumtantial (albeit substantial) evidence. I know all the places and some of the people.
January 30, 2015
I thought it was a good book, especially because it is from iowa, which is where I live. I never knew about these murders until I read this book. it just shows how many people are oblivious to what goes on in their own state. overall very good read.
June 28, 2015
An engrossing read to be sure, but it felt extremely biased from the beginning. Regardless of my opinion, I believe if the case is circumstantial then the true-crime retelling of the story should be more non-biased.
September 24, 2015
While I craved a bit more on the investigation and trial, the focus on Jerry Mark made for an interesting perspective. Cawelti is THE expert on this part of our local history, and I am glad to see it recorded. His lectures on this event are fantastic, and demonstrate his extensive research.
September 2, 2012
I liked the story and the facts. Overall I did not get that suspense feeling. It dragged at times.
April 5, 2017
While the story itself is compelling, the writing style seemed disjointed.
I had a particular interest in this because the story was shared with our book club on Sunday by a family member.
His family experienced an unbelievable loss due to the vicious jealousy of a brother. My heart grieves for them
I had a particular interest in this because the story was shared with our book club on Sunday by a family member.
His family experienced an unbelievable loss due to the vicious jealousy of a brother. My heart grieves for them
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