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In the heart of Indianapolis in the mid-1960's, through a twist of fate and fortune, a pretty young girl came to live with a thirty-seven-year-old mother and her seven children. What began as a temporary childcare arrangement between Sylvia Likens's parents and Gertrude Baniszewski turned into a crime that would haunt cops, prosecutors, and a community for decades to come . . . When police found Sylvia's emaciated body, with a chilling message carved into her flesh, they knew that she had suffered tremendously before her death. Soon they would learn how many others--including some of Baniszewski's own children--participated in Sylvia's murder, and just how much torture had been inflicted in one House of Evil.
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First published July 29, 2008
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About the author
John Dean
133 books82 followersJohn Dean is a freelance journalist who has runs his own business and draws heavily on his years as a crime reporter for newspapers and magazines to create his novels.
He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and cites Sherlock Holmes as his all-time favorite detective. He lives in the South West of Scotland.
(Also writes under the pseudonym John Stanley)
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and cites Sherlock Holmes as his all-time favorite detective. He lives in the South West of Scotland.
(Also writes under the pseudonym John Stanley)
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
January 26, 2016
1.5 stars
The first half of the book was interesting although heart-wrenching and really really dark, but the second half was tedious, it covered the trial details and it felt like homework to finish it.
The first half of the book was interesting although heart-wrenching and really really dark, but the second half was tedious, it covered the trial details and it felt like homework to finish it.
February 7, 2009
John Dean, House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying (St. Martin's, 2008)
I've spent a few years trying to track down the original Beeline Press release of John Dean's The Indiana Torture Slaying, so I was thrilled when I heard St. Martin's was going to re-release the book in 2008 thanks to the interested generated by the films An American Crime and The Girl Next Door. The Indiana Torture Slaying, now retitled House of Evil, has long been touted as the definitive book on the Likens case; not having read it gave me the idea I was missing a great deal. Turns out I was right.
Dean, a newspaper reporter at the time of the crime, covered the court case from right there in the courtroom. As to be expected from true crime books these days, only the first half of the book is actually dedicated to the crime itself; the last half deals with the trial. (Old hat now, but pretty newfangled back then. Dean mentions in his preface that his Beeline editor took one look at his first draft and told him to rewrite the whole thing after reading In Cold Blood. He did.) Details that got left out of other reports, or were deliberately occluded (or excluded) from adaptations, are here in all their glory, and the end result is that the Likens case is a lot muddier in real life than it is in fictional adaptations. Why, exactly, this surprises me I have no idea, but it does.
In case you've been living in a cave for the last forty years, House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying tells the story of, arguably, the single most horrific crime ever committed on American soil: the slow death of Sylvia Likens at the hands of almost a dozen torturers—only one of whom was over the age of eighteen. Thirty-seven-year-old Gertrude Baniszewski (Ban-i-SHEFF-sky—everyone has trouble with it), the mother of half the kids involved, was basically the ringleader, but things got out of hand pretty quick. What makes the crime so shocking is not that a mother got her kids involved in crime; as distressing as that thought is, it does happen on a fairly regular basis—but that neighbor kids got involved, too. Richard Hobbs, often considered the most intriguing character in the case (he was the loose base for the lead character in Ketchum's The Girl Next Door) claimed for the rest of his life that he tortured Sylvia Likens simply because Gertrude Baniszewski told him to. The question is not what happened to Sylvia Likens in that house. We know that. The question is what happened to all the other kids involved. That's a question no one has ever satisfactorily answered, though a number of people have tried.
If you're interested in the Likens case, House of Evil is about as close to primary source as you're going to get without going into newspaper morgues. If you're just interested in true crime in general, it's still worth reading; few books released recently in the genre are as well-written and readable as this one. Definitely recommended. ****
I've spent a few years trying to track down the original Beeline Press release of John Dean's The Indiana Torture Slaying, so I was thrilled when I heard St. Martin's was going to re-release the book in 2008 thanks to the interested generated by the films An American Crime and The Girl Next Door. The Indiana Torture Slaying, now retitled House of Evil, has long been touted as the definitive book on the Likens case; not having read it gave me the idea I was missing a great deal. Turns out I was right.
Dean, a newspaper reporter at the time of the crime, covered the court case from right there in the courtroom. As to be expected from true crime books these days, only the first half of the book is actually dedicated to the crime itself; the last half deals with the trial. (Old hat now, but pretty newfangled back then. Dean mentions in his preface that his Beeline editor took one look at his first draft and told him to rewrite the whole thing after reading In Cold Blood. He did.) Details that got left out of other reports, or were deliberately occluded (or excluded) from adaptations, are here in all their glory, and the end result is that the Likens case is a lot muddier in real life than it is in fictional adaptations. Why, exactly, this surprises me I have no idea, but it does.
In case you've been living in a cave for the last forty years, House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying tells the story of, arguably, the single most horrific crime ever committed on American soil: the slow death of Sylvia Likens at the hands of almost a dozen torturers—only one of whom was over the age of eighteen. Thirty-seven-year-old Gertrude Baniszewski (Ban-i-SHEFF-sky—everyone has trouble with it), the mother of half the kids involved, was basically the ringleader, but things got out of hand pretty quick. What makes the crime so shocking is not that a mother got her kids involved in crime; as distressing as that thought is, it does happen on a fairly regular basis—but that neighbor kids got involved, too. Richard Hobbs, often considered the most intriguing character in the case (he was the loose base for the lead character in Ketchum's The Girl Next Door) claimed for the rest of his life that he tortured Sylvia Likens simply because Gertrude Baniszewski told him to. The question is not what happened to Sylvia Likens in that house. We know that. The question is what happened to all the other kids involved. That's a question no one has ever satisfactorily answered, though a number of people have tried.
If you're interested in the Likens case, House of Evil is about as close to primary source as you're going to get without going into newspaper morgues. If you're just interested in true crime in general, it's still worth reading; few books released recently in the genre are as well-written and readable as this one. Definitely recommended. ****
December 11, 2021
In the mid 1960's Sylvia Liken and her sister are left in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski. Gertrude's house is filled to the rafters with her own children, their boyfriends, and neighborhood kids. Petty jealous erupts over the pretty teenager. Soon the abuse and tortures begins. Gertrude and her daughter Paula encourages everyone to get in on the "fun". For months Sylvia is brutalized and maimed. Until Sylvia's body can't take it anymore and she dies. Everyone failed this child. Other adults saw the abuse and did nothing. No one cared until she died. This story inspired "The Girl Next Door" by Jack Ketchum. This case will leave you haunted.
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March 7, 2015
3.5/5 the first half of this book sucked me in. The second half I skimmed a lot quicker. The ending made me mad. I don't think there was justice in this case unfortunately.
April 18, 2020
Como todos los true crime no se asispira a que sea literario. Para esta cuarentena el libro cumplió su función. Es aterradora esa parte de la naturaleza humana y la psicología de masas.
March 11, 2015
2.5/5
This case was senseless and horrifying; however, if you want to read about it, I recommend you go to Wikipedia instead. The author has a unique way of writing in that he jumps back and forth between events, but funnily enough he has a dramatic way of writing. When I read a true crime book, I prefer it to not read like a novel, but most do.
The book ended up being dry, especially when the author goes into great detail about the legal side of the case. I wasn't interested. Oh! Also, the book claims to have "8 pages of startling photos!" But that was a lie. I wasn't expecting anything too graphic, but we only got one photo of the crime scene, and like two photos of the author (I don't care about the author -- he wasn't directly related to the Sylvia Likens case), and the rest were courtroom photos.
This case was senseless and horrifying; however, if you want to read about it, I recommend you go to Wikipedia instead. The author has a unique way of writing in that he jumps back and forth between events, but funnily enough he has a dramatic way of writing. When I read a true crime book, I prefer it to not read like a novel, but most do.
The book ended up being dry, especially when the author goes into great detail about the legal side of the case. I wasn't interested. Oh! Also, the book claims to have "8 pages of startling photos!" But that was a lie. I wasn't expecting anything too graphic, but we only got one photo of the crime scene, and like two photos of the author (I don't care about the author -- he wasn't directly related to the Sylvia Likens case), and the rest were courtroom photos.
August 6, 2016
Dont get me wrong...This was a riveting story...this book was based on....one I will never forget....but the writing style of this one was terrible!!!...very scrambled and pretty much all over the place!!!
June 15, 2009
The Indiana Torture Slaying: Sylvia Likens' Ordeal and Death
by John Dean
189pp
Borf Books
0960489479
After hearing of the story, and watching the movies, The Indiana Torture Slaying was a hard book to pick up and start. This book is the interpretation of the torture, and eventual murder of a young girl named Sylvia Likens.This book is written in a journalistic and very literal manner.
Sylvia and her sister Jenny were part of a big and very unordinary, yet loving, family. Their mother was in jail for shoplifting, and their father would disappear from time to time. They moved from place to place, since they worked at a carnival. The Likens parents were invited to host a booth at a state fair, but they didn't want to have to make all of their kids come with them.
A neighbor named Gertrude Baniszewski gladly offered to take the girls in, to the tune of twenty dollars a week. The Likens father agreed, not knowing the fact that it would be the last that he ever saw of his daughter Sylvia. After a few weeks, a check hadn't arrived and Gertrude has started both physically and mentally abusing both Sylvia and Jenny, who also happened to have polio. The end, I will keep a secret.
I would definitely recommend this book AND the movie An American Crime. It changed my perspective on life, and made me appreciate what I have a lot more. The pictures shown in the book come along with shivers down the spine.
by John Dean
189pp
Borf Books
0960489479
After hearing of the story, and watching the movies, The Indiana Torture Slaying was a hard book to pick up and start. This book is the interpretation of the torture, and eventual murder of a young girl named Sylvia Likens.This book is written in a journalistic and very literal manner.
Sylvia and her sister Jenny were part of a big and very unordinary, yet loving, family. Their mother was in jail for shoplifting, and their father would disappear from time to time. They moved from place to place, since they worked at a carnival. The Likens parents were invited to host a booth at a state fair, but they didn't want to have to make all of their kids come with them.
A neighbor named Gertrude Baniszewski gladly offered to take the girls in, to the tune of twenty dollars a week. The Likens father agreed, not knowing the fact that it would be the last that he ever saw of his daughter Sylvia. After a few weeks, a check hadn't arrived and Gertrude has started both physically and mentally abusing both Sylvia and Jenny, who also happened to have polio. The end, I will keep a secret.
I would definitely recommend this book AND the movie An American Crime. It changed my perspective on life, and made me appreciate what I have a lot more. The pictures shown in the book come along with shivers down the spine.
September 1, 2023
A very interesting and informative look at the Sylvia Likens case that rocked America in the 1960's.
The book's author, who was a journalist covering the case at the time, was also present in court as a witness on the stand. The book is laid out in a straightforward and factual manner, with none of the sensationalism that can mar these kinds of horrific but high profile cases.
If the case interests you, then I highly recommend this book.
The book's author, who was a journalist covering the case at the time, was also present in court as a witness on the stand. The book is laid out in a straightforward and factual manner, with none of the sensationalism that can mar these kinds of horrific but high profile cases.
If the case interests you, then I highly recommend this book.
April 5, 2011
Creepy. Have read a few true crime books and this one was written in a really odd style. Which was probably a good thing. The writing style seemed disjointed and detached (probably a result of the authors instructions from the publisher - he alludes to this in the preface). If it wasn't, it may have been too gut-wrenching to think of the horrors inflicted on this poor girl. The "eight pages of shocking photos!" were terrible quality and most of the "shocking" photos were just pictures of the legal team. Helpful, but not shocking. Pro: quick read, full of facts. Con: no "psychoanalysis" of the why behind these acts and little follow-up after the initial trial. Overall verdict: iffy at best.
September 29, 2011
I don't know why 'm reading it....
March 28, 2023
I first read The Girl Next Door, and was blown away. I didn't think the actual case could have been as terrible as described in the horror novel based on it.
Wrong. This true crime story is heartbreaking on many levels.
The first half was pretty solid. It was terrifying, and sad, and unbelievable.
The second half was a bit boring, being a typical courtroom drama.
Wrong. This true crime story is heartbreaking on many levels.
The first half was pretty solid. It was terrifying, and sad, and unbelievable.
The second half was a bit boring, being a typical courtroom drama.
May 22, 2021
Absolutely heartbreaking story. And after reading this I can say that despite perpetrators being sentenced - no justice was served. There's a lot of talk about justice system being flawed but I rarely encounter such gross lack of proper sentencing as in this case. All the evidence was there and yet. My heart goes out to Sylvia Likens and I will never forget her story. Her story is one of those that stay with you forever. She deserves to be remembered. And not only for her suffering, but so that cases like this don't repeat themselves.
Book itself was written in a very informative manner. First half of the book is outright harrowing and nearly traumatizing. What Sylvia went through is beyond words. The second part - the trial, was memorable as well if not frustrating and at points infuriating. While the defendants deserve to be defended - in outstanding cases like this I often question morals of those fulfilling the legal defense role. Overall - the author did a great job reporting this case as it was. And it's a great cautionary tale for parenting and justice system. Hopefully in decades following this case - those lessons have been learned and applied.
And for true crime fans: if you think you have seen and read everything and nothing will phase you anymore - I can assure you - nothing I have come upon in my years of being interested in true crime prepared me for this.
Book itself was written in a very informative manner. First half of the book is outright harrowing and nearly traumatizing. What Sylvia went through is beyond words. The second part - the trial, was memorable as well if not frustrating and at points infuriating. While the defendants deserve to be defended - in outstanding cases like this I often question morals of those fulfilling the legal defense role. Overall - the author did a great job reporting this case as it was. And it's a great cautionary tale for parenting and justice system. Hopefully in decades following this case - those lessons have been learned and applied.
And for true crime fans: if you think you have seen and read everything and nothing will phase you anymore - I can assure you - nothing I have come upon in my years of being interested in true crime prepared me for this.
February 20, 2019
'House of Evil' by John Dean was such a tragic and devastating read that I think it has ruined the true-crime genre for me forever. I was not fully prepared for the atrocities that would be told so matter-of-factly, and I cannot erase them from my mind.
Sylvia Likens was tortured to death at the tender age of 16 by a woman with Nazi-like hatred in her heart, along with her misfit band of truly evil children (mostly hers, along with some neighbour children). She was betrayed by every single person in the world around her (her own family and so-called friends, nurses, teachers and neighbourhood parents) and was never spared a shred of sympathy or dignity. The crimes committed against her go beyond what I considered to be "Hell" as a child.
I gave the book four instead of five stars because I almost went crosseyed plodding through the second half, which was very high in legal jargon and repetition as the actual court case unfolded. You will absolutely hate lawyers by the end of the book, and if you were ever at all suspicious of the legal system then this will shatter any last remaining hope you had for it. Justice was most definitely not served.
Sylvia Likens' sweet face will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Sylvia Likens was tortured to death at the tender age of 16 by a woman with Nazi-like hatred in her heart, along with her misfit band of truly evil children (mostly hers, along with some neighbour children). She was betrayed by every single person in the world around her (her own family and so-called friends, nurses, teachers and neighbourhood parents) and was never spared a shred of sympathy or dignity. The crimes committed against her go beyond what I considered to be "Hell" as a child.
I gave the book four instead of five stars because I almost went crosseyed plodding through the second half, which was very high in legal jargon and repetition as the actual court case unfolded. You will absolutely hate lawyers by the end of the book, and if you were ever at all suspicious of the legal system then this will shatter any last remaining hope you had for it. Justice was most definitely not served.
Sylvia Likens' sweet face will haunt me for the rest of my life.
January 3, 2011
I picked this one up on a whim and could't put it down once I started it. The author's writing is very straight forward and simple. He pretty much just stated the facts on this horrible story. Hard to believe this ever happened but then again when I look at the era it happened in, the 60's, well that explains it. I would hope and pray that this could never happen in this day and age but then again we know it does. Sylvia is an enigma,I will never know or understand why she didn't think she was important enough that someone would step in and help her if she had just told. So sad and my heart breaks over the terribly cruel way she died.
January 6, 2022
This is a very insightful book about the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens and the trial case itself.
If I had it my way I'd of burnt alive every one of them evil cunts involved with Sylvia's murder on live TV regardless of their age or their sanity.
Shame on Indianapolis too because if you don't get the death sentence for first degree murder then what is the point in calling it the death sentence.
It was clearly obvious that Gertrude and Paula Baniszewski was jealous of Sylvia because Sylvia was getting all the attention that they wanted.
I'm sure Satan will be having fun with Gertrude and the rest of the people involved with her murder.
If I had it my way I'd of burnt alive every one of them evil cunts involved with Sylvia's murder on live TV regardless of their age or their sanity.
Shame on Indianapolis too because if you don't get the death sentence for first degree murder then what is the point in calling it the death sentence.
It was clearly obvious that Gertrude and Paula Baniszewski was jealous of Sylvia because Sylvia was getting all the attention that they wanted.
I'm sure Satan will be having fun with Gertrude and the rest of the people involved with her murder.
May 29, 2021
I had seen the movie 'An American Crime' and read up on the case (even read the autopsy report), but despite all that, I was still unprepared for the full horror of the situation Sylvia went through during her time in that house of evil. Reading this honestly gave me chills and made me sick to my stomach.
I found it extremely interesting and highly captivating to also read about all of the court proceedings concerning the trial.
It was a fantastically well written book, as well as very thought provoking.
I found it extremely interesting and highly captivating to also read about all of the court proceedings concerning the trial.
It was a fantastically well written book, as well as very thought provoking.
June 29, 2021
The beginning of this book is incredibly difficult to read, disturbing doesn't begin to explain it. I've read most things about this case, and this does bring to light more things than I originally knew, but man does the 2nd half of the book drag.
February 13, 2016
I had a review posted but Goodreads ate it.
January 23, 2016
My only problem is I think the mother should have been sentenced to death! And NO ONE should have been paroled
July 26, 2017
True Crime Commemoration # 20
Setting: 1960s Indianapolis
RTC
Setting: 1960s Indianapolis
RTC
May 13, 2019
This book started out good and interesting but halfway I became very bored and it angered me that there wasn't enough justice for this poor innocent girl
March 26, 2023
John Dean(not of Watergate) was a newspaper journalist in Indiana covering the Baniszewski trial and initially published this book in 1966 at the conclusion of the case. Gertrude was tried along with a daughter, son and two neighbors for the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens.
The details are horrific with descriptions of more than one hundred cigarette burns and vaginal destruction caused by a soda bottle being inserted by Gertie into the victim.
Unfortunately, most of the book focuses on the legal battles involving changes of venue and a wish by the lawyers for a separation of the cases. The testimony of one of the teen boys who helped to burn "I am a prostitute and proud of it" onto the girl's stomach with a heated needle is beyond belief.
A short epilogue gives an update and it is revolting. Ryan Green's "Torture Mom" is a better read.
The details are horrific with descriptions of more than one hundred cigarette burns and vaginal destruction caused by a soda bottle being inserted by Gertie into the victim.
Unfortunately, most of the book focuses on the legal battles involving changes of venue and a wish by the lawyers for a separation of the cases. The testimony of one of the teen boys who helped to burn "I am a prostitute and proud of it" onto the girl's stomach with a heated needle is beyond belief.
A short epilogue gives an update and it is revolting. Ryan Green's "Torture Mom" is a better read.
June 13, 2018
Evil by any other name can and should be called what it is, "evil".
I do believe in evil. I've seen it acted on individuals, but not on myself. When it comes to torturing someone, with the outcome being death, it changes the word to vengeful. Because, at the time of killing, the person has turned the corner to a different level of vengefulness. The act of not caring, thereby thinking one can do anything to someone and, not suffer the consequences.
I do believe in evil. I've seen it acted on individuals, but not on myself. When it comes to torturing someone, with the outcome being death, it changes the word to vengeful. Because, at the time of killing, the person has turned the corner to a different level of vengefulness. The act of not caring, thereby thinking one can do anything to someone and, not suffer the consequences.
February 4, 2011
This was more factual than The Basement by Kate Millet (also based on the same case). John Dean was a reporter during the time of the murder and trial and reveals many snippets that usually aren't present during the re-telling of the Sylvia Likens murder trial.
May 22, 2017
Sadistic and evil
The best part of this book was the epilogue. I felt a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that none of the people involved in such a heinous crime would live to see another day. God rest poor Sylvia's soul. I hope her killers enjoy their personal spot in hell.
The best part of this book was the epilogue. I felt a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that none of the people involved in such a heinous crime would live to see another day. God rest poor Sylvia's soul. I hope her killers enjoy their personal spot in hell.
October 30, 2025
Rounding up, but this was more of a 2.5 for me.
I've had a fascination with this case for years. I think it was around 2010 that I watched the movie on this case, and I've fallen down many rabbit holes of reading about it in the years that have passed since. This has been on my tbr for a long time, and when it was randomly added to my library district's catalogue, I'm pretty sure I was the first person to get my hands on it. I found the writing of this to be disappointing if I'm being honest.
The author went about this in a very nonlinear way. One paragraph would mention something that happened in September, the next paragraph would be talking about October, and then it would bounce back and forth between events with no rhyme or reason.
One paragraph would talk about Stephanie being Sylvia's best friend in the house, only for the next to talk about Sylvia spreading rumors about Stephanie at school. The cause for spreading rumors wasn't mentioned, and honestly it left a bad taste in my mouth because it made it seem like Sylvia did it for no reason and deserved the punishments she got for it, when in reality, it was the only time Sylvia ever fought back against the things happening to her in that house.
Like I mentioned, I've read many things about this case. This book was first published a couple years after Sylvia's death, so I really thought this was going to be the best breakdown of what really happened, since it was written so fresh off the trial and all the evidence. But unfortunately, there was nothing in this book that I didn't already know. If you're really interested in learning about Sylvia, you can simply read the Wikipedia page about it and watch An American Crime to get all the same info in half the time it would take to read this book.
I've had a fascination with this case for years. I think it was around 2010 that I watched the movie on this case, and I've fallen down many rabbit holes of reading about it in the years that have passed since. This has been on my tbr for a long time, and when it was randomly added to my library district's catalogue, I'm pretty sure I was the first person to get my hands on it. I found the writing of this to be disappointing if I'm being honest.
The author went about this in a very nonlinear way. One paragraph would mention something that happened in September, the next paragraph would be talking about October, and then it would bounce back and forth between events with no rhyme or reason.
One paragraph would talk about Stephanie being Sylvia's best friend in the house, only for the next to talk about Sylvia spreading rumors about Stephanie at school. The cause for spreading rumors wasn't mentioned, and honestly it left a bad taste in my mouth because it made it seem like Sylvia did it for no reason and deserved the punishments she got for it, when in reality, it was the only time Sylvia ever fought back against the things happening to her in that house.
Like I mentioned, I've read many things about this case. This book was first published a couple years after Sylvia's death, so I really thought this was going to be the best breakdown of what really happened, since it was written so fresh off the trial and all the evidence. But unfortunately, there was nothing in this book that I didn't already know. If you're really interested in learning about Sylvia, you can simply read the Wikipedia page about it and watch An American Crime to get all the same info in half the time it would take to read this book.
August 8, 2025
A heartbreaking look at the abuse, torture, starvation and subsequent death of Sylvia Likens in 1965. This is the true story that Jack Ketchum's The Girl Nextdoor is based on and honestly I don't think I'll be able to read that. The injuries and abuse were discussed in this book, but since The Girl Nextdoor is fiction, I know it will be overwhelming and hard to read.
This book was originally written in 1966 by a reporter who was covering the trial. All of the parties on trial didn't stay in jail so I can't say justice was served. I went down a Google rabbit hole and found that the eldest daughter Paula changed her name and in 2012 was fired from her job as a teacher's aide when someone outed her as being Paula Baniszewski.
Nothing I read in this book indicated that any of the accused were remorseful on what they had done to Sylvia. The youngest perpetrator was just 12 years old.
The anger I felt in reading that the defense attorneys routinely asked why didn't Sylvia simply leave was unhinged. I wanted to go back in time and give them a taste of what Sylvia went through.
Living in poverty is not an excuse for murder, but the defense also tried to use that as an excuse.
If you've read Ketchum's book, give this one a read. It'll make the fictional book that much more disturbing.
This book was originally written in 1966 by a reporter who was covering the trial. All of the parties on trial didn't stay in jail so I can't say justice was served. I went down a Google rabbit hole and found that the eldest daughter Paula changed her name and in 2012 was fired from her job as a teacher's aide when someone outed her as being Paula Baniszewski.
Nothing I read in this book indicated that any of the accused were remorseful on what they had done to Sylvia. The youngest perpetrator was just 12 years old.
The anger I felt in reading that the defense attorneys routinely asked why didn't Sylvia simply leave was unhinged. I wanted to go back in time and give them a taste of what Sylvia went through.
Living in poverty is not an excuse for murder, but the defense also tried to use that as an excuse.
If you've read Ketchum's book, give this one a read. It'll make the fictional book that much more disturbing.
June 6, 2023
A comprehensive view into a tragedy, written by a courtroom reporter who was there for the whole trial (and was even placed on the witness stand).
This book is pretty evenly split between the events preceding the trial, written as more of a story, and the trial itself, told more clinically and factually. It only makes sense that Dean wrote the book in these separate styles as the events of the crimes themselves were assembled from "the most reliable witness testimonies." As Dean was present for the trial, he could be much more assured of the facts.
Some people may lose interest in House of Evil once the trial part of the book begins, but I was just as enthralled. I've researched a lot about this case and was very familiar with the crimes themselves, but specifically sought this book out so I could learn more about the trial.
Overall, a solid read that brought sobering understanding of a preventable, unimaginable tragedy.
This book is pretty evenly split between the events preceding the trial, written as more of a story, and the trial itself, told more clinically and factually. It only makes sense that Dean wrote the book in these separate styles as the events of the crimes themselves were assembled from "the most reliable witness testimonies." As Dean was present for the trial, he could be much more assured of the facts.
Some people may lose interest in House of Evil once the trial part of the book begins, but I was just as enthralled. I've researched a lot about this case and was very familiar with the crimes themselves, but specifically sought this book out so I could learn more about the trial.
Overall, a solid read that brought sobering understanding of a preventable, unimaginable tragedy.
January 5, 2023
Heard about this case on a podcast and decided to finally read about it. It’s freaking crazy and horrible what happens to this poor girl. But! It really did suck me in and the way he wrote this book was interesting.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the second half of the book, but since I like shows like SVU… I gave it a shot and read through all of the court proceedings.
That Gertrude is bat sh*t crazy 🫠
I wasn’t a huge fan of the second half of the book, but since I like shows like SVU… I gave it a shot and read through all of the court proceedings.
That Gertrude is bat sh*t crazy 🫠
Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews