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Inferno: An Inquiry into the Willingham Fire
Instead of him saving her, Amber would save her daddy. She would save him by awakening him with her screams and pleas, by telling him of the fire, by taking his place in bed, by breathing in the smoke that would have filled his lungs instead of hers.
The fire, however, would not be denied. Disguised first as justice and then as a needle, it would consume her father just as surely as it had Amber and her infant sisters.
While much has been written of the trial, conviction and execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, the discussion has been limited to whether or not the fire that killed his children was caused by arson. This is the first book to investigate other possible causes of the fire that claimed initially three, and eventually four lives.
The fire, however, would not be denied. Disguised first as justice and then as a needle, it would consume her father just as surely as it had Amber and her infant sisters.
While much has been written of the trial, conviction and execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, the discussion has been limited to whether or not the fire that killed his children was caused by arson. This is the first book to investigate other possible causes of the fire that claimed initially three, and eventually four lives.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
Nook
First published April 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 7, 2013
The mis-handling of this case was staggering.
August 1, 2018
A relative short precis of the Willingham murder case, written by one of the jurors who believed Cameron Willingham was innocent of the murder of his daughters - a belief also held by John Douglas of Mindhunter fame. Well written and sensible.
December 31, 2020
Truthful Explanation of a Mysterious Fire
The book was well written with much detail and background on the individuals involved in th he case. It appears that the authorities were willing to condemn a man for what sincerely appears to be a non-arson related fire. It appears that officials in charge of the investigation were not thoroughly trained in fire investigation, and the one person who was trained did not do his job properly and as prescribed by guidelines established for investigating fires of an unknown nature. The arson investigator, who should have looked at things with unbiased eyes, instead listened to and talked with fire officials prior to even going to the scene. Thus developing a bias towards how the fire started. It is a tragedy of justice that he did not take his responsibilities seriously enough of do his job correctly. Because of the laziness on his part , and I believe, his prejudice against the less fortunate and belief in the way they lived their lives, he made the assumption that Todd Willingham set the fire for nefarious purposes. Four people died as a result of this fire; one of whom should still be alive and free from all doubt of his innocence. This was a very disturbing book in that it shows people are still judged by their level of wealth, or lack thereof and assumed guilty before any evidence has been brought forth to show otherwise.
The book was well written with much detail and background on the individuals involved in th he case. It appears that the authorities were willing to condemn a man for what sincerely appears to be a non-arson related fire. It appears that officials in charge of the investigation were not thoroughly trained in fire investigation, and the one person who was trained did not do his job properly and as prescribed by guidelines established for investigating fires of an unknown nature. The arson investigator, who should have looked at things with unbiased eyes, instead listened to and talked with fire officials prior to even going to the scene. Thus developing a bias towards how the fire started. It is a tragedy of justice that he did not take his responsibilities seriously enough of do his job correctly. Because of the laziness on his part , and I believe, his prejudice against the less fortunate and belief in the way they lived their lives, he made the assumption that Todd Willingham set the fire for nefarious purposes. Four people died as a result of this fire; one of whom should still be alive and free from all doubt of his innocence. This was a very disturbing book in that it shows people are still judged by their level of wealth, or lack thereof and assumed guilty before any evidence has been brought forth to show otherwise.
February 13, 2012
I wanted to like this book. I think I understand what the author was trying to achieve but what he ended up with was a kind of mish-mash. The material was repetitive and there just wasn't any context to it. It was simply passages from transcripts and then the author's attempt to "solve" the forensics in the case by doing research (probably online)without really having any professional background to do so.
March 9, 2014
I wanted to love this book but couldn't.... the author instead of doing it as a true crime story made it into his theory of a crime it was a very poorly written book. I'm happy I didn't pay for this book
November 22, 2014
An interesting true story about a man accused of arson, which resulted in the death of his 3 daughters. This is a look at the evidence that convicted him which ended in his execution. Was he really guilty? Look at the evidence and judge for yourself.
November 3, 2025
An interesting read that presents the case using interviews and actual court transcripts. While the author does "help" by pointing out discrepancies and inconsistencies, it's a little like sitting on a jury and weighing the evidence.
There is a quite a bit of repetitive information in a relatively short document which is frustrating to the reader. There are also some grammar/wrong word issues that are distracting.
There is a quite a bit of repetitive information in a relatively short document which is frustrating to the reader. There are also some grammar/wrong word issues that are distracting.
November 14, 2025
Good, but sad fast read.
A house caught fire. The fire investigator, seemed to make up facts out of thin air. This caused the father, who was home with their twins and daughter to be blamed for the fire.
The Innocence Project got involved.
In my personal opinion, I believe that they executed an innocent man.
A house caught fire. The fire investigator, seemed to make up facts out of thin air. This caused the father, who was home with their twins and daughter to be blamed for the fire.
The Innocence Project got involved.
In my personal opinion, I believe that they executed an innocent man.
September 3, 2021
Unreal...
This book covers the investigative details from another perspective, a truthful perspective, and I'm angrier than ever. That man didn't set this fire any more than I did, I honestly believe that. I only wish it could be used as evidence to at least clear his name.
This book covers the investigative details from another perspective, a truthful perspective, and I'm angrier than ever. That man didn't set this fire any more than I did, I honestly believe that. I only wish it could be used as evidence to at least clear his name.
March 11, 2022
Amazing Work
Mr.Allen is amazing with his work. I agree.....I think Willingham was innocent.......It was well written, and illustrated. The author was very straightforward, and honest with the truth as well as opinionated .
Mr.Allen is amazing with his work. I agree.....I think Willingham was innocent.......It was well written, and illustrated. The author was very straightforward, and honest with the truth as well as opinionated .
September 8, 2017
Very interesting read
Really gets you thinking about how many people are innocent. I look forward to reading other books by this author. Good reading everyone
Really gets you thinking about how many people are innocent. I look forward to reading other books by this author. Good reading everyone
December 31, 2016
This was a very thorough investigation I can not deny that. while reading this you really see how the legal system and those involved with the case failed this man it really is appalling. however the book is very dry and tedious with a lot of repetition so for that reason I can't recommend it unless you have an extreme interest.
January 19, 2013
The author of this book has an online blog where he acts as a "skeptical" juror on questionable cases. In this particular case, Todd and Stacy Willingham who lived in Texas with their three babies: a one year old set of twins and a their two year old sister. In December of 1991, Stacy got ready to go to work at the Salvation Army after giving the children bottles. The house they lived in was lacking in insulation and therefore was extremely cold and Stacy had put towels, blankets, cloth of all kind in all the windows to keep the wind and cold out. In the small house, they also had three space heaters, one of which was in the childrens' room. The two year old had gotten into trouble several times previously for playing with the space heater. She also had a Fischer Price Little Tykes stove and oven toy combination.
The fire investigators, one of whom was a state investigator and a supposed "expert", completely botched the facts of the case. The chain of evidence was not preserved and the expert perjured himself on the stand several times. There was no doubt in these men's minds that the father had caused his children to die in that house fire. They didn't know enough about fire science to even give an educated opinion.
As a result, the father was sentenced to death and even after pleas to the governor, the poor man was executed in 2004. It may have taken 13 years, but that fire killed him also. This is one of the reasons why I do not believe in the death penalty. This man not only lost all his children, he lost his life. Unfortunately, it is a sad statement in our society that this kind of thing happens far more often than it should.
The fire investigators, one of whom was a state investigator and a supposed "expert", completely botched the facts of the case. The chain of evidence was not preserved and the expert perjured himself on the stand several times. There was no doubt in these men's minds that the father had caused his children to die in that house fire. They didn't know enough about fire science to even give an educated opinion.
As a result, the father was sentenced to death and even after pleas to the governor, the poor man was executed in 2004. It may have taken 13 years, but that fire killed him also. This is one of the reasons why I do not believe in the death penalty. This man not only lost all his children, he lost his life. Unfortunately, it is a sad statement in our society that this kind of thing happens far more often than it should.
September 23, 2012
This is the first book I read by J. Bennett Allen. I found the story sad & interesting. I have never heard of the Willingham Case but after reading this book it made me see how our judical system has a lot of flaws. Since people's life is on the line the judical system should hire people that really do ther jobs correctly. Its so sad how they botch this case & I think they excuted an innocent man. At least now they have the Innocence Project to help out people that have been sentence to a crime they didn't commit. This is the second true story book I read & I think should be rated 3.5. For I free book its worth reading.
May 10, 2015
A very interesting case but this book was very repetitive. I enjoyed the use of actual transcripts, but the author repeated the same material over and over and over ad nauseam. His own entries were interesting enough. The same happened with the pictures; as in ... here take a look at this picture again ... and once more ... I think the author has the talent to present a more interesting book than he did; if he could plan and prepare to present his information in a linear fashion without repeating himself. Again, an interesting and sad case.
January 13, 2015
I don't know if the author is correct in his conclusion about what the cause of the fire really was, but he does a great job of exploring the flaws in the investigation and trial, showing why it could not have been the arson it was presented to the jury as, and how bad science and a remarkably bad lawyer condemned an innocent man to the death chamber. I highly recommend it if you have any interest in learning more about the Willingham case
December 11, 2013
Interesting Theory
This was an interesting story about a tragedy I had not heard of before. Based on the research of the author, it does appear that there was a grave miscarriage of justice. I wish he would have explained more as to WHY the principal players were so hell-bent on convicting the man.
This was an interesting story about a tragedy I had not heard of before. Based on the research of the author, it does appear that there was a grave miscarriage of justice. I wish he would have explained more as to WHY the principal players were so hell-bent on convicting the man.
October 30, 2014
Repetitive
I found this book to be quite repetitious. I think it's possible the author came up with the right theory about how the fire started. I wish the father had had better defense against the charges of arson and murder of his three children
.it is very sad to know that he was executed.
I found this book to be quite repetitious. I think it's possible the author came up with the right theory about how the fire started. I wish the father had had better defense against the charges of arson and murder of his three children
.it is very sad to know that he was executed.
January 8, 2015
Good story ...bad editing
Would like more story details regarding the lives of the Willinghams. Was there any circumstantial evidence...how was the Willingham marriage...did the wife come to believe Todd guilty? After the 1st page I believed he was innocent and had received ineffective counsel! So sad he was executed on such flimsy evidence!
Would like more story details regarding the lives of the Willinghams. Was there any circumstantial evidence...how was the Willingham marriage...did the wife come to believe Todd guilty? After the 1st page I believed he was innocent and had received ineffective counsel! So sad he was executed on such flimsy evidence!
August 27, 2016
Good read and great points made. This one was not guilty. The so called investigating people did not do him justice Texas does not like to reverse death sentences or admit they made a mistake..
Great book. Will read any available by author. Love these kind of reads. Read in a couple hours. Enjoyed thoroughly.
Great book. Will read any available by author. Love these kind of reads. Read in a couple hours. Enjoyed thoroughly.
July 19, 2013
The sad story of Todd and Stacy Willingham. Their children were killed in a fire caused by an electric heater in the children’s room. Todd maintained his innocence until the end but was killed by Texas anyway. Now evidence points to the facts and he probably didn’t do it. Whoops.
January 17, 2014
Interesting Story
I really enjoy this type of reading but found it so slow in some parts. Several times I almost quit reading it but glad I finished it.
I really enjoy this type of reading but found it so slow in some parts. Several times I almost quit reading it but glad I finished it.
February 17, 2014
Interesting
this book was interesting and very sad. I believe after reading this book, he might have been not guilty. such a sad and terrible tragedy.
this book was interesting and very sad. I believe after reading this book, he might have been not guilty. such a sad and terrible tragedy.
September 3, 2015
A travesty by fire
I can't write again because I already wrote a too long review in goodness. Broke my heart.
Lots of good work in this book.
I can't write again because I already wrote a too long review in goodness. Broke my heart.
Lots of good work in this book.
July 30, 2013
the case was interesting. the writing and editing was poor.
December 19, 2013
A must read for anyone opposed to the death penalty.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews