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In a Child's Name: The Legacy of a Mother's Murder by Peter Maas
Tracing events from the Midwestern states of Indiana and Kentucky to the East Coast, the author of such major bestsellers as Serpico and King of the Gypsies has written a dramatic and terrifying book about a charming and successful psychopath and the woman who loved him--and whom he murdered. The custody battle over the couple's infant son makes this true story all the more tragic. 16 pages of photographs.
Hardcover
First published October 1, 1990
8 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
About the author
Peter Maas
40 books88 followersPeter Maas was an American journalist and author. He was born in New York City and attended Duke University.
He was the biographer of Frank Serpico, a New York City Police officer who testified against police corruption. He is also the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, Underboss, about the life and times of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.
His other notable bestsellers include The Valachi Papers, Manhunt, and In a Child's Name, recipient of the 1991 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime book. The Valachi Papers, which told the story of Mafia turncoat Joseph Valachi, is widely considered to be a seminal work, as it spawned an entire genre of books written by or about former Mafiosi.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He was the biographer of Frank Serpico, a New York City Police officer who testified against police corruption. He is also the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, Underboss, about the life and times of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.
His other notable bestsellers include The Valachi Papers, Manhunt, and In a Child's Name, recipient of the 1991 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime book. The Valachi Papers, which told the story of Mafia turncoat Joseph Valachi, is widely considered to be a seminal work, as it spawned an entire genre of books written by or about former Mafiosi.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 16, 2021
In a Child’s Name by Peter Maas is a 1990 Simon & Schuster publication.
This old true crime case has stuck with me for years. Folks of a certain age might remember a made for TV movie based on this case. The cast was incredible, and while the movie stuck to the facts for the most part, there were some embellishments the book didn’t have, most notably that shocking scene with glowing Luminal.
The book, though, is equally dramatic due to the ghastly details and the riveting courtroom scenes, which detailed Ken’s relationships with his former wives, and the shenanigans he got up to once he was imprisoned.
In some ways, Ken reminded me of Ted Bundy- having some of the same psychopathic tendencies.
For those completely unfamiliar with the case-
Theresa Benigno and Ken Taylor marry, and go off to Acapulco on their honeymoon, where Theresa would be attacked and horribly beaten. The Mexican authorities didn’t buy Ken’s story of intruders in their hotel room. They suspected Ken- and relayed those suspicions to Theresa’s family. Theresa couldn’t remember what happened, but was convinced her new husband would never do such a thing to her.
They returned home, Theresa eventually healed, and soon became pregnant. Five months after the birth of her son, Theresa vanished, although Ken tried to convince people that Theresa had a drug problem and had entered a rehab facility.
Theresa’s sister, Celeste was sure something had happened to Theresa and that Ken knew more than he was telling. When Theresa’s body was found, dumped in a rural area, she has been brutally beaten, with a crushed skull.
Ken, though, had a bombshell of his own- he claimed he caught Theresa sexually abusing their son while high on drugs and confessed to hitting her over the head with a barbell.
The trial was riveting, eventually leading to a thirty- year prison sentence- but what happened next involved the custody of Theresa and Ken’s son. Ken’s parents believed they should get custody, but Celeste, was determined to keep that from happening.
The stunts the grandparents pulled were shocking- but they didn’t count on the spunky, determined, Celeste, a woman Ken dismissed as being scatterbrained, and his intellectual inferior, to hang in there for the long haul, enduring countless disappointments and setbacks before the courts finally made their decision.
The book is hard to read due to the intense, emotional subject matter, but the case is just as riveting and shocking now as it was back in 90s, and when the TV movie aired.
For the record- the Luminol scene in the movie was for dramatic effect only, as Luminol doesn’t really work that way. Still, I remember that scene to this day!!
Overall, I’m glad I found a copy of this book. It is very hard to find. I don’t think it has ever been formatted digitally- so if you happen across it on eBay or at a used bookstore- grab it!!
Also, if interested, YouTube still has some movie clips and actual news footage about this case.
4 stars
This old true crime case has stuck with me for years. Folks of a certain age might remember a made for TV movie based on this case. The cast was incredible, and while the movie stuck to the facts for the most part, there were some embellishments the book didn’t have, most notably that shocking scene with glowing Luminal.
The book, though, is equally dramatic due to the ghastly details and the riveting courtroom scenes, which detailed Ken’s relationships with his former wives, and the shenanigans he got up to once he was imprisoned.
In some ways, Ken reminded me of Ted Bundy- having some of the same psychopathic tendencies.
For those completely unfamiliar with the case-
Theresa Benigno and Ken Taylor marry, and go off to Acapulco on their honeymoon, where Theresa would be attacked and horribly beaten. The Mexican authorities didn’t buy Ken’s story of intruders in their hotel room. They suspected Ken- and relayed those suspicions to Theresa’s family. Theresa couldn’t remember what happened, but was convinced her new husband would never do such a thing to her.
They returned home, Theresa eventually healed, and soon became pregnant. Five months after the birth of her son, Theresa vanished, although Ken tried to convince people that Theresa had a drug problem and had entered a rehab facility.
Theresa’s sister, Celeste was sure something had happened to Theresa and that Ken knew more than he was telling. When Theresa’s body was found, dumped in a rural area, she has been brutally beaten, with a crushed skull.
Ken, though, had a bombshell of his own- he claimed he caught Theresa sexually abusing their son while high on drugs and confessed to hitting her over the head with a barbell.
The trial was riveting, eventually leading to a thirty- year prison sentence- but what happened next involved the custody of Theresa and Ken’s son. Ken’s parents believed they should get custody, but Celeste, was determined to keep that from happening.
The stunts the grandparents pulled were shocking- but they didn’t count on the spunky, determined, Celeste, a woman Ken dismissed as being scatterbrained, and his intellectual inferior, to hang in there for the long haul, enduring countless disappointments and setbacks before the courts finally made their decision.
The book is hard to read due to the intense, emotional subject matter, but the case is just as riveting and shocking now as it was back in 90s, and when the TV movie aired.
For the record- the Luminol scene in the movie was for dramatic effect only, as Luminol doesn’t really work that way. Still, I remember that scene to this day!!
Overall, I’m glad I found a copy of this book. It is very hard to find. I don’t think it has ever been formatted digitally- so if you happen across it on eBay or at a used bookstore- grab it!!
Also, if interested, YouTube still has some movie clips and actual news footage about this case.
4 stars
August 6, 2016
I do not think I have ever read a book that has made me so mad. What this husband did to his wife is, well there is no words. The books starts out with how they meet, married, the honeymoon (which the husband should have been shot for that alone), having a child and her death (OMG what that women had to live through before her death). Peter packs a lot in to a few pages. This alone will have you saying OMG. Most of the books is about what happens to the child. How Peter helps him get back home and what it takes to get him to his loving family.
I read the book and watched the movie (which was great) but the movie is nothing like the book. If you watched the movie you will want to read this book. I have read this book over and over again. What I would love to do to this husband grrrr
I read the book and watched the movie (which was great) but the movie is nothing like the book. If you watched the movie you will want to read this book. I have read this book over and over again. What I would love to do to this husband grrrr
August 11, 2009
Read reviews from others of In A Child's Name which stated that the book was more interesting than the movie. In all fairness I have to say that the book did add more detailed information, some which could have been left out, however, I still think the movie was better. Couldn't believe that Kenneth Taylor was so manipulative, definetly a pshyco. I can only imagine what Theresa Taylor went through. Kenneth Taylor should have been put to death.
April 10, 2009
This is a chilling story about a dentist who brutally killed his wife. This fellow had a few wives and was unpleasant to some extent to each of them. This story takes you through his marriages, the children he helped produce, the murder of his last wife and a double court battle. One for the murder and another for the custody battle of his son. Unbelievable story, but not written in gory detail.
From the back cover:
"In 1984, the hideously beaten body of Teresa Benigno Taylor, a young wife and mother, was found in a remote ditch in eastern Pennsylvania. Almost immediately suspicion focused on her husband, Dr. Kenneth Taylor, an engaging, successful dentist. Slowly, local investigators uncovered the dark truth of Taylor's past - a secret history of deception and violence. Taylor abandoned his first wife in her ninth month of pregnancy and tried to chloroform to death his second wife, and was suspected of savagely beating his third wife, Teresa, on their Mexican honeymoon - foreshadowing his terrible crime against her. At his headline-making trial Taylor was convicted, but for Teresa's family the anguish had just begun. Pitting Taylor's Midwestern parents against Teresa's Italian-American family in New York City, a bitter custody battle over the couple's infant son ensued, a struggle as spellbinding as the murder and trial."
From the back cover:
"In 1984, the hideously beaten body of Teresa Benigno Taylor, a young wife and mother, was found in a remote ditch in eastern Pennsylvania. Almost immediately suspicion focused on her husband, Dr. Kenneth Taylor, an engaging, successful dentist. Slowly, local investigators uncovered the dark truth of Taylor's past - a secret history of deception and violence. Taylor abandoned his first wife in her ninth month of pregnancy and tried to chloroform to death his second wife, and was suspected of savagely beating his third wife, Teresa, on their Mexican honeymoon - foreshadowing his terrible crime against her. At his headline-making trial Taylor was convicted, but for Teresa's family the anguish had just begun. Pitting Taylor's Midwestern parents against Teresa's Italian-American family in New York City, a bitter custody battle over the couple's infant son ensued, a struggle as spellbinding as the murder and trial."
July 16, 2024
Having grown up in Marion I remember some of the names and all the places listed. I was young enough not to have heard or remember this story as it was a different era to grow up in. Being older know, I can understand why the town has floundered. Marion politics and past practices have come back to haunt her.
This was a very fast read and kept me hooked.
This was a very fast read and kept me hooked.
January 13, 2016
An excellent read about a hideous crime. Very well written; moving, sickening and frankly scary by turns. I came away feeling I understood the situation and most of the people in it. Except for Ken's parents; what are those two even thinking about?
May 29, 2017
Well written true crime novel about Kenneth Taylor, a dentist, who has a violent temper. He hurt and almost killed his second wife and battered to death his third wife. Men who abuse do NOT get over it with age or with love.
May 5, 2023
I grew up in Indiana and played ball with Taylor's little brother.
He wasn't big but was a very good athlete. I didn't know his sick brother, he was much older. Heard he played CF for IU baseball.
Tom the brother that I knew starred in basketball.
I think they both had ice water in their veins, and in Kens case in his brains
The movie with Valerie really hit home with me.
Can't understand people like him.
My Dad worked with Zach Taylor, the grandad and would keep me updated on the custody case. Our hometownI mostly rooted for the Taylor's to get custody as I remember things.
Maas wrote some valuable books related to organized crime too. RFK as Attorney General used the Valachi Papers to build some cases.
He wasn't big but was a very good athlete. I didn't know his sick brother, he was much older. Heard he played CF for IU baseball.
Tom the brother that I knew starred in basketball.
I think they both had ice water in their veins, and in Kens case in his brains
The movie with Valerie really hit home with me.
Can't understand people like him.
My Dad worked with Zach Taylor, the grandad and would keep me updated on the custody case. Our hometownI mostly rooted for the Taylor's to get custody as I remember things.
Maas wrote some valuable books related to organized crime too. RFK as Attorney General used the Valachi Papers to build some cases.
July 25, 2023
For the content of this story, the book was written very well. Meaning there wasn't a lot of blood and guts throughout. It is very difficult to understand how naive a person can be regarding physical abuse. The three wives this man had and the abuse he subjected each one to is difficult to comprehend. And how a person would remain in a relationship in which they are beaten within an inch of their life, all the while staying in a remote, secluded, highly secured and patrolled location. It really doesn't make sense. Oh, and what about the man's mother! There should be a story written about her.
November 19, 2021
⭐️ 5/5 stars ⭐️
WOW WOW WOW
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This book makes you have so many emotions not only for Theresa, but for the other family members involved. I can’t imagine the pain so many people felt in the cases involved. The number one emotion I felt through and through was anger. I’ve never hated someone so much, especially someone I’ve never met.
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Peter Maas does a fantastic job telling each side of the story, but you know who he ends up feeling the most emotion for, which I love.
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Such a good true, yet devastating story.
WOW WOW WOW
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This book makes you have so many emotions not only for Theresa, but for the other family members involved. I can’t imagine the pain so many people felt in the cases involved. The number one emotion I felt through and through was anger. I’ve never hated someone so much, especially someone I’ve never met.
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Peter Maas does a fantastic job telling each side of the story, but you know who he ends up feeling the most emotion for, which I love.
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Such a good true, yet devastating story.
April 25, 2018
My one star rating is not a knock on Maas; when it comes to books, he's my hero. It's just that I found the content so disturbing and the perpetrator so loathsome that I had to put it down. I'm used to reading disturbing content with loathsome figures, but something about this one caused me to reject it. Maybe someday I'll try again and revise my review.
February 9, 2018
3.5 stars
October 23, 2019
Love Peter Maas... Rot in hell Ken Taylor!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2020
I had low expectations but this is a really great true crime/legal drama. My jaw dropped at certain parts. It was thorough and well researched. And extremely entertaining.
January 14, 2021
Good book horrible story
September 4, 2021
This is a book I couldn’t put down!! Really kept my attention. Beware, it’s very graphic and twisted with such a sick mind
January 26, 2022
This story has stayed with me since u first saw the movie on lifetime soooo many years ago. This man is guilty guilty guilty. Idc what stories he's said it's all there.
April 8, 2013
I saw the TV mini series long before I read the book-but I'm always curious just how accurate a TV series can be compared to the real thing. In A Child's Name is what made me fall in love with the true crime genre, and sparked my interest in pursuing criminal justice as a career for many years. Peter Maas did an amazing job giving more traits and character to the unfortuante victims in the case, while also painting a somewhat different picture of each family, that made you really identify and get to the know the people involved. You can see why television has to or wants to sometimes take a different approach in how they portray their main players, even if it isn't entirely accuarate. A tragic story and case all around, but Maas did a wonderful job breaking down the story surrounding this case: first the marriage of Teresa and Ken Taylor, her murder and his trial, and then the custody battle over their child between his parents and her sister and brother in law. I've read this book numerous times, and have recommended it to those I know. Every crime victim has a story, and they need someone to tell it.
September 16, 2015
First of all - this particular edition of the book does not have 16 pages of photographs. There are a few pictures on the cover and inside cover of the book.
This book was the 1990 winner of the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and I can see why it won the award. The author has done an incredibly detailed job of telling the story of dentist Dr. Ken Taylor who murdered his wife Teresa in an incredibly savage way. He also tells the story of the youngest victim - Teresa's son Phillip and the lengthy court battles over who would have custody.
This was not a "pleasant" book to read. There are horrifying details within the two covers and some of the horror was perpetrated not just by the murderer, but also by his parents and the justice system of Indiana. It was an eye-opener for me and a reminder that in situations like this everybody loses. This is not my typical genre of reading and not something that everyone would want to read, but it was extremely well researched and written. AS of when this edition of the book was printed, Taylor's potential release time was listed as 2015. I truly hope he is never released.
This book was the 1990 winner of the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and I can see why it won the award. The author has done an incredibly detailed job of telling the story of dentist Dr. Ken Taylor who murdered his wife Teresa in an incredibly savage way. He also tells the story of the youngest victim - Teresa's son Phillip and the lengthy court battles over who would have custody.
This was not a "pleasant" book to read. There are horrifying details within the two covers and some of the horror was perpetrated not just by the murderer, but also by his parents and the justice system of Indiana. It was an eye-opener for me and a reminder that in situations like this everybody loses. This is not my typical genre of reading and not something that everyone would want to read, but it was extremely well researched and written. AS of when this edition of the book was printed, Taylor's potential release time was listed as 2015. I truly hope he is never released.
July 25, 2011
I'm not sure how I even got this book, but it was a very interesting read. Much like watching cold case files and seeing everything unfold. Truth is always stranger than fiction and this bookis right there with it. The story is told with no slanting toward either family's side, just the facts. You can't help, but feel for the obvious victims of the tragedies and stand aghast at the sociopath that no one sees until it's too late. He is every family's nightmare, but apparently his own family is too blind to get it. They don't seem like June and Ward Cleaver either. So you can't help but wonder is it nurture or nature. And you also can't help but wonder why oh why do these women constantly fall for such a creep. Hopefully someone can read this book and learn from the tragedies what to avoid or at least be more aware of so that the same may not happen for them.
April 25, 2025
This book is sad, but enlightening at the same time. The horror that the lady suffered at the hands of her husband was horrific, but I am glad that the outcome was his incarceration. He should have gotten the death penalty, in my opinion. I have seen the movie based on this book & the case, which is also just as horrific. It is so sad to think that things that this happen everyday somewhere, and that it continues to happen daily.
Want to read
December 23, 2010I didn't realize that this story was a book until I saw it on a GR friends read list. The movie version of this story literally scared the hell out of me and was deeply sad at the same time. The first time I saw it, I was in the hospital and woke up to the scene where the detectives have sprayed luminol in the bedroom...Couldn't go back to sleep after that..
Read
October 11, 2008Bone-chilling. A story of a sister fighting for custody of her dead sister's baby boy. The baby's mother was brutally murdered by her husband. True story.
September 4, 2011
One of my favorite true life murder books that eventually became a made for tv movie.
December 31, 2008
Good, but sad since it is a true story.
February 13, 2016
I had a review posted but Goodreads ate it.
May 11, 2012
You have to keep reminding yourself that this is a true story - that there at re real monsters in life.
May 6, 2012
Wonderfully narrated and researched.
January 31, 2013
watched the movie read the book . I did not like in the book that they gave the father ( if you could call it that ) so much to say in the book.
August 11, 2013
I remember watching the lifetime movie mini series about this case. The Taylor family are some sick human beings! Hope Teresa is at rest and her son grew up to know that she loved him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews