The Brickslayer_May11_Content_Drop

Bloodlands Collection #3

by Harold Schechter

A series of brutal home invasions terrified Los Angeles in 1937. They ended in Chicago a year later with the arrest of African American teenager Robert Nixon, igniting racial tensions in an already appallingly divided city.

Tortured in custody and portrayed by the press in the most lurid and flagrantly racist terms, Nixon faced an all-white jury. It would be the fastest conviction in the history of Cook County. Used as inspiration for Richard Wright’s classic social protest novel, Native Son, the case against Nixon is a still-relevant examination of bigotry, suppressed rage, and the making of a murderer.

The Brick Slayer is part of Bloodlands, a chilling collection of short page-turning historical narratives from bestselling true-crime master Harold Schechter. Spanning a century in our nation’s murderous past, Schechter resurrects nearly forgotten tales of madmen and thrill-killers that dominated the most sensational headlines of their day.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Crime, Short Stories, Audiobook, Mystery

Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2018

About the author

Aka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)

Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.

Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.

Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.

Reviews

[Dream.M · Rating 3 out of 5]

۲/۵
به قسمت پایانی کتاب که رسیدم، و بعد هم چنتا از ریویوو های نوشته شده رو که خوندم، بدجور خونم به جوش اومد و عصبانی شدم. قاعدتا یک انسان نرمال در زندگی نرمال نباید از خوندن این نظرات عصبانی بشه اما من شدم.
این کتاب، یک ماجرای جنایی واقعی از تعدادی قتل سریالی عه که در دهه سی آمریکا توسط یک سیاهپوست جوان انجام شده و چون آلت قتل آجر بوده، به قاتل آجری مشهور شده.
اما چی ماجرا منو عصبانی میکنه؟
توی این کتاب و ریویوو ها، آدم های نرمال، اغلب سفید های متمدن، به سیستم اعتراف گیری که اون زمان برپایه نژادپرستی و شکنجه متهم بوده اعتراض دارن و اون رو ناعادلانه میدونن، که البته ناعادلانه است. اونها معتقدند باوجود اینکه متهم چندین نفر رو به شکل وحشیانه ای کشته و بعد بهشون تجاوز کرده، اما نباید حین بازداشت و توی دادگاه باهاش برخورد نژادپرستانه می‌شده و کتک می‌خورده؛ که البته درست میگن.
اما منِ خاورمیانه ای، منِ ایرانی که چند ماهه هرروز خبر از مرگ، شکنجه، تحقیر، تجاوز، اعدام و دادگاه های عجیب ناعادلانه مردمم رو میشنوم، من نمیتونم این حجم از نرمال بودن رو ببینم و نرمال نبودن وضعیت خودمون رو تحمل کنم.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.

Short true-crime documentation from Bloodlands Collection.

Brutal, bludgeoning murders of several women and child with brick to head by black man are depict here. All from 1930's Chicago and Los Angeles, accused man reportedly had mind of an 11 year old yet robs and rapes victims. Discusses his reported police brutality while in custody forcing a plea of guilty, request for leniency due to age and prejudice of all white jury.

Written in a series of factual statements.

This collection not for me.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1937, Los Angeles was terrorized by a killer wielding a brick. Five women were killed. Their heads smashed in. In 1938, similar attacks started in Chicago. Robert Nixon was arrested following a double murder because he had blood on his clothes and scratches on his hands. The young black man was vilified in the press, called the "Brick Moron'' and described in blatantly racist terms. Nixon was also abused, beaten and threatened while in custody. He was held for a full two weeks without counsel facing constant threats and interrogation by police, until he confessed to multiple crimes. Was he a thief and criminal? Yes. Did he the brutal murders he was charged with? Probably. But he should never have been brutalized, depicted in the press as being like a "jungle animal'' and held without charge or representation. This case was used as the basis for Robert Wright's novel, Native Son.

The Brick Slayer is about the killings in Los Angeles and Chicago that Nixon was executed for. Schechter presents the facts about the killings and the treatment of Nixon while in custody. The story was well presented, but difficult to listen to just because of the nature of the murders and the horrible treatment of Nixon.

I listened to the audio book version of this story. The audio lasts just under an hour and is narrated by Steven Weber. Weber reads at a nice even pace and is easily understandable. I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand the entire novella. The Brick Slayer is 4th story in the Bloodlands Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals. The collection presents six true crime stories from the past, all written by Schechter.

The Brick Slayer was by far the most brutal story in the collection so far. Not just because of the murders, but also because of the aftermath. Nixon was abused horribly while in custody and then faced an all-white jury. In no way did he have a fair trial. Even if he was guilty of all the murders he confessed to, he still deserved to be treated according to the law and as a human being. Made me sick to my stomach. This is the first time I had heard of this case....I'm glad I listened to this story, even though it was rough to hear.

Schechter is the author of several true crime novels. After listening to the Bloodlands Collection, I will definitely be checking out his other novels.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Brick Slayer tells about a serial killed in the late 1930's that was suppose to be black or dark skinned. The police were rounding up lots of black men checking them out. They finally picked out this one young man that has an IQ of 76 and tortured him the whole time he was locked up. He confessed. The newspaper were making terrible racists statements about him. There is so much more...Lots of interesting information!

[Kaveh Rezaie · Rating 3 out of 5]

از مجموعه «مشاهیر مرگ»(Bloodlands Collection) نوشته شکتر که استاد ادبیات در امریکاست و تخصصش داستان‌های جنایی مستند است. این مجموعه شش جلد کم‌حجم در قطع پالتویی است که در هرکدام به جنایت و قاتلانی مشهور در تاریخ امریکا می‌پردازد. تمامی اتفاق‌هایی که در هر کدام آورده شده مستند است و مرجع آن در انتهای کتاب آورده شده است. شکتر استادانه این فکت‌ها را کنار هم چیده و به شکل داستان‌هایی جذاب درآورده است.

این داستان درباره Robert Nixon سیاه‌پوست ۱۸-۱۹ ساله‌ی امریکایی است که در فاصله سال‌های ۱۹۳۶-۱۹۳۸ در لس‌انجلس و شیکاگو قتل‌هایی را با شیوه‌ی مشابه انجام می‌دهد.
«ریچارد رایت» داستان «خانه‌زاد» را با الهام ازین ماجرا نوشته است.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew. This one was a lot tougher than the first two books in this collection. It's hard to read about the horrific levels of racism and abuse Nixon underwent, but I'm glad that Schechter doesn't pull any punches when talking about how horrible the "trial" was (as if Nixon was given the respect of having a real, fair trial). I suppose nobody will ever know for sure if Nixon actually committed the crimes or if it was a coincidence that the slayings ended with his arrest.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the time I reached The Brick Slayer, the third volume in Harold Schechter's Bloodlands Collection, the overarching purpose of the series became clear. It is an examination of key issues that have shaped the United States seen through the lens of some of the country's most shocking crimes -- a meditation on the seeds of crime planted by the US culture itself.

The Pirate kicked off the series with its focus on greed, Little Slaughterhouse on the Prairie added thrills to the slide, and The Brick Slayer added racism.

The Brick Slayer tells the story of Robert Nixon, an African-American teenager who was arrested for a series of brutal slayings that seemingly migrated from Los Angeles to Chicago with him. The slayings were as simple as they were brutal. The perpetrator entered homes through a window, carrying a discarded brick from somewhere near the premises, and savagely beat his victims to death. When Nixon was arrested, tried and executed, the killings stopped (which I guess we're supposed to believe is a sign of Nixon's guilt, although Schechter leaves this conclusion up to us). But to get to that point, Chicago police tortured a confession out of Nixon while Midwestern journalists racially abused and vilified him in the press before he was put in front of an all white jury.

Meanwhile, Schechter shares a fascinating story that parallels that of Robert Nixon, the story of Richard Wright's Native Son. I had no idea that Wright's classic novel was, in fact, inspired by the crimes and experiences of Robert Nixon, and this connection does more than anything else to illuminate Schechter's belief that racism is a key component of the criminal history of the United States. With few words, in this truly effective nonfiction novella format, Schechter manages to pull out threads of complexity that our current moment of white supremacist panic desperately needs. Racism is all ugly and terribly destructive, but it is a complex construct that requires more than a wrecking ball to rid ourselves of. Schechter sees that, and tries to get us to see it too.

The Brick Slayer is another excellent instalment in this fascinating series. Already I feel it's a shame that Schechter's Bloodlands collection is complete. He could go on and on and on, and I would follow.

[Cookie M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Amazon Short about a series of brutal murders of women in the 1930's in L.A. and Chicago. The suspect was apprehended, but since he was black, he was tortured by the police and his confession was tainted. It made no difference, times being what they were.
I don't know why Harold Schecter wrote this, and I don't know why I read it, either.

[Maria Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The jury found Nixon guilty on the first ballot, broke for dinner, then voted to impose the death penalty. From start to finish, the process took only seventy minutes—“one of the speediest death verdicts on record in Cook County,” as the Chicago Tribune reported. Nixon’s electrocution was set for the third week in October 1938.

Anyone studying the Nixon case (apart, I suppose, from neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and members of the Ku Klux Klan) is bound to feel their blood boil by the sickening racism displayed by the police, the public, and the press at the time. Still, it is an undeniable fact that Robert Nixon’s departure from Los Angeles in the spring of 1937 coincided with the end of the West Coast serial “brick slayings.” And with his arrest the following year, the brick slayings finally stopped for good.

How the media and the justice system treated that boy all because he was a negro... UTTERLY DISGUSTING! YOU SHOULD BE ASHEMED OF YOURSELVES!

His name was Robert Nixon a young boy who 'supposedly' brutally murdered women from Los Angeles to Chicago. Entering the homes through a window, carrying a brick from somewhere near and them savagely beating them to death. The murders stopped when he was arrested but I 100% BELIEVE HE WAS INNOCENT! That poor kid was tortured by the police to get a confession, vilified by the media calling him "Brick Moron" even saying he was described as a "jungle animal" and an endless list of blatant racist terms. How could things get worst? Well, he was convicted under an all-white jury.

Was he a thief and criminal? Absolutely. Was he the responsible of the brutal murders he was charged with? I don't think so, not by himself that's for sure.

These are some of the extra readings that I'm going to consider later from the Notes section:
● Robert Nixon and Police Torture in Chicago, 1871–1971 by Elizabeth Dale
● Native Son by Richard Wright

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is in the Bloodlands collection (a chilling collection of short page-turning historical narratives from bestselling true-crime master Harold Schechter). The story tells of a series of brutal slayings in Los Angeles that terrified the city in 1937. The killer was eventually caught and tried in Chicago a year later. The most memorable part of this story is the telling of how the killers were treated and what they were subjected to by the Chicago police who had their own kind of justice back then.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This true crime story came across as being more about police brutality back in the early 1900s than the serial killer known in Los Angeles as The Brick Slayer and then later in Chicago as The Brick Moron. My opinion? You brutally murder innocent women and girls by bashing their head in with a brick, you get what's coming to you.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Part of:



"Exploring the dark heart of US history, true-crime master Harold Schechter reveals six sensational but nearly forgotten acts of carnage and bloodlust that shocked the nation. From a diabolical Kansas family down the road from Laura Ingalls Wilder to an Elvis-inspired “rebel” to the country’s first mass shooter, these chilling criminals dominated the headlines—and nightmares—of their day."

[rose ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was devastating and easily could have been two or three times longer. it addresses racism as an intrinsic part of this case rather than an afterthought (or failing to mention it at all), which is still too uncommon in true crime.

rating: 3.5/5 stars

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true-crime story of Robert Nixon, known as the Brick Slayer, a serial killer in the mid-1930s who killed a number of women in Los Angeles and Chicago by beating them with a brick. Nixon was a 19-year-old African American man who likely had a learning disability or at the very least was immature, homeless, and from a broken family. Schechter follows the story through newspaper articles and sheds some doubt on whether Nixon was the actually killer or was simply tortured by police into confessing to the murders.

It would be interesting to check DNA today to see if Nixon was the killer or not. Likely all evidence has since been destroyed, but Schechter makes a case for Nixon to possibly be innocent.

This is a quick read and is fun to read as a "Kindle in Motion" that should be read via the Kindle app on an iPad or Kindle Fire to check out the fun moving graphics at the beginning of the book.

[Netanella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars only because I felt the treatment of such a complex story as this one needed more than what was given in this novella bite-sized package. A series of murders in the 1930s in Los Angeles and Chicago, the perpetrator a black youth with intellectual challenges, depicted as the "Brick Moron" in the newpapers. Racism, police brutality, torture-induced brutality -- there is so much going on here that this story deserves a fuller treatment. Also interesting to note, in the afterword, that the brick killings cease after Nixon was captured. There is evidence to suggest that Nixon was a serial killer. But that evidence is so polluted that I doubt that any clear picture could come forth.

See also Richard Wright's Native Son, where the character of Bigger is a fictionalized version of Richard Nixon's case as depicted in the Chicago Tribune.

[Nyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The crimes were horrible, and it appears the suspect was indeed guilty (or the real killer wizened up when the one in custody was sentenced to death).
However, Nixon's capture and subsequent sentence are forever marred by racism, torture, and execution of a "child."

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is perhaps the most controversial of the series as it deals with race relations in the 1930s. An African American man is convicted of murdering and raping several white women in the midst of robberies, in both California and Chicago. In each case the victim is beaten to death with a brick, but not the same brick of course. He is given the death penalty and eventually put to death. However, the whole trial makes one wonder if he was guilty at all. While it was very possible he was in fact guilty, it was also possible he wasn't, especially given the claims his confession was beaten out of him by the Chicago Police Department. This is the same police department that was notorious at the time for beating confessions from people, especially black people.


Given how long ago it was and the circumstances, we'll probably never know what really happened. Cellmates did say the perpetrator had confessed, and the crimes did stop once he was arrested even though they had been of a serial nature. Still, who really knows?

[Suvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Shortest of the bunch so far, but unpacks everything economically: the effects of police brutality in squeezing out a confession, the repercussions of an all-white jury when the defendant is black, the racist coverage of the case etc. When Nixon was executed, the killings stopped. That would indicate he was guilty, but considering the previously mentioned issues, it can never be fully confirmed.

[Hari Brandl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is True Crime writing near the top of the genre. Taught prose, concise writing, no sentimentalizing either victim or perpetrator, reading like a well-written newspaper article. And short! Makes me wonder why other authors need to take up 350 pages to present the same material.

[David Westberry · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one surprised me by inserting an underlying political message of racism without any facts to support this assertion. Statements like "In those days the police would regularly use violence against black people, so we must assume it's a fact that the defendant can't be held accountable for his actions". None of this is supported by factual information, although once the Defendant was arrested the murders came to a halt. I enjoyed the first 2 books of this series but this one has turned me away.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This piece was promising, but ultimately it was too short and lacked depth. It was an interesting case, as the suspect was a young black man in the late 1930s. Drawing on Native Son and Richard Wright’s response to the Robert Nixon case provided context, depth and food for thought to this gruesome and troubling tale of “The Brick Slayer”.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story! A lot! While this was soo much information packed into the short story the author does a tremendous job of getting the information in there. While there were parts of the history i would have liked elaborated for a short story this is a great piece.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I found intriguing about this crime is that Native Son was based off it. I could see the comparison easily.

[Christina Graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. In my novice-historian opinion, it was more of a back story slash spring board for "Native Son" than a unbiased criminal documentary of the "Brick Slayer" case.
During this time frame, I have no doubt that things like this happened. The treatment the young assailant was subjected to, I mean. However, I guess I got spoiled by some of the documentary shows like on the History Channel, Forensic Files, and some of the criminal documentaries that you can find on-line or streaming. Thought it was going to be along those lines and ... not exactly.
It started out like it was leading that way then it suddenly changes course at around vhapter 6-7 and goes into more of how it was a basis for the "Native Son" movie/book. I was like cool, didn't know that it was a basis for that story, however was waiting for it to get back on track. It semi did but, to me, it was still a bit lacking on the unbiased part. The victims where treated more like side characters at the end. Again that is just an opinion and how I interpreted it. The reason I said this is: One of the victoms said that they would not stop until her assailant was caught. Cool he was caught. She gave her testimony then disappeared.... Didn't say how she "if she did" assist in the "man hunt". Or anything aluding to her support. The finger print and discription yes, but that was more cop and other eye witnesses/victims than just her doing. The other victim's cases we hear about are quickly explained, wrapped up, and the case just moves on to focuse more on one side of the case and not all sides equally. This story is about the assailant true but this is a story about the "Brick Slayer Case" not just a man. If this was just about the man, then it should have been named after the assailant not the case. Maybe I'm just Nuking it?!
This is a disturbing case that caused serious civil unrest, real fear of one's environment/neighborhood, and serial killings that can(probably did) put even the most seasoned detectives on a psychological report. All I'm saying is I guess was hoping to hear not only about the case but also if today any new either evidence or information was dug up on it. Now with technology and unbiased detectives on hand why not. The author leads me to believe the assailant "could have been" wrongful accused. Ok, so what proof does he got to back this up?! That is what I was kind of hoping all that conversation at the end was setting me up for but ... guess not. Was greatly disappointed about that loss.
Despite all this, I don't regret hearing/reading this book. I didn't know of this case before this story. So, for that I am grateful. Now I now more than I did before. I want to listen/read the other books of this group. I am seriously looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Next time on: The Twilight Zone. (Hit the music!)

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when Amazon groups these books all together, would enjoy seeing why and how they decide to do this?? all these are by: Harold Schechter? that is a 1st, right?? don't they usually have book by different authors? i made a list of my most favorite and in which order!! (I apparently did not read them in order, just jumped around and listen/read what i wanted to, that is how i roll!!!) 1. Rampage, 2. Brick Slayer, 3. Panic, 4. Pied Piper, 5. Little Slaughterhouse, & 6. Pirate (auto and books Kindle Unlimited, Bloodlines) I definitely think you have to have both the listen and read ...'cause there are so many awesome must see stuff. I love the narrator. "Steve Weber". then when you read the books .. u get like these amazing visuals. so cool! i will say these are not always pleasant stories ...they are pretty harsh ...but I would imagine that was well known before you starting reading?? right??! i mean these are not romances ... but i wonder ... i guess i could read some of the reviews (have yet to do that. some reviewers get kind of weird about certain things??!) I really enjoyed it ...and glad i found these. i know i wanna see more from Harold soon enough!! way cool! I do wonder ... can you really lump killers or folks who commit similar crimes into one box??! i recall when i was in college my teacher said we all have similar thoughts or feelings ...but the ones who go about carrying out the evilness ...that is what makes us different. it makes you wonder what sends them over the edge or make them so mean?? hateful?? have they been hurt in their past? treat wrong when raised ...what is it?? can you just narrow it all down to 1,2, and 3 ..and these reasons make you so to carry out evil ways??! i wonder??!

[Reyhan" · Rating 2 out of 5]

به نظر بنده چیز زیادی برای گفتن و بررسی نیست. پُر پیداست که این کتاب از مجموعه ی مشاهیر مرگ، مجموعه کتابی از دَر قتل های واقعی رخ داده در آمریکا است.
چیزی که به روشنی چشم را می زند، نژاد پرستی غیر قابل تحمل و تبعیضی هستش که بین جامعه ی سفید و رنگین پوست در آمریکا رواج دارد.

اوایل قرن 17 میلادی یعنی از سال 1619 میلادی به بعد تاریخ آغاز برده‌داری آفریقایی در مستعمرات آمریکایی و نقطه شروع سیستم نژادپرستی مبتنی بر رنگ پوست در آمریکا در تقویم تاریخی خودنمایی می کند.
در طول قرن 17 و 18 میلادی، ایدئولوژی‌های نژادپرستی برای توجیه برده‌داری و تبعیض علیه آفریقایی‌ها و بومیان آمریکایی شکل گرفت. این ایدئولوژی‌ها بر پایه باور به برتری نژاد سفید و فرودستی نژادهای دیگر استوار بودند.
نژادپرستی به شکل‌های مختلف و در جوامع گوناگون وجود داشته ، اما نژادپرستی در آمریکا به طور خاص با برده‌داری آفریقایی و تبعیض سیستماتیک علیه رنگین‌پوستان گره خورده است و ریشه‌های آن به دوران استعمار و برده‌داری برمی‌گردد.
قرن 17 تا 19 میلادی را می‌توان به عنوان یکی از اوج‌های نژادپرستی نهادی و خشونت‌آمیز در آمریکا در نظر گرفت.
کاهش نژادپرستی در دهه 1960 میلادی به بعد (با جنبش حقوق مدنی و قوانین حقوق مدنی) بود. اما نژادپرستی به شکل‌های سیستماتیک و نهادی همچنان ادامه دارد.

تاریخ قتل های آورده شده در کتاب بر می گردد به سال های 1938_1936، یعنی در اوج نژادپرستی آشکار آمریکا.
ابدا نمی توان نقش جامعه را در رفتار و کرداری که از انسان بروز پیدا می کند نادیده گرفت. اگر شرایط محیطی تاثیری در رفتار ، سبک زندگی و کردار انسان ها نداشت این عامل رو به کُلی از جامعه شناسی و رفتار شناسی حذف می کردیم. ولی ما به خوبی آگاه بر این هستیم که شرایط اجتماعی، حق هایی که یک جامعه از ما می گیرد و به ما می دهد چه تاثیر پر رنگی در چگونگی زیست ما و همچنین تغییر رفتار، کردار و کنش های اجتماعی ما دارد.
قتل، جای توجیه ندارد اما، رفتار نژادپرستانه ی یک جامعه جای اعتراض دارد!!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Brick Slayer is the third book in the Bloodlands series. It tells the story of Robert Nixon, a young serial killer who murdered his victims with a brick. His story was unknown to me prior to reading this story.
Nixon was a young black man, only aged 17-18 at the time of the first murder. Eventually he confessed to 4 murders, but maintains that the last one was committed by his accomplice Earl Hicks.
Nixon testified at his own trial that he was beaten and abused by police officers until he signed a confession for the murders that he was on trial for. On cross examination he himself cast doubt on his claims. Ultimately he was found guilty and after 7 minutes was sentenced to death. From searching it appears that Hick was sentenced to 14 years for his role in the murder/robbery. Hicks was then sent to Los Angeles where he was sentenced to 5 years to life for attacks there.
A lot of this story focused on the prejudices of the time, especially as the perpetrators were both young, wandering black men, and the crimes were against white women and girls. A book was written by Richard Wright, Native Son, that pulls from the story of Robert Nixon and how he and the crime was portrayed by the media during the 1930’s.

[Stacy Croushorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killer or victim?

The subject of this book, an African-American youth, who supposedly killed multiple times with the use of a brick, is seen as a tragic figure. His parents died, having traveled between family members, he turns to theft to support himself. Did he evolve into a murderer, or was the racist attitudes of the day stacked against him? His fingerprints were found, but could he have just robbed the occupants and somebody else kill them? Supposedly he had the mental capacity of an 11 year old. Could this account for his actions? Would like to see more analysis of this case and evidence.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good, Maybe Great Read

I was thrilled to find a whole book on Robert Nixon. There was so much more to the story than I realized...Quite a few layers to peel back. And because of all the time that's passed I also wonder how much of this story is never going to be known. There are also some serious questions about his guilt, even aside from the distortions caused by the brutal police tactics of the period. You won't be sorry if you read this one. I have to say I loved the animation, too.

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This particular installment, the third one in the series, differs from the others as the author not only tells a chilling story of a chain of gruesome murders, but demonstrates the effect of a society on an individual, and particularly its racial aspect. Very interesting, both from historical and psychological points of view.