Bound in Silence: An Unsolved Murder in a Small Texas Town

by Christena Stephens

On a nearly moonless night in October 1943, a single gunshot rang out in Littlefield, Texas. A prominent Texas doctor and his wife were found bound, shot, beaten, and murdered. The only their five-year-old daughter, who was bound to silence and refused to speak about what happened for 70 years.

The heinous crime remains unsolved. For years, the courts tried to convict one suspect, but forensic evidence contradicted the prosecution’s case. Investigators, including the famed Texas Rangers, failed to bring anyone to justice.
Eight decades later, the questions linger over the plains of the Texas who killed the Hunts and why?

Author and historian Christena Stephens spent more than a decade researching the Hunt murders, re-examining every twist and turn in the legal process, uncovering new evidence, and drawing new conclusions about who might have been responsible.
She also convinced Jo Ann Hunt to break 70 years of silence and tell her story for the first time. Armed with Jo Ann’s account, Stephens takes the reader back to that deadly night and through the years of trauma that followed.

Why did the criminal justice system repeatedly fail to bring anyone to justice? What could have scared a 5-year-old girl into a lifetime of silence? What did investigators miss? And most importantly, who killed Roy and Mae Hunt?
Bound in Silence is a true crime tour-de-force, a meticulously researched, impeccably told tale of unsolved murder on the High Plains.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Mystery

286 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2024

Reviews

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot even imagine how much work went into capturing all of the details of this case and background information from the 1940s, before and after.

While I am not a true crime guru, I am fascinated by actual crimes and how things were investigated when the advances we have today are nonexistent. The author provides a comprehensive timeline to guide us in the events leading up to the murder and beyond. She also provided a list of those involved in the case and their role at the beginning of the book. This is helpful to keep everyone straight in my mind.

As I read this book, I felt like I was walking in the author's shoes. She visited several of the locations from the murder, and the photos of the buildings and people helped me picture this small town in West Texas. I could feel her frustration at how things were handled and that there was no good conclusion to this crime.

I also feel for the daughters left behind and what they experienced that night and after. To not really talk about it had to have been hard, and to never know the truth.

This could have been made into a fantastic fictional novel. While it would have been based on facts, the tale could have been adapted to the author's supposition of what could have happened since the evidence is not there despite the many court cases trying to get to the truth.

The book does not read like fiction (as some non-fiction novels might), but there is a wealth of information from the research the author compiled about this crime. Perhaps another reader will take up the challenge and try to uncover what happened. The truth may never be revealed. It is a puzzle still waiting to be solved.

We give this book 4 paws up.

[Cindy Frechette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2.75

[Clueless Gent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound In Silence is a very fascinating and detailed look into the unsolved murder of a distinguished couple in Texas during the twentieth century. The level of detail painstakingly documented in this volume is amazing.

This is the true story (nonfiction) of the gruesome murder of Dr. Roy Hunt and his wife Mae in their Littlefield, Texas, home on October 26, 1943. Saying it’s the “story of” the murders is a misnomer; there were no actual witnesses to the crime, save for their five-year-old daughter, who only briefly saw the killer before she was thrown into a closet. Thus, in reality, this book looks into the investigation of the murders and so much more.

There are many things I love about this book, and a couple (as in “two”) of other things that bothered me a bit. I’ll do my best to highlight all of that in this review.

First, I love the fact that the author took it upon herself to tell this story! It is truly heartbreaking that the investigation into these grisly murders has never been solved and no one has ever been punished. In my opinion, it is the travesty of all travesties of justice when someone literally gets away with murder.

There are so many “moving parts” to this story that I can’t even comprehend how to go about not only organizing it, but putting it in a book for others to understand. I do feel that the book could have been a bit better organized (this is one of those two other things I previously mentioned). However, that being said, I have absolutely no recommendations on how to do that. Maybe a story like this can only be represented in this way. There was a lot of repetition with some of the details of the investigation. That may well have been intentional. This is just my opinion.

Something else I love about this book was the inclusion of key players and a timeline. When a book has a lot of characters, my eyes eventually begin to gloss over when the names of minor characters are mentioned. Thus, having the key players identified in the beginning of the book makes the process of trying to remember everyone much easier. Similarly, the timeline is a great reference. The author included several tangents throughout the text, and having this tool available made it easier for me to see where, in the grand scheme of things, something was taking place.

The photos! This book would not have been nearly as enjoyable without the photos. It’s one thing to describe a tragic murder scene, but it’s something else entirely to see photos of it. Further, with so many players, having a face to connect with a name made it easier for me.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a nonfiction book where the author did a better job of not only presenting the facts, but also of explaining how the facts were obtained. To say that this story is markedly researched is a true understatement.

I happen to love historical Texas tidbits, and this book has some! For example, I never knew that it was typical policy in Texas counties at the time of this story to allow the widow of the sheriff to complete his term if he was killed in the line of duty. Also, one of the Rangers investigating this case was included in the ambush that killed Bonnie and Clyde.

In the Afterword this author basically tells the reader what’s taken place between the time of the story and now. Who died, who moved, and who divorced are some of the things discussed. It was a great way of adding some closure to something that was never really closed.

There are other things I love about this book, but I feel this review is already getting a bit wordy, thus it’s time to identify the second “other thing” I previously mentioned.

The punctuation and grammar in this text are clearly in need of overhaul. That is not to say the book is unreadable. I enjoyed it very much. I don’t fault the author with this, but the editors. I know it’s ultimately the author’s responsibility for everything in the book, but I’m still just amazed at how well the author put everything together in the story. Here’s an example I like to use: I have a friend who plays piano. He can’t read music, but he can play wonderfully! He has the gift! This author also has the gift. Enough said.

If you love true crime or Texas history, you’ll love this book. I heartily recommend it to everyone!

[Rox Burkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christena Stephens conducted extensive research to write Bound in Silence, which details the brutal 1943 unsolved murders of Roy and Mae Hunt in the Texas Panhandle. The Hunt’s daughters, Jo Ann and Jane, witnessed the tragic events and survived. Jo Ann was too young, at five years old, to relate her first-hand knowledge with the investigators. Ms. Stephens interviewed Jo Ann and Jane in 2010, and they shared their harrowing experiences from that dreadful event. Her interview gives a unique perspective to the public on the crime and its lasting impact on the lives of these girls.

Stephens' narrative skillfully paints a vivid picture of the lives of the people involved before the murders. Littlefield, Texas, was a tightly-knit community where everyone watched out for one another, and families often socialized. Dr. Roy Hunt and his charming wife were known for their hospitality, frequently hosting card games and meals with friends. The entire community was rocked by the event and the subsequent lack of justice.

The book is thoughtfully structured into logical segments that provide insights into the suspects and their interactions with the Hunts. Including photos from the era helps readers immerse themselves in a time without today's technological advancements. As the community clamored for answers, the investigation was marked by its disjointed nature, a fact highlighted by the pictures that underscore the gaps and leads, which, in hindsight, might have led to a just outcome. Stephens also offers her perspective on the missed opportunities, contradictions, and other missteps during the investigation that could have potentially exposed the culprit.

Texas history and true crime fans will appreciate the details amassed in Bound in Silence.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound in Silence is a true story about a family who suffered tragedy and was silenced for years about it. It connects multiple murders from the last and shows their relation to one another in an astonishing sequence of events. This non-fiction crime is hard to believe, but such an important read showing a glimpse into potential failings of the justice system.

I don't tend to read true crime books; this is my first. I often shys way from them due to the subject matter. I enjoy crime fiction, but not non-fiction, usually. However, this is a very good read and I'm glad I gave it a chance. The presentation of the main events as well as previous events leading up to them is well done and very effective at telling a story that was kept buried for years.

One of the most interesting aspects about this book is the failing of the investigation. Not having read a lot of crime non-fiction, I am not very familiar with how many details can slip between the cracks outside of what I've seen in fictional detective stories and shows. The fact that all of this is real is harrowing and shocking - even though I feel I shouldn't be as surprised as I am. There were so many opportunities to get things right that weren't taken.

Another highlight of this book is the way it expresses the hardships of the survivors. The trauma paired with the power older family members have is heartbreaking and it's sad how long it took the Hunts to have a semblance of peace and be heard. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in true crime, law enforcement investigations, and difficulties of survivors having their voices be heard.

[Linda Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Roy and Mae Hunt were my aunt and uncle. My mother was Uncle Roy’s only sister and her name was Ruth Hunt. I’ve heard about this story since I was a child although I only ever discussed it with my mother and even then she was reluctant to talk about it. Seeing an old photo recently of all of my uncles triggered the memory for my sister and me. My sister was very interested in reading the book so I bought it on Kindle. I didn’t read all of it myself because the first part of the book had so much innuendo and really seemed to lean more towards blaming my aunt and uncle for what happened to them. That sad feeling that I got, in addition to the grammar errors, repetition and most of all misspellings of my family‘s names really put me off. (if you are going to write a book about peoples lives, then I think you should be spelling their names right.) I will have to say though, that the worst thing about the whole book was the crime scene photo of my aunt and uncle. To be honest, it made me so sick and I wish it had not been included. On the flipside, the description of the inept and careless investigation by the sheriff’s department and surprisingly the Texas Rangers was worth the read for me. No wonder the case was never truly solved. We will never know now and it’s too late anyway for it to make any difference because my grandparents, my mom and my remaining uncles never got that closure. I don’t think I would recommend this book to anybody.

Linda Hays Clark

[Lone Star Literary Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a true crime drama, Stephens provides a rich context for the 1943 murders of Roy and Mae Hunt. With anecdotes from the lives of key players, detailed accounts of criminal trials in the Littlefield, Texas area that preceded the Hunts’, and vivid language describing the events, the author paints a picture of a tight-knit community rocked by the brutal killings. 

The photos curated for the story, including ones from the crime scene, emphasize the grim reality of the tale. Moreover, the author’s interviews with the two Hunt daughters bring the book intimacy and rawness.    

I was drawn to this book because my paternal grandparents lived in the Panhandle at the time of the murders. The history woven throughout the book gave me insight into the realities of the day and age. 

I share the author’s frustration with a lack of answers and the miscarriage of justice. Her assertions that more could have - and should have - been done ring true all these decades later.

The author’s years of meticulous research and flair for storytelling are evident in the book. Her voice resonates on the pages, including her photos and thoughts about the case.

You will enjoy this story if you’re a true crime and Texas history fan.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christina Stephens's new book, Bound in Silence is where true crime, history, and creative non-fiction all meet to form a whole that is both a gripping story and a grisly one.


In this case, this book really tells two stories, the first is a murder mystery taken from the pages of Texas history: the death by shooting of a doctor (Roy Hunt) and his wife (Mae). And author Stephens takes down a well-researched and equally well-written path of whodunnit, and why, and how.


The second story is that of the Hunt's older daughter, JoAnn, who was in the room (albeit stuffed in a closet) while her parents were being murdered. For decades, she kept silent, scared into event-specific muteness, until the author got her story.


Stephens's narrative style is straight to the point without being dull or dry. Her photographer's eye comes in handy – her descriptions of people and places, while taken from photos and press clippings – feel cinematic. Her choice of topic is a compelling one, because it gives a glimpse into the psychology of childhood trauma and fear, as well as into the gory events themselves.


Overall, this is a well-crafted account, and deserving of a lot of notice.


Goes well with: a whiskey flight and Texas barbecue.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a true crime drama, Stephens provides a rich context for the 1943 murders of Roy and Mae Hunt. With anecdotes from the lives of key players, detailed accounts of criminal trials in the Littlefield, Texas area that preceded the Hunts’, and vivid language describing the events, the author paints a picture of a tight-knit community rocked by the brutal killings.

The photos curated for the story, including ones from the crime scene, emphasize the grim reality of the tale. Moreover, the author’s interviews with the two Hunt daughters bring the book intimacy and rawness.

I was drawn to this book because my paternal grandparents lived in the Panhandle at the time of the murders. The history woven throughout the book gave me insight into the realities of the day and age.

I share the author’s frustration with a lack of answers and the miscarriage of justice. Her assertions that more could have – and should have – been done ring true all these decades later.

The author’s years of meticulous research and flair for storytelling are evident in the book. Her voice resonates on the pages, including her photos and thoughts about the case.

You will enjoy this story if you’re a true crime and Texas history fan.

[DeWayne Neel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised to find this book at a small library in Colorado and even more shocked to get home and see that the story happened less than 20 miles from my birthplace and I had vague memories of the newspaper article in 1943, just a few days after my seventh birthday. The crime has never been solved. The West Texas area and probably all of Texas was still a violent environment in the late 1930s and 40s, with rapes, suicides, and murders fairly frequent. My first `court experience was a murder trial which was attended as a school assignment. Christena Stephens ran across an unsolved murder in Littlefield, Texas, and decided to research it for a possible book and found a maze of errors, forgotten family members, and a multitude of trials, many ending in non-convictions.
Eighty years after the event, she has made the story exciting, leaving you wondering, "Did this happen?" Today, solving a case like this, with DNA and micro testing would solve it in a few days.
The author did a good job keeping each chapter exciting and trusting that a solution was just around the corner, even after 4-5 years.

[Russell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I slogged away at this book until I could no longer overlook the poor quality writing, and the complete lack of any competent editing or proofreading. With a typographical or grammatical error every two to three pages, and poor word choices throughout, my recommendation is to avoid this author in the future, and to give a hard pass to this book.

[Wes Sheffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

West Texas author Christena Stephens, has done a superb job researching and telling the most complete story of the horrific 1943 Littlefield, Texas, double murder of Dr. Roy and Mae Hunt. Stephens interviewed the surviving Hunt daughters Jo Ann and Jane who were present in the home at the time of the murders. I highly recommended Bound in Silence as a must read true Texas crime book!

[Laura Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exhaustively researched book about a murder in a small Texas town in the 1940s. The author considered every angle and it was quite a decent read.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done account of a mysterious murder of a couple in small town Texas in the 1940s.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing true crime cold case!

Bound in Silence is a deep-dive true crime book by Christena Stephens about an unsolved murder of a dynamic young couple in Littlefield, Texas, in the 1940s. Eighty years later, the events are just as shocking and bizarre as when they occurred.

Dr. Roy Hunt and his wife, Mae, were brutally murdered in their bedroom, just down the hall from where their two young daughters slept. The killer even gained entry to the house through a window in the nursery and crept past the two sleeping children to get to their parents. The eldest of the girls, five-year-old Jo Ann, woke up during the attack, interrupting the killer, who shoved her into a closet with a chloroform-soaked rag, which knocked her out. When the little girl came to, she got her little sister out of her crib and fled to the home of a neighbor who returned to the Hunt house and discovered the horrendous crime scene. The murders have never been solved.

Working from historical documents, police reports, court transcripts, newspaper coverage from the time, and one-on-one interviews with Jo Ann Hunt, the author pieces together the bizarre events leading up to that night, the murders, and the subsequent investigations and trials.

The book covers several years, including the historical background of the town and the individuals involved. The author presents a story that is mesmerizing, chilling, and very difficult to forget. Supplementing the narrative are many excellent photographs of the persons involved and relevant locations, including photos of the actual crime scene with the victims still in situ. Throughout, I was struck by how much has changed in the field of criminalistics and amazed by the leaps law enforcement took in identifying their main suspect. At times, the story got slightly confusing as events were told out of order or repeated. Reading further or re-reading these places usually cleared things up. I did have an issue with the final ebook product, which had typos, errors in grammar, and repetitive passages that an editor should have caught and corrected.

I recommend BOUND IN SILENCE: AN UNSOLVED MURDER IN A SMALL TEXAS TOWN to true crime readers, especially those interested in cases set in Texas.