Hands Through Stone: How Clarence Ray Allen Masterminded Murder from Behind Folsom's Prison Walls

by James A. Ardaiz

This fascinating and gripping portrayal is the only book-length account ever written about the illicit career of Clarence Ray Allen, one of the most sinister criminal masterminds and mass murderers in American history. Even hardened detectives were shaken by the scene at Fran's Market in rural Fresno County that night in 1980: four young people lay on the market's concrete floor, bloodily murdered by a killer without mercy or remorse. Then a grim investigation became even grimmer when the evidence led to the prime suspect--a convicted murderer already behind the stone walls of Folsom. A true crime story that reads like an intricately woven mystery, the book depicts the chilling scenes of murder, a dogged investigation, and the true story behind the Fran's Market murders and their psychopathic mastermind. Written by former prosecutor James Ardaiz, who was one of the first investigators on the scene at Fran's Market, ""Hands Through Stone"" provides an insider's view of the tortuous, multiyear investigation that brought a killer to justice.

Genres: True Crime

350 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

James A. Ardaiz is an award-winning author who set out to write books that would leave readers thinking about the stories he told and the dilemmas his characters faced. He writes a mixture of genres, from true crime to murder mystery to historical fiction, with each book exploring issues of violence and human frailty. His storylines feature complex characters who explore the boundaries of truth and morality. He wants the reader to merge into the journey of the protagonist and consider, “Is that what I would have done?”

Ardaiz is a retired judge and former prosecutor. Before becoming a writer, he spent eight years as a prosecutor and chief of homicide, thirty years as a trial and appellate court judge, and ten years as an attorney in private practice.

In Hands Through Stone, he takes readers through an actual major criminal investigation, revealing the true story behind California’s notorious Fran’s Market murders and their mastermind, Clarence Ray Allen, the last man executed in the State of California. Ardaiz was the prosecutor on the case before becoming a judge.

His next books involve the Matt Jamison series—a fictional courtroom legal thriller series. The books encompass a range of subjects from serial murder (Fractured Justice) to wrongful conviction (Shades of Truth) to international child sex trafficking (Trading Innocence) to ritualistic murder/fanaticism (Leaves of Moonlight). Trading Innocence was a finalist in the Thriller/Crime category of the 2022 American Fiction Awards and received an honorable mention in the General Fiction category of the 2022 Paris Book Festival Awards.

Finally, Tears of Honor is a sweeping novel of history, depicting how Japanese American soldiers fought against Nazi tyranny in World War II while their families remained imprisoned in internment camps. Tears of Honor was a 2022 silver medalist for National Historical Novel of the Year by the American Association of Independent Publishers.

Reviews

[Donna Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unsettling. And then some since it's true. Set in our own back yard makes me ever more unmoored. Pure evil. I don't condone killing as a rule, but read this and it will cause many to want to bring back the death penalty!

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has local interest, while being sensational enough to be read nationally. The question is how well does Ardiaz tell the story? As the prosecutor, and a future judge, he is able to trace how the case was developed and what was the thoughts, feelings, and concerns of the investigators. There are several places which I got new understanding on how the authorities develop a case, and what is involved.

But does the writing hold interest? I do not think so-it is the story which copelling, not the storytelling. Ardiaz does not get in the way of the story. Many authors will drag down a story by sidetracking on some tangent or with too many personal, non-related recollections. Ardiaz's strength is he sticks to the facts. Which this is also a weakness since the writing is not noteworthy.

Would I say to read it? Yes. Particularly if you want to read about one of Fresno's more notorious crimes.

For more on my review, see my book blog: http://garys-books.blogspot.com/2013/...

[Antonio Ventura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Helped me to greatly understand the Fran's Market murder case a lot better than I had known before, while also explaining the events that led to that horrible night of September 5, 1980 in Fresno, CA. Some people had pity for Clarence Ray Allen because they only saw his "innocent demeanor"; they never had to see the faces of his victims nor had they ever listened to their stories.

[Rachel EC · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read my review here:

http://truecrimereader.com/2013/04/ha...
:-)

*contains spoilers*

[Shannon Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book!!! I know Detective Ross Kelly, Prosecutor Jerry Jones and have met Justice Ardaiz. What a pleasure it is to work around these bad ass professionals.