What do you think?
Rate this book
The Texas 7: A True Story of Murder and a Daring Escape
"You haven't heard the last of us yet..."
These were chilling words on a note left behind by seven armed and dangerous inmates who escaped from the John Connally prison in South Texas on December 13, 2000. Their promise has apparently been fulfilled. The inmates, now known as the Connally Seven, are suspected of having first robbed a Radio Shack in Houston, and then, days later, on Christmas Eve, of having fatally shot and runover a young police officer during an assault on a Dallas sporting-goods store. For six frantic weeks, a massive manhunt with a significant reward had only turned up dead ends...until a tip came in from someone who had seen the gang on Fox-TVs "America's Most Wanted." Authorities arrested four of the seven prisoners, including suspected ringleader George Rivas, in Woodland Park, Colorado, and a fifth inmate shot himself during police negotiations.
Immediately intensifying the search for the last two heavily armed and dangerous prisoners, police and FBI closed in on them at a Holiday Inn in Colorado Springs just two days following the previous arrest. After five hours and a telephone interview with a TV news station in which they expressed their feeling that the breakout was a statement against Texas's judicial system, the two inmates surrendered themselves, putting an end to a long and frightening episode.
The Texas 7 goes behind the scenes to give you a detailed, fascinating account of the events leading up to and after their brazen prison escape--and the exciting chase that ultimately led to their capture.
These were chilling words on a note left behind by seven armed and dangerous inmates who escaped from the John Connally prison in South Texas on December 13, 2000. Their promise has apparently been fulfilled. The inmates, now known as the Connally Seven, are suspected of having first robbed a Radio Shack in Houston, and then, days later, on Christmas Eve, of having fatally shot and runover a young police officer during an assault on a Dallas sporting-goods store. For six frantic weeks, a massive manhunt with a significant reward had only turned up dead ends...until a tip came in from someone who had seen the gang on Fox-TVs "America's Most Wanted." Authorities arrested four of the seven prisoners, including suspected ringleader George Rivas, in Woodland Park, Colorado, and a fifth inmate shot himself during police negotiations.
Immediately intensifying the search for the last two heavily armed and dangerous prisoners, police and FBI closed in on them at a Holiday Inn in Colorado Springs just two days following the previous arrest. After five hours and a telephone interview with a TV news station in which they expressed their feeling that the breakout was a statement against Texas's judicial system, the two inmates surrendered themselves, putting an end to a long and frightening episode.
The Texas 7 goes behind the scenes to give you a detailed, fascinating account of the events leading up to and after their brazen prison escape--and the exciting chase that ultimately led to their capture.
241 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2001
30 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Gary C. King
30 books939 followersGary C. King is a freelance author and lecturer who has published more than 500 articles in true crime magazines in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He is also the author of several true crime books including: Blood Lust: Portrait of a Serial Sex Killer, Driven to Kill, Web of Deceit, Blind Rage, Savage Vengeance, An Early Grave, The Texas 7, Murder in Hollywood, Angels of Death, Stolen in the Night, Love, Lies, and Murder, An Almost Perfect Murder, Butcher, Rage, The Murder of Meredith Kercher, Crime Scene: True Stories of Crime and Detection, and Murder Most Foul: True Crime Stories of Murder and Mayhem.
Driven to Kill, the story of serial child killer Westley Allan Dodd's killing spree, was nominated for an Anthony Award in the Best True Crime Book category at Bouchercon 25.
Blood Lust: Portrait of a Serial Sex Killer, details the bizarre case of Dayton Leroy Rogers, Oregon's worst serial killer. A German language edition of Blood Lust was published in 1995. Both Blood Lust and Driven to Kill were chosen as featured selections of Doubleday's True Crime Book Club.
King’s television appearances have included Entertainment Tonight, Larry King Live, Inside Edition, Court TV, MSNBC’s Headliners and Legends, E!, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Extra TV, and several other programs. He also frequently provides radio interviews and has given talks at libraries as well as organizations devoted to readers and writers interested in the genre of true crime.
After years of traditional publishing, King recently joined the growing ranks of indie authors.
Driven to Kill, the story of serial child killer Westley Allan Dodd's killing spree, was nominated for an Anthony Award in the Best True Crime Book category at Bouchercon 25.
Blood Lust: Portrait of a Serial Sex Killer, details the bizarre case of Dayton Leroy Rogers, Oregon's worst serial killer. A German language edition of Blood Lust was published in 1995. Both Blood Lust and Driven to Kill were chosen as featured selections of Doubleday's True Crime Book Club.
King’s television appearances have included Entertainment Tonight, Larry King Live, Inside Edition, Court TV, MSNBC’s Headliners and Legends, E!, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Extra TV, and several other programs. He also frequently provides radio interviews and has given talks at libraries as well as organizations devoted to readers and writers interested in the genre of true crime.
After years of traditional publishing, King recently joined the growing ranks of indie authors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 12, 2017
An engaging true crime audiobook about the escape of seven inmates from a Texas maximum security prison. The narrator did a great job of bringing the story and characters to life, you could picture the scenes in your head and was a clean, crisp recording. The author gave plenty of detail making it was an interesting and entertaining account.
June 30, 2022
While reading the book, I had intended to give it 4 stars. But Gary King covers so much in this story. Some of the "before" of the convicts, a bunch of "during" information, and some good follow-up.
Great book for true-crime lovers.
Great book for true-crime lovers.
August 15, 2013
The best book I've read to date. Im a hug fan of prison break and there is a lot of similarities with the two. Enthralling read
Read
April 17, 2025Book Review: The Texas 7: A True Story of Murder and a Daring Escape by Gary C. King
Gary C. King’s The Texas 7: A True Story of Murder and a Daring Escape is a gripping account of one of the most notorious crime dramas in American history. This true crime narrative chronicles the audacious escape of seven inmates from a Texas prison and the harrowing events that followed, including a series of crimes that culminated in murder. King’s detailed research and compelling storytelling bring to life the complex interplay of desperation, violence, and the quest for freedom.
Overview and Structure
The book is meticulously structured, providing readers with a chronological account of the events surrounding the Texas 7. King opens with the escape itself, offering vivid descriptions that set the tone for the high-stakes drama that unfolds. He effectively balances the narrative between the criminals’ perspectives and the law enforcement agencies’ desperate attempts to recapture them. This dual viewpoint adds depth to the story, allowing readers to understand the motivations and backgrounds of the individuals involved, as well as the broader societal implications of their actions.
Characterization and Writing Style
King does an admirable job of characterizing the seven escapees, each with unique backstories that contribute to their roles in the narrative. Through interviews, court documents, and police reports, King paints a detailed portrait of these men—highlighting their individual circumstances, criminal histories, and the psychological factors that led to their drastic decisions.
King’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex details easy to follow. He employs a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, effectively building suspense as the story progresses. The inclusion of chilling quotes and notes left by the fugitives enhances the dramatic tension, compelling readers to turn the pages quickly.
Themes and Societal Reflection
One of the key themes in The Texas 7 is the exploration of crime and punishment within the American justice system. King delves into the failures and shortcomings of the system that allowed these men to escape and commit further atrocities. The book raises important questions about the rehabilitation of inmates, the nature of criminality, and the societal conditions that can lead individuals to pursue a life of crime.
Additionally, King addresses the impact of fear and public perception surrounding violent crime. The manhunt that ensued was not just a chase for the fugitives but also a reflection of community anxiety and the media’s role in shaping narratives around crime.
Conclusion
The Texas 7: A True Story of Murder and a Daring Escape is a riveting and well-researched true crime account that captures the drama and complexity of a dark chapter in American criminal history. Gary C. King’s expertise in the genre shines through as he deftly combines factual reporting with compelling storytelling.
In conclusion, this book is recommended for true crime enthusiasts and readers interested in real-life stories of survival, violence, and the consequences of choices made under pressure. King’s work serves as a stark reminder of the thin line between freedom and confinement, and the desperate lengths to which individuals will go to reclaim their autonomy.
Gary C. King’s The Texas 7: A True Story of Murder and a Daring Escape is a gripping account of one of the most notorious crime dramas in American history. This true crime narrative chronicles the audacious escape of seven inmates from a Texas prison and the harrowing events that followed, including a series of crimes that culminated in murder. King’s detailed research and compelling storytelling bring to life the complex interplay of desperation, violence, and the quest for freedom.
Overview and Structure
The book is meticulously structured, providing readers with a chronological account of the events surrounding the Texas 7. King opens with the escape itself, offering vivid descriptions that set the tone for the high-stakes drama that unfolds. He effectively balances the narrative between the criminals’ perspectives and the law enforcement agencies’ desperate attempts to recapture them. This dual viewpoint adds depth to the story, allowing readers to understand the motivations and backgrounds of the individuals involved, as well as the broader societal implications of their actions.
Characterization and Writing Style
King does an admirable job of characterizing the seven escapees, each with unique backstories that contribute to their roles in the narrative. Through interviews, court documents, and police reports, King paints a detailed portrait of these men—highlighting their individual circumstances, criminal histories, and the psychological factors that led to their drastic decisions.
King’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex details easy to follow. He employs a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, effectively building suspense as the story progresses. The inclusion of chilling quotes and notes left by the fugitives enhances the dramatic tension, compelling readers to turn the pages quickly.
Themes and Societal Reflection
One of the key themes in The Texas 7 is the exploration of crime and punishment within the American justice system. King delves into the failures and shortcomings of the system that allowed these men to escape and commit further atrocities. The book raises important questions about the rehabilitation of inmates, the nature of criminality, and the societal conditions that can lead individuals to pursue a life of crime.
Additionally, King addresses the impact of fear and public perception surrounding violent crime. The manhunt that ensued was not just a chase for the fugitives but also a reflection of community anxiety and the media’s role in shaping narratives around crime.
Conclusion
The Texas 7: A True Story of Murder and a Daring Escape is a riveting and well-researched true crime account that captures the drama and complexity of a dark chapter in American criminal history. Gary C. King’s expertise in the genre shines through as he deftly combines factual reporting with compelling storytelling.
In conclusion, this book is recommended for true crime enthusiasts and readers interested in real-life stories of survival, violence, and the consequences of choices made under pressure. King’s work serves as a stark reminder of the thin line between freedom and confinement, and the desperate lengths to which individuals will go to reclaim their autonomy.
September 10, 2017
True Crime has always been my favorite when it comes to reading. I do not remember ever hearing about The Texas 7 and found the information given very interesting. It was really great to get a feel of each man and his background. It was interesting to see how their mind work and the reasoning behind why they did what they did. I can understand no hope of getting out of prison but I cannot feel for them. They choose to do what they did and why they thought they should be able to get out early is beyond me. Do not break the law or do the terrible things they did and they wouldn’t have to worry about it.
Mr. Bennett as always was wonderful I love his character voices. He puts delightful emotions into his audio even with books of this nature. I had no trouble picturing the scenes the author wrote as the narrator bought it to life almost like a movie. You can tell he put a lot of thought into how he would deal with issues and how the audio would play out. There is no repeating of wording, no volume change, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. It was a very clean and clear audio that I got lost in from the danger that felt almost like a movie. I thought his performance great and really added a lot to this audio.
I was hooked from the first page as the author gave a very interesting account of these men’s lives. The law was always one step behind until the day they were arrested. Funny how things work out if they had awaited one more day or even an hour they would not have caught the whole gang or maybe none of them at least not that day. The way these 7 minds worked I found surprising, I don’t understand how they thought they could live a normal life just by changing their names. But then again they did stay on the run without people working out who they were for a long time. The authors writing kept me very entertained, I thought he gave a lot of thought to the information he gave us giving a full account that was very interesting.
Mr. Bennett as always was wonderful I love his character voices. He puts delightful emotions into his audio even with books of this nature. I had no trouble picturing the scenes the author wrote as the narrator bought it to life almost like a movie. You can tell he put a lot of thought into how he would deal with issues and how the audio would play out. There is no repeating of wording, no volume change, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. It was a very clean and clear audio that I got lost in from the danger that felt almost like a movie. I thought his performance great and really added a lot to this audio.
I was hooked from the first page as the author gave a very interesting account of these men’s lives. The law was always one step behind until the day they were arrested. Funny how things work out if they had awaited one more day or even an hour they would not have caught the whole gang or maybe none of them at least not that day. The way these 7 minds worked I found surprising, I don’t understand how they thought they could live a normal life just by changing their names. But then again they did stay on the run without people working out who they were for a long time. The authors writing kept me very entertained, I thought he gave a lot of thought to the information he gave us giving a full account that was very interesting.
August 20, 2017
Engaging, well written story of a prison escape. I listened to the audio book and J. Scott Bennett was the perfect narrator for this book. I was completely enthralled during the whole audio. Very well researched, well told and clearly written. I was astonished when the book was over, the time just flew by. I highly recommend this, especially the audio, for any time you need a spell binding listen.
September 13, 2017
I quite enjoy true crime stories, and I had never heard of this case before. The story is interesting, and the narration is quite good. This is definitely worth your time if you enjoy this genre. It is hard to believe that this was completely unknown to me before this book because the subject is immensely interesting.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left my honest review. The free copy did not influence my review in any way.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left my honest review. The free copy did not influence my review in any way.
August 13, 2022
7 of the worse criminals there were planned a daring day time escape by taking guards hostage. whos to blame the prison was short on staff and the escaped criminals had through the years earned trust with them that made it much easier for them as days turned into weeks the police were getting worried if they would be caught before anything happened a very interesting story of their escape and what happened after.
November 4, 2017
The Texas 7 by Gary C. King was another good read by the author. The boom follows seven armed and dangerous men who escaped from a prison in Texas. They left behind a note that said "you haven't heard the last of us yet and it seemed to come true. I have enjoyed reading Gary C. Kings true crime stories.
January 29, 2025
Cold Blooded Killers
I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written interesting and thoroughly detailed. Author Gary C. King did an outstanding job and didn’t spare the details, most of which I hadn’t known from local news accounts.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written interesting and thoroughly detailed. Author Gary C. King did an outstanding job and didn’t spare the details, most of which I hadn’t known from local news accounts.
September 21, 2025
Of course being from Texas and having lived there at the time, I wanted to read this book. It is a very detailed book that covers the before, during, and after of the event. Mr. King included a lot of facts, witness statements, and other information.
September 22, 2022
i was very good it sad there had to brake outof jail to do it
July 19, 2025
good true story and laid out very nicely
August 28, 2017
This is a thoroughly described case as far as it goes, but it seems that it might have been rushed to publication. Given that more than 15 years has passed since these events occurred, more should have been included about the resulting outcomes of the trials. J. Scott Bennett's performance is very well done.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews