Houston Mass Murders – 1973: A True Crime Narrative

by Barbara Gibson

Step inside a gripping, real-life crime story that changed the city of Houston forever. The Houston Mass Murders – 1973 , by crime writer, Barbara Gibson, delves into the minds of three notorious killers – Dean Corll, Elmer Wayne Henley, Jr., and David Brooks – who, between 1970 and 1973, lured twenty-seven unsuspecting teenage boys into a deadly trap. Gibson's book takes an unflinching look at the horrific events of 1973 and brings to life the heart-wrenching personal stories of the victims, their families and the perpetrators, through a narrative that is both powerful and haunting. Prepare to be both provoked and intrigued as you experience the Houston Mass Murders through the eyes of those who lived the horror.

Genres: True Crime

449 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2023

Reviews

[Tena A. Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Couldn't put it down. It was very thorough. I found it fascinating to read how law enforcement went about their jobs to get this to trial. And God bless the medical examiner.

[Wesley Schuknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I was a 15 year old Houstonians and remember vividly following the story. I couldn't put this book down. I'm glad I started on a Saturday and finished Sunday morning... Excellent details... Excellent story-telling. Kudos, Ms. Gibson on a true crime thriller!

[Becky Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. The author gives us word for word who said what and who did what .


There were on on the authors opinions just straight facts.

Gibson did her homework and I respect her for it.
If you want to know the truth this is the book to read.
Thank you Barbara Gibson

[Robi A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Coverage of Serial Tragedy

Very impressed with the detail & verbatim reports included in the narrative. Interesting, creepy & provokes uncommon sympathy for ALL the many, many victims.

[Roxanne Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Lots of details. Sad that so many were killed.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book but, given the topic, greatly disturbing. Couldn't put it down and can't remember the last time I finished a book that quickly. The author obviously did immense research to write this book and stayed true to the facts and the transcripts concerning this particular gruesome case (there are a few books published on the Houston Mass Murders that seem more fiction than factual true crime books). The Heroes of this story are the homicide detectives who tried their best to right the wrongs of the missing persons department who did nothing to find those poor missing boys and the medical examiner who did everything possible to identify the victims and bring closure for their families. I pray for those boys and will carry their names with me always....

[Carlene Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great research. A lot of it I had forgotten but most I never knew. Years ago, probably in the 1990s, a gallery in the Montrose in Houston, had some of Henley's art for sale. Someone bought a painting and set fire to it outside in the street. We speculated that it was a relative of one of the victims. Texas then passed a law that prohibits an inmate from profiting from selling "murderabilia". As far as I know this law isn't enforced because it was poorly written.

[Pauline Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not well known horrific story

I was born in 1951 & never heard of this case. If you can get past the redundancy & typos it's an incredible story. I would like to have known more about Henley & Brooks. Some backstory as to why & how they could commit these atrocities on their friends. I had sympathy for Henley until I heard him on the witness stand.

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative book

I was 12-15 when this all happened living in a small town in East Texas. I do not believe I knew about it at the time but as an adult later heared about it. I had remembered the name of Wayne Henley but not the other two boys. I had heard of alot of locations in this book. I highly recommend this book if you like true crime.

[Suzy McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. Such a sad story for those killed and their families and raises massive questions about what on earth the police were thinking to ignore so many boys disappearing from the same neighborhoods and schools.

I also feel sorry for Henley and Brooks who were clearly groomed by Corll. Yes they were bad, but would they have tortured and killed had they not met him?

[Rita B · Rating 5 out of 5]

sick folks

Could think of no other headline for this book. I was in high school when all this happened. Never even knew it had happened. These young victims never. Even had a chance. I am so glad the killers got some of what they deserved.

[Connie Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book!

This has learned me a whole lot that police men a Sheriff's officer s have a lot to go through with when they have murders to go through with! God bless all of them! Thank them for their service!

[Virginia Corbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

I really enjoyed this book. It will keep you wanting to read more!
Definitely a most read. A very recommend book.