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Deacon of Death
The author of Lobster Boy recounts the case of axe murderer Sam Smithers, a Tampa deacon and handyperson who hid behind a religious identity while he targeted the prostitutes of the area. Original.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
31 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Fred Rosen
42 books60 followersAmerican true crime author and former columnist for the Arts and Leisure Section of The New York Times.
Rosen's published works in the genre include Lobster Boy, There But For the Grace: Survivors of the 20th Century’s Infamous Serial Killers and When Satan Wore a Cross.
He is also the winner of Library Journal’s Best Reference Source 2005 award for The Historical Atlas of American Crime, and has written many other works of historical non-fiction including Cremation in America, Contract Warriors and Gold!.
Rosen's published works in the genre include Lobster Boy, There But For the Grace: Survivors of the 20th Century’s Infamous Serial Killers and When Satan Wore a Cross.
He is also the winner of Library Journal’s Best Reference Source 2005 award for The Historical Atlas of American Crime, and has written many other works of historical non-fiction including Cremation in America, Contract Warriors and Gold!.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 19, 2017
This was a 3 or a 3.5 up to the 70% mark of the Kindle read. After that it was a full 4 stars. And I concluded I needed to rate it with the higher mark for its excellent approach and study for his Capital Murder trial decision, and the aftermath of depth explanation to Cognitive Violence CO type transgressors. In particular to the entire process of what is perceived and acted upon as reification. Reification being a particular kind of behavior in which an ability persisted to look at another person only within a conception of their being an object of interest. Very detached as with an inanimate object.
This is writing without interpretations by the writer to the reader, so at times it seems clipped. Not particularly emotive, but more of a pattern and history recorded within a blunt and succinct matter. Just the facts, and the exact words of others' histories with this man, With 90% of the material being in a linear and chronological order too, so it is an extremely fast read. Few flash backs in time occur for information given, except with regard to trial references and witnesses to Sam's childhood events as the trial period is detailed. And unlike other such in this genre, there is direct law official pattern of subsequent changes within the investigative personnel closely noted and all those sequences explained. It was necessary because of other links to known or related by blood or marriage for various witness and relative interviewing that came across only as the case progressed to the "solving" and trial. All of that can be quite boring to the average detective case reader, but it is, IMHO, essential for the "eyes" to what evidence becomes exposed. And in what time frames. Many cases such as this one remain "open" and unsolved for decades. Sam Smithers case was NOT such a one. Primarily because of their (police investigators in command of the accused) allowing his wife in the interrogation room (extremely rare) and within all phases of these protective custody actions.
His being able to keep jobs, maintain a 20 year plus marriage in which the wife and adoptive son maintained he was a great husband and father! This is a type that is rare and difficult to stop. Both. The affiliation with the church in which he acted as deacon and also as a type of janitor and maintenance help- other factors. His age and his normal demeanor!
Was his psychosis one of event or was it present all the hours of his life? What is premeditated?
And most of all when is the death penalty a solution that cannot be excluded? This book will give you a window to view how all of these are valid questions that may have more than 2 answers.
This is writing without interpretations by the writer to the reader, so at times it seems clipped. Not particularly emotive, but more of a pattern and history recorded within a blunt and succinct matter. Just the facts, and the exact words of others' histories with this man, With 90% of the material being in a linear and chronological order too, so it is an extremely fast read. Few flash backs in time occur for information given, except with regard to trial references and witnesses to Sam's childhood events as the trial period is detailed. And unlike other such in this genre, there is direct law official pattern of subsequent changes within the investigative personnel closely noted and all those sequences explained. It was necessary because of other links to known or related by blood or marriage for various witness and relative interviewing that came across only as the case progressed to the "solving" and trial. All of that can be quite boring to the average detective case reader, but it is, IMHO, essential for the "eyes" to what evidence becomes exposed. And in what time frames. Many cases such as this one remain "open" and unsolved for decades. Sam Smithers case was NOT such a one. Primarily because of their (police investigators in command of the accused) allowing his wife in the interrogation room (extremely rare) and within all phases of these protective custody actions.
His being able to keep jobs, maintain a 20 year plus marriage in which the wife and adoptive son maintained he was a great husband and father! This is a type that is rare and difficult to stop. Both. The affiliation with the church in which he acted as deacon and also as a type of janitor and maintenance help- other factors. His age and his normal demeanor!
Was his psychosis one of event or was it present all the hours of his life? What is premeditated?
And most of all when is the death penalty a solution that cannot be excluded? This book will give you a window to view how all of these are valid questions that may have more than 2 answers.
October 7, 2015
I read two Fred Rosen books almost concurrently, 'Body Dump' (about Poughkeepsie, New York serial killer Kendall Francois) and 'Deacon of Death' (about erstwhile family man Sam Smithers, who regularly hired prostitutes and ended up killing several of them). My thoughts and comments about both books are virtually the same: I found them to be solid, straight-forward accounts with just the right amount of detail. My one recommendation to the author would be to summarize and paraphrase the psychological profiles he quotes at great length.
March 2, 2021
This book is about a deacon from Florida, who liked killing prostitutes in his spare time. People from church are supposed to be the ones living the sin free life and setting a welcoming example for everyone around them...unfortunately, there are some who really make a bad name for themselves and their religious organizations. This book was a pretty decent read, and I appreciated the presentation of facts.
September 20, 2013
On Thursday, April 05, 2007 I wrote about this book:
7 out of 10
I was not expecting much out of this book because of the not so great reviews on amazon. 3.5 stars, but I must say it was not that bad.
Just a reasonable true crime book. Not the best and definitely not the worst.
a 7 star out of 10 book.
Finished reading last night April 4
7 out of 10
I was not expecting much out of this book because of the not so great reviews on amazon. 3.5 stars, but I must say it was not that bad.
Just a reasonable true crime book. Not the best and definitely not the worst.
a 7 star out of 10 book.
Finished reading last night April 4
February 8, 2025
Definitely NOT A Godly Man!
Sam Smithers was by all appearances a good natured, hard working and church going family man that was well regarded by his community. He served his church as a deacon, ministering to congregants who needed help with food, solace, guidance etc. He was married and he and his wife adopted their son Jonathan who adored his dad. The marriage seemed a loving and happy one. Except after wife Sharon would fall asleep at night and Sam was supposedly "watching TV," he would sneak out and hire prostitutes. THAT was bad enough. But no one, least of all Sharon, would have imagined that Sam the loving husband, father and deacon was also a cruel calculated serial killer who would kill prostitutes and enjoy their suffering.
This book was difficult to follow for me because of not only the number of characters but also it seemed scattered at times. And normally, I feel photos add to the book, giving it another dimension and making the people seem more real. In this case all I could imagine as I caught an unavoidable quick glance at the photos was how unnecessary they are. No family wants photos of their loved one having been brutalized out there. It is not the way they would want them to be remembered
Not a book I will save nor do I want it on my bookshelf.
Sam Smithers was by all appearances a good natured, hard working and church going family man that was well regarded by his community. He served his church as a deacon, ministering to congregants who needed help with food, solace, guidance etc. He was married and he and his wife adopted their son Jonathan who adored his dad. The marriage seemed a loving and happy one. Except after wife Sharon would fall asleep at night and Sam was supposedly "watching TV," he would sneak out and hire prostitutes. THAT was bad enough. But no one, least of all Sharon, would have imagined that Sam the loving husband, father and deacon was also a cruel calculated serial killer who would kill prostitutes and enjoy their suffering.
This book was difficult to follow for me because of not only the number of characters but also it seemed scattered at times. And normally, I feel photos add to the book, giving it another dimension and making the people seem more real. In this case all I could imagine as I caught an unavoidable quick glance at the photos was how unnecessary they are. No family wants photos of their loved one having been brutalized out there. It is not the way they would want them to be remembered
Not a book I will save nor do I want it on my bookshelf.
August 4, 2018
For some reason I wasn't as hooked on this book as previous Fred Rosen offerings.
The beginning started out in the same style, but then seemed to go off tangent slightly which I found mildly confusing.
The background of events leading up to the 'Deacon Of Death' becoming a killer is well documented, although feels a little rushed, jumping from event to event quite quickly. I also felt that the time frame involving his life with his mother could have gone into more detail, as a major part of the case revolves around past events it would have been nice to read about the overbearing parent and her antics a little more.
The main story itself however is typical of the author. Well researched, in depth accounts from numerous sources, profiles, court case testimonies, jury proceedings etc. A lot of the information may be hard to take in , but it goes to show just how much is at stake in a trial involving the death sentence.
As with other Fred Rosen books, you start with an opinion in mind and then it starts to waver slightly as you put yourself in the place of the jurors - fascinating and informative. I will certainly read more from this author.
The beginning started out in the same style, but then seemed to go off tangent slightly which I found mildly confusing.
The background of events leading up to the 'Deacon Of Death' becoming a killer is well documented, although feels a little rushed, jumping from event to event quite quickly. I also felt that the time frame involving his life with his mother could have gone into more detail, as a major part of the case revolves around past events it would have been nice to read about the overbearing parent and her antics a little more.
The main story itself however is typical of the author. Well researched, in depth accounts from numerous sources, profiles, court case testimonies, jury proceedings etc. A lot of the information may be hard to take in , but it goes to show just how much is at stake in a trial involving the death sentence.
As with other Fred Rosen books, you start with an opinion in mind and then it starts to waver slightly as you put yourself in the place of the jurors - fascinating and informative. I will certainly read more from this author.
December 1, 2020
Devoutly
4 stars for this true crime retelling of events.
Sam Smithers, a devoutly Baptist man, had a darker side than that of his siblings.
Setting fires & being aroused by them & the adoration he received for being a hero, undoubtedly amped up the monster growing inside his soul.
Sam, has proven yet again that scary monsters can be masked in the appearance of ordinary people.
But that also makes them equally vulnerable when they snap & the rage inside engulfs them, consumes them.
No one who knew Sam, actually believed he was the guilty person of killing prostitutes.
Years of incessant nagging from his domineering & religiously devout mother adds to the building anger inside Sam. Add in the years his mother interfered in his marriage & the fact that he never stood up to her just packed in the rage.
If Sam had continued with the arsonist counseling, maybe he would not have made the choices he did?
No one will ever know.
Impressive fast paced read.
4 stars for this true crime retelling of events.
Sam Smithers, a devoutly Baptist man, had a darker side than that of his siblings.
Setting fires & being aroused by them & the adoration he received for being a hero, undoubtedly amped up the monster growing inside his soul.
Sam, has proven yet again that scary monsters can be masked in the appearance of ordinary people.
But that also makes them equally vulnerable when they snap & the rage inside engulfs them, consumes them.
No one who knew Sam, actually believed he was the guilty person of killing prostitutes.
Years of incessant nagging from his domineering & religiously devout mother adds to the building anger inside Sam. Add in the years his mother interfered in his marriage & the fact that he never stood up to her just packed in the rage.
If Sam had continued with the arsonist counseling, maybe he would not have made the choices he did?
No one will ever know.
Impressive fast paced read.
March 29, 2021
Hidden Murderer
I think it is quite common for criminals to pose as Christians so they won’t be suspected of wrongdoing. Book is well written and I was anxious to get to the end to find out the verdict.
I think it is quite common for criminals to pose as Christians so they won’t be suspected of wrongdoing. Book is well written and I was anxious to get to the end to find out the verdict.
June 19, 2018
Wow, we truly never know what someone is like. A very disturbing story is told.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews