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The Cleveland John Doe Case
Ohio. A suicide, no fingerprints, no identity.
In July 2002, the Eastlake police discovered a decomposed body in a modest studio apartment in Cleveland, Ohio. It appeared to be a suicide by firearm. The man was Joseph Newton Chandler III, a retiree whom neighbors and former colleagues described as quiet, secretive, and strange. But as the investigation progressed, less and less about Joseph’s life and identity made sense.
In 2018, thanks to scientific advances in DNA, the man’s true identity was finally Robert Ivan Nichols. A veteran with a wife and three sons, Nichols eventually left his family, telling his wife “One day you will know why.” A few years later, in 1965, his family reported him missing. By 1978, he had stolen the identity of Joseph Newton Chandler III, who had been killed in a car accident at eight years old. But who was this man and why did he change his name? What secret was he trying to hide?
Thibault Raisse examines the case, exploring the many theories that have emerged, from the craziest to the most credible. Among these theories is a possible connection to the Zodiac Killer, whose murders date back to 1968 and 1969 in California.
50 States of France’s leading true crime journalists investigate America’s most notorious cases, one for every state in the Union, offering up fresh perspectives on famously storied crimes and reflecting, in the process, a dark national legacy that leads from coast to coast.
In July 2002, the Eastlake police discovered a decomposed body in a modest studio apartment in Cleveland, Ohio. It appeared to be a suicide by firearm. The man was Joseph Newton Chandler III, a retiree whom neighbors and former colleagues described as quiet, secretive, and strange. But as the investigation progressed, less and less about Joseph’s life and identity made sense.
In 2018, thanks to scientific advances in DNA, the man’s true identity was finally Robert Ivan Nichols. A veteran with a wife and three sons, Nichols eventually left his family, telling his wife “One day you will know why.” A few years later, in 1965, his family reported him missing. By 1978, he had stolen the identity of Joseph Newton Chandler III, who had been killed in a car accident at eight years old. But who was this man and why did he change his name? What secret was he trying to hide?
Thibault Raisse examines the case, exploring the many theories that have emerged, from the craziest to the most credible. Among these theories is a possible connection to the Zodiac Killer, whose murders date back to 1968 and 1969 in California.
50 States of France’s leading true crime journalists investigate America’s most notorious cases, one for every state in the Union, offering up fresh perspectives on famously storied crimes and reflecting, in the process, a dark national legacy that leads from coast to coast.
192 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 19, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Cleveland John Doe Case, by Thibault Raisse, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Robert Ivan Nichols has quite a story, he left his wife and kids, and started a new life with a new name Joseph Newton Chandler III. This was an interesting read, but we have no real answers, about this con man.
June 12, 2023
lots of fun, se démarque non pas tant par son côté enquête cold case etc (même si c'est très bien fait tout ça) que par son décor et la façon très réussie et très captivante dont l'auteur dépeint la lente déliquescence du Midwest américain, la concurrence entre les villes situées tout autour du lac Erié, la mentalité qui plane là-bas et la façon dont elle a évolué (ou non) depuis les années cinquante... sans que pour autant ça soit contemplatif chiant, absolument pas, c'est vif mécanique et incisif ! bref très chouette notamment call me critique littéraire
May 7, 2025
This is the second release in a wonderful, odd series. Edition 10-18 is a French Publisher. They are publishing in France a series of books about notorious crimes in America. Each state gets a book. The books are being written by French writers and journalist who come to America to do the research for the book.
Crime Ink is a publishing division of Prenzler Publishing in New York. They are issuing English translations of the series. So English translations of books written and published in France about famous murders in America. What's not to like?
The books are excellent. The French are great fans of the classic American noir style. These books are short. They are straightforward narratives with a punchy narrative speed. The books also have a great classic format. They are being issued in 4" by 7" paperbacks with bright eye-catching covers. They look like books you could see on a drugstore book carousel in 1963.
Three books have just been issued. The next three are coming out in the Fall.
"The Alice Crimmins Case" is the New York book. In 1965 Alice Crimmins was charged with murdering her two children in Queens, New York. She was separated from her husband. She was fooling around with a couple of men. Her trial was a classic "slut shaming" example. Anais Renevier is convinced that she was framed. The whole complicated long story is told in 180 pages.
"The Cleveland John Doe Case", from Ohio, is an intriguing mystery. In 2002 a single lonely guy commits suicide in his one room apartment. The police discover that he has been living under a false identity. In 2016 a private investigator uses DNA genealogical searching to find his real identity, which raises a whole new set of questions.
"The Golden State Killer Case", from California, is about a serial killer and rapist. He started in 1972 committing bizarre burglaries. He then began commit rapes and eventually murders. He was suspected in over 200 crimes. He appears to have stopped in 1986. Thorp shows how long it took to realize that this was a serial criminal. He tells the story of how Michelle McNamara became obsessed by the search. He outlines the advances in science that lead to the identity of the criminal and his arrest 32 years later. This is another example of a complicated story told in a clear and forceful way.
I can't wait for the rest of the series.
Crime Ink is a publishing division of Prenzler Publishing in New York. They are issuing English translations of the series. So English translations of books written and published in France about famous murders in America. What's not to like?
The books are excellent. The French are great fans of the classic American noir style. These books are short. They are straightforward narratives with a punchy narrative speed. The books also have a great classic format. They are being issued in 4" by 7" paperbacks with bright eye-catching covers. They look like books you could see on a drugstore book carousel in 1963.
Three books have just been issued. The next three are coming out in the Fall.
"The Alice Crimmins Case" is the New York book. In 1965 Alice Crimmins was charged with murdering her two children in Queens, New York. She was separated from her husband. She was fooling around with a couple of men. Her trial was a classic "slut shaming" example. Anais Renevier is convinced that she was framed. The whole complicated long story is told in 180 pages.
"The Cleveland John Doe Case", from Ohio, is an intriguing mystery. In 2002 a single lonely guy commits suicide in his one room apartment. The police discover that he has been living under a false identity. In 2016 a private investigator uses DNA genealogical searching to find his real identity, which raises a whole new set of questions.
"The Golden State Killer Case", from California, is about a serial killer and rapist. He started in 1972 committing bizarre burglaries. He then began commit rapes and eventually murders. He was suspected in over 200 crimes. He appears to have stopped in 1986. Thorp shows how long it took to realize that this was a serial criminal. He tells the story of how Michelle McNamara became obsessed by the search. He outlines the advances in science that lead to the identity of the criminal and his arrest 32 years later. This is another example of a complicated story told in a clear and forceful way.
I can't wait for the rest of the series.
February 2, 2024
C'est rigolo mais pas ouf, en vrai on passe un moment ok, mais on apprend pas vraiment beaucoup plus que ce qu'on lit dans un article résumant le livre. Le plus (ou le moins, j'ai pas trop aimé perso) c'est ce côté très romancé de Raisse qui est probablement tiré de vrais témoignages et d'une profonde connaissance de la psyché humaine et des personnes concernées.
Je suis d'avis que lorsqu'on parle de faits réels, qu'on le vend comme une enquête journalistique, on s'essaie pas à rajouter des passages qu'on retrouverait dans un Bussi (en tout bien tout honneur). Après bon, c'est pas non plus mauvais, juste pas très étoffé - mais on ne sait pas grand chose de plus, faut dire, je comprends la lassitude des redditeurs sur l'enquête.
Je suis d'avis que lorsqu'on parle de faits réels, qu'on le vend comme une enquête journalistique, on s'essaie pas à rajouter des passages qu'on retrouverait dans un Bussi (en tout bien tout honneur). Après bon, c'est pas non plus mauvais, juste pas très étoffé - mais on ne sait pas grand chose de plus, faut dire, je comprends la lassitude des redditeurs sur l'enquête.
Read
May 18, 2025La question abordée dans ce livre est assez simple : qui est réellement l’inconnu de Cleveland? 🧐 Ce sont des secrets qu’il a maintenu toute sa vie – son identité, mais aussi ses motifs – et qui ne sont pas décodés même dans sa mort. Voilà l’incohérence qui a habité, voire obsédée, bien des journalistes et enquêteurs.
C’est vraiment une curieuse affaire. Fascinante, oui. Terrifiante, non. Juste... curieuse. 🤷🏻♀️
Malheureusement, on passe plus de temps à disséquer le comté de Cleveland qu'à réellement chercher des réponses. 90% du livre se concentre sur le climat économique de la région, l'enfance des enquêteurs, la situation géographique, et j'en passe.
C’est une lecture qui m’a déçu, et je le dis à regret parce que j’adore cette collection! 😕
C’est vraiment une curieuse affaire. Fascinante, oui. Terrifiante, non. Juste... curieuse. 🤷🏻♀️
Malheureusement, on passe plus de temps à disséquer le comté de Cleveland qu'à réellement chercher des réponses. 90% du livre se concentre sur le climat économique de la région, l'enfance des enquêteurs, la situation géographique, et j'en passe.
C’est une lecture qui m’a déçu, et je le dis à regret parce que j’adore cette collection! 😕
February 14, 2024
bin bin bin bin plate - aurait pu être résumé en 10 pages maximum
December 13, 2023
C’est la première fois que je lis un livre sur un fait divers, étant plus habituée au format vidéo, et je dois dire que ça m’a beaucoup plu. J’ai fini ce livre en 2 jours, je l’ai littéralement dévoré. Je n’ai pas vu les pages défilées tant la plume était fluide, le sujet était captivant et les touches d’humour étaient maîtrisées.
Les hypothèses qui sont évoquées pour tenter d’expliquer la raison du changement d’identité de l’Inconnu de Cleveland sont très plausibles et laissent libre court à notre imagination. Malheureusement, c’est aussi à cause de ce dernier point que j’enlève une étoile. La fin m’a laissé sur ma faim car elle était très floue. C’est trop bizarre de noter un fait divers :’)
Les hypothèses qui sont évoquées pour tenter d’expliquer la raison du changement d’identité de l’Inconnu de Cleveland sont très plausibles et laissent libre court à notre imagination. Malheureusement, c’est aussi à cause de ce dernier point que j’enlève une étoile. La fin m’a laissé sur ma faim car elle était très floue. C’est trop bizarre de noter un fait divers :’)
June 18, 2023
J'ai adoré ce livre que j'ai dévoré en à peine une journée.
Pourquoi écrire de la fiction quand la vraie vie la dépasse? Ecrire ça en tant qu'auteur de fiction aurait relevé du génie.
Je ne connaissais pas cette mystérieuse affaire qui se déroule dans l'Ohio.
Un retraité est retrouvé mort chez lui et tout concorde pour dire qu'il s'agit d'un suicide. Mais lorsqu'un détective privé enquête pour retrouver les héritiers, il s'apperçoit que l'homme vivait sous une identité volée.
Saura-t-on un jour ce qui a motivé cet homme à changer d'identité?
Pourquoi écrire de la fiction quand la vraie vie la dépasse? Ecrire ça en tant qu'auteur de fiction aurait relevé du génie.
Je ne connaissais pas cette mystérieuse affaire qui se déroule dans l'Ohio.
Un retraité est retrouvé mort chez lui et tout concorde pour dire qu'il s'agit d'un suicide. Mais lorsqu'un détective privé enquête pour retrouver les héritiers, il s'apperçoit que l'homme vivait sous une identité volée.
Saura-t-on un jour ce qui a motivé cet homme à changer d'identité?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
A gripping little read about a relatively unknown case, of a mysterious hermit of a man who died seemingly of suicide near Cleveland at the turn of the century. It would've been an open and shut case, if in the search for potential heirs to his estate, it hadn't been discovered that he was living under a false identity. Not only that, he'd been carrying out this life for the better part of a quarter of a century. What compelled him to change his identity, and to keep his secret so thoroughly?
Warning: this is still an open case, so there are no answers to be had. The US Marshalls believe he was running from a life of crime and are determined to link him to something. Theories about DB Cooper and the Zodiac Killer are bandied about, but there's nothing terribly conclusive. This man died by himself and took his secrets to his grave. He was not a nice person under his original identity, and was exceedingly strange under his stolen one. I'm not convinced he was hiding from a crime; I think he was mentally unbalanced, and perhaps changing identities was a way to claim control over as much of his life as he possibly could.
There is some interesting conversation about genetic genealogy and the advances of forensic science in the last twenty years, as well as the ongoing project to give missing persons their identities back. The French gaze on American crime was also pretty interesting. I'll definitely be on the look out for more books as this series progresses - and, I admit, I'm pretty curious what crime will be "featured" for my state!
Warning: this is still an open case, so there are no answers to be had. The US Marshalls believe he was running from a life of crime and are determined to link him to something. Theories about DB Cooper and the Zodiac Killer are bandied about, but there's nothing terribly conclusive. This man died by himself and took his secrets to his grave. He was not a nice person under his original identity, and was exceedingly strange under his stolen one. I'm not convinced he was hiding from a crime; I think he was mentally unbalanced, and perhaps changing identities was a way to claim control over as much of his life as he possibly could.
There is some interesting conversation about genetic genealogy and the advances of forensic science in the last twenty years, as well as the ongoing project to give missing persons their identities back. The French gaze on American crime was also pretty interesting. I'll definitely be on the look out for more books as this series progresses - and, I admit, I'm pretty curious what crime will be "featured" for my state!
March 2, 2025
Déçue par ma lecture, je m’attendais à plus surtout après le Golden State Killer. J’ai trouvé que la chronologie résumée à la fin était suffisante pour ce qui est racontée dans le livre.
July 22, 2024
C’est sympa sans plus 😵💫💅
August 5, 2025
Thibault Raisse's "The Cleveland John Doe Case" offers a fascinating dive into American true crime, distinguished by the unique perspective of one of France's leading journalists. As a compelling installment in the "Crime Ink" series, this volume immediately draws readers into the intricate details of a baffling cold case, maintaining a grip that makes it difficult to set aside until its resolution.
Raisse masterfully constructs a narrative that unfolds with remarkable clarity, enabling readers to fully grasp the complexities of the investigation and develop a nuanced understanding of the individuals whose lives intersected with this mystery. The story progresses by introducing key figures at each critical juncture—from the initial discovery to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement, private investigators, and even the distant family members who eventually surface. This approach not only illuminates the true identity of the elusive "John Doe" but also vividly portrays the interconnectedness of all participants in this unfolding drama.
The book opens with Eastlake detectives Chris Bowersock and Ted Kroczak, who discover the decomposed body of Joseph Chandler III at the Dover Place apartments in Eastlake, Ohio. The initial assessment confirms a suicide from a gunshot to the head. Raisse skillfully weaves the procedural elements of the case with personal insights into the lives of these investigators. The narrative reveals that Bowersock and Kroczak, childhood friends, were playfully dubbed "Starsky and Hutch," though they preferred to envision themselves as "Riggs and Murtaugh" from Lethal Weapon. This inclusion of human elements, such as the early aspirations of Ted Doyle—a figure who would later become integral to the Eastlake Police Department—enriches the true crime narrative, adding a depth often absent in such accounts. Doyle's relentless pursuit of a suspect in a prior, unrelated decapitation case, specifically tracking a Hare Krishna husband across the globe after discovering his wife's body on the shores of Lake Erie, serves as a poignant illustration of the tenacity characteristic of this team, effectively preparing the reader for their unwavering commitment to the Cleveland John Doe mystery.
A central enigma of the case revolves around Joseph Chandler's isolated existence and the perplexing discovery of substantial funds—more than $70,000—despite his apparent lack of connections. This aspect introduces readers to the intriguing, and perhaps previously unknown, realm of professional heir-searching. Raisse highlights how the significant estate attracted a cadre of private investigators, revealing the surprisingly lucrative nature of tracing heirs for unclaimed assets. Larry Morrow's pivotal role in uncovering the true identity of Joseph Chandler III, despite his initial reluctance to engage with the case (only taking it on after a personal request from Judge Ted Klammer), stands as a testament to the persistence required in these intricate investigations. Morrow's discovery that the real Joseph Chandler III had died at the age of eight in a car accident is a crucial turning point, revealing the true depth of the deception.
The narrative takes a crucial turn with the introduction of Colleen Fitzpatrick, a scientist who transitioned from physics to the burgeoning field of genetic genealogy. Her expertise in utilizing DNA databases to identify individuals, a method previously instrumental in solving other complex identity puzzles—such as identifying Lori Kennedy, who had previously been known as Becky Sue Turner, a child who died in a 1971 house fire—proves indispensable in unraveling the mystery surrounding the man known as Joseph Chandler III. Fitzpatrick's scientific rigor provides the ultimate breakthrough, finally bringing to light the hidden past of an individual who had successfully evaded his true identity for seventeen years.
"The Cleveland John Doe Case" prompts profound reflection on the enduring impact of death—not merely as an end, but as a potent catalyst for revealing forgotten lives. The book underscores that without this intense scrutiny, John Doe would likely have been cremated, and the truth of his former identity would have remained forever obscured. Instead, his death sparked a collaborative effort by determined individuals to piece together a perplexing puzzle. Raisse masterfully illustrates how initial "curiosities" about the man escalated into a full-scale investigation, compelling readers to ponder the very essence of identity, anonymity, and the human drive to uncover truth.
This volume stands as a strong and engaging installment in the "Crime Ink" series, which also features compelling explorations of other notorious American cases. These include "The Alice Crimmins Case," detailing the disappearance of two children from Queens, New York in 1965 and the subsequent trial of their mother; the chilling story of the Golden State Killer, one of the country’s most notorious criminals; the historically significant Emmett Till case from 1955, marking a pivotal moment in American civil rights history; "The Murdaugh Murders," which chronicles Alex Murdaugh's 2023 murders of his son and wife, signaling the end of a "Low Country dynasty"; and "The Chandra Levy Case," focusing on the disappearance of a Capitol Hill intern and the botched investigation that "shook the faith of the American people in their elected representatives."
Thibault Raisse's perspective as a French journalist offers a distinct and valuable external viewpoint on America's criminal history, highlighting cases that possess both national and global resonance. The meticulous investigation and clear, compelling prose make "The Cleveland John Doe Case" an essential read. It is highly recommended not only for devoted aficionados of true crime but for anyone interested in well-researched, engaging narratives that illuminate the complex human element within the pursuit of justice.
Happy Reading!
Raisse masterfully constructs a narrative that unfolds with remarkable clarity, enabling readers to fully grasp the complexities of the investigation and develop a nuanced understanding of the individuals whose lives intersected with this mystery. The story progresses by introducing key figures at each critical juncture—from the initial discovery to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement, private investigators, and even the distant family members who eventually surface. This approach not only illuminates the true identity of the elusive "John Doe" but also vividly portrays the interconnectedness of all participants in this unfolding drama.
The book opens with Eastlake detectives Chris Bowersock and Ted Kroczak, who discover the decomposed body of Joseph Chandler III at the Dover Place apartments in Eastlake, Ohio. The initial assessment confirms a suicide from a gunshot to the head. Raisse skillfully weaves the procedural elements of the case with personal insights into the lives of these investigators. The narrative reveals that Bowersock and Kroczak, childhood friends, were playfully dubbed "Starsky and Hutch," though they preferred to envision themselves as "Riggs and Murtaugh" from Lethal Weapon. This inclusion of human elements, such as the early aspirations of Ted Doyle—a figure who would later become integral to the Eastlake Police Department—enriches the true crime narrative, adding a depth often absent in such accounts. Doyle's relentless pursuit of a suspect in a prior, unrelated decapitation case, specifically tracking a Hare Krishna husband across the globe after discovering his wife's body on the shores of Lake Erie, serves as a poignant illustration of the tenacity characteristic of this team, effectively preparing the reader for their unwavering commitment to the Cleveland John Doe mystery.
A central enigma of the case revolves around Joseph Chandler's isolated existence and the perplexing discovery of substantial funds—more than $70,000—despite his apparent lack of connections. This aspect introduces readers to the intriguing, and perhaps previously unknown, realm of professional heir-searching. Raisse highlights how the significant estate attracted a cadre of private investigators, revealing the surprisingly lucrative nature of tracing heirs for unclaimed assets. Larry Morrow's pivotal role in uncovering the true identity of Joseph Chandler III, despite his initial reluctance to engage with the case (only taking it on after a personal request from Judge Ted Klammer), stands as a testament to the persistence required in these intricate investigations. Morrow's discovery that the real Joseph Chandler III had died at the age of eight in a car accident is a crucial turning point, revealing the true depth of the deception.
The narrative takes a crucial turn with the introduction of Colleen Fitzpatrick, a scientist who transitioned from physics to the burgeoning field of genetic genealogy. Her expertise in utilizing DNA databases to identify individuals, a method previously instrumental in solving other complex identity puzzles—such as identifying Lori Kennedy, who had previously been known as Becky Sue Turner, a child who died in a 1971 house fire—proves indispensable in unraveling the mystery surrounding the man known as Joseph Chandler III. Fitzpatrick's scientific rigor provides the ultimate breakthrough, finally bringing to light the hidden past of an individual who had successfully evaded his true identity for seventeen years.
"The Cleveland John Doe Case" prompts profound reflection on the enduring impact of death—not merely as an end, but as a potent catalyst for revealing forgotten lives. The book underscores that without this intense scrutiny, John Doe would likely have been cremated, and the truth of his former identity would have remained forever obscured. Instead, his death sparked a collaborative effort by determined individuals to piece together a perplexing puzzle. Raisse masterfully illustrates how initial "curiosities" about the man escalated into a full-scale investigation, compelling readers to ponder the very essence of identity, anonymity, and the human drive to uncover truth.
This volume stands as a strong and engaging installment in the "Crime Ink" series, which also features compelling explorations of other notorious American cases. These include "The Alice Crimmins Case," detailing the disappearance of two children from Queens, New York in 1965 and the subsequent trial of their mother; the chilling story of the Golden State Killer, one of the country’s most notorious criminals; the historically significant Emmett Till case from 1955, marking a pivotal moment in American civil rights history; "The Murdaugh Murders," which chronicles Alex Murdaugh's 2023 murders of his son and wife, signaling the end of a "Low Country dynasty"; and "The Chandra Levy Case," focusing on the disappearance of a Capitol Hill intern and the botched investigation that "shook the faith of the American people in their elected representatives."
Thibault Raisse's perspective as a French journalist offers a distinct and valuable external viewpoint on America's criminal history, highlighting cases that possess both national and global resonance. The meticulous investigation and clear, compelling prose make "The Cleveland John Doe Case" an essential read. It is highly recommended not only for devoted aficionados of true crime but for anyone interested in well-researched, engaging narratives that illuminate the complex human element within the pursuit of justice.
Happy Reading!
December 9, 2023
Thibault Raisse, vous avez le job de mes rêves. Pouvoir gagner sa vie en écrivant des articles sur des faits divers et des mystères criminels me semble être un métier plus que palpitant, et dans lequel on peut à l'occasion se pencher sur une histoire particulièrement croustillante pour en faire un livre (Nicolas Jacquard en est un autre exemple, dont le livre Les Inspirés s'est avéré particulièrement intéressant).
Ceci étant dit, L'inconnu de Cleveland s'est révélé une lecture tout à fait sympathique. J'apprécie toujours un bon livre écrit par une personne ayant été happé par une histoire rocambolesque dont elle n'arrive pas à se détacher, et éprouvant le besoin de la partager avec nous autres lecteurs.
Il n'y a en effet rien de plus satisfaisant qu'un bon mystère à élucider, et même si bien sûr j'aurais apprécié une résolution de l'affaire, la vie serait bien triste sans énigmes qui résistent à l'épreuve du temps.
Celle de "Joseph Chandler" est prenante dès la première page. Qui était-il ? Pourquoi a-t-il déployé tant de précautions afin de ne jamais être démasqué ?
Voilà où j'en suis quant à mes propres conclusions :
Évidemment, tout comme les représentants des forces de l'ordre et les journalistes ayant été happés par cette histoire, on pense immédiatement à un passé criminel particulièrement incriminant. Il est cependant notoire qu'il est extrêmement difficile de rester en cavale durant une longue période, et le fait que notre protagoniste ait réussi cet exploit durant des décennies sans se faire remarquer ou appréhender pointe plutôt à mes yeux vers une personne ayant cherché à se cacher pour des raisons plus banales que cela.
D'ailleurs, le portrait qui en est fait est celui d'un homme avec une certaine tendance à la paranoïa infondée, bourré de tocs et de manies incompréhensibles possiblement dus à une expérience traumatisante durant la guerre (ce voyage en voiture de plus de 2 000 kilomètres pour aller dans un magasin dans lequel il n'ira finalement pas par manque de place de parking arrivé à destination, suffit à lui seul à braquer un projecteur sur l'immense araignée accrochée au plafond de cet homme).
Ma conclusion rejoint donc celle de son fils, à savoir celle d'un disparu volontaire cherchant à s'affranchir de ses responsabilités et des pensions alimentaires à payer (les 60 000 dollars de ses comptes en banque m'avaient certes d'abord intriguée, mais le portrait qui est fait de sa radinerie extrême, illustrée par le dénuement excessif de son appartement, explique tout de suite beaucoup de choses).
L'histoire de l'absence d'empreintes digitales est bien sûr un élément à ne pas négliger, mais pourrait s'expliquer par une maladie mentale qui rendait pathologique son besoin de ne pas être retrouvé par sa famille ou ses créanciers.
(Inutile de préciser que l'hypothèse "Zodiac" est vraiment tirée par les cheveux et que je n'y crois pas une seconde. Il m'a semblé qu'on l'avait uniquement inclue dans le livre pour pouvoir clamer sur la quatrième de couverture que cette affaire, je cite, "pourrait livrer la clé de l'énigme criminelle la plus mythique des États-Unis.")
Le portrait que je tire de Robert Nichols est donc celui d'un homme mentalement fragile et incapable de relations interpersonnelles épanouissantes, s'étant essayé à la vie de famille traditionnelle par obligation et ayant fui celle-ci pour se retrouver plongé dans une solitude extrême, prisonnier de ses névroses et finalement décidant d'en finir, se sachant condamné par la maladie. Un homme qui m'a finalement fait beaucoup de peine.
L'inconnu de Cleveland s'est donc révélé un livre prenant, facile à lire et peuplé de personnages et d'anecdotes intéressants. J'ai apprécié apprendre les rouages de la chasse aux héritiers et de la généalogie génétique, rendue bien sûr grand public grâce à l'arrestation du Golden State Killer.
Cela a aiguisé ma curiosité quant à la série Variety, dont je compte bien lire d'autres titres.
Ceci étant dit, L'inconnu de Cleveland s'est révélé une lecture tout à fait sympathique. J'apprécie toujours un bon livre écrit par une personne ayant été happé par une histoire rocambolesque dont elle n'arrive pas à se détacher, et éprouvant le besoin de la partager avec nous autres lecteurs.
Il n'y a en effet rien de plus satisfaisant qu'un bon mystère à élucider, et même si bien sûr j'aurais apprécié une résolution de l'affaire, la vie serait bien triste sans énigmes qui résistent à l'épreuve du temps.
Celle de "Joseph Chandler" est prenante dès la première page. Qui était-il ? Pourquoi a-t-il déployé tant de précautions afin de ne jamais être démasqué ?
Voilà où j'en suis quant à mes propres conclusions :
Évidemment, tout comme les représentants des forces de l'ordre et les journalistes ayant été happés par cette histoire, on pense immédiatement à un passé criminel particulièrement incriminant. Il est cependant notoire qu'il est extrêmement difficile de rester en cavale durant une longue période, et le fait que notre protagoniste ait réussi cet exploit durant des décennies sans se faire remarquer ou appréhender pointe plutôt à mes yeux vers une personne ayant cherché à se cacher pour des raisons plus banales que cela.
D'ailleurs, le portrait qui en est fait est celui d'un homme avec une certaine tendance à la paranoïa infondée, bourré de tocs et de manies incompréhensibles possiblement dus à une expérience traumatisante durant la guerre (ce voyage en voiture de plus de 2 000 kilomètres pour aller dans un magasin dans lequel il n'ira finalement pas par manque de place de parking arrivé à destination, suffit à lui seul à braquer un projecteur sur l'immense araignée accrochée au plafond de cet homme).
Ma conclusion rejoint donc celle de son fils, à savoir celle d'un disparu volontaire cherchant à s'affranchir de ses responsabilités et des pensions alimentaires à payer (les 60 000 dollars de ses comptes en banque m'avaient certes d'abord intriguée, mais le portrait qui est fait de sa radinerie extrême, illustrée par le dénuement excessif de son appartement, explique tout de suite beaucoup de choses).
L'histoire de l'absence d'empreintes digitales est bien sûr un élément à ne pas négliger, mais pourrait s'expliquer par une maladie mentale qui rendait pathologique son besoin de ne pas être retrouvé par sa famille ou ses créanciers.
(Inutile de préciser que l'hypothèse "Zodiac" est vraiment tirée par les cheveux et que je n'y crois pas une seconde. Il m'a semblé qu'on l'avait uniquement inclue dans le livre pour pouvoir clamer sur la quatrième de couverture que cette affaire, je cite, "pourrait livrer la clé de l'énigme criminelle la plus mythique des États-Unis.")
Le portrait que je tire de Robert Nichols est donc celui d'un homme mentalement fragile et incapable de relations interpersonnelles épanouissantes, s'étant essayé à la vie de famille traditionnelle par obligation et ayant fui celle-ci pour se retrouver plongé dans une solitude extrême, prisonnier de ses névroses et finalement décidant d'en finir, se sachant condamné par la maladie. Un homme qui m'a finalement fait beaucoup de peine.
L'inconnu de Cleveland s'est donc révélé un livre prenant, facile à lire et peuplé de personnages et d'anecdotes intéressants. J'ai apprécié apprendre les rouages de la chasse aux héritiers et de la généalogie génétique, rendue bien sûr grand public grâce à l'arrestation du Golden State Killer.
Cela a aiguisé ma curiosité quant à la série Variety, dont je compte bien lire d'autres titres.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
This is an interesting concept--French journalists writing about interesting true crime cases here in America, with each short book focusing on one unique case.
This book chooses to focus on an interesting case I am not familiar with. In 2002, police responded to the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The decedent was an elderly man who had lived for over a decade in a depressingly anonymous apartment block within a small, largely unknown, suburb of Cleveland. Although the case appeared open and shut, police were in for a shock when they eventually learned that the man was not who he claimed to be. Instead, he appears to have lived under a stolen identity for roughly 25 years, reinventing himself at a small social security office in South Dakota in the late 70s.
The case goes cold but at least one law enforcement official is reluctant to give it up. He's convinced this case of identity theft hides something more nefarious and wants to know what their John Doe was up to in the 1970s that required a life reset.
Eventually, the case is solved via forensic genealogy, or at least sort of. Police identify the man as a WWII vet who survived a deadly kamikaze attack in the Pacific at the age of 18. He came back home and did what people were supposed to do--marry and have kids. Except Robert Ivan Nicholas, as he was known then, seemed to have a difficult time fitting into this image of suburban tranquility. His children describe him as a cold and emotionally distant parent who seemed to derive no joy from fatherhood. Although there were uncharacteristic flashes of eccentricity, many of their memories are of a robotic cypher. Eventually, Robert announces his intention to divorce. His only explanation to his wife is that she will "find out someday" or something to that effect. There's a fleeting sighting of him with a younger woman, a few aborted attempts at reconnection, and then Robert vanishes. His last contact with his oldest son is an envelope that contains only a single penny.
Roughly a decade or so after he breaks contact with his family and moves out West, Robert assumes the identity of someone else. He moves to Eastlake, gets a job, and lives a quiet life marked by an absence of social connection. He makes no mistakes and is never caught. When diagnosed with cancer, he kills himself.
So what happened to Robert? Why did he run away? What was he doing for the decade during which he was in the wind, before he took on a new life? As this is a work of true crime, speculation abounds. One fantastical theory is that he might be the Zodiac Killer. Or maybe the truth is more pedestrian. Perhaps he was just running away from a family and, later, child support. Maybe, as I suspect, he had some from of ASD, which would explain much of his "eccentric" behavior. Maybe something else happened to him on the West Coast. Did he join a cult? Did he drop out and try to live the life of a hippie? We don't know, and any speculation just circles back to the same bizarre parts of the story.
Overall, this is a fascinating work of true crime. The outsider POV is great, as it allows a lot of great observations about American life and American culture. It's an intellectually curious work of non-exploitative true crime.
If I had to explain why this is a 4 rather than a 5, however, I'd just point out one confusing error later in the book. Raisse says Robert cut contact with his family at one date. However, he enigmatically references a "letter" sent at a later date. So which is it? That confused me and took me out of an otherwise well put-together piece of journalism. Overall, however, the general mystery is good enough to excuse this single error.
This book chooses to focus on an interesting case I am not familiar with. In 2002, police responded to the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The decedent was an elderly man who had lived for over a decade in a depressingly anonymous apartment block within a small, largely unknown, suburb of Cleveland. Although the case appeared open and shut, police were in for a shock when they eventually learned that the man was not who he claimed to be. Instead, he appears to have lived under a stolen identity for roughly 25 years, reinventing himself at a small social security office in South Dakota in the late 70s.
The case goes cold but at least one law enforcement official is reluctant to give it up. He's convinced this case of identity theft hides something more nefarious and wants to know what their John Doe was up to in the 1970s that required a life reset.
Eventually, the case is solved via forensic genealogy, or at least sort of. Police identify the man as a WWII vet who survived a deadly kamikaze attack in the Pacific at the age of 18. He came back home and did what people were supposed to do--marry and have kids. Except Robert Ivan Nicholas, as he was known then, seemed to have a difficult time fitting into this image of suburban tranquility. His children describe him as a cold and emotionally distant parent who seemed to derive no joy from fatherhood. Although there were uncharacteristic flashes of eccentricity, many of their memories are of a robotic cypher. Eventually, Robert announces his intention to divorce. His only explanation to his wife is that she will "find out someday" or something to that effect. There's a fleeting sighting of him with a younger woman, a few aborted attempts at reconnection, and then Robert vanishes. His last contact with his oldest son is an envelope that contains only a single penny.
Roughly a decade or so after he breaks contact with his family and moves out West, Robert assumes the identity of someone else. He moves to Eastlake, gets a job, and lives a quiet life marked by an absence of social connection. He makes no mistakes and is never caught. When diagnosed with cancer, he kills himself.
So what happened to Robert? Why did he run away? What was he doing for the decade during which he was in the wind, before he took on a new life? As this is a work of true crime, speculation abounds. One fantastical theory is that he might be the Zodiac Killer. Or maybe the truth is more pedestrian. Perhaps he was just running away from a family and, later, child support. Maybe, as I suspect, he had some from of ASD, which would explain much of his "eccentric" behavior. Maybe something else happened to him on the West Coast. Did he join a cult? Did he drop out and try to live the life of a hippie? We don't know, and any speculation just circles back to the same bizarre parts of the story.
Overall, this is a fascinating work of true crime. The outsider POV is great, as it allows a lot of great observations about American life and American culture. It's an intellectually curious work of non-exploitative true crime.
If I had to explain why this is a 4 rather than a 5, however, I'd just point out one confusing error later in the book. Raisse says Robert cut contact with his family at one date. However, he enigmatically references a "letter" sent at a later date. So which is it? That confused me and took me out of an otherwise well put-together piece of journalism. Overall, however, the general mystery is good enough to excuse this single error.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
Je suis fan de cette collection de #coldcase, @1018 x @societyofficiel ! C'est le troisième que je lis et à chaque fois je m'embarque la dedans comme si c'était moi qui allait tout résoudre. Pitié, faites moi un tome sur XDDL !
Nous voici donc avec ce papi, qui est retrouvé mort chez lui. Sauf que ce cher Joseph Chandler a usurpé l'identité d'un petit garçon décédé plus de vingt ans plus tôt. Mais pourquoi ? Qui est il vraiment ?
Le travail du journaliste est vraiment incroyable. Le récit nous est raconté comme une histoire, j'avais vraiment l'impression d'entendre la voix du narrateur qui allait me guider à travers les méandres de cet imbroglio.
Je ne peux pas trop vous en dire, pour vous laisser la surprise de découvrir le pot aux roses (ou pas, d'ailleurs...), mais sachez que cette série de livre est hyper immersive et que chaque révélation va faire battre votre cœur un peu plus fort. Vous risquez même peut être, comme moi, de crier des "maiiiis noooOOOooon ???" a plusieurs moment.
Nous voici donc avec ce papi, qui est retrouvé mort chez lui. Sauf que ce cher Joseph Chandler a usurpé l'identité d'un petit garçon décédé plus de vingt ans plus tôt. Mais pourquoi ? Qui est il vraiment ?
Le travail du journaliste est vraiment incroyable. Le récit nous est raconté comme une histoire, j'avais vraiment l'impression d'entendre la voix du narrateur qui allait me guider à travers les méandres de cet imbroglio.
Je ne peux pas trop vous en dire, pour vous laisser la surprise de découvrir le pot aux roses (ou pas, d'ailleurs...), mais sachez que cette série de livre est hyper immersive et que chaque révélation va faire battre votre cœur un peu plus fort. Vous risquez même peut être, comme moi, de crier des "maiiiis noooOOOooon ???" a plusieurs moment.
January 23, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.
As a fan of true crime who watches Dateline, 48 Hours, and 20/20 all the time, this one caught my eye. It’s about a man whose body is found decomposing in his apartment. The death looks quite obviously like a suicide. Case closed? Not so much. As part of the process of dealing with his death, the state needs to find an heir. A private investigator is hired. And he finds that this man isn’t actually the man he claims to me. Instead, he stole the identity of a young boy who died at 8 years old. But why he did that remains a mystery.
I thought this book was interesting at times, but I thought some chapters were filler sections. The writing style is very much written as to-the-point-stated-facts and doesn’t have any kind of theatrical vibes to it. Personally, I would have enjoyed if other materials, like interviews, were included.
Overall, an interesting read!
As a fan of true crime who watches Dateline, 48 Hours, and 20/20 all the time, this one caught my eye. It’s about a man whose body is found decomposing in his apartment. The death looks quite obviously like a suicide. Case closed? Not so much. As part of the process of dealing with his death, the state needs to find an heir. A private investigator is hired. And he finds that this man isn’t actually the man he claims to me. Instead, he stole the identity of a young boy who died at 8 years old. But why he did that remains a mystery.
I thought this book was interesting at times, but I thought some chapters were filler sections. The writing style is very much written as to-the-point-stated-facts and doesn’t have any kind of theatrical vibes to it. Personally, I would have enjoyed if other materials, like interviews, were included.
Overall, an interesting read!
September 17, 2023
Eté retardé cette année, et lectures correspondantes à la période par la même occasion. D'un fait divers atypique et "facile" à bien mettre en scène est né ce récit hésitant, cherchant à tout prix à garder un mystère par des ellipses et flash backs qui n'apportent pas grand chose. J'ai eu l'impression d'être à côté d'un guide qui me ferait constamment sortir du chemin pour emprunter des sentiers et faire demi-tour 300 mètres plus loin en disant "ah bah en fait ya rien". Trop de personnages, pas moyen de s'y attacher du fait de la banalité des anecdotes, peu d'éléments sociétaux, et une enquête qui au final ne repose sur quasi rien, et ce jusqu'au final limite foutage de gueule (tout ça pour ça). Se lit facilement mais franchement, society et 10/18 ont édité bien mieux.
June 27, 2025
I'm really intrigued by this series! It's an interesting premise, French authors taking a deep dive about one criminal act per American state, and a lot of what I enjoyed about this read was the chance to look at the American investigative industry from an external perspective. Also the length of this was just perfect--a 4-hour true crime audiobook is a thing of beauty, and I liked getting to focus only on what happened here, without needing to take any wild tangents and follow the author down weird rabbit-holes, nor having to put up with any unnecessary editorializing. I really hope more of this series continues being translated into English soon, and that my library keeps purchasing copies, because I've been on a serious nonfiction jag lately and this was right up my alley.
September 20, 2025
Absolutely fantastic little book. In 2002, a man named Joseph Newton Chandler killed himself in his apartment in Eastlake, Ohio, USA. When the police started investigating his background in order to find family members to notify about his death, they found something truly bizarre and creepy. This short, to-the-point book lays out the strange story in dazzling, effortless prose, and an eye to the kinds of details that flesh out a person’s life in a three-dimensional, nuanced way. It’s a police procedural of sorts, but also a portrait of an unusual, lonely life lived in hiding from the rest of society. If you haven’t heard of this case, don’t google anything - go straight to the book, and you’ll be in for a treat! As for me, I’m gonna go look for the other books in this same series.
March 14, 2025
I had the honor of reading an advance copy of this book thanks to NetGallery.
This a strange story surrounding a man who killed himself in 2002. They had began to investigate this man who lived a very quiet life only to find he was not who they believed. He seemed to have some things to hide and the book takes you on the journey of digging to find his true identy. A private investigator is hired. The pirvate investigator finds that this man isn’t actually the man he claims to be. Instead, He stole the identity of a young boy who died at 8 years old.
This a strange story surrounding a man who killed himself in 2002. They had began to investigate this man who lived a very quiet life only to find he was not who they believed. He seemed to have some things to hide and the book takes you on the journey of digging to find his true identy. A private investigator is hired. The pirvate investigator finds that this man isn’t actually the man he claims to be. Instead, He stole the identity of a young boy who died at 8 years old.
January 18, 2024
Vraiment très intéressant, ce livre ne parle pas que de cold case mystérieux et bizarre, il parle aussi de la situation économique de l’époque, de la facilité avec laquelle on pouvait se procurer des documents qui aujourd’hui nécessitent tout un tas de justificatif pour cela, de la concurrence entre les villes américaines et puis de l’évolution de la recherche sur l’ADN.
Un tout que j’ai dévoré en 2 jours.
Un tout que j’ai dévoré en 2 jours.
February 3, 2025
This book is about a strange story surrounding a man who killed himself in 2002 in a sparsely furnished studio apartment. When they began investigating the man, they found that he had lived an overly quiet life. He seemed to have some things to hide, and the digging began in earnest. It turned out that he’d “borrowed” his identity and the search was on to find out who he really was, and why he’d hidden his true identity. Very strange story.
December 13, 2023
Était un peu surprise pour ce livre. Déjà par son écriture qui était un peu dure à rentrer dedans. Puis, nous avons des passages qui sont pour moi mon perdu dans le fil d'enquête. I l me manque quelques trucs pour un coup de cœur. Je trouve complexe quand même raconte cette affaire. Bien que l'histoire remplie encore secret
September 30, 2025
Really interesting cold case that we actually have some closure on now. The author really painted the scene in Eastlake Ohio, where I grew up, so it was a little fun to read about local haunts. I left this case feeling mostly sad for him, and realizing so much of his "behavior" prior to his death was just untreated mental illness, and this was really well-written.
November 12, 2025
C'était plutôt cool pour une première lecture sur du true crime, pas la plus détaillé surtout sur l'enquête en elle même, mais très fournie sur tout le contexte et l'environnement du Midwest. Lecture rapide et malgrès tout agréable. Une coldcase intéressante avec un bon mystère mais un peu décousus peut être. J'en attends peut être plus des prochains livres de la collection.
January 26, 2024
La mise en abîme de ce fait divers est très réussie, on s'imprègne facilement de l'époque et de la géographie dans laquelle il se déroule. Quant au mystère en lui même, il est intéressant et bien déroulé! Une lecture rapide et divertissante.
August 16, 2025
L’intrigue est pas mal mais on n’a finalement pas le dénouement, ça raconte des faits réels donc c l’idée du livre mais je trouve ça décevant de ne pas aboutir à quelque chose
Sinon livre facile à lire, simple etc
Sinon livre facile à lire, simple etc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
Enquête très intéressante et captivante. J’aime beaucoup cette série avec Society.
June 10, 2023
Enquête très intéressante et captivante. On en apprend beaucoup.
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