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Footsteps in the Snow: One Shocking Crime. Two Shattered Families. And the Coldest Case in U.S. History
NOW A LIFETIME MOVIE CHANNEL DOCUMENTARY
It was a shocking true crime that left two families shattered, and became the coldest case in U.S. history.
Who really killed little Maria? The question fueled a real-life nightmare in Sycamore, Illinois...
1957. Sycamore, Illinois. Christmas was three weeks away, and seven-year-old Maria Ridulph went out to play. Soon after, a figure emerged out of the falling snow. He was very friendly. Minutes later, Maria vanished, leaving behind an abandoned doll and footsteps in the snow.
In April, a spring thaw gave up Maria’s body in a nearby wooded area. The case attracted national attention, including that of the FBI and President Eisenhower. In all, seventy-four men and three women fell under suspicion. But no one was ever charged with the crime.
Incredibly, fifty-five years later, the coldest case in the history of American jurisprudence would be reopened. It happened after a seventy-four-year-old former neighbor of the Ridulphs named Eileen Tessier made a stunning deathbed confession to her family about a dark past, and a darker secret they knew nothing about. Two families would be joined by despair and retribution, and in an astounding turn of events, Maria Ridulph’s killer would finally be brought to justice.
INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
It was a shocking true crime that left two families shattered, and became the coldest case in U.S. history.
Who really killed little Maria? The question fueled a real-life nightmare in Sycamore, Illinois...
1957. Sycamore, Illinois. Christmas was three weeks away, and seven-year-old Maria Ridulph went out to play. Soon after, a figure emerged out of the falling snow. He was very friendly. Minutes later, Maria vanished, leaving behind an abandoned doll and footsteps in the snow.
In April, a spring thaw gave up Maria’s body in a nearby wooded area. The case attracted national attention, including that of the FBI and President Eisenhower. In all, seventy-four men and three women fell under suspicion. But no one was ever charged with the crime.
Incredibly, fifty-five years later, the coldest case in the history of American jurisprudence would be reopened. It happened after a seventy-four-year-old former neighbor of the Ridulphs named Eileen Tessier made a stunning deathbed confession to her family about a dark past, and a darker secret they knew nothing about. Two families would be joined by despair and retribution, and in an astounding turn of events, Maria Ridulph’s killer would finally be brought to justice.
INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
502 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2014
34 people are currently reading
1247 people want to read
About the author
Charles Lachman
11 books38 followersCharles Lachman is Executive Producer of the television news magazine show, Inside Edition. Previously he was Managing Editor of the nightly news broadcasts at WNYW-TV in New York City and was a reporter for the New York Post.
Lachman is the author of In the Name of the Law, The Last Lincolns: The Rise and Fall of a Great American Family, A Secret Life: The Lies and Scandals of President Grover Cleveland and most recently Footsteps in the Snow.
Lachman is the author of In the Name of the Law, The Last Lincolns: The Rise and Fall of a Great American Family, A Secret Life: The Lies and Scandals of President Grover Cleveland and most recently Footsteps in the Snow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
December 31, 2014
Footsteps in the Snow (Mass Market Paperback)
This was one of the best books I have read in a while, just being such an amazing story in itself. The oldest cold case in the US, taking 55 years from start to finish was just mind blowing, let alone all the twists and turns along the way in following the crime and the solving of it, the kidnapping and murder of a young girl in a small town in Illinois. Very suspenseful as the facts are dealt out through the years, follows the anguish of all those involved, from families to investigators as decades pass and so many people have been ruled out. I don't think it could have been more incredible had it been fiction. I'd recommend to any true crime and cold case fan.
This was one of the best books I have read in a while, just being such an amazing story in itself. The oldest cold case in the US, taking 55 years from start to finish was just mind blowing, let alone all the twists and turns along the way in following the crime and the solving of it, the kidnapping and murder of a young girl in a small town in Illinois. Very suspenseful as the facts are dealt out through the years, follows the anguish of all those involved, from families to investigators as decades pass and so many people have been ruled out. I don't think it could have been more incredible had it been fiction. I'd recommend to any true crime and cold case fan.
February 5, 2017
Very glad I read this because I discovered another very good author. I am always one who likes it when a killer is convicted but with this cas I thought the evidence was lacking and I do not have that much but I decided that if all those cops and prosecutors thought he did it he probably did.
Anyway very well written true crime book.
Anyway very well written true crime book.
December 2, 2014
This is the non-fiction and complex history of the longest running, and yet eventually solved/ convicted, murder case within USA history of the last 100 years. This murder occurred in Sycamore, IL on Dec. 3, 1957, with murder charging papers released on 6/29/2011. It was nearly 55 years before the murderer was convicted. After FBI, Chicago and other Dupage County district police units had set it aside, a couple of diligent Illinois State Police officers dug out the necessary testimonies and evidence. Johnny is still in Pontiac after leaving Menard (IL prisons)as I type.
It's told in a context of minutia for at least 20-30 others lives' stories, as they were members of two of the prime families involved, or spouses or Sycamore friends of decades lengths of time. It's told rather dispassionately too, except perhaps in great distress/tragic reality of the total of Maria Ridulph's 7 year long life at a few points. But this is not like an Ann Rule in which she never hides her bias and investigates much more like a reporter and much less like a researcher.
This would be a 4 star depth regardless, and also would make a decent Social Justice Course offering in several paths of study. For lie detector tests, lateral sibling and neighborhood information sifting (cultural sensibilities and community "norms" in how private or familial information is conducted, for one question absolutely). Different places and different groups vary tremendously in exposure avenues towards "outsiders".
Having knowledge of every place within this book, and remembering this case in the news, it held much more interest for me than others, IMHO. This case of Maria, the Grimes girls, and the murdered nurses in Chicago (Richard Speck)were just legend in Chicagoland. Nearly everyone still remembers where they were or what they were doing then, just as in the January 1967 Friday blizzard when most of us never got home from work. Similar to how we remember where we were when Armstrong stepped on the moon, or when the Towers fell on Sept. 11.
The manner in how the case is revealed here is, IMHO, quite unusual for true crime. It's very circular and until we are 1/2 way through the book, we know almost as little as the cops do. Then we "know" some facts but begin to see patterns that reveal others' psychological or physical conditions that at times make conjecture rather nebulous. It is NOT a clear chronological path to more evidence, more information then over time exposure. It also encompasses at least 5 or 6 relatives' life stories, and as many different related spouses' lives, as well.
There are some graphic situations of intense sexual crime that do not occur in the murder investigation. Several past criminal realities of severe psychological and physical injuries are exposed too, some not until 30 years or more after the fact.
This was one of the 2 or 3 cases in the geographic and social mixes that I have known in their exact time period, which makes me apt to support a death penalty. Because sociopath behavior that also includes some positive aspects of looks or charm or some other redeeming quality in the perp, in cases just like this! What happens when the murderer is imprisoned or treated even unto 20 years or more of time? They recommit and the lists of victims grows. Few, very few, speak for the victims who might be alive. In Illinois there is a Victim's Law that will be passed which gives past victims proper information to their perps being released or what their locations are. That is just a beginning. The only way to stop the evil is to end the perpetrator. It's the only 100% way to end the horrors in consistent occurrence. Not in revenge or punishment, but in an only completely successful path to a safe reality for other humans.
If you read this, while reading, try to count the numbers of other lives this one particular man either ended or completely scarred. You'll need more than the fingers on your hands to count- better get a nice long sheet of paper.
It's told in a context of minutia for at least 20-30 others lives' stories, as they were members of two of the prime families involved, or spouses or Sycamore friends of decades lengths of time. It's told rather dispassionately too, except perhaps in great distress/tragic reality of the total of Maria Ridulph's 7 year long life at a few points. But this is not like an Ann Rule in which she never hides her bias and investigates much more like a reporter and much less like a researcher.
This would be a 4 star depth regardless, and also would make a decent Social Justice Course offering in several paths of study. For lie detector tests, lateral sibling and neighborhood information sifting (cultural sensibilities and community "norms" in how private or familial information is conducted, for one question absolutely). Different places and different groups vary tremendously in exposure avenues towards "outsiders".
Having knowledge of every place within this book, and remembering this case in the news, it held much more interest for me than others, IMHO. This case of Maria, the Grimes girls, and the murdered nurses in Chicago (Richard Speck)were just legend in Chicagoland. Nearly everyone still remembers where they were or what they were doing then, just as in the January 1967 Friday blizzard when most of us never got home from work. Similar to how we remember where we were when Armstrong stepped on the moon, or when the Towers fell on Sept. 11.
The manner in how the case is revealed here is, IMHO, quite unusual for true crime. It's very circular and until we are 1/2 way through the book, we know almost as little as the cops do. Then we "know" some facts but begin to see patterns that reveal others' psychological or physical conditions that at times make conjecture rather nebulous. It is NOT a clear chronological path to more evidence, more information then over time exposure. It also encompasses at least 5 or 6 relatives' life stories, and as many different related spouses' lives, as well.
There are some graphic situations of intense sexual crime that do not occur in the murder investigation. Several past criminal realities of severe psychological and physical injuries are exposed too, some not until 30 years or more after the fact.
This was one of the 2 or 3 cases in the geographic and social mixes that I have known in their exact time period, which makes me apt to support a death penalty. Because sociopath behavior that also includes some positive aspects of looks or charm or some other redeeming quality in the perp, in cases just like this! What happens when the murderer is imprisoned or treated even unto 20 years or more of time? They recommit and the lists of victims grows. Few, very few, speak for the victims who might be alive. In Illinois there is a Victim's Law that will be passed which gives past victims proper information to their perps being released or what their locations are. That is just a beginning. The only way to stop the evil is to end the perpetrator. It's the only 100% way to end the horrors in consistent occurrence. Not in revenge or punishment, but in an only completely successful path to a safe reality for other humans.
If you read this, while reading, try to count the numbers of other lives this one particular man either ended or completely scarred. You'll need more than the fingers on your hands to count- better get a nice long sheet of paper.
February 28, 2017
This book was remarkably sad. It's amazing how after 5 decades, they finally caught the man who murdered little Maria Ridulph. This is the oldest cold case in U.S. history and justice was finally served to pedophile who fancied little girls and piggy back rides. John Tessier, aka Jack McCollough, deserves to die in prison. Excellent but yet terribly sad book.
February 22, 2015
Ann Rule is the standard to which I judge every true-crime book I read, and this definitely hits the mark.
One reviewer stated the book was too long, that minute details and descriptions of people and incidents bogged down the story. I read that review before beginning the book (bad habit!), kept waiting for this monotony to occur and yet never once felt it. In fact, I was riveted, and read this almost 500 page book in a few days. I also expected difficulty feeling a connection to such an old crime case, but the author did an outstanding job of taking me back in time.
Loved this book and every well-researched, minute detail in it.
One reviewer stated the book was too long, that minute details and descriptions of people and incidents bogged down the story. I read that review before beginning the book (bad habit!), kept waiting for this monotony to occur and yet never once felt it. In fact, I was riveted, and read this almost 500 page book in a few days. I also expected difficulty feeling a connection to such an old crime case, but the author did an outstanding job of taking me back in time.
Loved this book and every well-researched, minute detail in it.
June 27, 2015
This is a very well written book about the oldest cold case to ever be tried in the U.S. A beautiful little 7 year old was kidnapped and murdered. It's a long book (over 500 pages), but a good one true crime readers will likely appreciate.
April 3, 2017
Quick Read. Run-of-the-mill True Crime book.
The first part of the book was intriguing.. covering the details of the night of the crime and the overall reaction of the community. However, as the book went on, I became sorely disappointed and a bit aggravated. By the time I read the bio on the author, a lot of the writing made sense.
Firstly, what is with some non-fiction books not having any sources sited? At one point I decided to do a internet search on one of the people in the book, I found an article written by the Chicago Tribune and noticed that the entire article was used almost word for word in one section of the book. To me, this is uncalled for when not sited as source and could be considered plagiarism. Second, the author is the producer of "Inside Edition." This leads me to believe that some of this book was sensationalized. There were some added details that I felt was simply filler material. For example by the end of the book the author is describing what someone ordered for lunch and the temperature in the court room. If these details were important in anyway, the connections were not made.
I picked up this book because I had read a CNN report on the case some time ago (which, I believe was just as good, if not better than this book and much shorter). The book depicts the crime of a young girl in 1957 that was killed and later found. The killer was not brought to justice at the time, because he was cleared originally cleared by the FBI. The evidence is shaky, and never was any hard proof that the suspect was guilty. 50 years later, a death bed confession leads detectives to re-examine the cold case. I remember a detail in the CNN article that never made it's way into the book - about a particular show the father of the victim was watching at the time of crime. It would have been interesting if this was brought up and analyzed as proof of the questioned timeline but alas, it was not.
The author discusses the life of the suspect, covering details from his family and others that were creeped out by him. The stories about the suspect paint him in a very bad light and the suspect answers all allegations against as lies. This leads me to believe that he really did do horrible things to people who didn't deserve it. He actually admits to sexually abusing his sister, albeit gives no details. It is extremely probable that he committed the crime that the book discusses.. although the evidence is lacking. One part of the book that piqued my interest that should have been furthered analyzed is that the suspect had been hit by a car at a young age and was in a coma for a week. Family members mentioned that he was never the same after the accident. Were any brain scans done? I believe that if he sustained a serious brain injury, this would prove that his deviant behavior was caused by the injury. A brain scan may implicate that he is a pathological liar or has a tendency to lie. It has been inferred in other books that I have read that brain injuries and such can impact a person's actions/thinking. There was so much lost potential in this book.
The first part of the book was intriguing.. covering the details of the night of the crime and the overall reaction of the community. However, as the book went on, I became sorely disappointed and a bit aggravated. By the time I read the bio on the author, a lot of the writing made sense.
Firstly, what is with some non-fiction books not having any sources sited? At one point I decided to do a internet search on one of the people in the book, I found an article written by the Chicago Tribune and noticed that the entire article was used almost word for word in one section of the book. To me, this is uncalled for when not sited as source and could be considered plagiarism. Second, the author is the producer of "Inside Edition." This leads me to believe that some of this book was sensationalized. There were some added details that I felt was simply filler material. For example by the end of the book the author is describing what someone ordered for lunch and the temperature in the court room. If these details were important in anyway, the connections were not made.
I picked up this book because I had read a CNN report on the case some time ago (which, I believe was just as good, if not better than this book and much shorter). The book depicts the crime of a young girl in 1957 that was killed and later found. The killer was not brought to justice at the time, because he was cleared originally cleared by the FBI. The evidence is shaky, and never was any hard proof that the suspect was guilty. 50 years later, a death bed confession leads detectives to re-examine the cold case. I remember a detail in the CNN article that never made it's way into the book - about a particular show the father of the victim was watching at the time of crime. It would have been interesting if this was brought up and analyzed as proof of the questioned timeline but alas, it was not.
The author discusses the life of the suspect, covering details from his family and others that were creeped out by him. The stories about the suspect paint him in a very bad light and the suspect answers all allegations against as lies. This leads me to believe that he really did do horrible things to people who didn't deserve it. He actually admits to sexually abusing his sister, albeit gives no details. It is extremely probable that he committed the crime that the book discusses.. although the evidence is lacking. One part of the book that piqued my interest that should have been furthered analyzed is that the suspect had been hit by a car at a young age and was in a coma for a week. Family members mentioned that he was never the same after the accident. Were any brain scans done? I believe that if he sustained a serious brain injury, this would prove that his deviant behavior was caused by the injury. A brain scan may implicate that he is a pathological liar or has a tendency to lie. It has been inferred in other books that I have read that brain injuries and such can impact a person's actions/thinking. There was so much lost potential in this book.
August 15, 2019
True crime about the murder of Maria Ridulph in 1957 and the seeming solution to the cold case in 2012. I say "seeming" because Jack McCullough's conviction was overturned and the case is as unsolved today as it was the day Maria was abducted.
Lachman does not offer any meta-analysis, but it's pretty clear he thinks McCullough did it. On the evidence he presents, mostly things coming out of McCullough's own mouth, it's hard NOT to think McCullough did it. The other evidence--the deathbed confession of McCullough's mother, the identification by the only witness--is really really shaky, even though Lachman doesn't ever acknowledge just how shaky. Eyewitness testimony at a distance of 55 years from a woman who was 7 years old in 1957? the deathbed confession of a woman who was drugged to the eyeballs on morphine and Haldol and only intermittently lucid? No mention is made of the studies on eyewitness testimony and just how unreliable it is or any other acknowledgment that the defense attorney had all kinds of reasonable doubt to work with. He puts the reader in the position of a believer rather than a skeptic, which is common in true crime, but I would argue, not good.
Lachman does not offer any meta-analysis, but it's pretty clear he thinks McCullough did it. On the evidence he presents, mostly things coming out of McCullough's own mouth, it's hard NOT to think McCullough did it. The other evidence--the deathbed confession of McCullough's mother, the identification by the only witness--is really really shaky, even though Lachman doesn't ever acknowledge just how shaky. Eyewitness testimony at a distance of 55 years from a woman who was 7 years old in 1957? the deathbed confession of a woman who was drugged to the eyeballs on morphine and Haldol and only intermittently lucid? No mention is made of the studies on eyewitness testimony and just how unreliable it is or any other acknowledgment that the defense attorney had all kinds of reasonable doubt to work with. He puts the reader in the position of a believer rather than a skeptic, which is common in true crime, but I would argue, not good.
November 21, 2014
[Consider this a blanket trigger warning for this book. While the author writes with restraint, there are elements that are likely to be disturbing, especially with regard to sexual violence.]
While it's becoming more common for cold cases to find solutions years later, when the murderer of little Maria Ridulph was brought to trial, it was the oldest, coldest case ever to hit a courtroom. Lachman tells the story well, and paints a picture of the dark secrets even a small town can hold.
While it's becoming more common for cold cases to find solutions years later, when the murderer of little Maria Ridulph was brought to trial, it was the oldest, coldest case ever to hit a courtroom. Lachman tells the story well, and paints a picture of the dark secrets even a small town can hold.
November 15, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! I randomly picked it out at the library. This book is all about the oldest cold case in US history! Takes place in Sycamore/DeKalb area. Not only is this book full of history dating back to the 1957 kidnapping..but it is so we'll written. one of the best true crime books I have read!
December 26, 2018
Fascinating true life tale about Maria Ridulph, a 7 year old girl from Sycamore, Illinois who went missing and was later found murdered in 1957 and the trial of John Tessier (aka John McCullough) who was the last to have seen her. The trial took place 55 years after her death. Lachman does a wonderful job relating the case and the trial.
March 17, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down and so enthralled with the case. It starts out so strange and sort of a mystery. I kind of figured it must have been John Tessier behind the kidnapping and killing since so much focused on him and his family. As I was reading, I was thinking none of it made much sense and how could they not have identified him right off?
John Tessier was definitely a creep but since the publication of this book, his conviction has been overturned and it turns out the case is back to being unsolved. I discovered this fact completely by accident while reading an unrelated article. Knowing this sort of ruined the last half of the book.
Even so, the writing was excellent and until I discovered how it actually turned out, I was obsessed with this book.
John Tessier was definitely a creep but since the publication of this book, his conviction has been overturned and it turns out the case is back to being unsolved. I discovered this fact completely by accident while reading an unrelated article. Knowing this sort of ruined the last half of the book.
Even so, the writing was excellent and until I discovered how it actually turned out, I was obsessed with this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2023
This book is the best true crime story that I have read in years, if ever. The author held my interest immediately and kept it throughout the book. Thanks for the great telling of a monstrous crime.
March 7, 2016
In December of 1957 Sycamore, Illinois seven-year-old Maria Ridulph was playing with her friend Kathy Sigman. A friendly man introduced himself to them. He gave piggy back rides and wanted to see their dolls.Kathy went to get her mittens and when she returned she could not find Maria or the friendly man. The whole town searched but was not able to find her. In April Maria's body was found in a nearby wooded area. No one was ever charged with the crime until fifty five years later when the case was reopened after a former neighbor made a death bed confession to her family. Stunning story with lots of twist and turns. Well written book, you can feel the raw emotion of the tormented souls of the family and friends.
January 12, 2016
One shocking crime, two shattered families. The coldest case in US history.
In 1957, in Sycamore IL, a 7 year old girl goes missing. The story takes you through the search for little Maria Ridulph, the investigation, the blunders, and the family secrets. Fifty five years later, after a deathbed confession, there is an arrest. An interesting story that shows how politics and law go hand in hand, back in 1957, as it does today. I'd recommend this book to anyone that enjoys true crime stories, and especially anyone from Illinois.
In 1957, in Sycamore IL, a 7 year old girl goes missing. The story takes you through the search for little Maria Ridulph, the investigation, the blunders, and the family secrets. Fifty five years later, after a deathbed confession, there is an arrest. An interesting story that shows how politics and law go hand in hand, back in 1957, as it does today. I'd recommend this book to anyone that enjoys true crime stories, and especially anyone from Illinois.
March 2, 2024
This is a very well written book but I have since found out that the person convicted of Maria’s murder has had his conviction quashed although he could be retried if new evidence was found & I was shocked that he was convicted in the first place & it’s possible that he committed other crimes but he didn’t commit this one.
November 18, 2014
I enjoy true crime stories and this one did not disappoint, especially being it was a cold case from over 50 years ago. It is so hard for families to suffer a loss like this and always wondering what and who did it. Well told...
December 3, 2014
A true story about the tragic murder of a little girl over 50 years ago and the reopening of her murder as a "cold case." I don't want to spoil the story - so I'll just say that the book is worth your time. At least it was for me!
December 28, 2014
I'm not a fan of true crime books in general and read this as a "recommended if you liked Serial". The story was well-written for the most part and held my interest. Still not a fan of the genre, especially in cold case situations like this one but I'd recommend the book for anyone who is.
January 17, 2015
What a heart-breaking book. I remember reading an overview article in the Chicago Tribune last year.
February 14, 2015
An interesting true crime read. It amazes me that the perpetrator of this crime got away for so long. It blows my mind that he was a policeman. I am so glad that her family finally got justice.
April 5, 2015
This was interesting to me because we moved to Sycamore five years after the kidnapping and murder.of Maria. It was still talked about and parents were cautioned to be vigilant. Interesting book.
July 26, 2016
Great true crime book about solving the oldest cold case yet.
March 10, 2018
The book, Footsteps in the Snow, is a true crime story centered on the longest cold case in U.S. history. On Dec.3, 1957, seven-year-old Maria Ridulph went outside to play with her friend Kathy in the snow. A man appeared, told him his name, Johnny, and asked if either of them wanted a piggyback ride? Maria agreed to two rides. The first was without incident. The second ride happened while Kathy ran home to grab a pair of mittens. When she returned, Maria and the man were gone. Four months later, Maria’s body was found. Fifty-five years later, her killer was brought to justice.
I got this book based on the summary on the back cover. It talked about a girl’s kidnapping, her murder, and a deathbed confession that ripped apart two families and led to the killer. It sounded intriguing, though technically these things happened, and in that order, it didn’t play out in the story the same way. Johnny wasn’t a surprise. The deathbed confessional didn’t result in discovery nor did it rip two families apart. And although the killer received a Life in Prison sentence, the reader feels no sense of closure to the case. I give it two stars.
I got this book based on the summary on the back cover. It talked about a girl’s kidnapping, her murder, and a deathbed confession that ripped apart two families and led to the killer. It sounded intriguing, though technically these things happened, and in that order, it didn’t play out in the story the same way. Johnny wasn’t a surprise. The deathbed confessional didn’t result in discovery nor did it rip two families apart. And although the killer received a Life in Prison sentence, the reader feels no sense of closure to the case. I give it two stars.
April 29, 2018
This is an interesting read, but probably not for the reasons it was originally written for. And n all fairness, the author may want to consider a follow-up. This is a look into what is the oldest cold case in American history. The 1957 abduction and murder of little Maria Ridulph led to a 50 year investigation that resulted in the arrest and conviction of a former neighbor, Jack Daniel McCullough, aka James Tessier.
This book, written and published two years after his conviction is a true crime account of the investigation. However, it is now a look into what happens when an investigation goes horribly wrong. Three years after the release of the book, in 2017, McCullough’s conviction was overturned and he was ultimately released from prison. Knowing that going in the book becomes an interesting exploration in how forensic investigation has evolved over the years and also how terribly mishandled this case was from the beginning. But this was not the original intent of the book, and the reader wouldn’t know that without doing a little background, independent research.
This book, written and published two years after his conviction is a true crime account of the investigation. However, it is now a look into what happens when an investigation goes horribly wrong. Three years after the release of the book, in 2017, McCullough’s conviction was overturned and he was ultimately released from prison. Knowing that going in the book becomes an interesting exploration in how forensic investigation has evolved over the years and also how terribly mishandled this case was from the beginning. But this was not the original intent of the book, and the reader wouldn’t know that without doing a little background, independent research.
February 6, 2020
This book is about a murder that happened in 1957 and was not adjudicated until 2011! It was over 55 years. A little girl was playing outside with her friend when a man came up and asked if she would like a piggy back ride. One girl got the ride and when the other went home to get her mittens because it was cold outside, when she returned, Maria was gone!
This book talks about the families involved in the killing, the depravity of the killer who got away with it for too long, and finally the mother who admitted her son was the killer but not before the damage was done.
The author did a good job of presenting the facts and getting the background stories of the families involved and of the people who were on the sidelines and who were thought to have done it but were exonerated because of their alibis.
This book kept me intrigued throughout the book but I did have to put it down at times because it was pretty graphic in places and I needed space.
Recommended to all those who like true crimes that are actually solved.
This book talks about the families involved in the killing, the depravity of the killer who got away with it for too long, and finally the mother who admitted her son was the killer but not before the damage was done.
The author did a good job of presenting the facts and getting the background stories of the families involved and of the people who were on the sidelines and who were thought to have done it but were exonerated because of their alibis.
This book kept me intrigued throughout the book but I did have to put it down at times because it was pretty graphic in places and I needed space.
Recommended to all those who like true crimes that are actually solved.
February 4, 2020
In 1989, I moved from Iowa to an Illinois town about an hour east of Sycamore and have also been to Sycamore's annual Pumpkin Festival. However, because I knew nothing about the murder of 7-year-old Maria Ridulph, nor that it was the oldest cold case in the country, I was fascinated by this page-turning account by the author. I learned about a piece of Illinois history of which I was totally unaware and was gratified to learn that many law enforcement officers and criminal nvestigators are opening these cases with dogged determineation to give closure to the victims' families. Thank you to Charles Lachman for sharing this true story. I now plan to look up newspaper accounts at the time of the abduction and beyond. Will probably take another trip to Sycamore.
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June 23, 2021As satisfying it is to see someone who thinks they got away with it get their comeuppances, it turns out that the prosecution deliberately suppressed evidence gathered by the FBI that had originally exonerated him. He had made a collect call at a time and location that made it impossible for him to have been at the scene of the kidnapping. McCullough's son-in-law had to sue Cook County in order to get the evidence submitted. In 2017 a judge declared McCullough to be innocent of the crime. McCullough didn't seem like a good person, but he was not the one who murdered Maria.
Everyone wants justice even if the truth has to suffer for it.
Everyone wants justice even if the truth has to suffer for it.
February 3, 2018
True story. Very well written. Interesting how in our legal system one person could get away with murder. Time changed everything. Over the yrs our investigation teams became more knowledgeable, skillful. The courts brought Justice. It saddens me that parents would hide knowledge of their sons crimes till their death. I wish we had the power to make them live longer and see they get the same punishment as their son. Even at the sons age when he went to jail was something but not enough.
If you like a who done it crime story you will enjoy this book, it definitely keeps you guessing.
If you like a who done it crime story you will enjoy this book, it definitely keeps you guessing.
October 25, 2018
The story being told was great, but there was a lot of unnecessary details and information that seemed to bog it down. I had never heard of this case before, but the ending was pretty predictable, even with avoiding the included photographs. Too much filler and repeated information that wasn’t even pertinent to the story. Needs better copy editing done. Wrong words used, spelling and grammar mistakes galore. I feel I should have just Googled this case to get the story.
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