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Poisoned
A gripping tale of murder, sorcery, and criminal justice in turn-of-the-century Chicago, Poisoned is the fascinating true story of a mysterious Bohemian fortune teller charged with murdering a half-dozen people by slowly poisoning them with arsenic. Poisoned details the horrific murders, and the incredible events that followed Herman Billik's last second reprieves; legal battles carried all the way to the Supreme Court; frenzied mass demonstrations; corpses secretly exhumed in the middle of the night; and the revelation that key witnesses lied under oath. The case affected political campaigns, involved a Chicago Mayor, and featured an eventual showdown in the race for Governor of Illinois between two of the story's central figures. Indeed, if it were not true, no one would ever believe it.
- GenresNonfiction
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2014
9 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Steve Shukis
2 booksSteve Shukis won an IPPY Silver Medal in the National True Crime category for his first book, "Poisoned." Steve holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He worked for the City of Chicago for 15 years, supervising and training city inspectors, and conducting legal research as a liaison with the city council. He is a 6th generation Chicagoan, and lifelong student of Chicago history, politics, and crime. He is also a long-time amateur genealogical researcher. Steve lives in Chicago with his wife Keisha.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 19, 2019
This is easily the most well put together true crime book I have ever read. Shukis manages to not only present impeccably thorough research on this murder case, but also delve into horrifying political corruption, and family backgrounds of both the victims and the accused parties. He manages not only to present a technically well-put together piece of nonfiction, but also offer real suspense and excitement surrounding a case now more than 100 years old.
As a native Chicagoan, history geek and true crime junkie, this book impressed the hell out of me. I sincerely hope Shukis tackles another case in the future.
As a native Chicagoan, history geek and true crime junkie, this book impressed the hell out of me. I sincerely hope Shukis tackles another case in the future.
December 3, 2023
just got bored and dnf. the story itself is fine, but all the political drama and minutiae got on my nerves and i just didn’t care
September 9, 2015
Today's post is on Poisoned: Chicago 1907, A Corrupt System, An Accused Killer, and The Crusade to Save Him by Steve Shukis. It is 334 pages long with notes, etc. and it s published by Title Town Publishing. The cover has defendant on it looking into the camera. The intended reader is someone who likes true crime, history, and good writing. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the dust jacket- A gripping tale of murder, sorcery, and criminal justice in turn-of-the-century Chicago, Poisoned is the fascinating true story (1907) of a mysterious Bohemian fortune teller charged with murdering a half-dozen people by slowly poisoning them with arsenic. Poisoned details the horrific murders, and the incredible events that followed Herman Billik's conviction: last second reprieves; legal battles carried all the way to the Supreme Court; frenzied mass demonstrations; corpses secretly exhumed in the middle of the night; and the revelation that key witnesses lied under oath. The case affected political campaigns, involved a Chicago Mayor, and featured an eventual showdown in the race for Governor of Illinois between two of the story's central figures. Indeed, if it were not true, no one would ever believe it.
Review- This book is the reason we have police reform. The police are so dirty that almost hang an innocent man five times. At it is Billik spends nine years in prison for a crime he did not commit. With court transcripts that add so much to the account and that makes it worse. The writing in this book is very strong. Shukis does good research and he does not pull any punches. He takes you from the day the police where called in all the way to the end of those involves lives. Shukis gives an interesting overview of the events without telling the reader what to think. In the beginning of the book I thought that maybe Bullik had done it, at the middle I did not think that Billik was guilty but I did not know who I thought was and by the end of the book I had a very different idea about the whole case. Shukis does a great job and I look forward to reading whatever he does next.
I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.
From the dust jacket- A gripping tale of murder, sorcery, and criminal justice in turn-of-the-century Chicago, Poisoned is the fascinating true story (1907) of a mysterious Bohemian fortune teller charged with murdering a half-dozen people by slowly poisoning them with arsenic. Poisoned details the horrific murders, and the incredible events that followed Herman Billik's conviction: last second reprieves; legal battles carried all the way to the Supreme Court; frenzied mass demonstrations; corpses secretly exhumed in the middle of the night; and the revelation that key witnesses lied under oath. The case affected political campaigns, involved a Chicago Mayor, and featured an eventual showdown in the race for Governor of Illinois between two of the story's central figures. Indeed, if it were not true, no one would ever believe it.
Review- This book is the reason we have police reform. The police are so dirty that almost hang an innocent man five times. At it is Billik spends nine years in prison for a crime he did not commit. With court transcripts that add so much to the account and that makes it worse. The writing in this book is very strong. Shukis does good research and he does not pull any punches. He takes you from the day the police where called in all the way to the end of those involves lives. Shukis gives an interesting overview of the events without telling the reader what to think. In the beginning of the book I thought that maybe Bullik had done it, at the middle I did not think that Billik was guilty but I did not know who I thought was and by the end of the book I had a very different idea about the whole case. Shukis does a great job and I look forward to reading whatever he does next.
I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.
June 28, 2016
This is a communal review from Chicago 2015's premier book club (pre-1909 address unknown). An interesting story poorly told.
Shukis is so skilled at providing detail that one need not read further than page 100 to feel complete. Yet, it’s hard not to have some affection for a book that includes a sentence with the words and phrases “Wrigley Field,” “Cubs,” and “the most successful team in baseball”—even if that sentence happens to be a footnote (see page 266); however, despite Shukis’s painstaking attention to detail, sometimes he comes off as a man who is far too attentive to detail. Additionally, Readers will sympathize with poor Billik, as Shukis portrays his young daughter Edna’s emotional appeals to Chicago audiences: “Please help me save my papa” (217).
Note: Sumptuous and unerringly accurate pagination.
This ranking is from the old Amazon Most Helpful Customer Reviews star evaluation system. Amazon recalibrated on July 5, 1994.
Shukis is so skilled at providing detail that one need not read further than page 100 to feel complete. Yet, it’s hard not to have some affection for a book that includes a sentence with the words and phrases “Wrigley Field,” “Cubs,” and “the most successful team in baseball”—even if that sentence happens to be a footnote (see page 266); however, despite Shukis’s painstaking attention to detail, sometimes he comes off as a man who is far too attentive to detail. Additionally, Readers will sympathize with poor Billik, as Shukis portrays his young daughter Edna’s emotional appeals to Chicago audiences: “Please help me save my papa” (217).
Note: Sumptuous and unerringly accurate pagination.
This ranking is from the old Amazon Most Helpful Customer Reviews star evaluation system. Amazon recalibrated on July 5, 1994.
August 15, 2014
When you read a biographical tale, you run the risk of being bored out of your mind by the various facts and figures and numerous page notes. Not so with this amazing read about a man who was accused of poisoning almost an entire family!
I loved that in the beginning, you were receiving certain information that made it seem probable and despicable, but by the middle and end you found yourself doubting everything!
There were twists and turns, incredible characters, and a glimpse at a period of time in Chicago where corruption held its place in society.
Even if you don't usually read non-fiction, you should definitely check this one out!
I loved that in the beginning, you were receiving certain information that made it seem probable and despicable, but by the middle and end you found yourself doubting everything!
There were twists and turns, incredible characters, and a glimpse at a period of time in Chicago where corruption held its place in society.
Even if you don't usually read non-fiction, you should definitely check this one out!
June 1, 2015
If you enjoyed Devil in the White City you would enjoy this book. it is of the same time period in Chicago. A fascinating look at our corrupt judicial system and this was 1906! Quick read and fun. Pretty unbelievable.
October 16, 2014
Great factual account that doesn't need any additional narrative razzle dazzle. The case itself is riveting enough and Shukis does a great job of presenting the full story.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews