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Chasing Justice: My Story of Freeing Myself After Two Decades on Death Row for a Crime I Didn't Commit
Kerry Cook is an innocent man who wrongly served two decades in Texas's notorious death house for the brutal 1977 rape and murder of 21-year-old Linda Jo Edwards. His struggle for freedom is said to be one of the worst cases of police and prosecutorial misconduct in American history.
In the summer of 1977, Cook was staying in Tyler, TX. He met an attractive young woman named Linda Edwards and was invited back to her apartment for a drink and left his fingerprints on the sliding glass door. Four days later, Ms. Edwards was found brutally murdered. When the police dusted for prints, they found Cook's and immediately arrested him. Edward Jackson testified that Cook confessed to the murder during a jailhouse conversation. Jackson was set free, only to kill again several years later. Cook, on the other hand, was convicted and sentenced to death.
He was thrown into a world for which no one could be prepared, and he survived beatings, sexual abuse, and depression; all the while, he fought against a justice system that was determined to keep him quiet and loath to admit a mistake. Through the work of a crusading group of lawyers who forced a series of retrials, his case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ordered the case be reconsidered. It wasn't until the spring of 1999 that Cook was finally able to put the nightmare behind him: long-suppressed DNA evidence had linked James Mayfield, Linda Edwards's ex-lover, to the crime.
In the summer of 1977, Cook was staying in Tyler, TX. He met an attractive young woman named Linda Edwards and was invited back to her apartment for a drink and left his fingerprints on the sliding glass door. Four days later, Ms. Edwards was found brutally murdered. When the police dusted for prints, they found Cook's and immediately arrested him. Edward Jackson testified that Cook confessed to the murder during a jailhouse conversation. Jackson was set free, only to kill again several years later. Cook, on the other hand, was convicted and sentenced to death.
He was thrown into a world for which no one could be prepared, and he survived beatings, sexual abuse, and depression; all the while, he fought against a justice system that was determined to keep him quiet and loath to admit a mistake. Through the work of a crusading group of lawyers who forced a series of retrials, his case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ordered the case be reconsidered. It wasn't until the spring of 1999 that Cook was finally able to put the nightmare behind him: long-suppressed DNA evidence had linked James Mayfield, Linda Edwards's ex-lover, to the crime.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 16, 2015
I picked this book up on the recommendation of podcaster Bob Ruff of Truth and Justice fame. There are many things to be said about this book, but prime among those, I must mention how hard this book was to read. Not only was it endlessly repetitive in listing injustices perpetrated by the prosecution and judges, but with the author also portraying himself as almost a simpleton swept up by the system with no real understanding of what was happening to him, it made the protagonist fairly unlikable. So why was I so moved by the book? Because that's the point, isn't it? The system isn't systematically destroying the lives of the rich, well-educated, powerful, or charismatic; It's stepping on the rights of those who are essentially distasteful to remember because of their existing lack of privilege. But rather than making these missteps in justice excusable, the vulnerability of the target emphasizes how horrifying broken the justice system can be.
Yes, there must be another side to the story. There must be some thought process that explains the behavior of the various police officers, attorneys and judges involved in the case. But after having sat through hearing the travesty that was Adnan Syed's time in court, I'm not sure I want to waste time searching for that side. I'd rather use that time to teach my son how best to react if he is ever unfairly targeted by the police or justice system.
Yes, there must be another side to the story. There must be some thought process that explains the behavior of the various police officers, attorneys and judges involved in the case. But after having sat through hearing the travesty that was Adnan Syed's time in court, I'm not sure I want to waste time searching for that side. I'd rather use that time to teach my son how best to react if he is ever unfairly targeted by the police or justice system.
May 4, 2010
"Jerry Joe Byrd suffered a massive heart attack on the eve of his execution. Medical officials saved him long enough so that he could still be alive to execute." -- For what reason?!
This book will have you questioning your opinion of the "justice" system and capital crimes punishable by execution. Seeing injustice first hand from a family member wrongfully accused and imprisoned for many years, this book really hits home. Definitely a page turner! Cook will have you flipping through the pages as fast as you can read them just to see what happens next.
This book will have you questioning your opinion of the "justice" system and capital crimes punishable by execution. Seeing injustice first hand from a family member wrongfully accused and imprisoned for many years, this book really hits home. Definitely a page turner! Cook will have you flipping through the pages as fast as you can read them just to see what happens next.
February 7, 2017
**3.5 stars**
I found this a fascinating read yet there were a few problems that kept me from rating it higher.
I found this a fascinating read yet there were a few problems that kept me from rating it higher.
November 18, 2008
This has to be the most frightening book I have ever read. This is the story of a young man (20) who was railroaded into a death sentence by the Smith County Prosecutors in Tyler Texas. He was eventually exonerated after nearly 22 years on Death Row, multiple courts - all the way to the US Supreme Court, overturning the convictions not once but three times.
This book shows how the wins and the careers are often placed above truth and justice. In the end, the only exoneration came in 1999 after DNA found in the victim's underwear (rape and murder) matched not this man but the one that should have been tried in his place. Over the course of three, nearly four trials, the Prosecutors lied, mislead the defense, manipulated witnesses to the point of them dramatically changing their testimony from initial statements to fit the defendant. It shows how, with the help of sympathetic judges they were able to suppress key evidence that would have ruled out this young man as a suspect in the crime and would have indicated someone else.
This book shows the fundamental flaw of the United States' Justice System and clearly points to the fact that we have most likely executed innocent people in the name of blind justice.
This book shows how the wins and the careers are often placed above truth and justice. In the end, the only exoneration came in 1999 after DNA found in the victim's underwear (rape and murder) matched not this man but the one that should have been tried in his place. Over the course of three, nearly four trials, the Prosecutors lied, mislead the defense, manipulated witnesses to the point of them dramatically changing their testimony from initial statements to fit the defendant. It shows how, with the help of sympathetic judges they were able to suppress key evidence that would have ruled out this young man as a suspect in the crime and would have indicated someone else.
This book shows the fundamental flaw of the United States' Justice System and clearly points to the fact that we have most likely executed innocent people in the name of blind justice.
February 13, 2016
I read this book because of the Truth and Justice podcast and, while I care very much about the subject matter, the writing was absolutely terrible. It would have benefited from quite a bit of editing and/or a ghostwriter. It was like reading a cheesy lifetime movie. Of course the subject matter is serious and what Cook went through was appalling, but the quality of the writing ended up taking the focus away from the seriousness of the subject matter and made Cook come off as really unlikable.
November 21, 2008
It's a riveting story but unfortunately it reads like a made-for-tv movie. And wtf is up with "Momma and Daddy" and the a little-too-brotherly love for his brother? Freaky.
September 18, 2023
Before I opened this book, I read several of the reviews on here. When it comes to the death penalty, something we have not had in Canada since December 1998, I have always been fascinated. I have never really understood how people could want to put people to death, when there is a margin of error which could mean that person is innocent. Yes, I do realize that likely more people are executed who committed the offense than who are innocent but, even if one person is sent to an execution that is actually innocent, how can it be a good thing? One line in this book described execution as "State Homicide", I have to agree with this.
I am giving this book four stars for several reasons. First off, the story itself; well, kind of. At times, I found it hard to put this book down. The information about Kerry's childhood, then how he was picked up for the crime, and then his trial, I found it all fascinating. Granted, I was reading his account of the fact but, really, I was sitting there wondering how he could be convicted on the evidence presented. I was also very interested in Kerry's life while in prison and then on death row. I will warn you here, Kerry was graphic in many parts here about his experiences with some of the inmates. However, I had to respect Kerry for just taking the abuse he suffered, knowing that it would only show the court later on that he was not an aggressive person, which the original trial portrayed him to be.
But, while I enjoyed much of this story, I skipped parts as well. The historical information presented her about trials, death row, etc was fascinating, and added to the book, I did find the parts towards the end with the many trials to prove Kerry's innocence a little slow moving. I found that I was reading a line or two, then skipping a head because it was repetitive.
I think, if you are interested in human interest stories related to law, trials, police misconduct, and death row, you will be interested in this. I think if you don't have these interests, this book is not for you. The writing is sometimes hard to take. The entire book could have used with more editing over all but, in the end, you read for the story, not for the writing.
That is why I give it a four star.
I am giving this book four stars for several reasons. First off, the story itself; well, kind of. At times, I found it hard to put this book down. The information about Kerry's childhood, then how he was picked up for the crime, and then his trial, I found it all fascinating. Granted, I was reading his account of the fact but, really, I was sitting there wondering how he could be convicted on the evidence presented. I was also very interested in Kerry's life while in prison and then on death row. I will warn you here, Kerry was graphic in many parts here about his experiences with some of the inmates. However, I had to respect Kerry for just taking the abuse he suffered, knowing that it would only show the court later on that he was not an aggressive person, which the original trial portrayed him to be.
But, while I enjoyed much of this story, I skipped parts as well. The historical information presented her about trials, death row, etc was fascinating, and added to the book, I did find the parts towards the end with the many trials to prove Kerry's innocence a little slow moving. I found that I was reading a line or two, then skipping a head because it was repetitive.
I think, if you are interested in human interest stories related to law, trials, police misconduct, and death row, you will be interested in this. I think if you don't have these interests, this book is not for you. The writing is sometimes hard to take. The entire book could have used with more editing over all but, in the end, you read for the story, not for the writing.
That is why I give it a four star.
January 26, 2019
I know this story turns out well in the end, but I spent much of my time reading this book being angry. It’s bad enough when you have an unethical prosecutor, but add to that a judge who rules in favor of that prosecutor time and time again...you’re screwed. I have a hard time believing in our justice system anymore. The system would work if people didn’t have their own personal agendas going on and truly cared about finding the truth, but sadly they don’t. How can you completely ignore the one likely suspect in her ex-lover, especially when he’s the guy the roommate saw in the apartment? How do you do that? How do you dismiss dna evidence of his in her underwear and write that off? The anger is setting back in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
the overall story is interesting, the writing is not. i wish Kerry had someone else wrote his story.
that said, this poor man was put through hell because of a shitty investigation, horrible prosecution, and shameful judges. i’m glad people finally helped him and he was freed.
having just closely followed the Karen Read trials, this shit is still happening, even though it’s nearly 50 years later, and a different state.
i still somewhat believe in the death penalty, knowing many are wrongly convicted. i’m not sure what the answer is.
that said, this poor man was put through hell because of a shitty investigation, horrible prosecution, and shameful judges. i’m glad people finally helped him and he was freed.
having just closely followed the Karen Read trials, this shit is still happening, even though it’s nearly 50 years later, and a different state.
i still somewhat believe in the death penalty, knowing many are wrongly convicted. i’m not sure what the answer is.
October 23, 2024
Books like this just tear at my heartstrings. The injustices that some people face and the pain and destruction that they endure in prison and on death row due to intentional lies and corrupt practices in our justice system is unacceptable. We have to do better! As painful as it was to read Kerry's story I am glad I pushed through it. His story needed to be told and should be shared around the country.
September 3, 2018
Really interesting and horrifying story. But not well written. I would have liked to read this story with more sophistication in the writing and legal issues. I am, however, happy to support an exonoree who wrote this book himself.
January 26, 2019
It took me longer to read this book than expected as I kept getting so mad at the 'forensics' done in the case I'd have to put it down and take a bit to calm down. This was horrific and infuriating, but it happens more than we realise. I thank Kerry for telling his story.
February 26, 2021
what a fantastic book - i was crying when i read this book - this man suffered so much and was treated so unfairly - 2 decades in prison for a crime he didnt commit, being abused so horribly in the prison system. - i just want to hold him and give him a hug
November 28, 2024
Tough to read, amazingly well written, shocking story - although the idea of innocent people serving time isn't new, it's still hard to fathom how innocent people who have proven their innocence can be so railroaded, how the folks we are supposed to be able to trust behave so egregious!
October 29, 2020
I couldn't put it down
May 3, 2021
Incredible Story!
October 22, 2021
As harrowing as I thought it would be. Had to read this after seeing KMC do a talk and being touched by his openness about what happened to him.
July 10, 2022
Book is about a great person, but a little scattered in how things are laid out.
June 23, 2025
Awesome! One-Of-A-Kind Flaws Of Our Criminal Justice System Non-Fiction. (Library Sale) Blessing Read! Hope DA, Prosecutors, Judges & Lay People Read.
October 31, 2015
2 1/2 disappointing stars. See my full review here
My rating: C-
My review: I'm going to say right off the bat that I only read this book because of the Truth & Justice podcast. Bob (the host) asked us to read it relating to a case he'll be discussing. I hope the case we're discussing is good because this book was BORING.
Kerry Max Cook was convicted of rape and murder in Tyler, Texas in 1978. He maintained his innocence the entire time. There were SO many plot holes in this book. Here are a few examples:
◾One of the witnesses against Kerry claimed he was a homosexual and a pervert. Many people claimed this. Mr. Cook NEVER addressed these claims. Was he homosexual? It was a question never answered.
◾Doyle Wayne. Kerry's brother, who he "spoke" to frequently. I don't know if there was mental illness there, but something was off and it was never addressed.
◾Kerry's alibi. He maintained his innocence but NEVER said what he was doing or where he was at the time of the murder.
This book was so detail heavy. I skipped through a lot of detail because it was both cumbersome and boring. There were so many "characters" that it was hard to keep up with it and very confusing.
In the end, DNA evidence proved that Kerry was not the killer, and it was the person he thought it was all along.
I would skip this book.
My rating: C-
My review: I'm going to say right off the bat that I only read this book because of the Truth & Justice podcast. Bob (the host) asked us to read it relating to a case he'll be discussing. I hope the case we're discussing is good because this book was BORING.
Kerry Max Cook was convicted of rape and murder in Tyler, Texas in 1978. He maintained his innocence the entire time. There were SO many plot holes in this book. Here are a few examples:
◾One of the witnesses against Kerry claimed he was a homosexual and a pervert. Many people claimed this. Mr. Cook NEVER addressed these claims. Was he homosexual? It was a question never answered.
◾Doyle Wayne. Kerry's brother, who he "spoke" to frequently. I don't know if there was mental illness there, but something was off and it was never addressed.
◾Kerry's alibi. He maintained his innocence but NEVER said what he was doing or where he was at the time of the murder.
This book was so detail heavy. I skipped through a lot of detail because it was both cumbersome and boring. There were so many "characters" that it was hard to keep up with it and very confusing.
In the end, DNA evidence proved that Kerry was not the killer, and it was the person he thought it was all along.
I would skip this book.
Read
January 6, 2013Leila Habayeb
Independent Reading
January 2013
"Chasing Justice- Kerry Max Cook- 352 pages"
Adult
Chasing Justice is a novel by Kerry Max Cook, about his own life and his story of "freeing [himself] after two decades on death row for a crime [he] didn't commit." Kerry Cook is an innocent man who in 1977, was wrongly convicted for the rape and murder of a 21 year old girl in his town. The novel is an incredible story of perseverance, dedication, positivity, hope, faith and never giving up. I really enjoyed this book for several reasons, for one, I have actually met Kerry Max Cook two times. His talks really were motivational and his story was incredible. His talks made me want to read the novel, and I enjoyed the read just as much as I enjoyed his lectures. I would suggest the novel to someone interested in a motivational type novel of a true story with an incredible plot. I would warn anyone interested in the read, that Cook does get quite in depth and some of his descriptions of life on death row are quite vivid. The novel is incredible and his story is amazing, Kerry Max Cook is not the best author, but that does not take away from his incredible story and inspirational person he is.
Independent Reading
January 2013
"Chasing Justice- Kerry Max Cook- 352 pages"
Adult
Chasing Justice is a novel by Kerry Max Cook, about his own life and his story of "freeing [himself] after two decades on death row for a crime [he] didn't commit." Kerry Cook is an innocent man who in 1977, was wrongly convicted for the rape and murder of a 21 year old girl in his town. The novel is an incredible story of perseverance, dedication, positivity, hope, faith and never giving up. I really enjoyed this book for several reasons, for one, I have actually met Kerry Max Cook two times. His talks really were motivational and his story was incredible. His talks made me want to read the novel, and I enjoyed the read just as much as I enjoyed his lectures. I would suggest the novel to someone interested in a motivational type novel of a true story with an incredible plot. I would warn anyone interested in the read, that Cook does get quite in depth and some of his descriptions of life on death row are quite vivid. The novel is incredible and his story is amazing, Kerry Max Cook is not the best author, but that does not take away from his incredible story and inspirational person he is.
May 29, 2016
I read this book after hearing about it from the "Truth and Justice" podcast with Bob Ruff. He's currently knee-deep in two cases out of Smith County, Texas, both of which involve two convicted murderers--Kenny Snow and Edward Ates--who have always maintained their innocence. Both of these cases involve shoddy investigation and questionable prosecutorial ethics and conduct. Kerry Max Cook's story precedes these two; Cook's case is known as one of the worst cases of prosecutorial misconduct in the country.
This book was difficult to read in some parts--when Cook recounts some of the things that happened to him while on Death Row--but it was best, in my opinion, when it addressed the trials and legal issues. It's the story that really kept me glued. Soon, Cook will appear for an Actual Innocence Hearing, nearly 40 years after he was arrested for the crime. I'm now very interested to see what happens there as well as to follow Bob Ruff along in his efforts to bring new trials to Kenny Snow and Edward Ates and bring to light the corruption in Smith County.
This book was difficult to read in some parts--when Cook recounts some of the things that happened to him while on Death Row--but it was best, in my opinion, when it addressed the trials and legal issues. It's the story that really kept me glued. Soon, Cook will appear for an Actual Innocence Hearing, nearly 40 years after he was arrested for the crime. I'm now very interested to see what happens there as well as to follow Bob Ruff along in his efforts to bring new trials to Kenny Snow and Edward Ates and bring to light the corruption in Smith County.
November 20, 2007
Our cataloguer at work finished reading it, and she was extolling it to anyone who would listen. She donated her copy to the library, and she had it processed within the hour for circulation. Given her passion for it, I got curious, so I checked it out. I am told it will be an engrossing read. While this book genre is not usually what I like reading, she made it sound interesting. Plus the events happened here in Tyler, TX, so the local story now interests me as well. We'll see how it goes.
* * * *
I gave it two stars. It was not because it was a bad book. Far from it. It can be riveting and engaging, but I guess I was not in the mood for this type of book. Thus, "it was ok." I do recommend it for readers with an interest in reading things like true crime, criminal justice, legal and law. I can definitely appreciate why our cataloguer recommends it so highly. It does give a glimpse of Tyler and East Texas, one that some people might prefer not to have the world see.
* * * *
I gave it two stars. It was not because it was a bad book. Far from it. It can be riveting and engaging, but I guess I was not in the mood for this type of book. Thus, "it was ok." I do recommend it for readers with an interest in reading things like true crime, criminal justice, legal and law. I can definitely appreciate why our cataloguer recommends it so highly. It does give a glimpse of Tyler and East Texas, one that some people might prefer not to have the world see.
December 28, 2015
After listening to the Serial podcast, and hearing Bob Ruff of Serial Dynasty (now Truth and Justice) recommend this book, I thought nothing in it would surprise me. I was wrong. This case went so above and beyond the worst behavior of people in power, it sickened and enraged me. So many times my mouth literally dropped reading this, well after I thought justice would finally be served. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for EVERYONE. It is an eye-opener to what really goes on in our legal system. I find myself less and less able to trust anyone in power the more I learn. Everyone should know the ability of our legal system to railroad anyone innocent into prison or even pleading guilty to crime they did not commit.
July 19, 2007
An utterly disturbing recount of the "justice" system. As I delved further and further into this book, I couldn't believe the flagrant corruption. It's incredible to believe this is a true story, it seems like a joke; how can the justice system be this corrupt, how did this happen to such a blatantly innocent victim?! I found myself cringing at the situations, but not able to put the book down. I just kept reading and reading, growing more and more disgusted, but needing to know when and how this 'wrong' was finally amended...
How do you compensate someone for 30 lost years of their life?!
How do you compensate someone for 30 lost years of their life?!
July 5, 2016
After listening to Bob Ruff's Truth and Justice podcast, I felt I had to read this. It is a very colloquial first person account of one of the most infamous cases of prosecutorial misconduct in modern history. At times it was quite compelling, at times it was almost borderline unreadable. There seemed to be a lot of loose threads and throwaway lines in Kerry Cook's account. I thought he could have addressed some of the details a bit more to make the reader even more sympathetic to him. I'd like to delve into a more scholarly review of this case.
November 19, 2007
This is a truly frightening book about our justice system.
I thought I believed in the perfection of our courts until I read this book. It gives new meaning to being portrayed as guilty by the media and having that affect a person's trial.
Also a scary look at an innocent man's journey through the prison system. Wow!
I could hardly contain myself. I had to stop my hand from flipping forward in the book to see what happened next a few times.
What a journey!
I thought I believed in the perfection of our courts until I read this book. It gives new meaning to being portrayed as guilty by the media and having that affect a person's trial.
Also a scary look at an innocent man's journey through the prison system. Wow!
I could hardly contain myself. I had to stop my hand from flipping forward in the book to see what happened next a few times.
What a journey!
February 18, 2012
Cook isn't a fancy, nuanced writer but he doesn't have to be. His writing style was developed while working to exonerate himself from a baseless capital murder charge. His case is the worst ever one of police and prosecutorial misconduct in Texas history. Well, it's the worst one ever to come to light. This should be required reading for anyone who supports the death penalty. It's very good idea reading for people who oppose it because as bad as you think the system is, it's worse in Texas.
January 28, 2010
This sounded so intriguing--and, indeed, I think it had the potential to be fascinating, but I wish they'd hired a ghostwriter. The writing was terrible, and the story dragged (in opposite directions simultaneously, sometimes), and the author/victim was so unlikeable that I found myself not feeling very sympathetic to his plight. Oops.
November 27, 2016
This was difficult to read, not because of the writing, but because of the egregious prosecutorial misconduct that kept Kerry Max Cook on death row for 21 years. His story is heartbreaking and hope-inducing. And it's a reminder just how broken our criminal justice system is and that there are many more men and women who are innocent but sentenced to death.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews