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Kentucky Bloodbath: Ten Bizarre Tales of Murder from the Bluegrass State
New From The Author of Vampire: The Richard Chase Murders and The Bundy Murders!
Think Kentucky is all about horses and mint juleps? You may revise that image with this excursion into the weird and the bizarre: from a medieval-esque murder in a small town museum to the jilted boyfriend who decided that his former girlfriend needed to die on her twenty-first birthday. And then there’s the demented son who returns home to live with his mother and stepfather, and one night in their beautiful mansion sitting atop a high bluff overlooking the Ohio River, slaughters them. Each case will keep you on the edge of your seat.
From The Author:As I began my research into past Kentucky killers and their victims, I was well aware there were a good number of very unusual homicides from the Bluegrass State, as I’d read about them over the years in newspapers accounts, heard the strange tales from relatives and friends, or watched the occasional newscasts on TV.
But these sources were never in-depth studies of the cases in question; and worse still, very often, erroneous information came forth, and it wasn’t until I began the research, using the original case files, that I’d find out what really happened. And it would be in these moments of discovery, that an accurate picture of each individual tragedy would rise and take shape from the seemingly innumerable police reports and interviews of those involved.
Indeed, many of these ten stories I’ve “unearthed” would have been lost forever had I not sought them out from the dusty archives and storage facilities scattered throughout the state; stories that would, ultimately, be destined for obscurity and eventual disposal as the decades dragged on.
Recently, one radio interviewer, contemplating their bizarre aspects, quite rightly stated how all of these Kentucky murders resembled something out of The Twilight Zone, and I quickly had to agree with his assessment. That’s the nature of these cases, and frankly, it was what I was looking for in my quest to uncover true crime in Kentucky.
From The Story "Blood In The Moonlight": “As Bauer led the officer to the side door where they entered the house through the kitchen, Kendrick asked if he knew who’d done this, and Bauer said, “No.” Just before stepping inside the home, Kendrick radioed the Emergency Medical Services unit, telling them to continue on to this address – code 3 – and that homicide units should be sent as well. Having notified dispatch, Kendrick then drew his weapon and entered a nightmare."
Think Kentucky is all about horses and mint juleps? You may revise that image with this excursion into the weird and the bizarre: from a medieval-esque murder in a small town museum to the jilted boyfriend who decided that his former girlfriend needed to die on her twenty-first birthday. And then there’s the demented son who returns home to live with his mother and stepfather, and one night in their beautiful mansion sitting atop a high bluff overlooking the Ohio River, slaughters them. Each case will keep you on the edge of your seat.
From The Author:As I began my research into past Kentucky killers and their victims, I was well aware there were a good number of very unusual homicides from the Bluegrass State, as I’d read about them over the years in newspapers accounts, heard the strange tales from relatives and friends, or watched the occasional newscasts on TV.
But these sources were never in-depth studies of the cases in question; and worse still, very often, erroneous information came forth, and it wasn’t until I began the research, using the original case files, that I’d find out what really happened. And it would be in these moments of discovery, that an accurate picture of each individual tragedy would rise and take shape from the seemingly innumerable police reports and interviews of those involved.
Indeed, many of these ten stories I’ve “unearthed” would have been lost forever had I not sought them out from the dusty archives and storage facilities scattered throughout the state; stories that would, ultimately, be destined for obscurity and eventual disposal as the decades dragged on.
Recently, one radio interviewer, contemplating their bizarre aspects, quite rightly stated how all of these Kentucky murders resembled something out of The Twilight Zone, and I quickly had to agree with his assessment. That’s the nature of these cases, and frankly, it was what I was looking for in my quest to uncover true crime in Kentucky.
From The Story "Blood In The Moonlight": “As Bauer led the officer to the side door where they entered the house through the kitchen, Kendrick asked if he knew who’d done this, and Bauer said, “No.” Just before stepping inside the home, Kendrick radioed the Emergency Medical Services unit, telling them to continue on to this address – code 3 – and that homicide units should be sent as well. Having notified dispatch, Kendrick then drew his weapon and entered a nightmare."
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2015
65 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Kevin M. Sullivan
23 books51 followersA writer of true crime and history, Kevin Sullivan is the bestselling author of THE BUNDY MURDERS and THE TRAIL OF TED BUNDY
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 18, 2016
DEATH BY SWORD ~ museum worker murdered ~ Carol Frances Mudd
BLOOD IN THE MOONLIGHT ~ Albert & Mabel Bauer ~ him beaten and strangled, her stabbed multiple times
RAMPAGE ~ Escapee from jail with life sentences
THE BOXHILL MURDERS ~ Kirk Ellington Tiff
JEALOUSY IS FOREVER ~ Mary F Byron killed by ex on her 21st birthday
THE ICE MAN ~ Todd Ice ~ 15 years old murdered Donna Knox 7 years old
A WORM IN THE NOSE ~ James Becker ~ Thomas A Rankin (step-father) shot with an arrow
CLOSING TIME ~ Barbel Poore ~ raped and murdered
THE BEST OF FRIENDS ~ Scott Nelson & Richard David Stephenson by George Ellis Wade & Victor DeWayne Taylor
A VOICE FROM ABOVE ~ Monica Berger killed her two year old son Joey ‘because God told her to’
These are the cases in this compilation, I have to agree with another reviewer that these weren’t all that bizarre. A few will, stabbed with a sword and shot with an arrow. Basically these are crimes that you would find committed anywhere. The fact that they were all committed in Kentucky could be considered bizarre if you think Kentucky is all horse farms and mint juleps. Those of us who read true crime can tell you, crime happens everywhere, and mentally ill people are everywhere. That being said this is what I thought of the book.
Some don’t like the ‘short story’ aspect of true crime. I like them if they are well done. I found all these to be well done. The author made a point to research the crimes, not relying on newspaper accounts but digging into the original case files to tell us what really happened.
These crimes were all new to me and I found this author’s relating of them to be compelling. At 109 pages it is a rather quick read but very informative and fascinating.
May 31, 2015
This is the first book I have read by Kevin Sullivan & I must say that it was a great read. He covered several different crimes that happened in Kentucky. These are actually crimes that I wasn't familiar with & made the book more enjoyable. I found it hard to put down & read it all in one setting.
December 7, 2022
let me begin this by saying that the voice fit the stories perfectly. it was a factual journalist tone and I kept picturing him as a news anchor.
I can't believe so many atrocities have happened so close to where I live. humans are the worst monsters
I can't believe so many atrocities have happened so close to where I live. humans are the worst monsters
June 25, 2015
All I can say is where has this book been, I have been waiting for a true crime story has me flipping the pages all night long. This book is in fact 10 different true crime stories in it. All these stories have happened around Kentucky . There are cases of rape, murder. burglary and so much more . Each case is more and more insane as the last one . The author does a good comprehensive telling of each case but they are quick reads . You will just get over one case and dive right into the next case. Each chapter is a case in the book . There are crime scene photos for some of them. There are cases that make you cringed and say WTH.
The author has straight forward style of writing that will suck you in and keep you turning pages . He has done very intense research for this book. He dove in with both feet so to say . He took stories that could be lost and brought them to light . He took us to the edge and back again. I was very impressed by this book . I read it in one evening . I will say don't read before bed cause if you have a mind like mine . I dreamt about the murders that night and honestly had to watch cartoons for an hour to settle my mind. Yes I know, I know . This is the first book I have read from this author and so happy I did . I am going to be looking for the rest of his books . So if you want a great true crime book that tackles 10 different cases . That you can finish in an evening check him out . A great addition to your summer reading list.
October 26, 2015
Short, concise, no ambiguous endings...
Those are the positive things about this book. Only 109 pages long and covering 10 separate crimes, the author does a good job giving us the What, When, Where, Why and How of each one.
Now, on to my criticism of this book. First of all, I take issue with the adjective "bizarre" in the title. Brutal, yes. Senseless, yes. Sickening, certainly. But, I wouldn't describe them as bizarre.
Unfortunately, the "Why" of each of these crimes is quite commonplace. Either the murderer has a serious mental illness or is a sociopath. And while each perpetrator was "successful" in ending someone's life, they were total failures covering the crime up. Most of these murders were solved almost immediately.
My point is, there's not a lot of nuances in this book. Each murder is totally senseless, so it's impossible to find the slightest bit of humanity in the murderers. The murders were done in such a careless way that the investigation and prosecution of each crime was cut and dried. Of course that is why the author was able to cover ten crimes in one short book. And that's why I give the book 3 stars.
Those are the positive things about this book. Only 109 pages long and covering 10 separate crimes, the author does a good job giving us the What, When, Where, Why and How of each one.
Now, on to my criticism of this book. First of all, I take issue with the adjective "bizarre" in the title. Brutal, yes. Senseless, yes. Sickening, certainly. But, I wouldn't describe them as bizarre.
Unfortunately, the "Why" of each of these crimes is quite commonplace. Either the murderer has a serious mental illness or is a sociopath. And while each perpetrator was "successful" in ending someone's life, they were total failures covering the crime up. Most of these murders were solved almost immediately.
My point is, there's not a lot of nuances in this book. Each murder is totally senseless, so it's impossible to find the slightest bit of humanity in the murderers. The murders were done in such a careless way that the investigation and prosecution of each crime was cut and dried. Of course that is why the author was able to cover ten crimes in one short book. And that's why I give the book 3 stars.
September 23, 2015
A good read
The one thing I enjoyed is that all of the stories were finished, either with the confinement or the death(s) of the perpetrator(s). Another plus is that, even in the most gruesome of the crimes, the Gore is kept to a minimum. There are pictures of the crime scenes (some taken much later than the events described), but these pictures are *very* tiny and there are a few spelling mistakes and editing errors, but all in all, this is an enjoyable read. A pretty good choice for true crime fans.
The one thing I enjoyed is that all of the stories were finished, either with the confinement or the death(s) of the perpetrator(s). Another plus is that, even in the most gruesome of the crimes, the Gore is kept to a minimum. There are pictures of the crime scenes (some taken much later than the events described), but these pictures are *very* tiny and there are a few spelling mistakes and editing errors, but all in all, this is an enjoyable read. A pretty good choice for true crime fans.
January 12, 2016
Sad sad stories
These stories are from my home state and somehow , to me, that makes them even sadder! I often wonder what makes people kill, mostly thinking it had to have some deep-set mental reasons but after reading the last story now I know that sometimes they do it s!mply because of meanness! I guess if you can kill because you are mean , it must be a mentally damaging sickness emotion to be mean! Be nice to one another!
These stories are from my home state and somehow , to me, that makes them even sadder! I often wonder what makes people kill, mostly thinking it had to have some deep-set mental reasons but after reading the last story now I know that sometimes they do it s!mply because of meanness! I guess if you can kill because you are mean , it must be a mentally damaging sickness emotion to be mean! Be nice to one another!
June 3, 2015
What People Can Do To Each Other
An interesting set of true crime stories all happening in Kentucky. Spread over several decades, they show the depths people can sink.
I'm constantly amazed at what one person can do to another.
Author Kevin Sullivan has a nice writing style that keeps one reading these shorter works.
An interesting set of true crime stories all happening in Kentucky. Spread over several decades, they show the depths people can sink.
I'm constantly amazed at what one person can do to another.
Author Kevin Sullivan has a nice writing style that keeps one reading these shorter works.
July 22, 2015
Chilling
These were very awful people how they just kill like it's nothing I found this book good but unnerving at times very well written
These were very awful people how they just kill like it's nothing I found this book good but unnerving at times very well written
August 2, 2015
Really great book
The stories may be old but they are great and detailed. Very interesting stuff to read. A must read. Great
The stories may be old but they are great and detailed. Very interesting stuff to read. A must read. Great
March 19, 2023
My Review and Thoughts:
First off I think the title of this book is misleading. Basically the majority of the True Crime stories take place in one area Louisville Kentucky, I was hoping for more of a variety of True Crime stories through out Kentucky. Now looking past that this is filled with a collection of interesting true crime cases. I picked this book up because I have a Cabin in Kentucky and often live there on and off throughout the year and so the idea of Kentucky True Crime appealed to me.
All the stories are very short and for the majority of them they are detailed and well written. I would have liked more back story on the characters involved, to give it a more human persona while reading. Mostly the stories are right to the point, and with in a few pages the story is over. The good thing is each story is completed, and you know the outcome. Many of the stories have pictures, which is always a plus.
I found some of the True Crime stories a lot better than others, or at least were written in a more complex way.
My favorite reads from the book are:
Blood in the Moonlight
Rampage
The Boxhill Murders
The Iceman
Closing Time
Voice From Above
This is a very short read with 145 pages. It packs 10 true crime stories that leave a lasting impression, at least some of them did. I was thoroughly entertained. This is a quick read. I read it in 2 sittings, can easily be read in 1 sitting.
Would I Return to Again: The 6 stories I mentioned that are my favorites, absolutely.
Would I Recommend: I think for die hard True Crime Buffs that are interested in crimes that most have never heard of than absolutely. I think this is a quick, easy read, and very informative.
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Four Word Description: Descriptive, Unique, Informative, Entertained.
First off I think the title of this book is misleading. Basically the majority of the True Crime stories take place in one area Louisville Kentucky, I was hoping for more of a variety of True Crime stories through out Kentucky. Now looking past that this is filled with a collection of interesting true crime cases. I picked this book up because I have a Cabin in Kentucky and often live there on and off throughout the year and so the idea of Kentucky True Crime appealed to me.
All the stories are very short and for the majority of them they are detailed and well written. I would have liked more back story on the characters involved, to give it a more human persona while reading. Mostly the stories are right to the point, and with in a few pages the story is over. The good thing is each story is completed, and you know the outcome. Many of the stories have pictures, which is always a plus.
I found some of the True Crime stories a lot better than others, or at least were written in a more complex way.
My favorite reads from the book are:
Blood in the Moonlight
Rampage
The Boxhill Murders
The Iceman
Closing Time
Voice From Above
This is a very short read with 145 pages. It packs 10 true crime stories that leave a lasting impression, at least some of them did. I was thoroughly entertained. This is a quick read. I read it in 2 sittings, can easily be read in 1 sitting.
Would I Return to Again: The 6 stories I mentioned that are my favorites, absolutely.
Would I Recommend: I think for die hard True Crime Buffs that are interested in crimes that most have never heard of than absolutely. I think this is a quick, easy read, and very informative.
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Four Word Description: Descriptive, Unique, Informative, Entertained.
April 26, 2021
Kentucky Bloodbath is an interesting collection of true crime stories.
I didn't find any of them particularly "bizarre," as the subtitle claims. A few might warrant a claim of "unusual," but these are more a profile of psychologically imbalanced killers than anything befitting the "bizarre" category.
Each case is fairly short, giving us the overview without all the usual in-depth research typical of the true crime genre.
The narration is excellent.
*I received a free download from the publisher.*
I didn't find any of them particularly "bizarre," as the subtitle claims. A few might warrant a claim of "unusual," but these are more a profile of psychologically imbalanced killers than anything befitting the "bizarre" category.
Each case is fairly short, giving us the overview without all the usual in-depth research typical of the true crime genre.
The narration is excellent.
*I received a free download from the publisher.*
March 29, 2022
I had heard of a few cases from this book, but not all of them. I was really interested each of the cases, the material presented, and how the author was able link it all without losing the interest of the reader.
There are ten cases presented in this book, and each of them build on the gruesome and grotesque as they progress through the book. I also liked the bit of psychological breakdown that the author gives on the perpetrator of the crimes, and what might have motivated the crime as well.
For those who love true crime, I highly recommend this book!
There are ten cases presented in this book, and each of them build on the gruesome and grotesque as they progress through the book. I also liked the bit of psychological breakdown that the author gives on the perpetrator of the crimes, and what might have motivated the crime as well.
For those who love true crime, I highly recommend this book!
Read
September 14, 2023I don't typically give star ratings to books such as these. I will say the writing was a bit underwhelming, very copy and paste from the newspaper vibes. But the cases were interesting and I hadn't heard of a single one of these until reading this book. Definitely a quick read, easily able to finish in a day or two. Worth a read, especially if you're from KY and into true crime cases from here.
January 5, 2021
There were some really interesting events documented in this book. I didn't find any of them really weird, but they did tell of twisted murderers. I do not understand what goes through the minds of some of these people. Just why?
January 24, 2022
Excellent narration. The writing could be better. The sexual assault on the Barbel Poore case was described with too much detail, so it just comes off as crass. And I am baffled by the way the book genuinely used ‘he liked Dugeons & Dragons’ as evidence of what a degenerate the Mudd murderer was.
September 26, 2019
Has a small story about a murder in Nicholasville KY.
October 4, 2019
Interesting. I honestly don't read much true crime - this is some disturbing stuff though.
January 28, 2021
It was an interesting book to listen to.
April 10, 2023
This wasn't well written but did explain some unusual murders in Kentucky. I thought some stories didn't provided enough details and others provided to much unnecessary information.
November 8, 2015
Title: KENTUCKY BLOODBATH: Ten Bizarre Tales of Murder from the Bluegrass State
Author: Kevin Sullivan
Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged
Narrator: Kevin Pierce
Length: 2 hours and 58 minutes
Genre: True Crime, Non-Fiction
Release Date: August 14, 2015
Publisher: WildBlue Press
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ I received a free copy of this audiobook through AudioBookBlast dot com in exchange for an honest review.
This audiobook is a compilation of ten criminal homicide cases that took place in the state of Kentucky over the past 50 years.
The title "Kentucky Bloodbath" is very appropriate. The murders and heinous attacks that are detailed in this audiobook are truly bloody and horrific.
I enjoy reading true crime novels, but this one is particularly graphic. That is because it is not just a single story about a single crime.
~ I would caution potential listeners that this audiobook should not be played where anyone under the age of eighteen might hear its content.
The length of this audiobook is perfect. It is neither too long nor too short. I listened to this audiobook on my daily commute to work and was able to hear the entire book in two days.
Author Kevin Sullivan has extensively researched each of the ten murder cases and has included background information on each of the victims and perpetrators. This makes listening to this audiobook much more interesting since there is almost always something the listener can relate to and therefore he/she becomes personally invested in each story.
Kevin Sullivan has included small details that highlight the decade in which each murder took place. This assists the listener is forming a picture in their mind of where and when the murder took place.
I admit that I had never heard about any of these murder cases prior to listening to this audiobook, but I did find them interesting.
I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and would recommend it to those who have a particular interest in true crime stories.
To read more of my reviews please visit my blog at http://AMIESBOOKREVIEWS.wordpress.com
Author: Kevin Sullivan
Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged
Narrator: Kevin Pierce
Length: 2 hours and 58 minutes
Genre: True Crime, Non-Fiction
Release Date: August 14, 2015
Publisher: WildBlue Press
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ I received a free copy of this audiobook through AudioBookBlast dot com in exchange for an honest review.
This audiobook is a compilation of ten criminal homicide cases that took place in the state of Kentucky over the past 50 years.
The title "Kentucky Bloodbath" is very appropriate. The murders and heinous attacks that are detailed in this audiobook are truly bloody and horrific.
I enjoy reading true crime novels, but this one is particularly graphic. That is because it is not just a single story about a single crime.
~ I would caution potential listeners that this audiobook should not be played where anyone under the age of eighteen might hear its content.
The length of this audiobook is perfect. It is neither too long nor too short. I listened to this audiobook on my daily commute to work and was able to hear the entire book in two days.
Author Kevin Sullivan has extensively researched each of the ten murder cases and has included background information on each of the victims and perpetrators. This makes listening to this audiobook much more interesting since there is almost always something the listener can relate to and therefore he/she becomes personally invested in each story.
Kevin Sullivan has included small details that highlight the decade in which each murder took place. This assists the listener is forming a picture in their mind of where and when the murder took place.
I admit that I had never heard about any of these murder cases prior to listening to this audiobook, but I did find them interesting.
I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and would recommend it to those who have a particular interest in true crime stories.
To read more of my reviews please visit my blog at http://AMIESBOOKREVIEWS.wordpress.com
October 16, 2015
Kentucky Murder Stories
It's hard to write a review of individual stories about murder. They all were tragic in their own way. What I got out of them was that everyone has their own crosses to bear when it comes to personal family issues. What makes these stories sad is the overwhelming evidence that your loved one is either very sick or just tremendously angry. Their reluctance to acknowledge this and do what needed to be done to ensure everyone's safety caused them to lose their lives in despicable ways. Tremendously heartbreaking.
It's hard to write a review of individual stories about murder. They all were tragic in their own way. What I got out of them was that everyone has their own crosses to bear when it comes to personal family issues. What makes these stories sad is the overwhelming evidence that your loved one is either very sick or just tremendously angry. Their reluctance to acknowledge this and do what needed to be done to ensure everyone's safety caused them to lose their lives in despicable ways. Tremendously heartbreaking.
January 20, 2016
There's 10 cases in this book and it's less than 3 hours long, so obviously, these aren't much more than detailed summaries, but they're well researched
and concisely written. They're interesting cases and well worth the listen.
As always, Kevin Pierce gives an outstanding performance reading this audiobook. He knows just how to deliver true crime in audio.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.
and concisely written. They're interesting cases and well worth the listen.
As always, Kevin Pierce gives an outstanding performance reading this audiobook. He knows just how to deliver true crime in audio.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.
September 30, 2015
When I found myself with just a few minutes to read here and there, I turned to this book, which chronicles ten cases in 100 pages.
November 21, 2015
2.5 stars. OK - I just didn't think they were that "bizarre" as murders go.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews