Poisoning the Pecks of Grand Rapids: The Scandalous 1916 Murder Plot

by Tobin T. Buhk

“Traces the footsteps of poisoner Arthur Waite from his marriage to Clara Peck . . . in 1915 to his death by electrocution at Sing Sing Prison in 1917” (MLive.com).   With his boyish good looks, Arthur Warren Waite charmed into marriage the daughter of wealthy Grand Rapids business tycoon John E. Peck in 1916. He then wasted no time executing what he believed to be a flawless scheme to hijack his wife’s inheritance. The plot went awry when a mysterious telegram set off a sequence of events that ultimately exposed his immoral ambition to poison all other Peck heirs. Follow Waite’s fingerprints of indiscretion around Grand Rapids and New York City as author Tobin T. Buhk details this audacious plan of staggering complexity.   Includes photos!   “Follow Waite’s trail around Grand Rapids and New York City as the author, Tobin Buhk details his complex plan meant to make him a rich man.” —Holland Sentinel

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Book Club, Adult, Audiobook, Crime

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2018

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something you just don’t hear anymore “embalming fluid? Yes I use an old family recipe. Let me mix a batch up for you.”

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it for the local aspect but it was not all that well written.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend not to have terribly high expectations of local history titles in general--it's a failing of mine--but I think I was as riveted to this as I would have been to an Anne Rule book, but possibly moreso because Mr. Buhk is, I think, much more attuned to how much grisly detail to give and when to pull back. Likewise, as hard as it must be to construct characters from historical documents, he did a remarkably good job and despite knowing who the murderer was and the outcome before I even started the book, I was gripped and found myself in honest-to-goodness suspense a few times.

[Linda Hagedorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been exploring GR history and landmarks and stumbled on this 1916 double murder case of the wealthy Peck family. I love driving down Plymouth Avenue and viewing mansions of old and present. It is an interestingly sad story which mentions so many landmarks and adds to my knowledge of history in GR and the second setting of NYC.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at a local news story that the entire country followed. Arthur Waite was ruthless and seemed to have no conscience. Also he didn't seem to think things through. If this was a CSI episode, it would have been solved by the first commercial break. He sucked at covering his tracks.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads is slipping a little here because I just added a hardcover book that's been out for a month and it doesn't have the cover loaded and now this book doesn't have the audiobook version (which I clearly listened to) to select from-- alas!

Via Hoopla I read this very neatly detailed story of a man who marries into a wealthy family and proceeds to both murder his mother in law and then his father in law in the hopes of controlling his wife's portion (insert maniacal laugh). But then suspicions arise and an investigation begins which is shared as the information is collected such as the register for poison substances sold at the druggist for the arsenic used and this mysterious woman who was not the Mrs.

The man didn't think he'd be caught and even right down to it had an heir of entitlement which came through in Buhk's research and writing which I found succinct, confident, and informative. A lovely true crime from history.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great nonfiction book. Glad I read it.

[Aaron Cochrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very interesting read pertinent to Grand Rapids despite most of it occurring in New York. None the less, it was an intriguing story about a murderer who seemed to have a solid plan and had he been more patienf, might have gotten away with it.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was predisposed to be interested in this because I live in Grand Rapids. It is a glimpse into the manner in which a handsome, well-spoken man managed to insert himself into a very wealthy family, all the while plotting to murder every last one of them. He didn't merely marry the Peck's daughter, but endeared himself to her aunt and others. The drama takes place between Grand Rapids and New York City, where the newly married couple lived.

It was quite a famous case in both locales and involved detectives and forensic specialists from both places as well. The crimes took place in 1916, a time when people eagerly awaited the newspaper in order to keep current with the drama.

The narrative is straightforward, more a recounting of facts than embellishments. The photos and New York Herald sketches helped me picture the involved parties and the era.

[Lydia Granda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. It takes place in 1916 when Arthur W Waite endears himself into the wealthiest family at the time in Grand Rapids Michigan, weazeling his way into the heart of the Peck heiress ultimately marrying her, murdering her parents, attempting to murder her wealthy aunt, all in order to inherit their fortune and live a life of ease. He is totally without a conscience, no morals and talk about a narcissist. We the reader are invited into a time when we don't believe that people this immoral existed, yet they are not that much different than the depraved murderers we hear about today, but it is so enthralling to read it in the language of then. It takes us from start to finish through a tale that was the sensation of newspapers nationally and even today is still astounding. It was a quick read, I would recommend it to any of my fellow readers out there who enjoy a good crime story.

[Na’Veh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was in high school. I am now a senior attending university and the second time I read it, I could not imagine why I didn’t catch all the completely idiotic moments in this story. Honestly, at first, I truly believed this story belonged on the list of “World’s Dumbest Criminals” and I wanted to stop reading because how could someone execute a perfectly good crime so stupidly and I’m no encourager of crime or immorality, but even I could’ve pulled the crime off. But, as I got into the book and (spoiler, I think) the courtroom scenes, I was completely entranced by everything. And the tragic end just sealed it for me. The way this book was set up and told every detail, big or small, was quite riveting. This book, this character, this moment in time that happened years ago was truly an unforgettable and unfortunate story. 9/10, I will be reading this for a third time.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Local history at its best at over 100 years of passing - this story is still an interesting saga of human nature , greed, false hopes and facades , deception and leaves one puzzling over how can human beings be so naive , trusting when evil is right in front of them - a sad commentary on crime - we have come no further in 100 years if anything even more complications factor in. The one thing that I gleaned from this book is that the brother-in-law saw through the mask of deception and stopped Authur Waite in his tracks because he was smart enough to see evil and he did get help from the authorities which I am not sure that action would happen today.

[HJ Vanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating, true crime story that occurred in 1916 and involved a prominent Grand Rapids, Michigan, family (the Pecks) and the man (Arthur Waite) who charmed his way into their lives. Arthur then boldly, but sometimes clumsily, put his plan in action to kill them and inherit a fortune. We are introduced to the many characters and the story slowly unfolds, although the narrative is not presented chronologically. Does the author at times add his own drama to the story? Yes, but not outrageously so (e.g., Clara clenched her teeth [no one was there to see] someone else squealed, bellowed, strutted, etc.). Overall, the book is well-researched and is a captivating read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical crime, and this was a fun, easy read. It feels like the author crafted an accurate story based on available records without unnecessary embellishment. The down side of that is it left me wanting more...but if the author filled in with supposition it would be historical fiction (e.g. Eric Larson style) and that is not what I read the book for.

I read the audio version and one thing caught my ear. Either the reader is unfamiliar with Michigan or the common vernacular back then was different then now and he pronounced accurately for that time....but as any Michigander knows...it is pronounced "mack-in-aw" not "mack-in-ack". My ears cringed with his pronounciation.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read about a case that was a bit of a national sensation at the time, but I think over time hasn't maintained the same notoriety as some others. I would recommend, as it isn't a very long book, to read it when you have an afternoon free to read it all in one sitting. I found that by reading for a little bit and then setting it down until the next day, I would become confused by the very large cast of characters and forget who certain key players were. There were a lot of people involved, and it does become a little difficult to keep them straight.

[Marianne K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at an infamous murder case from 1915-16. I found it fascinating how much police investigative work and legal proceedings have changed. It's amazing anyone was ever found not guilty! The book was well researched even though the author might have taken some liberties with assumed dialog. It's only a 3-star read for me as I liked it but really wasn't taken with it. I would have liked a more in-depth examination of the murderer, Arthur Waite.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow I was under the impression this was an unsolved case, but it was very much solved and the dude was a psycho. Lol. Killed both of his in-laws within 3 months of marriage and had made attempts on his wife and her aunt, with plans to get her brother. 👀 But all the facts about how he did it, his failed attempts, and his whole other life/lives was craaaazyyyy.

Local true crime win for me.

[Chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

True crime book that blended factual details with an interesting storytelling style. Was a little dry for my taste and there were parts where the author took liberties in assuming what Arthur Waite was thinking that he couldn't possibly know, but overall it was an entertaining read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best true crime books I've read in a while. Buhk is succinct in explaining the story, but still makes the narrative interesting. I haven't read a ton of "local" histories, but this one went far above my expectations.

[Gayle Martyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical murder,historical report. A “he dunnit” well Done! True story. Clearly written. Michigan history of a friends family.

This is quite a story,and true Michigan-history! Photos and all to validate as you read.
Victims were relatives of a
friend of mine.

[Dana Tipken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was riveted to this book. Not only because of the local history, but how someone could be so calculated in his mind and actions to plan something so outrageous in order to fulfill personal greed and selfishness while ruining the lives of others.

[Eunice Link · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing was getting in the way of a good story.

Had trouble getting passed the dialog and personal descriptions of the actions that were taking place. Telling me that a person sneared or had a waning smile... How did the author know that from the information gathered for the story.

[Sandridge Octavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be careful who you love

Omg this guy was scandalous and I don't want to spoil it but, I'm glad the ladies involved made it out! Also, this book brought up the Henry K thaw case so thanks for inspiring me to read another book!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. It dives right into the crime and details every aspect of it. It could have been a bit longer, I think, if there had been more background to the Peck family as there wasn’t very much detail about the mother, Hannah, for instance. Even still, it’s enjoyable.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writer made you feel a part of those as if in the gallery of a play
The writer gives each reader a “part” from the internal structure of this moving tale of murder from the point of view as a witness .

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Read in one sitting. This true crime author knows how to write! Never dull, drawn out or boring - this book has it all. Sticks to the facts and very well researched. Story is accompanied by lots of great photos. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

[Lisa Lewis Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written account of the murders of the wealthy Peck family from Grand Rapids, MI. Arthur Warren Waite married above his class to Clara Peck. He then killed both her parents, plotted to kill her aunt and her. A sad story of a murderer who showed absolutely no remorse.

[Aimee G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about a man who thought he could murder his wife and her family for money. Learned about the socialite lives in the 1910's and how the justice system worked then.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Incredible to think in that era someone could be that scheming.

[Lori French · Rating 2 out of 5]

Local history.