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Cold Serial: The Jack The Strangler Murders
Between 1099 and 1909, five girls were raped and strangled in the Dayton, Ohio area. These crimes were never solved.
During that era, police did not recognize the lurking shadow of a predator, but through diligent research, the author now reveals a modus operandi that links them all together.
The escape of one girl creates a twist that opens the door to unravel these crimes. Using the criminological thinking of today, the author attempts to solve these murders.
"Cold Serial" contains riveting, fast-paced portraits of the personal and family tragedies of these five girls, as well as the brutality and victim-blaming they faced. The poor working conditions, lack of rights for women needing police protection, and the sexism of the age prove these girls were victims, not only of a crime, but also of their time. yet the deaths of these girls were not in vain, as they made significant contributions to the Dayton, Ohio area, and, ultimately, the nation.
During that era, police did not recognize the lurking shadow of a predator, but through diligent research, the author now reveals a modus operandi that links them all together.
The escape of one girl creates a twist that opens the door to unravel these crimes. Using the criminological thinking of today, the author attempts to solve these murders.
"Cold Serial" contains riveting, fast-paced portraits of the personal and family tragedies of these five girls, as well as the brutality and victim-blaming they faced. The poor working conditions, lack of rights for women needing police protection, and the sexism of the age prove these girls were victims, not only of a crime, but also of their time. yet the deaths of these girls were not in vain, as they made significant contributions to the Dayton, Ohio area, and, ultimately, the nation.
203 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2015
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704 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 15, 2015
It was interesting to read about how crimes were treated at the turn of the century. It is no wonder so many murders went unsolved. The first one Ada Lantz was truly heartbreaking and I'm not so sure it was related to the other murders based on the victim's age. Amazing that I never knew of this alleged serial killer right in my own backyard, all be it 100 years ago.
November 7, 2015
This is a great example of historical true crime. The author brought a totally unknown case of serial murder out of the shadows (it's not very often that I find a serial murder case I've never heard of) and covered it in detail, day by day, explaining the events while taking into account the way things were in early 1900s Dayton. In the very last pages he identifies a suspect; I think he's probably right, and so did the police of the time. But lack of evidence meant the man was only convicted in a single rape case.
I hope this isn't Mr. Forschner's last book; I'd love to see more of his writing, particularly in the historical true crime department.
I hope this isn't Mr. Forschner's last book; I'd love to see more of his writing, particularly in the historical true crime department.
November 19, 2016
I'm not a native Daytonian, but have lived here over 30 years. I really enjoyed comparing the sites in this book to today's version, sometimes looking them up on a map to see if certain buildings were still standing.
I think these stories of the girls were well written. A good balance of facts, data and fiction. It flowed so well, I couldn't tell which parts were which. The book went by quickly, I had trouble putting it down to take care of matters in real life
Some of photos, sadly, were taken from newspapers and were either too dark or too small to read.
For 17 years my commute took me from the Northwest Dayton Metro area to the Southeast. The most direct and fastest route was Gettysburg Pike. I often noticed water flora, geese and ducks floating in the water areas around the National Cemetery. Some years ago a friend told me that there was once a park in the area. It's hard to believe now because the area is shunned by most. I never encountered a problem altho on my way home. One winter evening, after staying over to finish some projects, I told myself to never take that was home after dark again.
I'd never heard of McCabe Park, but I may just take a ride that way and check it out.
PS: I'm remembering all the holes in the ground after the first murder, so it was assumed the murderer used a cane. I don't remember reading whether or not the others had similar holes?
I think these stories of the girls were well written. A good balance of facts, data and fiction. It flowed so well, I couldn't tell which parts were which. The book went by quickly, I had trouble putting it down to take care of matters in real life
Some of photos, sadly, were taken from newspapers and were either too dark or too small to read.
For 17 years my commute took me from the Northwest Dayton Metro area to the Southeast. The most direct and fastest route was Gettysburg Pike. I often noticed water flora, geese and ducks floating in the water areas around the National Cemetery. Some years ago a friend told me that there was once a park in the area. It's hard to believe now because the area is shunned by most. I never encountered a problem altho on my way home. One winter evening, after staying over to finish some projects, I told myself to never take that was home after dark again.
I'd never heard of McCabe Park, but I may just take a ride that way and check it out.
PS: I'm remembering all the holes in the ground after the first murder, so it was assumed the murderer used a cane. I don't remember reading whether or not the others had similar holes?
October 11, 2015
I enjoyed this well researched true story of a Dayton, Ohio serial killer of young women in the early 1900's. What is particularly interesting is the inspiration for the book came from the author's family tree. One of the murdered girls was his great-aunt.
March 30, 2024
OMG! How sad for the families and these young ladies!!! I was not expecting the ending! Highly recommended a read! Seeing it is based on true real life people! My condolences to all the families affected.
November 22, 2020
Interesting enough story but I didn’t like the made up dialogue between characters and the repeated use of the N word. Completely unnecessary. Author should have just stuck to the facts of the story.
September 18, 2016
In Forschner’s book, which was a solving of a case that happened between 1900-1909, included the murder of his own great-aunt, who he never knew existed before a fateful day leafing through a cemetery index records while working on his own family genealogy. Mary Forschner was 15 years old and the story that unfolded was tragic and involved a string of five unsolved murders of young woman/girls. Forschner’s tenacity shined through as he worked for four years to uncover documents that would tell these girls stories. There were no longer transcripts of the investigation and court cases, and certainly no computerized records to search. There were only dark, dusty mildew newspaper archived accounts of the era to forge through and some very distant relatives to interview. It took over 100 years but Forschner did a wonderful job of allowing the voices of the victims and their lives to finally be heard.
Mr. Forschner’s parlay into his first book was a great opening gate project. His writing was interesting and wasn’t junked up with big words that many first time writers attempt. He found his voice and his writing style. He was able to take a bunch of facts from his research and with his narrative brought these young girls to life for the reader, which made us really care about them and their terrible demise.
Enjoyed the entire project: from the story of the girls, the neighbor's insight and horrible judgments placed on the victims and their families. To the calling-out of the police and political office’s ineptness in solving these crimes. And being a resident of Ohio and not far from Dayton, it was a good history lesson. It was a very good read.
Here are a few items that I noticed about the book, we were denied any author page or author notes. I find this a special treat when I read a book. He did have some of his story in the opening pages, but I would have liked a more personal note on his process or his feelings as he brought his unsolved mystery to light. Or if he had given us a glimpse into the unique situation he faced by finding out about this forgotten great-aunt in his family history. I feel this is a missed opportunity by this first-time author.
I also need to mention the cover of this book. I LOVED IT. I felt it was very appropriate for the subject matter, it’s a rich chocolate brown with an image of the hand of a young girl in period clothing laying on a floor holding a newspaper clipping with an old fashion watch opened on the floor. Everything played to the stories era and location in time that we were about to read. But one special interest for me was the texture of the book. It’s a flat mat but it feels like a soft leather. It’s the first time I read a book with this type of cover. I loved the tactile experience every time I picked it up. The only downside is that the cover doesn’t hold up too well. Two of us read the book, and it shows great wear. But none-the-less I loved this added experience.
Mr. Forschner’s dedication: "To Ada, Dona, Anna, Mary, and Lizzie, with love.” He dedicated the book to the 5 murdered girls - classy Brian.
Mr. Forschner’s parlay into his first book was a great opening gate project. His writing was interesting and wasn’t junked up with big words that many first time writers attempt. He found his voice and his writing style. He was able to take a bunch of facts from his research and with his narrative brought these young girls to life for the reader, which made us really care about them and their terrible demise.
Enjoyed the entire project: from the story of the girls, the neighbor's insight and horrible judgments placed on the victims and their families. To the calling-out of the police and political office’s ineptness in solving these crimes. And being a resident of Ohio and not far from Dayton, it was a good history lesson. It was a very good read.
Here are a few items that I noticed about the book, we were denied any author page or author notes. I find this a special treat when I read a book. He did have some of his story in the opening pages, but I would have liked a more personal note on his process or his feelings as he brought his unsolved mystery to light. Or if he had given us a glimpse into the unique situation he faced by finding out about this forgotten great-aunt in his family history. I feel this is a missed opportunity by this first-time author.
I also need to mention the cover of this book. I LOVED IT. I felt it was very appropriate for the subject matter, it’s a rich chocolate brown with an image of the hand of a young girl in period clothing laying on a floor holding a newspaper clipping with an old fashion watch opened on the floor. Everything played to the stories era and location in time that we were about to read. But one special interest for me was the texture of the book. It’s a flat mat but it feels like a soft leather. It’s the first time I read a book with this type of cover. I loved the tactile experience every time I picked it up. The only downside is that the cover doesn’t hold up too well. Two of us read the book, and it shows great wear. But none-the-less I loved this added experience.
Mr. Forschner’s dedication: "To Ada, Dona, Anna, Mary, and Lizzie, with love.” He dedicated the book to the 5 murdered girls - classy Brian.
December 8, 2017
I was so excited to read this book because it’s quite rare that I read a true crime book about a case I know nothing about. Safe to say I was not disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be quite the thriller. Not only is the book very deeply researched but it’s also extremely well written and descriptive; the author really brings the murder victims to life and gives them the voice that was violently ripped away from the at a time when there was a lack of women’s rights. It’s also truly an eye opener to the discreditable police work, and also gender and racial inequality, which was common practice at the turn of the century. Definitely worth a read!
December 12, 2015
Received this copy from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. This book started off a little slow, but it really picked up once I read about the first murder. All the crimes committed were so gruesome and horrific. I loved that this book didn't hold back anything. The characters were dramatic at times, but I'm sure that was all intentional. With each murder numerous suspects are accused and taken into custody. After the crimes blow over many of the families relocate due to being embarrassed. Each murder is committed exactly the same. Every girl is strangled and raped. Only girls. One victim is raped, but let off the hook. She is sworn to secrecy, but it's impossible for her to keep it a secret. She has marks upon her body and her clothes are torn just like the victims from all the other previous murders. For the longest time the detectives are lead on wild goose chases to find who committed the murder. But the murderer made the mistake of letting Bessie go. After Bessie makes the accusation over one hundred sixty other individuals came forward. They were not raped like she was, but they were approached aggressively by Hick White. I really didn't expect us to get the actual person who committed these crimes within the story. I thought the story would end with us never knowing who actually committed the murder. So, in a way I was pleasantly surprised. I loved how Mr. Forschner stated at the end of the book how these women who were murdered were a start to the revolution in women. If they lived they could've made a great impact in the future, but unfortunately death had claimed them. If you love a good suspenseful crime book this is one you're going to want to pick up. I'm so happy I won this from Goodreads!
November 16, 2015
I was privileged to join a tour group with Brian Forschner yesterday where we went to the sites where the girls were found throughout west and north Dayton. There was a dramatic reading of excerpts from newspaper reports about the crimes and the hysteria that ensued; it really brought the girls' stories-both how they lived and died-to life. Excellent tour and book.
March 6, 2017
Compelling true story
What I have learned from this story is the horror we see on the T.V. news everyday existed in the early 1900's. People think the world is getting more and more corrupt with every new generation. But the fact is that it had always been morally corrupt. But with today's new technology and women being more willing to come forward, it just seems to be worse.
What I have learned from this story is the horror we see on the T.V. news everyday existed in the early 1900's. People think the world is getting more and more corrupt with every new generation. But the fact is that it had always been morally corrupt. But with today's new technology and women being more willing to come forward, it just seems to be worse.
December 16, 2018
This was an informative read and very sad. The author definitely did his research and told us as much about the victims as he could. I'd not heard of the murders of Ada Lantz (11), Dona Gilman (19), Anna Markowitz (18), Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Fulhart (18), and the author's great-aunt, Mary Forschner (15), before. Aside from murder itself, there's nothing worse than a killer or rapist getting away with it and this one did, if indeed they were killed by the same man.
The book contains photos of four of the victims in life and a drawing of Ada, as well as photos of other people involved in the cases, including the possible murderer, a 58-year-old black man. Once he was arrested for a rape, the murder rate in Dayton when down a little.
I've uploaded photos of the victims here .
I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2020
Interesting Case Study
I'd never heard of this string of murders before and it's pretty fascinating. The social changes between our own time and back then are amazing. However, women and girls still face many of the same issues. It's rather sad that this string of murders wasn't stopped sooner.
I'd never heard of this string of murders before and it's pretty fascinating. The social changes between our own time and back then are amazing. However, women and girls still face many of the same issues. It's rather sad that this string of murders wasn't stopped sooner.
October 21, 2020
Fascinating book!
This book gave detailed accounts of the murders of five women and young girls in Dayton, Ohio in the early 1900s. Because of the modus operandi of the killer, an area newspaper dubbed the murderer as Jack the Stranger. I highly recommend this book to other true crime readers.
This book gave detailed accounts of the murders of five women and young girls in Dayton, Ohio in the early 1900s. Because of the modus operandi of the killer, an area newspaper dubbed the murderer as Jack the Stranger. I highly recommend this book to other true crime readers.
February 21, 2024
I found the women in this book fascinating. I found the men irritating.
I felt like these women deserved so much better, and the men involved failed them time after time, arresting their families, charging the wrong people, just overall bungling things up so many times.
These girls though? I loved learning about them!
I felt like these women deserved so much better, and the men involved failed them time after time, arresting their families, charging the wrong people, just overall bungling things up so many times.
These girls though? I loved learning about them!
May 20, 2019
An excellent read! I was gripped by this story and its terrible tale. I was also fascinated by forensic science in the early 1900s and a crime scene was investigated.
July 18, 2016
Across a span of ten years, five young women were viciously murdered in and around Dayton, Ohio. In an age of sexism and few rights for women, the police of the 1900's did not recognize they had a serial killer in their mist. By 1909 the method of killing, the taking of clothing from the victims and the bold behaviour of the man responsible, suggested to curious investigative minds that these women had been 'struck down by the same hand'. Compared in the press to the Jack the Ripper murders in Whitechapel, London in 1888; this killer was nicknamed “Jack The Strangler”.
In his first true crime book, author Brian Forschner has delved head first into this historical true crime case. Using press articles of the time and the official documentation available, he has been able to reconstruct the events of over 100 years ago in a most unique and engaging manner.
In Cold Serial: The Jack The Strangler Murders, Brian Forschner has clearly spent time and attention in his research, no doubt fuelled by his own personal connection to one of the victims. Mary Forschner, at just 15 years old was the fourth victim in this series of murders and she was Brian Forschner’s great aunt. A relative he knew nothing about until research uncovered a terrible family tragedy, sparking an ongoing three-year quest for the truth.
Brian Forschner has suceeded in giving these women a voice, reconstructing the stories of their lives and of their deaths. A book made particularly remarkable by the unexpected ending in a chapter which brings the strands of these shocking murders together.
You can read my full review of Cold Serial on Crime Traveller: http://www.crimetraveller.org/2016/01...
In his first true crime book, author Brian Forschner has delved head first into this historical true crime case. Using press articles of the time and the official documentation available, he has been able to reconstruct the events of over 100 years ago in a most unique and engaging manner.
In Cold Serial: The Jack The Strangler Murders, Brian Forschner has clearly spent time and attention in his research, no doubt fuelled by his own personal connection to one of the victims. Mary Forschner, at just 15 years old was the fourth victim in this series of murders and she was Brian Forschner’s great aunt. A relative he knew nothing about until research uncovered a terrible family tragedy, sparking an ongoing three-year quest for the truth.
Brian Forschner has suceeded in giving these women a voice, reconstructing the stories of their lives and of their deaths. A book made particularly remarkable by the unexpected ending in a chapter which brings the strands of these shocking murders together.
You can read my full review of Cold Serial on Crime Traveller: http://www.crimetraveller.org/2016/01...
September 11, 2018
A Goodreads win. A pretty decent book about a group of little-known murders in the Cincinnati-Dayton area around the turn of the century that claimed the lives of somewhere between 5 and 8 women and girls, and one male, that for some reason, isn't very well known today. An ancestor of the author was one of the murder victims, and everything made for a pretty interesting read. Only thing I really could've done without was the really racist speech patterns for some of the African-American people portrayed in the book, though I'm sure that stuff was taken from the "quotes" the newspapers of the day attributed to them. I would recommend this book if you're a fan of true crime books.
December 13, 2016
Good book
I liked the book and learned a lot from it. It's hard to believe how they went about solving crimes in those days. That was very Interesting to me. The ending was a little abrupt but not much else could be said.
I liked the book and learned a lot from it. It's hard to believe how they went about solving crimes in those days. That was very Interesting to me. The ending was a little abrupt but not much else could be said.
December 28, 2018
I've always liked books about the infancy of forensics and police procedures. This is a great read although I did find it a bit repetitive. Overall, it offered an interesting view of life in the very early 20th century in the United States - the good, the bad and the ugly (although I'd be hard pressed to find much "good" in this book other than family and neighborly concern. It takes a hard look at "journalism" and the "fake news" that prevailed even at that time. It takes a harder look at race relations and the lack of legal protections for both blacks and women at the time.
December 6, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway!! I enjoyed it very much!! It was like reading about a killer that you might see or hear about now! It reminded me of a movie but it's true!! It was like you were back in time , over a hundred years ago. I enjoyed it the whole way through. I hope Brian Forschner writes some more like this book. Thanks for the book and the excellent read !!!
March 1, 2023
It's a fascinating story especially since one of the victims was related to the author. I wish the illustrations were clearer to see and read but the amount of research was very impressive. Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in Dayton history.
January 26, 2016
Very intriguing. It was sometimes difficult to keep up with what was going on but the conclusion brought it all together for me.
June 15, 2024
With moving to the area in which this book is centered around, I found it interesting. This was a fast read and kept me intrigued!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews