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True Crime by Evil Killers #8
The Briley Brothers: The True Story of The Slaying Brothers
Richmond, Virginia: On the morning of October 19, 1979, parolee James Briley stood before a judge and vowed to quit the criminal life. That same day, James met with brothers Linwood, Anthony, and 16-year-old neighbor Duncan Meekins. What they planned—and carried out—would make them American serial-killer legends, and reveal to police investigators a 7-month rampage of rape, robbery, and murder exceeding in brutality already documented cases of psychopaths, sociopaths, and sex criminals.
As reported in this book, the Briley gang were responsible for the killing of 11 people (among these, a 5-year-old boy and his pregnant mother), but possibly as many as 20. Unlike most criminals, however, the Briley gang's break-ins and robberies were purely incidental—mere excuses for rape and vicious thrill-kills. When authorities (aided by plea-bargaining Duncan Meekins) discovered the whole truth, even their tough skins crawled. Nothing in Virginian history approached the depravities, many of which were committed within miles of the Briley home, where single father James Sr. padlocked himself into his bedroom every night.
But this true crime story did not end with the arrests and murder convictions of the Briley gang. Linwood, younger brother James, and 6 other Mecklenburg death-row inmates, hatched an incredible plan of trickery and manipulation—and escaped from the “state-of-the-art” facility on May 31, 1984. The biggest death-row break-out in American history.
As reported in this book, the Briley gang were responsible for the killing of 11 people (among these, a 5-year-old boy and his pregnant mother), but possibly as many as 20. Unlike most criminals, however, the Briley gang's break-ins and robberies were purely incidental—mere excuses for rape and vicious thrill-kills. When authorities (aided by plea-bargaining Duncan Meekins) discovered the whole truth, even their tough skins crawled. Nothing in Virginian history approached the depravities, many of which were committed within miles of the Briley home, where single father James Sr. padlocked himself into his bedroom every night.
But this true crime story did not end with the arrests and murder convictions of the Briley gang. Linwood, younger brother James, and 6 other Mecklenburg death-row inmates, hatched an incredible plan of trickery and manipulation—and escaped from the “state-of-the-art” facility on May 31, 1984. The biggest death-row break-out in American history.
59 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2015
104 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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December 18, 2017A short book on the Briley Brother and their gruesome killings in Virginia. James, Linwood and Anthony Briley, along with 16-year-old neighbor Duncan Meekins went on a 7 month crime spree. During that time, they did break ins and robbed, raped, and killed many of their victims. They were convicted of killing 11 people and the story didn't end when they went to prison.
April 1, 2016
What the heck?
Started well....suddenly ended. It made no sense. Don't bother with this one. Tells you nothing & just plugs his next book
Started well....suddenly ended. It made no sense. Don't bother with this one. Tells you nothing & just plugs his next book
January 19, 2016
Review to follow.The Briley Brothers
The True Story of the Slaying Brothers
By: Jack Rosewood & Dwayne Walker
Historical Serial Killers & Murderers
True Crime by Evil Killers Vol.8
Copy Courtesy of Librarything Giveaway
Reviewed by: tk
Linwood, James and Anthony Briley on a killing rampage for a little less than a year.
I am not really sure what I think about this story. I finished it some time ago, and it still is with me. I know a review is in order and feel I should relay at least a couple of the thoughts that I had afterwards. I usually do not read true crime. It shocks me that people can be so incredibly violent for no perceptible reason. What is their motivation? How do they justify their actions? Is it moral or mental issues?
The material is extremely well organized, but reads like a documentary or a manuscript. I am not saying it wasn’t good, I am saying it wasn’t what I was expecting. The original impression I had was that it was written as a short story or novel. It has left me being curious about the other issues though. I may want to read them. Which in turn makes me believe either I really liked it or I actually have a darker side that need to be addressed.
True crimes fans…you may appreciate this or not. You may just have to read it and decide later. I will be looking at other(s) reviews to see what they think as well. At that point I may revise my own review.
3.5/5
The True Story of the Slaying Brothers
By: Jack Rosewood & Dwayne Walker
Historical Serial Killers & Murderers
True Crime by Evil Killers Vol.8
Copy Courtesy of Librarything Giveaway
Reviewed by: tk
Linwood, James and Anthony Briley on a killing rampage for a little less than a year.
I am not really sure what I think about this story. I finished it some time ago, and it still is with me. I know a review is in order and feel I should relay at least a couple of the thoughts that I had afterwards. I usually do not read true crime. It shocks me that people can be so incredibly violent for no perceptible reason. What is their motivation? How do they justify their actions? Is it moral or mental issues?
The material is extremely well organized, but reads like a documentary or a manuscript. I am not saying it wasn’t good, I am saying it wasn’t what I was expecting. The original impression I had was that it was written as a short story or novel. It has left me being curious about the other issues though. I may want to read them. Which in turn makes me believe either I really liked it or I actually have a darker side that need to be addressed.
True crimes fans…you may appreciate this or not. You may just have to read it and decide later. I will be looking at other(s) reviews to see what they think as well. At that point I may revise my own review.
3.5/5
July 1, 2017
Poorly written. The timeline jumps around more than young girls with a skipping rope, making the narrative incomprehensible at times. The story jumps from the crimes to the Briley's prison escape - no mention of the trial.
Jack Rosewood's books are simple entertainment - this one is a disappointment.
Jack Rosewood's books are simple entertainment - this one is a disappointment.
April 5, 2018
The sign of a bad book is when you catch your mind wandering every couple of paragraphs. It must not have been TOO horrible, though, because I finished it. Of course, I finished it, and I still don't know what it was about. So, there's that.
January 9, 2021
The Briley Brothers: The True Story of The Slaying Brothers (True Crime by Evil Killers #8) was a good true crime book by Dwayne Walker and Jack Rosewood. James Briley stood before a judge and vowed to quit the criminal life on October 19, 1979. That same day he met with brothers Linwood and Anthony, and a 16 year old neighbor Duncan. They planned a 7 month rampage of rape, robbery and murder. This was a good true crime read.
February 9, 2019
Purely Evil Brothers
While reading this book, I was thinking about how these brothers become so evil. There is never an explanation of, how they were raised, the interacting with members of the family. What about relationships with, if they had, friends. The book was good, but, in a way down right evil.
While reading this book, I was thinking about how these brothers become so evil. There is never an explanation of, how they were raised, the interacting with members of the family. What about relationships with, if they had, friends. The book was good, but, in a way down right evil.
March 25, 2018
Interesting and informative.
I thought this was an interesting and informative book that gave a bit more understanding on the topic of serial murderers and why they carry out these horrible acts.
I thought this was an interesting and informative book that gave a bit more understanding on the topic of serial murderers and why they carry out these horrible acts.
June 23, 2017
The Briley Brothers: The True Story of The Slaying Brothers by Dwayne Walker... Dissection of the psychopaths, unbelievable but true....
October 8, 2019
Read for a class. This was just not well written or well organized.
January 23, 2025
Boring. Read like a newspaper article.
September 17, 2024
Where was the editor for this book?
October 19, 2015
When I started reading the first page, I was competed mesmerized by the intricate detail of the scene of a gruesome murder. It is hard for anyone to take in the scene that day and not feel sick and utterly shocked. The book is a very short read, but it is packed with the most heinous acts of terror that would make the Briley brothers serial-killer legends in America.
One of the muders described in the book is about a pregnant woman and her five year old son. They not only raped the woman but shot her in cold blood. I can't image the sheer terror she must have felt or the panic that the little boy was experiencing. We will never know how the little boy reacted when he heard his mother's screams, but from the accounts in the book, he was shot in the head without a second thought. Who can do these acts of unbelievable violent acts on innocent people and walk away with no remorse?
The Briley Brothers had begun a seven month long of rape, robbery and murder. Their rampage was not without brutality and the agenda of thrill-kills. Who in their right mind shoots a woman in her yard for no reason but to get a rush from killing? When the authorities found out why they had done these acts of insane behavior against innocent people, they must have been sickened to the very core of their being. What is interesting is that the crimes that the brothers committed were mere miles from their house. It makes sense to know that their dad would lock himself in his room every night. Who would want to life with these criminals and think they were safe?
The story is very fascinating and when you read about the incredible plan that two of the brothers concocted to escape from a facility thought to be fool proof, you can see how methodical and devious they were. It was called the biggest death row break-out in American history. For fans of true crime this is a must read book. The continuous spree of murder is hard to conceive as they shot people for nothing more then the thrill it gave them. They will forever be in the history books as one of the most devious, sick , uncaring brothers who reigned terror and became famous for being thrill seekers who loved to kill .
I received a copy of this book from Librarything and the author for an honest review.
One of the muders described in the book is about a pregnant woman and her five year old son. They not only raped the woman but shot her in cold blood. I can't image the sheer terror she must have felt or the panic that the little boy was experiencing. We will never know how the little boy reacted when he heard his mother's screams, but from the accounts in the book, he was shot in the head without a second thought. Who can do these acts of unbelievable violent acts on innocent people and walk away with no remorse?
The Briley Brothers had begun a seven month long of rape, robbery and murder. Their rampage was not without brutality and the agenda of thrill-kills. Who in their right mind shoots a woman in her yard for no reason but to get a rush from killing? When the authorities found out why they had done these acts of insane behavior against innocent people, they must have been sickened to the very core of their being. What is interesting is that the crimes that the brothers committed were mere miles from their house. It makes sense to know that their dad would lock himself in his room every night. Who would want to life with these criminals and think they were safe?
The story is very fascinating and when you read about the incredible plan that two of the brothers concocted to escape from a facility thought to be fool proof, you can see how methodical and devious they were. It was called the biggest death row break-out in American history. For fans of true crime this is a must read book. The continuous spree of murder is hard to conceive as they shot people for nothing more then the thrill it gave them. They will forever be in the history books as one of the most devious, sick , uncaring brothers who reigned terror and became famous for being thrill seekers who loved to kill .
I received a copy of this book from Librarything and the author for an honest review.
October 29, 2015
I received a free copy of this book, from the author via Librarything, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
OMG!
The evil of some people astounds me.
This book gave me goosebumps and not for nice reasons either.
The author told a spine tingling tale of evil men doing doubly evil things, only it is not fiction or make believe it is true life crime.
Monsters really do exist and this book covers a couple of them.
Very well written and easy to read.
I was both enthralled and sickened by the tale told.
I would have been more than happy to have spent $$ on this!
OMG!
The evil of some people astounds me.
This book gave me goosebumps and not for nice reasons either.
The author told a spine tingling tale of evil men doing doubly evil things, only it is not fiction or make believe it is true life crime.
Monsters really do exist and this book covers a couple of them.
Very well written and easy to read.
I was both enthralled and sickened by the tale told.
I would have been more than happy to have spent $$ on this!
November 1, 2015
There is a lot of information about the crimes, the escape, and the goings on while tying to capture these brothers. Interesting trivia is sprinkled through the book that keeps you reading about these depraved killers. I would have liked to know why the newswoman, an obvious professional, would marry someone on death row- that seems a little bizarre to me. Along with the fact that they had become religious near the end, what did they do with this new found religion? This is a longer book with more detail than some of his other books. I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
November 29, 2015
I received an advance review e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is true crime in its purest form. The author presents the true facts in a concise manner documenting the atrocities committed by these horrifying, evil killers whose father locked himself in his room every night. These brothers are sick monsters who kill for the thrill they feel without a conscience. This book is well researched by the author. I recommend this to anyone who likes to read true crime.
December 9, 2015
Nature or nurture?
It is difficult to determine what set the Briley brothers on the path to crime and death. It seems obvious that they enjoyed killing because they often went searching for a victim.
This book appears to cover only the crimes for which they were tried and convicted. It can be assumed they committed other crimes and most likely other murders.
Th three brothers and their young accomplice were excessively brutal and unfeeling. It makes one wonder if some type of intervention might have resulted in a different ending and, if so, what type.
It is difficult to determine what set the Briley brothers on the path to crime and death. It seems obvious that they enjoyed killing because they often went searching for a victim.
This book appears to cover only the crimes for which they were tried and convicted. It can be assumed they committed other crimes and most likely other murders.
Th three brothers and their young accomplice were excessively brutal and unfeeling. It makes one wonder if some type of intervention might have resulted in a different ending and, if so, what type.
October 20, 2015
It's frightening to think that humans like the Briley brothers exist. This book documents the atrocities committed by them. It was well researched and backed up by interviews with former law enforcement officials etc. It's not a long read, not a cosy read; but we love to be horrified and the story told in this book accomplishes that.
November 4, 2015
This book was a very fast read. I had difficulty following the transition from character to character. A lot of information fit into one book. I believe this is a nonfiction, written somewhat narrative. This was an early review copy, and I'm glad I requested it. Any one interested in killers will be fascinated by the story behind the killers that this book is about.
February 7, 2016
Not worth the time
This is poorly written and riddled with errors (i.e. an execution date off by five years). The information is presented in a haphazard manner and appears to be an assortment of random "facts" strung together from news and media reports (although no sources are cited).
This is poorly written and riddled with errors (i.e. an execution date off by five years). The information is presented in a haphazard manner and appears to be an assortment of random "facts" strung together from news and media reports (although no sources are cited).
March 8, 2016
So far this is a great book. Horrifying to think people like these brothers not only exist but walk among us in day to day life.
June 6, 2016
Good read
Not too demanding, had never heard of the Briley Brothers and was shocked not knowing of these heinous crimes. Felt sorry for their parents as they seemed nice people
Not too demanding, had never heard of the Briley Brothers and was shocked not knowing of these heinous crimes. Felt sorry for their parents as they seemed nice people
June 8, 2016
wasn't bad at all and really creeps you out ,the unfeeling evil of these guys. Could have used more info and been a little longer.
September 28, 2016
Very short book, not much detail into the why of their murder spree.
February 11, 2020
So sad
How anyone could ever do what they did is beyond belief. They were just bad and wortless. ....... .... ..
How anyone could ever do what they did is beyond belief. They were just bad and wortless. ....... .... ..
Read
November 14, 2018Had to read this for my Criminology course. Interesting, and quite chilling the tale of the brothers. Hard to imagine being capable of anything like that.
Read
March 9, 2019well done in telling the grisly story of the escapads of th brothers and their friend.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews