Murder in Battle Creek: The Mysterious Death of Daisy Zick

by Blaine Lee Pardoe, David B. Schock (Foreword)

On
a bitterly cold morning in January 1963, Daisy Zick was brutally murdered in
her Battle Creek home. No fewer than three witnesses
caught a glimpse of the killer, yet today, it remains
one of Michigan’s most sensational unsolved crimes. The act of pure
savagery rocked not only the community but also the Kellogg Company, where she
worked. Here, Blaine Pardoe artfully takes the reader into this true crime thriller. Utilizing long-sealed police
files and interviews with the surviving investigators,
the true story of the investigation can finally be told. Who were the
key suspects? What evidence does the police still have on this five-decades-old
cold case? Just how close did this murder come to being solved? Is the killer
still alive? These questions and more are masterfully brought to the forefront
for true crime fans and armchair detectives.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Mystery, Horror, Crime

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2013

About the author

Blaine Pardoe is a New York Times Bestselling and award winning author of numerous books in the science fiction, military non-fiction, true crime, paranormal, and business management genre's. He has appeared on a number of national television and radio shows to speak about his books. Pardoe has been a featured speaker at the US National Archives, the United States Navy Museum, and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. He was awarded the State History Award in 2011 by the Historical Society of Michigan and is a silver medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America in 2010. In 2013 he was awarded the Harritt Quimby Award as part of the induction ceremony at the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. Mr. Pardoe is also a member of the League of WWI Aviation Historians.

His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)

Reviews

[Candi Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this author’s approach to the historical background and methodology followed by the authorities. The book is an easy read and I enjoyed following along. I only gave it four stars because I already knew the ending so I wasn’t on the edge of my seat waiting to read the outcome. The writing itself is quite good and, as I previously mentioned, easy to read and follow along with.

[Desiree Kaslavage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be a 5 but I'm sad it was never solved. 😢

[Aaron Cochrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I picked up on a whim. It was thorough, intriguing and we'll organized. It definitely was thought provoking regarding methodology and strategies. If you need closure on a subject this will not provide it which might be my only complaint.

[Blaine Pardoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is somewhat biased to this book. It is not your traditional true crime fare in that this case remains open and unsolved to this day. The murder of Daisy Zick has been the stuff of near folklore in Battle Creek Michigan. Rumors and speculations have kept the story alive for 50 years.

This book lays out the contents of the police files along with interviews of the surviving investigators and family members. How close were the police to solving this case? Close. Or maybe not. That is left for the reader to determine. For mystery fans, this ia a real-live whodunit. For true crime fans, it's a chance to look at investigations from the 1960's in an era before CSI and DNA, when police worked off of their gut feelings and insticts. For Michigan History buffs, this is a neat glimpse into the community of America's 'Cereal City.'

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the postman did it.

[Karen Grimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. It takes place in B.C where I was born and raised. I also, worked, between college semesters, at Kelloggs. Daisy, the victim, worked at Kelloggs also, during 1963, when I did. However, I don't remember meeting her. But, so many people who were interviewed during the murder investigation, worked there. So, reading this took me back to revisiting people, places, and events.
My ex mother-in-law, Dorothy, and my dad Paul, a police detective, we're cited in the book. And my mother worked there also. Many in Battle Creek did. Wages were good there.

And so, this reading became rather personal even though I was too young (18-19) to have known of these events at the time. I don't know how I missed it except that I was wrapped up in my college life. But, I digress.

It is unbelievable to think that about 50 years later, that
the crime is not solved. I wish I could offer some wisdom but sadly I can't. There were so many people interviewed and so many leads chased down. Still, no arrests. But, it seems that the most likely suspect is the postman. And yet, I have feelings that a woman is somehow involved or knows pertinent information. My hope is that someone will still come forward with information. The killer may be in their late 70s to mid 80s and may be alive yet.
I hope the author, Mr. Pardoe, will let us know of any new developments. Well, done, Blaine.

[Sherry York · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book, I could not put it down. My feelings after reading the book are that it was the postman. Info that I don't remember reading was that there was not much info on his route that day, whether he usually walked that route and if so where was his vehicle usually parked after he was done walking. If it was near where her car was found that would point to him more. Was he on time that day with other customers and also was he wearing a postal uniform. The neighbor remembers seeing a man in a blue coat outside the Zick house that day but does not identify him as the postman. Also it was a cold snowy day. Who would walk to the scene to confront or murder on a day like that unless they had a good reason. He said he saw her sunbathing in the nude before and he might have known when she would be home alone because he delivered mail there. All in all I feel he possibly went there thinking he could seduce her and it did not go as planned and he freaked out and murdered her. She knew him so if he tried to force her she would report him so he had to kill her at that point. I hope the answers come some day. Daisy"s family deserves to know what happened. Great read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing Cold Case from My Back Door

I've never heard of this case, and was very intrigued by it, as well as saddened. I'm also saddened by the increase in crime rates over time, as the author so aptly shared. Of course, with more crime, comes more unsolved cases. And that's a shame. So many families are affected when it's just ONE person who is so brutally murdered, but when it's not solved, the speculation as to who it could be runs rampant and reputations can be ruined, or the lives of those left behind turned upside down. It's not a matter of closure to find who did it at that point. It could literally come down to another life or death depending on how it affects those who are suspected, whether by LE, or the community.

POSSIBLE SPOILER:
In this case, throwing my .02 in ... I don't think LE should be ruling out suspects based on that unknown print in the car. After all, where do they think the yellow fibers are from? If that's the case, then the print likely doesn't belong to the perp KWIM? And they ruled out almost EVERYONE based on that print & the poly. I say that was a really, REALLY bad move.

[Ashimadayal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

A decent round of events post the death of Daisy. In several instances she is referred to as a loose woman... it could be possible she was more outgoing or independent as compared to women at that time and hence perceived so. Nonetheless no one deserves to have their life cut short like this. Certainly seems like a crime of passion. Sad that its still open.

[Sue Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad that this murder is still unsolved, pretty evident that many people who could have been better witnesses just did not pay attention because Daisy was what they considered a “loose woman”. I hope that Daisy’s son will get closure at some point.

Very well written, informative and judgement free on the victim’s lifestyle and who the killer was.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This gets 2 stars instead of 1 because at least it was blessedly short. This was a book club pick and though I am a fan of true crime, unsolved mysteries are the worst. This one was full of what felt like unnecessary details, lots of repetition and startling few answers. It sorely needed a better editor.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical as a mystery

between 1946 and 1950 I lived in Battle Creek . My dad even worked at Kellog and my sister was born in Battle Creek. Many relatives lived there so I enjoyed learning about Battle Creek in the early 60s. Easy to read; makes you want o solve the mystery!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author was very repetitive for a book that is not very long. It is true that reading a true crime without a solution is somewhat aggravating but it was still an interesting story. I do wish it had a solid conclusion though, I hope that one day the murder will be solved.

[Lexi Sølvhammer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really a sad case, that ends unsolved.

However I found the book dull and it was hard to keep up with focus.

Great choice of narrator - he really has a great voice

*this review has been shared on multiple platforms

[Debbie De steno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fast read....Very interesting but I wish the truth would come out

[Ann Conlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and holds suspense

I like the writer style. It’s very detailed and interesting for the reader. I will read more of his books

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting review of a cold case in Battle Creek, Michigan. Maybe someone still alive knows something. Maybe Daisy's son will get the answers he deserves.

[Michael Delaware · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most detailed account one could expect of a very disturbing crime. I hope they bring the killer to justice some day, or at least bring closure to the family.

[Suzann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-done effort, though it's rather short and the narrative isn't linear.

[Kristen Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because this is still a cold case I give it 4 stars. I’d love to see them convict someone but I feel too many suspects/people with information have passed.

[Mr. Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorely in need of an editor. I think once more through with the red pen might have made it more cohesive.

[Mere · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read true crime off and on when I'm feeling in the mood for it. Usually I read ones with resolved cases. I like answers.

Yet, somehow, this one interested me. Pardoe does a good job letting you know in the beginning -- this is not a solved case and he doesn't have any immediate answers for us either. What he does do is lay out the facts of the case, the opinions of people and he tries to explain the different aspects of those things.

He shows how the police took the case, and how it developed, how the different generations tackled this cold case. And it was certainly that -- cold.

But the mystery itself is intriguing, and while I doubt that it'll be ever solved, if you like true crime and want insight into a case that may not be well known, then you'll probably like this book!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was one of many books in the Nook I checked out from our local--Battle Creek--library. This is well written but there's not a lot to say about a murder that was never solved. Details investigations over the years, with a bit of speculation thrown in. It's doubtful anyone who might have had some previously unknown information related to the murder is still alive. I stuck with it but, when it comes to true crime, I'd much rather study the person who committed the crime than the crime alone.

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Blaine Pardoe brought the murder of Daisy Zick back to the public's attention with this book, and he should be commended for that. But since the case is unsolved, the story really goes nowhere. Moreover, there's not enough to the story to keep the reader wondering, after finishing the book, about who killed Mrs. Zick and if she knew the killer. In other words, it's not that riveting a book, and it looks like one of those crimes that will never be solved. For me, the most interesting parts of the story were the goings-on at the Kellogg plant in Battle Creek in the 1960s.

[Rebecca Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this boy a few years back thought it was a good read. Now that I live less than 2 miles from the Zack home it makes me more interested in the story. I have always been a fan of true crime and this gives you a lot of history . With working in correction my line of work puts me up close to real life crime.....

A great read. I could not put it down. I even drove past the old home site. Makes it more personable.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty interesting read about the Daisy Zick murder. Since I've been reading The Road to Wellville, I looked for other books about Battle Creek and Kellogg, and found this one. I especially enjoyed the historical tidbits about Battle Creek recounted in this book. I do hope this cold case gets closure some day.

[Colette Guerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought it was a well written true crime book. I picked it up because I grew up in Battle Creek with family that worked at Kellogg's during this time period. Glad to see the only mention of my family was that my Uncle's John Deere dealership is now located at where one of the significant landmarks was.

[Kevin Rivenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping tale of a still open murder case. The Mr. Pardoe gives vivid account of the details available surrounding the crime. He does an excellent job of trying to put the reader in the mindset of each potential suspect. I found myself defending several theories as to the actual killer throughout my reading. Hopefully this case gets solved at some point.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Battle Creek is an interesting cold case. I thought the book was intriguing and provided several different theories as to who the killer may have been. Although this mixer was never solved it didn't detract from the book. The book is rather short but I still felt the author provided a well researched and thorough look at this case.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about an unsolved case has a disappointing ending pretty much baked in, but this was an enjoyable read nonetheless; it even includes an interesting discussion of True Detective magazine. On the downside, it's troubling that the author gets the year of JFK's election wrong (it makes you wonder what other inaccuracies are being presented).