Murder & Mayhem in Grand Rapids

by Tobin T. Buhk

While the River City is known for its history of furniture making, it also has a sinister side. Jennie Flood was a widow with a get-rich scheme that involved a shotgun and an insurance application. Reverend Ferris went undercover in his war against the city's purveyors of vice. The police rounded up the usual suspects in an attempt to solve the infamous 1921 bank heist that led to the slaying of two detectives. And the death of a teenager exposed "Aunty" Smith and her dangerous side business conducted in the shadows. Author Tobin T. Buhk delves into the colorful characters of Grand Rapids' past and the heinous crimes they committed.

Genres: Book Club, Nonfiction, History

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2015

Reviews

[Meredithhb · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might sounds strange to say about a book about murder but this was an entertaining little read! Short accounts about sordid GR history. I just wished for more old pictures about the people and places - guess that wasn’t always available in the early 19th century ;)

[HJ Vanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a true crime story aficionado, and you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this little volume is a good fit for you. Eight short stories are presented (sometimes a little disjointedly), crimes that took place between 1885 and 1921. Old school detective methods are described and it is sometimes amazing that crimes were solved at all back then, without technology, crime scene preservation, and the science of forensics. The author at times uses old timey language which is amusing in itself. I could have done without Chapter 7, “In the Bag” as it is a horrifying story about the demise of a baby. Other than that, the chapters are compelling reads and describe some untold, until now, criminal historic events that took place in Grand Rapids.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was interesting, a lot of the stories felt very disjointed and confusing. There were also some errors that weren’t caught before publishing that made the stories confusing at times. A quick read, with some cool info, but it’s not a book I would recommend.

[Robert Studabaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stick Emmett up!

Quick stories of past true heroes fighting crime. You will love the authors writing with words that will send you back in time of the early gangster.

[Connie Warners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!! So much history of my city that I had never heard before! It gives you a glimpse of life in GR in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

[Joanne Luebke · Rating 3 out of 5]

True crime. Could have been written better but it still was an interesting read.

[Colleen Marquis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely disappointed in how the author handled the story of a woman dying from a back alley abortion. Author seemed to delight in a young woman's suffering and death, a young woman who believed she had no other options. Then the absolute joy in the punishment of a midwife/abortionist - the only ally women with unwanted & wanted pregnancies had in the dark ages when women were just walking wombs with the potential to carry a male. The entire book is garishly written, over the top, and very poorly edited but this part just made me physically ill. I wouldn't have even bothered writing a review if it wasn't for this story as it left so little an impression on me and just smacked of amateurism. Shame, shame, shame.

[Tammy Partridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for early twentieth century history enthusiasts. This book encompasses the heart of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The author takes real cases, interprets them and creates interesting stories about real people in the past. He includes language used by folks during this time and this provides insight into the way people lived and viewed the world around them. A great add to any library.

[Kent District Library]

Join us for a friendly and fun book discussion of Murder & Mayhem in Grand Rapids by Tobin T. Buhk. Discussion will take place at Kent District Library's Nelson Township/Sand Lake Branch, on July 18, 2017 from 1:30-2:30 pm.