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Corpsewood: A True Crime Like No Other
On December 12th, 1982, a strange house in the remote mountains of North West Georgia became a bloody slaughterhouse for two men and their dogs. One of the victims—an accomplished scientist and university professor—experimented with the occult. A self-portrait found at the crime scene appeared to depict the professor gagged with gunshot wounds to his head, exactly as his body was discovered by investigators. Had he gazed into the future and witnessed his own death—or had the painting inspired the murder? The case became a media sensation with allegations of satanic cults, supernatural curses, and mind control experiments. The only thing stranger than the murders themselves was the legal odyssey that followed, resulting in four Supreme Court decisions and revelations that would stun the judicial system. After years of research involving court transcripts, audio recordings, and interviews with the participants in the case—including the murderers themselves—author Daniel Ellis peels back the layers of legend to reveal the truth behind one of the most bizarre true crime cases ever to emerge from the dark Southern woods— A True Crime Like No Other.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
732 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2016
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155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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February 12, 2017This book was one the reasons I decided to treat myself to a month of kindle unlimited. It is huge though. I am at chapter 7 but only 4% progress read according to my kindle voyage. One thing I dislike about counting my yearly reads is that when I pick a big book like this one with nearly 900 pages! it will only count for one but it will take me weeks to read. That is why really the better option is counting pages but having said that, there are so many books I have tried of which I read half but those also do not count.
Oh well. Stop your nagging woman Let's enjoy this read.:)
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Update. Okay Alas I was correct in my nagging because to be honest this book should have been thinned down at least 200 pages.
Then again I loved the writing but it was too long even for me who loves to get the details of a story but this was too much repetition. But the writing was so good. However I admit to having speed read the last half of the book so what to rate a book I read n that way, it is something I hardly ever do? 4 stars for the writing or 3 ? Oh what dilemma ;)
Oh well. Stop your nagging woman Let's enjoy this read.:)
---------------------
Update. Okay Alas I was correct in my nagging because to be honest this book should have been thinned down at least 200 pages.
Then again I loved the writing but it was too long even for me who loves to get the details of a story but this was too much repetition. But the writing was so good. However I admit to having speed read the last half of the book so what to rate a book I read n that way, it is something I hardly ever do? 4 stars for the writing or 3 ? Oh what dilemma ;)
June 12, 2017
I really felt bad for many of the people involved in this story. Maybe it's because I relate so clearly to the oddball with a weird sense of humor. Maybe it's because I know what it's like to be a queer pagan type in the Appalachians. Maybe because the whole thing was just so completely senseless and I'll never understand the motivation for the killing. Whatever the reason, it made me sad for everyone except the killers.
This is the story of a college professor who moved to the mountains to more or less live as he desired. He took his lover with him, a kind man who didn't care how offbeat the professor was. And offbeat is the best description for the man who said he was a Satanist and brewed his own alcohol, made his own house and home for himself and the man he quietly loved, and called his home "Corpsewood." He had two huge dogs who he loved and who loved him. The four would die together in a terrible crime that made me so sad I had to reach for the kleenex.
Many of those who have studied modern Satanists without preconceived notions have discovered that the vast majority of Satanists are actually kind people who simply find most of Western religious trappings hypocritical. I happen to agree with this point of view, especially after seeing Satanists step up time and again to argue for actual free speech. They have offered to escort Muslims or deliver groceries to them in areas where persecution is common. They have stepped between religious groups and schools over and over. I respect that.
The professor seemed to be that kind of Satanist, if he was one at all and wasn't pulling the legs of those who he met. He wasn't afraid of doing drugs with people, and honestly that may have been his downfall - it was huffing fumes from solvents that intoxicated (and killed brain cells) from his killers. I find huffing repugnant and stupid, and I will never have sympathy for those who do it and then commit illegal acts.
Nevertheless, it wasn't huffing that was the last straw. It was homophobia that dealt the final blow. Did you know that in most states, killing someone for making a homosexual pass at you is still considered a valid defense? We'll never know if there was really a pass made at anyone, the night of the murder or after. What we do know is that good people are dead, and one of the rationales was "gay panic."
I hesitate to say I loved the book. I did, but most of all what I'll always remember is the pointless slaughter of four beings who did no harm, who lived peacefully in a house built to be a retreat from the world. Well worth the read. Five stars.
This is the story of a college professor who moved to the mountains to more or less live as he desired. He took his lover with him, a kind man who didn't care how offbeat the professor was. And offbeat is the best description for the man who said he was a Satanist and brewed his own alcohol, made his own house and home for himself and the man he quietly loved, and called his home "Corpsewood." He had two huge dogs who he loved and who loved him. The four would die together in a terrible crime that made me so sad I had to reach for the kleenex.
Many of those who have studied modern Satanists without preconceived notions have discovered that the vast majority of Satanists are actually kind people who simply find most of Western religious trappings hypocritical. I happen to agree with this point of view, especially after seeing Satanists step up time and again to argue for actual free speech. They have offered to escort Muslims or deliver groceries to them in areas where persecution is common. They have stepped between religious groups and schools over and over. I respect that.
The professor seemed to be that kind of Satanist, if he was one at all and wasn't pulling the legs of those who he met. He wasn't afraid of doing drugs with people, and honestly that may have been his downfall - it was huffing fumes from solvents that intoxicated (and killed brain cells) from his killers. I find huffing repugnant and stupid, and I will never have sympathy for those who do it and then commit illegal acts.
Nevertheless, it wasn't huffing that was the last straw. It was homophobia that dealt the final blow. Did you know that in most states, killing someone for making a homosexual pass at you is still considered a valid defense? We'll never know if there was really a pass made at anyone, the night of the murder or after. What we do know is that good people are dead, and one of the rationales was "gay panic."
I hesitate to say I loved the book. I did, but most of all what I'll always remember is the pointless slaughter of four beings who did no harm, who lived peacefully in a house built to be a retreat from the world. Well worth the read. Five stars.
August 30, 2018
An extremely vivid, and detailed account of the tragedy that befell Dr. Scudder and Joseph Odom in December of 1982. Mr. Ellis has done a phenomenal job detailing the events of that day--with personal interviews and court testimony--that will keep you glued to every page. A true-life crime story that is heartbreaking and gives you a glimpse of what a remarkable man that Prof. Scudder was. The extensively detailed court testimony that make up most of this book--be prepared, there is a lot--brings you right into the courtroom events, and paints a vivid picture of the workings of the legal system. A must for true-crime fans, and for anyone that wants to know the truth of those horrendous murders of an extraordinary man and his partner.
January 5, 2017
Repetitively repetitious resulting in unnecessary, repeated repetition. Interesting story, Google it and leave it at that.
May 28, 2024
This is a wonderful introduction to Corpsewood though it does have some minor flaws. I particularly enjoyed the author's courage and nuanced storytelling around an event that still has many in the community unwilling to speak about it to outsiders. I feel like the author tried very hard to take a step back and view the crime objectively without so much of the torrid sensationalism that has so far, unfortunately, plagued this case. I could also tell that Ellis walked a narrow line in trying to humanize the victims who have been so ignominiously maligned over the years while also having sympathy for the people of the community. The first half of the book is very good, although I would have liked a more thorough description of the work that Dr. Scudder was doing in Chicago prior to his moving to the woods. I wish the author would have dug a little deeper into the "office politics" that helped drive Scudder out of Chicago. I understood why the author made a lot of the decisions he did about portraying people in certain lights, but it made me sad that he couldn't point out more thoroughly and pointedly the nature of it being a homophobic hate crime and how the community over-sensationalized and handled the narrative as it unfolded, blaming the victims because of homophobia and Satanic panic. It would have been nice to mention how the nation failed the victims as well by not calling out the community for the way they handled it. It would have been nice if he had added a section addressing persistent rumors about the case in the local community. While a few were mentioned, some important ones were lacking, and none of it was very deeply addressed. I was confused by the author's seeming attitude that a doctor of psychopharmacology would not be more aware of the effects of the drugs on the psyches of the visitors to his land. Though he didn't take drugs himself, I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't have known what kind of behavior to expect from the men drinking and huffing chemicals. The second half of the book is bogged down in a retelling of the court transcripts and feels a little more rushed and unfinished. It needed a little more polishing to be truly interesting and I'm assuming many will rush through that part and miss some interesting facts. I wish more had been made of the fact that Brock was underaged when the alleged sexual activity with the professor happened, which was in itself a crime. Overall, I would not let any of this stop you from reading the book, as it is probably the best undertaking of the subject I have encountered thus far. I have to give kudos to the author for how much work and consideration he put into the book. If the second half did not feel so rushed, I would have given it five stars.
January 17, 2024
Journey Through the Labyrinth of Crime: An In-Depth Review of ‘Corpsewood: A True Crime Like No Other’
“Corpsewood: A True Crime Like No Other” by Daniel Ellis is like a labyrinth of intrigue and suspense. It’s a book so substantial, it could give War and Peace a run for its money. But don’t be daunted by its size. This isn’t just a book; it’s an expedition into the heart of a chilling crime.
Ellis guides us through this maze with the skill of a seasoned tour guide. From the prestigious academic circles to the eerie solitude of Corpsewood manor, each page is a turn deeper into a tale that’s more riveting than fiction.
The trials are depicted with such precision, you’d think Ellis was a court stenographer in a past life. It’s like being a fly on the wall in the courtroom, privy to every minute detail. And just like a gripping TV series, once you start, there’s no hitting pause!
But beware, fellow explorer, for this journey has its challenges. Repetition is a constant companion on this trek, appearing more frequently than commercials during a prime-time show. Yet, Ellis’s narrative prowess keeps you engaged, like a campfire story that you can’t help but listen to.
The book concludes with a gallery of images, hidden at the end like a treasure at the center of the maze. These snapshots add a touch of reality to the spine-chilling narrative.
In summary, “Corpsewood: A True Crime Like No Other” is a journey through the dark woods of a shocking crime. It’s a book that commands your attention and rewards your commitment with a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. So lace up your boots, true crime enthusiasts, and prepare for a literary adventure that’s truly one of a kind!
“Corpsewood: A True Crime Like No Other” by Daniel Ellis is like a labyrinth of intrigue and suspense. It’s a book so substantial, it could give War and Peace a run for its money. But don’t be daunted by its size. This isn’t just a book; it’s an expedition into the heart of a chilling crime.
Ellis guides us through this maze with the skill of a seasoned tour guide. From the prestigious academic circles to the eerie solitude of Corpsewood manor, each page is a turn deeper into a tale that’s more riveting than fiction.
The trials are depicted with such precision, you’d think Ellis was a court stenographer in a past life. It’s like being a fly on the wall in the courtroom, privy to every minute detail. And just like a gripping TV series, once you start, there’s no hitting pause!
But beware, fellow explorer, for this journey has its challenges. Repetition is a constant companion on this trek, appearing more frequently than commercials during a prime-time show. Yet, Ellis’s narrative prowess keeps you engaged, like a campfire story that you can’t help but listen to.
The book concludes with a gallery of images, hidden at the end like a treasure at the center of the maze. These snapshots add a touch of reality to the spine-chilling narrative.
In summary, “Corpsewood: A True Crime Like No Other” is a journey through the dark woods of a shocking crime. It’s a book that commands your attention and rewards your commitment with a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. So lace up your boots, true crime enthusiasts, and prepare for a literary adventure that’s truly one of a kind!
April 26, 2019
I picked this up because it was a deeply strange, frightening true crime that happened in my home state but during a time in which I was much too young to have heard about it: a gay couple from Chicago buy some land in rural Georgia and live off the grid, in a house they built themselves, and in between exploration of occult ritual and belief make fairly good friends with their neighbors.
Until two of them kill them one night.
The first half of this book is an excellent exploration of how and why Scudder and Odom adopted this eccentric lifestyle and made it work. More than anything else, their lives and efforts interested me more than the circumstance of their deaths and I appreciated the focus on the victims as real people.
The second half of the book is a painstaking blow-by-blow account of the multiple trials of their murderers. If you're a fan of courtroom procedural this might be exactly what you want; I found much of it repetitive and very dry. Indeed, I almost put this book down just because I couldn't bear yet ANOTHER repetition of the same evidence for an appeal or trial in a different state.
The last chapter brings the story up to date, including catching up with the police, detectives, lawyers, and witnesses 30+ years later.
I recommend the first half of this book, especially if you've never heard of the Corpsewood crimes: it's very thorough and goes into the backgrounds of the victims, perpetrators, and witnesses. The second half is the aforementioned detailed court accounts which I are only for the hardcore legal eagles. The last chapter winds things up nicely though.
Until two of them kill them one night.
The first half of this book is an excellent exploration of how and why Scudder and Odom adopted this eccentric lifestyle and made it work. More than anything else, their lives and efforts interested me more than the circumstance of their deaths and I appreciated the focus on the victims as real people.
The second half of the book is a painstaking blow-by-blow account of the multiple trials of their murderers. If you're a fan of courtroom procedural this might be exactly what you want; I found much of it repetitive and very dry. Indeed, I almost put this book down just because I couldn't bear yet ANOTHER repetition of the same evidence for an appeal or trial in a different state.
The last chapter brings the story up to date, including catching up with the police, detectives, lawyers, and witnesses 30+ years later.
I recommend the first half of this book, especially if you've never heard of the Corpsewood crimes: it's very thorough and goes into the backgrounds of the victims, perpetrators, and witnesses. The second half is the aforementioned detailed court accounts which I are only for the hardcore legal eagles. The last chapter winds things up nicely though.
December 2, 2016
Obsession To Dig-Out Significant Details; Excellent Descriptions Of Characters Reader "Feels Knows"; And Exceptional Well-Written Amazing "TRUE CRIME" "Stranger Than Stephen King Fictional Book!
Book Reads Like A Stephen King Novel, But This Is A True Genuine Crime With Evidence Facts!
"TOP-TIER" One-Of-Kind Story In True Crime Ranks As "ASTOUNDING"
Due "PARANORMAL" Realms By "REAL PEOPLE"! *Criminalist Prof's To Declare CLASSIC BOOK To Earn College Credit Due UNIQUE!
18-Year Old Eye Witness Teresa Is Descriptive Of Crime; Plus Bravery!
*LIVE* Spelled Backwards Is *EVIL, And *EVIL IS A REALITY*; Per Lord's Prayer "DELIVER US From EVIL"!
*Grips Reader To Last Page 800Plus!
Book Reads Like A Stephen King Novel, But This Is A True Genuine Crime With Evidence Facts!
"TOP-TIER" One-Of-Kind Story In True Crime Ranks As "ASTOUNDING"
Due "PARANORMAL" Realms By "REAL PEOPLE"! *Criminalist Prof's To Declare CLASSIC BOOK To Earn College Credit Due UNIQUE!
18-Year Old Eye Witness Teresa Is Descriptive Of Crime; Plus Bravery!
*LIVE* Spelled Backwards Is *EVIL, And *EVIL IS A REALITY*; Per Lord's Prayer "DELIVER US From EVIL"!
*Grips Reader To Last Page 800Plus!
November 8, 2016
Thorough. Entertaining. Insightful
This is the second book I have completed about the Corpsewood Murders. This book is by far longer and more inclusive of details. It can become a bit tedious because the author tends to be redundant when describing trial testimony and dialogue, but in all fairness I believe that the author needed to remain faithful to the facts of the case. I believe he did an excellent job of fairly representing the trial in a factual, but captivating manor.
This is the second book I have completed about the Corpsewood Murders. This book is by far longer and more inclusive of details. It can become a bit tedious because the author tends to be redundant when describing trial testimony and dialogue, but in all fairness I believe that the author needed to remain faithful to the facts of the case. I believe he did an excellent job of fairly representing the trial in a factual, but captivating manor.
May 15, 2021
Very thorough..
This author does a good job of taking the reader through all the legal details of this case in the least boring manner possible. He also gives a great overview of the case & all the societal issues & consequences it affected & was affected by.
This author does a good job of taking the reader through all the legal details of this case in the least boring manner possible. He also gives a great overview of the case & all the societal issues & consequences it affected & was affected by.
September 27, 2016
Absorbing chronicle
Extremely detailed chronicle of a 1982 double murder and events leading up to and following the grisly acts. The author takes the reader through the murders and subsequent capture and trials of the accused murderers. A long read (800+ pages) but the excellent writing and descriptive narration keep all pages turning and photos at the end make it well worth the effort!
Extremely detailed chronicle of a 1982 double murder and events leading up to and following the grisly acts. The author takes the reader through the murders and subsequent capture and trials of the accused murderers. A long read (800+ pages) but the excellent writing and descriptive narration keep all pages turning and photos at the end make it well worth the effort!
October 29, 2019
Gives a full picture of the tragedy.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews