Unfinished Murder: The Capture of a Serial Rapist

by James Neff

From 1983 to 1988, Ronnie Shelton stalked the women of Cleveland's West Side. After a five-year manhunt, Shelton was finally convicted of raping 29 women.
Armed with interviews with the survivors, police, psychiatrists, and Ronnie Shelton, James Neff constructs a fascinating true crime thriller that probes the contradictory mind of a sex offender.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1995

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book I can honestly say you truly never know a person or what goes on behind closed doors. I grew up in this neighborhood being friends with his sister and never knew this was him. Another friend who was part of our circle recently told me to read this book. It is so disturbing that I'm not sure sleep will come easily. So many victims who found the courage to testify and relieve their horrible ordeal once he was caught. We can never understand the nightmare they lived through but maybe this book will make women be more alert and careful especially when we are in the one place we should always feel safe...our homes! A shout out to the prosecutor who pushed and everyone involved in locking this individual up. And a very special blessing for those strong women and the men who stood by them despite that a part of them died with the violation the endured.

[Karen Bullock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to read more like a factual account rather than a retelling of historical crimes against women. It lacked grit and details seemed "skimmed" over as if it was more important to list all the women's names and their brief & scary encounters with Ronnie Shelton.
Ronnie comes across as a contradictory fellow who worries about young pure women being abused or taken advantage of while he's doing the exact same thing while out stalking clubs & easy access apartments for the very same type of women.
Ronnie was: confusing, manipulative, paranoid, involved with heavy drugs; a bitter young man who thought he could get away with his ridiculous behavior.

[Erin Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another intriguing true crime novel that includes insight into the perpetrator, the justice system, and our broken society. To imagine I was in this area soon after he was caught and never heard the tale is frightening, but not as frightening and disheartening as his capture by police multiple times for petty crimes just to be released or slapped on the wrist. The system was broken and the pain it caused the community is exposed.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfinished Murder, the capture of a serial rapist by James Neff. I read this book several years ago and lent it out. I just got it back. I read this book at the time because I was a young married women at this time living in this area. Was even warned by a neighbor that he raped someone at the quiet end of our street. I worked nights at the time. After he was convicted, I found out a new friend was this man’s sister. She never mentioned it and I never brought it up to her. So when the book came out I was compelled to read it. I found it to be very informative.

It had been so long since I read, I decided to read it again. Book was way better than I remembered. Also scary when you realize how close this was to my every day life. Could easily been me or any of my friends. His sister I meet much latter and lost track of her after she divorced our friends son. There were things in here I was a little surprised at about her. This book just proves how easy your life can be turned on its head. Definitely a must read! Very informative!

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a 1980s Cleveland rapist and his many victims. Well-researched, but not exactly a joy to read.

[Donna Humble · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look into the thoughts of a serial rapist and the police officers who wouldn't stop looking for him.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really into the true crime genre, but as a native Clevelander, I had a personal interest/curiosity to this story. I thought the author did a very good job in telling the victims' stories and humanizing them for the reader. I believe the same can be said for his portrayal of the rapist. As the reader, you get more insight into his thoughts, beliefs and intentions as he was committing each crime and while you may be sickened by each horrific act (I know I was) you are also fascinated by what is going through his mind. It's also a mind trip that the victims that you are reading about are real people who are likely still around today.

It's hard to encapsulate how I feel after reading this book as it reads more like a case study than anything else.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about the serial rapist Ronnie Shelton, who was active in the mid to late 1980s. He stalked these women, broke into their homes, and assaulted them. He managed to elude police for quite some time before he was finally nailed. It is terrifying to think someone that lives in your community is out doing these kinds of things. I saw another review of someone who knew this guy and his family. I can't imagine what that must be like to know someone who carried out these kinds of attacks. You really never know what people get up to in secret. I think it was very courageous of the women to come forward. So many rapes have gone unreported, and that is sad to think about.