Rage: The True Story of a Sibling Murder

by Jerry Langton

In a quiet working-class neighborhood in east-end Toronto, on an early winter day in November 2003, Johnathon Madden returned home from school only to be bullied and threatened by is older brother, Kevin; Kevin's friend Tim Ferriman; and another teenager. the confrontation turned violent and fatal. Johnathon didn't have the strength or size to protect himself against the frenzied attack of his powerful 250-pound brother.Sibling violence may be as old as time, but this case is particularly disturbing and unsettling.Kevin Madden had problems. This was not news to his family, teachers, principal, social workers, and psychiatrists. but what drove him to commit murder - and why Johnathon? Why were his friends compelled to take part in the bloodletting? What events were going on behind the scenes that played a part in the tragedy?Jerry Langton, author of bestseller Fallen Angel, sets out to answer those questions and look for the clues that drove Kevin Madden over the edge.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[AMANDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's been a lot of gruesome murders up in these parts over the years. And my interest in reading this book came not just from my general interest in true crime, but from having been the same age as the kids in this book and only a short subway ride from the crime when it happened. It was all any of us teens talked about when it happened, and even more so during the subsequent trial of Johnathon Madden's brother. So it's been a case of particular interest to me for a long time. And while the book is only 179 pages, it is filled with the entire story, background and aftermath. It's very detailed and accurate, and written in a really appealing style for true crime.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was required reading for one of my upper year criminology classes during my undergrad. It tells the story of a real life sibling murder that occurred in the Danforth area of Toronto in 2003. The author's background in journalism is evident through his clear and succinct writing style. This book is not for the faint of heart as Langton details the gruesome and horrific murder of 12 year old Johnathon Madden. If you enjoy the true crime genre, I would highly recommend this book. It's a good recounting of a crime and its aftermath, accompanied by relevant background research.

[Elizabeth Lineman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

This was eye opening to the new era of how the WWW now plays a huge part in our Justice system. I still find Kevin's hatred and actions towards his brother as incredibly immature, unbelievable and disgusting.

[Misty Moseley-Helber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy true crime stories and find people interesting in general, especially sociopaths and psychopaths. I find it impossible to understand them and how their minds work (or don't work) but I like to continue to gather information about them.

[Patricia Slipp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice to read some Canadian true crime for a change, I watch so much law and order that I sometimes honestly forget how my own judicial system works??

Everything about the case was written really well and engaging but there was just way too much fluffer info for my liking

[Denise McWhorter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book

I personally like true crime stories. It’s terrible what people can do to each other. Particularly the ones they are supposed to love.

[Rosie Rand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Redundant

The story was repeated unnecessarily and it trailed off on irrelevant subjects. The book was filled with petty personal opinions and even grammatical errors.

[Michelle Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor kid. I am glad his brother got sentenced as he did. But the boy who hit the father in the head got off Scott free. That was wrong.

[Kynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well told story on the horrible murder of a brother. I found the parts on Goth history interesting.

[Leca Good · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snooze fest

I wanted to read about this case. Not pages and pages about goth culture and ADHD. Very boring. Not interesting at all.

[Heather C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a criminal justice major during college, crime stories – true or fictional – are always interesting to me. This book came to me in a giveaway and I thought I would give it a try. I should warn you, this book is not for the weak at heart.

The bulk of this book consists of the story of the brutal murder of Johnathon by his brother Kevin and his friends. There is the suspected story of what happened as well as the story of the trial. The other portion of this book looks at aspects of this story in a more detailed way. For example, the author goes into a chapter of details about the inner workings of a psychopath.

I have a sort of split opinion about this book. The writing of the actual story of the murder was very compelling and kept my attention. The sections of the in-depth background information didn’t really hold my interest. They were too long. There were sections that I found interesting and I understand the importance of the background info, but I feel like it went on for too long.

Overall, a generally good book, but a little slow at times.

[Bobbie Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rage,
The True Story of a Sibling Murder
Written By: Jerry Langton
Published by Wiley, John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, 1st Ed., 2008, paperback, 179 pages.

“Rage, The True Story of a Sibling Murder is a grisly account of how untreated mental problems, caustic outside influences and lack of supervision can lead to murder.” BCM

Johnathon Madden was a fun, boisterous and active 12 year old boy. Like many other boys his age he loved sports, throwing snowballs, playing video games and hanging out with friends. Despite Johnathon’s cheerful external appearance, he knew dark secrets within his own home that had him living in fear of his older brother.
Johnathon’s older brother Kevin was 16 and very big for his age. Kevin had a long history of violence, mental issues and...


**Please follow the link to my blog to read the rest of the review:
http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress....

[Asferdinand · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a terribly written book. My cousin works in a Toronto correctional facility with young people similar to those in the book and recommended it to me. The murder draws the reader's attention in the way that grisly crimes tend to, but the few elements that distinguish it aren't enough to fill a book, even one as slim as this. Which is why the author packs in pages of nonsense about Goths, tries his amateur hand at describing the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths and generally adds chapters of borderline irrelevant filler. I'm glad I read it as it's helped give some insight into what my cousin experiences through the job, but there was very little other value to it.

[Neil Mudde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book, writing about a horrific sibling murder. The author sidetracks into major detail about the truth about Goths, and why do children want to be vampires. The Mother's statement about her two sons, is heartbreaking.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horriffic murder that took place just about 1 hour north of Hamilton. It was kind of disturbing to read. I rated it as just "ok".

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depressing