Surviving Execution: A Miscarriage of Justice and the Fight to End the Death Penalty

by Ian Woods

A tense mix of Dead Man Walking and Making a Murderer, Surviving Execution combines the very best in true-crime writing with a searching exploration of our most barbaric punishment.Imagine being condemned to death for murder, when even the prosecutors admit that you didn't actually kill anyone. This is what happened to Richard Glossip, a death-row inmate who was found guilty of murdering motel owner, Barry van Treese. Despite being convicted on the word of the actual self-confessed killer, the state of Oklahoma is still intent on executing him, raising international outcry and controversy. Ian Woods, a reporter for Sky News in the UK, came across the case one quiet afternoon, and has tirelessly campaigned ever since to bring the injustices Glossip has faced to the world's attention. He even served as an invited witness to Glossip's three scheduled executions - all of which were stayed at the last possible moment. This is the gripping true story of the case, and their turbulent friendship, written by a man with unparalleled first-hand knowledge and access.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2018

Reviews

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surviving Execution: A Miscarriage of Justice and the Fight to End the Death Penalty by Ian Woods, is another timely subject about the death penalty/ execution. It seems to be a hot topic lately with states struggling to find a tolerable cocktail of drugs that will work in an effective manner to kill the death row inmates, be easily obtainable and pass muster with the courts and lawyers and everyone involved. A new one recently was approved and used for the first time as part of a cocktail that is an opioid, Fentanyl (Etomidate) was used by Florida in August to execute Mark Asay and it remains to be seen if others will now follow suit and begin using it too. Etomidate replaced midazolam, which became harder to acquire after many drug companies began refusing to provide it for executions.

This book has reporter Ian Woods of London’s Sky News following the story of convicted murderer Richard Glossip, sitting on Oklahoma‘s Death Row as his case makes its way through various levels of appeals etc. Then at one point, he gets his case overturned and is granted a new trial, but then despite having a decent attorney this time around, is convicted all over again. He finds himself right back on Death Row again and his only hope now seems to be clemency or a stay due to the problems with the death cocktail issues. Likely of interest to true crime or death penalty readers. This was quite an interesting book for the times. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by #netgalley, author Ian Woods, and the publisher for my fair review.

Atlantic Books
Pub date: Sept. 1st, 2018

My Bookzone blog:
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[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Surviving Execution" by Ian Woods is a very informative and interesting read that is guaranteed to be a hit with true crime readers.
I was horrified by the real life stories over the years of botched executions, truly upsetting and quite an eye opener.
The book is written by Sky News journalist Ian Woods - who was personally involved in the story by being asked if he wished to view the execution - he covers the intricate and very intriguing story of the murder of motel owner Barry Van Treese and Richard Glossip the man condemned to death for his murder even though his prosecutors admit that he didn't kill anyone. I loved how the whole crime was covered, from the actual murder, all the people involved, the investigation, the trials to the appeals against the scheduled execution dates.
A huge amount of research has been carried out for this book with transcripts of the trial, investigation and newspaper reports, showing just how much work has gone into writing this book.
There's also some photos in the middle of the book which allows you to put faces to the names in the story and helps you picture the crime better in your mind.
With arguments for and against capital punishment this makes an interesting read and I was surprised at the celebrities/big names involved in either trying to help Richard's case or speaking up for abolishing capital punishment and although I have my own views on this argument I did find this book compelling and informative.

Thank you to Readers First for my copy of the book.

4 stars

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving Execution is a gripping heart breaking true story. This is one of those very sad books when someone is convicted of doing something when they had nothing to do with it.
Firstly I would like to thank Ian Woods a reporter from Sky News in the UK, for bringing this sad story to the all the readers attention in the UK. Without Ian Woods writing this book we would have never have been aware that Richard Glossip was wrongly sentenced to death row for supposedly killing his boss who was motel owner Barry Van Treese.
It made me quite angry that during the interrogation other man of police interest was interviewed and Richard Glossip, both men had been recorded on camera but in court only those of Richard Glossip had been shown. I just can't imagine the feelings of fear and how depressed Richard Glossip must have been just waiting on death row for a killing he never committed. My heart truly went out to Richard Glossip.
I highly recommend reading this true story Surviving Execution.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not normally the best at reading real-life stories, perhaps something about the style in which they are written, I'm not sure. I often find them much more challenging to read than fiction. However, this book completely blew me away. I couldn't stop turning the pages, desperate to find out what happened and by the end of the book, I spent time researching the Richard Glossip case and reading up about Sister Helen Prejean.

The writing style was brilliant, engaging, thought-provoking and easy-to-read. I also felt that I learned a lot by reading it about the american justice system, the death penalty and the moves both for and against it. I can't quite put into words how I felt about the story itself - it made me both angry and sad (that the death penalty still exists, that people can be sentenced to die so easily with no real evidence, that an obviously messed up police enquiry and the testimony of one person who was the actual murderer can be used as proof that someone was involved). It also made me want to be more involved in the anti-death penalty movement, it was always something that I felt was wrong I would often use the Tolkein line, 'Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.' as an argument against it. But this reinforced those feelings multiple times. The whole process is so inhumane, cruel and barbaric.

The amount of work that Ian Woods had put into finding out about the story, helping to bring it to international attention alone would make it a worthy read. The fact that it tries to give as balanced a viewpoint as is possible - speaking to different people who were involved and trying to take on board their views. He leaves the reader to make up their own minds while stating his opinions on it all. I ultimately feel like it was a compelling story, one that needed to be told. Perhaps one that yet again the people that most need to read never will do. By bringing it to light and hopefully gaining more momentum behind the campaigns (both for Glossip and against the death penalty as a wider goal), he has achieved a lot. I only hope, like he says at the end of the book that Glossip never has to see the inside of a death chamber. Even if he was in some way involved, which cannot be proven (and why would you insist on your innocence for years knowing you could escape death if you admitted it if you were guilty is beyond me), then he does not deserve to die. Moreover, if he is innocent and does get killed then how can anyone involved in the case, the jurors who sent him to death, the judges who were involved ever live with themselves?

Essentially, it was brilliant. It has made me value all that I have and how lucky I am and even appreciate our government (which I nearly always disagree with) for not being barbaric enough to still allow the death penalty in the UK. I recommend it to anyone.

[Sabra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not think anyone could argue that this book does not have an important story to tell and that it does so in a gripping manner. I appreciated that Woods talked about all sides of the debate surrounding Richard Glossip's conviction and impending execution as I feel that creates stronger evidence for his concluding opinion.

Personally I have a lot of interest in the abolition of the death penalty in America so I am fairly up to date with any developments in the area therefore some parts of this book were unnecessary for me. However I appreciate them being included as I acknowledge that many people, especially in the UK, will be unaware of these developments and what they truly mean for the American judicial system.

Before reading this book I had briefly encountered Glossip's story but I gained so much more knowledge about it throughout the book. I think Woods did a great job of weaving Glossip's story with the wider debate about the death penalty which really helped to highlight the glaring flaws in the American judicial system. I also appreciated that Wood's did not let Barry van Treese, the murder victim, be forgotten about throughout the book which commonly happens in death penalty debates.

Overall I highly recommend to anyone with any level of interest in learning about both sides of the argument surrounding the death penalty. I especially think anyone with an interest in true crime will enjoy this book.

[Marjorie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main prerequisite for a true crime book is the veracity of the author. Unfortunately, in Mr Woods case he is a journalist for Sky News which isn't exactly a bastion of reportage. Still, that can be set aside as he is subject to the vagaries of an editorial team there and maybe there will be less restrictions imposed upon him and his research when writing a book.

The writing is easy to follow and has a narrative flow which is helped by each chapter being given a timeline so it does jump around from the late 90s to mid-2010s somewhat but is easy to follow. However, it is peppered with his personal preconceptions and although he repeatedly states he tried to maintain objectivity throughout the investigation it is clear from the first couple of chapters that he has not succeeded. He lays this at the floor of those ranged on the prosecution side of the argument with neither the family of the late Barry Van Treese being willing to talk to him or the District Attorneys office, DOC or the Oklahoma Governor's office. I can understand that from a journalistic viewpoint this is frustrating but that does not excuse the lack of balance present in this book.

He also states quite frankly that he does not believe in the Death Penalty and is fairly derisive of those who do support it. In fact, he belabours the point extensively throughout the book and whilst you may, or may not, support his standpoint it does become wearing.

The book is somewhat saved by the recent history of the Death Penalty and the methods used in those states that support it. The mechanics of execution are also dealt with in a factual way which does give you some insight in to the procedure itself. Sadly his sanctifying of the opponents to the Death Penalty drags you out of Richard Glossip's tale.

I came away with a sense that this was more about petitioning for an abolition of the Death Penalty than a book about the murder of Barry Van Treese and the rather peculiar legal system which can see a confessed murderer receiving life with no chance of parole and his testimony being used to give someone the Death Penalty for allegedly procuring the murder but not actually wielding the baseball bat that did the deed.

There is no "happy ending" to be had here just interminable last minute stays for Mr Glossip and more and more appeals to overturn the conviction. What there is is Mr Woods claiming that he is a major player in the tale and it is only thanks to him that Richard Glossip is alive because he got Sister Helen Prejean, Susan Sarandon and Richard Branson involved. Maybe his publicity of the case helped but I am sure he had less impact than the efforts of Kim Van Atta and Crystal Martinez.

It came as no surprise, finally, to learn that his close friendship with Mr Glossip has shriveled away. With the Death Penalty in Oklahoma still being under moratorium whilst "significant reforms are accomplished" Mr Glossip is incarcerated but does not have a death date hanging over his head so has no further need of publicity. I also feel the tone of the book written by Mr Woods would not be to Offender Glossip's taste. No mention has been made as to whether Mr Woods is still in contact with Mr Van Atta or Ms Martinez but I suspect not once they have read this.

I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READER'S FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

[Keen Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The cell to me felt like I was in a tomb. Your cell from floor to ceiling was concrete. Your bunks were cement slabs. The door was metal with a thick Plexiglas window two inches wide and three inches high with large tubed bars on the outside. You have no direct sunlight in your cell. You could only tell the sun was out because you could see it on the so-called yard, which was cement floor and twenty-foot high cement walls with a steel grating over the top. You could see the sun through the holes in the grating. You could not, however, see anything going on in the outside world.”

No this is not medieval Europe or a third world country. This is life for some death row prisoners in the US of A in the here and now. That country that cannot stop bellowing out to the rest of the world about how great and superior it believes itself to be and how we should all be grateful for their presence in the world, as typified by that ridiculous man that 60 odd million of them chose to put in power in their last election.

This is the story of Richard Glossip who has been locked up in Oklahoma for 21 years and counting. There are so many bizarre and bewildering elements to this case, not least that there is no question that Glossip committed murder. The killer already confessed, and in the madhouse that is the US justice system, someone who admitted to a violent killing and robbery can get a lighter sentence by accusing a possibly innocent man of persuading him to do it?...

The man appointed as Glossip’s defence lawyer at his initial trail, sounds like a cruel, sick and senseless joke. This was a man who had never defended a murder suspect before, let alone one who was possibly facing death row. Glossip did try to get rid of him when he realised how incompetent he was, but the judge wouldn’t allow it. A fellow professional later described his defence lawyer as, “The most incompetent counsel that any of us have ever known or heard of.” In fact he was so incompetent that he was later struck off.

Also at the same trial, a forensic chemist was asked if she found anything showing that Glossip had anything to do with the crime. She said no. They went through all fifty six items she had examined and fifty six times she said no. There was no physical or forensic evidence linking him to the murder and yet an Oklahoma jury still found him guilty.

This is a country that tries to shape the rest of the world in its own image, and claims to be the leader of the free world and yet deep into the second decade of the 21st century it still chooses to retain so many draconian and inhumane laws. It chooses to use hanging, the gas chamber, firing squad, lethal injection and electric chair on its own people and yet it stands there with a straight face and refers to itself as a progressive, forward thinking and tolerant country.

At so many points in so many ways this conviction is just mind boggling. This is why it is so terrifying to see how the justice system in America operates. There are obviously many fine and up standing people living in the States, but the fact of the matter remains that there is a breath taking amount of ignorance, throughout the entire country too. The South and the Bible Belt in particular, often try to dress up a backward, ignorant intolerance mind set, as Christianity and patriotism. Their exuberant love of guns, god and gung ho! sabre rattling has little interest or time for shades of grey or nuance. This is a dangerous outlook that often results in diminishing serious issues to over simplified terms, like good or bad, black or white, right or wrong.

“More than 150 American death-row prisoners have been exonerated, and they had all been told their conviction was safe…until evidence was found that proved it to be unsafe.” Also, “Several states have issued pardons decades after inmates were put to death, based on evidence that was either ignored or unavailable at the time.” As of writing the number is now more than 160 and still counting.

Woods speaks to one hard line, Republican State senator in Oklahoma, who sums up his feelings, “I support the lethal injection. I support hanging. I support whatever it takes that the state deems is necessary to effect that death. And if it got to the point where we did not have the technological advancements to have lethal injections, then I would support hanging or beheading or whatever it would take to make sure that person, in the end, meets his justice.” This same senator was later arrested in a motel room in March 2017 after being discovered with a 17 year old, male teenage prostitute, charged with engaging in child prostitution. He is currently awaiting sentencing.

Ed Blau takes a more reasoned approach saying, “Oklahoma as a state is very conservative. It is religiously conservative and it’s politically conservative, and that same conservatism lends itself to issues like capital punishment. Supporters of the death penalty here in Oklahoma, which is the vast majority of the state, they look to the Bible, they look to the Old Testament, and they look to their churches. And when a church is in favour of the death penalty, clearly the adherents are very likely to follow it.” After all as he explains, they have to be ‘death qualified’ basically if you are 100% to the death penalty you are not allowed to sit on that jury. So already you have a huge bias and deep intolerance of the jury before the trial has even started.

Taking the year 2013 as one example, the US along with China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen were the only countries to execute more than ten people. Look at that list of countries again and it’s like a rogue’s gallery of intolerance, oppression and misery. At one stage Glossip was warned that if he became so weak that he passed out, he would be force-fed intravenously to keep him alive until his execution date. He said, “That should scare the hell out of everybody, not just in this country but everybody in the world, that they would keep me alive just so they can kill me.”

We hear about the controversy surrounding the use of the likes of midazolam and also about the case of Charles Warner, whose final words were, ‘my body is on fire’. This was the man who was executed right before Glossip was due. He had been given the wrong drugs, even though a number of paid professionals checked them, including a doctor, he still managed to be given the wrong drugs and hence the adverse reaction and painful death. Again it raises some serious questions regarding the ability and capabilities of the people running Oklahoma.

This is a really absorbing read, but a deeply sad and bewildering story. It’s one of those many books that makes me relieved that I never grew up in somewhere like the US, particularly in one of their many ‘conservative’ states, where something so terrifying and puzzling like this can happen to someone without any actual physical evidence. A place where a meth using, self-confessed, robbing killer’s word can carry so much weight and power over someone who has never been in trouble with the law before. It is perhaps more terrifying to see how it shows how little help and support there is for the people in that country who don’t have the money, power, influence and connections. We see how easy it is to slip through the cracks of their harsh system and end up on death row. This is a truly harrowing nightmare of a story.

[Isilda de Freitas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book only out of stubbornness. Very factual and a bit repetitive sometimes so I struggled with staying interested in it. It could have been summarised more.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off thank you to readers first for a copy of this book.

Surviving execution is the true story of Richard Glossip, a man who is on death row for a crime he never committed. Richard Glossip’s story is told by Ian Woods a UK Sky news reporter, Ian wanted to bring this to the UK’s attention of the miscarriage of justice and how capital punishment is not always as straight forward as it’s made out to be.

Richard Glossip was arrested for the murder of his boss and motel owner Barry Von Treese, however Richard was not the person that killed him but was implicated by Justin Sneed and the police who interviewed him. For this the man who actually murdered Barry Von Treese got life without parole whilst Richard gets the death penalty for being the supposed mastermind.

Richards Glossip didn’t start off well with a bad lawyer that was under qualified for this type of case and failure to bringing certain evidence to light was going to cost Richard his life. With multiple trials, appeals and stays you would hope this man would get some sort of break, however that’s not the case and shows how corrupt the police and the law can be.

Also this book tells us a bit about the history of Capital Punishment, the methods, the countries and also the abolitionists. Although this is non fiction it is really easy to digest and very much the page turner. It makes you question so many things and whether this should really still be carried out.

We also get an insight in to what Ian Woods is thinking as he is helping this mans case and whether he would or could witness the death of a man that he has come to know and call a friend. Ian tries to remain unbiased especially when asked if he thinks Richard is guilty which infuriates others helping with the case. This case got some high coverage as Richard Branson, Susan Sarandon, Sister Helen Prejean and even the Pope got involved.

I would really recommend reading this book if you are interested in true crime and capital punishment. Maybe just read this book so you can decide if the state of Oklahoma was correct in giving this man the death penalty.

I rated this 3.5 out of 5 stars

[Ursula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read very few books in the genre of true crime but these were perhaps the most famous in the field: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer. I knew from this experience that the cover illustration of Surviving Execution would keep drawing me back to look into Richard Glossip's eyes trying to detect the truth of his story. And there are several more photos in the text.

Ian Woods is an English journalist who decided to investigate the whole concept of capital punishment in the US as well as the justice of this one case. He describes in detail the death row experiences of Richaard Glossip and how he became involved and met the prisoner. His acount examines the variations between different states, the difficulties death penalty states have found in administering the sentence, the fairness of juries and the quality of legal advice.

I did hope to find out more about Glossip's early life and interviews with the members of his family Woods met but there was plenty of interest in the stories of those who became supporters in later years. Perhaps Glossip's background is of little relevance anyway because the astounding fact is that no one has ever accused him of violence or killing. The execution of a man on the evidence of the admitted killer (who will escape the death penalty) is one of many facts that non-Americans find hard to grasp.

This book is inconclusive in the sense that at the time of publication Glossip remains on death row and in the sense that he has withdrawn his contact with the author. This is fitting in that we should not expect moral questions to be tidied up for us - we must consider as individuals and be certain of our own values. This book certainly takes us to the brink of personal determination.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of the book is nothing to go crazy about but it is hard hitting with the stand out yellow font which led me to read the blurb for more details.

The blurb is controversial. I felt all kinds of emotions just at the snippet of information.

The story itself was eye opening. I know unspeakable things happen all over the world but it really blows my mind that the death penalty is still a thing. In my opinion it just isn't right to kill someone (wether they deserve it or not) and end their life. It doesn't bring justice and it doesn't change what they did (if proven).

This case really moved me because Richard Glossip is seemingly innocent and to have spent over eighteen years in prison and on three occassions come so close to his exocution, even having his last meal and saying goodbye to friends and family is hard enough to do once (i imagine) let alone to go through that three times.
It is awful to think that he could be completely innocent and has spent most of his life behind bars, you can't compensate someone for that at all.

Equally i thought that Justin Sneed was treated awfully too. At the time he was only nineteen. Mixed up in trouble and going on to kill Barry Van Treese. Despite the evidence pointing to Justin i do feel sympathy for him as he wasn't given a fair trial and neither was Glossip. I do think Justin is guilty so i don't have too much sympathy.

This was a good book that really opened my eyes to the injustices that go on while the people that caused them still get to go home daily to families and friends and no major repercussions if any.

It is sad to find out that Ian Woods now has no contact with Glossip currently due to a dispute between them both but i will be following the news to keep up to date with goings on.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really flew through this book and would highly recommend it to all fans of true crime, and also those who like to stay up to date on current events. It was well written, incredibly researched, and contained very in-depth interviews with the subject himself: Richard Glossip.

I was super excited about this book because I've been following the Richard Glossip case ever since the ID channel aired a special series about him in 2017 that had me glued to the TV. I'm a major true crime buff and thought that I would find him to be guilty... but I didn't. I've been wanting to learn everything I can about the case ever since, and this book really assisted with that. It went in depth about the trials, appeals, and everything in between. The author spoke to Richard a great deal too, and I was able to really see how the trials and everything else went so horribly wrong.

Before you think this book is only for people who are trying to abolish the death penalty, think again and don't write it off based on your beliefs. Woods goes the extra mile to try and hear arguments on both sides of the coin. In this case, Richard did not physically kill the victim. Another man confessed to the killing, but claimed that Richard encouraged him to do it... and he said all this only after being coerced to during police interviews. Not only did Richard not kill anyone, I don't believe he had anything to do with the plot to kill him either. How can he be put to death for this? I have no answers, and cases like this make me question my beliefs surrounding capital punishment.

All in all, this was a fascinating look into a very absurd case. It's extremely informative and a must read, in my opinion.

[Angela L · Rating 4 out of 5]

With so many countries around the world having abandoned the death penalty there is still a fascination about the process in the USA. Even more so when the prisoner convicted and sentenced to death is not the person who actually committed the murder.
This is the story of Richard Glossip - sentenced to death, although he hasn't killed anybody. He is deemed to have coerced the murderer (who, by the way was not sentenced to death) though the evidence for this is sketchy to say the least.
Almost two decades on he remains on death row - he's had his final meal three times now and received a last minute reprieve each time. Bizarrely though these have mostly been due to governance about the drugs used rather than his innocence.
British journalist Ian Woods paints an honest account of the man and the crime and the unlikely friendship that grows between him and the accused.
Whether you agree with the death penalty or not this is a thought provoking account of a legal system which seems, frankly, absurd. It's impossible to imagine how someone like Richard Glossip might feel but the book provides a fascinating insight into his world.

[Amyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing this book I believe that Barry Van Treese’s death was most likely a robbery gone bad. A pre-planned murder in this particular set of circumstances just a little far fetched to be believable.
However, Richard was an accessory to murder after the fact. He did lie to police and concealed the death. He deserved to go to jail, but not to death row.
The author become a friend to Richard Glossip and obviously formed a warm opinion of his character. Despite this, it was hard to find Richard sympathetic. He’s presented as a fine, upstanding citizen of good moral character but that’s clearly not the case. After all he allowed criminal behaviour to carry on at the motel he was managing, and not once but twice threw away his wife for another woman and abandoned his family - each family with two children he refused to do the right thing by. I’m sorry, but we shouldn’t call people like that good or moral.
Having said that, I hope his lawyers succeed in having him removed from death row.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Woods, a reporter for Sky News, came across the case of Richard Glossip and was blown away by what was happening in America. Unlike the states, the UK does not have a death penalty and he could not fathom how someone could be wrongly convicted. Glossip was convicted on the word of Justin Sneed, the man who admitted to the murder. There was no DNA evidence, no eyewitnesses, nothing showing that Glossip was a murder. Woods wanted to bring attention to Glossip's case and met with Glossip's friends, family, and biggest supporters to write his stories. Everyone starting paying attention to the case when the state of Oklahoma started having lawsuits brought on them about cruel and unusual punishment since death sentences were being botched. Ian Woods brings the facts in this book about the case and gives a look at Richard Glossip and how anyone could be sitting on death row because just because someone pointed the finger at you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the copy of this book.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Glossip is on death row for a murder he didn't commit. He's been accused of master minding the murder but he swears he's innocent. This is his case and the battle to keep him from dying told by journalist Ian Woods.

There was so much information about executions that I never knew. Especially the information about the drugs and the challenge getting hold of them.

The plot was powerful and often quite sad. I wish the story had a more substantial ending but it was still worth the read and really explained the process of appeal.

Richard is an interesting character and you can't help but feel for him. I'm not totally convinced on his guilt or innocence either way. Ian is very honest in his telling and open with his own mistakes. An interesting, thought provoking and powerful read.

[Hana-Estee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This style of book is not something I would usually go for, I favour fantasy or crime rather than true life.

However once I read the excerpt I knew this would be a hit for me.

This book is a well written, fast paced book that follows the story of Richard Glossip who is on death row for the apparent murder of motel owner Barry Van Treese - even though the prosecutors found that he did not kill anyone!

There is a lot of work that has gone into the making of this book, and also by Ian Woods trying to piece together what happened to Richard.

The pictures in the middle section of the book are always good, they help picture the people mentioned throughout.

This was a well written and fast paced book that I thoroughly enjoyed, I has also made me want to look into this topic further.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

 

 

 

 

Maybe

Richard Glossip is either an innocent man on death row, or an evil man who masterminded a brutal murder. The author presents a strong case for the former- that Glossip has been wrongly convicted, and is part of the 4% of US inmates who are incarcerated in error. The book details the years of appeals and last minute stays of execution endured by Richard Glossip.



 

 

 

 

Maybe

Richard Glossip is either an innocent man on death row, or an evil man who masterminded a brutal murder. The author presents a strong case for the former- that Glossip has been wrongly convicted, and is part of the 4% of US inmates who are incarcerated in error. The book details the years of appeals and last minute stays of execution endured by Richard Glossip.

[Beau · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Surviving Execution" is the heart breaking, and ongoing tale, of Richard Glossip. A man sentenced to death for a murder everyone agrees he didn't commit. Even though Glossip didn't murder his back in 1997, he's been healed responsible for Van Treese's death in an alleged murder for hire plot.

My highest praise as a reader is that this book is very readable. So many times true crime books are a bit stiff or overly dramatic. Neither is true of Wood's book. He delivers facts of the case, his relationship with Glossip and Glossip's entourage, and his involvement in the fight for Glossip's life in a way I found fair to everyone while still feeling honest. Which, I think is the highest praise I can give this book as someone who appreciates honesty in true crime.

[Micky Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book not only about Richard glossips fight to clear his name and get off death row the debate about the death penalty continues the American justice system is definitely flawed and it's true the rich don't end up on death row unless they can 100% say that a person is guilty how can they inpose the death penalty Richard was sentenced on the word of Justin sneed a meth addict and no other evidence only in America #stopthedeathpenalty

[Laura Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read about injustice, this is the book to read. Ian Woods wrote the story of Richard Glossip. A man on death row convicted of killing a man he did not kill. Worst yet, the prosecution tried him on the word of the self confessed killer. I love true crime stories when the accounts of what happened are well researched. The writer did an amazing job with putting the actual facts in and keeping the timeline easy to follow!

[Harrison Newsham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing, frightening, but also heartwarming. The most incredible account of a miscarriage of justice in the American legal system that has lead to a man, innocent of murder, to be on death row in Oklahoma. After countless stays of execution and appeals across 25 years, Richard Glossip is again facing the death chamber in February this year.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. I don’t agree with the author on some of the issues. Maybe he didn’t kill the motel owner himself but he still has some responsibility. Is the death penalty appropriate for crime, I’m not sure.

[Susan Olding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facinating and eye opening insight into the US justice system.

[Taryn Miskowiec · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars- an absolutely incredible story that is still so very important and timely.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down. Devoured it over the weekend. Such a well constructed book.

[Jessica Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, this book had me hooked from beginning to the very end! I do not support the death penalty, and this book reaffirms to me why!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad, but all too frequent, story. This research convinced me that we need to abolish the death penalty, especially when there are so people on death row who are potentially innocent.

[Noorilhuda]

Well-written, though self-promoting.

There are 3 issues being discussed in the book:
1) Death-row penalty, treatment of prisoner leading up to execution date & whether the manner of execution is humane or not.
2) Glossip's guilt or innocence.
3) Ian Woods.

1) Whether you believe Glossip or not ( or the true level / nature of his culpability in the murder), Woods retelling of the trial & the issues surrounding the death penalty makes for real scary stuff. What IS intriguing is the death penalty matter (especially humaneness of it, pain / drugs debate, type of crime fitting such a sentence, etc.) and everyone's take on it for e.g. the deadly (and quite possibly pain-inducing) cocktail of Midazolam: sedates; Rocuronium Bromide: paralyzes; Potassium Chloride: stops heart.

Executioner's interview is interesting (the executioner Woods spoke to is Randall Workman, and he was a warden when 31 were men and 1 woman had been executed -years of service unknown, because Woods doesn't know or didn't care to ask or include it).

- Documentary 'Fourteen Days in May' (1987) is quoted - Woods is a fan of Clive Stafford Smith.
- Joe Berlinger who made 'Paradise Lost' (1996) on RobinHood Hills murders also made a documentary on Glossip's case: 'Killing Richard Glossip' (2016).
- Special appearances by Susan Sarandon and Richard Branson.

2) Given the fact that Glossip didn't actually deliver the blows, he probably should have gotten life. But law is law. Also, I can relate to lawyers not doing their job, and I know from personal experience the biases, prejudices and preconceived ideas judges bring to the table, but I think evidence shows Glossip to be guilty / involved, even if he wasn't. I don't see why manager of a hotel would not bat even an eyelid when someone whom he hired & is close to, comes & declares he has killed the owner & instead just goes shopping next morning to raise money for his girlfriend's breast implants! Besides, why should anyone believe Glossip when he lies at all critical points? The fact that motel got hookers, drug dealers & junkies is all the more reason to say something. He probably thought Sneed would get rid of the body somewhere else, just like the car. Unless their plan was to pin it like 'we don't know what happened, maybe a junkie or stripper robbed him.’ State went for death because father of 5 got murdered. I'm sorry but Glossip even lied about the owner going shopping the morning after the murder 'to get repair-tools for the window and other damaged areas'- and he told this to plenty of people - why on earth would a sane, rational, non-guilty person make something like this up? Unless all of the witnesses are lying (because they dislike Glossip or think he is guilty, or they like the dead owner a lot, or have their own bad stuff to hide) and Glossip is telling the truth (about the murder and his bamboozlement) - a possibility, yes, but a far-fetched one - this book shows that the case against Glossip isn't just about Sneed implicating him - it's Glossip's own actions that got him into trouble & I'm shocked no one has told him that in 18 years. Judicial system is unfair but he refused plea deals guaranteeing life - & someone must have told him about Oklahoma's death penalty record and subsequent convictions on murder charges. Especially when he didn't get off the first time and no new corroborating evidence or witnesses (for his side) were there for the second one. It's sad that no one other than Kim Van Atta took Glossip's last phone call (before third-time scheduled execution).

3) Ian Woods suffers from a sense of self-importance. I cannot believe he didn't talk to Glossip's family (kids, parents, 16 siblings!) before meeting one of his daughters 24 hrs. before (the first scheduled) execution outside prison! I'm sorry but he comes across as full of himself, suffering from 'Me, Me, Me Syndrome' and not much of a journo. “The worlds of news and celebrity were colliding.” - Woods writes (excited by the prospect of a Richard Branson and a Susan Sarandon speaking up against death penalty in Glossip news cycle). He cannot get more ridiculously unprofessional. I think he would have taken Glossip to the chamber himself, if need be. The glee he shows when someone notices or quotes him & the power & accolades he thinks he has & the petty fights he has with Glossip's supporters & the approval he seeks from the dead man walking or his ultimate quarrel with Glossip over the book rights. Totally full of himself. This isn't journalism. On pg. 192, 24 hours before (the 2nd scheduled) execution, Woods is having a look - for the first time in 9 months - at crime scene evidence! At the 2nd execution, in the box next to the chamber, while waiting for Glossip to arrive for the execution, Woods is 'fretting' over what is holding up the execution! He ends the book saying that since he has had a falling out with Glossip over this book, he probably won't be at the third (unscheduled as yet) execution date - but that did not stop him from talking and quoting Glossip's new best friend (a young female British journalist).

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.