I, a Squealer: The Insider's Account of the "Pied Piper of Tucson" Murders

by Richard Bruns

The year was 1965. The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and The Righteous Brothers filled the airwaves. Television shows like "The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriett" and "The Andy Griffith Show" mirrored the innocence of life in the dusty city of Tucson, Az. But the sunbaked desert surrounding Tucson was hiding a sinister secret. A psychopath names Charles Schmid, later nicknamed the "Pied Piper of Tucson" by Life Magazine, would steal that innocence away, along with the lives of three beautiful teenage girls.

In this firsthand account written in 1967, Richard Bruns shares the evolution of his friendship with Schmid, the details of getting involved way in over his head, and how he finally summoned the courage to blow the whistle to end the deadly rampage that shocked the nation and changed the city of Tucson forever.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Crime, Biography, Mystery

ebook

Published March 20, 2018

About the author

Richard Bruns is the man who turned Charles Howard Schmid Jr. aka “The Pied Piper of Tucson” into the authorities and was the star witness for the prosecution in the cases against Schmid. He wrote his firsthand account at the time of the trials in 1966 through 1967. Once finished, he packed the manuscript away like a time-capsule. He was ready to close this chapter of his life. Fifty years later, his daughter’s have uncovered the manuscript and have convinced him to release his side of the story.

Bruns is a retired teacher and continues to reside in Tucson, Arizona. He takes great pride in his three daughters and three grandchildren and has a passion for collecting antiques. Richard can be contacted through his book website at: www.Iasquealer.com. He can also be reached through his publisher at www.twinfeatherpublishing.com

Reviews

[Paul Falk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's original manuscript that described the serial murders in Tucson had been written five decades ago. Now dusted off and revived, it reveals the gory details of a serial killer on the loose that no one before had known about. The scenes of the tragedy were well-documented in chronological order.

Richard Bruns was a good friend to serial killer Charles Schmid. During the mid 60s in Tucson, Schmid had murdered three young girls and dumped their bodies in the Arizona desert. In private he confided these murders to his good friend Richard. He even showed Richard where the bodies had been hidden. Ultimately, that would be his undoing.

At some point Richard could no longer hold his tongue. He was conflicted. As much as he liked Schmid he also felt that he was sick and in need of help. He led the police to where the murder victims were taken and implicated Schmid as the primary suspect. He was promptly picked up by the police and charged with the murders. He'd been convicted of the crimes and sentenced to Death Row, later reversed to 50 years to life.

It was a media circus in Tucson. People were pointing fingers all around town mostly at Richard. Schmid had tried unsuccessfully to implicate him for the murders. There were still those in town that believed Richard was the killer. He had to leave. There was no way he could any longer call Tucson home and fled to Phoenix to begin a new life.

My thanks to NetGalley and Twin Feather Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about Charles Schmid, Jr. the so-called Pied piper of Tucson is rather astonishing, mainly because it was written back in 1967. It's an actual firsthand account from the days when Richard Bruns used to be a running buddy of the killer. Although by that late date, he was completely afraid of him and worried that he or the girl he cared about were going to be killed by Schmid. He was half out of his mind with worry and was spending most of his time practically stalking his former girlfriend, just to be sure she was safe. It got so bad, he finally felt he had no choice but to go to the police and become...a squealer. A thing he despised but was the only way he could keep the woman safe. If you are a true crime fan, you will enjoy this historic look at a famous killer from the 1960's, told by his friend who was there. It's certainly an insider's look.

An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley, and author Richard Bruns, for my honest review.

Twin Feathers Publishing
Publication date: March 20, 2018

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rather short book for a true crime. Charles Schmid was convicted of murdering 3 teenage girls in the late '60's. The difference between the telling of this particular crime that happened 50 years ago is that it isn't Bruns remembering his friendship with Schmid all those years in the past, but Bruns had recorded his thoughts, feelings, and actions at the time it happened. He thought he lost the transcript that was supposed to be a book. 50 years after the friendship dissolved and Schmid was convicted, Bruns' daughter finds the transcript while helping him move and encourges him to finally find a publisher.

I, a Squealer is an unique perspective of a killer. It's filled with pictures and headlines at the time and won't take more than your lunch hour to read.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I, A SQUEALER: THE INSIDER'S ACCOUNT OF THE "PIED PIPER OF TUCSON" MURDERS
Written by Richard Bruns
2018; Twin Feather Publishing (154 pages)
Genre: true crime, memoir, nonfiction, crime

(Review Not on Blog)

RATING: 2.5 Stars

I was approached by the author's daughter to read and review I, a Squealer. She and her sister had found her father's manuscript, written 50 years ago, and decided to have his story published. Bruns was once a friend of Charles Schmid, a murderer, and would soon "snitch" on him and bring his horror to an end. I had not heard of this case, but then again I only know cases that are featured on true crime shows. I did find the story interesting, but it didn't have a great detail I like in reading the true crime genre. If you read this book as if it is an account, rather than a book, I can you will like it much better than I did. I enjoy the storytelling around the story, and unfortunately, I felt like this book lacked that aspect. (For example, it reads like a transcript of a story without emotions). I picked it up a few times since I received it and could not get very far in the 154 pages. I read this last summer but didn't know how to review this book. While this book was not my cup of tea, I find it awesome that Bruns wrote this and has a great family that had it published!

I have not read very many true crime books, so please read other reviews as I may be in the minority.

***I received a print copy from the author's daughter***

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to find this little book! This is an insider's view of the murders of Alleen Rowe and Gretchen and Wendy Fritz, told by the true hero of the story who overcame his terror of the killer to turn him over to the police. Full of information new to me. Well written. Not to be missed.

[Keith Chawgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Bruns first-hand account of the Pied Piper of Tucson and his friendship with the serial killer Charles Schmid is a thought provoking and fascinating account of a man who at 19 decided to end the trail of terror.

To give a brief history of Charles Schmid, in 1964 decided to murder a girl to see what it felt like. Along with a friend and his girlfriend, they would kill Alison Rowe through strangulation. When another girlfriend threatened him after he broke up with her, he murdered her and her sister. The interesting story about Schmid is that although he was a loner, he was very popular and very flamboyant with his stories of murder within his teenage group with support.

Richard Bruns was a friend with Charles Schmid and this is a very candid memoir about a boy who lived through this torment of a friendship turning bad. The interesting aspect of this is that Bruns, at first enjoyed his friendship with the charismatic Schmid but this soon goes afoul with Schmid slowly decent into darkness.

Whilst reading the book, one has to remind themselves that Richard Bruns was a teenager. The story becomes very involving and there is a matter of fact detailing within the pages which heighten awareness as the story unfolds. The detailing and picture quality found with the pages are stunning to give credence to the overall story but the truth is in the actual narrative. Bruns memoirs are very accomplished considering that he wrote this in 1967. As he didn’t publish the book, until recently with urging from his daughter, I imagine this was written as a sort of therapy for him to get over the tragedy of the situation.

This is well written account of the true story of The Pied Piper of Tucson told from the point of view of a close friend of Schmid. Harrowing, thought provoking and frightening true story crime where the teenagers are involved and the parents are kept in the dark. It shows a community which is being torn apart whilst one man, tries desperately to make the nightmare end and protect his girlfriend whom he is afraid maybe the next victim.

This is a short novel and it did make me yearn for more information. The book does have an appendix which gives an up to date detailing about Schmid and what was to follow. Brun has a written interview also that sheds some light on his situation. For a book that was found mixed in with a box of lost photographs, this still hits one hell of punch. A must read for real true life crime and not the defined accounts of someone who thinks they have the answers that you would normally find in this genre, but a true account from a boy who lived it and survived. Truly remarkable and defining read.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy as hell and fascinating for the Tucson resident but I’m not sure how much people who aren’t from here will like it. It’s certainly short and was apparently written in 1967 shortly after the events in the book took place. Bruns’ writing is admirable for an amateur and hasn’t dated, but it’s really too short to be a great piece of true crime. I did find the photos liberally sprinkled throughout the book fascinating, though. What a weird-looking sonofabitch Schmid was (take it from a self-admittedly weird looking dude.)

[Bonnie Kernene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, Squealer is a book written by Richard Bruns, about his friend Charles Schmid, The Pied Piper of Tucson. When Richard was 20, he got mixed up in the saga of the Pied Piper of Tucson, a serial killer who was also his best friend. Can you imagine that? I can't. It would be horrible, and even worse when he blames you for the murders. Richard wrote this years ago and put it aside after he finished. His daughter convinced him to publish it, for which I personally am glad. I found this to be a very fascinating book. A story that needed to be told. I could not put this book down! I had to know more and more. I highly recommend this book! It is an excellent book, written by someone who actually went through the situation.

[Bill reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pied Piper of Tucson was the title of a book I read many years ago and its subject, Charles Schmid, Jr. was a Charles Manson type with followers who believed the lunatic to be a cool and charismatic guy.
Richard Bruns was one of those who befriended Chuck and this is his amazing story. Originally written in 1967, it remained in an attic for fifty years until Bruns daughters convinced him to have it published.
The author was shown the bodies of two of the missing girls and after a bizarre encounter with Joe Bonanno, Jr. and one of his mob associates looking for the young ladies, Bruns turned state witness at the trial of Schmid. I often complain of the need for the editing of books being too long and repetitive but I feel the opposite in this case. Bruns should have added material, especially of his courtroom testimony. A good read could have been a great one.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an astonishing book! The author wrote in 1967 of the murders committed by his friend, a serial killer of 3 teenage girls. The killer actually involved the author in covering up his crimes. Richard Bruns struggled with the horror of the situation and then turned him in. It is only now that the book is published. I was fascinated and had to finish the book in one sitting. (Luckily the book is quite short.)

My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, a Squealer is the memoir of a man who watched a beloved and admired friend become a brutal and manipulative murderer. Richard Bruns recounts the living nightmare of fearing for his own life- and the lives of his loved ones- until he could deliver proof of the horrific murders of three young girls to authorities in the Tuscan area. A gripping story, masterfully told.

[Crime Traveller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you discovered your friend was a serial killer?  In 1965 in Tucson, Arizona an appalled and shocked 20-year-old Richard Bruns couldn’t quite get his head around the idea that the man he thought he knew as a close friend, was not only murdering women but he was enjoying it.

The roller coaster ride that followed saw Bruns argue with his inner conscience and sense of moral right and wrong in a battle of how to handle the situation he had found himself in. Charles Schmid, who became known as the ‘Pied Piper of Tuscan’ was stopped from killing more innocent women because of the actions of Richard Bruns.

I, a Squealer is the publication of the manuscript that Richard Bruns wrote in 1967, after Charles Schmid had been sentenced to death for the murder of the Fritz sisters. It tells his story in candid detail, noting his experiences with Schmid and his own introspections at the time that he lived them.

This is a book which is impossible to put down once you begin reading.  The reader is absorbed into the story ensuring a necessity and desire to keep turning the pages. The writing is free-flowing with an edge, because of the subject matter and the knowledge that these words are a first-hand account of events, the narrative is engaging and powerful.

It records in expressive detail the real story of Charles Schmid and how Richard Bruns complex relationship with him deteriorated as his friend’s mind continued to spiral out of control. In an honest and gripping account, I, a Squealer gives a rare opportunity to read an insider’s view. It provides a thought-provoking read that is absorbing from the very first page.

Read my full review of I, a Squealer on Crime Traveller at: https://www.crimetraveller.org/2018/0...

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing account of a young man’s nightmare of watching his charismatic best friend's descent into madness. The friend was Charles ‘Smitty’ Schmid, later to be dubbed 'The Pied Piper of Tucson'. Back in the ‘60s, he was the town's teen idol, but he began to change - his appearance became bizarre, his behavior cruel and remorseless. Before it was over the bodies of three young girls were left in the desert and even though Schmid bragged to his friends about the killings, only one, his best friend, was willing to violate the teen code against squealing. This is the journal that friend, Richard Bruns, wrote immediately after the arrests and the tension and fear he felt then are still palpably real on its pages. His later account of what it cost him to come forward is almost as incredible as the story his journal reveals. Compulsively readable, beginning to end.

[Lora Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

My interest in the case of Charlie Schmid aka The Pied Piper of Tucson was first peaked a few years ago when watching the series, "A Crime to Remember" on ID Channel. This guy, IMO, was strange from the very beginning. Then earlier this year, I purchased "The Pied Piper" by true crime author, Harold Schechter. If you want a good telling of Charlie's story in book version, I'd recommend that book. This book should be read AFTERWARDS. NOTE: the pictures & animation in the Kindle version are great.

So, of course, when I saw this book discussing the case from the POV of Charlie's close friend & minor accomplice, Richie Bruns, I had to have it. Unfortunately, I was mostly disappointed. First of all, Richie doesn't come off as very bright. While I do understand him wavering over turning his friend in due to the "code" of not snitching, I marveled at how it never occurred to him that had Charlie kept going, he would've had Richie become more and more involved as he did with the murders of Gretchen and Wendy. Which, by the way, wasn't hard to do. Then there was the fact that even though he was almost positive that Charlie would kill again, he said he felt really sorry for his friend, because he used to be a "really good guy". Richie stated that Charlie & his wife, Diane, had gone to see a fortune teller who'd told them not to get married; he said that if the fortune teller had told him that Charlie would never kill again "and could guarantee it" he would not have turned Charlie in. Given the fact that the interview contained herein was done in 2017 and the book itself published in 2018, Richie Bruns still apparently felt the same as 50 years prior: Charlie Schmid was a killer, but he really got a bum rap. The entire epilogue is just about that. Are you kidding me?

I will say that Appendix 1 & Appendix 2 were interesting and helpful, and there were a [very] few facts in the book itself that I did not before, like the [unflattering] picture painted of Gretchen as a young shrew. The epilogue and Appendix 3 could have been left completely out, as they were just useless filler about how the justice system was unfair to Charlie and others like him. Unfortunately, the writing is a task to get through; at times, it seemed as if Richie were writing it (maybe that's where the typos come in) and at other times it seemed as if a true writer had stepped in and take over - most noted in the first few pages of Chapter 4. And the storytelling is all over the place like a pinball.

[Emily Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not often you get to read a gripping book about a serial killer written by one of his closest friends. Richard Bruns' well written memoir, I, a Squealer, is exactly that. As research for my novel Half in Love with Death I read a lot about Charles Schmid, the charismatic man who murdered three Tucson teens in the 1960s, but nothing I read is quite like I, a Squealer. In this compelling memoir that reads like a novel, Richard Bruns provides a unique inside look at the man he thought was his friend and the monster behind his charming mask. His suspenseful account of the events that drove him to give his friend up to the police kept me on the edge of my seat. He evokes the Tucson desert where Schmid buried his victims with chilling touches of poetry, and brings the increasingly frightening Schmid to life with sharp well-observed details. This moving tale, told by a young man who was dangerously close to a disturbed killer, is impossible to put down. Highly recommended!

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This account of the "Pied Piper of Tuscon" Murders doesn't give the insight that all the reviews tout.
The short manuscript was written in 1967 by Richard Bruns who ultimately reported Charles Schmid for the murder of two sisters who he helped bury. The book was ultimately published to dispel any suspicion that he had anything to do with the murders.
Personally, this book did the exact opposite. While the chapters are well written,
there isn't a coherent flow as if the author is leaving things out. It also raises more questions than answers. I kept waiting for the emotional impact that the reviews promised, but to me, any presentation of actual emotions was dissected and was well-written literature.
It's a great insight alright, but I cam away with a very different idea of the subject that other reviewers did.
I received an ARC from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a true crime read. The author grows up with a best friend to find out later he is a killer. He is drawn in by this friend as a confidant and learns about those who have been murdered. He then begins to rhink his girlfriend is in danger from said friend and becomes obsessed with protecting girlfriend. Author is sent to Grandmother's house to overcome obsession. His conscience starts to work on him and he turns his friend into the police. Mr. Bruns is later convinced by his daughter to write his story. Thanks to his daughter, Lisa, for sending me a copy of this book. Is a short read and interesting to anyone who likes true crime.

[Translator Monkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hardly worth noting. I'll say that it was surprisingly well-written, but goes nowhere near what we expect to see in a non-fiction book about a "psychopath" who killed out of boredom or just for fun. I hoped to read a bit more about what was made of Charles Schmid's motivations, his family life, childhood years, how he became the monster he turned out to be. None of that, just the grisly recollections of the man who turned him in to the police.

A quick read I won't miss once it's back at the library.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an account of the Schmid murders in Tuscon, written at that time by the man who turned Schmid in. It's short, interspersed with pictures, and a little frustrating. There are definitely more illuminating accounts (my favorite being 'A Crime to Remember').

The most hilarious information I gained was the fact that Charles Schmid was so embarrassed by his height that he stuffed his cowboy boots with all manner of garbage to appear taller. The photos of that alone were worth checking this book out from the library.

[Kimberly Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I wrote an Essay while in College on Charles Schmid 30 years ago. The circle of life somehow brought me back to this particular case and through further research, I came Across Richard Bruns book. I read it in 3 hours. I found what I was looking for, the personal, intimate details that are lacking in newspaper articles and documentaries. Thank you Mr. Burns for your bravery and your telling of the actual events that were your life.

[Wanda Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short but detailed account of murders that took place over 50 years ago. This writer had written the account at the time but put it away and it wasn't until it was found by his daughters many years later that his account was brought to light. An interesting take on how a person can be taken in by the strong personality of another and come so close to going down the same path.

[Heather Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This was a great read. You actually could feel Richard's emotional conflict. I learned a little more about the story from seeing it from his point. How scary and traumatic it must of been to see someone who was your friend descent into someone else.

[WhatisAshreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting to hear Burns’ accounts of what occurred from decades ago as well as the more recent interview. I felt like it could have been more in depth, but I understand a lot of time has gone by.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

True crime book told from the perspective of Richard Bruns who was friend with notorious serial killer Charles Howard Schmid Jr. aka “The Pied Piper of Tucson”. The scariest was Burns speaking on how he had to protect his girlfriend from Schmid. I don't want to give it away but oh my CREEPY!

[Michelle Malsbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the inside story of Charles Schmid as told through the eyes of his buddy, Robert Bruns. He callously killed at least three young ladies and nearly go away with it.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't be able to put it down !

**Thank you for my free Goodreads copy !

[Ann Dickinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

not very well written.

[E. B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

[Andy Baughman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The appendices were interesting

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The serial killer that Tucson forgot- very interesting account.