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Murder in Little Egypt: The True Story of a Father's Ultimate Betrayal
The unimaginable crime of filicide takes on the cast of tragic inevitability in this haunting true tale of violence, greed, revenge, and death. Fusing the narrative power of an award-winning novelist and the detailed research of an experienced investigator, Darcy O'Brien unfolds the story of Dr. John Dale Cavaness, the southern Illinois physician and surgeon who in December 1984 was charged with the murder of his son Sean. Outraged by the arrest of the skilled medical practitioner who selflessly attended to their needs, the people of Little Egypt rose to his defense. In the trial, however, a radically different, disquieting portrait of Dr. Cavaness would emerge. For throughout the three decades that he enjoyed the admiration and respect of his community, Cavaness was privately terrorizing his family, abusing his employees, and making disastrous financial investments as well as brawling and womanizing. What was not revealed in the trial, however, was that seven years earlier, in a homicide that had never been solved, the body of Cavaness's firstborn son, Mark, had been found shot dead in the woods of Little Egypt. In addition to a compelling chronicle that uncovers the truth behind two ghastly crimes and lays bare the Jekyll–Hyde psyche of their perpetrator, Murder in Little Egypt brings into stark midwestern light the hidden, gothic underside of an America bred on violence and bathed in blood. "Stunning material,"—Nobel Prize-winner Seamus Heaney "A meticulous account ... an implicit indictment of a culture that condones and encourages violent behavior in men."—The New York Times Book Review
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1988
517 people are currently reading
2859 people want to read
About the author
Darcy O'Brien
16 books41 followersDarcy O'Brien was born in Los Angeles, the son of Hollywood silent film actor George O’Brien and actress Marguerite Churchill.
O'Brien attended Princeton University and University of Cambridge, and received a master's degree and doctorate from the University of California, Berkely. From 1965 to 1978 he was a professor of English at Pomona College. In 1978 he moved to Tulsa, and taught at the Univesity of Tulsa until 1995.
O'Brien was married three times and had one daughter named Molly O'Brien.
O'Brien died of a heart attack in Tulsa on March 2, 1998.
O'Brien attended Princeton University and University of Cambridge, and received a master's degree and doctorate from the University of California, Berkely. From 1965 to 1978 he was a professor of English at Pomona College. In 1978 he moved to Tulsa, and taught at the Univesity of Tulsa until 1995.
O'Brien was married three times and had one daughter named Molly O'Brien.
O'Brien died of a heart attack in Tulsa on March 2, 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
February 25, 2017
I don't read much true crime but this really was well done. So much history of the place and people, which are very important to the person of Dr Cavaness and his development, though he seems, hopefully. to be very much an individual. He is a person of Little Egypt but not the only type of person who lives there, thankfully.
The setting of Little Egypt, in Southern Illinois, is integral to the entire story as it sets the stage for the creation of the isolation which could foster the type of people involved, the isolated rural culture subject to all of the problems typical of such areas in the 1960s through the 1980s, and it allowed a very intelligent man, who was truthfully smarter than most, to use that intelligence in ways that weren't obvious to most of those he lived with and among.
This is a story of manipulation, of duplicity, of seeming hatred out of coldness, of apparent inhumanity at times with a disregard for other people on all levels. And it is fascinating. O'Brien has written a fascinating true history of a man and a place. That he titles his book after the place is fitting for the doctor lived in a den where he could act with apparent impunity.
I do recommend this for those interested in true crime reading or in family dynamics, sociology, or perhaps American small town history. It is not really gory (though there is one segment that can't help but make one's skin crawl). This exists more on the psychological and detective and interpersonal levels. And succeeds very well.
Highly recommended.
The setting of Little Egypt, in Southern Illinois, is integral to the entire story as it sets the stage for the creation of the isolation which could foster the type of people involved, the isolated rural culture subject to all of the problems typical of such areas in the 1960s through the 1980s, and it allowed a very intelligent man, who was truthfully smarter than most, to use that intelligence in ways that weren't obvious to most of those he lived with and among.
This is a story of manipulation, of duplicity, of seeming hatred out of coldness, of apparent inhumanity at times with a disregard for other people on all levels. And it is fascinating. O'Brien has written a fascinating true history of a man and a place. That he titles his book after the place is fitting for the doctor lived in a den where he could act with apparent impunity.
I do recommend this for those interested in true crime reading or in family dynamics, sociology, or perhaps American small town history. It is not really gory (though there is one segment that can't help but make one's skin crawl). This exists more on the psychological and detective and interpersonal levels. And succeeds very well.
Highly recommended.
September 14, 2017
Great real-life murder story, if any story about real murder can be great. This one is particularly vile, because it tells of a father killing his sons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2017
True Crime Commemoration # 36
Setting: 1984 Saline County, IL ( only Harlan County in KY has more violent crime statistically of rural counties)
This is the story of a greedy, drunken, selfish, womanizing doctor of a small country county in the southern point of Illinois who shot two of his four sons after buying insurance policies on their lives. What's amazing is that no matter how sodden and worthless this man became the majority of his townsfolk still worshiped him. He was guilty as sin and they were still looking for ways to show he was framed.
Dale Cavaness killed because he was ashamed of how these two sons were growing up: one was an alcoholic, the other was directionless and constantly butted heads with his father. He may have even seen too much of himself in these two young men. It wouldn't surprise me. He was also in debt up to his eyeballs and needed to find large amounts of cash fast. Their one mistake was trusting that their father had their best interests in mind.
Setting: 1984 Saline County, IL ( only Harlan County in KY has more violent crime statistically of rural counties)
This is the story of a greedy, drunken, selfish, womanizing doctor of a small country county in the southern point of Illinois who shot two of his four sons after buying insurance policies on their lives. What's amazing is that no matter how sodden and worthless this man became the majority of his townsfolk still worshiped him. He was guilty as sin and they were still looking for ways to show he was framed.
Dale Cavaness killed because he was ashamed of how these two sons were growing up: one was an alcoholic, the other was directionless and constantly butted heads with his father. He may have even seen too much of himself in these two young men. It wouldn't surprise me. He was also in debt up to his eyeballs and needed to find large amounts of cash fast. Their one mistake was trusting that their father had their best interests in mind.
February 29, 2016
Nearly finished. Wow what a treasure I discovered and had not realised it would be so good. it has been sitting on my true crime book shelf for many years.
Very very well written.
Update: This is how to write a great true crime book. I do not understand why this author is not more famous although I did know him from a great book The Hillside Stranglers. Just learned he died in 1998 so no more books by this author. I still have to get a copy of The Power to Hurt.
I did not read the description of this book so I did not know what would happen. He kept me on my toes from page 1 till the end.
Highly recommend to everyone.
Very very well written.
Update: This is how to write a great true crime book. I do not understand why this author is not more famous although I did know him from a great book The Hillside Stranglers. Just learned he died in 1998 so no more books by this author. I still have to get a copy of The Power to Hurt.
I did not read the description of this book so I did not know what would happen. He kept me on my toes from page 1 till the end.
Highly recommend to everyone.
February 14, 2012
One of the best true crime books I've ever read. How did I never come across this book before? It was published in 1989 and I only found the title by happenstance recently while reading an essay on true crime and female readers by Laura Browder. The deep historical and cultural background of "Little Egypt" (southern Illinois) and the portrait of the incredibly insular atmosphere in which the story of a father's crimes against his family takes place are a real stand-out in this book. The story of the Cavaness family unfolds from the 1940s through the 1980s and you would hardly know that anything else is happening in the world in that period. Sure, there's WWII, a mention or two of Vietnam, and the drug culture of the 60s and 70s, but the area and the people inhabiting it are so isolated from the rest of the world that St. Louis, not DC, might as well be their capital. This is an excellent book that gives us far more than the picture of a family that, despite its relative prosperity, was doomed to violent fragmentation almost from its beginning.
August 30, 2013
This is a chilling true crime story that will horrify and perhaps leave you convinced that there are people walking amongst us, appearing to be completely normal, who are the embodiment of evil.
The story follows the life of a country physician, much beloved by his patients and community. His personal life however is punctuated by violence towards his family, alcohol abuse, shady financial dealings, and insurance fraud. He is very abusive to his wife and sons, and ultimately is charged with murdering one of his sons, with strong suspicions of having murdered another one years before. His cold calculations included that they were worth more to him dead, given the insurance money he could, and did, collect at their deaths.
This is a great read with the story deftly told by the author. It kept me up, reading late into the night, needing to know the conclusion. I highly recommend this dark tale for those who like the true crime genre, or just appreciate good writing and exploring the extremes of human cruelty.
The story follows the life of a country physician, much beloved by his patients and community. His personal life however is punctuated by violence towards his family, alcohol abuse, shady financial dealings, and insurance fraud. He is very abusive to his wife and sons, and ultimately is charged with murdering one of his sons, with strong suspicions of having murdered another one years before. His cold calculations included that they were worth more to him dead, given the insurance money he could, and did, collect at their deaths.
This is a great read with the story deftly told by the author. It kept me up, reading late into the night, needing to know the conclusion. I highly recommend this dark tale for those who like the true crime genre, or just appreciate good writing and exploring the extremes of human cruelty.
December 26, 2013
In December 1984 Dr. John Dale Cavaness was charged with the murder of his son Sean. The community was outraged and rose to his defense. What they didn’t know was that for years he had terrorized his family and his employees. He made disastrous financial investments and was a womanizer. No one spoke out because everyone was afraid of him.
Seven years earlier Cavaness’ first son was found dead of homicide in the woods of Little Egypt. That murder has never been officially solved but many believe Cavaness is responsible for it. This is the story of what happens when greed is greater than the love a man has for his children.
Meticulously researched and compelling written this is a fascinating account of the history of the area in Southern Illinois known as Little Egypt and the life of Dr. Cavaness and his family and how he was able to hide his predilections for power and money from almost everyone. I recommend this to true crime fans.
Seven years earlier Cavaness’ first son was found dead of homicide in the woods of Little Egypt. That murder has never been officially solved but many believe Cavaness is responsible for it. This is the story of what happens when greed is greater than the love a man has for his children.
Meticulously researched and compelling written this is a fascinating account of the history of the area in Southern Illinois known as Little Egypt and the life of Dr. Cavaness and his family and how he was able to hide his predilections for power and money from almost everyone. I recommend this to true crime fans.
March 5, 2017
I had to keep reminding myself that this was a true story. It read like a novel. A page turner of the highest order.
May 27, 2020
If there's anything that reading true crime will teach you, it's that monsters are real. They may come in the form of a charming, disarming serial killer who catches flies with honey. Or a seemingly unsolvable mystery in the media forces us to wonder what horrors could lay around each street corner. Perhaps a night of horror leads us to feel unsafe in our own homes, with our sweet sleeping families. What happens, then, when the monster comes from within - and fools everyone on the outside?
The late Darcy O'Brien tells us that monsters can wreak havoc on their families for decades. That's what happened to the wife and sons of Dr. John Dale Cavaness, the two-sided villain in Murder in Little Egypt. This book doesn't grace the shelves of your average bookstore; I found it through Amazon's recommendation service. Sometimes Amazon's pretty off, but it knew here, somehow, that my love for titles like In Cold Blood meant that I would relish this obscure small-town tale of filicide.
Amazon, you mensch. This is the kind of story lost to history (and, it turns out, People magazine archives) without someone like O'Brien to recognize how bizarre and special it is. Part of this specialness derives from the setting; "Little Egypt" comprises the Southern part of Illinois - Southern in the sense that it's at the bottom of the state, and also in the sense that it's a lot like Kentucky: white gangsters, family feuds, plenty of guns, and a blind trust for institutions. The latter becomes a real problem for the family of "the Doc," as O'Brien calls him. Cavaness, a semi-adequate doctor and a horrendous businessman, fosters a good reputation throughout Egypt by making house calls, letting patients get by on partial payments, and exuding a caring persona.
That persona disappeared when Dr. Cavaness went home. He abused his devoted wife, Marian, both verbally and physically. He all but ignored his sons, who grew up desperate for his attention and love. But two of those sons never reached far past adulthood - first Mark was found brutally shot in a field, his body nearly eaten away by animals - then, years later, Mark's murder still unsolved, the youngest, Sean, a troubled alcoholic on the path to redemption, was found shot in the head by a road outside of St. Louis. The public outcry over the trial wasn't what you would expect. Dr. Cavaness' supporters could not believe their beloved hero would kill his own sons - despite the coincidences, his eventual divorce from Marian, and endless evidence of motive. O'Brien weaves not a whodunit but instead chilling story of how well one man can trick a community into believing his good (or presentable) side is his only side - not that there's an evil Hyde hiding underneath.
www.whatbookshouldireadtoday.com
The late Darcy O'Brien tells us that monsters can wreak havoc on their families for decades. That's what happened to the wife and sons of Dr. John Dale Cavaness, the two-sided villain in Murder in Little Egypt. This book doesn't grace the shelves of your average bookstore; I found it through Amazon's recommendation service. Sometimes Amazon's pretty off, but it knew here, somehow, that my love for titles like In Cold Blood meant that I would relish this obscure small-town tale of filicide.
Amazon, you mensch. This is the kind of story lost to history (and, it turns out, People magazine archives) without someone like O'Brien to recognize how bizarre and special it is. Part of this specialness derives from the setting; "Little Egypt" comprises the Southern part of Illinois - Southern in the sense that it's at the bottom of the state, and also in the sense that it's a lot like Kentucky: white gangsters, family feuds, plenty of guns, and a blind trust for institutions. The latter becomes a real problem for the family of "the Doc," as O'Brien calls him. Cavaness, a semi-adequate doctor and a horrendous businessman, fosters a good reputation throughout Egypt by making house calls, letting patients get by on partial payments, and exuding a caring persona.
That persona disappeared when Dr. Cavaness went home. He abused his devoted wife, Marian, both verbally and physically. He all but ignored his sons, who grew up desperate for his attention and love. But two of those sons never reached far past adulthood - first Mark was found brutally shot in a field, his body nearly eaten away by animals - then, years later, Mark's murder still unsolved, the youngest, Sean, a troubled alcoholic on the path to redemption, was found shot in the head by a road outside of St. Louis. The public outcry over the trial wasn't what you would expect. Dr. Cavaness' supporters could not believe their beloved hero would kill his own sons - despite the coincidences, his eventual divorce from Marian, and endless evidence of motive. O'Brien weaves not a whodunit but instead chilling story of how well one man can trick a community into believing his good (or presentable) side is his only side - not that there's an evil Hyde hiding underneath.
www.whatbookshouldireadtoday.com
September 2, 2024
Very disturbing account of a physician loved by everyone in his community of southern Illinois who is a true sociopath and brutally murders two of his sons. The way the community embraces him anyway is very reminiscent of the way the GOP embraces Donald J Trump despite all the horrible things he says and does.
June 29, 2016
A few years ago someone asked me why I liked true crime books. As best I could I explained that I enjoyed the genre because at its best the works function almost as a biography/sociological study showing the perpetrator and how he/she functions or fails to function in society. I cited books like Fatal Vision and an Executioner’s Song that give one a fair amount of insight into the psychology of the subject while also illuminating the sociological and legal structures the either limit or fail to limit the actions of citizens.
I’m not sure how effective that explanation was. I wish I had read Murder in Little Egypt then, because I could simply have given him a copy of the book as it illustrates everything I like about the genre.
The book starts out a bit slow seemingly almost a quasi-biography of Dale Caveness a small town doctor accused of patricide. It took me a day or so to read the first two-three chapters because the pacing seemed slow and the events unengaging. However, after about four chapters I read the book straight through because once Caveness meets his second wife the narrative takes off.
Dale Caveness at first glance seems a rather tepid, limited individual. Certainly his mother spoiled him and poisoned his relationship with others but all in all Dale seems a decent enough chap. Caveness graduates med school then comes back to small town Illinois to open a practice and help care for his neighbors. Said doctor is beloved by the town residents because of his work, and because he often reduces or tosses out bills residents would struggle to pay.
Sure Caveness can be a little eccentric and some of his ‘pranks’ like moving a boat from the dock to a swimming pool are troubling… But he’s a genius and for his friends and patients that excuses the other deeds. Besides he’s so folksy and likeable. It doesn’t quite matter what Dale Caveness did, people were willing to excuse it or look away. Then he’s accused of murder and during the investigation allegations of another murder emerges.
The horror of the story is O’Brien’s slow unfolding of how on one hand Caveness could do truly kind and good things, all the while in his personal life behaving entirely differently. Equally horrifying is the length to which the citizens of the Little Egypt area remained enthralled to Caveness .
The unasked question is did people’s respect for his professional skills and gratitude for his charity, blind them to his misdeeds and crimes or were they aware and simply did not care. Were the people of the area to some degree culpable in the crimes Caveness committed? These are meaty questions and ones O'Brien leaves the reader to decide.
Likewise O’Brien depicts a legal system ill prepared to punish a prominent well liked doctor. O’Brien meticulously compiles evidence of Cavaness misdeeds from insurance fraud, to vehicular homicide, to homicides all of which he skated from with little to no reaction.
This is an absolute gem among true crime books. One that deserves to be read by fans of the genre as well as those who question it’s the allure.
I’m not sure how effective that explanation was. I wish I had read Murder in Little Egypt then, because I could simply have given him a copy of the book as it illustrates everything I like about the genre.
The book starts out a bit slow seemingly almost a quasi-biography of Dale Caveness a small town doctor accused of patricide. It took me a day or so to read the first two-three chapters because the pacing seemed slow and the events unengaging. However, after about four chapters I read the book straight through because once Caveness meets his second wife the narrative takes off.
Dale Caveness at first glance seems a rather tepid, limited individual. Certainly his mother spoiled him and poisoned his relationship with others but all in all Dale seems a decent enough chap. Caveness graduates med school then comes back to small town Illinois to open a practice and help care for his neighbors. Said doctor is beloved by the town residents because of his work, and because he often reduces or tosses out bills residents would struggle to pay.
Sure Caveness can be a little eccentric and some of his ‘pranks’ like moving a boat from the dock to a swimming pool are troubling… But he’s a genius and for his friends and patients that excuses the other deeds. Besides he’s so folksy and likeable. It doesn’t quite matter what Dale Caveness did, people were willing to excuse it or look away. Then he’s accused of murder and during the investigation allegations of another murder emerges.
The horror of the story is O’Brien’s slow unfolding of how on one hand Caveness could do truly kind and good things, all the while in his personal life behaving entirely differently. Equally horrifying is the length to which the citizens of the Little Egypt area remained enthralled to Caveness .
The unasked question is did people’s respect for his professional skills and gratitude for his charity, blind them to his misdeeds and crimes or were they aware and simply did not care. Were the people of the area to some degree culpable in the crimes Caveness committed? These are meaty questions and ones O'Brien leaves the reader to decide.
Likewise O’Brien depicts a legal system ill prepared to punish a prominent well liked doctor. O’Brien meticulously compiles evidence of Cavaness misdeeds from insurance fraud, to vehicular homicide, to homicides all of which he skated from with little to no reaction.
This is an absolute gem among true crime books. One that deserves to be read by fans of the genre as well as those who question it’s the allure.
November 6, 2017
I enjoy a good practical joke, as long as i'm not the victim. So what i should probably say is i enjoy reading/hearing about a good practical joke. The star of this book, Doctor Dale Cavaness, is such a joker. He's into the usual stuff: stamping on your new watch, switching x-rays, telling people they're pregnant with twins when they're not. Just your usual, good-ole practical jokes. The above examples are some of his lesser offensive acts, the more the book progresses the more evil he gets making him one of the most horrible bastards I've ever read about. I'm surprised he didn't kill more people.
The book is no great masterpiece and is pretty average. If it wasn't for the fascinating antagonist it'd probably be a 2 star rating.
**UPDATE** downgraded to 2 stars. Some of the true crime books I've read now pale in comparison against One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley
The book is no great masterpiece and is pretty average. If it wasn't for the fascinating antagonist it'd probably be a 2 star rating.
**UPDATE** downgraded to 2 stars. Some of the true crime books I've read now pale in comparison against One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley
April 18, 2019
It never ceases to amaze me how abusive, narcissistic sociopaths can so easily control and manipulate those around them. In this true crime account, a doctor of a rural Illinois community constructed a lifestyle in which he was frequently intoxicated, habitually abused his wife and four sons, maintained an unethical and illegal medical practice, and yet was revered by the citizenry. The idea that he murdered two of his sons and nearly escaped justice is chillingly recounted by Darcy O'Brien in a manner that frequently made me question what was wrong with the citizens of Little Egypt. It also reinforced the concept of "afluenza" and society's deference to those with a medical degree which needs honestly diligant scrutiny when justice is at stake.
My only criticism is that while the author meticulously detailed the life of all relevant characters and the court case was expediently recounted, he sometimes digressed into the history of inconsequnetial figures. Nevertheless, this was a fascinating read for fans of this genre and well-worth the effort.
My only criticism is that while the author meticulously detailed the life of all relevant characters and the court case was expediently recounted, he sometimes digressed into the history of inconsequnetial figures. Nevertheless, this was a fascinating read for fans of this genre and well-worth the effort.
August 4, 2010
I read this book because I'm from Southern Illinois and I wanted to learn more about some of the history of the area. It was well written...very interesting and sad. My only problem is that the book seems to depict all of Southern Illinois as violent and ignorant...and that is completely untrue!
June 29, 2017
The author's style is too rambling, her sentences convoluted and distracting, and I couldn't get past the writing to enjoy the story.
June 20, 2018
True story about a doctor who murdered his 2 sons to collect insurance. It was a slow starter, but once it got going, I really liked it.
March 7, 2017
This could be titled more correctly, the life biography of Dale Cavaness. Because that is what it is, in minute detail, as he lived it during the entire mid portions of the 20th Century, until 1986. So we are covering 1930s-1986 period within an area of Southern Illinois called "Little Egypt" in this book. Actually it is a large area, rather shaped like an inverted triangle at the very bottom of the state of Illinois with the top point of that triangle slanted a bit Westward where St. Louis lives on the very tip. This land mass area is larger than some small USA states. The core is hilly to small peaks and three great rivers (Wabash, Ohio. Mississippi) and dozens of creeks and tributaries run through it.
It's stunning in natural visuals. Nothing like the rest of Illinois or the prairies of Iowa and much larger tracts West. Far, far prettier and the trees, water noises, scenic views, 1000's of shades of green, and the ever present and abundant wildlife and birds! Some aspects are not the red rocks of Sedona or the majesty of a Rocky mountain or Grand Canyon- but just as clearly beautiful as any far Northwestern USA forest or waterfall feeding haven. But by reading this book, you will NEVER get an iota of that aspect for Little Egypt, unless it is used within a comparison/opposition to the strip mining or other unsightly remnants of mining past. Which according to this author reign everywhere, which is nothing but totally false. Now, more than in the last century- but this was never, not in any stretch of the imagination an "ugly" part of the USA. Shawnee National Forest covers immense landmass percentage of this triangle, for Pete's sake- how could he use the descriptions he did for this book? Incredible that it became published, IMHO- without someone looking into the reality. Don't editors and publishers do that in non-fiction?
The story of Dale is tremendously researched and reported. His wife of decades, Marian, it is much of it seen through her "eyes". And the four boys that they raised in Harrisburg, IL- those 6 people are the core of this book. But that is not the only perceptions that we "witness". Others have input to the real time events, as well. He was popular, the one and everybody's Doctor in a 4 or 5 town core of the hill country. Mostly Harrisburg, Murphysboro, Benton, Eldorado areas but occasionally as far South as Cairo.
Overall, the book is an exceptional study of a personality disorder. And the people, because of his skills and the positive sides of his work, who put up with it and enabled him to bully and torment as "jokes" and be the controlling menace he was, for 30 plus years.
But the book's core is marketed on the crimes (murders but more)he committed and also upon the mores of the entire area. Every town issue with Dale or relationship with authority is used as an example that the wider society from the Mississippi to the Wabash and all the way across to Paducah, KY- was "the same". That such nonsense is considered "truth" for 336 pages is enough to wonder. Not just about the high star ratings, I can understand the story was so detailed that the reader may have had a window- BUT!! But, how can such a stereotype be contained with just 20 people all told as central in this book?? And then I looked at the author's bio.
He was the son of two silent film star movie idols, who was raised in L.A. and wrote true crime. He died at 59, BEFORE this book was even widely published. In an era in which these vast generalizations were not much questioned, at all. Not at all in this case.
Do the people of Southern IL hold a different cultural standard? Probably much closer to Harlan County, KY to that of Springfield, IL. Yes, they probably still do. But do not swallow this cartoon, that all assaults are considered "fun play" of the boys or that all the women are facade smile homemakers who rationalize the missing ammunition. It's completely false.
Ironically, not even 2 months ago, I happened to be in the midst of a travel road trip of 1000's of miles and spent some time in Marion. (Apart from all the time I spent visiting Carbondale and SUI in the past as my youngest went there.) Marion, IL right now is fighting to keep a nearly empty mall open. Carbondale has grown to the point of taking all the retail store business. Our stay in Marion was one of the best parts of the trip "coming home". Friendly and as personal in hosting and conversations as any we met.
Marion is poor and many are now in crux of changing jobs for their 5th time, but it is a thriving metropolis compared to the greater expanses of Michigan, or to extensive multiple neighborhoods of urban Chicago. Far safer, and far less violent- as well. And with MUCH stronger family and structural mores for lasting community support and sustenance. Not in just the material either, but in all senses.
Read this book only for the terrible case study of a personality twisted and who then twisted again and destroyed his own. But do NOT take all these wider assumptions as anything but someone's ignorance who came from a system completely different and totally unlike the depth of loyalty and faith and assumptions of "good will and intent" that these rural folks have held for centuries.
I would have given it 2 stars, except for the early stories for those three older boys. A real lesson in what NOT to do to your children.
It's stunning in natural visuals. Nothing like the rest of Illinois or the prairies of Iowa and much larger tracts West. Far, far prettier and the trees, water noises, scenic views, 1000's of shades of green, and the ever present and abundant wildlife and birds! Some aspects are not the red rocks of Sedona or the majesty of a Rocky mountain or Grand Canyon- but just as clearly beautiful as any far Northwestern USA forest or waterfall feeding haven. But by reading this book, you will NEVER get an iota of that aspect for Little Egypt, unless it is used within a comparison/opposition to the strip mining or other unsightly remnants of mining past. Which according to this author reign everywhere, which is nothing but totally false. Now, more than in the last century- but this was never, not in any stretch of the imagination an "ugly" part of the USA. Shawnee National Forest covers immense landmass percentage of this triangle, for Pete's sake- how could he use the descriptions he did for this book? Incredible that it became published, IMHO- without someone looking into the reality. Don't editors and publishers do that in non-fiction?
The story of Dale is tremendously researched and reported. His wife of decades, Marian, it is much of it seen through her "eyes". And the four boys that they raised in Harrisburg, IL- those 6 people are the core of this book. But that is not the only perceptions that we "witness". Others have input to the real time events, as well. He was popular, the one and everybody's Doctor in a 4 or 5 town core of the hill country. Mostly Harrisburg, Murphysboro, Benton, Eldorado areas but occasionally as far South as Cairo.
Overall, the book is an exceptional study of a personality disorder. And the people, because of his skills and the positive sides of his work, who put up with it and enabled him to bully and torment as "jokes" and be the controlling menace he was, for 30 plus years.
But the book's core is marketed on the crimes (murders but more)he committed and also upon the mores of the entire area. Every town issue with Dale or relationship with authority is used as an example that the wider society from the Mississippi to the Wabash and all the way across to Paducah, KY- was "the same". That such nonsense is considered "truth" for 336 pages is enough to wonder. Not just about the high star ratings, I can understand the story was so detailed that the reader may have had a window- BUT!! But, how can such a stereotype be contained with just 20 people all told as central in this book?? And then I looked at the author's bio.
He was the son of two silent film star movie idols, who was raised in L.A. and wrote true crime. He died at 59, BEFORE this book was even widely published. In an era in which these vast generalizations were not much questioned, at all. Not at all in this case.
Do the people of Southern IL hold a different cultural standard? Probably much closer to Harlan County, KY to that of Springfield, IL. Yes, they probably still do. But do not swallow this cartoon, that all assaults are considered "fun play" of the boys or that all the women are facade smile homemakers who rationalize the missing ammunition. It's completely false.
Ironically, not even 2 months ago, I happened to be in the midst of a travel road trip of 1000's of miles and spent some time in Marion. (Apart from all the time I spent visiting Carbondale and SUI in the past as my youngest went there.) Marion, IL right now is fighting to keep a nearly empty mall open. Carbondale has grown to the point of taking all the retail store business. Our stay in Marion was one of the best parts of the trip "coming home". Friendly and as personal in hosting and conversations as any we met.
Marion is poor and many are now in crux of changing jobs for their 5th time, but it is a thriving metropolis compared to the greater expanses of Michigan, or to extensive multiple neighborhoods of urban Chicago. Far safer, and far less violent- as well. And with MUCH stronger family and structural mores for lasting community support and sustenance. Not in just the material either, but in all senses.
Read this book only for the terrible case study of a personality twisted and who then twisted again and destroyed his own. But do NOT take all these wider assumptions as anything but someone's ignorance who came from a system completely different and totally unlike the depth of loyalty and faith and assumptions of "good will and intent" that these rural folks have held for centuries.
I would have given it 2 stars, except for the early stories for those three older boys. A real lesson in what NOT to do to your children.
December 16, 2020
O'Brien's work originally published in 1988 and Edgar Award Nominee for Best Fact Crime in 1990, is an example of a well told true-crime narrative. As one other reviewer noted, a more fitting title may have been Biography of Dr. John Dale Cavaness or something along those lines.
The book chronicles the life of Southern Illinois physician, Dr. Cavaness, who was charged and convicted of his son Sean's murder in the 1980s. As the book's summary mentions, "people of Little Egypt, as the natives call their region, rose to his defense." They were outraged by his arrest because of his reputation of being a skilled doctor who cared for his patients.
It may take the first few chapters of the story to warm up for some readers. As some reviewers point out, the book begins describing the scenery of Southern Illinois and a bit about the area's history. I admit that I may be a little bias in enjoying reading about the setting due to growing up in a neighboring county, but I also feel that it is necessary for the reader to understand that the southern most part of state is very different than the northern areas like Chicago. Plus, I love hearing about old times and histories of the region.
All in all, I enjoyed O'Brien's writing and Perry Daniels's narration. Unlike many nonfiction books, he recounts the doctor's life in a true narrative form. I could easily see someone mistaking it for a work of fiction, but that is also what makes the crimes committed by Dr. Cavaness all the more horrific. I truly believe the man was a clinical psychopath. The way he manipulated people and acted as if he was above all is astounding. Definitely an interesting true-crime read (or listen for audiobook listeners).
The book chronicles the life of Southern Illinois physician, Dr. Cavaness, who was charged and convicted of his son Sean's murder in the 1980s. As the book's summary mentions, "people of Little Egypt, as the natives call their region, rose to his defense." They were outraged by his arrest because of his reputation of being a skilled doctor who cared for his patients.
It may take the first few chapters of the story to warm up for some readers. As some reviewers point out, the book begins describing the scenery of Southern Illinois and a bit about the area's history. I admit that I may be a little bias in enjoying reading about the setting due to growing up in a neighboring county, but I also feel that it is necessary for the reader to understand that the southern most part of state is very different than the northern areas like Chicago. Plus, I love hearing about old times and histories of the region.
All in all, I enjoyed O'Brien's writing and Perry Daniels's narration. Unlike many nonfiction books, he recounts the doctor's life in a true narrative form. I could easily see someone mistaking it for a work of fiction, but that is also what makes the crimes committed by Dr. Cavaness all the more horrific. I truly believe the man was a clinical psychopath. The way he manipulated people and acted as if he was above all is astounding. Definitely an interesting true-crime read (or listen for audiobook listeners).
September 30, 2018
I'm about 1/4 of the way through the book, so still have a way to go, but it has taken me almost this long to begin to even be INTERESTED in continuing to read it. So far, I've only managed to read a few pages each night. There is just WAY to much detail in the beginning of this book about "Little Egypt" and the killer's parents lives (and, as I recall, even his grandparents). I skipped over some of it, not being interested AT ALL in the history of the towns he lived and worked in. To ME, there's just been way too much unnecessary 'filler'. I can understand including details that lead to the development of a man who could kill his own children; but other that that, it's just BORING to read extraneous details. The book did improve, finally, when it got into the details of the murders and law enforcement trying to solve the cases, but could have been better written by not focusing so much on other details.
May 8, 2024
Disturbing. If this were fiction it would be dismissed as unbelievable , or surreal.
Even though the reader knows the basic facts before starting, there is plenty of suspense, and you root for the victims with every fiber. I don’t read murder mysteries but this is a gem of a non-mystery. And true.
Even though the reader knows the basic facts before starting, there is plenty of suspense, and you root for the victims with every fiber. I don’t read murder mysteries but this is a gem of a non-mystery. And true.
January 26, 2016
This was a wonderful well-written book and I highly recommend it.
June 29, 2018
Being from Southern Illinois and so very near where this story takes place, I was really into this book. Murder in Little Egypt is the first true crime novel I've ever read, so I don't know if it's great or not.
I think Darcy O'Brien did a really great job describing the area where this tragedy unfolds. He paints a vivid picture of the Cavaness family, each member coming alive throughout the course of the book.
The first couple of chapters really dive into the literal bloody history that has been Little Egypt for over 200 years. The depictions of all these little towns with wild West justice made it seem like the area is cursed, that bad juju played into Dale Cavaness being such a jerk to his family.
I think Darcy O'Brien did a really great job describing the area where this tragedy unfolds. He paints a vivid picture of the Cavaness family, each member coming alive throughout the course of the book.
The first couple of chapters really dive into the literal bloody history that has been Little Egypt for over 200 years. The depictions of all these little towns with wild West justice made it seem like the area is cursed, that bad juju played into Dale Cavaness being such a jerk to his family.
January 3, 2021
I just learned of this book over Christmas when my Dad gave me a copy and explained that Dr. Cavaness was his family’s doctor while he was growing up in Southern Illinois in the 1950s and 1960s. I have several examples of how Dr. Cavaness’s brilliant medical mind helped many of my family members to include a heart condition of my Grandfather and meningitis for my Aunt when she was a young child. Dr. Cavaness’s vast medical knowledge likely contributes to why people supported him even after his arrest for killing his son. I found myself Comparing him to Jekyll and Hyde throughout the book. Any fan of true crime novels should consider reading this one. Very well done and kept my interest from beginning to end.
December 31, 2020
I’m almost through the novel - will finish tomorrow as the last book of 2020 — but it is one of the best I’ve read this year. I love True Crime, so for me, the reviews from TC fans made me want to read it, as I knew I’d love it. But for anyone who likes a long story of a family — from some ancestors to a terrible event (s) over a generation — it’s a great read. I can’t put it down. Highly recommend.
I just read that Darcy O’Brien died in the 90s. That’s a bummer. I’ve read a couple of his other works — will need to read all his others. He was a really good writer. RIP.
I just read that Darcy O’Brien died in the 90s. That’s a bummer. I’ve read a couple of his other works — will need to read all his others. He was a really good writer. RIP.
July 26, 2025
Well written and well researched account of the crime and conviction of Dr. John Dale Cavaness, who murdered his son in 1984. I liked the focus on the other son, the mother, and their struggles dealing with the loss of their loved one. Darcy O'Brien also did a great job of highlighting the difficulties police faced convicting Dr. Cavaness because of his reputation within their small town. I rank this in the top tier of books I've read within the true crime genre.
October 21, 2023
A very well told true crime story excellently narrated by Perry Daniels.
March 8, 2017
A well- written, painful slow burn.
December 10, 2013
Well, I'm glad I went ahead with this one. I recently read (well, tried to read) another of O'Brien's, 'Dark and Bloody Ground', and was so bored I could not finish it. This one is much, much better. In fact, when I couldn't be reading it, I was thinking about reading it. It's detailed without bogging down, hits on all the necessary background of all the important characters, and finishes with a nice but not overly-technical run-down of the trial. One creepy thing is, Dale Cavaness reminds me to some degree of Jeff MacDonald (who murdered his entire family): doctors, perfectionists, cheaters who saw no issue with cheating, beloved by their communities. A well-executed (pardon the pun) true-crime book.
March 14, 2016
A really well written true crime book. O'Brien tells a straight forward story which begins with a telling of the crime(s) and a little of the factors that complicated the case, then goes back in time (once!) for background, and then works it's way to the denouement in an orderly fashion, chronologically. Background on the key players is insightful and unemotional, relevant to the progression of the story, and brief. Each character is referred to by an individual name which is used throughout the book and eliminates confusion. The narrative is in a news broadcast style, as true investigative journalism should be.
August 3, 2016
Gripping account of true events!
This was so well written that I kept forgetting it was not fictional. Each character/person became whole and familiar to the reader and the flow of the narrative made this book a relentless page turner.
This story reveals the chameleon-like diabolical nature of a real life sociopath and his ability to hypnotize those around him.
There was also an interesting subplot!
It was a tragic inability of a large interdependent group of people to honestly scrutinize ugly evidence against a beloved icon.
I found that phenomenon is especially poignant in this unorthodox 2016 presidential election.
I highly recommend this book!
This was so well written that I kept forgetting it was not fictional. Each character/person became whole and familiar to the reader and the flow of the narrative made this book a relentless page turner.
This story reveals the chameleon-like diabolical nature of a real life sociopath and his ability to hypnotize those around him.
There was also an interesting subplot!
It was a tragic inability of a large interdependent group of people to honestly scrutinize ugly evidence against a beloved icon.
I found that phenomenon is especially poignant in this unorthodox 2016 presidential election.
I highly recommend this book!
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