The Big Eddy Club :The Stocking Stranglings and Southern Justice

by David Rose

Called a "dazzlingly reported, supremely elegant" work by The Observer, The Big Eddy Club is an award-winning journalist's exposé of race, injustice, and serial murder in the Deep South—Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil with an investigative edge. Over eight bloody months in the mid-1970s, a serial rapist and murderer terrorized Columbus, Georgia, killing seven affluent, elderly white women—almost all members of the Big Eddy social club for the town's elite. Carlton Gary, an African American man currently on death row for what came to be known as "the stocking stranglings," came within four hours of being executed in December 2009.

The Big Eddy Club connects Gary's late-twentieth-century trial with racially charged trials in Columbus of a previous era, to explore the broad topic of racial justice in the American South. This paperback edition includes an all-new afterword detailing the recent discovery of potentially exonerating evidence, which led to Gary's last-minute stay of execution and will likely result in a new trial.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

350 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

David Rose is a writer and investigative journalist. His awards include the David Watt Memorial Prize and the One World award for human rights journalism. His work appears in The Observer and Vanity Fair. Among his books are In the Name of the Law, a widely-praised examination of the British criminal justice system; and A Climate of Fear, an investigation of the Broadwater Farm case and the conviction of Winston Silcott. He has also written books on mountaineering, including Regions of the Heart, a biography of Alison Hargreaves, the British climber who died in her attempt to conquer K2, and he is working on a book about the US death penalty centred on a miscarriage of justice in the town of Columbus, Georgia. David Rose lives in Oxford with his family.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh.... I actually threw this book away before even finishing it. Being from the Columbus, Georgia area, I completely disagreed with 90% of everything the author wrote about the area and the mentality of the people here. Only whites living in the northern part of town and only blacks living in the southern part??? When, exactly, is the last time the author visited this city???? 1952 ??? This city, more so than any other city in Georgia, perhaps in the whole South, is a huge melting pot of many, many different types of people. A large percentage of the people living here weren't even born and raised here. Hello... ever hear of Ft. Benning? Tens of thousands of soldiers and their families live here, from every state in the union, making up a huge part of the population.
I can't speak on the author's case for Carlton Gary. At first I admired his apparently diligent research and "quest for the truth". However, I ended up questioning the validity of even that once I saw how he completely over-dramatized and (to put it nicely) stretched the truth with regards to the City of Columbus itself.

[Ozy Frantz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was going to give this book four stars, until I discovered that the author had left out that DNA evidence showed that Carlton Gary had committed at least one rape and murder, despite having an afterword written well after the evidence was found. While that doesn't mean he's guilty of the crimes he was convicted of, leaving out that kind of crucial information does not speak well of the author's honesty.

Rose's argument also relies heavily on forms of evidence, such as bite mark evidence, which have been shown to be unreliable.

[Nicholas Cottrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong resident of Columbus Georgia I have to say this is spot on. Every disgusting detail, every charge of racism. Only someone blind to the reality of their city would ignore this book and the case it presents for a man who is undoubtedly a bad man and a criminal, but perhaps (if not probably!) innocent of these particular crimes.

[Literary Ventures Fund · Rating 5 out of 5]

From award-winning Vanity Fair reporter David Rose, The Big Eddy Club, an investigative expose of race, injustice, and serial murder in the Deep South

Over the course of eight bloody months in the 1970s, a serial rapist and murderer terrorized Columbus, Georgia, killing seven elderly white women by strangling them in their beds. In 1986, eight years after the last murder, an African American, Carlton Gary, was convicted and sentenced to death. Though many in the city doubt his guilt, he remains on death row.

"A gripping and brilliant piece of reporting that both lays bare an appalling miscarriage of justice and exposes its origins in the tortured history of the South."
—Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stocking Strangler is back in the news, seeking a new trial. If he gets one, he’ll be acquitted. Columbus, Georgia, has a history like no other city in the south. It sends more people to death row than any other city in Georgia, and Georgia leads the nation in capital punishment. The only problem, the cops are incompetent and crooked. Over eight months in the mid-1970s, a serial rapist and murderer terrified Columbus, killing seven affluent, elderly white women by strangling them in their beds. Eight years after the last murder, the police think they got their man. Unfortunately, even though Carlton Gary remains on death row, to this day many in the city doubt his guilt. A harrowing, well-written story; an especially good read for local residents.

[Sue Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doubt

I put off reading this book. I lived in Columbus during this time. I knew Miss Jean all my life. I knew/know several other people mentioned in the book. Rose goes into a lot of detail about some points of law, going back in history to give precise information, sometimes this becomes a bit tedious. There are things that have raised some doubt. Information and communication are key, as is a respect for our rule of law. This remains a blot in our history, one that our community doesn't want to remain. TBEC really does not play much of a role here, except as a symbol.

[Kala Ballard]

This book was a great work of investigative journalism. It speaks to the heart of what was and is deep seeded racism in the southern states of the US. The way the author ties in the historical cases to make you think about the case at hand touches the very subject of hate and racism at its core. I could not stop turning the pages. I was indeed let down with the ending but not altogether surprised. I live in these southern states--I see this "southern justice" even in todays society all to often.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly disturbing. Found myself deeply riveted by the blatant disregard for human life and justice while reading this book. Incredibly, Carlton Gary is still alive today(*39 years in prison/death row). Through out the book, there have been many inconsistencies noted by his defense attorneys; however, Mr. Gary remains enthralled to the state of Georgia prison system.

[Ilene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure where to start. As a true crime junkie I remember hearing about this when I lived in Ny. When I moved to Columbus, GA, Carlton Gary was put to death for crimes he may well have not committed. . He was not a good guy - he was a lifelong criminal with a long rap sheet. But, was he really the Stocking Strangler?

This book lays out the case for the role racism played in the decision to execute this man. There were so many inconsistencies between the evidence and Carlton's actual body. The defense was refused money to pay for experts, or for pretty much anything. The final piece of evidence was an old cast of Gary's teeth that was proven NOT TO BE from one of the vics whose breast was bitten. Wasn't enough to save this man.

The Land family has a long history of judgeships dating back to the turn of the century. And at every stage of Carlton Gary's story, a Land was at the helm. RACISM killed this man. Period.

[Laveda Culver · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while to finish this book. While it was a good read, I couldn't really get into it until almost the middle of the book. While reading it, I became angry at the blatant miscarriage of justice throughout the trial as well as all the appeals. While I'm aware of Mr. Gary's criminal activities, he seems to be innocent of the crimes charged and convicted of (the stranglings/murders). Although his DNA proved he murdered a young lady in 2007, who's to say that in his mind, he knew that they would never exonerate him so he felt like he might as well commit the crime since he was already serving the time and would soon be put to death for? They were gonna kill him anyway! Unfortunately, we will never know. I dont understand how those people went to sleep at night knowing what they had done...So Sad

[Kandace Dukes · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone from Columbus and into true crime this interests me, but it was written in such a boring way. A bulk of the book references past instances/cases of racism in the justice system to support the author’s ideas about the Stocking Strangler. So many that it’s repetitive for the reader.

If you are offended by the topic of racism or that fact that it exists in Columbus or the south, or know prominent families in Columbus this may not be to your liking. This book heavily, HEAVILY portrays the racism and prejudice of the south before and during the time of the crimes.

Also note this book was written in 2007 and additional evidence from dna was tested afterwards. But I learned so much about the history of Columbus and other cool info.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was released under the title “Violation” in the UK and sent to remainder bins. I collected it from there, started it, felt something was wrong and put it to one side. I had no idea of the real issue.

Here’s the problem: this is an attempt to vindicate rapist and murderer Carlton Gary, now proven guilty, and very, very likely the perpetrator of the crimes this books attempts to exonerate him of by throwing rocks at the local community of which he was part.

In essence, a now proven pointless exercise and busted flush and a totally negated piece of journalism.

[Burt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author David Rose invested a decade trying to prove that death-row inmate Carlton Gary was innocent. In writing The Big Eddy Club, Rose impugns the integrity of almost everyone in Columbus, Georgia. But the authorities were correct - DNA tests subsequently proved that Gary was a rapist and a murderer. Rose published this book before the DNA tests were in.

This is advocacy journalism at its worst - Rose chose an outcome that he wanted and reasoned backward to support his preconceived conclusions.

[Molly Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and sad. A little heavy handed with the racism references, but then again that's probably because I live here and I know how messed up the South/USA is, both past and present.

[Olivia Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

had to read for a class

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like the book. I like me some ignorant red-neck bashing, but I thought the author was extremely heavy handed. It was more "journalism" with a serious case of jaundice and less "investigation" than I was hoping for.

His hyperbole lessened the effectiveness of the book. I really looked forward to reading the book- this genre is my favorite- I love investigative journalism- but this isn't investigative journalism. Its not at all objective, a lot of the claims made in the book were presented as fact without any supporting documentation. It was lazy, thin of fact and extravagant on wink and nod conspiracy.

At one point there is a riot, buildings are burning- and the sheriff "Declared Marshall law and deprived the black citizens of their constitutional rights!" then goes on to say the sheriff ordered the liquor and gun stores closed and any group of more than 12 people gathering for protesting without a permit would be dispersed. ITS A FREAING RIOT- how dare he take away the constitution right to get fucked up and buy bullets and get your "mob on" in the middle of a riot? His ACLU rant was just silly.

There are SO MANY real examples of very disturbing discrimination, but the author does nothing to prove any of his inflammatory accusations. Its just plain lazy and begins to sound whiney. When you cry wolf at every turn, when the wolf shows up you're kinda sick of hearing the cry.

I remember one example where he said the pre-eminent fingerprint expert in the department was kept off the investigation because he was black. The only support for this officers expertise is that officer claim that he was better than anyone else. There's no information about his training or background in the department, nothing about his experience or personal research, nothing about the people who DID work on the investigation. How hard would it be to dig up something actually factual? An article he read, a trick he knew, a talent- something- ANYTHING- nope.

I am POSITIVE black police officers were passed over for promotion while white officers with less experience were promoted- but he doesn't provide one specific example. That's just plain lazy. You're in the most racist county in the country and you couldn't be bothered to find ONE case that supports your position? I worked at Morgan Stanley in the 90s and I could give you three clear examples - he couldn't find ONE in 1970?

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing tale of southern injustice. Even though DNA finally proved this man guilty, the unfair trial he received is still a mark on the South and it's stranglehold (no pun intended) on racism. It was a shocking and disappointing tale of how politics was utilized by BOTH Democrats and Republicans to appoint the SAME family to judicial positions for political purpose. And a revelatory tale about crime amongst the oppressed.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was timely to read this book as "Black Lives Matter" protests were erupting across the U.S. This book is both an in-depth history of The Stocking Stranglings, the case against Carlton Gary, and the flaws in that case, as well as a history of racial injustice in Columbus, GA. It's an important book to read at this historic moment and helps illuminate some of the issues at the heart of the protests.

[Karan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frustrated with the author. He seems hung-up on the racism angle which comes across as elitist and self-righteous. He fails to acknowledge that his own England is as guilty as America. Quite a few rabbit trails.

[Cathie]

I couldn't finish this. Such an important topic but the structure was horrid. Let's face it, when the ending is known there is no reason to torture yourself through 100s of pages of subpar writing. But hey, the cover was great.

[Tara Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was on a nook loan to me...it was a good read but not until I got halfway through. it seemed really a bit discombobulated in writing style which made it heavy going. I ran out of time to finish it.

[E. Franklin Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

A factual account of the Stocking Strangler murders in Columbus.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read, especially if you have spent time in columbus, ga or are involved in law. it provides an in-depth look at race and criminal justice.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting case. Not particularly well written, though.

[Donie Nelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sociological study--could not finish, too boring.