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To Hatred Turned: Everything Is Bigger in Texas, Including the Crimes
“Englade (Beyond Reason) here treats a complex Dallas murder case with a master’s touch . . . [A] web of blackmail and hired killers” (Publishers Weekly).
Reporter Ken Englade explores the complex case of Rozanne Gailiunas, a woman in Texas who, in 1983, was the victim of a grisly, unsolved murder. Her married boyfriend, Larry Aylor, was questioned, but there wasn’t enough evidence to tie him to the crime. It looked like this murder would go unsolved.
Then, in 1988, an unexpected source tipped police off and set in motion a twisted story of family betrayal and murder-for-hire. Englade brings every shocking detail to light in unraveling this complex tale, weaving together a spellbinding narrative of a family willing to kill to get what it wants, and a trial that brought them to justice.
Reporter Ken Englade explores the complex case of Rozanne Gailiunas, a woman in Texas who, in 1983, was the victim of a grisly, unsolved murder. Her married boyfriend, Larry Aylor, was questioned, but there wasn’t enough evidence to tie him to the crime. It looked like this murder would go unsolved.
Then, in 1988, an unexpected source tipped police off and set in motion a twisted story of family betrayal and murder-for-hire. Englade brings every shocking detail to light in unraveling this complex tale, weaving together a spellbinding narrative of a family willing to kill to get what it wants, and a trial that brought them to justice.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1993
1681 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Ken Englade
21 books67 followersKenneth F. Englade is a New Mexico-based author who has published nine books dealing with high profile trials. His latest book, Meltdown in Haditha: The Killing of 24 Iraqi Civilians by U.S. Marines and the Failure of Military Justice, will be published in 2015 by McFarland & Co. He also published five historical novels dealing with the pre-Civil War West. His books have been published in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada. He is a veteran journalist who has worked on newspapers and for fourteen years with United Press International, including three years in Asia where he covered the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon. Beyond Reason, his book about a University of Virginia coed and her German boyfriend who conspired to kill the woman’s parents was a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award. From 2000-2006 he was a public information officer for the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency. In 2010 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Louisiana State University School of Mass Communications in recognition of his career achievements.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 7, 2016
I purchased this book as an audio in 2014. As I disliked its structure and presentation so much the first time and I typically like these books, I wanted to give it another shot. Unfortunately, I still disliked the structure and presentation of the book.
This book tells the story of one woman's murder and multiple individuals involved in that murder. In addition this book goes into detail on how the one person serving time in the USA for her death had his constitutional rights completely trampled.
Overall this book is messy. The events were messy for sure, but Englade presents the information in such a messy fashion that I found it rather like trying to set Rice Crispy bars with the bare hands. Everything sticks, nothing sticks where it should. There is no clear justice, which though factual is still frustrating.
This book tells the story of one woman's murder and multiple individuals involved in that murder. In addition this book goes into detail on how the one person serving time in the USA for her death had his constitutional rights completely trampled.
Overall this book is messy. The events were messy for sure, but Englade presents the information in such a messy fashion that I found it rather like trying to set Rice Crispy bars with the bare hands. Everything sticks, nothing sticks where it should. There is no clear justice, which though factual is still frustrating.
June 15, 2020
Pretty skewed. And the book was written before the main bad actor was tried.
July 30, 2010
I read most of the book. The second half got bogged down in legal maneuvering from the defense and the prosecution. So I gave up. It is hard to have sympathy for many in this book. The thought that these people actuall exist and aren't just a figment of the authors imagination is pretty scary. A married man begains an affair with a married woman and the woman ends up dead. A huge plot is discovered.
March 2, 2017
An interesting read. Thankfully I had forgotten this story because I later learned I had already read a book I think it was called Open Secrets about this case, so in the beginning I did not have a clue where this was going.
In the end there are still many questions but what annoys me most of all is that the person that started all of this can get parole and probably is already walking free while an innocent woman was raped and killed..
3.5 *
In the end there are still many questions but what annoys me most of all is that the person that started all of this can get parole and probably is already walking free while an innocent woman was raped and killed..
3.5 *
February 21, 2020
This was extremely sad. It pains me to know there are people who resort to these measures. I was disappointed in how the book ended. I had to Google to find out if she got extradited to the U.S. and tried for her crimes.
March 2, 2017
A look at the Rozanne Gailunas murder in Dallas in 1983, the subsequent attempted murder of her lover, Larry Ayler, and the trial in 1992.
November 15, 2019
Solved but unsolved, good read
I have read true crime books by Men Englade before, he's a master story teller. This book had obstacles, due to the many people involved, that I believe created a difficult retelling. It's definitely worth the read, however, so much time passes between one act after another, then the long drawn out trial and it's many characters that the reader, at least for me, caused gaps in my memory. I forgot what happened in the beginning by the time it was mentioned at trial, well, made for difficult reading. However, that did not dissuade or prevent me from continuing.
As to Detective McGowan, shame on him and the trial judge for not upholding the defendant's right to counsel, while the true killer Joy Aylor languished in Paris, then life in a Texas prison.
Andy Hopper deserved life in prison, not lethal injection. Jou Aylor was the snake, the catalyst for Roxanne's murder and attempted murder of her husband Larry. Yet, the courts focus was on the wrong person, who should have been secondary to the true killer ... Joy Aylor.
Like Englade, I too wonder about the Thorazine, the paper stuffed into her mouth and the person who told the boy to hang up the phone. Truly an unsolved mystery
I have read true crime books by Men Englade before, he's a master story teller. This book had obstacles, due to the many people involved, that I believe created a difficult retelling. It's definitely worth the read, however, so much time passes between one act after another, then the long drawn out trial and it's many characters that the reader, at least for me, caused gaps in my memory. I forgot what happened in the beginning by the time it was mentioned at trial, well, made for difficult reading. However, that did not dissuade or prevent me from continuing.
As to Detective McGowan, shame on him and the trial judge for not upholding the defendant's right to counsel, while the true killer Joy Aylor languished in Paris, then life in a Texas prison.
Andy Hopper deserved life in prison, not lethal injection. Jou Aylor was the snake, the catalyst for Roxanne's murder and attempted murder of her husband Larry. Yet, the courts focus was on the wrong person, who should have been secondary to the true killer ... Joy Aylor.
Like Englade, I too wonder about the Thorazine, the paper stuffed into her mouth and the person who told the boy to hang up the phone. Truly an unsolved mystery
April 20, 2021
A really intriguing but somewhat convoluted case. The book is well-written and holds the reader's attention well despite the twists and turns of the plot.
January 29, 2020
Justice through blinders
A sad story that reflects how getting to the full truth of all the players was manipulated by the lawyers, police and even the jury, since they all had their own agenda to get a 'win' in their case. Hopefully some day every guilty party will be held responsible for their actions.
A sad story that reflects how getting to the full truth of all the players was manipulated by the lawyers, police and even the jury, since they all had their own agenda to get a 'win' in their case. Hopefully some day every guilty party will be held responsible for their actions.
March 14, 2020
Good read
Very disappointing that the justice system didn’t work the way that it should have. This was a very sad affair and my heart goes out to all families involved. I hope one day that the story does it end and then your key do you get punished. Sorry if this is a little bit of a spoiler.
Very disappointing that the justice system didn’t work the way that it should have. This was a very sad affair and my heart goes out to all families involved. I hope one day that the story does it end and then your key do you get punished. Sorry if this is a little bit of a spoiler.
March 12, 2021
I liked it and didn’t at the same time. The book left too many unanswered questioned. I felt the events could have been laid out better. I wanted to know a little more about some of the people and events and kept hoping it would get there, but it fell short. I love true crime and the story itself was interesting, but I just need to know more details!
March 28, 2020
This book was formerly called A DARK AND DEADLY LOVE; it chronicles a complex and fascinating case of murder-for-hire and includes a bizarre cast of characters. I've read it several times over the years, along with Carlton Stowers' OPEN SECRETS, which deals with the same events.
March 16, 2020
Well written. The story was confusing, not because of the writing so much, the tale was very hard to follow.
May 26, 2021
Love, sex and drugs
What does it take for an average man with a good life to turn into a drug dealer, sex addict and murder? Today’s headlines about real people.
What does it take for an average man with a good life to turn into a drug dealer, sex addict and murder? Today’s headlines about real people.
September 26, 2021
Verbose
Wow, could have been summed up in 10 pages... after mulling through the first several chapters went straight to the last chapter for the outcome. Waste of time.
Wow, could have been summed up in 10 pages... after mulling through the first several chapters went straight to the last chapter for the outcome. Waste of time.
November 15, 2020
To Hatred Turned.
The Author Ken Englade does a decent job at laying out the details and scenarios involved in this book as there are a lot of people involved in the murder of Rozanne Gailiunas, a woman in Texas who, in 1983, was the victim of a grisly, unsolved murder.
The book To Hatred Turned seemed to drag through the trial where the jury was out of the courtroom most of the time whilst the prosecutor and defence spent most of their time objecting ferociously at every little opportunity.
The first two thirds of the book where fine, but the last third about the trial dragged on way too long. I hope that one day everyone involved in the death of Rozanne will be held responsible for their actions and brought to justice.
On a personal note this book was not one of the great and exciting True crime books that usually catch my attention from beginning to end.
.
The Author Ken Englade does a decent job at laying out the details and scenarios involved in this book as there are a lot of people involved in the murder of Rozanne Gailiunas, a woman in Texas who, in 1983, was the victim of a grisly, unsolved murder.
The book To Hatred Turned seemed to drag through the trial where the jury was out of the courtroom most of the time whilst the prosecutor and defence spent most of their time objecting ferociously at every little opportunity.
The first two thirds of the book where fine, but the last third about the trial dragged on way too long. I hope that one day everyone involved in the death of Rozanne will be held responsible for their actions and brought to justice.
On a personal note this book was not one of the great and exciting True crime books that usually catch my attention from beginning to end.
.
January 28, 2021
Kept me reading
Well written and well researched but I am more interested in the personalities and relationships than the details of the case and the trial, which is the emphasis here. I got almost no sense of the psychology of the culprit and how she was seen by the people she came into contact with. Also seems to have been written prematurely since the culprit was taken to trial and sentenced after it was written. Even so, what was included kept me reading and engaged if not completely satisfied.
Well written and well researched but I am more interested in the personalities and relationships than the details of the case and the trial, which is the emphasis here. I got almost no sense of the psychology of the culprit and how she was seen by the people she came into contact with. Also seems to have been written prematurely since the culprit was taken to trial and sentenced after it was written. Even so, what was included kept me reading and engaged if not completely satisfied.
June 5, 2022
very dry
I have read another book by this author, and the very factual recitation of the facts does not read to me like a typical whodunnit. Never once were my emotions engaged. I felt no urgency in reading. I put this book down several times because I felt bogged down in the minutiae of the case. I decided on a 3-star review instead of the 1-star I really wanted to give because I do think the details would be interesting if that were what I wanted to read.
I have read another book by this author, and the very factual recitation of the facts does not read to me like a typical whodunnit. Never once were my emotions engaged. I felt no urgency in reading. I put this book down several times because I felt bogged down in the minutiae of the case. I decided on a 3-star review instead of the 1-star I really wanted to give because I do think the details would be interesting if that were what I wanted to read.
December 28, 2020
The writing style was engaging and the author really made you feel present with the coverage of the murder plot and trial of Andy Hopper. But why would you write a book covering only one trial without the main instigator’s trial and resulting sentence? It felt odd to end without the additional details, leaving so much to be googled immediately after finishing.
July 11, 2022
Do we need all these details?
Great story.......really an excellent thriller IF it wasn't for all of the unnecessary details. It seems like background details were given on every person mentioned in the book as well as on every incident...... related or not. I felt like the details were included just to add pages....they definitely didn't help the story.
Great story.......really an excellent thriller IF it wasn't for all of the unnecessary details. It seems like background details were given on every person mentioned in the book as well as on every incident...... related or not. I felt like the details were included just to add pages....they definitely didn't help the story.
December 18, 2022
Interesting but also disappointing
Story was interesting which kept me reading to the end. But It was repetitive quite a bit. And the law or reasoning for the court's decisions were not clearly explained. But it is a true story and provides great insight into the Texas Legal System. And the methods attorneys, on both sides, attempt to shape and twist facts to fit a narrative.
Story was interesting which kept me reading to the end. But It was repetitive quite a bit. And the law or reasoning for the court's decisions were not clearly explained. But it is a true story and provides great insight into the Texas Legal System. And the methods attorneys, on both sides, attempt to shape and twist facts to fit a narrative.
November 24, 2018
True Crime story
This a good book, but there are many errors in the text. I also had some trouble following the book, but i don't know out may be that was caused by the complexity of the crimes.
This a good book, but there are many errors in the text. I also had some trouble following the book, but i don't know out may be that was caused by the complexity of the crimes.
February 26, 2020
It never ceases to amaze me how flipping stupid criminals are. It's astounding that they get away with things for so long. This is just a little piece of a wild criminal Dallas socialite. It's an enjoyable true crime novel. Recommend this to any true crime fans.
December 10, 2020
Great read!
Definitely more than gristle to this story. Very well detailed and researched to bring to the spotlight a case that will chill you at the senseless crime committed. All for greed and lust.
Definitely more than gristle to this story. Very well detailed and researched to bring to the spotlight a case that will chill you at the senseless crime committed. All for greed and lust.
January 17, 2021
BORING! Do I really need a minute by minute play by play of these peoples lives ? Heading to wilkipedia to find out what happened. Boring writing: useless details. Waste of time, ink bandwidth ... etc.
November 9, 2021
Super informative
I really loved the second half of the book, the trial. It was so educational for me and interesting. I loved this book... I live in around these parts so it was cool to learn some history they didn't teach you in school about your hometown.
I really loved the second half of the book, the trial. It was so educational for me and interesting. I loved this book... I live in around these parts so it was cool to learn some history they didn't teach you in school about your hometown.
July 29, 2022
True story
A true story about a love triangle and murder for hire. Truth can be harder to believe than fiction. It’s easy to see how drugs can be one’s downfall. Well written and engaging.
A true story about a love triangle and murder for hire. Truth can be harder to believe than fiction. It’s easy to see how drugs can be one’s downfall. Well written and engaging.
November 30, 2022
Engrossing
A full retelling of events from a very tough case. The author kept the book fresh and interesting.. The trial was long and draining. The author effectively captured the essence of this case.
A full retelling of events from a very tough case. The author kept the book fresh and interesting.. The trial was long and draining. The author effectively captured the essence of this case.
June 29, 2019
Intriguing beginning, moderate middle, and boring and predictable ending.
July 31, 2019
Trial went into too many avenues making the reader loose interest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews