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Under the Trestle: The 1980 Disappearance of Gina Renee Hall & Virginia’s First “No Body” Murder Trial.
Under The Trestle is the true story of the most compelling murder case in Virginia history. In 1980, beautiful Gina Renee Hall, a Radford University freshman, went to a Virginia Tech nightclub on a Saturday night. She was never seen again. Her abandoned car was found parked beneath a railroad trestle bridging the New River, with blood in the trunk. The investigation led police to a secluded cabin on Claytor Lake, where there was evidence of a violent attack.
Former Virginia Tech football player, Stephen Epperly, was charged with murder, despite the fact that Gina’s body was never found. In Virginia’s “trial of the century”, prosecutor Everett Shockley presented an entirely circumstantial case. Key witnesses against Epperly included his best friend, his mother, and a tracking dog handler later believed by many to be a fraud. Three former Virginia Tech football players testified, including a Hokies quarterback once featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Would Epperly become the first person in Virginia history convicted of murder without the victim’s body, an eyewitness, or a confession? And would authorities ever find the body of Gina Renee Hall?
Former Virginia Tech football player, Stephen Epperly, was charged with murder, despite the fact that Gina’s body was never found. In Virginia’s “trial of the century”, prosecutor Everett Shockley presented an entirely circumstantial case. Key witnesses against Epperly included his best friend, his mother, and a tracking dog handler later believed by many to be a fraud. Three former Virginia Tech football players testified, including a Hokies quarterback once featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Would Epperly become the first person in Virginia history convicted of murder without the victim’s body, an eyewitness, or a confession? And would authorities ever find the body of Gina Renee Hall?
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2018
546 people are currently reading
1119 people want to read
About the author
Ron Peterson Jr.
4 books44 followersRon Peterson, Jr is the author of 'Under The Trestle' an Amazon Best Seller. His work has been published in newspapers throughout the country. His career includes leadership positions at the Virginian Pilot and Cox Media, where he was awarded the organization's annual "Outstanding Performance" award. Peterson's background also includes managing television advertising campaigns that have appeared on TV networks CNN, Discovery, Fox News & ESPN. He is a board member of the Hampton Roads Sports Media Hall of Fame. Peterson first wrote about the Gina Hall case as a Radford University senior in 1987, majoring in journalism and working as an editor for the university newspaper. In research for the book, he interviewed over 100 sources.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
January 1, 2022
As the sister of the victim Gina Renee Hall, and a person who was very much present in 1980, I was not only disappointed by the book Under the Trestle, but also saddened that the author Ron Peterson, Jr missed the opportunity to speak my sister’s truth and he did not. The author’s description on page 33 of “his sensationalized dance scene” is, in my opinion, victim blaming in its highest degree which is unacceptable to all those who know the truth and the factual data gathered from that horrific night in 1980. Facts ignored or omitted or even twisted is not to be marketed as a true story. It becomes fictional when the author paints pictures like movie scenes, rather than a fact-based portrayal of the truth especially regarding the victim of a heinous crime, as well as other key players and the details of what actually transpired throughout the course of the investigation. The book is just a regurgitation of “much of that same old story” that evolved in 1980. A story that originated from the killer and his best friend’s statements, and from bystander speculation as “stories” were created without actual knowledge of the behind the scenes complete investigation and case information. So, in my opinion, for this book to be marketed as all true and factually-based is a misrepresentation. Many of the inaccurate facts in the book could have easily been confirmed, relevant facts that change the trajectory of the entire crime narrative. Sensationalism does provide a visual story for the reader, but should not be done at the expense of accuracy of the story if to be labeled as -Non Fiction. Even I was misquoted and facts involving me inaccurate. I should Know-I was there living in the nightmare.
Gina’s character made the difference in the trial that successfully used the killer’s own lies against him... The author had an opportunity to share the real tragedy of this crime narrative, having knowledge of the women who came forward in 1980 who reported witnessing Gina being harassed inside the Marriott, but he instead chose to delete that narrative from his first draft and paint the picture of a “victim blaming” dance scene —how “SHE left the table where she was seated and walked past Epperly catching his eye with her petite beauty”... and that Gina was “Eager to get on the dance floor”, and how “Gina’s DANCING would have absolutely stoked Epperly’s raw instincts” and that “the small town girl may not have fully realized the effect HER dancing would have on a predator like Epperly”. Really? Yes, it is truth that Epperly was a predator - the kind who follows and abducts young women like Gina who fought off her attacker(s) with all her strength holding her car door shut until the driver’s side door strap broke, her blood found on three different separate areas in the trunk. That information is readily available in the public court documents if one just takes time to read it for all of the truth and not cherry pick the parts that fit in that same old narrative. Truth is ....all of the truth.
All I can say is “Shame on you” ....For Gina and for all victims and for all women who have to fight against the frivolity of biased narratives.
Gina’s character made the difference in the trial that successfully used the killer’s own lies against him... The author had an opportunity to share the real tragedy of this crime narrative, having knowledge of the women who came forward in 1980 who reported witnessing Gina being harassed inside the Marriott, but he instead chose to delete that narrative from his first draft and paint the picture of a “victim blaming” dance scene —how “SHE left the table where she was seated and walked past Epperly catching his eye with her petite beauty”... and that Gina was “Eager to get on the dance floor”, and how “Gina’s DANCING would have absolutely stoked Epperly’s raw instincts” and that “the small town girl may not have fully realized the effect HER dancing would have on a predator like Epperly”. Really? Yes, it is truth that Epperly was a predator - the kind who follows and abducts young women like Gina who fought off her attacker(s) with all her strength holding her car door shut until the driver’s side door strap broke, her blood found on three different separate areas in the trunk. That information is readily available in the public court documents if one just takes time to read it for all of the truth and not cherry pick the parts that fit in that same old narrative. Truth is ....all of the truth.
All I can say is “Shame on you” ....For Gina and for all victims and for all women who have to fight against the frivolity of biased narratives.
January 17, 2019
UNDER THE TRESTLE is a true story about a really fascinating 1980 murder case. The case is famous because it was the first time in Virginia a person was convicted of murder without the victim's body. The killer is still in prison (spoiler alert, he was a Virginia Tech football player) and the victim, Gina Hall's body has never been found. The author digs into the killer's background ... good-looking, clean-cut guy, but a real wolf in sheep's clothing. A haunting portrait is also painted of the victim, Gina Hall, who was a small-town girl voted "most popular" in high school known for her kindness and genorosity. At points it reads like a legal thriller as the sensational court trial unfolds. The star witness? A tracking dog who followed Epperly from Gina's abandoned car to his house. And it's true! The author also shared insight on the fascinating 39 year search for Gina's body, which was recently re-opened. After reading the book, I did an internet search and found a new article that tells me that current police are actually optimistic that new publicity from this book will generate a "lead" that might somehow help find Gina. A great book! Bravo!
June 10, 2019
Painful
I met Dlana after the murder of Gina. We were both first year teachers at Coeburn Primary School and began our team teaching in the fall of 1980. We shared a small trailer behind the school and became extremely close. Dlana served as matron of honor at my wedding. She talked very little about Gina. So, while reading this book, I realized what a strong, intelligent woman Dlana Hall was and still is. Dlana was a phenomenal teacher and a devoted friend. Imagine if she was that way with a virtual stranger what her relationship with her sister was. I lived in a neighboring county and surprisingly was not aware of the murder. Remember this was before internet and smart phones and 24 hours news channels. As I read this story I still feel such anger and sorrow that Gina's body has not been brought home. It is unfathomable that Epperly has kept this horrible secret all these years. I appreciate how Peterson mixed emotions and facts in the book. The anguish experienced by the Hall family and the frustration from the law enforcement was felt in every page. This book gives the reader an inside view from the night Gina disappeared to every investigative and legal step taken in the search for Gina's body and the conviction of her murderer. If I have a complaint about the book it would be the poor editing. Dlana's brother's name is Garland, not Garnett. Several other grammatical and timeline errors were distracting.
I am looking forward to reading Dlana Hall Bodmer's book "The Miraculous Journey: A Day Made In Heaven".
I met Dlana after the murder of Gina. We were both first year teachers at Coeburn Primary School and began our team teaching in the fall of 1980. We shared a small trailer behind the school and became extremely close. Dlana served as matron of honor at my wedding. She talked very little about Gina. So, while reading this book, I realized what a strong, intelligent woman Dlana Hall was and still is. Dlana was a phenomenal teacher and a devoted friend. Imagine if she was that way with a virtual stranger what her relationship with her sister was. I lived in a neighboring county and surprisingly was not aware of the murder. Remember this was before internet and smart phones and 24 hours news channels. As I read this story I still feel such anger and sorrow that Gina's body has not been brought home. It is unfathomable that Epperly has kept this horrible secret all these years. I appreciate how Peterson mixed emotions and facts in the book. The anguish experienced by the Hall family and the frustration from the law enforcement was felt in every page. This book gives the reader an inside view from the night Gina disappeared to every investigative and legal step taken in the search for Gina's body and the conviction of her murderer. If I have a complaint about the book it would be the poor editing. Dlana's brother's name is Garland, not Garnett. Several other grammatical and timeline errors were distracting.
I am looking forward to reading Dlana Hall Bodmer's book "The Miraculous Journey: A Day Made In Heaven".
February 4, 2019
A solid true-crime book. I respect the author's ability to make the story interesting despite the rather open-and-shut nature of the case.
August 8, 2022
Another incredibly well researched and articulately narrated story by Roy Peterson JR.
I always feel as though I’m listening to Morgan Freeman in the Shawshank Redemption when I read his books, the story telling is compelling and somehow cathartic, despite the subject matter.
He is undoubtedly a wonderful teller of true crime stories.
An easy 4 star read.
I always feel as though I’m listening to Morgan Freeman in the Shawshank Redemption when I read his books, the story telling is compelling and somehow cathartic, despite the subject matter.
He is undoubtedly a wonderful teller of true crime stories.
An easy 4 star read.
August 29, 2020
It seems when I finish a book that I bought on amazon it automatically changes it status into being read here on goodreads even if I do not set it so. This is not good because it makes me forget I still have to review the book. That being said I bought this book and glad I did. It was very well written. A very good book nonetheless. First of all it is well written and because of that it makes you care which is nice when you read true crime.
It is not a 5 star book because to be fair it is also easily forgettable book (not Gina) :-) but it is a good read.
It is not a 5 star book because to be fair it is also easily forgettable book (not Gina) :-) but it is a good read.
April 17, 2019
I give this 5 stars because I couldn’t put it down. Any minute I had to read I had this open.
I do think the writing could have a bit more finesse and the editing could have been better-typos were more common than most books I have read.
But. Again. I couldn’t stop reading. Possibly because this was a local crime, but also because I enjoy reading true crime and this was an interesting case. It was a gripping tale but interestingly to me, you really come to care for this girl.
A must read for locals, especially ones like me who were to young to know about the case.
I do think the writing could have a bit more finesse and the editing could have been better-typos were more common than most books I have read.
But. Again. I couldn’t stop reading. Possibly because this was a local crime, but also because I enjoy reading true crime and this was an interesting case. It was a gripping tale but interestingly to me, you really come to care for this girl.
A must read for locals, especially ones like me who were to young to know about the case.
August 2, 2019
Good read about a very sad story
This one is genuinely tragic in the classical sense of the term: a man born with a fatal flaw brings about his own downfall, taking more than a few other people down with him in the process. I came away with many questions, but despite all the unresolved issues here I thought the author did a good job of setting my mind at ease. This book did need a final copy edit; st times I thought I was watching one car loaded with apostrophes crash into another one full of hyphens and seeing the punctuation fly everywhere.
This one is genuinely tragic in the classical sense of the term: a man born with a fatal flaw brings about his own downfall, taking more than a few other people down with him in the process. I came away with many questions, but despite all the unresolved issues here I thought the author did a good job of setting my mind at ease. This book did need a final copy edit; st times I thought I was watching one car loaded with apostrophes crash into another one full of hyphens and seeing the punctuation fly everywhere.
September 7, 2019
Having completed graduate school at Radford, I was compelled to read this book involving a local story that had such an impact on the community. Friends and local bookstore owners all recommended this story as impressive. And they were right. I had a hard time putting this book down! It was so interesting and so hard to believe all of the layers that are involved in this case; some of them just ironic and strange. Ron Peterson did an outstanding job of collecting all of the information, data, and perspectives from everyone involved. Well done. I recommend this book to any true crime fans!
September 7, 2020
If you want to learn about the death of Gina Renee Hall and the subsequent trial of her murderer, save yourself some time and listen to a podcast about it instead of reading this book. I'd recommend Southern Fried True Crime episode 77.
In the summer of 1980, Gina Renee Hall left her house in Radford, VA to go dancing in Blacksburg, VA. Not long after her disappearance, law enforcement officers in Radford set their sights on Stephen Epperly, the last known person who saw and had contact with Gina. Her body was never located but the Commonwealth of Virginia brought a circumstantial case against Mr. Epperly and he was found guilty. This is the first "no body" case in Virginia and it resulted in a guilty verdict setting legal precedents in Virginia.
Now onto the book itself. The writing for this book is not good. The author used the wrong terminology in parts. He spoke a lot about a whos-who in Virginia Tech Hokie football history that had little to do with the story but he spent pages on it. My biggest complaint is who is Gina Renee Hall? The author only spent 6 pages talking about who the victim was but it wasn't very well researched for those 6 pages. He spent a lot of time repeating the same facts about her over and over in those 6 pages. It was an opportunity for the author to let the readers know who Gina was prior to her death but he didn't seem as interested in that compared to the case against Epperly.
One bright note on this case itself is it shows how cases were handled prior to the inclusion of DNA evidence. A lot of cases were solved before DNA evidence but to bring forth a "no body" case before the admission of DNA evidence is astounding given the circumstantial evidence presented in this case.
In the summer of 1980, Gina Renee Hall left her house in Radford, VA to go dancing in Blacksburg, VA. Not long after her disappearance, law enforcement officers in Radford set their sights on Stephen Epperly, the last known person who saw and had contact with Gina. Her body was never located but the Commonwealth of Virginia brought a circumstantial case against Mr. Epperly and he was found guilty. This is the first "no body" case in Virginia and it resulted in a guilty verdict setting legal precedents in Virginia.
Now onto the book itself. The writing for this book is not good. The author used the wrong terminology in parts. He spoke a lot about a whos-who in Virginia Tech Hokie football history that had little to do with the story but he spent pages on it. My biggest complaint is who is Gina Renee Hall? The author only spent 6 pages talking about who the victim was but it wasn't very well researched for those 6 pages. He spent a lot of time repeating the same facts about her over and over in those 6 pages. It was an opportunity for the author to let the readers know who Gina was prior to her death but he didn't seem as interested in that compared to the case against Epperly.
One bright note on this case itself is it shows how cases were handled prior to the inclusion of DNA evidence. A lot of cases were solved before DNA evidence but to bring forth a "no body" case before the admission of DNA evidence is astounding given the circumstantial evidence presented in this case.
April 16, 2023
Under the Trestle is a true-crime book set in the sleepy town of Radford, VA. Before I started reading, I knew about this case because my father-in-law worked this case. It is very personal to him and the locals to this day. Before podcasting and this book, my husband, his family, and the locals of Radford have been very vocal about the disappearance of Gina Renee Hall and the killer Steve Epperly. Steve Epperly should never set foot outside of prison again. His parole is set for 2024 every three years until he dies. This person is the devil, and he has never told the family where Gina's body is located is the cruelest thing anyone could do. At every parole hearing, they have to relive the tragedy and loss of their daughter and sister. Knowing that Steve Epperly is still alive and the worst person on this planet wanting to be free is sickening.
Ron Peterson Jr. did an excellent job writing about this case, the trial, and the possibilities of where Gina Renee Hall could be located. Suppose you are into how the prosecutor created a case based on not having a physical body is fascinating. It would be best if you read this book. However, I have some thoughts of my own. Fact that they never found the body and Steve Epperly was a free man in the months leading up to the trial, I believe he dismembered her body and placed her in multiple locations. He is a pompous ass, and the fact that he killed Gina and could also have scattered around the town is disturbing and another reason he should NEVER be paroled. It took me over three months to read this book because of my hatred for Epperly.
If you read this book and want to do something, reach out to the District Attorney in Virginia and sign a petition that Steve Epperly will stay behind bars forever so he cannot do this again. Especially since Gina can never go home and her family can never have a proper burial.
Ron Peterson Jr. did an excellent job writing about this case, the trial, and the possibilities of where Gina Renee Hall could be located. Suppose you are into how the prosecutor created a case based on not having a physical body is fascinating. It would be best if you read this book. However, I have some thoughts of my own. Fact that they never found the body and Steve Epperly was a free man in the months leading up to the trial, I believe he dismembered her body and placed her in multiple locations. He is a pompous ass, and the fact that he killed Gina and could also have scattered around the town is disturbing and another reason he should NEVER be paroled. It took me over three months to read this book because of my hatred for Epperly.
If you read this book and want to do something, reach out to the District Attorney in Virginia and sign a petition that Steve Epperly will stay behind bars forever so he cannot do this again. Especially since Gina can never go home and her family can never have a proper burial.
May 25, 2019
Gripping story on so many levels
This is a book I couldn't put down. Although I was living in Radford at the time of the events in the book, I only vaguely remember it being on my radar. The author does a great job of weaving details of the person and character of Gina Hall, the places, sights and sounds of New River Valley, Radford and Claytor Lake. But even more than the incredibly sad and distressing story of a young life brought to a premature end, this is the story of the historic trial - first ever in Virginia for a murder trial to proceed without a body. To this day the body remains undiscovered. A mystery in itself.
This is a book I couldn't put down. Although I was living in Radford at the time of the events in the book, I only vaguely remember it being on my radar. The author does a great job of weaving details of the person and character of Gina Hall, the places, sights and sounds of New River Valley, Radford and Claytor Lake. But even more than the incredibly sad and distressing story of a young life brought to a premature end, this is the story of the historic trial - first ever in Virginia for a murder trial to proceed without a body. To this day the body remains undiscovered. A mystery in itself.
January 17, 2020
Fascinating read about Virginia’s first murder conviction without a body. A Radford University freshman was murdered by a former Virginia Tech football player in June 1980. My then future husband and I were both rising seniors at the two schools at the time. The book may not be as interesting if you don’t have southwest Virginia ties, although the true crime story may grab you anyway. Written by a newspaper reporter and Radford grad, the details and recall of the events are well researched. I recommend overall, but be warned the writing style itself sometimes reads like a bad high school English paper and a couple of glaring errors should not have made it past the editing process.
August 7, 2024
I've lived in the general area where this crime occurred and I didn't know anything about it or its historical significance. This book was fantastic and I could not put it down. It was well-researched and I appreciate the way he focused on the victim and her family. Too many true crime books seem to neglect them even though they are the ones who suffered the tragedy. Highly recommend this book for people who enjoy true crime and/or the history of criminal law.
March 24, 2024
He did it!!!!!!!!!! If only he’d confess where her remains are…
A very well written book with a lot of insight into the 1980 happenings of the investigation / trial. Highly recommend the read, especially for NRV natives.
A very well written book with a lot of insight into the 1980 happenings of the investigation / trial. Highly recommend the read, especially for NRV natives.
March 16, 2020
^^5+ stars for content - 2 for style and editing = 4 overall.^^
May 11, 2020
Very interesting...
August 19, 2022
If you like a good true crime podcast this is the book for you
March 3, 2019
Gina Hall disappearnce
lot's of detail that most of us didn't know. Lots of information about the case. Kept me reading and interested.
lot's of detail that most of us didn't know. Lots of information about the case. Kept me reading and interested.
July 3, 2023
I came across this book when reading a Buzzfeed list about small town unsolved murders. I was surprised to see my library actually had it. It is a sad story/interesting case. It is disappointing that we may never know what happened to Gina Hall/where she ended up. It was also creepy to see a smirking photo of what Stephen looks like now towards the end of the book. Some details were unnecessary and felt more like author opinion, but overall it was a good book for someone who likes reading true crime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2022
Great factual reading about a history making tragedy
This book filled in some holes in my memory. I am from Coeburn but was only in the 6th or 7th grade when this occurred. It was interesting then, but so much more now. It set so many legal precedents in Virginia and possibly other states. I wish there was a more satisfying ending to the book. Maybe some day. Satisfying reading in all the ways it can be. Good reading if you enjoy mysteries. Highly recommend.
This book filled in some holes in my memory. I am from Coeburn but was only in the 6th or 7th grade when this occurred. It was interesting then, but so much more now. It set so many legal precedents in Virginia and possibly other states. I wish there was a more satisfying ending to the book. Maybe some day. Satisfying reading in all the ways it can be. Good reading if you enjoy mysteries. Highly recommend.
February 14, 2019
True crime with its own mystery
On June 29, 1980, Gina Hall went to nightclub. She loved to dance. When she failed to return to the apartment she shared with her sister, it was clear that something was wrong.
Police investigating the missing person case learned that she had left the club with a young man, they knew from the description who they were looking for.
This is an intriguing case told in an easy-to-understand style. I felt as though I was part of the investigating team. There are many aspects to this case, some of them setting precedents in the legal world years before the advent of DNA.
156
On June 29, 1980, Gina Hall went to nightclub. She loved to dance. When she failed to return to the apartment she shared with her sister, it was clear that something was wrong.
Police investigating the missing person case learned that she had left the club with a young man, they knew from the description who they were looking for.
This is an intriguing case told in an easy-to-understand style. I felt as though I was part of the investigating team. There are many aspects to this case, some of them setting precedents in the legal world years before the advent of DNA.
156
July 25, 2021
Good synopsis but questions remain
As a resident of the New River Valley and a Radford University graduate near the time of this event, this compilation pulls together the case information in a concise manner for me. However, there are still so many questions that persist and these will no be answered until she is found. I believe that there are answers on the horizon based on information shared from her sister's relentless pursuit for the truth.
As a resident of the New River Valley and a Radford University graduate near the time of this event, this compilation pulls together the case information in a concise manner for me. However, there are still so many questions that persist and these will no be answered until she is found. I believe that there are answers on the horizon based on information shared from her sister's relentless pursuit for the truth.
September 18, 2019
Interesting read of local events
Sometimes the technical jargon and in depth explanations came off a bit clunky. This occurred mostly in the beginning. I live in the area and had an interest so I kept on and then could not put it down. This is a very thorough account of the case of Gina Hall.
Sometimes the technical jargon and in depth explanations came off a bit clunky. This occurred mostly in the beginning. I live in the area and had an interest so I kept on and then could not put it down. This is a very thorough account of the case of Gina Hall.
September 19, 2019
I live in Radford, and go to school at RU. I've been hearing theories about a body being buried under the Dedmon center since I got here. The release of this book caught my attention, as I'm always fascinated to know what is going on in the NRV area. Thankful that this book came out and provided more light into the Gina Renee Hall case.
February 8, 2021
OMG!! This book is the most heart wrecking book I have ever read! I couldn't put it down. I mean who could do that to someone's family? At least the killer could have at least done the right thing and told her family what became of her body. At least that would have given them some closer, but he couldn't even do that.
February 7, 2019
A must read for anyone that lives or has lived in the NRV, especially if you have any connection to Radford University during the early 1980's. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down.
September 7, 2019
I'll just lay this out here. A smart 12 year old could write a true crime story, narrated by a robot, and I'd like the book because I have a nearly unquenchable thirst for true crime. Some true crime novels rise above because the project is spearheaded by superb talent, and that will always be a home run for me. This was NOT a home run. The writing was mediocre at best and the narration was horrible. I'll get into that in a minute. The facts of the case are memorable though, and nothing could lessen that for me.
18 year-old Gina Renee Hall was a college freshman, a good girl beloved by her friends and family. One night she went out to a local bar in her small home town in Virginia to dance, something she loved to do. She made the fateful error of meeting Steve Epperly there, and under the guise of joining a group of friends at an upscale lake house, left with him, never to be seen again. The facts of the case accumulated into a mountain of evidence against Epperly. He was a repeat rapist with a history of violence, who asked many of his friends whether he could be convicted of murder if there were no body. There was blood all over the lake house. Her discarded clothes and abandoned car were found in various areas around the lake house. The list goes on and on. Exhaustive efforts were made to find her body though, with no luck, and Epperly wasn't talking. This became a landmark case because no one had ever been convicted without a body to prove murder, but prosecutors were successful in getting Epperly a life sentence.
While the case was well-researched by the author, his prose was dry and uninspired. With any other topic, it would be unreadable. This is his only book. He is a newspaper reporter and works on ad campaigns, and the book reads like a newspaper story. He could have benefited from a partner or editor with a skill in bringing stories to life. Just because you CAN write a book doesn't mean you should. On Amazon, the ratings average close to five stars. As I often see, many reviews have not been able to separate the story from the mechanics behind it.
Equally as dismal was the narration. Kyle Tait is a sportscaster, and should not have been cast as a narrator. His voice sounded like a lounge lizard, drawing out the end of every sentence with a kind of phony drama. He was reading the words without emotion or inflection, and it took all my willpower to get past it.
18 year-old Gina Renee Hall was a college freshman, a good girl beloved by her friends and family. One night she went out to a local bar in her small home town in Virginia to dance, something she loved to do. She made the fateful error of meeting Steve Epperly there, and under the guise of joining a group of friends at an upscale lake house, left with him, never to be seen again. The facts of the case accumulated into a mountain of evidence against Epperly. He was a repeat rapist with a history of violence, who asked many of his friends whether he could be convicted of murder if there were no body. There was blood all over the lake house. Her discarded clothes and abandoned car were found in various areas around the lake house. The list goes on and on. Exhaustive efforts were made to find her body though, with no luck, and Epperly wasn't talking. This became a landmark case because no one had ever been convicted without a body to prove murder, but prosecutors were successful in getting Epperly a life sentence.
While the case was well-researched by the author, his prose was dry and uninspired. With any other topic, it would be unreadable. This is his only book. He is a newspaper reporter and works on ad campaigns, and the book reads like a newspaper story. He could have benefited from a partner or editor with a skill in bringing stories to life. Just because you CAN write a book doesn't mean you should. On Amazon, the ratings average close to five stars. As I often see, many reviews have not been able to separate the story from the mechanics behind it.
Equally as dismal was the narration. Kyle Tait is a sportscaster, and should not have been cast as a narrator. His voice sounded like a lounge lizard, drawing out the end of every sentence with a kind of phony drama. He was reading the words without emotion or inflection, and it took all my willpower to get past it.
July 2, 2024
Under The Trestle – by Ron Peterson, Jr. – Completed 02/20/2023
To my wife, J.E.M.; children, B.J.M.; A.N.C.; T.L.L. and their spouses.
In this morning's coffee book, I had an interesting and engaging experience with the book suggested by S.L.'s father. It's always fascinating when personal connections, such as my Radford University background and my father-in-law's proximity to Prices Fork, VA, intersect with the events in a book. The book is about the murder of Radford student Gina Hall by Stephen Epperly. Gina’s body was never found but the successful prosecution of Epperly was Virginia’s first “no-body” conviction. The author's attention to detail and accuracy in depicting law enforcement procedures added to the authenticity of the narrative. This was a book that I couldn’t put down. I arrived at Radford in 1982 as a Criminal Justice major and shortly after the murder. I also started working as a staff photographer for the university and spent many hours around the Dedman Center covering sports.
I do have mixed feelings about the level of detail provided by the author, especially when it comes to law enforcement tactics. On one hand, it can enhance the realism and immerse the reader in the investigative process. On the other hand, it reveals too much about tactics may be a concern for some readers. The Law Enforcement side of the book is as factual as it could be with any criminal investigation. The details by the author are 100% spot on, he explains every legal term in such details anybody can understand. My only complaint is that Law Enforcement tells way too much about the tactics used, but the details of the tactics must come out in court.
The subsequent court case against Epperly was a brilliant prosecution and a dedicated law enforcement officer was kept on the case. He covered all angles which resulted in the only conclusion, Epperly’s guilt. The few paragraphs of Epperly being in the “STEW” room were spot on. I was in there many times as an investigator.
What’s not in the book is parts of Gina's body have been found some 40 years later in eight different locations around the area. Epperly should have been given the death penalty. Read the book.
Love Dad, T.R.M.
To my wife, J.E.M.; children, B.J.M.; A.N.C.; T.L.L. and their spouses.
In this morning's coffee book, I had an interesting and engaging experience with the book suggested by S.L.'s father. It's always fascinating when personal connections, such as my Radford University background and my father-in-law's proximity to Prices Fork, VA, intersect with the events in a book. The book is about the murder of Radford student Gina Hall by Stephen Epperly. Gina’s body was never found but the successful prosecution of Epperly was Virginia’s first “no-body” conviction. The author's attention to detail and accuracy in depicting law enforcement procedures added to the authenticity of the narrative. This was a book that I couldn’t put down. I arrived at Radford in 1982 as a Criminal Justice major and shortly after the murder. I also started working as a staff photographer for the university and spent many hours around the Dedman Center covering sports.
I do have mixed feelings about the level of detail provided by the author, especially when it comes to law enforcement tactics. On one hand, it can enhance the realism and immerse the reader in the investigative process. On the other hand, it reveals too much about tactics may be a concern for some readers. The Law Enforcement side of the book is as factual as it could be with any criminal investigation. The details by the author are 100% spot on, he explains every legal term in such details anybody can understand. My only complaint is that Law Enforcement tells way too much about the tactics used, but the details of the tactics must come out in court.
The subsequent court case against Epperly was a brilliant prosecution and a dedicated law enforcement officer was kept on the case. He covered all angles which resulted in the only conclusion, Epperly’s guilt. The few paragraphs of Epperly being in the “STEW” room were spot on. I was in there many times as an investigator.
What’s not in the book is parts of Gina's body have been found some 40 years later in eight different locations around the area. Epperly should have been given the death penalty. Read the book.
Love Dad, T.R.M.
August 2, 2023
This book is about a well known Virginia no-body murder trial in Virginia. While the author makes a straightforward case sort of more story-like, there's a lot of patriarchal and small town perspectives thrown in. I found a lot of the handling of Gina Hall's personification to be fairly misogynistic, particularly surrounding her actions leading to her death and social activities. It comes off as certainly victim shaming, which here in the year 2023, I think we can do better. I hope that perhaps Mr. Peterson will revisit some of his opinions and find that this clearly isn't a case to blame a woman for dying.
The focus of this book tends to be on Stephen Epperly, the murderer, which is upsetting. The descriptions of Epperly are skew to bro-y and the author seems to be giving his 'golly gee, I'm such a good guy' voice a lot of space to speak, when Gina and her family should likely have been given more space to give Gina's story a chance to be the focus.
In the vein of a lot of true crime, this one tries to emulate the Truman Capote prose narrative of a non-fiction story and honestly, sometimes fails deeply. Dialogue within, while perhaps taken from court transcripts or actual interviews seems stilted and it's written poorly and is CERTAINLY performed poorly in audiobook.
The Trial and legal section of the book should have been ramped up because the real interesting story here is the no-body conviction. I would also like a follow up as Gina Halls' remains were recently found in Virginia and it made serious news. Mr. Epperly also has been denied parole still in 2021. We need an updated version or epilogue of some kind here.
Also, I will note that Gina Hall's family is NOT supportive of this book or the forthcoming documentary if it follows the focus on the murderer and not the victim and in cases like this, I will FIRMLY stand on the side of the victim's family and the victim's story. Period. Full stop. This book does not deserve high praise, it deserves critical thought and some re-writes. Dianna, Gina's sister wrote a review here and everyone should read that also.
2 STARS ROUNDED DOWN Because we don't victim shame.
The focus of this book tends to be on Stephen Epperly, the murderer, which is upsetting. The descriptions of Epperly are skew to bro-y and the author seems to be giving his 'golly gee, I'm such a good guy' voice a lot of space to speak, when Gina and her family should likely have been given more space to give Gina's story a chance to be the focus.
In the vein of a lot of true crime, this one tries to emulate the Truman Capote prose narrative of a non-fiction story and honestly, sometimes fails deeply. Dialogue within, while perhaps taken from court transcripts or actual interviews seems stilted and it's written poorly and is CERTAINLY performed poorly in audiobook.
The Trial and legal section of the book should have been ramped up because the real interesting story here is the no-body conviction. I would also like a follow up as Gina Halls' remains were recently found in Virginia and it made serious news. Mr. Epperly also has been denied parole still in 2021. We need an updated version or epilogue of some kind here.
Also, I will note that Gina Hall's family is NOT supportive of this book or the forthcoming documentary if it follows the focus on the murderer and not the victim and in cases like this, I will FIRMLY stand on the side of the victim's family and the victim's story. Period. Full stop. This book does not deserve high praise, it deserves critical thought and some re-writes. Dianna, Gina's sister wrote a review here and everyone should read that also.
2 STARS ROUNDED DOWN Because we don't victim shame.
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