The Starved Rock Murders

by Steve Stout

Book by Stout, Steve

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery, True Crime

211 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Lenora Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author gives a account of what happened. He fails to tell about all the evidence that was damaged and could not be used in court. Also, what about the missing evidence and/or damaged evidence that was not secured in our court system. This really messed things up for the poor man who was accused and entitled to a have the case retried. Someone made sure to destroy his chances for fear that the cover up would be uncovered.

[Angie Muzzarelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book in local history. Chester Weger is the longest IL inmate to date with a recent parole after 60 years! Recently there was a three part docuseries on HBO created by the prosecuting attorney’s son that has gained much attention to not only the case but this book again as well. There are a vast number of questions that remain after reading this book as well as watching the docuseries. Very thought provoking case to say the very least. This book is a great read and hard to find especially now that Chester has been released and many locals have watched said series. IF you can get your hands on this book, it comes highly suggested simply for the sheer amount of questions that still remain. This case may forever remain a mystery with only a handful of undeniable truths.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty creepy story and I've been there many times because my grandma lives very close to Starved Rock.

[Chillicothe Public Library District]

Curiosity & Cheesecake selection for June 2022.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the parole of the man convicted of the murders, I got interested in the event. I found the book at my local library.

"Chester Weger, convicted of 1960 Starved Rock murders, granted parole"
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state...

The book is short and to the point; telling the story of the murders and the people involved using the published records and court documents primarily.

This is much quotation from interrogations and court transcripts. I found this approach dry, yet it does help convey the sense of being there. It's a strange story where embellishing it with your own thoughts would take away some of the questions.

Yeah, I recommend it.

[Vicki Quade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to live in the LaSalle area, and for a short time, I lived in Utica. I would spend my Sundays going up to the Starved Rock Lodge, hiking the area, and having coffee in the winter by the wonderful fireplace. And, of course, taking a walk over to St. Louis Canyon, where the murders occurred. I met many people who wouldn't go to the park any longer because they had lived through the time of the murders, the trial, the whole escapade. This book, The Starved Rock Murders, is a wonderful look at what happened to these three women, the impact of their deaths on the community, the palpable fear, the arrest of Chester Weger, and the trial. It's a must-read for anyone interested in true crime. I highly recommend it.

[Robyn Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book yesterday and really liked it! I love a good true crime story, and the fact that this happened in a familiar place made it all the more intriguing. It was interesting to see how crimes were investigated and tried in the early 1960s, and as a journalist, I was especially amused by the role the media played in this high-publicity case. It was sensationalism and fake news at its prime! Pre-internet, it would have been very difficult to know who was plagiarizing, who was stretching the truth, and who was just making stuff up.

[Judith Squires · Rating 4 out of 5]

Account of a famous murder that occurred when I was twelve in a town about 100 miles or so away from my hometown in Illinois. The author is a veteran journalist from my hometown of Galesburg. Three suburban Chicago housewives were brutally murdered when taking a wintertime hike through Starved Rock Park. Eventually, a young employee of the Starved Rock Lodge was arrested and convicted for those crimes. Interestingly, the death penalty was taken off the table and this man, now in his early 80's was paroled. Stout does a great job of describing the case. A good read, indeed.

[Diane Huettemann Wills · Rating 2 out of 5]

First I want to say, I grew up near the park where this took place. And the people that live around here are either on one side or the other. Very few are riding the fence. That being said, I was very excited to read this book. I learned a lot about the case. And since this book, I have read a lot more, Watched the HBO special and listened to the podcast by Andy Hale. While this book peaked my interest, Steve Stout is by no means neutral on this subject. He is so one-sided, it’s ridiculous!

[Troy Sennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written by a local reporter shortly after the events, so it doesn't have the new information that came up around the HBO series and people digging into this case again over the past few years. I love rural Illinois history, so that aspect of it worked for me, but it's pretty dry around the trial (all books like this are) and has this thesis about how this investigation changed homicide investigation forever but doesn't really dig into that as much as I would have liked.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of information has come to light recently that shows a lot of the story is missing. The photo illustrations are low resolution. A lot more photographs exist, and would help illustrate the book better. Much of the information appears we taking out of newspaper articles, rather than research and interviews .

[Jeffrey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Stout's insightful account of the Starved Rock Murders is a riveting journalistic triumph. I'm surprised that no one has made a movie of this tragedy and the efforts of law enforcement to find the killer.

[Mike Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting chronicle of the story of the murders, including events prior to them and the court case after. It's factual writing, not the most interesting, but not terrible either.

[Amy Stumpf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5 stars out of 5. Anyone who lives or grew up in the LaSalle county area should read this book.

[Jenna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so poorly written and biased. If you want to learn any truth about the Starved Rock murders, go listen to the podcast by Andy Hale and don’t waste your time on this book.

[Julia Pavao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting case, but would have liked a fuller picture of the accused's perspective. The second half was tough to get through because it was very dry.

[K.C. Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing wasn't great, so it was a little difficult to get through. The case itself is fascinating, though, especially knowing it took place not too far from here. After reading it, I honestly don't know if the man convicted is guilty.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reporter's well-researched and detailed chronology of the infamous Starved Rock (IL) triple murders in the 1960's. Steve Stout has done an outstandingly accurate job of reporting the facts - all the facts - that were known at the time, all the while refraining from personal opinion. The only facts that I would have liked to see researched and reported on would be more insight into who Chester was: early days, early associations, school, family. That insight into the man accused and convicted would have been a plus to the book. All in all, an excellent and thorough account of an horrific murder.

[Lisa Litberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but somewhat poorly-written account of a crime startling for it's time and setting. Most interesting to me is the controversy surrounding the alleged killer's conviction--many, including the killer himself, maintain that he is innocent,despite much evidence to the contrary. A google search of the killer's name highlights this debate in forum discussions. Much of the book is interviews and court transcripts.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because this month was the 50th anniversary of the triple-homicide at Starved Rock. I've been there several times, and thought it would be interesting to catch up on some local history. This book supplies transcripts of the interviews and court appearances that took place. So sad that the three victims left for their hike that day with no idea of the dangerous stranger that they would meet along the way.

[Lainee Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Weger is guilty after reading this book. He was the first one to mention the plane and they had to look into it after that. Plus, his story changed twice. What he told on the stand and what he tells today are completely different stories.....It was a good read. I had never heard of this case and I have lived in LaSalle County for most of my life.

[Samuel Cabrera · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is about this man that killed 3 middle aged women on a mountain that so long ago indians were up there and starved to death that is why they called it the starved rock murdersit is interesting if you live in ilinois.

[Melissa Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story. It really creeped me out that this is a true story and that they might not have put the right man in prison. I personally think that Weger committed the crime. This is not a well written book and it goes slow.

[Mike Slayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "go to" book to learn about this tragedy. The circumstances and investigation of the 1960 triple murders at a well known state park is documented. The era before Miranda warnings and CSI type forensics is hard for the 21st century reader to comprehend, but indeed it was a different time.

[Jill Cisar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story that takes place near my home town. I also got married at Starved Rock. I had to do a report on this book in college but just recently re-read it. Still a great book!

[Margie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your from or live in the Illinois Valley you must read! My mom is mentioned in it.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never knew this happened. Interesting to read how they went about solving crimes back in a day where there wasn't the modern techniques we have today.

[Kasey Mathis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starved Rock is where we took yearly family vacations. Reading about it's creepy past puts it in a whole new light! Still it remains one of my favorite places & I can't wait to go back!

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary episode in Illinois history... I was 6 when the murders of 3 women in this picturesque park happened. Riveting telling of the murders and trial.

[Lizzy]

Maria