The Parable of the Knocker: The True Crime Story of a Prosecutor's Fight to Bring a Serial Killer to Justice

by Bryan L. Porter

The Parable of the Knocker: The True Crime Story of a Prosecutor's Fight to Bring a Serial Killer to Justice is a non-fiction book about the investigation, prosecution, and trial of a notorious serial killer, Charles Severance. Severance committed his crimes in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, an affluent, historic community just miles south of Washington, D.C. Over the course of a decade, Severance ambushed three outstanding Alexandria residents in their middle-class neighborhood by knocking on their front doors in broad daylight and shooting them unexpectedly when they answered the knock. Severance was not personally acquainted with any of his victims, and instead selected his targets to revenge perceived wrongs and terrorize a community.

Genres: Audiobook

406 pages, paperback

Published August 15, 2019

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Porter presents a methodical account of his skilled and successful prosecution of a serial killer. His chilling depiction of the swamp that was the mind of the accused will stick with me for a long time. Porter and his team deserve enormous credit for their work, and for the close connection they maintained with the families of the victims, keeping them informed every step of the way.

[Frank Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superior account of murder, justice and persistence

The author weaves an engrossing tale of a man who felt so alienated from society that he took the lives of three innocent people. He also openly shares his own personal experience with the investigation and subsequent trial, warts and all.

[M Delea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honestly unsure about this book going in--having read other true crime (and non-true crime) by people in the justice system, there can be enormous ego, bitchiness, one-sidedness, and just bad writing.

Happily, this book was the opposite. Porter presents everyone (except, of course, the killer) in a positive light. He explains a variety of things in detail: ballistics, jury selection, why the defense can do things prosecutors cannot (and why this is instrumental for our democracy), and much more. He also goes into how gun violence and the lack of a good understanding mental illness are affecting this country.

I would have appreciated more on the victims--I never really got to know them--but that is my only criticism. The crime itself is very timely, given the state of people's paranoia/anger/distrust/blaming of everyone else we are currently experiencing.

A must-read for those interested in true crime and/or the law.

[Sean Carrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing account of the most heinous crime committed in my hometown during my lifetime. The author is the Commonwealth Attorney who prosecuted this case and does a thorough job of explaining case construction and explores the mind of a deranged killer.

Some readers will object to the author’s Afterword - Lessons Learned in which Porter addresses shortcomings of current policy with regards to mental health and gun control. Nonetheless, this closing chapter makes an excellent point that these topics deserve acute discussion, citing “We must be willing to engage in an intellectually honest debate about what should be done. If we do not, we will certainly accomplish nothing.”

[Albert Yeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having seen Commonwealth’s Attorney Porter handle a separate murder trial personally I was very excited to read this book. I think it’s well written and I like the analysis from a prosecutor’s mind. Definitely higher than average.

[Steve Dahlgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a Del Ray resident and this chilling account brought back a time when we were all living in terror.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a behind-the-court-scenes-of-a-murder-trial, this is the book for you. Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter shares an intimately detailed perspective on the trial preparation and conviction of serial killer Charles Severance in Alexandria, VA in 2016. Although I had a personal interest in this story about the murders of my friend and mentor Nancy Dunning, my piano teacher Ruthanne Lodato and another Alexandria resident, Ronald Kirby, I was immensely impressed with amateur writer Porter's ability to build suspense, artfully use foreshadowing throughout the book and skillfully explain the minutiae of firearms in easy-to-understand terms as critical components in this compelling story. He and his team provide solace and security to the victims' families and the City of Alexandria in proving beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of this mentally unstable killer. Even though this story about the Alexandria Assassin (as I think later copies were titled) could have benefited from stronger editing to reduce repetition and shorten the book, it’s a very compelling tale.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a series of murders that happened where I live. One of the victims went to my church, although I didn't know her. So I could see the places discussed and remember some of the events. At times the author came across as a little "preachy". But I did appreciate the detailed description of the actual processes of prosecuting a crime and his emphasis on how different than it is shown on TV.

[MK Wallk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I live in the neighborhood where these killings took place so I was curious to find out more about this killer and how they found him. The book could have been much shorter as the writer did a lot of pontificating. However, it was well written and I learned much. Thank you for all your hard work and mostly for capturing and convicting this killer!

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author repeats himself so much that it's apparent he didn't have an editor. Also, if the author is going to criticize other prosecutors, the least he can do is get their names right. It's Christopher Darden, not Jonathan Darden. Goooodness.