The Ragged Stranger: The Hero, The Hobo, And The Crime That Shocked Jazz Age Chicago

by Harold Schechter

Carl Wanderer, a decorated World War I hero, and his pregnant wife are accosted by a figure in the shadows as they walk home from the movies one night. Guns are drawn, and in the ensuing hail of bullets, only the husband walks away. However, police soon find out, that what seems to be a robbery gone wrong is anything but.

The Case of the Ragged Stranger, as the tabloids dubbed it, is a tale of deceit, betrayal, and depravity, a stranger-than-fiction mystery story whose shocking solution riveted the nation and made it one of the most sensational crimes of the Jazz Age.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

75 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2019

About the author

Aka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)

Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.

Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.

Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.

Reviews

[Claire Englewood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't bother!

This may be Schecter's worst book yet. I don't know how it got called a true crime novel, it's barely a short story. No insights, just a replay of news stories.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good account of a largely forgotten 1920s murder in Chicago. Based mostly on newspaper articles.

[jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy these quick, weird, reads by Harold Schechter.

[Lora Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself was fairly interesting, but the writing was a bit dull, and with a number of typos and grammatical errors, neither of which am I used to with Schechter's writing. Not to mention it was written almost like a college term paper. But what bothered me more than anything is that the true motive, in my opinion, was never really known. It's said that upon questioning, Wanderer gave 18 different accounts of what had happened before telling the truth. And he gave several different motives. Then when I did my own research afterwards, several sites mentioned Wanderer having a male lover named James. Was Schechter unaware of this; didn't come across it any research? Possible, though several witnesses involved mentioned believing that Wanderer was homosexual and that was the real reason he wanted to get rid of his wife. I wish this aspect would have been followed up on.

[THOMAS J. DWYER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crimes

Crimes and the criminals willing to commit them haven’t changed. But our willingness to mete out a swift appropriate punishment has to our detriment.

[Edgar Cordero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Harold Schechter does another great job at telling stories. Well laid out background and i really liked the different viewpoints of the people involved.

[Keeley Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into a case I hadn't heard of. As with all Schechter's books, there is an element of melodrama, but the 1920s setting suits it well.

It would be interesting to read a follow up of modern psychologists' opinions on Carl Wanderer, to get to the root of his motivation.

[Gabrielle Hyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

First truecrime literature I have ever read. I enjoyed this short, compact telling of a shocking chicago murder. Overall a good shirt read. Not breathtaking, but good.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great bite-sized bit of true crime! Schechter has such a knack for keeping you engaged, not that it is particularly necessary with a book that takes about an hour and a half to consume. Each chapter ends leaving you with fresh questions raised that can only be satiated by turning the page. Truly a treat enjoyed over a pair of commutes home on Bart!

[Mike Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and enjoyable read from Harold Shcechter, premier true crime writer. Schechter does a great job of bringing not just the crime, but its historical context, to vivid life, making the events he described seem nearly as real and relevant as today's news.
To specifically address the format, I like the idea of shorter works like this for lesser-known crimes. Like a readable podcast, it's a great way to process a fascinating narrative in a relatively short time. Reading a work like this from Schechter is like reading a novella by one of my favorite horror authors. I look forward to (I hope) many more of them.

[Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have made for better TV than a read

Its very bare bones and to the facts on all matters. Reads like a newspaper article report. An interesting case to read about and extensive research doesnt lead to captivating writing.

[Talia]

Quick and interesting

The story was interesting and all the information was presented clearly, but it could have used a little more editing - I noticed quite a few missing or incorrect words. Still definitely worth the read, though.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad story

Harold Schechter's books are always well researched and as well written as possible. He is a wonderful storyteller whose stories are true.