Sworn to Silence: The Truth Behind Robert Garrow and the Missing Bodies' Case

by Jim Tracy

Jim Tracy’s Sworn to Silence is an unforgettable story of
two American lawyers who did the unprecedented. They
searched for, found, and photographed the lifeless bodies
of their client’s victims and then kept it secret. They did
so in the face of unendurable pressure from the
authorities and the victims’ families, who suspected the
lawyers knew more than they were saying.
When the American public eventually learned of the
lawyers’ actions, they were horrified, outraged, and
vengeful. People could not fathom how two attorneys—
fathers of teenage girls themselves—and supposed
officers of the law, could conduct themselves in a
manner seemingly beyond any concept of humanity.
Today, this landmark legal case is studied and analyzed
in law schools worldwide.
These events have been indelibly marked in Tracy’s mind
since he was eight years old; in fact, he was present at
the scene of New York state’s largest manhunt after the
killer broke into Tracy’s father’s hunting camp in the
Adirondack Mountains. In Sworn to Silence, Tracy
weaves together a true crime narrative that should rank
with some of the most compelling American crime stories
of modern times. He does so while taking you—the
reader—on a page-turning journey back to the early
1970s, unveiling an American serial killer most people
have never heard of.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime, Biography Memoir, Adult

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2021

Reviews

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't heard about this case and being into True crime I decided to give it a go when it popped up in my Amazon recommendations.

It was fascinating in that way that true crime is, Jim Tracy does an excellent job of laying out the events that lead to the capture of Garrow and the ethical legal issues it raised. The lawyers for Garrow obtained a full confession him including where he hid two of his victims. They then went and found the bodies, photographed them then left them. And left two sets of parents desperate for answers and still feeling hope. Their hands were tied..

It really does make you think and Garrow is a horrible yet oddly compelling killer, overall this was an excellent read.

[Ken Tingley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Robert Garrow murder case is infamous in the Adirondacks. What Jim Tracy had delivered is a a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat and horrified. Tracy delivers the type of detail that only a seasoned reporter can. It is obvious that Tracy has done the legwork, not over one or two years, but a lifetime. I can’t wait for the movie.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in one day, this book is a phenomenal true crime and yes, I'm saying it in part because I live in upstate New York, but also Tracy's story moves briskly through the dark and disturbing with twists and turns and a heck of a ethical conundrum to boot.

Garrow is a fascinating character to begin with from his upbringing to his crimes and absolutely what happened after he was caught and Tracy uses that to navigate adeptly through the mystery of these bodies, and then the missing girls, and the search of the Adirondacks. Ironically, last week I finished listening to Dannemora: Two Escaped Killers, Three Weeks of Terror, and the Largest Manhunt Ever in New York State so I had to laugh a little about these escapee/criminals in the wilds of the Adirondacks- but in this case, Garrow knew his way around. There's also the court case and specifically the oath the lawyers took about protecting their clients which led to some pretty painful moments for a few families.

It's gut-wrenching what happens and Tracy left me turning he page- I read it in one day. And my mind was blown by the second half and then the last third in both knowing what Garrow did in Fishkill as well as what became of many of the other players in the story. I found myself shouting out to my husband "did you know??" "can you believe???"

Certainly one of the darker true crime stories that leave you puzzled about the psychology of serial killer rapists for sure. And it happened in my backyard, figuratively.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A horrific tale well told. Insights into the making of a serial killer - Robert Garrow - and the attorneys who abided by client confidentiality to keep secret the locations of two of the bodies; a heart wrenching situation for parents who couldn't bury their young daughters. The case of client confidentially is argued in law schools around the world. Well written, well organized; but so sad. It sure puts police investigative work as it was practiced back in the '70's in a poor light.

[Chad Christman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native to the Adirondack Mountains, this story has enthralled me since I was a kid. I was born in ‘85 so I missed living through the summer of ‘73, however I have a lot of friends and family that endured the frightening days of the Robert Garrow manhunt. When I got wind that Jim Tracy, who is also a local to the area and an award winning writer was putting out a book, I couldn’t have been more enticed to pick up a copy when it came out. I just finished reading the book and it is without a doubt the most comprehensive and up to date account of the Robert Garrow case. It’s sections split the story into equal parts starting from the crimes, going into the capture and trial and then leading to the aftermath for all of the most crucial people that played a role in the events of the Garrow story. I could not put the book down and really my biggest take away is how much I admire the reverence and care that Jim put into telling this story, I’m sure not only for his own satisfaction, but for all of the people that were effected by these events. If you are from the Adirondacks, or you know this story or even if you are interested in true crime stories…this is absolutely a fascinating and must read.

[Lyric · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read (actually listened to the audiobook while at work), of 2026. This is my first step into the reading challenge me and my late sister were competing in. I haven't completed it yet. But this year, the third year she will be gone from me, I plan to read them for her! This book made me angrier than I thought it would. The idea of individuals (I didn't care that they were attorneys and bound by law and ethics) would find, photograph and even manipulate missing dead girls and then refuse to tell law enforcement or the families where their missing loved ones were, incensed me. After finishing the book, I do understand the legal ramifications, but I still do not agree. If nothing else, they should not have searched out the bodies. Jim Tracy does a great job of providing background on Garrow, the murdering subject of the book, and his history of crime. He is believed to be one of the first American serial killers operating years before the term was made popular. He was a sick and evil man, who was given too many opportunities to harm others by a judicial system unfamiliar with his particular manipulative capabilities.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Crime Research and Storytelling At It's Finest

New York State is so vast that despite living on Long Island my whole life I had never heard of this case until 2021.

I've listened to some good true crime podcast on the case but they only scratched the surface.

This book is the grand slam of the case. Very well researched and written. I highly recommend this book to all true crime aficionados.

[Amanda Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only a wonderful account of a bizarre and interesting case that has reverberated through the years, but truly one of the best true crime books I’ve ever read. Well written, full of fascinating details I had not heard, and never got bogged down in the courtroom as many are want to do. Fantastic.

[Lexi Mag · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 I was hoping for a lot more from this book. It was good, but it wasn't great. It kind of bounced around in a way I didn't find cohesive.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story and difficult to read.
This is for November book club.

[Corlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating case - a true crime tale that is crazier than most fictional crime fare.

[Sue Malatesta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely engaging book especially because it is all a true story if murders that happened locally in the Adirondacks. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Robert Garrow was an extremely evil serial killer- sex with animals? Gutting and killing lambs, pigs, etc on a farm at age 11- doesn’t seem like a good start to life. How sick.
This was so interesting to read how so many of the locations are places I know. Even Syracuse which is where I was born and had relatives living for many years. I recognized the places Salina Street, Genesee St etc.
Shout out to Bonnie for recommending this book to me. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Jennifer Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Great example of how truth is always stranger than fiction!

[amy dowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I opened this book and began to read it I couldn’t put it down. Many questions I had were most definitely answered as I sat gripping the edge of my chair anticipating the next chapter. Great read!!

[Hari Brandl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Words fail me, this book is so badly written.

[Anna Hallock · Rating 3 out of 5]

So interesting to read about, especially being from the Capital Region of NY myself. I appreciated the details on the (known) victims’ lives and their families, as well as the note from the author at the end. However, I do think that the story telling got a bit confusing at times when the author jumped back and forth between time periods and who/what he was discussing. I also think it could have used another look from an editor as there were several simple grammatical, spelling, and formatting mistakes that jumped out at me. Overall, I did appreciate reading this book and learning more about attorney-client privilege and how the lawyers in this case were forced to carry such a terrible weight on their shoulders.

[Richard L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just can’t put this book down. Jim Tracy does an outstanding job bringing this true story of a serial killer who terrorized the inhabitants of Upstate New York back in the 70’s. I was in the military when Robert Garrow was being hunted in the Adirondacks. People were afraid to leave their homes, and rightfully so. Jim Tracy does a marvelous job of reconstructing the events that have become a case study in several Law Schools throughout the country. This is a must read! You won’t be able to put this book down until you have finished reading it, sit back in your chair and just yell, WOW” for all to hear. Great job Jim..

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this case, I was in 7th grade and living in the Adirondacks. It was such a scary time! I remember going through the road blocks every time we traveled anywhere. Had to travel every other day to Wells NY with my mom to my grandparents. My grandfather was sick and needed medicine.

I really liked reading the book, it was well done and researched. Did learn a few new things about the case. One problem, toward the end, the endnotes are not credited to the correct chapters. I no longer live there and have forgotten some of the area, so a map to see how far apart various things are would have helped!

[Ed Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over all an interesting and easy read about a moment in time in upstate New York not too long ago. I was in the Adirondacks while the search for Garrow was in process and remember the intensity and sense of alarm existing in an area known more rest and relaxation,than murder and mayhem (thankfully). The author brought together historical events, with new character development that embellishes the quality of the reading experience. My only criticism would be that he provide a little more insight to Garrow's mental health prior to the ultimate series of crimes......Garrow was a unique to say the least.

[Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this occur since I live close the Albany, NY and have many friends and relatives that live in the Adirondacks. So interesting about all the facts that he brings out that were not available at the time. This is certainly a read for you if you love to hear about true criminals and their live. The lawyers were certainly in a bind but the lawyer that made Garrow tell on the stand where the bodies were located was brilliant.

[Marjorie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it promises to discuss the ethics of the 2 lawyers who were told by their client Garrow where bodies of 2 missing women were located and who went to the locations and photographed the bodies, never telling the police, ultimately it was weak in that promise. it told the tale of the rapist and murderer, but spent time little on the ethics.
If you want back ground however on the case this is a good reference that appears to be decently researched.

[Gail Teal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary book, I found it near impossible to put down. Being a resident of the area, but not at that time, I could easily visualize places including the county courthouse and jailhouse. I personally know some of the folks in the book and I can’t imagine the terror that people felt during this time. I feel that it provided a factual description of the time. Jim certainly knows how to capture the readers attention. A must read!

[Erin Nudi · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason this story doesn't hold as much appeal for me as the Dannemora story (read all those books). I would have liked to hear more about the author and what drew him into this story. And I did not love the audiobook reader. But all that being said, this is a very interesting, well-researched book that's worth a read if you like true crime.

[Katherine Coble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best written book, but it was a factual account of a real story and it was crazy!
We visited the Adirondacks this summer and I saw this book in a local store and decided to pick it up. I think I need to start reading more true crime. This Robert Garrow person was a complete psychopath. The story gets weirder as it goes, so I'd recommend it!

[Morgane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story. I did not care for the author's style of writing (too many repetitions, often jumps from one subject to another) but the book is very well researched and I think this piece is where you'd find the most information on Robert Garrow's story and case.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fast paced story that captures the feelings and frustrations of the people/time/events. Gives a good representation of the difficulties and horror behind the events without sensationalizing or being too graphic. Wraps things up quite nicely.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting story. I didn't love the writing style. There seemed to be a clear prejudice towards the lawyers and a bit too much of the author's feelings regarding client confidentiality for me. It did do a good job weaving in all the strands of Garrow's life and crimes.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Great book. I have read the book Terror in the Adirondacks and both together give a good account of the whole story I think. I recommend this book.

[Sally Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hadn't heard of Robert Garrow before. It was an interesting life to read about but the text was rather slow paced.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook version- not the best narrative, but interesting story