The Lindbergh Kidnapping Suspect No. 1: The Man Who Got Away

by Lise Pearlman

In the depths of the Depression, millions worldwide followed every twist and turn of the Lindbergh baby kidnap/murder. Yet what was reported was largely fake news. Nearly a century after undocumented immigrant Bruno Richard Hauptmann was executed for the dastardly crime, questions still linger. If the wrong man was convicted, who did it? When? Why? Where? How? The shocking answers this book suggests have eluded all prior authors. Extensive research into dusty archives yielded crucial forensic evidence never before analyzed. Readers are invited to reexamine “the crime of the century” with fresh eyes focused on a key suspect – a tall man wearing a fedora that obscured his face. He was spotted with a ladder in his car near the Lindberghs’ driveway early that fateful night. The police let an insider who fit that description oversee the entire investigation – the boy’s father, international hero Charles Lindbergh. Abuse of power, amorality and xenophobia all feature in this saga set in an era dominated by white supremacists and social Darwinists. If Lindbergh was Suspect No. 1, the man who got away, what was his motive? Who else was involved? Who helped cover up the crime? Read this book and judge for yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, History, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

578 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspect No 1 presents an explosive theory that fingers famous aviator, Charles A. Lindbergh, as the primary organizer and perpetrator of his 20-month old son's kidnapping and death in 1932.
Pearlman's in-depth research sets this book apart from similar ones that have preceded it, and her supporting evidence includes affidavits by forensics experts and reports secured through the Freedom of Information Act. I came away chilled by the author's plausible and well-supported theory and impressed by her thoroughness.
Even if you are not a true--crime enthusiast, this is an important book, because it illustrates that powerful people we want to love can do terrible things and get away with it.

[John Marr · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, the writing. It is decent, no complaints. It is not "brilliant." It is not "poetry." To suggest so reeks of sock puppetry.

But more importantly, the theory. I don't think it's a spoiler to reveal Pearlman's in the Lindbergh-did-it school. And I think this is nonsense. First, there's the usual critique of an elaborate conspiracy involving multiple parties, all of whom take what would be one of the biggest secrets of the 20th century to their gravges. And Lindbergh paying a massive ransom (about $1 million today) that he didn't have to. (Pearlman makes an offhand comment about his doing it to mollify his mother-in-law. Now that's a mother-in-law!) But the glaring flaw is the disposal of the body. Pearlman's theory posits the child suffered a very usual fate which would have been unequivocally evident if the body was discovered promptly and/or subjected to a more competent post mortem examination. For Lindbergh to just toss the body in the woods and hope for the best doesn't jibe with the man who has executed an elaborate and careful plan--especially when the plan also gave Lindbergh access to a waste incinerator.

Add this one to the chuckle list!

[John Madinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written, almost flawless, the story told with an easy, approachable style and none of the legalese you might expect from a former judge. It's also extremely well researched. The author has been immersed in the case for years (something that isn't uncommon with students of the Lindbergh kidnap saga) and it shows on every page and in the comprehensive endnotes.
The only thing that keeps me from giving the book five stars is the author's sudden departure from the facts into a lengthy and elaborate discussion of her alternate theory of the case - "what really happened." Although I agree with the basic premise that Hauptmann didn't do it and certainly didn't do it alone, and I can sorta, kinda buy into her alternative, which she supports with evidence in her notes, I ultimately questioned the viability of the theory, which is highly complex and requires a number of confederates and co-conspirators, all of whom would have to keep THE Biggest Secret in America for the rest of their lives. As a retired criminal investigator who spent my career making conspiracy cases, I have big doubts about the viability of those kinds of criminal schemes generally and this one in particular. It COULD have happened the way she describes it here and in the podcast where I first heard her outline it. Be aware that there are some (mostly minor) errors in the judge's evidence and that she overlooks, downplays, or dismisses some evidence that doesn't support her theory. The reader is going to have to decide for herself whether Judge Pearlman ultimately makes the case. Which is still a far more worthwhile read than most things you'll pick up, so I'd still recommend it.

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long and well-researched story on Charles Lindbergh and his son's kidnapping. This sadly is another case where the notoriety of Lindbergh allowed him to get away with murder. Pearlman makes her case with actual documents.

I gave this 3 stars, the system doesn't allow 3.5. It's written more for a history buff and not so much for a nonfiction reader (me). However, it is worth the time, if for no other reason than to teach stop placing celebrities on pedestals.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I've always suspected that Charles Lindbergh had something to do with the kidnapping/disappearance/murder of his son, but this book adds so many more details that it seems disturbingly clear that Charles Lindbergh was a narcissistic monster who had a lot to do with poor little Charlie's fate.

[Mary Sysko · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much information! I have so many questions! Well written!!!

[Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never actually read a book devoted solely to the Lindbergh kidnapping. I've read biographies of both Anne and Charles although the one on Charles was more hagiography than a well researched biography. And I've read most if not all of Anne's books and a few by their youngest daughter Reeve. But not one solely about the so called crime of the century. I've always had doubts about Hauptmann's guilt. He might've been somehow involved but not the sole preprtrator. This book looks at Charles himself as the one who committed the crime. I have a few issues with the reasoning of this and her theory is so out there it's hard to believe. First is the reasoning. People seem quite eager to paint little Charlie as some stupid imperfect child based on the fact he had a slightly larger than normal head. If you look at pictures of both father and son at the same age they both look pretty much identical. But the words of Anne, her mother Elizabeth and Connie Chilton of the Little School all say Charlie was a bright active toddler just like any other child his own age. As for the fact that there weren't many pictures of Charlie considering that Charles was very private and even told Anne to stop writing in her diary due to the fact it might be leaked its understandable why they are few pictures of the child. There aren't any pictures of Anne and Charles' wedding either. Now for the theory of what actually happened. I went in with an open mind but honestly this was out there. The more people involved in a conspiracy the less likely it is be kept secret and given the fact that according to this book there would be countless people involved someone would've talked or given a death bed confession or even blackmailed Lindbergh. Given how hated he was right before the war people would've believed it. I tend to go with it was either accidental, he tried to hide the kid and dropped him or something happened and he covered it up, or as this book said he was jealous of Charlie who took Anne away from him and either overdosed his medicine or smothered him in his sleep. It's possible he involved Carrel in the scheme to help with the cover up since Carrel is a detestable person. But to buy into this you'd have to believe Lindbergh was stupid as he left evidence or wiped fingerprints even though of course his fingerprints should be in the nursery and leading people to the ladder in the dark. I had hopes this would be a good read and a decent look at the case but I'm not buying this theory at all.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed and engrossing history of Limburgh and the "crime of the century."

The author is a judge who did meticulous research and came to the probably conclusion that Lindbergh, a Eugenicist, was unhappy with his toddler with a larger than normal head size and other possible malformations. At the time, he was working in a scientific lab where body parts of animals would be separated from the whole and attempted to last outside a human body, i.e. heart, blood vessels. They needed human parts but it wasn't legal. Pearlman made a good case that Lindbergh took his own son for such experiments

It's a huge theory, but with the lack of evidence actually pointing to the suspect who was executed, and a lot of inconsistencies with Lindbergh a lot of stuff points to Lindbergh as the main suspect. However, he was not only not considered a suspect, he was allowed to run the investigation and threatened to shoot any NJ police officer who did not obey his commands.

Book on audio read by author, it was ok, even though she is not an actor

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! A definite page turner with a shocking yet plausible conclusion. I was so impressed with her exhaustive research and the way she unfolds the story - a celebrity story perfect for our times.

[Ed Schmauder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The physical evidence always showed that Charles Lindbergh himself killed his child. Now we know why. Eugenics.

[Breanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charles Lindbergh was for sure THE WORST, though I am not totally sold on the theory outlined in this book.

I found this book to be oddly and specifically repetitive. It was so uncannily repetitive, in fact, that I had to keep checking that my audiobook hadn't skipped backward. The first half of the book was far more engaging than the second half, which went into a lot of depth about Lindbergh's medical endeavors and the racial climate of the time. Given the events and theory being posited, this should have been a much more compelling book. It would have benefited from quite a bit of editing.

[Stephanie Baltimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, a little about the author: Lise Pearlman is a former First Presiding California State Judge and a former California prosecutor of crimes including murders. Having said all this, let's discuss the subject of the book — Charles Lindbergh was an American Aviator and hero having flown the first successful transAtlantic flight from East Coast of the US to France. Unfortunately Lindbergh was also a psychopath. He was a known Nazi sympathizer and active practitioner and devotee of eugenics. Hitler awarded Lindbergh the medal of the Service Cross of the German Eagle...Lindbergh was a member of the America First Party which was pro-Nazi, pro- eugenics and isolationist. They hated FDR and sided with the Third Reich...this sounds familiar doesn't it...? (Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it). Bottom line, Charles Lindbergh almost surely murdered his first born son, Charles, Jr. Baby Charles had health issues, rickets, encephalopathy (due to his father's bullying his wife to fly with him across country when she was seven-eight months pregnant with Charles, Jr, depriving her of oxygen and exposing her to toxic fumes), thus the baby was born with physical maladies which Lindbergh saw as a weakness. Lindbergh was abusive, he left the small child outside in freezing weather in a pen at a year old for hours upon hours. He infamously referred to his little boy as "it." Under the Freedom of Information Act, Lise Pearlman has discovered all the many cover-ups, trumped up evidence and kangaroo court proceedings which condemned immigrant, Bruno Hauptmann, to death in the electric chair for the supposed murder of the baby "Eaglet". Lindbergh killed two people — his son and an innocent man. Much like "Plot Against America" by Philip Roth, this should be made into a series or motion picture. The world needs to know that Charles Lindbergh was a monster. A must-read.

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book is exceptionally good because Judge Pearlman gives us an intimate view of Charles and Anne’s relationship, and a detailed chronological account of the events leading up to the baby’s kidnaping with details never before published. But then the author’s pre-convinced opinion takes over. The Judge selectively chooses which evidence and testimony to present, attempting to prove that Charles Lindbergh murdered his own son because of the child’s physical limitations and therefore he allowed an innocent man to be executed. (Previous works have presented the same theory.)

I have read and digested virtually every book ever written about the Lindbergh Kidnaping case, plus I have spent several days at the New Jersey State Police Museum reviewing most of the original documents and evidence available in this case. In order to make her analysis sound convincing Ms Pearlman cavalierly dismisses the multiple damning handwriting analyses. She also ignores the solid evidence that traced the ladder’s wood to a specific lumberyard in the Bronx.

It is clear that she formed her conclusion then set out to slant the book to portray Charles Lindbergh’s behavior in the worst possible light. To be certain, her work presents the hard evidence that Cal was an obnoxious jerk. But to present a partial review of the available evidence to claim that he sadistically sacrificed his own child to medical research is too far-fetched to be believed.

[Emily Chaffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and Lise Pearlman did an incredible job creating something extremely thorough and well-written. I was able to attend a talk about the Lindbergh case by Lise Pearlman which was incredibly captivating and discussed much of the evidence from this case and the trial against Hauptmann. As a forensic chemist, I was hoping that this book was going to continue further into her analysis, but most of the book felt more like a biography and retelling of events. I appreciated the background on Lindbergh, but found the story a bit hard to follow when she told the story in order of events, often jumping from one person and piece of evidence to the next and then back to something previously mentioned, rather than really doing a deep dive on any of the evidence. I found Act 4 very unnecessary and way too in depth about the research, Carrel, and ties to Hitler. I feel like that section could have been significantly condensed to still give context for Act 5 without feeling like a biography about Lindbergh and even at times, Carrel. However, Act 5 was the reason I made it through this long book. I loved actually hearing Pearlman’s thoughts and analysis of the crime and the way she broke it down. Extremely informative book that I did enjoy for the most part.

[Kimberly Purcell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is perfect for anyone that likes to take a serious deep-dive into a conspiracy. Somewhere along the line, I had read that Charles Lindbergh was thought to have killed his own child. This book could leave you certain that he did.

The amount of detail is extraordinary. Tons of research has been put into this book. It doesn't always read like a story because of the amount of details, some that are not going to be fascinating to most. And, a huge segment of the book is given to the research that Lindbergh and particular doctors and research scientists put into transplanting organs, coming up with artificial organs, and a lot of testing/research done on animals. This was very difficult to listen to and I did skip past that part. But, the reason why Lindbergh was obsessed with all of this is mind-blowing.

If you think you know the history of Charles Lindbergh and that he was an all-American hero, you are going to be incredibly surprised. He was a cruel bully and very much a narcissist. Also, he was a Nazi sympathizer that met with Hitler often. He was extremely interested is cultivating a superior, white race. Thus, his delving into research to create a superior human and circling back to why he would kill his own son who had medical and physical defects.

[ExtremeBibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aviation hero, Nazi sympathizer, Time Magazine's first Man of the Year and-according to Lisa Pearlman's incredibly well-researched and totally believable account of the "Crime of the Century"-murderous perpetrator of one of the great hoaxes in American history, Charles Lindbergh attained near-godlike status in the aftermath of his historic solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927. Pearlman strips away the layers of mythology surrounding the pilot and reveals an abusive narcissist who plotted- along with fellow eugenicist Dr Alexis Carrel-a horrifying series of experiments on Lindbergh's own baby son that led to the child's death in 1932 and the subsequent cover-up that ultimately cost the most probably innocent Richard Hauptmann his life. Warning: Pearlman details in graphic and gruesome detail exactly how Lindbergh and Carrel caused the death of little Charles Jr. Pearlman is a retired judge and has spent countless hours researching this case to its appalling (and in my opinion, blatantly obvious) conclusion. Anyone believing Lindbergh was the All-American golden boy will have illusions shattered by this fantastic book.

[Fred Baerkircher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pearlman makes a compelling case that the investigation into the Lindbergh kidnapping was horribly botched, with nearly all the investigators working toward an agenda of their own that had nothing to do with the child. She makes a convincing case that Lindbergh himself was not a great person, and was a horrible husband. And she makes a solid case that the lone man prosecuted for what was described even then as a gang-perpetrated crime, Hauptmann, was railroaded in a complete mockery of our justice system.

But then in the final part of the book Pearlman gets into what she thinks happened, assuring us that as a former lawyer she is highly trained and skilled at using logic to analyze evidence and constructing narratives. She has to make this declaration because nearly every aspect of her case against Lindbergh is complete speculation. The conclusion she reaches, absurdly, is Lindbergh vivisected his own child to take him out of the gene pool. There are zero convincing facts that support that monstrous accusation.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I listened to this on Audible, but Goodreads did not list that version as one of the editions. The narration left a lot to be desired, but we forgave that due to it being the actual author. As far as did we think the author proved her point —that Charles Lindbergh himself was responsible for staging a kidnapping, and sacrificing his own child in medical experiments to advance the idea of racial purity — we felt she laid out a very convincing case. At the end of the book, she detailed all of the inconsistencies, the fabrications of evidence, the star-struck investigator allowing Lindbergh himself to basically run the investigation, the evidence on the child’s body once found, Lindbergh’s narcissist personality and belief in racial purity, and many other points. A few of these points might be explained away, but put altogether, the strong suspicions cannot be explained away. If true, he not only murdered his own child, he also stood by and even assisted in orchestrated the execution of an innocent man.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me preface by saying that I listened to the audiobook and that the author read her own work. It was like listening to story time with someone's Mee-Maw as the narrative was so monotonous and poorly paced. It's a shame as the book was very interesting. It was full of information--sometimes TOO much information as the same things kept getting repeated and repeated. Hey, there's no need to convince me that Lindbergh was a narcissistic a-hole and that the wrong man was framed and executed for the Lindbergh baby's kidnapping and murder. I already knew that!
The author does a deep dive into the time frames of the crime, the botched investigation, what the FBI knew, and just how far Lindbergh's dealings with Dr.Alexis Carrel, the famed eugenicist went. Her take on why Lindbergh might have staged the kidnapping and how baby Charlie fit into Lindy's work with Dr. Carrel is chilling.

[Jim Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally couldn’t put this aside for very long. Incredible detail, a lot of very specific information about Lindbergh and his wife Anne, and their relationship. She makes a very convincing case that “America’s Hero” was a narcissistic bastard who was also a control freak. He was also obsessed with eugenics and with the idea of creating a master race of blond, blue-eyed Nordic types. He actually admired what was happening in Hitler’s Germany and was a close to a Nazi as you can be without actually carrying a membership card. The author concludes that Lindbergh was in fact involved in the “kidnapping” and murder of his first born son — but as to the motive and method, you will have to read the book for yourself.

[Bee]

He did it. He's horrible. (In my opinion after reading this book.)

This book was meticulously researched and really does a good job of making you understand bigger political motivations and societal mores going on at the time as well as personal dynamics within the Lindbergh household. It is as much about white supremacy and parental abuse as how celebrity and privilege protects those who have it and allows them to create their own rules when the desire is there.

This was a tough read though. I had to take breaks and did not feel good after reading it. Humanity can get very dark . However, I am glad I know this information and that this record exists.

[Shelly Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slight spoilers ahead Groundbreaking book. I had read Hauptman's Ladder last year and was thinking it must have been Lindberg himself. Lise has shown us the dark and depraved side of Charles Lindberg and this book is very well written and researched. If you are interested in this topic and you know the story then this is a must read so you can see what was not shared and what was kept a secret.
Lindberg was a narcissistic socio path. He was a believer of eugenics which is literally the smoking gun for his reason to murder his own son.

[Roberta Lynne Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a surprise? A legal professional questions the legal system. It reveals Lindberg insanity and the relationship with his kidnapped son. The author had access to many documents about the Crime and Trial as well as Lindberg’s manipulation of the entire nation. Well written.

I became interested in this book after reading “Murder on the Orient Express” for the second time. I thought that It was written after the Kidnapping of the Lindberg baby. I determined Agatha Christie had retold the Lindberg family saga in the 1930’s.

[Shelley Hendershot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduced me to opinions I was totally unaware of. I had, before this, held Lindbergh in high regard, but all that changed upon reading this book. So much incompetence and illegal and unethical actions took place, and sadly, I believe an act of the most heinous sort was committed, and the guilty party never had even one consequence. It was an excellent read though, and I would read more like this .

[Christopher Rodgman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic piece by piece disassembly of the case against Bruno Hautmann for which he was tried, convicted, and executed. Fails to make as strong a case that Lindbergh participated in the vivisection (live dissection) of his genetically inferior son, but a strong case he was involved in the kidnapping and that he was a racist, sociopathic eugenecist who would have seen nothing wrong with doing so.

[Linda Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thoroughly researched book on the Lindbergh kidnapping. A lesson for us in heroism and idolization. The powerful control and are given deference by the law and others. Lindbergh was a cruel man without morality. His belief in eugenics and a superior race formed the basis for sacrificing his son and convicting an innocent man. One might do outstanding feats, but what if he has no morality. What do you choose? I highly recommend reading this book. It is an eyeopener.

[randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

i do enjoy reading books on this case. i was a little disappointed in this book because i was expecting more. after she started getting into the investigation she veered off telling of his medical pursuits which i thought she spent too much time on even though it played apart in her theory. she did make some good obserservations but not convinced of her conclusion.

[Marge Congress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overlong, particularly in the section about Lindberg's work on a heart-lung machine, this detailed account of the family life, the crime, the horribly botched investigation, and the author's conclusion is very interesting. One might feel like skimming from time to time, but I will be thinking about her conclusions for a long time.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long read. After I finished I really don’t know what to say. Lindbergh, even if he didn’t do the kidnapping, was definitely a monster. The way he treated people, the delight he got in his practical jokes All very sad. Sociopath, psychopath, egomaniac. Yeh! He fits the role as the book describes him and the actions he took.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It appears I’m in the minority here. The theory presented throughout the book is very interesting. I felt it was too long and often repetitive with information, and at times more like reading a textbook. I wanted to love it, but also don’t think it’s fair to present this way when there’s no one to refute the claims.