Dark Side of the Mitten: Crimes of Power & Powerful Criminals in Michigan's Past & Present

by Tom Carr

Michigan’s past has a more sinister side than what’s commonly displayed on roadside historical markers. In Dark Side of the Crimes of the Powerful and Powerful Criminals in Michigan’s Past and Present , author Tom Carr presents a wide array of stories about Michigan’s gritty and gruesome past, all told with his signature humor and irreverence. “[G]risly, goofy, poignant dispatches expertly summated by a skilled veteran reporter who’s no stranger to the back stairs habituated by a true sleuth. Story telling at its fully imagined best.” — Ben Hamper, bestselling author of Rivethead “Mild-mannered Midwestern Michigan is the land of lakeside cottages, auto industries, pasties—and murder? ... At times morbid and surprisingly colloquial, this collection serves to enlighten Michigan’s present with the truth of its past and sheds a respectful light on the memory of its victims.” — Great Lakes, Great Reads, Historical Society of Michigan “Author Tom Carr shows his reportorial chops with crisp, concise prose enhanced by a multitude of historical photographs, including miscellaneous graphics. Carr blends interesting content with some visually gruesome graphics. This collection is one that Michigan history bibliophiles will want on their shelves." — Joseph Heywood, author of the Woods Cop Mysteries

Genres: Nonfiction

174 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2020

Reviews

[Devin Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of short stories of Michigan’s dark side. The author covered stories from all over the state which is impressive. Very interesting and an easy read

[Rebecca Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle school appropriate as any other non-graphic true crime book. However, I would caution readers to note how often the book reports on rumors and hearsay to increase the drama of the story. That doesn’t mean it actually happened. The stories are interesting enough but aren’t organized well by time, jumping through history. Some crimes don’t seem to have much connection to crime at all, such as the story on different ways men died in the timber industry. Some don’t seem to have a strong connection to Michigan, as evidenced by the last story about kids who summered in Charlevoix but wintered in Chicago and seem to have committed the crime there too. An interesting beach read to mine facts to throw into conversations and I did learn where some of the famous Michigan names came from that I didn’t know before, so a good way to learn Michigan history in a fun way.

[Dominique King · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of Tom Carr's "Mitten" books I've read...and, as I said in the review of the earlier book I read...it's a quick read, but it's not really for the faint of heart!
Again, Carr takes a more "journalistic" tone and highlights several low lights on Michigan's historical trail.
Carr can come off as flip at times, but as grisly as it can be, he gives readers a largely "entertaining" look at the state's criminal past.
A few cases had surprising links to Michigan, and more than a few folks honored with counties, cities, roads, buildings and more are revealed to have less than admirable pasts here.
I enjoyed the book, and will probably seek out the third one in this series of books by Carr I have yet to read.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is stuffed full of facts. It starts with the exploration of Michigan to the present. The book talks about the UAW and Hoffa as well as Detroit known as Midnight during the Underground Railroad. There were a few stories I didn't care for but overall, the book was interesting.

[Caren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, easy well-written read. Love all the Michigan history; lots of stuff I never knew about my state!

[Mariah Oleszkowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting book of crimes in and around Michigan. fascinating look into multiple times periods.