True Crime Philadelphia: From America's First Bank Robbery to the Real-Life Killers Who Inspired Boardwalk Empire

by Kathryn Canavan

A guided tour of Philadelphia's underworld, revealing the places where deals were made, people were killed, and bodies were buried. While lurking in local restaurants or just around the corner inside that inconspicuous building, countless criminals have quietly made their mark on the city and surrounding communities. Philadelphia Sinners reveals the hidden history of these places, bringing readers back in time to America's first kidnapping for ransom, Al Capone's first prison stint in Philly, Willie Sutton's prison break from the Eastern State Penitentiary, America's first bank robbery, and more. Drawing upon years of research and an extensive collection of rare photographs, author Kathryn Canavan sheds light on how gang violence infected the streets, and how these historic characters almost got away with history's most disturbing crimes.

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

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2021

About the author

It is natural that Kathryn Canavan write about the Lincoln Assassination and America’s first kidnapping because Canavan began her journalism career as a crime reporter.

To get a story, she has reported at gunpoint, lived with the Moonies, negotiated with a killer and joined Tug McGraw in the Phillies dugout.

She worked as reporter or editor in four states, but she left full-time newsroom to serve as a paralyzed parent Her freelance writing has been published in USA Today, the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily Beast, Prevention magazine and the History News Network.

She is the author of Lincoln’s Final Hours from University Press of Kentucky and True Crime Philadelphia from Lyons Press. Her upcoming book is about a 1976 spree murder.

She has appeared as a Lincoln scholar on Discovery Channel, PBS and C-Span.

She was named a National Health Journalism Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism in 2011. Her fellowship project, “No Child Allowed Outside,” chronicled the health effects of gun violence on young children.

She is a former dinosaur docent at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and former long-time volunteer with Cub Pack 506, the nation’s first Cub Scout pack exclusively for boys living in shelters or on the streets.

Reviews

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neat group of crime stories from Philadelphia. There are several firsts that came out of the town that are pretty impressive. Many are stories I haven’t heard of, which I like. There’s even some things about the H.H. Holmes story that were new to me. Interesting true crime read. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Kathryn Canavan, and the publisher.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philadelphia will always hold a special place in my heart; it’s where I went to college and spent an amazing three years of my life. I didn’t know very many of these stories but I did know a lot of the locations so I found these fascinating. There’s just enough information in each story to satisfy your curiosity but there is room to do more research for the deep dive if you want to. Bonus points for pictures of the main players and locations to really help you see it all. Note: these are older crimes, nothing modern day is mentioned (I think the latest is in the 60s). Recommended for true crime fans or history buffs.



I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Fiona Lawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty entertaining but honestly not really that great. Each chapter gives basic bullet points on various Philly area crimes, but without much detail or insight and with a fair amount of editorializing. Some chapters genuinely just restate the same 3-4 facts over and over in different ways for several pages. There is no thematic through line other than what the title is- true stories of crimes that occurred in the Philadelphia area.

I’m also a little bit confused as to who the intended audience for this book is. For example, all curse words in quotes from the criminals are totally censored but practically every other chapter references HBO’s Boardwalk Empire in specific detail and I just have a hard time imagining the type of person who liked that show enough to remember it in 2024 but also is offended by reading four letter words.

Generally, this feels like a book written by someone who wanted to capitalize on both the true crime trend and their conception of what the Philadelphia “vibe” is without really having a grasp on or something to say about either.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a little peeved at myself as a true crime fan living outside of Philadelphia that I didn’t know most of these stories! This book is well researched and provides so much information about lesser known old crimes. I loved how many stories included Philadelphians trying to stop the bad guys on their own. The author writes in a sincere but almost witty way - it’s a very accessible nonfiction novel that most fiction readers will enjoy. Definitely check this out if you’re a true crime fan!

[Mike Romano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Altogether, a good easy read for anyone interested in some more niche history about Philadelphia. The title is a bit misleading, I was of the impression that this was going to be a history of organized crime in the city; however, it is more of an anthology of interesting crime stories from Philly.

One nugget that hit home was the chapter on the Bible riots, which later contributed to the establishment of the cities large amount of Catholic schools.

[Ray Seigfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Jersey may have their fictional Sparano crime family, but thanks to Ms. Canavan, we have the true-crime families; Philly style. In this book, one will find the real criminal families since 1787 and the Philadelphia citizens who stood for law and community against these criminals. A fantastic Christmas gift, especially for those of us who are native Philadelphians.

[Jake Rappaport · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Crime Philadelphia was an easy, information-filled book full of different stories throughout the history of Philadelphia. There are a ton of stories throughout that I had never learned about during school while completing my history degree. I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of history and a fan of Philly.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of, True Crime Philadelphia, by Kathryn Canavan. This is a really good book, about true crime in Philadelphia. Some of the stories I never heard of, they were all interesting.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for fans of true crime! The author shares many stories of the early days of crime in Philadelphia with heists, murder, and even witches. A great read for anyone interested in Philadelphia's dark side in the early to mid 1900s before there was DNA tests and ID channel.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea that Philadelphia held so many firsts! This was a super insightful read, and full of great stories and cases. I enjoyed reading through these, and even getting a little more on H.H. Holmes. He is one of my favorites among criminals.

Perfect for true crime fans!

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed. The author obviously did a lot of research, but most of the chapter left me wanting to go out and find more information about each crime. There isn't discussion of the character backgrounds. I felt like I was reading a series of newspaper articles.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathryn's book is enrapturing with details and interesting stories set in familiar locations. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves Philly or True Crime

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I think people from Philadelphia would really enjoy the book.

[Phdrseuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book to read. One never knows what they are gonna learn about Philly is what I said when I finished reading it.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a DNF, which is very unusual for me. Stories were interesting but a bit dry.

[Zachariah Deaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oft told stories from my childhood get fleshed out with a little more detail. Very readable.

[Amanda Dicicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting but yet historic. I enjoyed this book a lot.

[Beersbooksandboos · Rating 5 out of 5]

My older brother lives in Philadelphia and that is why I wanted to pick up this book. And I am glad I did, not I have a few places I want him to take to me when I go up to visit. I did know a few of the crimes in the book from other books or shows. What I liked about this was how the author told them., it didn't feel like I was reading a history book on crime. I can't wait to read more from Kathryn soon.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lyons Press for letting me give my honest review

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the stories that were quite interesting. The book will probably hold most appeal for people who are from the area or visiting.

I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to the providers.