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Murder in the Neighborhood
On September 6, 1949, twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh shot thirteen people in less than twelve minutes on his block in East Camden, New Jersey.
The shocking true story of the first recorded mass shooting in America has never been told, until now.
The sky was cloudless that morning when twelve-year-old Raymond Havens left his home on River Road.
His grandmother had sent him to get a haircut at the barbershop across the street - where he was about to witness his neighbor and friend Howard open fire on the customers inside. Told through the eyes of the young boy who visited Howard regularly to listen to his war stories, and the mother trying to piece together the disturbing inner workings of her son's mind, Ellen Green uncovers the chilling true story of Howard Unruh - the quiet oddball who meticulously plotted his revenge on the neighbors who shunned him and became one of America's first mass killers. With access to Howard's diaries, newly released police reports and psychiatric records alongside interviews with surviving family members and residents of the neighborhood, A Murder in the Neighborhood will have readers of In Cold Blood, If You Tell and American Predator absolutely gripped.
The shocking true story of the first recorded mass shooting in America has never been told, until now.
The sky was cloudless that morning when twelve-year-old Raymond Havens left his home on River Road.
His grandmother had sent him to get a haircut at the barbershop across the street - where he was about to witness his neighbor and friend Howard open fire on the customers inside. Told through the eyes of the young boy who visited Howard regularly to listen to his war stories, and the mother trying to piece together the disturbing inner workings of her son's mind, Ellen Green uncovers the chilling true story of Howard Unruh - the quiet oddball who meticulously plotted his revenge on the neighbors who shunned him and became one of America's first mass killers. With access to Howard's diaries, newly released police reports and psychiatric records alongside interviews with surviving family members and residents of the neighborhood, A Murder in the Neighborhood will have readers of In Cold Blood, If You Tell and American Predator absolutely gripped.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2022
681 people are currently reading
4953 people want to read
About the author
Ellen J. Green
7 books179 followersEllen J. Green is the Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Ava Saunders novels (Absolution and Twist of Faith) and The Book of James. She attended Temple University in Philadelphia, where she earned her degrees in psychology, and has worked in the psychiatric ward of a maximum-security correctional facility for fifteen years. She also holds an MFA degree in creative writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Born and raised in Upstate New York, Ms. Green now lives in southern New Jersey with her husband and two children.
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April 28, 2022
Murder in the Neighborhood by Ellen J. Green
John Chancer (Narrator)
On September 6, 1949, twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh killed thirteen people in East Camden, New Jersey. The location of his carnage was the very block that he lived with his mother. He was targeting a list of people but once he got started on his rampage he ended up killing children and strangers not on his list, too. This man never had remorse for what he did and he states that if he could have killed more he would have done so.
This true event and the aftermath is related to us by a boy, Raymond, who was the only person in the neighborhood who had conversations with Howard, other than Howard's mother. Raymond was the courier between his dad and Howard, as they shared stamps with each other, and often Raymond would sit and listen to Howard recount his time in the war and share his vast knowledge of a variety of subjects. Many of the people who lived near Howard harangued Howard constantly, calling him vulgar names, spitting at him, never giving him a moment of peace, and they let some of their hatred leak over to Howard's mother. While the rest of the neighbors would chat and do business with each other, gather for late night drinks and socializing, Howard and his mother were left out of everything.
Then one morning, as Raymond was going to get a haircut, ordered to do so by his grandmother, he was witness to Howard shooting the people he'd grown up around. He didn't see all the killings but he was haunted by all of them, wondering how things came to this, why he was spared when he came face to face with Howard during the shootings, what people could have done differently, and what Howard was really thinking to do such a thing.
We see much of this story through the eyes of Raymond and Frieda, Howard's mother. Whether this tragedy could be prevented or not, one thing is clear. Howard was treated terribly by the people who lived and did business around him. He was seen as weak and as a push over and no one ever imagined he would explode in a twelve minute shooting spree. The only one responsible for what Howard did was Howard but this killing spree did leave many people wondering about their role in what happened.
The narrator of this audiobook does a fine job, so matter of fact in the telling, and it was so interesting seeing the story from the point of view of Raymond. It's a little harder to take the point of view of Freida. The poor woman had to support a grown son, her husband had left the family, the neighbors didn't include her, I felt bad for her but she was so willing to lay blame at the feet of anyone but her son. And then there was Howard and I'm left with the feeling that if not this event, there would have been another at some point. Still, treating people the way we would like to be treated could go a long way to making life better for everyone and hopefully, less dangerous for everyone.
Pub: April 28th 2022
Thank you to Thread and NetGalley for this ARC.
John Chancer (Narrator)
On September 6, 1949, twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh killed thirteen people in East Camden, New Jersey. The location of his carnage was the very block that he lived with his mother. He was targeting a list of people but once he got started on his rampage he ended up killing children and strangers not on his list, too. This man never had remorse for what he did and he states that if he could have killed more he would have done so.
This true event and the aftermath is related to us by a boy, Raymond, who was the only person in the neighborhood who had conversations with Howard, other than Howard's mother. Raymond was the courier between his dad and Howard, as they shared stamps with each other, and often Raymond would sit and listen to Howard recount his time in the war and share his vast knowledge of a variety of subjects. Many of the people who lived near Howard harangued Howard constantly, calling him vulgar names, spitting at him, never giving him a moment of peace, and they let some of their hatred leak over to Howard's mother. While the rest of the neighbors would chat and do business with each other, gather for late night drinks and socializing, Howard and his mother were left out of everything.
Then one morning, as Raymond was going to get a haircut, ordered to do so by his grandmother, he was witness to Howard shooting the people he'd grown up around. He didn't see all the killings but he was haunted by all of them, wondering how things came to this, why he was spared when he came face to face with Howard during the shootings, what people could have done differently, and what Howard was really thinking to do such a thing.
We see much of this story through the eyes of Raymond and Frieda, Howard's mother. Whether this tragedy could be prevented or not, one thing is clear. Howard was treated terribly by the people who lived and did business around him. He was seen as weak and as a push over and no one ever imagined he would explode in a twelve minute shooting spree. The only one responsible for what Howard did was Howard but this killing spree did leave many people wondering about their role in what happened.
The narrator of this audiobook does a fine job, so matter of fact in the telling, and it was so interesting seeing the story from the point of view of Raymond. It's a little harder to take the point of view of Freida. The poor woman had to support a grown son, her husband had left the family, the neighbors didn't include her, I felt bad for her but she was so willing to lay blame at the feet of anyone but her son. And then there was Howard and I'm left with the feeling that if not this event, there would have been another at some point. Still, treating people the way we would like to be treated could go a long way to making life better for everyone and hopefully, less dangerous for everyone.
Pub: April 28th 2022
Thank you to Thread and NetGalley for this ARC.
March 26, 2022
September 6,1949
The first recorded mass shooting occurred on this date when twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh opened fire and shot thirteen people in less than twelve minutes. Howard Unruh plotted the revenge on his neighbors for their bullying, mistreatment, and shunning. They never let Howard have a minute's peace. Their taunting was constant and unrelenting.
Howard lived with his mother and kept mainly to himself. He had a secret life and kept an apartment in Philadelphia where he could be his true self. Where he could date, meet other men and have relationships with them.
When not being taunted and ridiculed by his neighbors, he kept a shooting range in his basement. He was honorably discharged from the service after the war. Was this a way to let off steam or was this practice for the massacre that was yet to come?
Raymond Havens went to get a haircut that morning and was a witness. when his friend and neighbor, Howard opened fire. So many lives were forever changed that day.
This book is told through eyewitness accounts, psychiatric records, diary entries and police reports. I had not heard of this case prior to seeing this audiobook being available on NetGalley. The author did a tremendous amount of research, and I did not want to stop listening.
In addition to being a riveting and gripping book, I thought the narrator did an amazing job. Howard is presented as a sympathetic character. I kept thinking how much one person could take before reaching a breaking point. What would have happened if that door had not been messed with?
This whole book is sad. So many lives lost, so many lives changed. A man taunted and beaten down. A man who was already changed by war. A man who screamed in his sleep. A man who had been bullied his entire life. A young man who bore witness, who visited Howard and was forever changed as well. A mother who can't understand the actions of her son, who can't understand how her sweet bible reading son could do such a thing.
This is a powerful read/listen.
Howard did a horrible thing, there is no doubt. But I could not help but feel for him as I did his victims.
True crime fans will enjoy this book. It is thought provoking, powerful, evoking emotion and well written.
Thank you to Thread and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
The first recorded mass shooting occurred on this date when twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh opened fire and shot thirteen people in less than twelve minutes. Howard Unruh plotted the revenge on his neighbors for their bullying, mistreatment, and shunning. They never let Howard have a minute's peace. Their taunting was constant and unrelenting.
Howard lived with his mother and kept mainly to himself. He had a secret life and kept an apartment in Philadelphia where he could be his true self. Where he could date, meet other men and have relationships with them.
When not being taunted and ridiculed by his neighbors, he kept a shooting range in his basement. He was honorably discharged from the service after the war. Was this a way to let off steam or was this practice for the massacre that was yet to come?
Raymond Havens went to get a haircut that morning and was a witness. when his friend and neighbor, Howard opened fire. So many lives were forever changed that day.
This book is told through eyewitness accounts, psychiatric records, diary entries and police reports. I had not heard of this case prior to seeing this audiobook being available on NetGalley. The author did a tremendous amount of research, and I did not want to stop listening.
In addition to being a riveting and gripping book, I thought the narrator did an amazing job. Howard is presented as a sympathetic character. I kept thinking how much one person could take before reaching a breaking point. What would have happened if that door had not been messed with?
This whole book is sad. So many lives lost, so many lives changed. A man taunted and beaten down. A man who was already changed by war. A man who screamed in his sleep. A man who had been bullied his entire life. A young man who bore witness, who visited Howard and was forever changed as well. A mother who can't understand the actions of her son, who can't understand how her sweet bible reading son could do such a thing.
This is a powerful read/listen.
Howard did a horrible thing, there is no doubt. But I could not help but feel for him as I did his victims.
True crime fans will enjoy this book. It is thought provoking, powerful, evoking emotion and well written.
Thank you to Thread and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
April 26, 2022
A thorough account of what is believed to have been the first recorded mass shooting in the US. The author did a thorough research of all available documents and witnesses' accounts to describe the man behind the tragedy that affected in 1949 a small comunity of East Camden, New Jersey. The motif for killing 13 innocent people within 12 minutes is manifold and though no excuse can be provided, Ms Green does not judge the killer but offers insight into his life and complicated relations with himself and the times in which he lived.
*Many thanks to Ellen J. Green, Thread, and Netgalley for arc audio in exchange for my honest review.*
*Many thanks to Ellen J. Green, Thread, and Netgalley for arc audio in exchange for my honest review.*
March 21, 2022
A book that can make a reader feel empathy for a man who committed heinous crime is one that can be appreciated. The book Murder in the Neighborhood by Ellen J. Greene and narrated by John Chancer did just that.
The date was September 6, 1949 when a young man who had a few years previously returned from the war, age twenty-seven, shot and killed thirteen people in the space of twelve minutes. Howard Unnrah was the shooter and those who perished included men, women, and children. What drove this man to commit such a contemptible act and plan such an event? As this wonderful empathetic story is told, we learn of Howard, a quiet man, who lived with his mother, a man who loved collecting stamps, and a man who seemed daily to be both marginalized and ridiculed by his neighbors. Howard had developed a friendship with a young boy, Raymond Havens, who on the day of the massacre was there to witness the carnage. They were friends and Raymond could not understand why Howard acted the way he did. However, Raymond stood by his friend and endeavored to understand why.
We learn of the ways in which Howard was degraded, the name calling, the Nancy boy rhetoric, that pointed to him as a homosexual. The neighbors never let up, throwing things at him, harassing him whenever the opportunity arose, and after many incidents with the Cohen family over access to his property, Howard had installed a fence. The fence later went missing and seemed to be the catalyst for the explosion of Howard's wrath.
Howard and his brother, James grew up in Camden, New Jersey, raised by a single mom when the father left the scene. All remembered him as a quiet, an exemplary soldier, a reader of the bible. He was devoted it seemed to his mother, but she didn't know for quite some time that her son was gay. Howard would go to Philadelphia for his liaisons with men. Howard also had a practice shooting range of a sort in his basement.
There is no excusing what Howard did. Yet, my heart went out to him as we hear of the numerous times he was ridiculed, made fun of, and degraded. This was a man who had nobly fought for his country, but was made into a pariah in his neighborhood. I recognized his need for retribution and though there was no excuse for what he did and planned, I had to wonder how much abuse could one person stand.
Howard, was later declared to be a paranoid schizophrenic and was never given a trial, but confined to the New Jersey Hospital for the Insane where he spent the rest of his days until his death in 2009.
The visitors he had included his mother and Raymond who maintained a steady friendship with Howard as he knew the kind and gentle man Howard once was. Such a sad story of lives that ended because of prejudice and hate.
I definitely recommend this story and the audio version was done so well.
Thank you to Ellen J. Green, John Chancer (narrator), Thread, and NetGalley for a copy of this book due out April 9, 2022
The date was September 6, 1949 when a young man who had a few years previously returned from the war, age twenty-seven, shot and killed thirteen people in the space of twelve minutes. Howard Unnrah was the shooter and those who perished included men, women, and children. What drove this man to commit such a contemptible act and plan such an event? As this wonderful empathetic story is told, we learn of Howard, a quiet man, who lived with his mother, a man who loved collecting stamps, and a man who seemed daily to be both marginalized and ridiculed by his neighbors. Howard had developed a friendship with a young boy, Raymond Havens, who on the day of the massacre was there to witness the carnage. They were friends and Raymond could not understand why Howard acted the way he did. However, Raymond stood by his friend and endeavored to understand why.
We learn of the ways in which Howard was degraded, the name calling, the Nancy boy rhetoric, that pointed to him as a homosexual. The neighbors never let up, throwing things at him, harassing him whenever the opportunity arose, and after many incidents with the Cohen family over access to his property, Howard had installed a fence. The fence later went missing and seemed to be the catalyst for the explosion of Howard's wrath.
Howard and his brother, James grew up in Camden, New Jersey, raised by a single mom when the father left the scene. All remembered him as a quiet, an exemplary soldier, a reader of the bible. He was devoted it seemed to his mother, but she didn't know for quite some time that her son was gay. Howard would go to Philadelphia for his liaisons with men. Howard also had a practice shooting range of a sort in his basement.
There is no excusing what Howard did. Yet, my heart went out to him as we hear of the numerous times he was ridiculed, made fun of, and degraded. This was a man who had nobly fought for his country, but was made into a pariah in his neighborhood. I recognized his need for retribution and though there was no excuse for what he did and planned, I had to wonder how much abuse could one person stand.
Howard, was later declared to be a paranoid schizophrenic and was never given a trial, but confined to the New Jersey Hospital for the Insane where he spent the rest of his days until his death in 2009.
The visitors he had included his mother and Raymond who maintained a steady friendship with Howard as he knew the kind and gentle man Howard once was. Such a sad story of lives that ended because of prejudice and hate.
I definitely recommend this story and the audio version was done so well.
Thank you to Ellen J. Green, John Chancer (narrator), Thread, and NetGalley for a copy of this book due out April 9, 2022
April 1, 2022
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ellen J. Green, and Thread for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always curious about the world of true crime, I eagerly chose this book to enjoy. The story appeared straightforward and the premise clear, which only made it all the most intriguing to me. One hot, September morning in 1949, a young man walks along the main strip in East Camden, New Jersey and begins firing. Where the smoke settles, thirteen people are dead. While the shooter did not deny committing the crime, there’s a concern of mental illness, which forces the authorities to undertake significant testing. What follows is the story of the shooting, its aftermath, and a deeper exploration of what might have happened to lead a “quiet man” to commit such a horrific crime. Ellen J. Green does a masterful job at storytelling in this piece.
It was a muggy morning, that September 6, 1949, when Raymond Havens headed out to get a haircut. Little did he know, his life would change forever that day. While walking up the main road in East Camden, New Jersey, Havens heard shots and soon saw Howard Unruh wielding a gun and shooting indiscriminately. Blood flowed and bodies fell, leaving thirteen people dead after Unruh’s twelve-minute spree. This was the first recorded mass shooting in the United States and the authorities were baffled.
Unruh did not deny the shooting, allowing himself to be taken into custody. However, with the electric chair as a looming possibility, everyone wanted to make sure that things were clear, sending Unruh for evaluation to ensure he was fit to stand trial. All the while, young Raymond began piecing things together for himself, wondering if there were more to the story than a war vet who lost his way.
As the story progresses, the reader receives insight into the life of Howard Unruh, as well as the connection that he had with his family. His time in Europe was surely trying on him, as was the struggles he faced afterwards when he returned stateside. Deep psychological analyses helped professionals see a darker side to Unruh, one that few knew about, but which turned to fodder for the press and local gossip circles.
Raymond offers his own views on the shooting, having witnessed it, as well as some of the encounters he had with Unruh leading up to the day. Together, it may create a more comprehensive narrative as to why a twenty-eight year old man would turn from docile into someone filled with rage. The truth reveals much and paints quite a complicated picture of this small, coastal town. Ellen J. Green does a wonderful job with this piece, pulling the reader in from the opening pages.
While true crime is not my go-to genre, I do enjoy treating myself on occasion. I enjoy learning more about the crimes, the background, and the thought of the killer as they prepare for the event. Ellen J. Green did a wonderful job of telling this story, the first documented mass shooting spree in US history. She looks at the event from a number of angles and pulls on details that help shape the narrative in interesting ways. The writing is clear and flows well, keeping the reader a part of the action all the way through.
Green focuses her attention on Howard Unruh and Raymond Havens throughout the piece, though there are many others whose appearance helps shape the narrative. These two offer insights in the shooting itself, its backstory, and even the fallout thereafter. Green uses them and their views primarily to cobble things together for the curious reader. That said, she was a great job of providing needed backstory on the victims as well and how townsfolk handled the news and scandal of such a crime in their own backyards.
Green’s depiction of events in 1949 is not only clear, but also helps develop a wonderful foundation for the rest of the novel. Working with primary sources and small-town newspapers, she pieces the crime together, offering the reader some insights throughout the narrative. A well-paced story, told from a few angles, makes things come to life and provides the reader with the needed insight to come to some of their pwn conclusions as well. Exploring the lives of many, victims and townsfolk alike, helps breathe a realism into the piece that makes the reader want to delve a little deeper. While there were no major mysteries surrounding the shootings, it is the secret life that came to be discovered that makes this book all the more suspenseful. I will have to look into reading more that Green has to offer, when time permits.
Kudos, Madam Green, for a great piece you said was recounted to you by a family members all those years ago. You did it justice and I cannot wit to do some of my own research on the subject.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always curious about the world of true crime, I eagerly chose this book to enjoy. The story appeared straightforward and the premise clear, which only made it all the most intriguing to me. One hot, September morning in 1949, a young man walks along the main strip in East Camden, New Jersey and begins firing. Where the smoke settles, thirteen people are dead. While the shooter did not deny committing the crime, there’s a concern of mental illness, which forces the authorities to undertake significant testing. What follows is the story of the shooting, its aftermath, and a deeper exploration of what might have happened to lead a “quiet man” to commit such a horrific crime. Ellen J. Green does a masterful job at storytelling in this piece.
It was a muggy morning, that September 6, 1949, when Raymond Havens headed out to get a haircut. Little did he know, his life would change forever that day. While walking up the main road in East Camden, New Jersey, Havens heard shots and soon saw Howard Unruh wielding a gun and shooting indiscriminately. Blood flowed and bodies fell, leaving thirteen people dead after Unruh’s twelve-minute spree. This was the first recorded mass shooting in the United States and the authorities were baffled.
Unruh did not deny the shooting, allowing himself to be taken into custody. However, with the electric chair as a looming possibility, everyone wanted to make sure that things were clear, sending Unruh for evaluation to ensure he was fit to stand trial. All the while, young Raymond began piecing things together for himself, wondering if there were more to the story than a war vet who lost his way.
As the story progresses, the reader receives insight into the life of Howard Unruh, as well as the connection that he had with his family. His time in Europe was surely trying on him, as was the struggles he faced afterwards when he returned stateside. Deep psychological analyses helped professionals see a darker side to Unruh, one that few knew about, but which turned to fodder for the press and local gossip circles.
Raymond offers his own views on the shooting, having witnessed it, as well as some of the encounters he had with Unruh leading up to the day. Together, it may create a more comprehensive narrative as to why a twenty-eight year old man would turn from docile into someone filled with rage. The truth reveals much and paints quite a complicated picture of this small, coastal town. Ellen J. Green does a wonderful job with this piece, pulling the reader in from the opening pages.
While true crime is not my go-to genre, I do enjoy treating myself on occasion. I enjoy learning more about the crimes, the background, and the thought of the killer as they prepare for the event. Ellen J. Green did a wonderful job of telling this story, the first documented mass shooting spree in US history. She looks at the event from a number of angles and pulls on details that help shape the narrative in interesting ways. The writing is clear and flows well, keeping the reader a part of the action all the way through.
Green focuses her attention on Howard Unruh and Raymond Havens throughout the piece, though there are many others whose appearance helps shape the narrative. These two offer insights in the shooting itself, its backstory, and even the fallout thereafter. Green uses them and their views primarily to cobble things together for the curious reader. That said, she was a great job of providing needed backstory on the victims as well and how townsfolk handled the news and scandal of such a crime in their own backyards.
Green’s depiction of events in 1949 is not only clear, but also helps develop a wonderful foundation for the rest of the novel. Working with primary sources and small-town newspapers, she pieces the crime together, offering the reader some insights throughout the narrative. A well-paced story, told from a few angles, makes things come to life and provides the reader with the needed insight to come to some of their pwn conclusions as well. Exploring the lives of many, victims and townsfolk alike, helps breathe a realism into the piece that makes the reader want to delve a little deeper. While there were no major mysteries surrounding the shootings, it is the secret life that came to be discovered that makes this book all the more suspenseful. I will have to look into reading more that Green has to offer, when time permits.
Kudos, Madam Green, for a great piece you said was recounted to you by a family members all those years ago. You did it justice and I cannot wit to do some of my own research on the subject.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 26, 2022
Thanks netgally and bookouture audio for this ARC.
Murder in the neighborhood follows the events leading up to the first mass shooting in USA. Howard B Unruh shot 13 people in cold blood, and I felt the ramifications of the tragedy as if I’d been there myself. The author writes about the shooting so vividly, as if you watched it all from a window. I also loved how well we got to know Raymond, who was one of the few who actually knew Howard. He comes forward as a perceptive boy, curious about everything.
The book raises many questions, like we all do when something unfathomable happens; Why did Howard kill so many people? Was it his time in the army, the way he was treated in his neighborhood or the rejection by a man he cared for? Or was it simply everything combined with antisocial personality traits ?
I would have loved to get to know the people who were killed, but a reconstruction of a tragedy must focus on some things, leaving others out.
Green writes beautifully and capture the complexity of humans accurately. The book comes across as well-researched and I learnt a lot from it.
Murder in the neighborhood follows the events leading up to the first mass shooting in USA. Howard B Unruh shot 13 people in cold blood, and I felt the ramifications of the tragedy as if I’d been there myself. The author writes about the shooting so vividly, as if you watched it all from a window. I also loved how well we got to know Raymond, who was one of the few who actually knew Howard. He comes forward as a perceptive boy, curious about everything.
The book raises many questions, like we all do when something unfathomable happens; Why did Howard kill so many people? Was it his time in the army, the way he was treated in his neighborhood or the rejection by a man he cared for? Or was it simply everything combined with antisocial personality traits ?
I would have loved to get to know the people who were killed, but a reconstruction of a tragedy must focus on some things, leaving others out.
Green writes beautifully and capture the complexity of humans accurately. The book comes across as well-researched and I learnt a lot from it.
February 3, 2022
Told through the eyes of Raymond, a young boy, and Freda, his mother, this is the story of Howard Unruh, who on a sunny day in September 1949 committed a mass shooting in his neighborhood and killed thirteen people.
Funnily enough I had recently listened to the Last Podcast on the Left series on this crime (which, you will know if you also listen, puts me rather far behind in the archives). The podcast focused more on Unruh - his early life, his military career, what led him to the place where he would kill thirteen people, as well as the shooting itself. In a way this book picks up where that left off, focusing on the aftermath of the case through two characters trying individually to make sense of how someone they'd been close to could do such a thing.
The author does a good job recreating the setting and what kind of people lived there. I knew that there was conflict between Unruh and the neighbors, but Green brought this into focus, hinging the book around the question of who stole Unruh's gate, which was allegedly what set him off. But the book acknowledges the inability to find satisfactory reasons for such acts, and goes into how the residents of the block were impacted, directly or indirectly, by the murders.
I am a little confused about the genre of this book. On NetGalley, it is filed under Mystery & Thrillers, Nonfiction, and True Crime - all of which felt accurate to me. The facts and people are real, but how Raymond and Freda felt about Unruh's crimes - which makes up the majority of the story - has been speculated upon, Raymond I believe with the help of his family. This did leave me with some lingering confusion about how the various people who lived in the neighborhood were recreated, if the author knew their personalities from family and news reports or if she speculated about them - in short, how much was hard fact and how much fictionalized.
Overall, an interesting work of narrative nonfiction that will likely appeal to even though who are not true-crime lovers.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Funnily enough I had recently listened to the Last Podcast on the Left series on this crime (which, you will know if you also listen, puts me rather far behind in the archives). The podcast focused more on Unruh - his early life, his military career, what led him to the place where he would kill thirteen people, as well as the shooting itself. In a way this book picks up where that left off, focusing on the aftermath of the case through two characters trying individually to make sense of how someone they'd been close to could do such a thing.
The author does a good job recreating the setting and what kind of people lived there. I knew that there was conflict between Unruh and the neighbors, but Green brought this into focus, hinging the book around the question of who stole Unruh's gate, which was allegedly what set him off. But the book acknowledges the inability to find satisfactory reasons for such acts, and goes into how the residents of the block were impacted, directly or indirectly, by the murders.
I am a little confused about the genre of this book. On NetGalley, it is filed under Mystery & Thrillers, Nonfiction, and True Crime - all of which felt accurate to me. The facts and people are real, but how Raymond and Freda felt about Unruh's crimes - which makes up the majority of the story - has been speculated upon, Raymond I believe with the help of his family. This did leave me with some lingering confusion about how the various people who lived in the neighborhood were recreated, if the author knew their personalities from family and news reports or if she speculated about them - in short, how much was hard fact and how much fictionalized.
Overall, an interesting work of narrative nonfiction that will likely appeal to even though who are not true-crime lovers.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 17, 2022
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
Murder In The Neighborhood is a very good true crime story.
The story is chilling, very well documented and the narration is perfect.
I highly recommend it!!!
Narration 5/5
Murder In The Neighborhood is a very good true crime story.
The story is chilling, very well documented and the narration is perfect.
I highly recommend it!!!
August 2, 2022
This story blew me away!
Written in diary form by multiple people, this is the story of Howard Unruh, who, in 1949, committed what is now recognised as the first multiple casualty shooting in America.
The differing version of events of that fateful morning, together with some well researched facts, make this a fascinating and compelling story.
I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of this event before now!
As well as insightfully telling us how tragic and horrific this event undoubtedly was, the author has empathetically and without judgment, also taken into account and given real relevance to, the mental state of the shooter.
A sad, heart breaking turn of events, and an excellently well written book.
Written in diary form by multiple people, this is the story of Howard Unruh, who, in 1949, committed what is now recognised as the first multiple casualty shooting in America.
The differing version of events of that fateful morning, together with some well researched facts, make this a fascinating and compelling story.
I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of this event before now!
As well as insightfully telling us how tragic and horrific this event undoubtedly was, the author has empathetically and without judgment, also taken into account and given real relevance to, the mental state of the shooter.
A sad, heart breaking turn of events, and an excellently well written book.
January 21, 2022
I found this to be a really interesting story about the purported very first mass shooting in the United States on the day after Labor Day, 1949. It tells about Howard Unruh and his family, but is told from the perspective of Unruh's mother, and a younger boy who was a friend to Howard. Well crafted true crime that’s been wonderfully researched. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2023
4.5 stars. Never heard of this case before but this was such a compelling and well-written account of it!
September 15, 2022
4.0 stars
This is a powerful and insightful true crime book that explores the first mass shooting in America. The author clearly took some liberties to recreate some of the dialog, but yet it made for such a compelling narrative. This read like a classic coming of age novel in the vein of boy's life. It was easy to forget it was non fiction because it had such a strong nostalgic narrative. I highly recommend for anyone trying to make sense of the senseless mass murders that plague modern America.
This is a powerful and insightful true crime book that explores the first mass shooting in America. The author clearly took some liberties to recreate some of the dialog, but yet it made for such a compelling narrative. This read like a classic coming of age novel in the vein of boy's life. It was easy to forget it was non fiction because it had such a strong nostalgic narrative. I highly recommend for anyone trying to make sense of the senseless mass murders that plague modern America.
April 16, 2022
A true crime story told as a narrative which allows for it to have a small town gossip feel that I don’t feel is regular in a lot of crime stories.
Murder in the Neighborhood follows the real life events of one of the first known American mass shootings. Told from a narrative perspective of a young boy who was not only witness to the crime but also friendly with the murderer as well as his own mother giving the shooter’s history.
The narrative style had a few pros and cons to a true crime telling. To me, it felt as if I was more connected to the individuals involved. It absolutely humanized this story. However, I felt like I didn’t get much into the actual facts and speculations of the crime. As someone interested in the psychology, I didn’t feel like I got a full picture from my glances through a narrative lens in the aftermath.
It was still very interesting and an easy listen. Unlike most non-fiction stories, I did find myself far more engaged and less inclined to drift throughout the story. I even think the narrative style helps me remember details better since they are connected to our own ‘character’ that we follow.
Overall, a good listen if you are interested in true crime and want to try a narrative style.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. This novel was narrated by John Chancer who did a good job though it was sometimes odd to have someone so deep narrating a child.
Murder in the Neighborhood follows the real life events of one of the first known American mass shootings. Told from a narrative perspective of a young boy who was not only witness to the crime but also friendly with the murderer as well as his own mother giving the shooter’s history.
The narrative style had a few pros and cons to a true crime telling. To me, it felt as if I was more connected to the individuals involved. It absolutely humanized this story. However, I felt like I didn’t get much into the actual facts and speculations of the crime. As someone interested in the psychology, I didn’t feel like I got a full picture from my glances through a narrative lens in the aftermath.
It was still very interesting and an easy listen. Unlike most non-fiction stories, I did find myself far more engaged and less inclined to drift throughout the story. I even think the narrative style helps me remember details better since they are connected to our own ‘character’ that we follow.
Overall, a good listen if you are interested in true crime and want to try a narrative style.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. This novel was narrated by John Chancer who did a good job though it was sometimes odd to have someone so deep narrating a child.
January 31, 2022
I find true crime reads fascinating, but I appreciate them more when I’m giving the facts rather than the author expressing their own thoughts. Green has written a true crime thriller that sticks mostly to the facts. It’s clear that she has meticulously researched her subject, resulting in an in-depth, fascinating read.
Murder in the Neighbourhood tells the story of the first recognised mass shooting in the United States. On September 6,1949, twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh shot thirteen people in East Camden, New Jersey. The story of that day is told from the viewpoints of Ray Havens, a young boy witnessed the murders and Howard’s mother, Freda Unruh.
With access to Howard’s diaries, police and psychiatric reports and interviews with surviving family members and residents of the neighbourhood. Green blends fact with a sprinkling of fiction, creating a fascinating insight into the mass shootings. The way the author has retold the story through Freda Unruh and Ray Havens eyes made this book such an original read, you get a real sense of place and time, as well as the shock, fear and anger experienced by the local community in the aftermath.
The author lays out the facts and explores the factors that could have contributed to Unruh’s crimes. She looks at the complexities of his life story, distorted thinking, and destructive actions that escalated. I found Murder In The Neighbour Hood to be an interesting view of one of the first mass shootings in United States history.
Murder in the Neighbourhood tells the story of the first recognised mass shooting in the United States. On September 6,1949, twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh shot thirteen people in East Camden, New Jersey. The story of that day is told from the viewpoints of Ray Havens, a young boy witnessed the murders and Howard’s mother, Freda Unruh.
With access to Howard’s diaries, police and psychiatric reports and interviews with surviving family members and residents of the neighbourhood. Green blends fact with a sprinkling of fiction, creating a fascinating insight into the mass shootings. The way the author has retold the story through Freda Unruh and Ray Havens eyes made this book such an original read, you get a real sense of place and time, as well as the shock, fear and anger experienced by the local community in the aftermath.
The author lays out the facts and explores the factors that could have contributed to Unruh’s crimes. She looks at the complexities of his life story, distorted thinking, and destructive actions that escalated. I found Murder In The Neighbour Hood to be an interesting view of one of the first mass shootings in United States history.
April 25, 2022
Sometimes reviews are so hard to produce when it comes to a true story. Especially a true story that emotionally shatters you.
On September 6, 1949 one of the first mass shootings occurred. Howard Barton Unruh shot 13 people in less than 20 minutes.
Murder in the Neighbourhood, takes place in New Jersey. I am born and raised in New Jersey my entire life so when I see something that happened so close to home I instantly connect with the story.
Having been from New Jersey, I don't know how this story had slipped from my murderous view. I was instantly intrigued. Howard, was only 28 years old when he woke up one day and decided to go on a killing spree.
East Camden, NJ, is known for not being the safest of neighborhoods, but a mass shooting? Never, would I have envisioned that.
Raymond Havens, a local 12 year old boy had a peculiar friendship with Howard. This story is told through the eyes of Raymond and gives insight to what led up to this tragic day.
This is a true story with access to Howard's diaries, police reports and psychiatric records.
This is a story of revenge. Howard was a loner who decided one day enough was enough and he was going to release havoc on the neighborhood that had shunned him.
I absolutely love true crime novels so I instantly became addicted to this story. Ellen J. Green did a wonderful job at detailing all of the events leading up to and after the crime. I would highly recommend this book to all true crime lovers.
On September 6, 1949 one of the first mass shootings occurred. Howard Barton Unruh shot 13 people in less than 20 minutes.
Murder in the Neighbourhood, takes place in New Jersey. I am born and raised in New Jersey my entire life so when I see something that happened so close to home I instantly connect with the story.
Having been from New Jersey, I don't know how this story had slipped from my murderous view. I was instantly intrigued. Howard, was only 28 years old when he woke up one day and decided to go on a killing spree.
East Camden, NJ, is known for not being the safest of neighborhoods, but a mass shooting? Never, would I have envisioned that.
Raymond Havens, a local 12 year old boy had a peculiar friendship with Howard. This story is told through the eyes of Raymond and gives insight to what led up to this tragic day.
This is a true story with access to Howard's diaries, police reports and psychiatric records.
This is a story of revenge. Howard was a loner who decided one day enough was enough and he was going to release havoc on the neighborhood that had shunned him.
I absolutely love true crime novels so I instantly became addicted to this story. Ellen J. Green did a wonderful job at detailing all of the events leading up to and after the crime. I would highly recommend this book to all true crime lovers.
September 30, 2023
This book was excellent. It appeared to be thoroughly researched and was written in a way that brought the story of America's first recorded mass shooting to life. Though the question of how or why anyone can ever be brought to commit such a horrific act can never be completely satisfied, the author did a great job of presenting the myriad possible factors that came together in a terribly perfect storm in Howard Unruh's mind. A really enthralling, fascinating read.
January 29, 2022
Murder in the Neighborhood far exceeded any expectations I had for this true crime story. Until I read this book, I knew nothing about what is held to be the first mass murder in America, occurring on September 6, 1949. On that day, Howard Unruh, a veteran of WWII, an avid stamp collector, and a maligned and bullied gay man, murdered 13 of his neighbors and wounded 3 others on the little working-class block where he lived in Camden, New Jersey.
Reading like a novel, the story of that day is told from the viewpoints of Ray Havens, a young boy who witnessed the murders, and Howard's mother, Freda Unruh. The book delves into graphic details of that day, and speculation as to what caused Howard to suddenly snap in a cold, deadly rage.
All of the characters, including Ray Havens, the neighbors, and the psychiatrists who treated Howard were real, and the author, through detailed research, has given both a damning and compassionate interpretation of the tortured Howard's psyche that led to the tragedy that shook America at the time.
The book is very well-written, and kept my interest throughout. Five healthy stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Reading like a novel, the story of that day is told from the viewpoints of Ray Havens, a young boy who witnessed the murders, and Howard's mother, Freda Unruh. The book delves into graphic details of that day, and speculation as to what caused Howard to suddenly snap in a cold, deadly rage.
All of the characters, including Ray Havens, the neighbors, and the psychiatrists who treated Howard were real, and the author, through detailed research, has given both a damning and compassionate interpretation of the tortured Howard's psyche that led to the tragedy that shook America at the time.
The book is very well-written, and kept my interest throughout. Five healthy stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 7, 2022
3.5⭐️
Murder in the Neighborhood was a true crime account of the first recorded mass shooting.
It’s told from different people and it read just like a story. This was a different format for me so I had trouble paying attention at times. The author did a lot research and it’s crazy what happened. In the end it’s hard to tell the “why”. Like I said, it read more like a novel.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and narrated by John Chancer and he was just ok. His voice isn’t as pleasant as some of the others I’ve heard.
Thanks Thread via NetGalley.
Murder in the Neighborhood was a true crime account of the first recorded mass shooting.
It’s told from different people and it read just like a story. This was a different format for me so I had trouble paying attention at times. The author did a lot research and it’s crazy what happened. In the end it’s hard to tell the “why”. Like I said, it read more like a novel.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and narrated by John Chancer and he was just ok. His voice isn’t as pleasant as some of the others I’ve heard.
Thanks Thread via NetGalley.
July 18, 2022
Wow. This was a really thoughtful and informative true crime book about a little talked about mass shooting in 1949 that appears to be the first on record.
This was easy to read and comprehend, with pictures in the back and diagrams of the buildings and street where it happened.
All sides of this were explored and it was a very unique and fair look into a tragedy like this, what caused it, and what could have possibly prevented it.
This was easy to read and comprehend, with pictures in the back and diagrams of the buildings and street where it happened.
All sides of this were explored and it was a very unique and fair look into a tragedy like this, what caused it, and what could have possibly prevented it.
May 18, 2022
This book details what happened on September 6th 1949 in New Jersey, where Howard Unruh killed 13 people in his town of Camden. This story is told by Howard’s mum, Freda, and Raymond, a man who knew Howard when he was a young boy at the time of the shooting, as it details Raymond witnessing some of the shootings and wondering why he was ultimately spared, and the aftermath of the shooting and the emotional damage on people who wondered if they had maybe caused this incident based on their behaviour toward Howard.
I enjoyed listening to Raymond’s side of things as Freda came across as trying to blame the shooting on anyone other than her son, yes being excluded and ridiculed for years may have been what led to it, but ultimately he was the one that pulled the trigger that ended so many lives.
If you like true crime then you should definitely give this book a read, or listen, as it follows the real life events of one of the first recorded mass shootings in America. I felt like this book concentrated on the human elements and emotions of this story, rather than the case facts, but I didn’t mind that so much as this is a book based off of real events.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an audiobook copy of this one in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed listening to Raymond’s side of things as Freda came across as trying to blame the shooting on anyone other than her son, yes being excluded and ridiculed for years may have been what led to it, but ultimately he was the one that pulled the trigger that ended so many lives.
If you like true crime then you should definitely give this book a read, or listen, as it follows the real life events of one of the first recorded mass shootings in America. I felt like this book concentrated on the human elements and emotions of this story, rather than the case facts, but I didn’t mind that so much as this is a book based off of real events.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an audiobook copy of this one in exchange for my honest review.
July 23, 2022
As soon as I saw the tagline, ‘The true story of America’s first recorded mass shooting,’ I had to read it.
September 6, 1949.
Non fiction. Historical fiction. Camden, New Jersey. Twelve minutes. Thirteen dead. A missing gate.
Howard Unruh. He had been bullied his entire life. He was a war veteran.
Ellen J Green used all the available tools of research that were available, putting them into an easy to read and follow story. I like the way it was written.
Murder in the Neighborhood shows has far reaching a tragedy like this is and the fallout for those left standing.
Mass shootings seems to me to be a uniquely American phenomenon. There is no blanket solution to the problem, no easy way to predict who will do what when, but judging by current events…
September 6, 1949.
Non fiction. Historical fiction. Camden, New Jersey. Twelve minutes. Thirteen dead. A missing gate.
Howard Unruh. He had been bullied his entire life. He was a war veteran.
Ellen J Green used all the available tools of research that were available, putting them into an easy to read and follow story. I like the way it was written.
Murder in the Neighborhood shows has far reaching a tragedy like this is and the fallout for those left standing.
Mass shootings seems to me to be a uniquely American phenomenon. There is no blanket solution to the problem, no easy way to predict who will do what when, but judging by current events…
March 21, 2022
This was a horribly sad story not just about the victims of Howard Unruh, but also the fact that this man fought in war during a time when PTSD was not understood or treated.
By no means do I condemn what he did, but his life was sad as well as what he did.
Excellent audio book for true crime lovers. 💀
By no means do I condemn what he did, but his life was sad as well as what he did.
Excellent audio book for true crime lovers. 💀
April 25, 2022
On Sept 6, 1949, Howard B Unruh murdered 13 people in less than 12 minutes in his East Camden, New Jersey neighbourhood. People thought he was odd and lazy despite being a war hero. They mistook Howard’s quiet passiveness as stupidity and bullied him relentlessly. What happened that fateful day to push Howard over the edge and brutally shoot 13 people, including 3 children, in cold blood? The author did a brilliant job recounting the history and facts that led up to this assault. It was a chilling account of how many factors collided to create the perfect storm. The psychology of Howard’s situation was fascinating. There was also a mystery of who ripped out Howard’s newly constructed gate, which appeared at first glance to be the impetus that set things off.
The audio narration was terrific. Well told with a clear concise performance. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The audio narration was terrific. Well told with a clear concise performance. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
dnf
September 30, 2025This is a True Crime Book that I listened to the audiobook of it. I really enjoyed the first part of this book, but then I just lost interest in it. I listen to over 60% of it before giving up on it. The narrator was good. I just felt the book kept going over the same things. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
March 3, 2022
4.5 stars. Wow. Those who know me know that I love true crime, but true crime novels like this--that is, written like a work of fiction rather than one of non-fiction--deserve an extra bit of recognition because they're by far my favourite. Murder in the Neighbourhood tells the story of the first purported spree killing/mass shooting in America from the perspective of a young boy (Raymond Havens III) who knew Howard Unruh (the shooter) perhaps better than anyone else on River Road (which isn't necessarily saying a lot) and Howard's mother, Freda. Though there are other perspectives, Ray and Freda have the most dominant voices and boy was I glad they did.
It was so interesting to hear two antithetical (though somewhat related) perspectives: while Ray sympathizes with Howard, he largely sees him as an antagonist and sympathizes more with Charles and other survivors of the shooting while Freda, of course, is centrally concerned about her son and his well-being. This established such a brilliant back-and-forth feel in the book that I started having to remind myself that Howard Unruh killed 13 people (including 3 children) during Freda's chapters (and portions of Raymond's) to avoid overly sympathizing with him. Similarly, during Raymond's chapters, I had to remind myself that Howard was both human, mentally ill, and a war veteran with major PTSD to avoid wanting to literally strangle him myself.
I loved this book from start to finish. I loved the elements of mystery that were built in (Who took the gate? What was Howard doing in Philadelphia? What exactly was the trigger that lead to Howard killing 13 people? What was Howard's mental state?) but I mostly loved the human element. I loved hearing about Raymond's internal conflict and about the guilt he felt at both knowing and previously liking Howard. I loved watching Freda try to find her role in what happened on September 6, 1949 (Did it stem back to Howard's childhood and their Oedipal attachment to one another? Did she miss clear warning signs? Was she in any way responsible?). I even loved the dash of psychoanalysis and Freudian psychology we got in Dr. Garber's chapter (and in some of Freda's leading up to it)--Freud would've had a damn field day with Unruh I stg.
I also freaking LOVED the ending, I legit got goosebumps with how full circle it was. From Charles in Camden to his grandaughter Carly in Marjory Stoneman Douglas, this book also serves as a potent reminder that gun violence in America has been around for decades and is showing no signs of letting up anytime soon.
Maybe the end really is the beginning.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thread Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I am so excited for this to come out and to recommend it to literally every true crime fanatic I know.
It was so interesting to hear two antithetical (though somewhat related) perspectives: while Ray sympathizes with Howard, he largely sees him as an antagonist and sympathizes more with Charles and other survivors of the shooting while Freda, of course, is centrally concerned about her son and his well-being. This established such a brilliant back-and-forth feel in the book that I started having to remind myself that Howard Unruh killed 13 people (including 3 children) during Freda's chapters (and portions of Raymond's) to avoid overly sympathizing with him. Similarly, during Raymond's chapters, I had to remind myself that Howard was both human, mentally ill, and a war veteran with major PTSD to avoid wanting to literally strangle him myself.
I loved this book from start to finish. I loved the elements of mystery that were built in (Who took the gate? What was Howard doing in Philadelphia? What exactly was the trigger that lead to Howard killing 13 people? What was Howard's mental state?) but I mostly loved the human element. I loved hearing about Raymond's internal conflict and about the guilt he felt at both knowing and previously liking Howard. I loved watching Freda try to find her role in what happened on September 6, 1949 (Did it stem back to Howard's childhood and their Oedipal attachment to one another? Did she miss clear warning signs? Was she in any way responsible?). I even loved the dash of psychoanalysis and Freudian psychology we got in Dr. Garber's chapter (and in some of Freda's leading up to it)--Freud would've had a damn field day with Unruh I stg.
I also freaking LOVED the ending, I legit got goosebumps with how full circle it was. From Charles in Camden to his grandaughter Carly in Marjory Stoneman Douglas, this book also serves as a potent reminder that gun violence in America has been around for decades and is showing no signs of letting up anytime soon.
Maybe the end really is the beginning.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thread Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I am so excited for this to come out and to recommend it to literally every true crime fanatic I know.
February 3, 2022
Well researched, interesting account that reads like a novel.
April 25, 2022
Green Finds The Eggs, Butter, and Sugar. Yes, the title here references one particularly poignant line deep in the text - just 7% or so from the final words. Through this point and after, Green has managed to tell the story of what happened on River Road in Camden, New Jersey on September 6, 1949 through the eyes of nearly all of the people who survived the events there that day. A bit later, she's even going to connect it to a more recent event that was in the news - and that the granddaughter of one of the survivors happened to be at. This is narrative nonfiction, and it has next to no documentation (and hence the star deduction), but it is structured and told much in the manner of a novel - which makes it infinitely more readable. But the most remarkable thing about this book is just how truly balanced it is. A horrible tragedy occurred that day, but rather than painting the perpetrator as some otherworldly monster as so much coverage of and conversation around more recent similar people does, Green builds the case that this man is just as human as the rest of us. There is no "other" here, simply a man - a man who had faults, but also a community that had faults too (and also had amazing things as well). Indeed, the entire reason I picked up this book was because I saw a Yankee author and British publisher working on a book about "the first" (not really) mass shooting in the US... and this defender of the US Constitution's 2nd Amendment worried that it would be just ever more anti-gun drivel. For those who may be looking at this book with similar thoughts, know that there is little of that here. Yes, Green calls a "magazine" a "clip" repeatedly, particularly when discussing the actual actions that day. But even when she brings in Stoneman Douglas (Parkland), she never actually goes those directions at all really. (At least one person she chronicles does, but it is clear that this is that person's position only and not an "official recommendation" from the book.) But even that speaks to just how well balanced the book overall is. Truly an excellent and admittedly unexpected work, and very much recommended.
December 21, 2023
A Murder in the Neighborhood is the story of Howard, the perpetrator of the first recorded mass shooting in the United States. On September 6, 1949, Howard killed thirteen people, working down his list of those who had wronged him, but quickly losing control and murdering children and other innocents. Howard suffered from PTSD from the war, he was bullied by those around him even as an adult, while also being gay in a time where it was literally illegal.
You never, ever know what someone else is going through. Does that in any way justify what Howard, or any mass shooter, has done/will do? No. In no way is it ever okay. But we have to treat people with kindness. Would it have prevented these wrongful deaths? Probably not. Based on Howard’s diary entries and the insight we have into his mind, more than likely he would have found a reason to commit his crimes. Anything to justify his reasons to himself.
It’s just so hard to read and to try to understand someone’s mind and actions when you in no way can relate. As someone of sound and (somewhat) stable mind, it’s unimaginable. I can’t imagine why he did it, even with his “reasons.” I can’t imagine what the families went through. That being said, the author does a fantastic job of providing different layers with multiple POV’s. You can really tell a lot of research went into the creation of this novel. I had honestly never heard of this before, and that’s kind of sad. You would think this would be major news, with so many podcasts and articles and just so hard to avoid being informed about this. It really just goes to show how much we all truly don’t know/aren’t made aware of. How much is missing or removed from our history, covered up, hidden…
You never, ever know what someone else is going through. Does that in any way justify what Howard, or any mass shooter, has done/will do? No. In no way is it ever okay. But we have to treat people with kindness. Would it have prevented these wrongful deaths? Probably not. Based on Howard’s diary entries and the insight we have into his mind, more than likely he would have found a reason to commit his crimes. Anything to justify his reasons to himself.
It’s just so hard to read and to try to understand someone’s mind and actions when you in no way can relate. As someone of sound and (somewhat) stable mind, it’s unimaginable. I can’t imagine why he did it, even with his “reasons.” I can’t imagine what the families went through. That being said, the author does a fantastic job of providing different layers with multiple POV’s. You can really tell a lot of research went into the creation of this novel. I had honestly never heard of this before, and that’s kind of sad. You would think this would be major news, with so many podcasts and articles and just so hard to avoid being informed about this. It really just goes to show how much we all truly don’t know/aren’t made aware of. How much is missing or removed from our history, covered up, hidden…
May 1, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book was very informative. I liked the way it was told from two different perspectives, a young boy who was a friend of the shooter and the shooter's mother. I'm very interested in mass shootings and the psychology of the people who commit them and I found this case to be fascinating.
I had not heard of this shooting and did not know anything about the country's first mass shooting. I almost think there was too much information packed into this book. I also think it would have benefitted from a male and female narrator. It would have helped me keep the narration straight. While this book was good, I didn't find it as riveting as Columbine by Dave Cullen. The story was just as devastating, but it was told differently.
All in all, 3.75 stars. Decent narration, but a bit long.
This book was very informative. I liked the way it was told from two different perspectives, a young boy who was a friend of the shooter and the shooter's mother. I'm very interested in mass shootings and the psychology of the people who commit them and I found this case to be fascinating.
I had not heard of this shooting and did not know anything about the country's first mass shooting. I almost think there was too much information packed into this book. I also think it would have benefitted from a male and female narrator. It would have helped me keep the narration straight. While this book was good, I didn't find it as riveting as Columbine by Dave Cullen. The story was just as devastating, but it was told differently.
All in all, 3.75 stars. Decent narration, but a bit long.
April 24, 2022
This is a very interesting read.
I don’t read a lot of true crime books but this one definitely held my attention.
This is the story of Howard Unruh and the mass killing of thirteen people in 1949.
We see the shooting through the eyes of Raymond, a twelve year old boy who was waiting for a hair cut at the Barbers when it all happened.
After the shooting we learn about Howard from his mother and also Raymond who knew him well.
It’s written that Howard showed no remorse for what he did but with the way some of the neighbourhood treated him and the mental illness he was suffering, you can understand how this escalated.
This is an interesting insight into a terrible incident.
Thanks to Thread Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I don’t read a lot of true crime books but this one definitely held my attention.
This is the story of Howard Unruh and the mass killing of thirteen people in 1949.
We see the shooting through the eyes of Raymond, a twelve year old boy who was waiting for a hair cut at the Barbers when it all happened.
After the shooting we learn about Howard from his mother and also Raymond who knew him well.
It’s written that Howard showed no remorse for what he did but with the way some of the neighbourhood treated him and the mental illness he was suffering, you can understand how this escalated.
This is an interesting insight into a terrible incident.
Thanks to Thread Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
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