The Columbus Stocking Strangler

by William Rawlings

"During an eight-month period in 1977 and 1978, the city of Columbus, Georgia, was terrorized by a mysterious serial killer who raped and ritualistically strangled seven elderly women in one of the community's finer neighborhoods. Despite intensive efforts on the part of police the Stocking Strangler, as he came to be known, managed to elude capture. After the last murder in April 1978, the case went cold. In the spring of 1984, a series of fortuitous events connected to an unrelated murder and a stolen pistol led to the capture of Carlton Gary, who had recently escaped from a South Carolina prison. Following a dramatic trial in August 1986, Gary was convicted of three of the seven Columbus murders and sentenced to death, a penalty that would not be carried out until March 2018. This convoluted tale of crime and punishment is punctuated by dramatic and unexpected twists and turns including issues of race, alleged conspiracy and misconduct on the part of the police and the judiciary, a second serial killer active in Columbus during the time of the Strangler murders, the Ku Klux Klan, errors in DNA analysis, and a vigorous and prolonged struggle by attorneys and death penalty opponents who believed in Gary's innocence"--

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

275 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Brett buckner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m tempted to give this book 4 stars for the simple fact that it made sense out of the terribly convoluted case of Columbus’ Stocking Strangler and it’s nearly 40 year odyssey through the court system.

But damn it was dry, very procedural. It’s as if Rawlings wanted to avoid the clear bias that defined The Big Eddy Club, which clearly fell on the side of Carlton Gary’s innocence.

This is very much a Just The Facts, Ma’am” true crime approach, and will come across as a much more fair assessment of a killer who held columbus in his grip for nearly 2 years

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An authentic accounting of a true story.

Can tell much research went into the preparation of writing this story. Even though others attempted to write this story, this is the best version of the Columbus Stocking Strangler events as it occurred making it a good read for those who were familiar with the terror during that time. The accuracy of the area where it occurred made it feel as though I was back in Columbus again as it was happening. In truth, I was living in Florida at the time, although my grandmother was still living near Wynton at the time, before her death by natural means, I am very familiar with the area as well as some of the law enforcement people and legal system involved. Too bad DNA wasn't available then to clear up much confusion. Thanks to Mr Rawlings for his accurate research to give us this story.

[Emily Florio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some reviewers complained that this book was "dry." I can't agree- it is a detailed account of one of the most complex crime sprees and subsequent investigation and trial imaginable. The crimes were horrific, and the subsequent investigation, trial, and appeals had countless twists and turns over the decades.

It's true that there is very little editorializing and sensationalizing on the part of the author. Simply laying out all the facts of the case is already so complicated and so dramatic that it hardly seems necessary to add to it. The reader is invited to draw their own conclusions from the wealth of information provided.

Absolutely riveting. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in true crime or the history of Columbus, GA.

[V. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly fascinating and well-researched read. The book starts well before the arrest and trial but sees it all the way through to the end. If you enjoy true crime and well-researched books, I highly recommend reading this book. There were a lot of angles that needed to be considered in this case, the trial, and what came after - it felt like the author did a fair job doing so and breaking down why certain biases weren't genuinely an issue in this particular case, while also still acknowledging the existence of such things.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never heard of this case. Was surprised my city (Lansing MI) played a part in a Georgia case. Like all high profile cases, mistakes were made. I cannot believe how many delays this monster got in his death sentence. For a bit i was convinced this would turn into the "Just Mercy" case where the script flips and a innocent guy gets executed. I know this is real life true crime, but this is very dry. Just the facts type book.

[Sadity Esq. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter was interesting, but the writing was dry. In the first half of the book, the author does a good job of appearing impartial and just reporting the facts. However, in the second half of the book, the author's biases begin to seep through. With that said, I took any negative points about defense with a grain of salt.

[Carol Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

How on earth the author sifted through so many years of police and court records to write this is a mystery. Well done and very thorough, but how the courts let this drag on for 30 years is frustrating.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The incompetence of the police in this case is shocking. Why did it take so long to involve other law enforcement agencies? Why didn’t they stake out the community where the crimes occurred and flood it with police? So many questions…

[Lorene Peugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book with a lot of behind the scenes insight!

[Lynn Stallings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Very well researched and written - learned lots of new facts and details!

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story of a town terrified by murders that went unsolved for many years.

[Lawanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

SO detailed. Narrated by James Edward Thomas.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.5. An important story about the US justice system. We need to remember all the flaws so we can do better.

[Cheryl Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it 4 stars but it was very very dry. One of our book club women picked this since this happened in her town. It told the true story but needed a little more something.