Cavalier: The Story of an Unsolved Murder in a Small Town

by Connie L. Nelson

The last time I saw my friend Jack we were in the hospital lobby. He was wearing faded green scrubs and a lab jacket. He went through the door to the second floor. I never saw him again.

My friend was murdered in his home later that night. This book explores my recollections, experiences, and memories while trying to make sense of this unsolved crime.

I've conducted research based on three main source (1) interpersonal communications; (2) the investigation notes provided by the current sheriff and his deputy; and (3) newspaper reports from 1986.

I kept these documents in an eleven- by thirteen-inch box, approximately four inches deep, which resurfaced when I retired in 2018 and was packing to move to New Mexico. I knew right away what the box contained, even though I hadn't looked through its contents for many years. When I did go through the artifacts, it brought back a confusing combination of feelings and memories and a deep sadness.

So many things had changed in my life since 1986, with one no one has been charged or convicted in my friends' murder. Whether you live in a large city or a small community like Cavalier, the people who are left behind want to know what happened.

This book has been written for those of us who grapple with murder, victimization, loss, and the unanswered questions-the friends and family of a victim of homicide who have given up hope of any resolution. I also write for two additional the fans of true-crime stories and the law enforcement officials open to suggestions about how to deal more effectively and respectfully with the victim's friends and families.

Sadly, Jack's case is one of more than 250,000 unsolved homicides cases in the US today, so I am not alone. As time passes, the chances of finding the murderer are vastly reduced. But the idea that a case goes cold is hard to take when it's your friend or family member who's been murdered.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2022

Reviews

[Colby Kleinsasser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t often read memoirs so this type of literature is newer for me.

The author clearly communicates the experiences and feelings she had throughout the years. Throughout the book she frequently repeats herself which can make some reading feel redundant and she often shares statistics that don’t seem as relevant to the story (but I see why she included them as it relates to her experience and feelings), just makes reading dull sometimes. Most of the book felt like many, many details painting the picture and setting of where, who, and what happened which was also a struggle to read at times.

The majority of the book felt like I was listening to her view of the small town politics and drama. At the end she shares her hypothesis of what actually happened which was compelling and made for a turn-paging finish.

[Quinn Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t often read memoirs, let alone true crime memoirs, so this was a great experience outside of my usual genres. Connie Nelson was generous enough to send me a copy of her book for my review.

Reading Cavalier felt more like reading a diary than a memoir. It’s the recount of the unsolved murder of Connie Nelson’s dear friend, Dr. Jack Wahl, in their small North Dakota town in 1986. In a sense, it was a biography of the townspeople and recount of true friendship rather than an autobiography. Connie made a point to explain her circle of friends and small town politics before mentioning the crime itself. In this way, readers get an intimate look into Jack Wahl’s life, as well as Connie’s. This makes Jack’s murder all the more devastating, as the reader comes to know him through Connie’s experiences. The book was also educational on the processes (in 1986) of a murder investigation, and how Jack’s sexuality was used as an explanation for the murder. Connie includes her own version of the events from what she has gathered over the years, but what actually happened will never be known.

Once I picked this book up, I could not put it down! For anyone interested in unsolved true crime, the grieving process, or small-town life, I cannot recommend Cavalier enough! It’s also self published, so every read and purchase is directly and entirely linked to Connie, rather than a publisher.

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who loves true crime, I couldn't wait to pick this up. Then as I started to read it I started to think about the murder in my own family. We know who and we probably will never know why, so we do have some closure (even though I hate that word). I really felt the love from Connie as she wrote about her friend but also the pain from losing him. The frustration she must have felt from the law enforcement only focused on one theory because a few people said it so it must be true. I know it was the 80s but still if I was a cop I would want anyone's help. The writing did drag in some places but it still had me hooked. My love goes to Connie and Jack's family. 


I want to thank Connie and Detour for letting me  host a stop on the tour. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime

[Debby Shepherd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I can’t get back that time

Poorly written. I wanted a story about Dr. Wahl. I was hoping for insight into his murder. All I got was the rehash of town gossip. 80% of this book is about the author, not the man she is supposed to be writing about. Very disappointed.

[Dawn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cavalier: The Story of An Unsolved Murder in a Small Town by Connie L. Nelson

253 Pages
Publisher: July 9, 2022
Release Date: George Gregory Nelson Publishing, LLC

Nonfiction, Memoir, True Crime, Murder, Unsolved, Criminal Law, Forensic Science, Procedural Law

Cavalier is a small town in North Dakota. The first third of the book is about the author’s life before the murder. She details her courtship with her husband and living under his family’s rule. They were a prominent family so whatever her father-in-law said was law. She wanted to regain her teacher license but was forced to work in accounting for the family car dealership. After years of living this way, she decided to take her children and move away.

The rest of the book surrounds the life and murder of Dr. Jack Wahl. The police believe the case closed when a close friend, John, commits suicide. He was one of the last people to see Jack alive. The police wrote the murder off as act of passion after a gay affair. No one was ever sought for the murder and evidence at the scene was compromised. The author agonizes over the fact that as she was only a friend and not family, the police did not question her or inform her of their progress or lack of.

The book was well written in the first-person point of view. It was well-researched, and information presented in an easy-to-read format. Also included are photos and newspaper articles and clippings regarding the murder investigation. It is obvious to readers that Jack was a very special person and someone the author has missed over the years. If you enjoy true crime, you will like this book.

[Jamie Lindemulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author has a gift for telling an interesting story and keeping the reader engaged. Even though it had nothing to do with the main story, I really enjoyed reading about Connie's life. She definitely put up with a lot with her ex-husband and his family. I still can't get over the fact that she would be out shopping, and someone in his family would take her car and leave her with a different one. WHO DOES THAT??? Especially since she had small children, and they usually left her with a car that didn't have their car seats. And I did not like any of the Catholic religious talk about having to get "approval" to get married. I am not a fan of the Catholic church (and I was baptized Catholic) so this whole portion in chapter 2 rubbed me the wrong way.

Anyways, onto the actual storyline, which was the unsolved murder of Jack Wahl. I believe the author's theory of James O'Rourke being the murderer. After reading this, I feel like he had the biggest motive to do so (art). I also found the following very interesting: "In 2020, I contacted two of the Wahl siblings and asked one simple question, “What happened to the art collection?” The family was not interested in sharing that information." Things that make you go "hmmm".

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cavalier by Connie L. Nelson is more than you expect in many ways. More than a true crime novel, more than a memoir, more than the story of a small town and the loss of a friend. She very candidly tells the story of losing a dear friend and the pain of more than thirty years of unanswered questions.

I very much enjoyed the way Connie took me on a journey through her transition to a new life in Cavalier, North Dakota and meeting her friend Jack. Reading the book clearly shows how much he meant to her and made me emotionally connect with her pain and the stages of grief she went through. I couldn’t help but be impressed with the way she eventually picked herself and a pen up to tell the story, investigate it and try to bring closure. Yes, the murder is still unsolved but her writing style draws you into the story, connects you to her feelings and gives some strong points to ponder.

[Michelle Rosenau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good read and hard to put down. I am not from Cavalier but live nearby in Minnesota. I don't remember much about the murder when it happened...I would have been in my early 20's, so it was interesting to me to read about it all from the author's experiences and relationships with Dr. Wahl and others in the community. Some of the names were very familiar. It's just a travesty that law enforcement didn't do a better job of investigating the murder by interviewing more people and obtaining evidence. It's like the author stated....they decided early on what they thought happened and who did it and that was that. Highly doubtful but maybe someday the murder weapon and/or class ring that was missing will turn up. The very sad part for friends and family is not knowing why or who.

[Avni Xaxa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book- Cavelier: The Story of an Unsolved Murder in a Small Town . Author- Connie L. Nelson.
Genre- True Crime Memoir

The author of the book Connie was very close friends with Dr. Wahl, a beloved physician in the small town of Cavelier. Dr. Wahl was stabbed to death in his own home on a cold night in February 1986.
The author talks about the grief of losing a close friend. She drew an elaborate picture of the town, the people, the kind of relationship between the people in the town. She also talks about the investigation, which is still not solved, how the investigative system works including FBI, judiciary and even forensics.
I see it as a grief journal through which the author seeks some closure on the death and unsolved investigation of her dear friend.

[Emily Laaveg · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a memoir that happens to include a murder, rather than the story of an unsolved murder. The author continuously turns the story back on herself rather than focusing on the crime at hand or others who were involved with or touched by the crime. As someone from northeast North Dakota, I was excited to read about a dramatic event from the area. I was instead disappointed to find that the book was primarily about a former resident who resented the area and it's people, who used this case to express that distaste. By the time she got around to her theory, it felt as if many of the details and claims were unsubstantiated because she had spent more time talking about herself than the facts and details of the case.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this is a memoir that includes a murder investigation. It has a personal touch with stories about the author and her connection to the small town and people who lived there. Where it contains true crime it is not written with the suspense and movement of that genre. It is written like a memoir. If you are hoping for a riveting true crime experience, you will be disappointed. Go into it as one woman's story and you will enjoy.

[Sreevarsha Sreejith · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Reading this book was like reading an episode of Dateline. Consciously or unconsciously, the author has tried to present it in the fashion of 'whodunnit' books and movies".

For more details, please visit my blog, https://www.instagram.com/p/Chv2uiSgK....

[Sara Waltz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The titled storyline was interesting and I enjoyed the local flair of the book. I didn't enjoy the author's voice in the book. There was a lot of bias, anger, and unsubstantiated blame. There was also a lot of repeat information and unnecessary statistics/stories.

[JODI HARDEBECK · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sucked

[Kayleen Nelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was good book and laid out well.

[Lscharmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up in that area of ND so it was interesting to read a locations I am familiar with.

[Kalli]

I only rate memoirs if I absolutely loved them. I skimmed a lot of this one.

[Sue Lundeen]

Interesting, as Tom knew several of these people from his time up there.....

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting as Cavalier is where I grew up. I remembered many of the people mentioned in this book. It's sad that this crime hasn't been solved. The use of DNA today would certainly have been helpful when this occurred. The police there didn't seem to care once they figured that the crime was "solved" by a suicide.