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Strangler

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A musical prodigy who never realized his potential, Shore found a way to outsmart society - by getting away with murder. And he wanted the whole world to know it. After brutally killing a 16-year-old girl, he called the local NBC affiliate and told an editor precisely where to find the body.Eight years passed before DNA evidence caught up with Shore. Subsequent police investigations revealed a violent megalomaniac who had sexually abused his own daughters. He quickly confessed to murdering three females, one only nine years old. And he hinted at many, many more - leading authorities to believe that Anthony Allen Shore could even be the notorious "I-45 Serial Killer," whose bloody legacy had earned for one Texas highway the grisly moniker "Corridor of Blood."

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2007

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Corey Mitchell

13 books70 followers

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5 stars
81 (31%)
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88 (33%)
3 stars
66 (25%)
2 stars
17 (6%)
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7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Misty Marie Harms.
559 reviews728 followers
January 10, 2022
Anthony Allen Shore is a narcissist that thought he could outwit society by committing murders. For eight years he got away with it until DNA caught up to him. Anthony confessed to killing 3 women, 1 nine-year-old child, and sexually abusing his own daughters. He hinted there was more bodies. I am sure there was. His confession were chilling. How he coldly talked about strangling his victims will give you goosebumps. Anthony is violent megalomaniac that never needs to be set free.

😺😺😺
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,708 followers
January 30, 2018

nthony Allen Shore was an American serial killer and child molester who was responsible for the slayings of one woman and three girls. He operated from 1986 to 2000, and was known as the "Tourniquet Killer" because of his use of a ligature with either a toothbrush or bamboo stick to tighten or loosen the ligature.

STRANGLER is the story of this serial killer, his victims, the investigation, his confession, his trial.

Shore could have had a wonderful life. He was a musical prodigy, able to play almost any instrument that he picked up. Unfortunately his home life was a mess and without any guidance, he began hanging around with people who were bad influences. But he wanted to be famous ....

He found that getting away with murder was a high for him. Even after he married and fathered two daughters, nothing compared to the feeling when he 'pulled one over the cops'.

This is his story ... good, bad, indifferent .... a matter of nature .. or nurture?

This is a well written documentation of the life ... and death... of this brutal human monster who destroyed so many lives.

Many thanks to Kensington Books/Pinnacle and Netgalley for this true crime digital copy. The author passed away in 2014. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Valerity (Val).
1,105 reviews2,774 followers
January 30, 2018
I first read this book more than 10 years ago by writer Corey Mitchell, who was then a promising true crime writer with several books out that I enjoyed reading. Sadly, Corey Mitchell passed away several years back, I just recently read about online. This book eventually came back to me as I read it, as one about Anthony ‘Tony’ Shore, one of the nastiest serial killers out of Houston, Texas. After reading it you’ll be just as glad as I am that he was eventually nabbed. Otherwise, I’d likely be worried about him roaming the streets of some random town still, looking for women and young girls he needs to control. Maybe even my town or yours. This is a gritty true crime story about a real monster who could not control his urges even when he tried his hardest, like when he’d been caught once and was on probation and really needed to.

He eventually confessed to many of his crimes, but police suspect that it’s not all of what he’s done. They suspect that he's killed more. Only he knows the entire truth. We may find out soon, as he’s scheduled to be executed in January on the 18th, after just getting a 90-day reprieve on October 18th at the last moment. Perhaps he’ll try to offer more names for more time, but he didn’t try it in October, as far as I know. So perhaps he’s just ready to pay for his crimes. Only time will tell. Rumor has it he was also involved in a scheme to take the rap for another inmate’s crime and get the guy off the hook. But he didn’t confess to that victim’s murder before his last execution date so it may have just been talk. ** UPDATE: Shore was just put to death by lethal injection on January 18, 2018. Thanks for reading. An advance ecopy was provided by NetGalley for my review.

Publication date: January 30, 2018 Publisher: Pinnacle
Profile Image for Terry Cornell.
526 reviews63 followers
October 6, 2023
My rating is three and a half stars. A quick read. Mitchell did a great job chronicling the murders and crimes of Anthony Allen Shore. I've read several of Mitchell's books, and was surprised to learn that he died from a heart attack back in 2014. He was only 47, and his true-crime writing will be missed. If true crime is your interest, this is a good read.
Profile Image for Bookish_predator.
576 reviews25 followers
January 30, 2018
This true crime book is about Anthony Allen Shore who murdered young girls in Texas.

We read about his childhood and his family life and the investigation by the police to find out who murdered these girls.

It's not pleasant in parts but you expect that as it's explaining the crime and where the bodies were found etc.

I thought it was a compelling and well written account and will gladly read more by this author.

*Huge thanks to Corey Mitchell, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
Profile Image for Keith Chawgo.
484 reviews18 followers
March 15, 2018
The Strangler is a true crime thriller which gives a nod to the True Crime magazines and other thrillers out there. It has been awhile since I have read a true crime novel and have to say that Mitchell has certainly did his homework with his background of Anthony Shore.

Anthony Shore, was a serial killer who would establish a kind of rapport with his victims before raping and killing. As of January 2018, Shore has since been put to rest through lethal injection which may raise its own set of controversy depending on where you sit on the fence to capital punishment.

The author has definitely done his homework with interviews from the wives and family members of Shore and this is where the book comes into its own as they seemed to be quite oblivious to the situation that was occurring around them. For some of them, they seem to be a bit slow on the uptake on the man they vowed to love and support.

The book is told in a very factual sense and at times, it was hard to feel any emotions as it is written as a text book about the crimes committed and the police procedures put in place during the investigations. There are also very some in-depth information about the police and investigators that were involved in the case and the trial is touched on through never really does in to depth beyond the DNA testimony used.

Although the book is very documental to the crimes of Shore, there is never any in-depth look at the why but this may be more down to the criminal’s lack of empathy and sense of accepting responsibility. Through his supposedly high IQ, he seems to have an answer for the reasoning of his crimes and not accountability for his actions really. He is a pathological liar so what really occurred in his childhood seems to be very vague and contradictory to those around him.

Overall, it is an interesting book and although it lacks the depth and drama of Capote’s In Cold Blood, it tells a pretty much straightforward true story of a killer and his lack of responsibility for the lives he ruins along the way. Documentary in style but lacking any real depth into the crimes itself but is very informative on the police and their techniques which does raise this true crime novel slightly higher than the usual fair that is found within this sub genre.
Profile Image for DAISY READS HORROR.
1,119 reviews168 followers
March 30, 2017
What disgusting POS this individual is.... his crimes are beyond horrific. The one that really got to me the most was the youngest victim of all... ugh.... I just can't imagine how he could have been a father (molester) and a murderer husband and not have his wife or family members notice. UGH
Profile Image for Tiffany Murphy.
809 reviews81 followers
March 5, 2018
**FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW.**

To the outside world, Anthony Allen Shore looked like an average guy. He was simply a twice divorced father of two who drove a tow truck for a living in suburban Houston. He was handsome and charismatic, and he generally kept a low profile. But, to his mind, he was a superstar, a musical prodigy who had never realized his full potential. In his opinion, he hadn’t achieved everything that he deserved. Shore found a way to outsmart society by getting away with murder. And he wanted the whole world to know about it. So, after brutally killing a beautiful 16-year-old girl, he called the local NBC affiliate and told the editor who answered exactly where her body could be found. Eight long years passed before DNA evidence finally caught up with Shore. There were police detectives working on murder cases , not knowing that their victims were murdered by the same person. But when the evidence was compiled, it revealed a violent megalomaniac who had even sexually abused his own daughters. He confessed to murdering four females, one as young as 9-years-old, and hinted that he was responsible for many more, leading authorities to believe that it was possible that Shore could be the notorious “I-45 Serial Killer”, whose bloody legacy caused one Texas Highway to be known as “The Corridor of Blood.”

Corey Mitchell did an incredible job at piecing together all of the facts in a way that was both informative and accurate while also being interesting and action packed. This was just as interesting as any crime novel I’ve ever read, and he managed to do this while keeping the focus where it belongs, on the victims. It amazes me that someone can hide their true nature as well as Shore seems to have been able to do. I mean, he had girlfriends and wives who knew he was manipulative but never dreamed that he was a murderer or rapist. He managed to fly under the radar for so long. Shore really did a great job of telling Shore’s story and telling the stories of his victims with the dignity that they deserve.
Profile Image for Jeff Clausen.
438 reviews
April 6, 2024
A true crime that manages to set itself apart from many others by two separate, and certainly deliberate methods.
First is the unflinching use of descriptive text when it comes to the details of the crimes being described. The author has a clinical way of telling about victims’ injuries that can be a challenge to read. And he includes graphic photos of the victims that some other books would not. Not for the faint-hearted.
He also appears to have attended most, if not all,of the climactic trial of the murderer, and reports details of the defendant, witnesses and members of the jury and their behaviors. The added dimension this gives, in its straightforward way, makes the trial read a bit more dramatically than it might otherwise have.
Profile Image for Stacy Simpson.
275 reviews6 followers
November 4, 2010
This was yet another shoking example of the horrible way the system is run...SHAME. My prayers are with the familes of all the victims in this case.
Profile Image for Violet.
139 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2019
His Best Yet

I’ve been working my way through this authors back catalogue of books - isn’t it great when you find a new author with heaps of books to get stuck into.

I’ll admit I didn’t like one of his previous books as I found the details of the crime were overly descriptive - Murdered Innocents

But this book - Strangler was written with what felt like a lot more care for the victims themselves & for their families & friends. Of course no True Crime book can have any impact - unless it makes the reader understand not only the victims - but also for the killer, if we don’t ‘get it’ we will never change it for the future.

I found this to be very readable, not dry, not going into what a juror had for breakfast - you know what I mean. It was also layed out well & full usage of this idiots confessions to the police were used to full effect.

All the cases were followed well and it was easy to keep them all in place with what happened & to whom, something some authors do struggle with.

There was also wonderful understanding and regard for the police officers who kept these cases with them always, until it was time to let them go. And for the legal teams on both sides.

If you like True Crime - your going to love this book.
Profile Image for Kendall.
145 reviews24 followers
August 4, 2019
2.5
This book was interesting and a very fast read but the writing rubbed me the wrong ways at times. There was information that I didn't think was necessary while, in my opinion, there were things that weren't researched enough/included.
For one thing, included with other pictures in the middle of the book pertaining to the cases/ Shore's life, there is a picture of a book on witchcraft and it said that Shore carried it around with him. This book is not mentioned once nor is there any mention of Shore being taken by witchcraft in any way only that Shore accused his mother of being into witchcraft when he was younger. A claim not backed up by his sisters.
Also, it is glossed over that he was in a car accident and suffered some kind of head injury (shattered jaw and "the ignition went through his spinal cord" resulting in a year in the hospital). I don't understand why this wasn't looked at more just because of the possible link between head injuries and serial killers. (Though I don't know how old he was when this happened because like I said, it was barely mentioned)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathleen Riggs.
588 reviews21 followers
April 15, 2022
Raw, And Emotional.
Strangler is an exceptionally excellent written and researched book. Right from the first page Corry Mitchell captures and draws you deeply into the world of Anthony Shore. You will feel the raw emotions of his family as his secrets come to fruition, and the perverse way that he perceives life. Shore is a psychopath who not only commits incest but as the book title says Shore tortures, rapes, and eventually strangles his victims to death.
Without giving to much away this book is set in Huston Texas and reads like a horror movie. Strangler It is a very fast paced book, which is about control, manipulation, and murder. It is the chilling accounts of a sexual predator who preys on young girls.
An excellent true crime story which is gory yet sensitive, thought provoking, yet frightening. A true crime story told at it’s very best. A Rare Gem for true crime readers
I am part of the ARC group for Wildblue Press and BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Profile Image for Carla (There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast).
314 reviews66 followers
May 25, 2021
1 1/2 stars.

At times the author was unnecessarily and disrespectfully vulgar concerning the victims. There is no reason to say a child victim “shit herself” when she died. How about this? “The victim was so frightened that she defecated on herself during the rape.” It’s still brutal to read about a child, but it’s a more professional and respectful manner in which to describe the crime scene.

He also joined with the perpetrator once, in a disturbing way: a national expert on sex offenders who treated the defendant was testifying in court about the pornography the defendant had (that he was not supposed to have during treatment), and how it all depicted women looking young: ankle socks and shaved pubic hair. The author interjected with a rather gross aside about why some people prefer it “clean”. Excuse me?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for DancingMarshmallow.
500 reviews
August 19, 2021
Overall: 2.5 stars. A good, if not great, book on the Anthony Allen Shore case

This was a matter-of-fact story on the Anthony Allen Shore case, which I knew nothing about prior to starting the book. There’s nothing really objectively wrong with this book: the writing just didn’t pull me in. There are a lot of short, choppy chapters which sometimes switch between POVs or dates, so it throws off the flow of narrative. There’s also a lot of direct quotes and interview transcription, which I usually don’t mind, but without a lot of additional context or interpretation, so I feel like they didn’t add as much as the author may have been hoping.

Still, the case is interesting and isn’t one I see covered a lot, so if you’re a true crime fan, this is worth a read.

CW: Besides the obvious, there’s a lot of gruesome details in this, including discussions of pedophilia and child pornography
Profile Image for teleri.
694 reviews16 followers
January 30, 2018
"There is a serial killer out there."

I understand that true crime books tend to go into details but I feel like this one went into an unnecessarily amount. Especially when it came to details about the prosecutor, I feel as if that wasn't really needed. Overall the book was good but I was able to put it down and not pick it back up for ages which was a slight problem. I was hoping I would be addicted as I hadn't heard of Anthony Allen Shore but it just lacked something that having read it I'm still not sure what it is.
Profile Image for Allyson.
1,054 reviews
March 16, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion of this book.

As much as I love thrillers, I don’t read true story books often. I don’t know why, as I really enjoyed this book. I really liked how in depth this book was and the care taken to show the victims as the lovely girls that they were.. Anthony Shore was a predator who terrorized women for years; but eventually you get what is coming to you. I was a little disappointed that there were no photos in the book, I always like to see the people involved in the book. This stars of this case were a series of detectives that just would not give up and were rewarded with getting their man. The author did a great job of giving back history and court coverage. Will definitely check out more of this author’s books.
45 reviews
December 24, 2021
Skip this one.

1. When describing the final moments of the youngest victim's life he writes that she "literally shit herself". I felt that was unnecessary and disrespectful. There were other examples of this callous language but that one stuck out the most.

2. The photographs in the center were some of the most disturbing I've seen. Why include such graphic photographs? Again, it felt callous and disrespectful.

3. The author shamelessly plugs his other true crime novel multiple times thought.

4. Overall the book feels disjointed... Easily 100 pages too long.
Profile Image for Vnunez-Ms_luv2read.
899 reviews27 followers
February 27, 2018
I wish I could say I was engrossed in this book, but I cannot. The book was just ok. I wished for more information on the characters esp the main character,.Yes,this man was evil, but I found myself wishing we had more information on him. What i found very fascinating and scary at the same time was how Mr. Shore was able to maintain a "normal" life while doing the crimes he did. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.
Profile Image for Videoclimber(AKA)MTsLilSis.
958 reviews52 followers
March 28, 2018
I really enjoy the True Crime genre. I thought this book was well written and for me was a very quick read. I am glad to know that the scum in this book has been executed. It is hard to believe thst he fooled so many. The fact that he harmed so many children makes him especially easy to look down on. I would like to read more of Corey Mitchell's books.

*Thank you to Corey Mitchell, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly.
8 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2022
The author, Corey Mitchell, adds language that sexualizes the victims; as if that wasn’t done enough already. It’s completely unnecessary to use the adjectives he adds. At one point, he describes a sexual encounter and says “…his girlfriend’s willing orifice…” What in the hell?! This is a book about a serial killer, not an erotic novel. Corey Mitchell is a pervert and writes inappropriate crap. I will never read another of his books.
Profile Image for Imperfectly Belle.
53 reviews13 followers
January 29, 2018
I really wish I had liked this book, but I honestly couldn't get into it. Normally I devour true crime stories and I just can't put my finger on what didn't resonate with me.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Merryl.
135 reviews
February 4, 2018
To sum it up in one word, disappointed!

An unnecessary amount of detail that was not related to the crime and sometimes only tangentially to the people involved. It’s an OK book but I found it a bit of a slog and would put it down for days before picking it up again.
Profile Image for Ronnie Cramer.
1,031 reviews34 followers
February 5, 2018
This arrived in my account recently, and I thought it was a new book. Turns out it's ten years old and this ebook edition is what's new. At any rate, it's a decent account of a very unpleasant criminal.
Profile Image for Jane Thompson.
Author 5 books10 followers
September 14, 2018
True Crime

I did not find this book to be as good as the others I read by this author. I found two problems with facts as presented by the author. I also do not think that it was as interesting as his other books. I lost interest about halfway through.
Profile Image for Beth.
861 reviews37 followers
January 12, 2018
NetGalley provided ARC.

Poorly written, very disjointed.
Profile Image for Wyatt Flett.
98 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2018
It's an alright book that detail's one of the most monstrous serial killers that is known for using an odd weapon of choice. The formatting of the epilogue is a nice touch.
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