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I enjoyed this book, but I will qualify my review in that I‘m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much completely on its own. I started it immediately after In Cold Blood and the chapters about Lee‘s research with Capote on that case and his writing were the most interesting to me. The other case was interesting, but there really isn‘t a full resolution, to the case or the story of her own true crime book.

#ReadColdBlood #audiobook #nonfiction

#BookReport
I finished In Cold Blood & a book for my #CovertoCover postal book group.

#CurrentlyReading
🎧 I downloaded Furious Hours to see what it included about Harper Lee‘s work with Capote.
🎧 Switching the nonfiction with Cat‘s Eye sometimes
📖 Getting close to finishing Sauron Defeated with #FellowshipofTolkien

#WeeklyForecast
I hope to finish the books I‘m currently reading. I may or may not get to the upcoming depending on mood.

Chapter 18 is all about the time Lee spent with Capote doing research for In Cold Blood. According to this chapter, at the end of their time in Kansas she provided him with over 150 pages of detailed notes, much of this being information he may not have been able to gather on his own from people more inclined to talk to her than to him.

#ReadColdBlood

Just started listening today and am completely hooked. Listened while eating at a restaurant and got some weird looks...who knew that the history of life insurance would be so compelling?!? #booklife

I really enjoyed this book. It‘s a true story about a series of crimes in Alabama and how they impact the alleged killer, an attorney, and Harper Lee.

I wasn‘t expecting much from this book and was pleasantly surprised. The author does a fantastic job of weaving history, backstory and speculation in a good balanced pace. It‘s basically an investigation into why Harper Lee ( the south‘s #1 author) spent a year following a court case of murder and insurance fraud and then never wrote a book. After extensive research, she didn‘t publish anything. It goes into her Truman Capote friendship as well.

Todays a day for reading under the shade of the trees. Just need ice cream now!

Lunch in the sun today. 👍🏼

Ready for this feeling. Come on fall. 🍂🍂🍂

The upside of all I have been working is I could finally get my libro.fm subscription. First listen.

The portion of the book that addresses the case of Reverend Maxwell, his crimes, his lawyer, and his murderer are simply bananas and make the book well worth it. The portion that addresses Harper Lee is best characterized as a short biography, and not a bad one. While Cep does speak to Lee‘s struggles with writing her book “The Reverend”, it fizzles somewhat. Overall, this is a fun read that leaves one wishing that Lee could have finished.

"Nothing writes itself. Left to its own devices, the world will never transform into words, and no matter how many pages of notes and documents a reporting trip generates, the one that matters most always starts out blank."

Finished listening to this a few weeks ago on a trip. A great mix of southern political history and literary biography. Must read for Lee aficionados!

So many people are enjoying this one and I am a DNF on this. Sigh...maybe I‘ll revisit it down the road.

Velvet loves this book — as do I.

Best description of Alabama:"The state sits like a headstone between Missippi and Georgia, its top flush against Tennessee, its base resting mostly on the panhandle of Florida, but dipping at its tip into the Gulf of Mexico."

Now that is how to write.

A book examining Harper Lee‘s investigation of the rumours surrounding the murder of Rev Willie Maxwell. Rumours that Maxwell was a killer.

The first half was a compelling read, I felt the second half wasn‘t quite as gripping. A fascinating book with some truly larger than life characters. 4🌟

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK / Cornerstone / William Heinemann, for the opportunity to review an ARC. #NetGalley

It's finally here!!!! 😍😍😍
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy but now I have a physical copy in my hands on publication day 🎉, along with the bookmark Casey sent me a few months ago!

I cannot stop recommending this book!! It's a captivating look at Harper Lee's desire to write a true crime novel of her own after helping Truman Capote with IN COLD BLOOD. Casey Cep presents the compelling case of the Alabama serial killer that fascinated Lee while offering insight into the author's closely guarded private life.

My review is featured on Roots & Reads:
https://rootsandreads.wordpress.com/2019/04/19/review-furious-hours/

I haven't even counted up my book total for March but these were my absolute favorites of the month, in no particular order.
My most anticipated read was FURIOUS HOURS, which exceeded all my expectations!

The mysteries of Harper Lee's life and work have fascinated me for years. I can't begin to describe the level of excitement I experienced when I learned that someone had researched those mysteries and found a true crime story at the center of that!
FURIOUS HOURS is both a compelling true crime story and candid look into the life of Harper Lee as she attempted to write a second novel.
Endless thanks to Knopf for an ARC to review!

There are no words for how excited I am about this book!!! 😍😍😍😍😍

I recently connected with the author on Twitter and was thrilled to receive a handwritten note in the mail from her. She's so kind!
I can't wait to read this true crime novel that also covers the involvement of TKAM author Harper Lee!

I did some silent screaming when I saw this added to #NetGalley today. This is definitely my most highly anticipated read of the spring. I really hope I can get an ARC but either way, it's pre-ordered!

I don‘t read a lot of true crime but I‘m here for this!

- Murder
- Courtroom drama
- Racial politics in the Deep South
- A beloved author who was trying to write her own gothic true crime novel (like her good friend Truman Capote did)

Pub Date: May 7