American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America's Jack the Ripper | 
pick3.5 stars. I have heard of Eliot Ness, particularly through the Untouchables movie. I had not heard of the torso murders in Cleveland in the 1930's. Nor had I known of this period of Ness' life. This was an interesting story of a lawman who wanted to do some good in the world, and the huge manhunt that ensued for this killer. This was an interesting time in the United States. The book was very informative.
bailedI tried. I really did. I reached the 42% mark, but no more. I expected this to center on the torso murders of the early 20th century. A series of gruesome murders of which I knew nothing. Instead, I‘ve basically had to sit through a love letter of an Elliott Ness biography. 😡 Check, please!
so-soThis was interesting history, especially learning way more about Eliot Ness than Hollywood had shown. However, the story jumps all over the place and doesn‘t seem to know if it‘s about a serial killer I had never heard of or Eliot Ness. A bit of mess, but was an entertaining listen. 3⭐️
#bookspinbingo bingo!
so-soThis was okay. I felt annoyed for Elliot Ness, who according to the author, did all this work to make the Cleveland police more efficient and less corrupt. Yet the author acts shocked that clearing out corrupt cops is a different skill set the hunting a serial killer.
pickFans of The Devil in the White City will like this, or anyone curious about Eliot Ness's career after Al Capone.
A serial killer eludes police in Cleveland, preying on victims on the edges of society with no apparent pattern. The murders are particularly gruesome, so keep that in mind before picking up this book.
so-soThis one was odd. I really wanted to like it, as I've been on a major true crime kick for quite a while. However, this didn't quite cut it. I think I fell victim to weird marketing. The title makes this seem like this is mostly about a serial killer, with a little bit of Eliot Ness. Turns out this more like a biography of Ness with a dash of true crime. Not bad if you are intrigued by Ness, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
#librofm #alc
pickThis book goes briefly into the real story of Ness and The Untouchables as they worked to gather a case against Capone. It then goes into Ness‘s tenure as head of public safety for the city of Cleveland, during which The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run (or the Cleveland Torso Killer) was active. These cases were never solved, but the book is a fascinating snapshot of law enforcement in the 1930s nonetheless. Good book if crime history‘s your jam!
pickIf you‘re able to hang in until the 45% mark, then you‘re golden when it comes to this book. Stashower spent the first half acquainting us with Elliot Ness, one of the “Untouchables” in American‘s Prohibition era.
He stumbles into the role as top dog in the law enforcement team that will eventually take on The Torso Murders.
As a #truecrime aficionado, I don‘t why I didn‘t know about these. They were gruesome!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½
Can we take a moment to acknowledge how “dark and depraved” this book is thus far?! But I can‘t stop! If you thought the Black Dahlia was fascinating, imagine a slew of bodies brutalized in unimaginable ways. #currentlyreading
pickActually finished the Saturday morning, but wasn't feeling well.
If you like True Crime, you should read this. It's about the torso murders in Cleveland during the 1930's and Eliot Ness' involvement in trying to solve.
Ness thought he solved the case but swore all his close people to secrecy. No one has ever told who he thought it was.
It's like Jack the Ripper. We may never know for sure.
#AugustARC
Publishes 9-6-22
I read bc I am disabled and it gives me something to do other than house stuff and watching TV (which has nothing on good anyway, except for Jeopardy 😜)
My whole family read, so it's just something I grew up doing and never stopped.
Whenever I can. Usually the afternoons, evenings and night. I try to get a little housework done each day, then read rest of day.
Want to play: @TrishB @Andrew65 @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @RamsFan1963
For about three years, beginning in 1936, Eliot Ness kept tabs on my grandfather Fred P. Stashower.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
Starting this one tonight. Sounds interesting 🤔
It's About Elliott Ness and the hunt for America's Jack the Ripper. I hope this True Crime book doesn't disappoint me like the Case of the Murderous Dr Cream did.
