Being a native Houstonian, I remember the story of Dean Corll; it was all over the newspapers for months. Houstonians were uneasy about the crimes because they hit so close to home. Our family was one of so many that were upset because the crimes happened so close to where we had all felt safe. The beauty of these types of books is that they tell the story in order, not in disconnected snippets. One feels the full import by hearing the story in one long episode.
Note: I couldn't read this too late at night; the descriptions could be graphic and chilling. Each of the 28 victims' story was told. This book isn't for the squeamish.
Others have mentioned that they thought the writing was clumsy; I concentrated on the story because my family was there at the time and I couldn't get over how close they were to Corll's movements. One of my (single) brothers lived in the Heights the entire time of Corll's life (a few streets away from one of his lodgings). My parents and younger brother lived less than 1/4 mile from Corll's apartment in Westcott Tower. All of us traveled regularly on Mangam Road, Wirt Road, Antoine, and throughout the Heights for the doctor, grocery, etc.
The candy store in the Heights was only a street over from Helm's Elementary. I was surprised to see Corll didn't frequent that school. Probably, the children were very pre-pubescent and didn't hold much attraction to Dean Corll. He seemed to prefer the 13 to 15-year-olds. He seemed to doubt that he could control young men who were older (more muscular). Hogg Junior High and Reagan High School are/were also in the area. It is surprising that he did not try to get kids from those very large student bodies.
In one review, the reader downgraded the author for not providing references or endnotes. There was almost nothing else on the television or newspapers (all three of the newspapers at that time in Houston). For more information, any television channel, newspaper, or local library would have countless articles. For years, it was considered to be the crime of the century for Houston.
Note: I couldn't read this too late at night; the descriptions could be graphic and chilling. Each of the 28 victims' story was told. This book isn't for the squeamish.
Others have mentioned that they thought the writing was clumsy; I concentrated on the story because my family was there at the time and I couldn't get over how close they were to Corll's movements. One of my (single) brothers lived in the Heights the entire time of Corll's life (a few streets away from one of his lodgings). My parents and younger brother lived less than 1/4 mile from Corll's apartment in Westcott Tower. All of us traveled regularly on Mangam Road, Wirt Road, Antoine, and throughout the Heights for the doctor, grocery, etc.
The candy store in the Heights was only a street over from Helm's Elementary. I was surprised to see Corll didn't frequent that school. Probably, the children were very pre-pubescent and didn't hold much attraction to Dean Corll. He seemed to prefer the 13 to 15-year-olds. He seemed to doubt that he could control young men who were older (more muscular). Hogg Junior High and Reagan High School are/were also in the area. It is surprising that he did not try to get kids from those very large student bodies.
In one review, the reader downgraded the author for not providing references or endnotes. There was almost nothing else on the television or newspapers (all three of the newspapers at that time in Houston). For more information, any television channel, newspaper, or local library would have countless articles. For years, it was considered to be the crime of the century for Houston.
