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40th out of 213 books
—
41 voters
Michigan Murders
by
Edward Keyes
This is not the first edition of Edward Keyes' The Michigan Murders: Its 1977 predecessor won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Fact Crime Book. The book borrowed its name from its topic: the late 1960s serial killings of young women in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area. A chance sighting eventually led to the identification of seemingly mild-mannered John Norman Collins,...more
Paperback, 0 pages
Published
January 1st 1978
by Pocket
(first published January 1st 1976)
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I first read this book in 1983 and at the time thought it was great. However, after doing a little bit of research (not hard to do when you attend EMU as they have archives dating back to the first murder), I learned that Keyes omitted important details, and was a bit too respectful to the victims at times. What do I mean by that? Well, there were important details surrounding the individual cases which would make them more likely to accept a ride from a stranger, etc. In one case, the family li...more
Feb 13, 2012
♥ Marlene♥
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
true-crime,
non-fiction
Finished this book last night and because the book did not have any photo's I decided to look it up on The Internet. That is when I discovered Edward Keyes had not used the real names. Not of the killer and not of the victims. Do not know what the reason for this was.
Spoiler Coming up!
The killer's real name is: John Norman Collins and if you google this you will find pictures and even videos. He was a very handsome young guy but a crazy one. I wondered why I'd never heard of this serial killer b...more
Spoiler Coming up!
The killer's real name is: John Norman Collins and if you google this you will find pictures and even videos. He was a very handsome young guy but a crazy one. I wondered why I'd never heard of this serial killer b...more
This series of murders happened in my hometown, so is something of a local legend. Having worked in prisoner advocacy, I occasionally hear stories of how John Normal Collins is faring in prison. Having read this one multiple times, I have identified many of the locales in this fictionalized version. As far as I know, a factual nonfiction account has never been written (outside many sensational true-crime websites). I bike past the murderer's campus house nearly every day on my way to work.
Jun 02, 2011
Gregory Fournier
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Mystery and True Crime Readers
The murderer lived a block up the street from me when I went to college. This account of the Co-ed Murders, as they were called, reanimates every gruesome and sorted detail from that disturbing era of 1967-1969. Told in a fast moving, true crime fashion, the late Edward Keyes has written one of the most intense and intimate portrayals of a psychopath, venting his misguided hostility on defenseless, young women.
Very interesting read for anyone from the Ann Arbor area. The detail of the surrounding area provides get perspective as well.
The author did a great job of setting up the characters and involving suspense and surprise. I was kind of surprised that all of the names were changed - including the murderer.
The author did a great job of setting up the characters and involving suspense and surprise. I was kind of surprised that all of the names were changed - including the murderer.
Jan 09, 2012
Soapykitty
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
library-book,
michigan
Very interesting and sad to read,although names in the book have been changed.I lived in MI all my life and never heard of the murders until I checked this book out from the library yesterday.It was cool to find out that this book influenced Mardi Link's career.
May those poor girls rest in peace.
May those poor girls rest in peace.
If you attend EMU I think this is almost required reading. It was really interesting reading about the places I frequented, the streets I lived on. I think I remember John Normal Collins has changed his name while in prison. Why is it serial killers are almost always identified by their three names?
The new prologue and epilogue in this new edition are both very lackluster. There is very little new information or research put into either which is somewhat unforgivable. However, this book still gets five stars based on Edward Keyes' original manuscript. (Even if he did use those blasted pseudonyms for Collins and his victims!)
Currently reading 1978 paperback. Saw a dramatization on Forensic Files or Cold Cases. Another reviewer noted that names had been fictionalized seems a lot more respectful than the way it is these days where a microphone and camera is stuck in the faces of victims/survivors. Interesting reading.
My stepmom gave me this book to read. Even living in Michigan all my life, I hadn't heard about these true events, though probably because they took place some ten years before I was born. Very interesting account of hunting for a serial murderer in my home state.
A co-worker of mine told me about this book so I set out to find it, since I was working in Ypsilanti at the time. I could not put this book down. I recommend any one who is interested in Michigan history to read this book.
This book creeped me out! The events took place 40 years ago but the fact that I live in the same area is unsettling. It makes me look at some of the places I go to (Arborland anyone?) and feel an extra sense of disturbance.
I read this book when my ex-husband was stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI.(1983-1990) I thought it was very well written. Kind of scared me that he was in Marquette. Every time we drove by there, I got the creeps.
Good book. Kept my interest. I grew up in Belleville so I am aware of the locations mentioned in the book. It is creepy that this happened so close to home but way before my time, whew!
Well researched. Very scary to read a book where you went to College and know the places Keyes was writing about.
Again another book read more than 30 years ago but one I still remember the impact of the book. It was because of this book that I gaines an interest in serial killers such as Bundy and Lucas. Edward Keyes writing was good enough for me to remember such specifics of the motorcycle, Triumph, and the debate about the mirrors. I remember his description of the girl in the cellar and how the authorities figured she had been moved there due to her decomposition. This book still rates high on my list...more
if you live in the ann arbor/ypsilanti michigan area and you like true crime, this is a must read
This book is not for everyone. It is based on a true story of a serial killer in the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan. For those who are not familiar with the area, it may be a dificult read. For those who are, it is very engaging. I myself attended Eastern Michigan University where the killer also attended though decades earlier. I could picture every location the author described. This kept me interested. The story is an interesting one if you like murder mysteries but the writing i...more
Couldn't finish it. Either I'm losing my taste for true crime or this was terrible. Neat cover on the first edition though.
I really enjoyed this book because of the true crime aspect and because it hits close to home literally. I am from Michigan and my mother told me about the girls that were killed and also when the police were checking vehicles on the roads, my grandfather got searched because of his van. It's also spooky that the murderer is still in prison up in Marquette.
As with probably 90% of all the people who read this, I lived around the area (actually, some guys in the marching band rented the out Theta Chi house James was booted from). The book is a tad rambling as Keyes tries to explain all the aspects of the murders in the area. He went into the book knowing that Armstrong was guilty and does not spend any time trying to cast any shadow of doubt as to the guilt or innocense. My bet: Jack the Ripper. He's guilty of everything.
Excellent book - well written and fully researched. True Crime lovers will enjoy this book.
As far as a true crime book goes, one of the best I've read.
I had no idea that these murders happened in my very own college town during the late 60's. Gave me a new appreciation for the amount of research that true crime writers must undertake to write a factual account. This book has turned me on to the true crime genre. The only annoyance were the fake names given to the victim & accused.
Dec 02, 2008
Robert
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
someone interested in the intricacies of trial tactics.
Shelves:
crime-nonfiction
A very well-written, non-fiction account of a series of murders of young women in a Michigan college area. The details are well-organized and interestingly presented.
The author does a very good job of describing the trial of the suspect and the battle of forensic experts.
The author does a very good job of describing the trial of the suspect and the battle of forensic experts.
I began my true crime reading "career" because of this book - I loved the investigations and the thoughts of all the investigators. I remember these crimes happening, but the only accounts I got was of newspaper and tv news - to read what really happened was fascinating
Not the thing to have read when you're living in an Ypsilanti dorm room that you swear is haunted.
An interesting book though, especially if you are from Michigan. The author also seemed to take care to be respectful toward the victims and their families.
An interesting book though, especially if you are from Michigan. The author also seemed to take care to be respectful toward the victims and their families.
Living just a few miles from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor made reading this book that much more interesting and scary at the same time. Many of the bodies were found just a few miles from where I now live. I couldn't put the book down.
I can see why so many people rave about this book, but I found it hard to read in spots, mostly because of the overly flowery language that Keyes uses. Other than that, it was well written, and fascinating.
good but not great.
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08. Februar, 00:36 Uhr