The Doctor, the Murder, the Mystery: The True Story of the Dr. John Branion Murder Case

by Barbara D'Amato

Argues that evidence introduced by the prosecution in the Branion murder trial proves that Dr. Branion, convicted of murdering his wife, could not possibly have done so

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

319 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Aka Malacai Black

Barbara D'Amato has had a checkered career, working in the distant past as an assistant surgical orderly, carpenter for stage magic illusions, assistant tiger handler, stage manager, researcher for attorneys in criminal cases, and recently sometimes teaching mystery writing to Chicago police officers.

"Writing is the greatest job of all," D'Amato says. "I get to hang around with cops, go ask people questions about their jobs that I would be too chicken to ask without a reason, and walk around Chicago looking for good murder locales. Best of all, I get to read mystery and suspense novels and call it keeping up with the field."

She was the 1999-2000 president of Mystery Writers of America. D'Amato is also a past president of Sisters in Crime International.

D'Amato is a playwright, novelist, and crime researcher. Her research on the Dr. John Branion murder case formed the basis for a segment on "Unsolved Mysteries," and she appeared on the program. Her musical comedies, The Magic Man and children's musical The Magic of Young Houdini, written with husband Anthony D'Amato, played in Chicago and London. Their Prohibition-era musical comedy RSVP Broadway, which played in Chicago in 1980, was named an "event of particular interest" by Chicago magazine. A native of Michigan, she has been a resident of Chicago for many years.

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just OK. It managed not to hold my interest despite raising some good questions about the basis of the guilty verdict. The author made the usual mistake about going through every word of testimony one syllable at a time, until I slammed the book shut.

[David Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and a great non-fictional story. I even wrote Spike Lee years ago and asked that he consider making this a movie. Of course he never responded. But this is a great read.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: in 1968, Dr. Branion was found guilty of murdering his wife in Chicago, but he didn't do it. He fled instead. Sounds familiar.

[Beth Shuler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes time

You know this case and ones like really make our courts and laws seem to be so unfair. And scary. It makes you really doubt what's right and wrong. At first I was trying to just remind myself this happened in 1967 but then I also know we have quite a few of innocent people in prisons all over. That's bad enough but to think and realize how hard it is to correct a wrong is horrible. It seems our laws have not changed at all when it comes to releasing innocent people. This is such a sad and unfair case in so many ways.....
That being said I found that I really had to keep pushing myself to finish this book. Because all the legal issues it seemed like that was most of the book. And to be honest I found myself most of the time getting bored or just not being able to keep up at times. All the legal talk made it so much harder to follow. I wish it was a little easier to follow and at times understand. The only reason I kept pushing myself to read and continue this book is because I wanted to know what happened to the doctor and his family. If it wasn't for that I would of put this book down a long time ago. Now that being said if you are one that likes all the courtroom drama then this book is for you!!! But if you want to know more about crime or the people involved or if you get bored easily then I wouldn't recommend this book......

[Jan Yarnot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I apparently picked this up at a Little Free Library. I’d never heard of this case and it was scary to read how messed up it all was. But fascinating. Don’t ever assume the Powers That Be are on your side!

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me mad the whole time I was reading it. This Doctor could not have possibly murdered his wife. It was very sad what happened to him and his family and what the police did and did not do when investigating this murder. They failed in so many ways. I finished it in two days.

[Teryl steranko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, detailed and easy to follow book about the wrongful conviction of a prominent black physician in the 60's. Very difficult to put this book down. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's works.

I could not put this book down. A very compelling story of a prominent physician accused of murdering his wife in the 60s.

[Anne Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing in that the authorities were less interested in finding a killer than in being seen to bring someone to trial. Or did he do it? I have no idea but it was an interesting read. Lots of repetition and for that I marked the book down.

[Dan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage.

The author does nothing to sway me in my belief the Branion killed his wife. Justice was served. The author is totally blind to the probable truth: Brandon killed his wife.

[Rachel]

Great book and great case. Very sad though.

[James Callanan · Rating 1 out of 5]

So who killed the drs wife?

I like an ending
This story has none
I wish I knew this before reading
Its just my opinion. Jim

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but it was all a bit sad with no real justice done. The story was a bit repetitive too.