Murder in Paradise

by Lisa Pulitzer

On January 15, 2000, the bruised body of thirty-four-year-old Lois McMillan, a Connecticut artist vacationing in the British Virgin Islands, was discovered draped across the rocks of an inlet where she had apparently drowned in the Caribbean waves. Local authorities on the little paradise of Tortola quickly confirmed that it was no accident.

The police immediately found their suspects-four young, rich American tourists. Within twenty-four hours, the men were arrested for murder and went from a life of carefree luxury to cold jail cells.

Each had an alibi. None of them had a motive. And there was no direct evidence linking any of them to Lois's death. Did authorities even have the right men? Was it a rush to judgment-a desperate attempt to save Tortola's reputation for peace and safety-or were these men hiding a terrible crime. A twisting tale of swift island justice that was just beginning. So was the intricate puzzle of the lives of the four men in question, and the truth of what really happened during Lois McMillen's tragic final hours.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 17, 2003

About the author

LISA PULITZER is a former correspondent for the New York Times. She is the author of more than a dozen non-fiction titles, including New York Times bestseller Stolen Innocence (with Elissa Wall) and Portrait of a Monster: Joran van der Sloot, A Murder in Peru, and the Natalee Holloway Mystery (with Cole Thompson.)

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 2 out of 5]

The case was interesting, but the writing was dorky in the extreme and, shall we say, lacking in insight. The author said, for instance, that a "key difference" between the American court system and the British one is the fact that the court officers in British territories wear "blonde wigs" in session. Honest, that's what she said. Another drawback is that the book came out long before the convictions were overturned and the suspects freed to go home.

[Sandy Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covered on many crime/news shows, while 4 were suspected only one was sentenced in May of 2001. He was exonerated in April of 2003. The mystery remains unsolved.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, but didn't care too much for the way the author put it together. Definitely not a top crime writer. The book is about four American men who are arrested on the British Virgin Island Tortola for the murder of an American woman they knew. Its a look at how the British system of justice works and frankly I found it a bit scarey. In my opinion, there simply was not enough evidence to arrest these men, let alone try them and send them to prison. Yet they moved forward with the case anyway.

[Pure · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderfully written, its a real page turner very hard to put down, will keep you on the edge of your seat and in the end will make you wonder if there is any real justice left in this cruel world, my heart goes out to this young girl frail parents and hope one day the truth of what really happen will be reveal.

[Betty Stoneking · Rating 5 out of 5]

It start back 2000 a lady body came up

















it start out 2000 a lady body came up miss. the find her in pond.it a true story . there find 3 boy that might have done it.










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[DAISY READS HORROR · Rating 3 out of 5]

So sad that this case is still really unsolved. Who knows if one day someone will know what happened that night.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better writers I've recently read. However, I didn't particularly like any of the people involved -- police or alleged criminals.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but overly long and ultimately a letdown.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: an American woman, Lois McMillen, was murdered in the British Virgin Islands, and four men were arrested. This is the story.