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Scream at the Sky: Five Texas Murders and One Man's Crusade for Justice
Book by Stowers, Carlton
424 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2003
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547 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 15, 2023
I've kept away from true crime for a while as it does get.. icky. But I found this to be a good representative of the genre, which does not make you feel dirty while reading it.
This is the story of a series of murders in Texas. 5 women were killed violently and four of the cases went cold. The book delves into the investigation, the families, the lives of the victims, the people who were wrongfully accused, and the feel of the community at the time. There is little to be read about the actual murderer, which was refreshing. While there is information to get a clearer picture, this book is not about Wardrip. It is about Toni, Terry, Tina, Debra, and Ellen, as well as about what their violent passing did to their families. I don't think anyone will finish this book feeling like Wardrip was cool and mysterious. But they will see him for the loser he really was. Meanwhile any reader will feel like clapping when one particular coffee cup is collected. I sure felt like it.
If you're looking for true crime that does not feel exploitative, this is it.
PS - there are detailed descriptions of violence, including sexual, so be warned.
This is the story of a series of murders in Texas. 5 women were killed violently and four of the cases went cold. The book delves into the investigation, the families, the lives of the victims, the people who were wrongfully accused, and the feel of the community at the time. There is little to be read about the actual murderer, which was refreshing. While there is information to get a clearer picture, this book is not about Wardrip. It is about Toni, Terry, Tina, Debra, and Ellen, as well as about what their violent passing did to their families. I don't think anyone will finish this book feeling like Wardrip was cool and mysterious. But they will see him for the loser he really was. Meanwhile any reader will feel like clapping when one particular coffee cup is collected. I sure felt like it.
If you're looking for true crime that does not feel exploitative, this is it.
PS - there are detailed descriptions of violence, including sexual, so be warned.
June 8, 2021
This would have to be one of the best true crime books I have read for a long time. It was very well written and I felt a connection with everybody. I kept reading and never wanted to stop. It didnt repeat itself with the same information . I highly recommend.
May 21, 2017
Observations:
(1) Where Patricia Springer (Body Hunter) was simply a bad writer, Showers is a good writer who's trying too hard.
(2) Showers is better at conveying emotional registers than Springer, particularly the gut-wrenching cruelty of the way Wardrip conned Tina Kimbrew's parents in their Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue. I'm a little suspicious of the sea-change he attributes to Barry Macha: it seems too neat, too novelistic. But real life doesn't have to be more untidy than fiction at all times, and perhaps I'm just being too cynical.
(3) Springer did better research, for all that her research wasn't very good.
(4) I have no idea where that idiotic subtitle came from. "One Man's Crusade for Justice"? Which crusade? What man? Robert Kimbrew? Barry Macha? John Little? I think it must mean Macha, since he's the person who was involved with both the Kimbrew case and the re-opening of the cold cases on Sims, Gibbs, and Blau, but the book hardly follows Macha, and it conveys a district attorney doing his job, not a man "crusading" for justice. (To clarify: I think Macha deserves tremendous credit for not letting go of those unsolved murders and for having the independence of mind to ask for that cross-check between the DNA evidence from Sims and the DNA evidence from Gibbs, despite the "experts" who said that the two cases were unconnected. But if he wants to prove a crusade, Showers needs better evidence.)
(5) Neither Body Hunter nor Scream at the Sky is particularly satisfying, which I think is the fault not of Springer and Showers, but of their material. Faryion Wardrip is a pathological liar, a drug user, a loser who manipulates and cons, who offers remorse and takes it back: he said when he was convicted that he wasn't going to appeal, but he changed his mind about that, and he's still sitting on Death Row as his appeal grinds and grinds and grinds through state and federal courts--and that appeal isn't on the verdict. Wardrip pled guilty. It's based on the claim that in the penalty phase, his attorney did not adequately represent his good behavior during his incarceration for Kimbrew's murder. Which is an argument that it is not necessary to kill him to prevent him from harming others: just keep him in jail where, like other sociopaths, he will behave himself. But if the death sentence is commuted to life in prison, overcrowding and underfunding have a way of silently commuting life in prison to release, as the case of Kenneth McDuff (who was also the responsibility of the Texas penal system) demonstrates . . . and we're back to that old argument about the dire necessity for reform of the American penal system and the current impossibility thereof. But my actual point here is that while the murders he committed are appalling and tragic, there's nothing in Wardrip himself to merit attention, and the story of the investigation (which is what holds up other books about similarly empty people, e.g. Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal) is down to, really, (1) Macha opens cold cases, (2) gets DNA link between Sims and Gibbs, (3) gives John Little the files, (4) Little finds mention of Wardrip in Ellen Blau's file, (5) Little gets DNA from Wardrip by a clever and completely legal ruse, (5) DNA matches, (6) Wardrip is arrested and confesses, just as he confessed to Kimbrew's murder--and confesses to Debra Taylor's murder while he's at it. It makes a great episode of Forensic Files, but it's not a book.
(1) Where Patricia Springer (Body Hunter) was simply a bad writer, Showers is a good writer who's trying too hard.
(2) Showers is better at conveying emotional registers than Springer, particularly the gut-wrenching cruelty of the way Wardrip conned Tina Kimbrew's parents in their Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue. I'm a little suspicious of the sea-change he attributes to Barry Macha: it seems too neat, too novelistic. But real life doesn't have to be more untidy than fiction at all times, and perhaps I'm just being too cynical.
(3) Springer did better research, for all that her research wasn't very good.
(4) I have no idea where that idiotic subtitle came from. "One Man's Crusade for Justice"? Which crusade? What man? Robert Kimbrew? Barry Macha? John Little? I think it must mean Macha, since he's the person who was involved with both the Kimbrew case and the re-opening of the cold cases on Sims, Gibbs, and Blau, but the book hardly follows Macha, and it conveys a district attorney doing his job, not a man "crusading" for justice. (To clarify: I think Macha deserves tremendous credit for not letting go of those unsolved murders and for having the independence of mind to ask for that cross-check between the DNA evidence from Sims and the DNA evidence from Gibbs, despite the "experts" who said that the two cases were unconnected. But if he wants to prove a crusade, Showers needs better evidence.)
(5) Neither Body Hunter nor Scream at the Sky is particularly satisfying, which I think is the fault not of Springer and Showers, but of their material. Faryion Wardrip is a pathological liar, a drug user, a loser who manipulates and cons, who offers remorse and takes it back: he said when he was convicted that he wasn't going to appeal, but he changed his mind about that, and he's still sitting on Death Row as his appeal grinds and grinds and grinds through state and federal courts--and that appeal isn't on the verdict. Wardrip pled guilty. It's based on the claim that in the penalty phase, his attorney did not adequately represent his good behavior during his incarceration for Kimbrew's murder. Which is an argument that it is not necessary to kill him to prevent him from harming others: just keep him in jail where, like other sociopaths, he will behave himself. But if the death sentence is commuted to life in prison, overcrowding and underfunding have a way of silently commuting life in prison to release, as the case of Kenneth McDuff (who was also the responsibility of the Texas penal system) demonstrates . . . and we're back to that old argument about the dire necessity for reform of the American penal system and the current impossibility thereof. But my actual point here is that while the murders he committed are appalling and tragic, there's nothing in Wardrip himself to merit attention, and the story of the investigation (which is what holds up other books about similarly empty people, e.g. Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal) is down to, really, (1) Macha opens cold cases, (2) gets DNA link between Sims and Gibbs, (3) gives John Little the files, (4) Little finds mention of Wardrip in Ellen Blau's file, (5) Little gets DNA from Wardrip by a clever and completely legal ruse, (5) DNA matches, (6) Wardrip is arrested and confesses, just as he confessed to Kimbrew's murder--and confesses to Debra Taylor's murder while he's at it. It makes a great episode of Forensic Files, but it's not a book.
March 27, 2018
Between 1984 and 1986 four young women in Wichita, Texas were brutally killed, most stabbed to death and left in a carnage of blood, one strangled and another smothered with a pillow. There was no doubt for those trying to find the killer that these were acts of rage. Difficult to find the connection, it wasn't until 14 long years after the women were killed, that a new detective, John Little, brought a fresh perspective , and a chance discovery that led to the killer.
A liar, a substance abuser, and a man filled with rage, Faryion Wardrip (what a name!), randomly found women to mutilate. The murders were actions of chance, and Faryion simply found and killed whenever the opportunity arose. Some were raped, all were undeserving of the cruel fate that left their bodies discarded and mutilated.
The book focused more on the grief stricken families than the life of Wardrip. For all those years, sisters, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, and friends were haunted by the fact that the killer simply could not be found...Until, Little saw that the girls murdered lived or worked in close proximity of each other.
When caught, Faryion admitted he killed the final woman, a "friend." He thought he could get away with killing the others. When caught, he flippantly noted that there was another woman he killed. She didn't live in Wichita.
If you like to read true crime stories, this is a good book.
One can only guess at what triggered the rage that left five women dead. And, in the end, even if it is know why, it does not change the fact that the girls died young, tragically and their murders were senseless and brutal.
A liar, a substance abuser, and a man filled with rage, Faryion Wardrip (what a name!), randomly found women to mutilate. The murders were actions of chance, and Faryion simply found and killed whenever the opportunity arose. Some were raped, all were undeserving of the cruel fate that left their bodies discarded and mutilated.
The book focused more on the grief stricken families than the life of Wardrip. For all those years, sisters, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, and friends were haunted by the fact that the killer simply could not be found...Until, Little saw that the girls murdered lived or worked in close proximity of each other.
When caught, Faryion admitted he killed the final woman, a "friend." He thought he could get away with killing the others. When caught, he flippantly noted that there was another woman he killed. She didn't live in Wichita.
If you like to read true crime stories, this is a good book.
One can only guess at what triggered the rage that left five women dead. And, in the end, even if it is know why, it does not change the fact that the girls died young, tragically and their murders were senseless and brutal.
December 21, 2020
When I was County Librarian I took books to the County Jail for their library on occasion. The inmate in charge of the library was really nice. I mentioned this to the Warden and he said, “You’d be surprised how nice these guys can be if you get them away from drugs and alcohol.”
This true crime story is about one of those who did not get away from drugs and alcohol until it was way too late for five young women. It is a gripping and maddening story.
This true crime story is about one of those who did not get away from drugs and alcohol until it was way too late for five young women. It is a gripping and maddening story.
March 12, 2016
I liked it. Okay the author did spoil the story a little bit which he should not have done but all in all this was a book with surprising twists. Only thing missing to me was more information about the killer. Nothing about his youth, why he became like this.
February 14, 2026
Solid true crime book. It was interesting and thought provoking. This guy was definitely odd and I'd never heard of him before.
January 23, 2016
Not bad. Traces the life and crimes of Faryion Wardrip.
May 11, 2017
Serial killer of five young women and the 14 years it took for one police investigator to uncover his misdeeds.
July 17, 2019
Even though it’s hard to say it but I did enjoy the book. It’s good to keep things in perspective and see the true horrors that is out there. I do have a lot to say but I am going to hold back a bit. I did come from a religious family but I guess whatever it takes to get through something as horrible as this. Do not want to talk much about that Danny Laughlin, but good riddance. He put his self in that situation for being a dumbass, he was weird and a complete idiot. Could not believe his girlfriend felt a little remorse when she kicked him out after he was going on and on about placing himself into that crime. After he gets out of prison for those other crimes then he sexually assaults at knife point another girl and has the audacity to tell his mother to continue getting his name cleared if anything ever happens to him. Furthermore, I know the state had to take the highroad but holy cow, to send a letter to his mother clearing his name and apologizing. The letter even stated in there how basely it was an atrocity for the Districk attorney to continue vigorously charging him. Again, he put his self in that situation and was a complete idiot and not a good person. Good riddance. I know that seems harsh but some people are deserving. As for the main killer, hide behind religion real quick. I heard one time before, even Atheist get religion in a fox hole. He is such a freaking coward, every time he spoke about how he had a bad life which was untrue, but hell he would just go crazy and want to cause damage. Only could do that against women, not once did he ever try to attack someone his own size or bigger. Now he’s hiding behind religion and his appeals. Does not deserve another breath. Tootles to the hard work of the investigator and others.
March 15, 2025
I’ll never understand it…
This true crime author wrote Careless Whispers, which I found to be an excellent book. When I saw this one, by that same author, I decided to read it. With a digital credit, I bought this one and read it in a couple of days.
I knew about one of these victims. Somehow it totally escaped me that this man had murdered four more victims. Crime investigation is such an iffy thing. If a man has never had his DNA taken for a criminal offense, it won’t be on a database that could be tested against. No real evidence left either. Had he not eventually admitted to his friend’s murder, there was a very real possibility that these would never have been solved.
Not to mention that innocent men were targeted as suspects. Husbands and boyfriends can often be the culprits, but in this case they had nothing to do with the crimes, yet that shadow of accusations loomed over these men, in some cases for years. Other people can be so cruel, making unfounded accusations.
Mr. Stowers writes well, and this case became very concrete and compelling. Highly recommended for true crime lovers.
This true crime author wrote Careless Whispers, which I found to be an excellent book. When I saw this one, by that same author, I decided to read it. With a digital credit, I bought this one and read it in a couple of days.
I knew about one of these victims. Somehow it totally escaped me that this man had murdered four more victims. Crime investigation is such an iffy thing. If a man has never had his DNA taken for a criminal offense, it won’t be on a database that could be tested against. No real evidence left either. Had he not eventually admitted to his friend’s murder, there was a very real possibility that these would never have been solved.
Not to mention that innocent men were targeted as suspects. Husbands and boyfriends can often be the culprits, but in this case they had nothing to do with the crimes, yet that shadow of accusations loomed over these men, in some cases for years. Other people can be so cruel, making unfounded accusations.
Mr. Stowers writes well, and this case became very concrete and compelling. Highly recommended for true crime lovers.
January 22, 2021
It has been awhile since I thoroughly enjoyed a true crime book, and this one is extremely well written. I have been disappointed with the last book I read of this genre, going into the writer's involvement with trying to solve the case and taking the focus from the victims and their families. This author gives his final thoughts at the end of the book, but focuses on what is most important. This book kept me intrigued and emotional charged throughout the entire book. And where there were a few moments I found myself feeling sorry for him, he is exactly where he is supposed to be. I found myself questioning his memories of the crimes. Were they selective or could he truly not remember the gruesome details in a drug induced rage? A good true crime book makes you think and I could barely put this one down.
January 31, 2018
Having grown up and still residing where this all took place puts a very personal spin on this book as I read it. I have driven past most of the locations hundreds of times and still do today. I know some of the people involved. I was too young when the murders happened but I clearly remember everything that happened in 1999. Faryion Wardrip is a cold, manipulative liar and ruthless killer. Though he lies and manipulates people into thinking he is sorry for what he has done, everything he does is without remorse and only to serve himself.
The book could have flowed a bit better. Also, out of respect for the victims families and friends, I did not think such graphic detail was necessary.
The book could have flowed a bit better. Also, out of respect for the victims families and friends, I did not think such graphic detail was necessary.
November 10, 2018
A Riveting Tale of True Crime You'll not soon Forget
I've read hundreds of True Crime books, but this was my first by author Carlton Showers. The best thing I can possibly point out is his unique writing style that developes a building suspense throughout the book.. It is something I have not experienced in all of my reading.
Thank you Carlton Stowers, I now have your other 5 books to look forward too.
I've read hundreds of True Crime books, but this was my first by author Carlton Showers. The best thing I can possibly point out is his unique writing style that developes a building suspense throughout the book.. It is something I have not experienced in all of my reading.
Thank you Carlton Stowers, I now have your other 5 books to look forward too.
July 22, 2022
Hard to read how one person can damage or destroy so many lives.
Bottom line: Our criminal justice system has become so perverted that victims suffer ten times more than the criminals when caught and convicted. Even with the death penalty, criminals can haunt their victims and their families for years with endless stays and appeals supported by misguided do gooders who are more concerned with the cause than justice. This system is bringing our society to its knees.
Bottom line: Our criminal justice system has become so perverted that victims suffer ten times more than the criminals when caught and convicted. Even with the death penalty, criminals can haunt their victims and their families for years with endless stays and appeals supported by misguided do gooders who are more concerned with the cause than justice. This system is bringing our society to its knees.
November 16, 2022
good story
Lots of emphasis upon the effect a murder has on the families and friends of the victim. I was glad FW pled guilty or I would have had to read about a trial and I was already tired of W’s inconsistent behavior. Interestingly, nothing was said about his church community which originally supported him but never showed up at the hearing. Don’t they believe on redemption?
Lots of emphasis upon the effect a murder has on the families and friends of the victim. I was glad FW pled guilty or I would have had to read about a trial and I was already tired of W’s inconsistent behavior. Interestingly, nothing was said about his church community which originally supported him but never showed up at the hearing. Don’t they believe on redemption?
August 30, 2017
Very hard not to get chills while driving past the locations that the murders took place at. This book really hit home with just how heinous the murders were. It's hard to grasp how these could happen in our backyard. Stowers relays the facts in an impressive way, without having any empathy for the murderer.
December 24, 2021
Amazing
An amazing chronicle of the deaths of 5 precious women, all taken away from their loved ones many years ago. Mr. Stowers did a great job telling the story of each one , all the way through to the final court decisions. Just enough detail in each case. I would recommend this book to all true crime buffs! Good job
Mr. Stowers!
An amazing chronicle of the deaths of 5 precious women, all taken away from their loved ones many years ago. Mr. Stowers did a great job telling the story of each one , all the way through to the final court decisions. Just enough detail in each case. I would recommend this book to all true crime buffs! Good job
Mr. Stowers!
June 28, 2018
I lived in a town that was only a few miles from Wichita falls when these murders happened, I remember it well, I think it was a well written book, I have read other books of his and enjoyed all of them! I highly recommend.
December 20, 2018
A good true crime read. Doesn't get bogged down in too many details but still gives the info on how terrible the killings were. Moves along at a good pace. May read more of this author as I like his style of presenting the story.
November 10, 2022
This was a very well written for the true crime genre. I liked the focus on the victims and their families. There were some very well captured and emotional moments. I have a very specific purpose for reading books like this, and this read was insightful.
January 19, 2023
How on earth do you murder someone, get sentenced to only 35 years, and then serve only 11 years? How is that anywhere close to ok?
Criticisms of our justice system aside, this book was pretty good. Contained lots of information and was readable.
Criticisms of our justice system aside, this book was pretty good. Contained lots of information and was readable.
August 10, 2023
This was so interesting to see how the investigators never gave up and how everything just came together on this. The only reason it's a 3 is because the writing style for some reason was hard for me to get through.
December 26, 2024
The last 1/4 of the book was great but the first part was hard to follow. So many stories made it hard to tie together. Other than it being confusing and slow in the beginning, it overall was a very interesting story.
June 5, 2025
While the story was interesting, the way it was written was not. i found it difficult to follow and did not read it all. however, I did google the murders and read the news articles.And such so I would understand what happened.
September 26, 2022
A Great read!!!
Well written and chilling. I enjoyed the telling off this sad story, and wonder how some people become evil. Amazing!
Well written and chilling. I enjoyed the telling off this sad story, and wonder how some people become evil. Amazing!
July 16, 2023
Great read
So well-written, I could hardly put this book down once I started reading. The author did a great job with a very sad subject matter. The victims' stories broke my heart.
So well-written, I could hardly put this book down once I started reading. The author did a great job with a very sad subject matter. The victims' stories broke my heart.
August 14, 2023
I only knew of these cases from Forensic Files, and getting to read a more complete version of events was amazing. EXCELLENT book.
July 23, 2024
This happened near where I live and I remember when it was in the news. Interesting read.
February 7, 2026
I thought this book was really well written and even as it was so heartbreaking to read it showed me and anyone who reads to never give up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews