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The Boston Stranglers
This book is, quite simply, remarkable journalism, and remarkable writing. --Robert B. Parker
An infamous murder spree. A monstrous hoax. The definitive book--updated with new evidence.
"DeSalvo Is the Strangler!" declared the headlines after handyman Albert DeSalvo confessed to eleven brutal rape/murders that terrorized Boston from 1962 to 1964. The repeat sex offender boasted he had raped an additional 2,000 women. His story became the subject of a bestselling book and major Hollywood movie. But DeSalvo was not The Boston Strangler.
Author Susan Kelly's detailed investigation shows us the true DeSalvo--a pathological liar whose hunger for celebrity drove him to false confessions--and indicates that the stranglings were committed by more than one killer. In an eye-opening update that explores stunning DNA findings, a shocking re-autopsy, and expert profiling evidence, she shows why this savage, unsolved case continues to fascinate and haunt us.
With 16 Pages Of Powerful Photos
"Taut with suspense. . .crackles like a bestselling novel." --Barry Reed, author of The Verdict
"Prodigious research." -- Publishers Weekly
An infamous murder spree. A monstrous hoax. The definitive book--updated with new evidence.
"DeSalvo Is the Strangler!" declared the headlines after handyman Albert DeSalvo confessed to eleven brutal rape/murders that terrorized Boston from 1962 to 1964. The repeat sex offender boasted he had raped an additional 2,000 women. His story became the subject of a bestselling book and major Hollywood movie. But DeSalvo was not The Boston Strangler.
Author Susan Kelly's detailed investigation shows us the true DeSalvo--a pathological liar whose hunger for celebrity drove him to false confessions--and indicates that the stranglings were committed by more than one killer. In an eye-opening update that explores stunning DNA findings, a shocking re-autopsy, and expert profiling evidence, she shows why this savage, unsolved case continues to fascinate and haunt us.
With 16 Pages Of Powerful Photos
"Taut with suspense. . .crackles like a bestselling novel." --Barry Reed, author of The Verdict
"Prodigious research." -- Publishers Weekly
528 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 1995
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4036 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 9, 2024
Before reading this book, my knowledge about The Boston Strangler came from the 1968 movie of the same name. What I learned was: the murders were done by one person, and that person was Albert DeSalvo. I also thought DeSalvo was convicted of the crimes. Boy was I wrong.
It seems that everyone who is even semi-familiar with The Boston Strangler has opinions about the murders, the suspect(s), and the investigation. First, the murders: the demographics, means, modus operandi, and locations of the victims were dissimilar. Second, the suspects: there were several. However, DeSalvo—who craved celebrity--said it was he who committed the murders. Third, Tte investigation: the amount of press, the book, and the movie brought forward true and false information. DeSalvo himself would quote verbatim newspaper articles during interrogations (DeSalvo had a photographic memory).
The main star of this book (to me) was DeSalvo’s lawyer starting in the Green Man trial: F. Lee Bailey. If you grew up between 1965-1995, you have probably heard this name. Some of his other clients and defenses were: Sam Shepherd (a one-armed bandit killed his wife); Patty Hearst (she suffered Stockholm Syndrome after being kidnapped); and, as part of The Dream Team, O. J. Simpson, (“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit”). He can be said to be the first celebrity lawyer: he loved the limelight and lived extravagantly. His methods were controversial, his cross examinations aggressive, and he had an almost preternatural way of swaying juries. Sadly, he was also a little unsavory when it came to money.
I found this book—originally published in 1995 and updated through the years—to be fascinating, informative, and easy to follow. The author had first hand interviews with many of the people involved with the investigation who add credence of there being more than one murderer. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in true crime.
I would like to thank Citadel Press and Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to read and review this book.
It seems that everyone who is even semi-familiar with The Boston Strangler has opinions about the murders, the suspect(s), and the investigation. First, the murders: the demographics, means, modus operandi, and locations of the victims were dissimilar. Second, the suspects: there were several. However, DeSalvo—who craved celebrity--said it was he who committed the murders. Third, Tte investigation: the amount of press, the book, and the movie brought forward true and false information. DeSalvo himself would quote verbatim newspaper articles during interrogations (DeSalvo had a photographic memory).
The main star of this book (to me) was DeSalvo’s lawyer starting in the Green Man trial: F. Lee Bailey. If you grew up between 1965-1995, you have probably heard this name. Some of his other clients and defenses were: Sam Shepherd (a one-armed bandit killed his wife); Patty Hearst (she suffered Stockholm Syndrome after being kidnapped); and, as part of The Dream Team, O. J. Simpson, (“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit”). He can be said to be the first celebrity lawyer: he loved the limelight and lived extravagantly. His methods were controversial, his cross examinations aggressive, and he had an almost preternatural way of swaying juries. Sadly, he was also a little unsavory when it came to money.
I found this book—originally published in 1995 and updated through the years—to be fascinating, informative, and easy to follow. The author had first hand interviews with many of the people involved with the investigation who add credence of there being more than one murderer. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in true crime.
I would like to thank Citadel Press and Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 6, 2009
Maybe it's just me but I didn't (couldn't) finish this book. It was so long and convoluted that I had trouble following it. Normally, I like true crime stories, however, I could not get into this one. There were so many characters (cops, DA's, AG, Deputy AG, attorneys, et al) that I had a problem keeping up with them. I can understand why all the people involved because there were 11 victims. As I understand the book, it questions whether Albert DeSalvo was the actual Boston Strangler.
December 29, 2011
The literary equivalent of watching a bunch of episodes of CSI all in a row because you are at your parents house and there's nothing better to do and why do they even have this book? This is not well written but there are 75 chapters and each are three pages long each so you might as well read one more!
May 9, 2020
This is the obverse face of Gerold Frank's The Boston Strangler; Kelly doesn't think DeSalvo committed ANY of the murders. (DNA proved her wrong the same year this updated edition came out: DeSalvo's DNA was matched to evidence from Mary Sullivan's murder---or was it? Kelly's response raises doubts.) Kelly makes a better argument than Frank, while uncovering evidence that says Frank had a vested monetary interest in DeSalvo being the Strangler.
I admit, I find Kelly more plausible than Frank. Even if DeSalvo committed the Sullivan murder (he got a lot of details wrong in his confession, which, since he was reputed to have a photographic memory, makes me uneasy), this does nothing to link him to any of the others, and Kelly finds other, more plausible suspects who got off on technicalities or who weren't pursued because DeSalvo confessed. (Note that he was never prosecuted, much less convicted, for ANY of the strangling cases.) And that confession is, it is painfully obvious, specious nonsense; DeSalvo was shown crime scene photographs BEFORE he made his confessions, and the transcripts reveal Bottomly (who had no qualifications to conduct an interrogation) leading his witness something fierce.
I don't know the answer. But Kelly certainly provides a more thorough investigation and opens up a lot of questions that Frank sweeps under the rug.
I admit, I find Kelly more plausible than Frank. Even if DeSalvo committed the Sullivan murder (he got a lot of details wrong in his confession, which, since he was reputed to have a photographic memory, makes me uneasy), this does nothing to link him to any of the others, and Kelly finds other, more plausible suspects who got off on technicalities or who weren't pursued because DeSalvo confessed. (Note that he was never prosecuted, much less convicted, for ANY of the strangling cases.) And that confession is, it is painfully obvious, specious nonsense; DeSalvo was shown crime scene photographs BEFORE he made his confessions, and the transcripts reveal Bottomly (who had no qualifications to conduct an interrogation) leading his witness something fierce.
I don't know the answer. But Kelly certainly provides a more thorough investigation and opens up a lot of questions that Frank sweeps under the rug.
May 29, 2024
THE BOSTON STRANGLERS ends up becoming very quickly a basically perfect true crime saga because it is impersonal and multi-perspectival, certainly, but also because Susan Kelly has no choice but to remain largely agnostic with respect to the material she is covering, every last detail blasted from six angles by one form of insanity or another. We have eleven or thirteen murders in the first half of the sixties in Boston, a very large city teeming with dynamic human enterprise, and we never figure out if it was one or two or three people who committed these murders or if it was closer to eleven or thirteen. Every time we look at an individual victim new sinister horizons seem to blossom out of thin air. We know that Albert DeSalvo, seduced and flattered by his attorneys and the Strangler Task Force, confessed to all of those early-60s stranglings, though couldn't have committed many, if any. How a crazy and topsy-turvy system like this works is sort of anybody's guess, but you should know that by now. You will be lost in a 21st century city of any considerable size if you don't have a basic grasp of quantum physics.
October 25, 2024
Sounds like the movies got it wrong. This was a fascinating book about the infamous murders in the 1960s in Boston. Everyone assumes Albert DeSalvo was the strangler because he confessed. But evidence points otherwise.
March 16, 2019
Very well written and thoroughly researched. There are a lot of players in the story line so this isn't a casual read. You have to pay close attention to keep up with who did what and when as the events and people are stitched together. It is a fascinating read.
April 1, 2013
As one who once lived in Boston's Back Bay, I have always been fascinated by the Boston Strangler murders (1962-1964). Susan Kelly has written what I consider to be the definitive book about them.
Albert DeSalvo confessed to the murders in November 1964 while incarcerated in Bridgewater Hospital for a mental evaluation related to other crimes. F. Lee Bailey, never one to dodge the spotlight, claimed Albert as his client, negotiated with officials to get Albert immunity and taped his confession. Kelly details the many ways in which Albert had access to information that allowed him to "confess" to several of the murders.
Kelly describes the murders in significant detail. In her quest for answers, she interviewed DeSalvo's lawyers, members of the Taskforce that investigated the murders, and friends and relatives of the some of the victims. She believes DeSalvo may not have committed any of the murders and presents several other suspects. The details are chilling. My only caveat: the order of her presentation sometimes feels a bit disjointed, but in fairness, the case was extremely complex.
I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in this notorious case. For a short overview, see my blog post on the case: http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog_...-...
Albert DeSalvo confessed to the murders in November 1964 while incarcerated in Bridgewater Hospital for a mental evaluation related to other crimes. F. Lee Bailey, never one to dodge the spotlight, claimed Albert as his client, negotiated with officials to get Albert immunity and taped his confession. Kelly details the many ways in which Albert had access to information that allowed him to "confess" to several of the murders.
Kelly describes the murders in significant detail. In her quest for answers, she interviewed DeSalvo's lawyers, members of the Taskforce that investigated the murders, and friends and relatives of the some of the victims. She believes DeSalvo may not have committed any of the murders and presents several other suspects. The details are chilling. My only caveat: the order of her presentation sometimes feels a bit disjointed, but in fairness, the case was extremely complex.
I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in this notorious case. For a short overview, see my blog post on the case: http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog_...-...
November 10, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. After reading this book which is the second book I've read about the Boston Strangler, that Albert was never the Strangler and the true Strangler was the one that gave Albert the information to use in his confessions hoping to draw attention away from himself and also hoping maybe to get the reward money for saying Albert was the Strangler. Albert needed help for his problems that put him in prison,he didn't need prison he needed a State Hospital with a specialist to care for him in the way he needed. There was statement made that is sad but true "The rich can get away with sex crimes,but the poor go to jail for it." I've seen that happen where a powerful rich man can rape and abuse any woman and get away with it and it's the woman who suffers. But let a poor man commit the same acts and he gets charged IF they believe the woman! A man can sell his body and Society looks the other way, but let a woman sell her body, she gets shamed or shunned from Society.
May 31, 2024
I think Susan Kelly presents an excellent argument for why DeSalvo was not the Boston Strangler. I also think in the 90s this would be groundbreaking. However, I did not love how the information was organized (it does makes sense for how Kelly presents her argument though). I also felt there was a lot of information and I was there had been a Person's List with the table of contents to keep track of who everyone was. Overall very good information but not an easy read.
January 7, 2026
Was the evolving media that powerful? Were the Boston Police and several police departments from neighboring towns so inept and incompetent that they couldn't deal with media pressure and public hysteria so that a fame seeking innocent was railroaded for murders he clearly never committed? Was it even remotely possible that 60 plus years later in forensic scientific growth more definitive answer have never been found, mostly due to a lack of effort or coordination. Somehow what was now clearly obvious was ignored, hushed, lied about and sensationalized, so that conspiracy theories, fantasies and utter falsehoods were substituted for truth and justices. It was and remains totally shameful!
I was in high school when the murders were committed and college when Arthur DeSalvo was being accused and tried. His supposed confession was, of course, the unassailable fact pointing to his guilt. But even back 50 years ago there was strong sentiment it was all a hoax and publicity stunt to gather fame and money. Nothing added up except that the media had a field day and authorities went along for the ride.
Now that almost all of the principals are dead and gone and the stonewalling preventing any restudying the crimes Susan Kelly's book has become the definitive book of the subject. ( by default)
And well it might be. It is meticulously researched, competently presented and detailed, and covers every possible angle and argument. Not only does Kelly clearly and definitively explain how and why Albert DeSalvo was NOT the murderer of all the victims, and probably NONE of them, but Kelly also offers one optimum suspect wherever that was probable. In a few cases that more than one likely suspect was possible, she outlines and sorts all of that evidence and does a far more comprehensive job that any of the police departments of the day.
Since it all happened so close to where I grew up, I was always haunted and intrigued by these murders. I always read the Record American Newspaper, my dad's paper of choice, and easily the more sensationalized and hyperbolized rag of the day. But the story never left me, and I always felt doubt and disbelief and suspicion on the authorities and media. It was the beginning of lessons we would all learn so well and still find ourselves dealing with today.
I was in high school when the murders were committed and college when Arthur DeSalvo was being accused and tried. His supposed confession was, of course, the unassailable fact pointing to his guilt. But even back 50 years ago there was strong sentiment it was all a hoax and publicity stunt to gather fame and money. Nothing added up except that the media had a field day and authorities went along for the ride.
Now that almost all of the principals are dead and gone and the stonewalling preventing any restudying the crimes Susan Kelly's book has become the definitive book of the subject. ( by default)
And well it might be. It is meticulously researched, competently presented and detailed, and covers every possible angle and argument. Not only does Kelly clearly and definitively explain how and why Albert DeSalvo was NOT the murderer of all the victims, and probably NONE of them, but Kelly also offers one optimum suspect wherever that was probable. In a few cases that more than one likely suspect was possible, she outlines and sorts all of that evidence and does a far more comprehensive job that any of the police departments of the day.
Since it all happened so close to where I grew up, I was always haunted and intrigued by these murders. I always read the Record American Newspaper, my dad's paper of choice, and easily the more sensationalized and hyperbolized rag of the day. But the story never left me, and I always felt doubt and disbelief and suspicion on the authorities and media. It was the beginning of lessons we would all learn so well and still find ourselves dealing with today.
May 8, 2021
The rating of one star is no reflection on Susan Kelly's abilities as either a writer or researcher, I think she is very good at both.
The one star is more of a reflection on my feeling about the people in the book. I read to page 100 (which I will admit is not very far into the book) and the point where DeSalvo confesses to being the Boston Strangler. I could not get past this point due to sheer disgust with the police, prosecutors, politicians, and lawyers involved in the case. To think that 13 women could die in such a horrific manner and then be turned into pawns for these men to try to build up there political and personal reputations was maddening. Despite the fact that apparently no law enforcement or lawyer actually at any time thought DeSalvo was actually responsible for all the murders (DeSalvo has been shown through DNA to have killed one of the women, but the other 12 were most likely killed by multiple offenders), everyone was doing everything the could, including breaking the law and denying people their rights, to claim the credit for finding the Boston Strangler.
In addition to denying the women the justice they deserved, this also meant that the true murderers were allowed to continue with their lives unimpeded, free to possible commit more crimes against women.
The lack of even the most basic moral and ethical concerns by the men in the story really turned me off. DeSalvo at least had some mental health issues, the rest were just greedy and narcissistic. If there was one thing I took away from this book it was the importance of the current social movements to reveal the social injustices forced on the less powerful in our society.
The one star is more of a reflection on my feeling about the people in the book. I read to page 100 (which I will admit is not very far into the book) and the point where DeSalvo confesses to being the Boston Strangler. I could not get past this point due to sheer disgust with the police, prosecutors, politicians, and lawyers involved in the case. To think that 13 women could die in such a horrific manner and then be turned into pawns for these men to try to build up there political and personal reputations was maddening. Despite the fact that apparently no law enforcement or lawyer actually at any time thought DeSalvo was actually responsible for all the murders (DeSalvo has been shown through DNA to have killed one of the women, but the other 12 were most likely killed by multiple offenders), everyone was doing everything the could, including breaking the law and denying people their rights, to claim the credit for finding the Boston Strangler.
In addition to denying the women the justice they deserved, this also meant that the true murderers were allowed to continue with their lives unimpeded, free to possible commit more crimes against women.
The lack of even the most basic moral and ethical concerns by the men in the story really turned me off. DeSalvo at least had some mental health issues, the rest were just greedy and narcissistic. If there was one thing I took away from this book it was the importance of the current social movements to reveal the social injustices forced on the less powerful in our society.
April 21, 2021
Boston Stranglers, indeed. Kelly more than makes her point that DeSalvo was not the sole perpetrator, by listing every available pervert in the greater Boston area at the time.
It’s depressing, really, to think of all the cold cases of women murdered, that are unsolved. Thousands of rape cases that have never been tested. Evidence frequently lost. Connections between jurisdictions not made.
I agree with Kelly. DeSalvo was unlikely to have committed all these murders, but he wasn’t the ‘gentle’ man described by some of the investigators. We do know that he did murder Mary Sullivan, the last victim. DNA has proven it.
Kelly is a good writer, and detailed. The tone of the book, though, is dated. Some of the language is offensive to the victims. For example, one women’s murder is described as a ‘delicate killing’ compared to others. Another victim ‘performed- probably under duress- oral sex on her killer.’
Probably under duress?
It’s depressing, really, to think of all the cold cases of women murdered, that are unsolved. Thousands of rape cases that have never been tested. Evidence frequently lost. Connections between jurisdictions not made.
I agree with Kelly. DeSalvo was unlikely to have committed all these murders, but he wasn’t the ‘gentle’ man described by some of the investigators. We do know that he did murder Mary Sullivan, the last victim. DNA has proven it.
Kelly is a good writer, and detailed. The tone of the book, though, is dated. Some of the language is offensive to the victims. For example, one women’s murder is described as a ‘delicate killing’ compared to others. Another victim ‘performed- probably under duress- oral sex on her killer.’
Probably under duress?
December 15, 2017
After listening to the podcast 'stranglers' where this book is referred to quite often, I thought I should go directly to the source for more information.
The book covers a large amount of ground, but is probably missing in regards to the victims themselves. They are referenced shortly through the summation of the crimes, but then left for 'further reading' towards the end of the novel.
Instead, the book deep dives into Albert DeSalvo, the court cases and his popular attorney F.Lee, and the furore surrounding Boston at the time of the crimes.
Some differing suspects are outlined, but it relies heavily on information about DeSalvo and his experience in prison.
It was quite interesting but you'd get just as much out of listening to the podcasts if that's more your style.
The book covers a large amount of ground, but is probably missing in regards to the victims themselves. They are referenced shortly through the summation of the crimes, but then left for 'further reading' towards the end of the novel.
Instead, the book deep dives into Albert DeSalvo, the court cases and his popular attorney F.Lee, and the furore surrounding Boston at the time of the crimes.
Some differing suspects are outlined, but it relies heavily on information about DeSalvo and his experience in prison.
It was quite interesting but you'd get just as much out of listening to the podcasts if that's more your style.
August 23, 2017
This was a very interesting and well presented account of the murders attributed to the Boston strangler. The real story though dealt with the shameful conduct of the Massachusetts's politicians, lawyers and media that tried to use Albert DeSalvo as a pawn to advance their own careers. In that respect this incident was very much like the one that saw Bruno Hauptman railroaded for the kidnapping of the Lindberg infant.
September 28, 2018
Well researched. Amazing how many whackos some of the victims came in contact with. Too bad so much evidence was destroyed, only DNA testing possible was in the last victim - with 2013 dna testing pointing towards Desalvo. We will never know for sure who did all these, but author did a great job at casting doubt on a single strangler theory.
November 7, 2021
4 Out of 5 Stars
Very well researched for starters. The author, as well as a few experts, was incorrect about DeSalvo's roll in the stranglings. DNA has bound A DeSalvo to at least one victim. Mary Sullivan.
My opinion is the balance of the book is spot on. There was not a Boston Strangler but stranglers. Excellent book despite the 4 out of 5 rating.
Very well researched for starters. The author, as well as a few experts, was incorrect about DeSalvo's roll in the stranglings. DNA has bound A DeSalvo to at least one victim. Mary Sullivan.
My opinion is the balance of the book is spot on. There was not a Boston Strangler but stranglers. Excellent book despite the 4 out of 5 rating.
July 29, 2022
A must read for anyone interested in the Boston Strangler
I read Frank Gerold's Boston Strangler book first. This book REALLY puts that book in perspective, both historically and its credibility. You won't be disappointed
I read Frank Gerold's Boston Strangler book first. This book REALLY puts that book in perspective, both historically and its credibility. You won't be disappointed
March 17, 2023
Boston stranglers the truth
My father is quoted in this book. It describes in detail the circus about the reputed strangler. Who wasn’t very well done with great followups at the end
My father is quoted in this book. It describes in detail the circus about the reputed strangler. Who wasn’t very well done with great followups at the end
October 11, 2017
Long and hard to get into. I listened to the first 6 parts and had to give up. The book started out good, but was hard to follow after a while.
March 28, 2018
Absolute crap
December 27, 2018
Completely engaging. I thought the audiobook amazingly well narrated and enjoyed every minute. F. Lee Bailey -- WTF???
February 20, 2019
Dated not just in the case, to be expected, but also in social attitudes, and also highly unfocused. Check out the podcast Stranglers instead for a better view of the case and its particulars.
June 3, 2019
Lots of information but just facts
February 15, 2020
Fascinating
July 27, 2023
After fifty years, with DNA,
They solved one of the crimes.
But the rest, they still remain
Unsolved for all this time.
They solved one of the crimes.
But the rest, they still remain
Unsolved for all this time.
March 24, 2024
Couldn't put it down. Extremely powerful new information that is amazingly intriguing.
August 16, 2024
who was the real Boston Strangler?
This book is interesting about did Albert DeSalvo do all the strangling , it did not prove it to me. Must read and decide for yourself.
This book is interesting about did Albert DeSalvo do all the strangling , it did not prove it to me. Must read and decide for yourself.
October 20, 2024
Long, convoluted and ultimately blown out of the water by DNA tests done since its publication. Frank's book wasn't any sounder, but it was a more entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews