Money to Burn: The True Story of the Benson Family Murders

by Michael Mewshaw

In 1985, tobacco heiress Margaret Benson and two of her children were victims of a car bombing. One year later, her surviving son was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders. Here is the story of what may have been a travesty of justice resulting in the conviction of an innocent man.

Genres: True Crime

406 pages, Hardcover

Published June 23, 1987

About the author

Michael Mewshaw is an American author of 11 novels and 8 books of nonfiction, and works frequently as a travel writer, investigative reporter, book reviewer, and tennis reporter. His novel Year of the Gun was made into a film of the same name by John Frankenheimer in 1991. He is married with two sons.

Alan Cheuse, National Public Radio's longtime "voice of books," has called him "the best novelist in America that nobody knows."

Reviews

[Kim]

I found out after I started reading this that the author was sued by the brother of the subject in a book he wrote before this one because of his inaccurate portrayal of the plaintiff. So I don't know if I'd trust anything he wrote.

[Clutch]

Historically accurate account of Steve Benson's early life and dealings in Lancaster, PA. Read this book because of the connection to my community and development. Excellent portrayal of the events and background of the murder and resulting trial.

[False]

Another local murder mystery. I was reading through all of Mewshaw (I only have a few left) and for the most part, I've enjoyed them all. You really get sucked into the story.