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The Meaning of our Tears: the True Story of the Lawson Family Murders, Christmas Day, 1929
This is the true story of Charles Davis Lawson and the crimes he committed on Christmas Day, 1919. In addition, it is the story of his brother, Marion Fletcher Lawson, Marion's daughter, Stella, and many of Charlie Lawson's other family members and neighbors.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published November 30, 2006
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534 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 22, 2017
A Kindle Unlimited book and unexpectedly quite good. I am nearly done with this. I am reading so much I still have to write some reviews for books. Normally I am quite good at keeping track of what i read but not so lately.
I am at the epilogue part already so I can tell you my thoughts. Not that long ago I also read a book about a killing that happened a long time ago. Must search my read shelf to find out and that was just okay. Mostly with books about old murder cases the authors find it hard to make the book lively (lol perhaps not the best words when talking about killings). It is hard for them to make the characters come alive (and again ;) ) to their readers because they cannot interview them so what they discover is quite dry and just facts and so was the book I will find the name for as well but not so this book. Okay the author did add some fiction like for instance making it so that the older girl had an argument with her dad and that was the straw, but mostly there was evidence of those little things she did add.
Began reading and after a while I did get engaged into the story.
Will finish in 15 minutes from now.
I am at the epilogue part already so I can tell you my thoughts. Not that long ago I also read a book about a killing that happened a long time ago. Must search my read shelf to find out and that was just okay. Mostly with books about old murder cases the authors find it hard to make the book lively (lol perhaps not the best words when talking about killings). It is hard for them to make the characters come alive (and again ;) ) to their readers because they cannot interview them so what they discover is quite dry and just facts and so was the book I will find the name for as well but not so this book. Okay the author did add some fiction like for instance making it so that the older girl had an argument with her dad and that was the straw, but mostly there was evidence of those little things she did add.
Began reading and after a while I did get engaged into the story.
Will finish in 15 minutes from now.
July 5, 2008
After viewing the documentary film "The Christmas Family Tragedy," I just had to find out if anyone had ever written a book about it. This is the book, and it's even better than the film. Trudy Smith recreates the events that led up to Christmas morning, 1929, when Charles Lawson murdered his entire family and then committed suicide. She also documents how she and her father did the research and wrote the book. The big question that remains is: why did he do it? A fascinating look at the dynamics of a family in rural North Carolina and a tragedy that affected many in the years to come.
January 24, 2024
Very interesting. This happened in the town I was born in🙂
January 19, 2021
What a tragedy to have happened. This account, cobbled together by Smith and her father, the late Bruce Jones, using various and many resources, likely gives the best depiction of what actually took place in Stokes County, NC on Christmas Day, 1929.
I am also stunned at what people will do - i.e. those who came out of curiosity to see the cabin in the aftermath of the murders. Admittedly, I'd be curious enough to go see it for myself (if it still existed) but I would NOT want a "souvenir."
I commend the author on not only doing a superb job of bringing the facts to the forefront regarding the infamous murders, but in also giving readers a fantastic historic account of life on a rural tenant tobacco farm for everyone in the family. I really like how Smith took her time to present the family and their friends, so when the tragedy occurs, the events feel even more personal and horrific.
I am also stunned at what people will do - i.e. those who came out of curiosity to see the cabin in the aftermath of the murders. Admittedly, I'd be curious enough to go see it for myself (if it still existed) but I would NOT want a "souvenir."
I commend the author on not only doing a superb job of bringing the facts to the forefront regarding the infamous murders, but in also giving readers a fantastic historic account of life on a rural tenant tobacco farm for everyone in the family. I really like how Smith took her time to present the family and their friends, so when the tragedy occurs, the events feel even more personal and horrific.
October 12, 2017
Here's the deal: In the hands of a Jack Olsen, a Steve Jackson, or a Gregg Olson, the tragedy of the Lawson Family Murders which took place on Christmas Day, 1929, would jump off the page and keep us up at night. It would stand as one of the true crime classics with Healter Skelter, The Stranger Beside Me, and In Cold Blood (fictionalized true crime, but still.)
As it is, the narration of the story plods through chapters of "Little House on the prairie" descriptions of woman cooking corn for supper, slicing ham, canning peaches. A map of the area (and crime scenes )would've helped frame the events in our minds' eyes while reading about them.
Also--the arrangement of the material is crazy-quilted into a weird pattern where the actual tragedy occurs about 75% of the way through the book, then drops things off for good after the funeral and a quick summary of the life of the sole survivor. There are detours linking John Dillinger to the scene (which became a tourist destination), a cake recipe, a word about a couple of interviewees for the book, a tribute to the author's father, a few debunked ghost stories, and a rambling Epilogue in Q & A form with the author. Weird. But free, via Kindle Unlimited.
As it is, the narration of the story plods through chapters of "Little House on the prairie" descriptions of woman cooking corn for supper, slicing ham, canning peaches. A map of the area (and crime scenes )would've helped frame the events in our minds' eyes while reading about them.
Also--the arrangement of the material is crazy-quilted into a weird pattern where the actual tragedy occurs about 75% of the way through the book, then drops things off for good after the funeral and a quick summary of the life of the sole survivor. There are detours linking John Dillinger to the scene (which became a tourist destination), a cake recipe, a word about a couple of interviewees for the book, a tribute to the author's father, a few debunked ghost stories, and a rambling Epilogue in Q & A form with the author. Weird. But free, via Kindle Unlimited.
April 17, 2011
This book is fantastically written. even though it is a tragic story, it is a true story. The pictures & information at the end of the books is sensational.
January 7, 2025
Even though the events told in this book took place almost a century ago, reading about it kept me up at night. History is more chilling than any fiction, and this happened not too far from where we grew up. A good friend I had as a teenager is a relative of the Lawson family, and he first told me about Charlie and the awful 1929 murders when we were driving around in the area, and it stuck in the back of my mind since then. This book is very well written, is told like a novel, and really captures and draws the reader in to what life was like in that part of rural NC back then. I like how the author directly quoted neighbors, friends, and family members who knew the Lawsons first hand, and included the old photos. You can tell that she spent a lot of time building relationships and talking to these folks personally, which really brought the book to life. As a result too, she presents the story respectfully and with dignity.
December 17, 2017
DNF....What a complete and utter disappointment. I was so looking forward to a good dark murderous Winter Christmas story and what I was given was an unimaginable amount of detail and fluff to confuse my mind as to whether I had chosen true crime or fiction. Never the two shall meet. If you loved Devil in the White City then this is a book for you. If you enjoy entire chapters about nothing to do with the story, or nothing period, then this is the book for you. 4 pages of how a ham was cut and cooked? Then another 2 about how the biscuits were made by a teenager in 1929. Do you want to know exactly the pattern of how the raisins were place on the cake. And the amount of quoted conversation hurts my brain. All I can think while I'm reading this horrible quoted dialogue is, "How do you know that's what was said?!?!?! Were you there? Did you pull the tapes??" The book starts out like 30 years before the murders. You will get an unnecessary amount of background for 50% of the book. I mean, there is a chapter called, "Charlie suffers from Arthritis." and "Charlie's New Mules." Nobody cares. Nobody. And I'm telling ya, you will learn every single detail about these mules, and the exact supposed detailed conversation about bargaining for these mules and how the seller spit his tobacco. Spoiler alert: These mules have nothing to do with the murder! After I read 4-5 chapters I decided this wasn't for me and skipped straight to 2 weeks before Christmas. Then realized I missed too much leading up to it and I really may want to know "why?" So I went all the way back and decided to scan. This actually works very well. You can read a sentence or two on each page or maybe even a few words and get the gist of it. I promise you won't miss anything. Unless you really do want the exact recipe, step by step instructions for the home remedy you need to cook up from 1920's should you fall ill with pneumonia. I read all the way up until the murders and decided to quit. It is what you imagine. No spoiler here, he snapped. Duh!! Riddled with emotional and physical pain and some well deserved guilt from his evil actions he decided they were all better off dead. In my opinion they were!!! Life in the 1920's sounds absolutely miserable!!!
I wish this had been written by an actual true crime writer, it had the potential to be fascinating! Apparently there is a small mini-magazine/pamphlet published at some point about the murders that some quotes were take from and I think this would be all you need. The writer has take a one sentence quote and then tried to imagine what happened all around it and wrote a chapter off of it and it's just what she thinks may have been said or done, and I remind you, it's in excruciating detail!! It's like going to see a movie "based on actual events" and you find out only 10% of it is accurate. By all means if you want a fictional true story, maybe this is for you. My brain can't wrap around fiction and true in the same sentence.
I wish this had been written by an actual true crime writer, it had the potential to be fascinating! Apparently there is a small mini-magazine/pamphlet published at some point about the murders that some quotes were take from and I think this would be all you need. The writer has take a one sentence quote and then tried to imagine what happened all around it and wrote a chapter off of it and it's just what she thinks may have been said or done, and I remind you, it's in excruciating detail!! It's like going to see a movie "based on actual events" and you find out only 10% of it is accurate. By all means if you want a fictional true story, maybe this is for you. My brain can't wrap around fiction and true in the same sentence.
January 7, 2018
I heard about this story several years ago but never paid much attention to it. A couple of years ago I was reminded about the story by a dear friend. I watched a local news story about the killings and I became interested in learning more about what happened that Christmas Day in 1929.
As a result of watching the news story on the massacre, I and my friend made it a quest to visit the graves of this family. We were not wanting to visit the grave from some morbid curiosity. Dona and I realized this was an actual family upon whom a tragedy was visited very few people will ever experience. All those children killed on Christmas day was too much to comprehend. Stokes County, where the murders occurred, is near the county I live in. But, it took Dona and I three trips to Stokes County before we found the grave site. It was a very moving experience.
Reading the book, The Meaning of Our Tears, was a surprise. The writing was interesting and the story was treated with respect. Trudy and her dad went the extra mile to get the facts about the story as they were known. They interviewed friends and family members for the book. Some of the stories contradict each other but the different perspectives of the people interviewed gave the story a human touch. This is what makes the book such a great read. Trudy Smith presents not just the facts about the massacre but she paints an accurate portrait of what life was like in those years for a poor farming family. And, when all was said and done, what Trudy gives us is a compassionate retelling of that Christmas day where the characters are human beings and not statistics.
In December of 2016 I and a couple of friends traveled to Madison, NC to hear Ms. Smith speak about the book and the years of research that went into its writing. In the audience were some descendants of the Lawson family. One thing they appreciated from the talk was how Ms. Smith did not sensationalize the story. It was an informative evening and her book is very much recommended.
As a result of watching the news story on the massacre, I and my friend made it a quest to visit the graves of this family. We were not wanting to visit the grave from some morbid curiosity. Dona and I realized this was an actual family upon whom a tragedy was visited very few people will ever experience. All those children killed on Christmas day was too much to comprehend. Stokes County, where the murders occurred, is near the county I live in. But, it took Dona and I three trips to Stokes County before we found the grave site. It was a very moving experience.
Reading the book, The Meaning of Our Tears, was a surprise. The writing was interesting and the story was treated with respect. Trudy and her dad went the extra mile to get the facts about the story as they were known. They interviewed friends and family members for the book. Some of the stories contradict each other but the different perspectives of the people interviewed gave the story a human touch. This is what makes the book such a great read. Trudy Smith presents not just the facts about the massacre but she paints an accurate portrait of what life was like in those years for a poor farming family. And, when all was said and done, what Trudy gives us is a compassionate retelling of that Christmas day where the characters are human beings and not statistics.
In December of 2016 I and a couple of friends traveled to Madison, NC to hear Ms. Smith speak about the book and the years of research that went into its writing. In the audience were some descendants of the Lawson family. One thing they appreciated from the talk was how Ms. Smith did not sensationalize the story. It was an informative evening and her book is very much recommended.
May 18, 2016
Incredible...
I cannot explain the sense of loss I felt after reading this book. Is it because I'm so unsure how a father could brutally kill his own children?
It's heartbreaking even after all these years.
The author must be commended. These people seemed to come alive while you were telling their story.
Thank you....
I cannot explain the sense of loss I felt after reading this book. Is it because I'm so unsure how a father could brutally kill his own children?
It's heartbreaking even after all these years.
The author must be commended. These people seemed to come alive while you were telling their story.
Thank you....
January 9, 2016
Very unusual true crime book covering a 1929 case where a farmer murdered his whole family except for one. Book is obviously very personal to the author.
December 27, 2017
Great account of a family tragedy
This is not a true crime book in the traditional sense. It gives plenty of info and eyewitness accounts of the Lawson family murders, but the story is carefully framed in the historical period during which the murders occurred. I found the details of life in rural NC during the first 30 years of the twentieth century fascinating. After reading personal stories recounted by members of the Lawson family, as well as accounts given by friends and neighbors, I felt a certain attachment to and affection for many members of this family. I respect the courage it must have taken for certain memories to have been shared with the author(s) and, in turn, the public. I felt like the book humanized the cold facts of a haunting family tragedy. Highly recommend this book, it really touched me and I was sorry to finish reading it.
This is not a true crime book in the traditional sense. It gives plenty of info and eyewitness accounts of the Lawson family murders, but the story is carefully framed in the historical period during which the murders occurred. I found the details of life in rural NC during the first 30 years of the twentieth century fascinating. After reading personal stories recounted by members of the Lawson family, as well as accounts given by friends and neighbors, I felt a certain attachment to and affection for many members of this family. I respect the courage it must have taken for certain memories to have been shared with the author(s) and, in turn, the public. I felt like the book humanized the cold facts of a haunting family tragedy. Highly recommend this book, it really touched me and I was sorry to finish reading it.
March 17, 2019
Lawson Murders
If you like true crime, you may be interested in this story. The beginning is quite slow & confusing about who is related to who. After the[gory] retelling of the murders, the book became more interesting. The aftermath of the gruesome crime is quite compelling. Within hours of the crime discovery, dozens of people flocked to the scene. They wanted to see the bodies as they lay and/or watch them be carried out of the house; and wanted to see the bloody aftermath within the house. Eventually, the brother of the murderer makes a horrifying decision about collecting money to pay the mortgage for the surviving son. It was appalling to me, but not so much for the public at that time.
If you like true crime, you may be interested in this story. The beginning is quite slow & confusing about who is related to who. After the[gory] retelling of the murders, the book became more interesting. The aftermath of the gruesome crime is quite compelling. Within hours of the crime discovery, dozens of people flocked to the scene. They wanted to see the bodies as they lay and/or watch them be carried out of the house; and wanted to see the bloody aftermath within the house. Eventually, the brother of the murderer makes a horrifying decision about collecting money to pay the mortgage for the surviving son. It was appalling to me, but not so much for the public at that time.
January 19, 2022
Chaotic
First, I don't know how this book ended up on my Kindle. True crime, so I probably did add it. Having said that, I give props to the author for her research and her passion for the story. However, it could have been half the length, more concise and more organized. Lots of info repeated throughout and so many people to try and remember. It got a little overwhelming. I admire anyone who puts their work out there for critique but I kept thinking I need to just quit reading. I don't know why I kept going but by the end I was skimming. Super sad story though. No doubt there.
First, I don't know how this book ended up on my Kindle. True crime, so I probably did add it. Having said that, I give props to the author for her research and her passion for the story. However, it could have been half the length, more concise and more organized. Lots of info repeated throughout and so many people to try and remember. It got a little overwhelming. I admire anyone who puts their work out there for critique but I kept thinking I need to just quit reading. I don't know why I kept going but by the end I was skimming. Super sad story though. No doubt there.
July 17, 2025
Wow. The detail of this was 10/10… however, the ending was not a 10/10. What a sad sad story and ending to this family. And so close to home. How a father, or mother for that matter, could do something so heinous to his family just blows my mind. He didn’t stop with his wife and children that he physically murdered, it carried on in his oldest son until his death by drinking in ‘44/‘45 (I’ve seen both dates - unsure of which is true). I often think about what life would’ve been life back then (the murders took place in ‘29, but the book tells stories earlier than that), although not for the purpose of such, this book details and gives you a glimpse at just that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2018
White Christmas, Bloody Christmas
I am glad the authors chose to rename this interpretive biography. This is definitely a don't miss for lovers of true crime who may be interested in reading something different. The book can be hard to follow at times due to the sheer amount of people involved though there is a list at the end reminding you of who did what. This story is truly sad and tragic and there are still many unanswered questions that only grow colder with age. I can imagine being in a cemetery and coming across a mass family grave.
I am glad the authors chose to rename this interpretive biography. This is definitely a don't miss for lovers of true crime who may be interested in reading something different. The book can be hard to follow at times due to the sheer amount of people involved though there is a list at the end reminding you of who did what. This story is truly sad and tragic and there are still many unanswered questions that only grow colder with age. I can imagine being in a cemetery and coming across a mass family grave.
August 29, 2018
Oh, I gave it four stars, but now I am not sure that is enough. It is a very haunting story, not because of the blood, but because the discovery of the truth is such a sad truth. I think this one may stay with me longer than some I have rated five stars.
This is part true crime and part memoir and yet the memoir aspect provides information the reader needs to get the full impact of the crime. I don't want to be more specific, for fear of spoilers.
This is part true crime and part memoir and yet the memoir aspect provides information the reader needs to get the full impact of the crime. I don't want to be more specific, for fear of spoilers.
December 2, 2018
Tragic Story, well told
This was very interesting and well researched as it is presented here. I can appreciate how hard it must have been to put all the facts together in such a reader friendly and understandable format.
That being said, I generally like to know if a version of a book I am considering reading is abridged or unabridged BEFORE I decide to read it. Otherwise, I assume it is complete.
This was very interesting and well researched as it is presented here. I can appreciate how hard it must have been to put all the facts together in such a reader friendly and understandable format.
That being said, I generally like to know if a version of a book I am considering reading is abridged or unabridged BEFORE I decide to read it. Otherwise, I assume it is complete.
September 7, 2019
Aptly Named Tragedy
I found this book extremely well written and detail-oriented. It is obvious the author went to great lengths to get accurate facts as much as possible. The horrible tragedy not withstanding, the look into the daily lives of families & farmers was extremely interesting to me. I have new respect for the hard work & struggles these people endured just to provide for their families. I will recommend this to my Book Club.
I found this book extremely well written and detail-oriented. It is obvious the author went to great lengths to get accurate facts as much as possible. The horrible tragedy not withstanding, the look into the daily lives of families & farmers was extremely interesting to me. I have new respect for the hard work & struggles these people endured just to provide for their families. I will recommend this to my Book Club.
April 24, 2020
After reading an article about the Lawson family murders, I was intrigued enough to search out this book.
On Christmas Day 1929 Charlie Lawson murdered his wife and six of his children - Arthur, the eldest survived.
Interviews and recollections of family and friends abound and fascinate.
Aficionados of true crime should enjoy this book as we learn what might have prompted Charles to commit this horrifying act.
On Christmas Day 1929 Charlie Lawson murdered his wife and six of his children - Arthur, the eldest survived.
Interviews and recollections of family and friends abound and fascinate.
Aficionados of true crime should enjoy this book as we learn what might have prompted Charles to commit this horrifying act.
July 2, 2020
This book takes you back to the 1920s when times were hard and people spent most of thier time working just to survive day to day. You will get to know a family and community that survived on the love and company of one another. People with hopes and dreams for a simple life and a brighter tomorrow. A family suddenly ravaged by a dark evil, leaving those around them reeling with a grief and sorrow you will feel deep inside your heart.
July 18, 2021
This adds nothing to the case except to further muddy the details. There is no clarification on what was and still is rumors and actual facts surrounding the case. Poorly written, poorly researched, and written at such a meandering pace you forget what's going on and how the current tangent connects to the case. This ended up feeling more like someone desperately trying to hit a word count than offering insight into a tragic event. Utterly disappointing.
June 4, 2017
I read this because a library member requested it on interlibrary loan. It was about the gruesome murder on Christmas day in 1929 in Stokes County, North Carolina, when a father killed his entire family and himself.
The end part of this book which was an assortment of information was not necessary and added little to the account.
The end part of this book which was an assortment of information was not necessary and added little to the account.
April 26, 2018
I was pulled in to the era and fascinated by the story. I wish more pictures had been included of the people and the farm but the ones that are included bring the story to life sometimes it is a little hard to follow because there are so many family members' names to try to keep track of but still a very interesting read.
May 27, 2018
A look at our not so long ago past.
I married a Lawson with NC ties. I read it out of curiosity of the family name. While there is no bloodline to my husband, I found it to be a fascinating look at every day life in rural NC Blue Ridge Mountains. It was similar to stories I have heard my whole life on the way of life during that period. The author(s) did a good job.
I married a Lawson with NC ties. I read it out of curiosity of the family name. While there is no bloodline to my husband, I found it to be a fascinating look at every day life in rural NC Blue Ridge Mountains. It was similar to stories I have heard my whole life on the way of life during that period. The author(s) did a good job.
June 11, 2018
Heart breaking
I would recommend this book. However it saddens me what happen to the kids. No child should ever go through that horror. No child should ever feel that type of scene ever! As for the people that think he had a mental disease that stop using that as an excuse for murder and evil.
I would recommend this book. However it saddens me what happen to the kids. No child should ever go through that horror. No child should ever feel that type of scene ever! As for the people that think he had a mental disease that stop using that as an excuse for murder and evil.
November 4, 2022
Maybe it’s because I live close by, but I love the way the author and her dad pieced this together through oral history, old photos and other old documents. They took care not to use too much of a creative license and overdramatize events. Not only did this book address the actual murders but depicted rural life in that time. I actually found the hard copy of the book online at thrift books.
August 15, 2017
Lawson Murders
Thoroughly detailed account of a tragic and brutal crime. One of the best true crime books I've read with regard to the age of the crime. No doubt the author spent countless time researching.
Thoroughly detailed account of a tragic and brutal crime. One of the best true crime books I've read with regard to the age of the crime. No doubt the author spent countless time researching.
August 30, 2017
True Crime
Incredibly long and boring book about a multiple murder committed in 1929. Much of what is told is irrelevant. I'm sure it is interesting to the tfamilywho wrote the book but is not to anyone else.
Incredibly long and boring book about a multiple murder committed in 1929. Much of what is told is irrelevant. I'm sure it is interesting to the tfamilywho wrote the book but is not to anyone else.
March 1, 2018
A very sad story of one family's tragic death
This is a very well-written and readable book on the terrible events that took place on that Christmas day so long ago. A truly heartbreaking tale.
This is a very well-written and readable book on the terrible events that took place on that Christmas day so long ago. A truly heartbreaking tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews