California's Lamson Murder Mystery: The Depression Era Case That Divided Santa Clara County

by Tom Zaniello

On Memorial Day 1933, Stanford executive David Lamson found his wife, Allene, dead in their Palo Alto home. The only suspect, he became the face of California's most sensational murder trial of the century. After a judge sentenced him to hang at San Quentin, a team of Stanford colleagues stepped in to form the Lamson Defense Committee. The group included poets Yvor Winters and Janet Lewis, as well as the "Sherlock Holmes of Berkeley," criminologist E.O. Heinrich. They managed to overturn the verdict and incite a series of heated retrials that gripped and divided the community. Was Lamson the victim of aggressive prosecutors, or was he a master of deception whose connections helped him get away with murder? Author and Stanford alum Tom Zaniello meticulously examines the details of a notorious case with a lingering legacy.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

146 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2016

Reviews

[Kaui · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book about a murder. In the house I live in. Well, not exactly the house I live in, but in the former version of my now remodeled house. The book is not the best written, but given the personal interest I have in the story, I slogged through it anyways. I found the story to be fascinating and for anyone interested in off-beat true murder mysteries, this one could satisfy.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history, and lots of data to back it up.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although poorly edited, I very enjoyable read. I learned a great deal about my south bay home and have told many friends about a history they did not know existed.

[Becky Burwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read about a 'murder' in 1933 in Palo Alto, CA.

The photos and view of life in the '30s.. corruption etc. Fascinating.

[Doug Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...I was interested in the local history and vintage photos, but the writing was not good - author needs an editor badly.

[Susan (Sue) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story and really great local history!! :-)