Shadow of Cain

by Vincent Bugliosi

Raymond Lomak is a mass murderer, and he's due to be released from San Quentin. Has he been rehabilitated?

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Thriller, True Crime

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 17, 1981

About the author

American attorney and author, best known for prosecuting Charles Manson and his followers for the murder of Sharon Tate and others.

In his books he claimed that O.J Simpson and Lee Harvey Oswald were guilty of the crimes they were accused of.

In his latest book he states that George W. Bush should be prosecuted for murder.

Bugliosi lived in Pasadena, CA.

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first you start to feel sorry for Ray Lomack because no one will give him a break when he gets paroled but then it starts to get creepy. You can see it building up in Ray. If you like suspense, this book is for you.

[Shirley Leavitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this crime thriller. I read Vincent Bugliosi true account of Charles Manson crime spree in Helter Skelter and found that book very interesting, but difficult to read. This book I thought was non-fiction, because the authors made it seem so real. The book is about a young man who one night when his classmates are getting ready to go to a special party before graduating kills six of them. He is convicted and goes to prison for thirty years. He does get released, but many people have grave concerns this will be a bad decision. This was a very taut, exciting thriller, because you knew he would kill again, but when and who, great scary ending.

[ErikaShmerika Wine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was five-stars as far as how much I enjoyed reading it- atypical of its genre and full of fun details only an experienced prosecutor would think to include. I loved the process of getting from point a to point b and found the story very compelling, to the point I lost sleep staying awake to read one more chapter. It’s a product of its time, so there’s some cringey dialogue, but my main complaint is the end came too suddenly and gives the reader the sense that the author didn’t know how to wrap things up, so he just chose the most expeditious ending.

[Loramelshurtleffgmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you think

Bug like I a!always think gives the reader a fair chance to watch the jury proceedings in a realistic setting while it makes you question if there is really any justice in the justice system you at least have a good time following the plot

[Aaron Von Hagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT: from the moment Ray says to Richard “anyone can be a murderer.” I knew how the book was going to end. Maybe not the exact specifics of how, but I knew Richard would kill Ray and the last ten pages of the book went on too long knowing that information

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What an ending this book has! The first of the book really pulls you in and then the entire middle of the book is a slow-burn to the conclusion. Hang in there! It is definitely worth it!

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1982. Mass murderer is being released from prison, question is, is he rehabilitated?

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less-than-rehabilitated mass murderer Ray Lomak is paroled into society. A while later, he is suspected in the murders of two people.

I like this book. It seems to be an attempt to write a true crime account which is actually fictional. If that's what was intended, than Bugliosi and Hurwitz succeeded- I've only read two reviews, and they both seemed to believe at some point that this really happened.

I loved the characterization of Ray Lomak, whose homicidal tendencies are not so much cured as deeply buried. They come to the surface so gradually I didn't even notice where the repentant, I-love-everybody parolee became the hateful fanatic.

The trial part of the book was also well done. The proceedings had a definite ring of authenticity to it. Little things like the court taking a Christmas recess and key witnesses going underground. It is pretty obvious that this is were Bugliosi was drawing from his experience, as the trial sounded a lot like one of his books.

Shadow of Cain is not quite perfect, though. The ending had a certain deus-ex-machina feel to it, tying up all the loose ends. Also, I didn’t like the character of Richard the psychiatrist, who just happens Ray’s shrink, the lover of one of the victims, and an amateur investigator for the prosecution.

Another thing I didn’t like was the way all the black people spoke. “We’s all varah proud to have you here, yes suh,” and that type of thing.

Other than little things like that, I think this is a solid read.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoy Vincent Bugliosi's novels, I think his co-writer's style overshadowed this work. I really looked forward to reading this book and was disappointed. I've never heard of Ray Lomack before picking up Shadow of Cain--just goes to show that the experts aren't always the ones to be trusted.

[Lacresha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book and how it dealt with many current social issues concerning the legal system. I was disappointed that it ended as it did, mainly because after so long, you find yourself actually pulling for this guy to beat the odds. I won't say what happens but you should definitely prepare to feel a little letdown at the end.