Gitchie Girl Uncovered: The True Story of a Night of Mass Murder and the Hunt for the Deranged Killers

by Phil Hamman, Sandy Hamman

“Please, no! Don’t make me go back to the park. I can draw you a map. I promise I can show you where everything happened.”

The lone survivor trembledas she pleaded with investigators.

For over forty years, the events of what happened at Gitchie Manitou the night of November 17, 1973, remained a mystery to all but a few. Then the lone survivor broke her silence. Five teenage friends had driven to the park to spend a few hours around a campfire. By morning, four had been murdered, and only she was still alive.

Gitchie Girl Uncovered is a chilling account of the strange twists and bizarre details discovered by an elite team of investigators under intense pressure to catch the killers. After spending hundreds of hours with the lone survivor, investigators, and family members of the slain boys, and by gaining access to court records, authors Phil and Sandy Hamman give the reader a what-will-happen-next inside story of the monstrous crime that shook the Midwest. They bring the reader into the deviant world of the brutal killers with an up-close look at how they think and operate.

The Hammans’ book Gitchie Girl: The Survivor’s Inside Story of the Mass Murders that Shocked the Heartland rose to become a bestseller; however, both books were written so that they can be read in either sequence or independently.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Book Club

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2019

About the author

Phil Hamman is the co-author of the #1 national best selling true crime book Gitchie Girl. He also has two memoirs published by eLectio Publishing that profile his struggles to rise above a dysfunctional childhood marked with domestic violence and poverty. One serendipitous night drove him from his criminal path and put him on the road to becoming a teacher who mentored and taught students with behavior disorders.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was disappointed with the quality of writing in the original book which I felt lessened the dramatic impact of Sandra Cheskey's survival of a mass murder in Gitchie Manitou State Park in 1973. The non-fiction book rises far above the original in writing style, details, and depth. The authors answer questions in this book left buried in "Gitchi Girl" and describe the contributions of the many people who were involved in solving the murder of the four teenage boys. I cried as I read about the tender care given by the ambulance attendants who were called to pick up the corpses of the young men and how the law officers supported the 13 year-old girl who bravely provided the details to solve the case. I recommend this book as a quick read that will leave the reader inspired by Sandra's ability to survive and wondering what causes someone to complete horrific acts.

[Kelly Iversen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember hearing about Gitchie and that it was haunted, but never went out there with High School or college friends. This was a quick read that revealed what happened in the senseless killings of four teenage boys leaving one survivor. The survivor, Sandra, was brave and ultimately responsible for helping to capture and imprison the killers. She was met with empathy from some of the police department but unfortunately not so by peers when she returned to school. This is a must read.

[Penny Toay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I really appreciated the process of gathering information and the court case. I remember when it was happening and lived in the area, which makes it even more interesting to me.

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review is for the writing and the book, not the true story or for those kids.

Never a worse reading experience. This book lacked everything! Writing was miserable, struggled to actually put a story together, does not keep reader engaged, grammar equally deplorable. Just hands down bad.

It gets one star because it is a true story. I am sympathetic to the reality of what happened and understand this is not just a book.

[Molly Cleary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed to get my mind off A Little Life, so I picked this home state folklore detective murder mystery book. It’s so scary, I had to read it all in one sitting. We used to go out to Gitchie and feel the spooks from head to toe. I had no idea what the survivor went through. V happy to know the full story of such a strong woman - and loved that she learned later in life that she’s an Ingalls-Wilder. Of course she is.

[Stacy Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read Gitchie Girl prior to reading this! I couldn’t put either one down and read them both in one day!

Growing up in SD and living here my whole life, made this story hit very close to home.

Thank you Sandra for your bravery throughout the trials and into today! Back in a time when women were shamed and silenced, you emerged as a rock and continue to show you are a force to be reckoned with.

[Jenny Whetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was psyched to learn there was a sequel to Gitchie Girl. It was interesting to read more about the event. Like Gitchie Girl, fabulous writing.

[Danielle Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow! what an emotional roller coaster! The tragic events that took place are absolutely mind blowing, and it is obvious that Sandra was traumatized by it all, as well as the entire town. Very well written and rese4arched.

[Patricia Varner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very strong young lady!!

[Lexi Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed both Gitchie Girl books. They were both super detailed and they allowed for me to get a full grasp of the case. Definitely recommend.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, a much deeper look at all the personalities involved in the murders and investigation

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent, not overly descriptive or long

[Chasity Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing detail and so informative on such a tragic event!

[Stephanie Coady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Read this in one evening. I couldnt put it down. It's hard to imagine how one woman's life was completely transformed in one evening as a teenager. She is the bravest.

[Christina Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down. Such a sad case!

[Amy Surma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad to get more details from what happened that night and the days following. Still frustrating that those men never gave a reason for their actions.

[Heather Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a good 2nd book to the first.

[Wendy Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should not have read the Gitchie Girl books back to back. I think reading or listening to some other books between would have been better.

[Daniel Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gitchie Girl Uncovered by Phil Hamman offers a chilling account of a horrific mass murder that shocked the Midwest in 1973. While the book provides a detailed look into this tragic event, it has both strengths and weaknesses that result in a mixed reading experience.

On the positive side, Hamman's thorough research is evident throughout the narrative. He spent hundreds of hours interviewing the lone survivor, investigators, and family members of the victims, providing readers with an insider's perspective on the case[1]. This level of detail allows for a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the murders and the subsequent investigation.

The book's structure, which alternates between the night of the crime and the investigation, creates a sense of tension and keeps readers engaged. Hamman's ability to recreate the atmosphere of fear and shock that gripped the community in the aftermath of the murders is particularly effective.

However, the book does have some drawbacks. At times, the writing can feel sensationalistic, potentially crossing the line between respectful reporting and exploitation of a tragic event. Some readers might find the graphic descriptions of the crime and its aftermath disturbing or unnecessary.

Additionally, while the book provides extensive information about the case, it occasionally gets bogged down in minutiae, which can disrupt the narrative flow. The pacing can be uneven, with some sections moving quickly while others drag.

The author's decision to include details about the killers' thought processes and motivations, while potentially insightful, raises questions about the accuracy of these portrayals and whether they inadvertently glorify the perpetrators.

Despite these issues, Gitchie Girl Uncovered does succeed in shedding light on a lesser-known true crime case and honoring the memories of the victims. It will likely appeal to true crime enthusiasts and those interested in Midwestern history, but more sensitive readers may find it challenging.

In conclusion, while Gitchie Girl Uncovered offers a detailed and well-researched account of a shocking crime, its uneven pacing and occasionally sensationalistic approach prevent it from being a truly outstanding true crime book. It remains, however, a compelling read for those interested in the genre and this particular case.

[Jill Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

With family & friends living near the site of these senseless murders and rape, none of us had ever heard of “Gitchee Girl” or “The Fryer Brothers.” Having recently viewed a true crime documentary on these events from November 1973, I found a book about the crimes available through Amazon.

I was astonished and pleasantly surprised at how GOOD this 200-page recounting of these events was! Usually, books authored by writers local to the area tend to be dull, either dripping with excessive detail, or poorly done cut-and-pastes with bland narration. The authors here have provided a detailed view of the murders, the exhaustive search for the killers, and the basic elements of the subsequent trial all the while allowing the dedication of law enforcement and the incredible strength of sole-living witness Sandra Cheskey to lead the way through this tragedy. Very well-done!

[Jessica Magelky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped that this version of the Gitchie Girl story would be more informative and engaging than the first...but I was let down. This was relatively repetitive of the original story, though it did look at some varying viewpoints and give additional insight into a few pieces of the story and what happened with the investigation and trial. Still, I feel like it was too closely tied to the telling of the first. I will say the editing of this was somewhat better than the first, but still could have benefitted from someone making things more concise and fully tied together instead of the loosely-connected package that so much of this story was presented in. Overall, it is still a chilling story--just not the best-written book to tell the tale.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed ​Gitchie Girl Uncovered more than Gitchie Girl, the first book that the Hammans wrote about this case. I definitely could see how their writing quality has developed since Gitchie Girl, and I learned a lot more about the case from Uncovered. I wish that these two books could be edited together, though, because there was a lot of repetition between the two stories. The case itself is unsettling, and there are still unanswered questions. Perhaps these answers will come to light one day, and the authors will write another book about the Gitchie Manitou murders.

[Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a very good book mostly because I loved the first one and couldn't wait for the another one to come out to find out what happened to the killers. It had a very good plot and always had me hooked onto it, which is saying a lot since I have ADD. I live nearby the area where it happened so I thought that the personal connection was very strong with this book. Easily one of the best books I have read in a while I would recommend reading the first book and this one they are both very good.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the first book because there was more depth and detail about the murder investigation. I’m glad I read the first book however, because explained the murders.

In this book we learned about the various leads and how police moved forward during the investigations. There was even a few recent tidbits regarding attempts to change the fate of the murderers.

[Mary Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book answered a lot of questions I had about the investigation and brought a few new ones to mind. It’s more graphic than the first book, so readers should be aware of this difference, but it’s also more in-depth. If readers of book one are looking for more information, it’s a great follow up.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this was the perspective of law enforcement and told the rest of the story, updated us as to what happened to everyone. I wish I had read this closer to the first one as I had forgotten some details.

[Hari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this story from the very beginning. She had a very profound personality that kind of reminded me of my mom. This book kept me at the edge of my seat and was very suspenseful. In the end, I feel the book kind of took a sudden stop and could have been more entailing.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Had to order the other 2 books after I read this one! I was a little to young to remember this, but what a story.........right in my backyard! If you are a true crime fanatic, go ahead and order this book!

[Jennifer Voigt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting because so many of the places are so close to where I live, all very familiar. A sad & terrifying story. Also a story of strength & resilience from the young girl who survived a horrifying experience.

[judy gaspar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting documentary on a local event. A more in depth follow up to Gitchie Girl.