Strangled

by Brian McGrory

When a series of murders reopens the decades-old case of the Boston Strangler, journalist Jack Flynn begins receiving letters from the murderer and finds himself caught between the killer's threats and an uncooperative local police force. By the author of Dead Line. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction, Suspense, Mystery

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

McGrory is the editor of The Boston Globe. A 23-year veteran of the Globe, he was previously a Metro columnist and associate editor. Born and raised in Boston and the region, he has also worked as the Globe’s Metro editor, White House reporter, national reporter, general assignment reporter, and suburban reporter.

Reviews

[Beth Hamlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian McGrory brilliantly intertwined his real life work within this fictional examination of the Boston Strangler case.

I picked this up one day in a South End thrift store simply because the cover stuck out to me. There’s something eerily haunting in reading about the Boston Strangler from a triple decker apartment overlooking the city. When a novelist uses a backdrop that happens to be a place familiar to me, and I am immediately able to recognize the authenticity in the setting, I begin to trust the story. I truly enjoyed racing around the city with protagonist Jack Flynn to spots that I know and love, like Cafe Vittoria. I didn’t have any expectations nor prior knowledge that the author had worked for the Boston Globe. And I’ll be honest, I’m usually more drawn to investigative true crime rather than fictional thrillers. However, I really enjoyed this fresh new fictionalized take on a real-life crime. It shares the same sort of slow-burn suspense as Gone Girl or Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. And just enough romance intertwined within the mystery.

Other books it reminded me of: I’ll be gone in the dark by Michelle McNamara and Zodiac & Zodiac Unmasked by Robert Graysmith

[Serena Mancini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like dramatizations of real-life events, so I struggled with this book right off the bat. True crime is compelling as is so fictionalized rarely sit right with me, which heavily influenced my rating.

[Ra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not memorable or interesting.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book had an interesting subject in the Boston Strangler story, this guy seems to be one of those authors who cranks out tons of books about the same character and runs plot lines throughout multiple books. I found the writing to be kind of melodramatic and kind of crappy. my aunt gave me the book, and it was good(ish) and interesting in that the story is set in Boston and he references streets and neighborhoods etc. I think if I was from california and new nothing about boston I'd kind of hate this book. Oh well, it was a quick read-except that because it wasn't very good I wasn't motivated to read it. Okay I'm done trashing it for now.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very serviceable and well-written Boston thriller, housed in the author's comfort zone (he is a newspaper reporter himself), so it unfolds with authenticity. I love the way McGrory writes (nice humor in the voice), but I am not inclined to read other books in his series. I have limited patience with non-law enforcement protagonists who are nevertheless smack in the middle of every case and are endlessly escaping attempts on their lives.

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictional account of an alternative theory about the Boston Strangler, who was thought to have beeen murdered in prison after confessing to murdering (by strangulation) many women in the Boston area. The book contends that it was someone else, who reappears after 40 years and starts strangling women again. I hope it's fictional anyway.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The killer was not caught but he's in newspaper. So I'm sure he'll not continue to kill again? I guess. I thought he would be killed o caught, but not. Well then, I don't like that much the story but it gave a little suspense in what will happen next.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read, likable main character. would read others by this author.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A quick read with lots of mystery and intrique, and, took place in Boston with a lot of familiar landmarks for me.

[Mayre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writer and a terrific character. Hopefully McGrory will continue with this series