Thrill Killers: A True Story of Innocence & Murder Without Conscience

by Raymond Pingitore, Paul Lonardo

The true story of the night innocence and evil crossed paths.

On a summer night in 2000, Amy Shute and Jason Burgeson were set upon by five predatory youths outside a Providence, Rhode Island, club. It began as a twisted joyride for the young kidnappers. It ended in cold-blooded murder and a town's relentless fight for justice.

Genres: True Crime

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 28, 2007

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a thorough telling of the story behind the tragic and senseless killing of two innocent young people.

Unfortunately, it wasn't terribly compelling. Maybe I've just read too many true crime books where the investigation and trial really took interesting and surprising turns.

This crime was solved in 24 hours (not a spoiler). The book is mostly about the maneuvering to get the death penalty for the perpetrators. One of the authors was a detective assigned to the case, and that is the likely reason for the pro-death penalty view point, without any attempt at balance or even-handedness in discussing it.

Overall, I found the story interesting, if a little dull. There are numerous typos, some of which actually cause the text to read as the exact opposite of what the author was trying to say (at least that's my take, based on the context). The two victims deserved to be remembered with dignity, and this book does that.

[Tbone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good true crime story of innocent victims and evil criminals....
also shows some of the glaring weaknesses of our justice system...if anyone ever deserved the death penalty it was at least one of these 5 criminals if not more of them........and prosecuters werent even allowed to try and get the death penalty and even if they could.......most that go on death row........sit on death row.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written story of five men who kidnap and kill a couple simply because they were bored with basic armed robbery. I really liked that one of the authors was the head detective who handled the case. This book was an interesting and well-written tribute to the victims and their families, a big improvement from my last book.

[Steve Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil does exist in this world. A good read.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A particularly good inside look at a senseless crime and its consequences. The author is very respectful of the victims and their families, and explains early on that, "The reason I chose not to probe into the individual and social experiences of Amy’s and Jason’s killers was because I do not want to lend merit to any of the personal hardships, environmental or biological deficiencies alike, which might remotely be construed as a justification for what they did." Also known as MURDER WITHOUT MOTIVE.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK. Where to start? It was effective in one way, as it reminds us that we live among the strangest and most dangerous people. It also reminds us that, like it or not, we need to be careful and not take stupid risks, like sitting outside in an urban parking lot after a night of clubbing, which is where the unfortunate couple were when they were carjacked and murdered.

Don't recall who the publisher was, but they need to do better with editing. Too many errors of the type that grate on the nerves of English majors :)

I found myself wondering how this was put together. Did the detective talk to the co-author who then wrote a story? How much was from research on printed material? Who did the author actually interview and how much?

It also made me think "this book will solidfy the view of anyone who thinks the justice system is a mess"

A sad cautionary tale, made me really happy I don't live in that city (even though I rationally know that things like this can happen anywhere).

[Breanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay as far as true crime books go. The story of the victims was heart-wrenching, but it was not the best written book I've read. There were numerous typos and bad context throughout that made it difficult to read. It did give quite a bit of insight to the differences in how crimes are prosecuted in state and federal courts, including many of the changes that were made from when Clinton was in the White House to when Bush began his presidency. Always nice to come away with some useful information to sock away for later.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only got 70 pages into it. I can not even finish it. The book reads like a news article. Who wants to read a book length newspaper story?!? Not me.