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Tragedy in the North Woods: The Murders of James Hicks
Jennie Cyr disappeared in 1977. Jerilyn Towers vanished in 1982. Lynn Willette never came home on a night in 1994. Each woman had a relationship with James Hicks, who in 2000
confessed to murdering them, dismembering their bodies and
burying the remains alongside rural roads in Aroostook County. This is their story. Trudy Irene Scee follows Hicks from the North Woods to west Texas, detailing three decades of evasion, investigation and prosecution. She interviews police officers and victims' families--and meets Hicks at the state prison in Thomaston, where he remains remorseless as he lives out his days behind bars. Thoroughly researched and carefully documented, Tragedy in Aroostook is the definitive history of one of Maine's most ruthless killers.
confessed to murdering them, dismembering their bodies and
burying the remains alongside rural roads in Aroostook County. This is their story. Trudy Irene Scee follows Hicks from the North Woods to west Texas, detailing three decades of evasion, investigation and prosecution. She interviews police officers and victims' families--and meets Hicks at the state prison in Thomaston, where he remains remorseless as he lives out his days behind bars. Thoroughly researched and carefully documented, Tragedy in Aroostook is the definitive history of one of Maine's most ruthless killers.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
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April 26, 2013“No one saw Jennie Hicks after July 18; that is, no one was willing to say that he had...Jennie Hicks had disappeared it seemed...Her family and friends never saw her again.” (Scee, 16) A woman by the name of Jennie Cyr Hicks vanished in 1977. She lived in Northern Maine with her husband and children. Jennie was not the type of woman to up and walk away. She cared for her family very much. It was hard to understand what had happened. Jennie’s personal belongings were all still at the family’s trailer in Etna, Maine.
Jennie’s husband, James Hicks was immediately suspected to be tied to the young woman's disappearance in 1977. The couple was said to have had a tough marriage, arguing was common for them and it sometimes ended with violent actions.
After months of no leads to Jennie’s whereabouts the case was dropped. Everyone suspected the wife and mother of two had indeed just walked away. Until 5 years later, in 1982, when another woman went missing.
The night this woman, Lerilyn Towers went missing she too, had been seen with the husband of the woman who has vanished 5 short years ago. James Hicks. This couldn’t be a coincidence, investigators thought. James Hicks had to have something to do with the disappearances of these women. Can investigators charge Hicks without bodies to prove these women are dead before he can strike again?
This book is written about three women and their unfortunate encounters with a horrible man. The book is not written in story form though, it is more of a written episode of 60 minutes, which many would think could make it quite boring, this is actually false. Even though the text is presented in an unusual format the suspense throughout the novel makes for a book that is hard to put down and leaves you wondering. At the end of chapter one the author makes it seem like Jennie Hick will be forgotten about, just another case closed but just before the chapter is concluded Scee writes, “...five years after Jennie disappeared, another woman vanished...Another woman who encountered James Rodney Hicks.” (Scee, 22) Scenarios like this one forces you to keep reading to find out what really happened to the women the night of their disappearances. If you are they type of person who enjoys watching crime shows on television then this is the book for you.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5 star rating. The only reason this novel titles Tragedy in the North Woods isn’t a perfect five is because of the fact that it got boring and hard to follow at times. Other than that it is a fun easy read!
Jennie’s husband, James Hicks was immediately suspected to be tied to the young woman's disappearance in 1977. The couple was said to have had a tough marriage, arguing was common for them and it sometimes ended with violent actions.
After months of no leads to Jennie’s whereabouts the case was dropped. Everyone suspected the wife and mother of two had indeed just walked away. Until 5 years later, in 1982, when another woman went missing.
The night this woman, Lerilyn Towers went missing she too, had been seen with the husband of the woman who has vanished 5 short years ago. James Hicks. This couldn’t be a coincidence, investigators thought. James Hicks had to have something to do with the disappearances of these women. Can investigators charge Hicks without bodies to prove these women are dead before he can strike again?
This book is written about three women and their unfortunate encounters with a horrible man. The book is not written in story form though, it is more of a written episode of 60 minutes, which many would think could make it quite boring, this is actually false. Even though the text is presented in an unusual format the suspense throughout the novel makes for a book that is hard to put down and leaves you wondering. At the end of chapter one the author makes it seem like Jennie Hick will be forgotten about, just another case closed but just before the chapter is concluded Scee writes, “...five years after Jennie disappeared, another woman vanished...Another woman who encountered James Rodney Hicks.” (Scee, 22) Scenarios like this one forces you to keep reading to find out what really happened to the women the night of their disappearances. If you are they type of person who enjoys watching crime shows on television then this is the book for you.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5 star rating. The only reason this novel titles Tragedy in the North Woods isn’t a perfect five is because of the fact that it got boring and hard to follow at times. Other than that it is a fun easy read!
November 3, 2023
A most excellent book!!!
couldn-t-finish
July 8, 2020Did not finish because there was no need to after reading the first chapter. I was told who were missing and who killed them.
April 23, 2023
Necessity to Catch These People Before They Kill
Once again, we read about, most likely, a psychopathic killer whose actions as a child raised red flags but nothing was done. Educators, police, and women need to know the warning signs. Even so, especially heartbreakingly so with women, the signs are loud and clear. Yet they persist. Not everyone can be saved.
Anyone and everyone in law enforcement, however, should be and needs to be on high alert. One of the first indicators of a psychopath is excessive charm.
Anyone and everyone in law enforcement, men as well as women, need to be trained in empathy and victimology. And not dismiss women as "one of those."
Having said all that, I did find the read a bit dry. Lots of facts, names, titles, strung together at times that made my eyes bleary.
This is why Anne Rule remains the Queen. She digs in deep and teases out the psychology, not only of the perpetrator, but of the victim(s) as well.
Ms. Scee provides some of that here, which makes it a very worthy true crime book. However, I would have loved more. For example, this miscreant had six children that we find out about, then a reference that he might have fathered as many as seventeen. For the children we are told about, I craved more information. How are they doing? Several of them were torn from their mothers and forced to live with this monster. Their stories are the guts of true crime. Not endless lists about court actions and who was present when.
Overall, though, a good solid, albeit painful read.
I am often asked why I gravitate towards true crime. It's the psychology. The human behavior.
The more we learn about these extremes of human existence, the more, we hope, we can spot aberrant behavior and do something about it before women and families are devastated.
Once again, we read about, most likely, a psychopathic killer whose actions as a child raised red flags but nothing was done. Educators, police, and women need to know the warning signs. Even so, especially heartbreakingly so with women, the signs are loud and clear. Yet they persist. Not everyone can be saved.
Anyone and everyone in law enforcement, however, should be and needs to be on high alert. One of the first indicators of a psychopath is excessive charm.
Anyone and everyone in law enforcement, men as well as women, need to be trained in empathy and victimology. And not dismiss women as "one of those."
Having said all that, I did find the read a bit dry. Lots of facts, names, titles, strung together at times that made my eyes bleary.
This is why Anne Rule remains the Queen. She digs in deep and teases out the psychology, not only of the perpetrator, but of the victim(s) as well.
Ms. Scee provides some of that here, which makes it a very worthy true crime book. However, I would have loved more. For example, this miscreant had six children that we find out about, then a reference that he might have fathered as many as seventeen. For the children we are told about, I craved more information. How are they doing? Several of them were torn from their mothers and forced to live with this monster. Their stories are the guts of true crime. Not endless lists about court actions and who was present when.
Overall, though, a good solid, albeit painful read.
I am often asked why I gravitate towards true crime. It's the psychology. The human behavior.
The more we learn about these extremes of human existence, the more, we hope, we can spot aberrant behavior and do something about it before women and families are devastated.
November 10, 2022
Jennie Hicks went missing in July of 1977 and her husband James was, as usual in these cases, suspect number one. They had two children together, the first one born while Jennie was a teenager in high school. The young woman vanished without a trace.
Five years later, Jerilyn Towers, a substantial two hundred woman, also disappeared into the abyss of a rural part of Maine. I would have questioned Stephen King.
A trial without a body proved difficult but a jury did not believe that Jennie Hicks was still alive and convicted Jimmy of fourth degree murder. A woman he had lived with during his ordeals married him while he was incarcerated. They divorced and he married another woman.
After being released from prison, Hicks had a series of girlfriends who described him as sexually insatiable. He fathered more kiddies and in 1996, another girlfriend disappeared. I am seeing a pattern here.
Jimmy then took up with a young lass of eighteen when he was forty-six. The prolific daddy fathered three more children with the girl. I need a scorecard to keep track of all of the partners and offspring. Four wives and possibly seventeen kids were the probable tally.
The FBI finally entered the picture as Hicks carried on his merry way. He robbed a woman in Texas and was unhappy with his jail accommodations there and a deal was worked out for extradition to Maine.
With the assistance of Hicks, the police only recovered the remains of one victim. He did get his wish and avoided prison in Texas and was sentenced to life in Maine's system. The book is an entertaining read.
Five years later, Jerilyn Towers, a substantial two hundred woman, also disappeared into the abyss of a rural part of Maine. I would have questioned Stephen King.
A trial without a body proved difficult but a jury did not believe that Jennie Hicks was still alive and convicted Jimmy of fourth degree murder. A woman he had lived with during his ordeals married him while he was incarcerated. They divorced and he married another woman.
After being released from prison, Hicks had a series of girlfriends who described him as sexually insatiable. He fathered more kiddies and in 1996, another girlfriend disappeared. I am seeing a pattern here.
Jimmy then took up with a young lass of eighteen when he was forty-six. The prolific daddy fathered three more children with the girl. I need a scorecard to keep track of all of the partners and offspring. Four wives and possibly seventeen kids were the probable tally.
The FBI finally entered the picture as Hicks carried on his merry way. He robbed a woman in Texas and was unhappy with his jail accommodations there and a deal was worked out for extradition to Maine.
With the assistance of Hicks, the police only recovered the remains of one victim. He did get his wish and avoided prison in Texas and was sentenced to life in Maine's system. The book is an entertaining read.
April 8, 2020
Evil Man
I am not sure that this despicable man deserves three meals a day in a prison funded by taxpayers. Some deserve no redemption . He is one . What he did to end the lives of three women and the loss and pain of those who loved them cannot be explained away. His utter disregard and contempt for human life makes me sick. A liar, a murderer, and the most evil creature around. The author does a good job of presenting the facts and lays bare the picture of a pathetic and heartless killer
who needs to rot in hell.
I am not sure that this despicable man deserves three meals a day in a prison funded by taxpayers. Some deserve no redemption . He is one . What he did to end the lives of three women and the loss and pain of those who loved them cannot be explained away. His utter disregard and contempt for human life makes me sick. A liar, a murderer, and the most evil creature around. The author does a good job of presenting the facts and lays bare the picture of a pathetic and heartless killer
who needs to rot in hell.
March 25, 2023
Readable true crime
I read a lot of true crime, but much of it is not as readable as Tragedy in the North Woods. This author simply tells the whole story without adding extra ingredients. Another author that I appreciate for this reason is Anita Paddock. While the critics may complain, the reader does not.
I had never heard of this Maine case or James Rodney Hicks. When his wife Jennie went missing, the general consensus was that Hicks had murdered her, but her body never turned up. Many years later, another woman disappeared. There was no connection between this woman and Hicks other than they were seen leaving a bar at the same time.
Even more years later, a woman who had previously been living with Hicks disappeared, and he was back on the radar. I won't tell you how the story ends because it's no hardship for you to read the book, but I will tell you that it's an interesting story.
Relevant photos
4
I read a lot of true crime, but much of it is not as readable as Tragedy in the North Woods. This author simply tells the whole story without adding extra ingredients. Another author that I appreciate for this reason is Anita Paddock. While the critics may complain, the reader does not.
I had never heard of this Maine case or James Rodney Hicks. When his wife Jennie went missing, the general consensus was that Hicks had murdered her, but her body never turned up. Many years later, another woman disappeared. There was no connection between this woman and Hicks other than they were seen leaving a bar at the same time.
Even more years later, a woman who had previously been living with Hicks disappeared, and he was back on the radar. I won't tell you how the story ends because it's no hardship for you to read the book, but I will tell you that it's an interesting story.
Relevant photos
4
February 26, 2022
I was interested in reading this book after listening to an episode of the Morbid podcast. However, while all the details are in the book, the writing is stilted and repetitive. Perhaps it came across that way because I already knew most of the story, but it felt more like a recitation of facts versus a riveting story. Still, if you’d like to delve into this book, you will learn things (that may give you nightmares).
November 24, 2024
Lots of details but...
I felt as though I was reading a first draft of a well researched book. The presentation of a complicated true story didn't flow ,so I found myself going back to reread sections. Still , it treats the victims and families well and places the blame where it belongs.
I felt as though I was reading a first draft of a well researched book. The presentation of a complicated true story didn't flow ,so I found myself going back to reread sections. Still , it treats the victims and families well and places the blame where it belongs.
January 27, 2026
James Hicks is truly an awful human being. The way in which he killed and disposed of his victims was truly brutal. This book is packed with everything you need to know about Hicks, his victims, his capture, and sentencing.
Some parts read like a textbook but the info is there and it was fascinating.
Some parts read like a textbook but the info is there and it was fascinating.
January 3, 2021
Nicely told story of criminal who should have been stopped sooner
This story makes me wonder how he could get away with the murders. Being a suspect from early on, he should have been stopped after the first murdered wife. God help all those children he fathered.
This story makes me wonder how he could get away with the murders. Being a suspect from early on, he should have been stopped after the first murdered wife. God help all those children he fathered.
April 20, 2021
Poor James Hicks; every time he found himself in a relationship, the woman ended up disappearing from the face of the earth. One of those frustrating cases where everybody knows who's guilty, but authorities can't prove it.
April 16, 2023
Ok
As far as true crime goes-it was mediocre . I've read hundreds and this one held my interest but wouldn't call it a "page turner" . Over the years I've read several true crime books more than once. This one---no.
As far as true crime goes-it was mediocre . I've read hundreds and this one held my interest but wouldn't call it a "page turner" . Over the years I've read several true crime books more than once. This one---no.
July 1, 2019
Is justice served?
I found this book to be well written and an easy read! I felt the research could be better, still enjoyed it though. My heart goes out to these families though and also to the detectives. It seemed that unless he was going to get something in return then he was ready to "let people know his truth" or as he sees it! It def takes a very sick person to be able to do this to anyone and he did it to three people he says he "loved"......
I dont think men like him are even capable of love but that's just my opinion......
I found this book to be well written and an easy read! I felt the research could be better, still enjoyed it though. My heart goes out to these families though and also to the detectives. It seemed that unless he was going to get something in return then he was ready to "let people know his truth" or as he sees it! It def takes a very sick person to be able to do this to anyone and he did it to three people he says he "loved"......
I dont think men like him are even capable of love but that's just my opinion......
May 28, 2020
Well Researched and Captivating
Reluctant serial killer (according to him) and his testimony, Hicks almost got away with killing his 3 live in girlfriend and wives. He continued living and killing while they were missing, until the last murder victim-to-be got away....
Reluctant serial killer (according to him) and his testimony, Hicks almost got away with killing his 3 live in girlfriend and wives. He continued living and killing while they were missing, until the last murder victim-to-be got away....
September 15, 2024
I was already familiar with this case, but I was grateful for more information. Frustrated to see typos on things as basic as place names (ex: Herman when it should have been Hermon). Also felt like the book was a little redundant at times.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews