Hidden Demons: Evil Visits A Small New England Town

by Margery B. Metzger

On January 7, 1994, residents of the Berkshire Hills woke up to a typical snowy winter day in the majestic woods of Western Massachusetts. The quaint New England towns, the idyllic scenery and the people who lived there could have stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Rocked as imaginable evil converged on them, a pall would be cast over the region and its inhabitants for years to follow. That day, a trial was beginning for a college student who celebrated his 18th birthday by purchasing an assault rifle, then opening fire on campus killing two and wounding four others. Elsewhere, two young girls were accosted in the changing room at the local pool. Another young girl narrowly escaped being abducted at gunpoint on her way to school. Her quick thinking resulting later in profound repercussions regarding the case of a young boy who vanished from a strip mall, baffling law enforcement, his body discovered three years earlier by deer hunters in a remote wooded area 200 miles away. All these events appeared unrelated , but it seemed to police agencies and local residents that the world had suddenly gone mad. After all, they told each other, “These things don’t happen here!” In chilling, dramatic narrative HIDDEN DEMONS: Evil Visits a Small New England Town, by Margery Metzger, details these events and reveals a savage serial killer who lurked in the shadows. But the bravery of a father and daughter, and the remarkable work of law enforcement officers, would turn the table.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2023

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name]

This makes me Ill- if law has not changed then in Massachusetts kidnapping a child will get you lesser time in prison than armed robbery, which can get you life in prison. Considering armed robbery consists of some sort of weapon which comes first in value a gun or the child's welfare?

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth a read for true crime enthusiasts especially if you’re from Berkshire County. The mention of people and known landmarks makes it even more intriguing. It’s frustrating to know Lewis Lent remains alive living with so many secrets at the expense of suffering families mourning their loved ones who remain missing. According to the book, it seems there were missed opportunities that should have flagged him and stopped him before his arrest.

For such a small “unknown” area of New England, the police force seemed to really kick ass.

[Allissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still so many questions 🤯

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure about this book at first but was completely intrigued at the same time. Glad I actually read it! This book is well put together and keeps you from start to end! For me I found this to be a total page turner!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing story

A serial killer is taken down and stopped by a young girl with cajone's bigger than his! Don't you just love stories with that kind of heroin? Especially when told by the perfect author!

Told with compassion for the families, and vigor for the subject matter, you can literally feel the author's pride for the child whose bravery finally defeated a long time bad guy, and her disdain for the perpetrators throughout the pages, yet those feelings don't take her away from writing the facts.

The author does a fabulous job of incorporating everyone in this relatively short (for the genre) book. The investigators, the attorneys (both sides), judge, family members and friends, and even friends of the murderer. There's even an extremely current update on all relevant parties at the end.

This is the first book I've read by this author, but i plan to check out any other true crime she's written as well.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serial killers are elusive, as many have a wide area in which they are hunting. When crossing state lines, it can become harder for different districts to connect the dots immediately. As young children were reported missing, no one suspected a serial killer, and it was not until one young lady managed to get away, that the entire case began coming together.

What a story! It was an interesting read, and some twists and turns that I was not expecting. A perfect weekend read!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m probably a little bias because I grew up in Pittsfield as this was unfolding but I am also a fan of true crime and think this is an intriguing account of events even if I wasn’t familiar with Pittsfield.
My bias review:
An excellent debut! It’s crazy the names, locations, and 6(or less) degrees of separation to major player in this reality. For the record, I was 9 at the time of Lent’s attempted abduction of Rebecca, who went to the same school, a school I attended CCD in, and in the same grade as my cousin. This easily could have been me. The details depicted in this book are chilling and public record. It was organized and written to flow, and it does. Once you get into it, it’s hard to put it down. If you’re a fan or true crime and/or local history, it’s a must read!

[kevin connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pittsfield is my hometown

I was a young mother in Pittsfield when Lewis lent was arrested. The kidnapping attempt of Rebecca frightened me to the point of not letting my children out of my sight. I recommended this book to my family and friends , a shared and disturbing experience you Chronicle so well. A very well written book . ( the witness at spring side park was my uncle Larry).

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard about this book when the author was a guest on the Crawlspace podcast. I had never heard of the serial killer, Lewis Lent, and was intrigued by the subject. The author performed extensive and detailed research and interviews. However, there were numerous grammatical and punctuation errors. The book needed a good editor. Other than that, the book was informative and interesting.

[Pam Garwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary!!!

[skketch · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚👧🕵️‍♂️NOVEL THOUGHTS👧🕵️‍♂️📚

A small rural Massachusetts town is rocked in 1994 when man known to many as a helpful, friendly guy who volunteers to assist groups or to drive blind friends to appointments or the bank is arrested after trying to kidnap a young girl as she walks through her small town. With brilliant acting a fake asthma attack, she thwarts the assault, but this begins an investigation that Lewis S. Lent Jr. may have done this to other young children, male and female and his ultimate arrest and prosecution for similar kidnappings and murders of his young victims that have gone unsolved for years.
I had never heard of this person though his crimes were featured on many media outlets and crime tv shows through the years as the police and FBI tried to learn more about his whereabouts and potential victims. During one interrogation after being arrested following the botched kidnapping, he shared with his captors his "Master Plan" for collecting, housing and abusing his victims and it was absolutely terrifying in its gruesome evilness. It will make the reader's stomach roil. The most horrible thing is he is one of thousands of pedophiles who stalk and victimize innocent children for their sick pleasure and gratification. On some level though, at least in his case, it could have been his own terrible childhood that contributed to his demented behavior, looking to take control of a weak young person so he could feel superior and in charge all the while satisfying his disgusting sexual needs. He even reports in one interview with cops, that "underwear gets him aroused."
This story is meticulously researched, in some cases too much with some background information that isn't really needed but, it pulls the reader in completely from start to finish. Readers of Ann Rule real life crime books will like this one quite a lot!

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the Berkshires and was around Jimmy Bernardo's age when he was abducted. In fact, my dad worked at the furniture store in the same plaza as the movie theater he was taken from. He remembers being interviewed by police along with other store employees to see if anyone noticed anything unusual. So all that's to say Lewis Lent was a big deal in my childhood and I remember a shift in our community when we realized it wasn't the safe place we all thought it was. This was a great book as it really delved deep into all aspects of the case and hit home as the Berkshires aren't really known for much besides Norman Rockwell, foliage, and mountains, lol! This book definitely reads a bit like a text book so be prepared for A LOT of names and tons of tiny, sometimes minute details. But overall Metzger did the story justice and it was a great read, especially for locals!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil Lives Among Us

It is scary how someone can manipulate, blend in and appear reasonably "normal", and then turn out to be anything BUT normal! Lewis Lent is just such an individual.
This book tells some of his story, giving a little of his background and upbringing, examples of the ways his mind works and of course, his crimes and the fight for justice. Unfortunately for some of the victims families, despite justice of sorts, there is no closure because Lent refused to be honest (no surprise there) and reveal the location of bodies that to my knowledge still remain missing. My heart goes out to the family of Sara Ann Wood as well as the others.
The story is descriptive in some places but not what I'd consider " gory" or sensationalism. It held my attention and was easy to follow.

[MaryAnn Dion · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lifelong resident of Western Massachusetts, I remember when all of these events took place. The name Lewis Lent is so familiar, as are the names of the children he murdered and other missing children whose disappearances he was looked at for possibly being involved in. I learned details that I don’t recall reading about at the time. I was intrigued from the start—I hadn’t realized when I downloaded the book that it was non-fiction account of these crimes.

I do believe the book would have benefited from some good editing.

[patricia e manion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great investigative crime story

Being a Pittsfield resident now living in Lanes borough this book brought those terrible things front & center in my mind. I know some of the people mentioned & interviewed My own daughter was a victim of an attempted kidnapped in the 1980's walking down upper North St on a Sat afternoon thankfully a neighbor came to her aid My son participated in the Jimmy Bernardo ride many time. Its a very good read.

[Joanne Weibel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 16 yr old living in Utica, NY and remembers when Sarah Ann Wood disappeared, I now live in Pittsfield and have talk about Lewis Lent, those poor children and families with friends here. We all share our personal stories, but nothing compares to reading about the details, the timelines and for me the realization I’m glad I woke up my newspaper customers at the wee hours, back in 1993.

[Jen Cahill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly written and the author is all over the place. I would have thought no one actually edited the book. The only reason I read this was because I grew up in Pittsfield and remember when this all happened. Interesting to hear all of the specific details of the case since I was only a kid back then.

[Nick Vantangoli · Rating 2 out of 5]

A study in repetition. This book could have been a pamphlet. A fascinating, troubling tale becomes nothing more than a jumbling of information. You’d be better off reading a wiki entry on the Lent case, or put ideas in a blender and hit spin.

[Alisha Carderella · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is all over the place.

[Melanie R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book since I grew up and live in Berkshire County . It was a little choppy in spots for me . Feel for all the families affected by the evil .

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down! Started yesterday, finished today.

[Kristina Vaninetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

My hometown serial killer! Cool to recognize all the landmarks and a lot of the law enforcement officers! Good read, for sure.

[Lori Hvizda ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Denise Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing to think this guy was just down the street from me at that time.

[Terri Flood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read because I live in this town. It was OK

[Sally Munn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in my hometown after I had left. Knew a few of the players.

[Linda Alms · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry.

Tough to get into. Something lacking in relation to sharing feelings and emotions. A lot of court reporting which tends to bore the reader.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick & interesting read especially since this happened so close to home. Lewis Lent is repulsive. 🤢

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunting Torment Of Not Having A Body To Bury
From a first-time author Margery Metzger has written a very well researched and written book
The book is set in a small New England Town in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts.
Two of the stories are shocking murders inflicted on innocent people. As usual some serial killers take no responsibility and either say they did not commit the crimes or have other excuses. how depraved one person can be.
The book is based on 3 different cases one being of a man opening fire on campus killing two people and wounding four others. Then two young girls are accosted at the local pool in the changing room. On January 7th, 1994 a very brave young girl narrowly escaped being abducted at gunpoint when she is on her way to school by her quick thinking and managing to escape certain death.
This book is an insightful and graphically detailed account of another one of the most horrific children’s serial killers called Lew Lent. The main story is about Lent, and I found the other two cases where nicely woven into this book.
This horrific story of Lew Lent and his years of rape and murder of children is shocking. It was an exceptionally fascinating read, and the author gave a perspective to these horrific crimes that was both fascinating, and intriguing. I found this book kept my full attention and it kept me turning the pages. It is very well researched and written and I found this book remarkably interesting and very easy to read. A great book for true crime readers
Thanks to Wildblue Press I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

“These things don’t happen here!”


Margery Metzger writes about evil events that take place in Berkshire Hills (part of the Appalachian Mountains, that is in Berkshire county, Massachusetts) in HIDDEN DEMONS: Evil Visits A Small New England Town. This is the first book written by this author that I've read. It is the story of evil, and how no matter how big or small a town is, the thinking is always "These things don't happen here!" It's in the statement that proves "these things" can happen anywhere. The first question I noticed that made me sit back before really getting into this book was "What other changes in our lives are hidden in plain sight?" In the small town of Berkshire Hills, a staggering list of killings, and kidnappings, and body appearances, don't seem like they are related, as they spanned over a few years, but soon, the truth would be revealed. A serial killer is in the midst. Evil has come to this town. The book starts out with a history of the Berkshires, and the expansion of the Shakers. I don't know if that was necessary, but maybe to paint a picture of this town, and how it came about. This book was written very well. It provides the details of the events that seem unrelated, but all come together on January 7, 1994. HIDDEN DEMONS: Evil Visits A Small New England Town is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.