What do you think?
Rate this book
LOU AND JONBENÉT: A Legendary Lawman’s Quest To Solve A Child Beauty Queen’s Murder
On Christmas Night 1996 , six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado. A ransom note was found in the home, but it was hours before her father, John, found her body in the basement. She had been strangled with a garrote and her skull was fractured. The media sensationalized the tragic death of the “child beauty queen” and public speculation and rumors ran rampant. What followed was one of the most notorious unsolved murder investigations in American history. Boulder police fixated on JonBenet’s parents as suspects. Needing investigative help, the Boulder DA brought in legendary homicide detective Lou Smit. However, he was soon disenchanted with law enforcement’s obsession with the Ramsey family as the primary suspects, excluding other possibilities. Smit resigned but continued to work on his own time, and at his own expense, determined to find justice for JonBenet. He determined the Ramsey family was not involved in her death but died in 2010 before he could identify the killer. Thousands of people attended his funeral service, including John Ramsey, and the detective’s lifelong friend and colleague, John Anderson. Along with a handful of retired detectives, Anderson and Smit’s family continue to pursue justice based on Smit’s work. Now, for the first time in LOU AND JONBENET , Anderson tells the story of Smit’s investigation and why the Smit family team now believes that the killer can be identified.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2023
129 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 17, 2023
This book takes 3 chapters telling about careers and experience before going on to the work of Smit and Anderson in Colorado. It tells about Smit’s time investigating the JonBenet case and what a great detective and friend he was to the author over many years. Well written and engaging, was up until the wee hours with it.
December 2, 2024
It baffles me that some people still wish to crucify an innocent family based on their feelings and circumstantial evidence when actual forensic evidence points to an intruder. You can’t deny unknown male DNA in multiple locations on the body of a child. The Boulder police department needs to put this to rest by employing genetic genealogy, so everyone knows the truth and John and his children can live in peace rather than scrutiny.
March 12, 2023
At its core, this book does a good job of detailing the facts of the JonBenét Ramsey murder. It lays bare the baffling stonewalling of the Boulder PD, starting in 1996 when the murder occurred and continuing to the present day. And it holds up Lou Smit as a shining example of a good cop and a good human being.
Unfortunately though, the book is exhaustingly repetitive, full of far too much extraneous detail. The timeline is jumbled and confusing, and this confusion is compounded by the many many names that are included even when they are utterly irrelevant to the murder.
It’s so puzzling, with all of the DNA the police have from JonBenét’s body, that they aren’t pursuing that angle vigorously; more and more cold cases are being solved this way. I truly hope that the efforts of the author, the Smit family, the Ramsey family, and others are successful and that justice can finally be found for JonBenét.
Unfortunately though, the book is exhaustingly repetitive, full of far too much extraneous detail. The timeline is jumbled and confusing, and this confusion is compounded by the many many names that are included even when they are utterly irrelevant to the murder.
It’s so puzzling, with all of the DNA the police have from JonBenét’s body, that they aren’t pursuing that angle vigorously; more and more cold cases are being solved this way. I truly hope that the efforts of the author, the Smit family, the Ramsey family, and others are successful and that justice can finally be found for JonBenét.
March 20, 2023
Great story but…….
I thought the point of the book was to emphasize the life of a lawman whose quest was to solve the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. The story gave the background of the author and how he interacted with the legendary lawman. I felt there was an overwhelming sense of the author’s accomplishments but that Lou Smit was treated rather superficially.
I thought the point of the book was to emphasize the life of a lawman whose quest was to solve the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. The story gave the background of the author and how he interacted with the legendary lawman. I felt there was an overwhelming sense of the author’s accomplishments but that Lou Smit was treated rather superficially.
March 20, 2023
The amount of both incorrect information as well as leaving out key parts that may point to the Ramsey’s being guilty is appalling. There are many, many things in this book presented as fact which is just plain wrong. Crazy.
July 11, 2024
A bit self serving, a lot of hero worship, a ton of confirmation bias, and a LOT of repetition. Yes, we get that Lou was a good cop, yes, he used a spreadsheet (searchable too! OMG) and had 632 slides.
Did I mention that he had 632 slides? And a spreadsheet!
Despite the obvious bias of the author, it is pretty clear that based on the evidence outlined in this book, the family could not be found guilty. That isn't the same as being innocent, but where I was previously leaning towards the family, now, I'm leaning the other way.
For an ex-cop, he uses the word 'proof' many times, when he actually means 'indicates'. A suitcase under a window is NOT proof, it is at best, an indication.
Ask Lindy Chamberlain if an innocent family can be guilty in the eyes of the public.
Did I mention that he had 632 slides? And a spreadsheet!
Despite the obvious bias of the author, it is pretty clear that based on the evidence outlined in this book, the family could not be found guilty. That isn't the same as being innocent, but where I was previously leaning towards the family, now, I'm leaning the other way.
For an ex-cop, he uses the word 'proof' many times, when he actually means 'indicates'. A suitcase under a window is NOT proof, it is at best, an indication.
Ask Lindy Chamberlain if an innocent family can be guilty in the eyes of the public.
July 4, 2024
I was convinced the family had nothing to do with JonBenets' death after John E. Douglas (who Holden from Mindhunter series is based on) stated his belief of their lack of involvement in one of his many books. Lou and JonBenet further solidified that belief. If you read this and continue to question the family and their involvement, maybe you are more interested in the drama and the debate of conspiracies over fact and evidence. And if you are unsatisfied, shift your narrowed eyes to the Boulder Police Department.
November 9, 2025
DNF…Lou & JonBenét — not since The Notebook have we seen a love this great. The real romance here is a beautiful love story between Lou and the author John Wesley Anderson. A tale so tender that you can practically see them ride off into the JBR sunset.
July 19, 2025
A little too much personal information about the author than the actual facts on the case. Nonetheless, learned a few things I didn’t already know in my 6 years of research on this case. Anderson does a good job honoring the incredible work Detective Lou Smit put into this now 29 year old unsolved murder.
March 3, 2023
This was meant to be an expose of who might have killed JonBenet Ramsey, according to the blurb, but it was mostly an accounting of the qualities of Lou Smit, the detective who took the case on as his life's work after the seemingly high level corruption going on in the Boulder Police Dept led to them focussing entirely on the Ramsey family in spite of evidence of an intruder. It was very repetitive, and extremely disappointing.
December 19, 2023
For anyone who doesn’t know, I’ve been quietly obsessed with JonBenet’s case since my early 20s. I’ve read multiple books from all different perspectives. This was a thorough description of one side of the case. I’m always hesitant to believe things 100% but if what the author says is true, I think it’s insane that the Boulder police are still refusing FBI or other help. Why wouldn’t they take advantage of advances in forensics and DNA analysis?? I don’t get it - there must be more to it.
January 14, 2024
Got this after listening to one of my favorite podcasts. Average writing; quick read except for the first few chapters which while serving to establish the writer’s history and relationship and history with the people in the book, could have been condensed (much like this sentence 🤪). Learned a bit more about the case in regard to the police department of Boulder and the other agencies responsible for this crime not being solved.
February 7, 2023
JonBenét Ramsey was murdered on the 25th December 1996. It was a huge case in Boulder, Colorado and to this day nobody has been held accountable for the murder of this six-year-old beauty pageant. Like most people I have followed the case and come up with my own theories of who murdered this innocent little girl in such a callous sadistic brutal fashion.
There was a ransom note found which was given to the first responding police. This case did not go right from the beginning and huge mistakes were made. The house was never secured as a crime scene, The police did not do a proper search of the house presuming JonBenét Ramsey had been abducted., Family and friends of the family were allowed into the home so cross contaminated the scene. They missed JonBenét body on the initial search and hours later John Ramsey JonBenét father unbelievably was asked to check the house once more without a police officer accompanying him. Sadly, John found his daughter in the basement bound, gagged, and strangled with a garrotte and also with an eight-inch skull fracture.
This book is written by John Wesley Anderson who with his partner Lou Smit’s where both in the police force and became best friends over the years. Sadly, Lou died of cancer but as he lived and breathe this case, he made sure that John and Lou’s children new all about his years of work and promised Lou they would keep the case alive in the public eye and Lou told John before he died that he believed one day that DNA will solve the case he has worked so hard to bring closure to.
Lou was originally brought in to help on the case by the Boulder DA. Lou spent years investigating and documenting JonBenét’s murder and Lou continued to work the case on his own time and believes so passionately that the victim needs to have their voices heard that Lou would have any DNA tested at his own expense to find justice for JonBenét.
Sadly, it did not take long for Lou to bump heads with the Bolder Colorado police who have blinkers on and refuse to admit their mistakes or listen to Lou’s theories. The bolder police have one goal only and believed that was to bring the parents John and Patti Ramsey to trial even though JonBenét has been raped and the Seamon which was found could not possibly be from a family member.
This book is so well researched and written and a must read for all true crime readers and Book clubs. After reading this book you will have a better understanding of this whole case. But the mistakes made by the bolder police are just staggering from day one. First the parents John and Patti where the main suspect and sadly today still are as far as the Boulder Colorado police are concerned. The arrogance by the police hierarchy refusing to help advance the case, also refusing to get the DNA retested with the advancement made since 1996 beggars' belief. To the Boston Police what do you have to hide admit your mistakes, learn, reopen, and reinvestigate properly this cold case and work as a team, listen as to how Lou thought the murder went down instead of just blocking the facts and theories at every move.
After Lou died in 2010 the Anderson and Smit family team was launched lead by John Wesley Anderson with retired detectives and the Ramsey family. They have spent decades waiting for an Answer as to who killed JonBenét Ramsey. Test the DNA so the killer can be identified and give the family closure and may JonBenét RIP. Thanks to WildBlue Press I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There was a ransom note found which was given to the first responding police. This case did not go right from the beginning and huge mistakes were made. The house was never secured as a crime scene, The police did not do a proper search of the house presuming JonBenét Ramsey had been abducted., Family and friends of the family were allowed into the home so cross contaminated the scene. They missed JonBenét body on the initial search and hours later John Ramsey JonBenét father unbelievably was asked to check the house once more without a police officer accompanying him. Sadly, John found his daughter in the basement bound, gagged, and strangled with a garrotte and also with an eight-inch skull fracture.
This book is written by John Wesley Anderson who with his partner Lou Smit’s where both in the police force and became best friends over the years. Sadly, Lou died of cancer but as he lived and breathe this case, he made sure that John and Lou’s children new all about his years of work and promised Lou they would keep the case alive in the public eye and Lou told John before he died that he believed one day that DNA will solve the case he has worked so hard to bring closure to.
Lou was originally brought in to help on the case by the Boulder DA. Lou spent years investigating and documenting JonBenét’s murder and Lou continued to work the case on his own time and believes so passionately that the victim needs to have their voices heard that Lou would have any DNA tested at his own expense to find justice for JonBenét.
Sadly, it did not take long for Lou to bump heads with the Bolder Colorado police who have blinkers on and refuse to admit their mistakes or listen to Lou’s theories. The bolder police have one goal only and believed that was to bring the parents John and Patti Ramsey to trial even though JonBenét has been raped and the Seamon which was found could not possibly be from a family member.
This book is so well researched and written and a must read for all true crime readers and Book clubs. After reading this book you will have a better understanding of this whole case. But the mistakes made by the bolder police are just staggering from day one. First the parents John and Patti where the main suspect and sadly today still are as far as the Boulder Colorado police are concerned. The arrogance by the police hierarchy refusing to help advance the case, also refusing to get the DNA retested with the advancement made since 1996 beggars' belief. To the Boston Police what do you have to hide admit your mistakes, learn, reopen, and reinvestigate properly this cold case and work as a team, listen as to how Lou thought the murder went down instead of just blocking the facts and theories at every move.
After Lou died in 2010 the Anderson and Smit family team was launched lead by John Wesley Anderson with retired detectives and the Ramsey family. They have spent decades waiting for an Answer as to who killed JonBenét Ramsey. Test the DNA so the killer can be identified and give the family closure and may JonBenét RIP. Thanks to WildBlue Press I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 5, 2025
I listened to John Wesley Anderson on a podcast and found him to be insightful and engaging so of course, I wanted to delve deeper into the book he was talking about….and boy oh boy do I feel duped!!! I’ve read many books about this case, watched documentaries and listened to podcasts so I thought it would be interesting to learn how investigating this case affected the lives of those who invested themselves in it and in this instance that person was Lou Smit. If you know this case you know that name. I’m very much on board with Lou’s theory that it was someone from the outside who came in - perhaps not an intruder as he states but a person known to the family. I also think that perhaps that person was still in the house as the initial searches within the properties took place and moved about from room to room during that time. HOWEVER, this book barely skimmed his investigation and only for a third of the book. It did not go into the depth I had hoped and the first section was irrelevant information about the author (who had a 30 year career in law enforcement) with a few anecdotes about previous cases both detectives worked - alone and together. I am not here for that! Overall this was hugely disappointing, brought nothing new to the table in terms of the Jonbenet Ramsey case and to end - there was far too much religious chat in this book! Incidentally, where WAS Jesus when a 6 year old was beaten, sexually assaulted and garotted on Christmas Day?! Enjoying his party?
May 11, 2023
Anyone that still questions the intruder theory....read this book. It clearly defines what was and was not found at the crime scene. More importantly, it defines the work that Lou Smit did on this case, specifically the spreadsheet he put together when he knew he was dying of cancer. His family and the Ramseys have been committed to examining the POIs on the spreadsheet and trying to get DNA tested. As Lou always said, "DNA will solve this case." If they could only get the BPD to finally comply or turn the case over to LE who will get the job done. Therein lies the reason why this case has never been solved.
January 26, 2025
Way too biased to give anything more than 2 stars. It took 100 pages for John to stop talking about how infatuated he was with Smit and how accomplished they both were. The middle of the book did talk about the evidence of the JonBenet case, but the ending went back to being a brag fest. This book didn’t feel like it was written for JonBenet. I do agree that there is evidence that points to a stun gun being involved, but you cannot say that with 100% confidence unless you found the stun gun or had the killer confess to using that to incapacitate her. The number of times I rolled my eyes while reading this is definitely higher than my star rating.
March 7, 2023
I remember when this sick evil murder happen and how huge this case was. I was barely 18 and was coming into this evil world as an adult. This was horriable and sad! Back then just being the age I was I never fully understand what why or how could anyone do such a thing. But the older I become I have seen the world in many different ways. This book will keep you up all night and at it all day reliving the news when it broke.
March 18, 2023
Great book which proves the innocence of the Ramsay family, and the deliberate refusal of the Colorado police dept, to help solve this case by allowing the DNA to be followed up to find the real killer. They refuse to admit they did a shoddy investigation, and till this day, insist it's the Ramseys even though DNA left on the body disproves that, among other obvious signs it's not the Ramseys. The Colorado PD were so arrogant they wouldn't even enlist the help of the FBI, even though this started out as a kidnapping.
January 17, 2025
Not a novel, rather an autopsy of the JonBenet murder/sexual assault in homage to his law enforcement mentor and friend, Lou Smit. I found it a tedious read due to the repetition and need to make the case on behalf of his deceased mentor. The question he raises, most appropriately, with all the advances in DNA testing, why hasn't the Boulder PD followed up with that.
December 30, 2023
This book was filled with so much information and details I never knew were investigated and ruled out. I pray for closure and justice for Jon Benet and her family. This book is a must read for anyone interested in this case. Excellent!!!
July 14, 2024
I remember being so angry at the lies and accusations against this poor grieving family. I already had lost confidence in the media reporting, and this tragedy cinched it. Times have not changed. Very interesting book.
June 18, 2025
I wanted to know more about Lou, he was such a smart kind man who fought for victims. Would have given it 5 stars but I feel the author made the story about himself then Lou. Hope Lou's tribe can finally find out who killed JonBenet.
December 19, 2023
Good information but dry
January 28, 2025
This is not a book that will put you to sleep. It is a very detailed account of the murder of Jon-Benet Ramsey and of the detective work being done to bring the murderer to justice. Very well done.
January 15, 2024
This book was a bit all over the place and at times hard to follow because of the amount of information it provides. I did enjoy getting to read some of the personal stories of the good people involved with this case.
January 24, 2025
It is one exceptionally written book explaining in details every single Q&A that comes to mind about this case. I have never met Detective Lou Smit, but after watching the Netflix documentary which then lead me to read this book, gives me a full sense of appreciation of a man like him. I really wished and would have liked that law enforcements could solve crimes with one thing in mind only, which is thinking of victims only without any personal gains in mind. Rest in power Sir Lou Smith.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews