House of Evil

The Indiana Torture Slaying

De: John Dean

Narrado por: John Glouchevitch

In the heart of Indianapolis in the mid-1960s, through a twist of fate and fortune, a pretty young girl came to live with a 37-year-old mother and her seven children. What began as a temporary childcare arrangement between Sylvia Likens's parents and Gertrude Baniszewski turned into a crime that would haunt cops, prosecutors, and a community for decades to come.

When police found Sylvia's emaciated body, with a chilling message carved into her flesh, they knew that she had suffered tremendously before her death. Soon they would learn how many others - including some of Baniszewski's own children - participated in Sylvia's murder, and just how much torture had been inflicted in one house of evil.

©2008 John Dean (P)2016 Tantor

John Dean ruins the start

3 chapters of him talking BS about his book. I get it he wanted to explain but shut the hell up already. He’s annoying. I didn’t like his voice either. Not the right narrator for sure. Book amazing.

Cruelty beyond imagination

Some of the sickest human behavior I've ever heard of. So many people overlooked the obvious. This should never ever happen in a country like the US. Hard to fanthom but if you want to hear just how evil "normal" people can be then listen to this shit.

excellent telling of a horrific crime.

we should never let go of the memory of this child, nor the lesson learned

Good summary

This book gave a good summary of the events that occurred in the case, including court proceedings and outcomes.

Well Written

A horrible true story that should have never happened. I think Gertrude should have had a worse punishment along with the children that she manipulated into abusing and killing the girl.

Horrific

The story itself is something that has and will continue to haunt my nightmares. The writing in this story is magnificent because it captures the horrors of the story and the facts. It is the perfect balance between capturing the audience with a captivating story while still sticking to the facts and avoiding embarrassments. Rest In Peace dear Sylvia, May your soul always be protected.

Good Book

I remembered hearing about this when it happened. I was 15yrs.old. I am still shocked to this day about the cruelty and unbelievable torture this girl endured. What a horrible, horrible crime....and many children were involved in the crime of torture to this poor girl too

Heartbreaking

Sylvia's story leaves a mark on our hearts. Someone, anyone, could have helped her.

Great Retelling of a Horrible Tragedy

Do NOT read if your are faint of heart. The very true crime story of Sylvia Likens is a heart breaking and disturbing one. 💔

I think the author did a tremendous amount of work and research into this case (besides actually being present during its proceedings), and a tasteful retelling of a story that needed to be known. Sylvia deserves to have her story told.

My only gripe is a personal one; too much lead-in to the court room setup. I understand this is an important part of the story and Sylvia's justice. But it really is just the introductions of the attorneys, judge, and jury that is too drawn out for my liking. Very dry. I found myself wanting to skip ahead but decided against it.

Besides this later part in the book, it picks right back up with a heart jolting description of testimonials and juror interactions. Very good read, I do recommend to my true crime fanatics! 👍

One of the most sadistic true crime stories I’ve read

I’ve read “The Girl Next Door” and watched “An American Crime” which cover the crime itself, but this book, written by a reporter who was there covering the trial, offers insight into what happened in the courtroom.

Sylvia’s story remains one of the saddest, most sadistic true crime stories I’ve ever read, but Dean does so in a concise and respectful way.

Very well written and worth the read.