John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster

By: Sam L. Amirante, Danny Broderick

Narrated by: Robin Bloodworth

Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

For the first time Gacy’s lawyer and confidant tells his chilling tale of how he defended an American serial killer.

“Sam, could you do me a favor?”

Thus begins a story that has now become part of America's true-crime hall of fame. It is a gory, grotesque tale befitting a Stephen King novel. It is also a David and Goliath saga - the story of a young lawyer fresh from the public defender's office whose first client in private practice turns out to be the worst serial killer in our nation's history. This is a gripping true crime narrative that reenacts the gruesome killings and the famous trial that shocked a nation.

©2012 Sam L. Amirante and Danny Broderick (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Ultimately an excellent listen

This audiobook ultimately rated 4 stars, although I did have some issues with it. However for the most part I was enthralled by the narrative of Gacy's defense lawyer's quest to give his client a fair trial. Most of it was extremely well written, and both interesting and engaging, even for someone familiar with this case. I found myself more interested in the defense lawyer's experiences than I would have expected. It is a bit of a shame that only a couple of murders were dealt with in any detail, although one senses that the authors wanted to refrain from repeating what had been written many times before. The book could have done with some editing most notably the last 2 hours which almost exclusively dealt with the closing arguments of both defense and prosecution. This entire section could have been cut, and made me less enthusiastic about a full star review. Another point I found irritating was the constant repetition of the author's argument that Gacy deserved a fair trial. I thought that the authors made a rather convincing and elegant argument in the introduction, based on the American Constitution's insurance of a fair trial for everyone, no matter how repugnant (as Gacy was). But the authors return again and again to re-word this argument and it beleaguered the point. I couldn't help thinking: Sir, thou doth protest too much! However the absolute BEST thing about this audiobook was the standout performance given by Robin Bloodworth. His portrayal of Gacy's confession to his lawyers was outstanding and riveting. He must surely have studied Gacy's affectations as he nailed it perfectly. On the whole this was an excellent book, and well worth the listen. Recommended!

42 of 45 people found this review helpful

After Having Read Many Books On Serial Killers...

I came to the one I had been avoiding. Given the nature of his crimes, I find Gacy to be the most disgusting of the disgusting, and even thinking about what he did is not easy. This book is not easy. But it is professional, reportorial, direct. There are, mercifully, no attempts at sensationalism or inflating the importance of the unspeakable evil that was Gacy.

32 of 36 people found this review helpful

It's never what you think

I thought this would go into more detail about the legal process, but it kind of skimmed over the trial. The book mainly talked about JWG's quirks and personality problems, which was interesting enough. It didn't get too much into the gory details, which I appreciated.

One thing I didn't like, the attorney writing this often paused to wrap himself in the American Flag and rhapsodize about the right to a fair trial- A sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with, but he didn't need to beat it into the ground.

32 of 36 people found this review helpful

Defense of a monster

What did you love best about John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster?

I really enjoyed the smooth tone of Robin Bloodworth, his voice was easy on the ears.

What was one of the most memorable moments of John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster?

The fact that we heard a pretty decent description of what it is like to defend someone so sick. I have always wondered how someone could take on a case like this and now I know. Did John Wayne Gacy deserve the best defense I don't know but in America this is what we pride ourselves on I guess.

Which scene was your favorite?

I cannot answer that question just relief there was no question on whether this guy was indeed guilty, that made it easier knowing he wouldn't walk away from the carnage he left behind.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A lot of sadness for the parents that lost there sons to this sadistic four letter word.

Any additional comments?

I would feel compelled to justify my defense of a criminal such as Gacy if I had been his defense attorney. Glad he wrote a book, he seemed to be a reasonable enough guy someone had to do the job. I also have to say I am relieved this book did not cover to many gory details making the book stomach-able, when I purchased the book I was prepared to shut it off if it got to personal on the horrible details it was moderate on that level.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

What a bizarre person.

Would you consider the audio edition of John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster to be better than the print version?

Robin Bloodworth's performance definitely sets the audio version apart from the print.

What other book might you compare John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster to and why?

Being my first listen of a serial killer I can't make that comparison.

What about Robin Bloodworth’s performance did you like?

Bloodworth's voices and accents allow the listener to distinguish between the characters. The voice of "Gacy" is chilling. This was Bloodworth's first performance in my library, it most certainly will not be the last. Incredible.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Wait for the DVD!

Any additional comments?

I was drawn in immediately upon starting the audio and I could not wait to turn it back on. After the trial began I found myself wanting to skip ahead. At times there are aspects of the trial that are redundant and mundane.

12 of 14 people found this review helpful

Don't let the description fool you

This book does not re-enact any of the killings, in fact it lacks the gory details we tend to find in most books about the lives and deeds of serial killers. As someone who is fascinated by the psychology of these minds, I was truly looking forward to some insight from Gacy's 1st attorney. (One that Gacy himself would later refer to as inept).

This is typical attorney blah blah. There is very little insight into Gacy or the case, and a lot of self important blathering about a young attorney's first client. As the author himself writes in the postscript, there is nothing in this book that hasn't been said somewhere else so he is not violating privilege. There are in fact many more other published pieces that focus more on Gacy, the crimes, and his personality than this book. I kept waiting for it to get better, to hear something shocking, or revealing......and it never happened. I found myself running details of the crimes gathered from other sources over the narration of this book because it was so lacking in detail.

It comes off being a self important missive by a braggart about his first case, which oddly enough, is the same way he referred to Gacy. Funny don't you think?

The only redeeming quality to this book is the authors open mindedness regarding homosexuality. That it is not a choice, but a defect in the body / brain wiring. Ie Right person wrong body. Sadly, that is the only thing I found redeeming about this book.

If you want a more accurate insight into Gacy, read The Serial Killer Whisperer, though be warned, you can't unhear that book and it is truly frightening.

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

This guy is a piece of work...the lawyer not Gacy

This book was really kind of gross, and not for the reasons you might think. Yes, Gacy is a disturbed man who committed heinous acts of violence against children. But the lawyer seems like a piece of sh*t. Unnecessary hateful comments about a transwoman who testifies against Gacy (describing her trans identity as on par with Gacy's lies) and a macho, old school attorney attitude that tries to be self deprecating but just comes across as cocky. Very little insight into the actual crimes and even the court case doesn't linger in the memory. I quit listening.

The narrator doesn't make things much better - he tries his best but has a curious habit of sighing his words out like he's bored or exhausted. It was rather irritating but, ironically, matched the character of the attorney.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Kind of drawn out

I gave this book an overall rate of 4 stars because the information in it was so good. However, when the authors start the trial part of the book, especially from the closing arguments & on, it felt extremely drawn out. It was almost like they needed the book to be a specific length & started stretching the end to meet that length. Overall still a very good book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Below average.

What disappointed you about John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster?

Sadly what could have been an engrossing true crime book turned out to be a below average attempt on the part of the author. I was immediately annoyed with the insertion of what Gacy's last victim was thinking minutes before he was murdered... really? How did the author come up with the thoughts of the poor victim? I thought this was a true crime book, not historical fiction. I was also put off by the amount of bleeding heart preaching done on the part of the author (Gacy's attorney). What more can be expected from a Chicago trial lawyer? Though there was some new light shed in this book, the overall performance left much to be desired.

Has John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

Would you be willing to try another one of Robin Bloodworth’s performances?

Perhaps. But, I have to admit that it seemed more appropriate to hear "This is a Librivox recording", rather than, "This is Audible". There were some distracting long pauses in the middle of sentences and then an ejaculatory finishing of the sentence, for example... "The detectives walked across........THE STREET". This sort of thing was a real bother at first but I got used to it after a few hours.

What character would you cut from John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster?

John Wayne Gacy. It would have been better if he'd never been born.

Any additional comments?

The book wasn't complete trash, but it was a big disappointment.

10 of 14 people found this review helpful

do waste your money

I wish I could give this book a good review but I cannot. This book is more about court defense then the actual crime which would have been okay if the author wouldn't have been detailed with Q&A for 20 minutes., naming ever detail. It was boring and poorly written, with the narrator trying to sound like john.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Horrible writing

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I thought this book was for me. I wanted to get some insight into what would cause a man to kill 33 teenagers. Instead I had to listen to the authors long winded essay for an English 101 course (make that English 98 course).

What was most disappointing about Sam L. Amirante and Danny Broderick ’s story?

They moved away from the story. There were more accounts about bar room brawls, the flowing black gown of the judge and his glistening glasses. I had to stop listening because I'm sure a sex scene by the author would emerge.

What character would you cut from John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster?

The author who interjects himself into horrible story and poorly tries to make himself the author of the century, rather than writing about one of Americas worst serial killer. I could care less that you were the one that drank only 1 beer on a night out, and that the reporter was asleep during the brawl. What in the heck does that have to do with John Wayne Gacy!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Bizarre

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes. No. Yes. It's absurd.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

That the author is more insane than John Wayne Gacy. So self congratulatory it's unreal, similar anecdotes over and over, never stopping to remind you of their (attorneys') popularity and fame, their preparedness for the case, how they were always getting one over on other people. It reads like Alan Partidge had written it. I genuinely began to feel sorry for John Wayne Gacy.

Very little about the victims themselves and who they were. It's mostly about John Wayne Gacy, then pretty much the attorneys.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

A bit drawn out.

Do you think John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The author's should never be allowed to write again.

Any additional comments?

I really don't recommend it as a piece of work but it's so odd that it's worth listening to.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

First part - great. Second part - dull

Definitely a book of two halves. The first describing Gacy's lifestyle, crimes and capture is fascinating though clearly somewhat embellished in places (ie, he tells us what some of the victims were thinking!). The second half of the book concerns Gacy's trial and rather than focus on the detail of the case, there is far too much spiel about the various lawyers' personalities and the legal technicalities of the trial. It really falls down when the author repeatedly harps on about how the American Justice System is the best in the world, and even claims at one point it was only because it was so good Gacy was convicted. This, despite earlier detailing how Gacy at one point confessed his crimes to almost anyone who happened to be passing his cell!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Superb narration.

Couldn't fault the narration, familiar story retold from a different view point. Robin Bloodworth is a genius at conveying character. His voice paints a vivid picture. Well written, without jargon or BS. Pleasure to listen to.

Great story and very well told.

Really interesting to hear from a different perspective. Not often you get the defensive corner told. Particularly when they lose the case. This story is about justice.

interesting

Interesting but overlong,struggled to get through till to the end but narration good and if you can get to finish it good insight into Gacey.

A Monster Indeed

Where does John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best audiobooks I've listened too so far. Coming from each angle of the crazy case of John Wayne Gacy. From the man himself to the guys trying to defend him. I particularly enjoyed the narrator for this as he kept me gripped to the end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster?

How the smallest thing unravelled the whole case and brought down the monsters killing spree.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Gacy finally admits to his lawyers all the things he's done and how his persona immediately changes.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

John Wayne Gacy, the Cook County killer clown.

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth a listen, the hours this audiobook took from my life were well spent and flew by with utter fascination and shock.

really interesting

Great book, really interesting with a great balance between the crimes themselves and the courtroom drama. Also the narration was great, one of the beat I've heard. Highly recommended.

well worth a read

Love this book....listen to it time and time again....novel take coming from the defence side of things....give it a go

Very detailed account of a very evil crazy maniac

Would you listen to John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster again? Why?

Excellent detailed storytelling and well worth the money.

What other book might you compare John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster to, and why?

I would compare this book to 'The Iceman'