Starkweather

The Untold Story of the Killing Spree That Changed America

By: Harry N. MacLean

Narrated by: William DeMeritt

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive story of Charles Starkweather, often considered to be the first mass killer in the modern age of America

On January 21, 1958, nineteen-year-old Charles Starkweather changed the course of crime in the United States when he murdered the parents and sister of his fourteen-year-old girlfriend (and possible accomplice), Caril Ann Fugate, in a house on the edge of Lincoln, Nebraska. They then drove to the nearby town of Bennet, where a farmer was robbed and killed. When Starkweather’s car broke down, the teenagers who stopped to help were murdered and jammed into a storm cellar. By the time the dust settled, ten innocent people were dead and the city of Lincoln was in a state of terror. Schools closed. Men with rifles perched on the roofs of their houses. The National Guard patrolled the street. If there is a cultural version of PTSD, the town suffered from it.

Starkweather and Fugate’s capture and arrest, and the resulting trials about the killing spree, received worldwide coverage. The event would serve as the inspiration for the movie Natural Born Killers and Springsteen’s iconic album Nebraska. Today, the story has dropped far from the national consciousness. With new material, new reporting, and new conclusions about the possible guilt or innocence of Fugate, the tale is ripe for an updated and definitive retelling. In Starkweather, bestselling author Harry N. MacLean tells the story of this shocking event and its lasting impact, a crime spree that struck deep into the heart of the heartland.

©2023 Harry N. MacLean (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“MacLean offers the most comprehensive work to date on the horrific murder spree launched in Nebraska by nineteen-year-old Charles Starkweather. As a community insider, MacLean presents a convincing case that the myth of teenage lovers on a murderous lark must be remedied. True-crime fans will be enthralled.”—Dr. Katherine Ramsland, professor of forensic psychology and award-winning author of Confession of a Serial Killer

Brilliant prose here

Harry is smart and
deep. So is his book. Author featured on Ep 187 of The Craig Silverman Show.

The impact going back to the author’s past.

Presentation of all the facts was fair and balanced even though the author had formed his own opinion.

Well-written account

This was an interesting and well written, thorough account of the Nebraska murder that offers a thorough cultural understanding of the time and place. The author also contextualized the murders within current contexts. I appreciated his personal story of growing up in the same region which added depth to the narrative.

Very compelling true crime story!

Having been born and raised in Nebraska, this book brings much more depth and insight into the 60 year old tragedy. A very good read and listen.

Very detailed and fair account

For the true crime buff that loves diving into the law, the psychology, and the case- this book is for you. It was extremely well researched. And while the author does give his opinions, he is very fair in presenting both sides of the case so that the reader can have all the facts. Would highly recommend for the true crime fan who loves to dive into the details. If you are looking for just simply a thrilling book, this might not be the one for you, although the case itself as written is extremely thrilling as well as shocking and sad. The narrator did a wonderful job as well.

Good story, bad pronunciations

The material was interesting and the book was engaging. Unfortunately, the narrator mispronounced several place names, which was very distracting.

Excellent

The various perspectives to the same events was very interesting and kept my attention throughout.

solid

stories about small towns can be better if the writer has a personal connection to the place. I think that factor enhanced what is a solid and complete well written account of the story. definitely worth the credit.

Redundant

Could have been a lot shorter. Hearing the same exact story repeatedly got annoying. The topic was interesting though.

65 years ago...

Interesting how laws and traditions change to help girls like Carol but even 65 years later, they turn full circle with same arguments in court cases. Perhaps, Carol understood she would be just another victim in this book if she didn't do something to survive.