The Man with the Candy

By: Jack Olsen

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A full account of the most heinous crime of the century in which nearly 30 young boys were sexually tortured to death.

©1974 Su Olsen / Evan Olsen (P)2018 Su Olsen / Evan Olsen

I will look for more narrations by Kevin Pierce

This read has a strong start and a strong end. There were lulls in the middle for setting the scene I could have done with less of but overall this was a fascinating, dark and disturbing story that I would recommend to any Murderino.

NOT a Sweet Story

This book is a true crime story. I hope that this story can open some eyes and ask the question Do we really know who children hand out with? I enjoy listening to Kevin Pierce read books written by Jack Olsen. This author writes true events in a methodical way allowing the reader to easily understand when and how the story took place. The narration is excellent! The evil people in this book actually manipulated the children and adults around them into thinking they were good After their arrest and bodies found, there were still people sticking to the false integrity these monsters portrayed. This book was given to me by the narrator for an unbiased review

A very sad story that highlights the early 70's

Even though I was a young child at the time, I recall some parts of this story fairly well. Listening to the descriptions of time and life during this period reminded me of what it was like growing up in Houston back then.

whether or not it is the author's intention, I find myself wanting to mail research some of the unanswered questions that came to mind during the reading of this book. this is certainly one of the least known mass murder events that occurred during my lifetime so it was refreshing to find a book that contains such detail and was interesting as well.

Honest. Sensitive. Deeply moving.

Olsen avoids the easy headline approach to one of the most brutal series of murders in history, and instead gives us a true and understanding portrait of the individuals and the times. This book is about the people far more than it is about the gruesome details of the murders.

Olsen paints an amazingly true and insightful portrait of Houston that I remember from those times, of the neighborhood where the victims lived and of those who peopled it. It may read as a bit dated to some people who don't have a memory of those times. The book has a wealth of information and research even though it was published only 2 years after the trials. It is a sensitive and enriching read.

I remember when these murders were uncovered in Houston while I was growing up not far away. At the time, even the idea of 'homosexual' was in the closet, hidden and unacknowledged in the culture of that place and time. I well remember some of the parents of victims absolutely rejecting the fate the befell their son, walking out of the trial after hearing horrific details of the rapes and deaths, and telling reporters that their boy was not a murder victim but was still alive and missing and would return home some day.

For those that may be worried about reading the details of the torture other than rape that was inflicted on the victims, it is merely mentioned one time near the end of the book. In the last portion of the book the author reveals what happened to the victims, but does not linger over it.

Underwhelmed

I love reading true crimes. Sadly to say, already knowing the case history before reading this book by a phenomenal author,, it was underwhelming. Too much area history and not enough details on the crimes committed. I wouldn’t give up on the author, but this title was disappointing.

Excellent!!

Thought I knew a lot about the case, but learned a ton and was totally engaged throughout.

Watch out for the nice ones

This was excellently written and while I may not agree with the underlying worldview of the author, it certainly drove home the tragedy of the marginalized in a busy world where “money talks.” Nothing has changed, though we may like to think so. What hits home is the helpless despair of the parents of these missing boys...they tried to get law enforcement interested, but it was a wild time in American history, and the concerns of parents were considered old-fashioned and alarmist. Drug use is as usual the underlying culprit that makes it possible for this particular serial killer to carry out his perverted fantasies...In any case, a very sad read, harrowing for all these parents who waited so long for answers and are still waiting probably. Also, the killer’s mother is a real piece of work. Wait for her take on the whole thing in the last chapter if you want to know where her son learned how to con people.

Bone Chilling

Jack Olsen is simply the best and he presents another excellent example of why he is the king of true crime.

As a native houstonian this story resonates

great narration. told the story without glorifying the crimes. focused on lives, not deaths.

Good story

This was a good story with great narration. This story highlights some of the all too common problems with a lot of law enforcement officers and how once they have there mind set it rarely changes regardless of the facts.