Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher: Hunting a Serial Killer at the Dawn of Modern Criminology

Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher: Hunting a Serial Killer at the Dawn of Modern Criminology

18.86 $

Dive into the dark heart of 1930s Cleveland with “Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher,” a gripping true crime narrative by Max Allan Collins and A. Brad Schwartz. Fresh off his triumph over Al Capone, legendary lawman Eliot Ness arrives in the Rust Belt, only to confront a series of horrifying murders. A serial killer, dubbed the “Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run,” is dismembering victims, leaving a trail of terror that threatens to derail Cleveland’s aspirations for a brighter future. This book meticulously reconstructs Ness’s relentless pursuit of the elusive butcher, showcasing the birth of modern criminology amidst a backdrop of corruption, economic hardship, and the shadows of the Great Depression. Experience a haunting portrait of a city on the brink and the untold story of Eliot Ness’s most challenging and ultimately unsolved case. Discover the chilling details and the frustrating political interference that plagued Ness’s investigation. This book, published by Mariner Books, provides unique insight into the early days of criminal profiling and is perfect for fans of true crime, and historical thrillers. ISBN-13: 9780062881984.

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“The thrilling history of the torso murderer. The tale of the Untouchable who got Al Capone but failed to solve his goriest case.” Dan Jones, The Sunday Times
In the spirit of Devil in the White City comes a true detective tale of the highest standard: the haunting story of Eliot Ness’s forgotten final casehis years-long hunt for “The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run,” a serial killer who terrorized Cleveland through the Great Depression.
After helping to put Al Capone behind bars, lawman Eliot Ness came to Cleveland, where he did battle with a vicious killer. … Even Ness was stumped trying to apprehend the torso murderer responsible for a series of ghoulish killings. … The authors have done Ness justice.” Wall Street Journal
In 1934, the nations most legendary crime-fighterfresh from taking on the greatest gangster in American historyarrived in Cleveland, a corrupt and dangerous town about to host a world’s fair. It was to be his coronation, as well as the city’s. Instead, terror descended, as headless bodies started turning up. The young detective, already battling the mob and crooked cops, found his drive to transform American policing subverted by a menace largely unknown to law enforcement: a serial murderer.
Eliot Ness’s greatest case had begun.
Now, Max Allan Collins and A. Brad Schwartzthe acclaimed writing team behind Scarface and the Untouchableuncover this lost crime epic, delivering a gripping and unforgettable nonfiction account based on decades of groundbreaking research.
Ness had risen to fame in 1931 for leading the Untouchables, which helped put Chicagos Al Capone behind bars. As Cleveland’s public safety director, in charge of the police and fire departments, Ness offered a radical new vision for better law enforcement. Crime-ridden and devastated by the Depression, Cleveland was preparing for a star-turn itself: in 1936, it would host the “Great Lakes Exposition,” which would be visited by seven million people. Late in the summer of 1934, however, pieces of a womans body began washing up on the Lake Erie shorefirst her ribs, then part of her backbone, then the lower half of her torso. The body count soon grew to five, then ten, then more, all dismembered in gruesome ways.
As Ness zeroed in on a suspecta doctor tied to a prominent political familypowerful forces thwarted his quest for justice. In this battle between a flawed hero and a twisted monsterby turns horror story, political drama, and detective thrillerCollins and Schwartz find an American tragedy, classic in structure, epic in scope.

Uncover the chilling true story of Eliot Ness's most challenging and ultimately, unsolved case with "Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher: Hunting a Serial Killer at the Dawn of Modern Criminology," a gripping non-fiction thriller by Max Allan Collins and A. Brad Schwartz. Best known for bringing down Al Capone and his infamous Chicago Outfit, Eliot Ness arrived in Cleveland in 1934, heralded as a hero ready to clean up the city's rampant corruption and revitalize its struggling police force. Cleveland, preparing to host the prestigious Great Lakes Exposition, envisioned Ness as a symbol of a brighter future. However, a series of gruesome and baffling murders soon plunged the city into a state of terror, testing Ness's skills and resolve like never before. Dubbed the "Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run," the serial killer terrorized Cleveland during the Great Depression, leaving a trail of dismembered bodies along the shores of Lake Erie and in the city's impoverished Kingsbury Run neighborhood. The victims, often unidentified and from the fringes of society, were meticulously dissected, and their heads were never found, presenting a uniquely horrifying challenge for Ness and his team. As the body count rose, the pressure mounted on Ness to catch the elusive killer, facing not only the gruesome nature of the crimes but also political interference and public panic. Collins and Schwartz delve deep into the historical records, police files, and contemporary news accounts to reconstruct Ness's relentless pursuit of the Mad Butcher. They paint a vivid picture of Cleveland in the 1930s, a city grappling with economic hardship, political corruption, and the pervasive influence of organized crime. The book explores the innovative forensic techniques employed by Ness and his investigators, highlighting the early days of modern criminology and the challenges they faced in a time before DNA evidence and advanced profiling methods. But "Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher" is more than just a true crime story; it's a character study of a flawed but determined hero facing his ultimate test. The book reveals the personal toll the case took on Ness, as he battled not only a ruthless killer but also his own demons and the limitations of the criminal justice system. As Ness closed in on potential suspects, including a doctor from a prominent family, he encountered powerful forces that seemed determined to thwart his investigation, raising questions about corruption and cover-ups within the city's elite. Praised by critics for its meticulous research, gripping narrative, and insightful portrayal of Eliot Ness, this book offers a compelling and haunting account of a forgotten chapter in American crime history. Perfect for fans of true crime, historical thrillers, and stories of law enforcement, "Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher" is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the dark side of the American Dream and the enduring legacy of one of America's most legendary crime fighters. Discover the dark secrets of Cleveland's past and the untold story of Eliot Ness's greatest, and most frustrating, case. This Mariner Books edition is a paperback, containing 576 pages and weighs 413 grams. Published in 2021, its ISBN-13 is 9780062881984. Authors Max Allan Collins and A. Brad Schwartz also collaborated on 'Scarface and the Untouchable.' Dive into this epic battle between a flawed hero and a twisted monster, a classic American tragedy.
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,

Binding

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ISBN-10

0062881981

ISBN-13

9780062881984

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Pages

576

Publisher

Year published

Weight

413

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