Depraved by Harold Schechter
A friend lent me a bunch of real crime books by Harold Schechter, and this is the first I’ve read. It’s pretty good. As he said, it’s not good writing, not great writing. Certainly entertaining. There are a few flaws some by the author and some one account of the material.
H. H. Holmes, a pseudonym of Herman Webster Mudget, was the first real serial killer in the US. Reports vary as to exactly how many he killed, estimates range from a low undisputed number of nine, to as many as several hundred. The story starts in Chicago around the time of the Columbian Exposition (1894), when Holmes built a “castle” in suburban Chicago with a floor plan designed to facilitate murder. The book concentrates primarily on murders of Pitezel family members: Benjamin, father and accomplice in the swindels; and children Alice, Nellie, and Howard.
The book gives an idea but does not concentrate on the cruelty and viciousness of the crimes and that, I think, is a detriment. While I’m not looking for a blow by blow (so to speak) account of the crimes, the reader only gets indications of just how bad this was. There is also little to give an idea of the sheer numbers of people he killed. (Holmes is also written about in The Devil in the White City.) Schechter does, however, give a very good and clear account of the beguiling nature of Holmes and his ability to talk anybody into anything. Plus there are clear examples of just how pathologically impossible it was for Holmes to the the truth about anything.
The most annoying aspect of the author’s writing style is his penchant for trying to end every (very short) chapter with some sort of cliffhanger. Like little did they realize the monster in their midst or but the little boy never appeared or then he led her away to join her sister. But once the chase is on, the style does eventually settle down. Schechter does give a most excellent account of the manhunt by the investigators hunting for him for the original insurance fraud which eventually led to Holmes’ undoing.
The second shortcoming of a book like this is caused by the very nature of the material. People like Holmes operate in secret, consequently, not a lot is written or known about their early lives so it simply cannot be documented and is left to conjecture. The simple fact that the number of people he killed varies by hundreds is testament to that. It would be nice to know more, but it’s simply not possible. It is surprizing, though, that someone like Holmes, whos trial held the nation in thrall for months could be so completely forgotten a hundred years later, while Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper, who killed far fewer people, are remembered to this day.
Still, it’s a good, easy read and not really very gruesome. There are many more gruesome things on network tv and video games. But again, this is real which makes all the difference.
June 21st, 2006 at 10:24 am
I’ve wanted to read his “Deviant”, because one can never get enough Ed Gein. :^o What other ones did you borrow?
June 21st, 2006 at 10:32 am
I just started that one this morning. I read Depraved first because I was going to P’town and it was a trade paperback and I could pack it easier. Deviant is a larger format, so I didn’t want to stick in in luggage that was going to be manhandled on the truck. I’m also interested in the Columbian Exposition (for other reasons).
I also got Deranged and Fiend and a biography of Agatha Christie.
June 21st, 2006 at 11:17 am
Woe. Albert Fish. Sick f**k extraordinaire.
June 24th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
Um, I never heard of Albert Fish.
I read that wikipedia link. I feel like eating human flesh. Wait, no I don’t feel like eating human flesh, but what are these long needles doing in my groin. No wait, that’s not what I mean at all. When’s the next boat to China?
Thanks for the reading tips. Sounds like “thrilling” page turners and nothing says Beach Vacation like a couple well-thumbed true crime books.
June 25th, 2006 at 11:45 am
Deviant by Harold Schecher…
[amazon] [MBLN]
The story of Ed Gein (pron. “Geen”), the basis for Norman Bates, Leatherface, and probably a dozen other horror characters. In the ultra-rural backwater of Plainfield, Wisconsin, Ed Gein kills, flays, and grave robs for more…
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:55 pm
I have read Depraved, Deviant, and Deranged.
Fascinating books. Ed Gein I had heard a lot about before reading the book, but Albert Fish and Herman Mudget I had not heard of. 2 of the most vicious twisted people I have read about.
June 24th, 2007 at 9:45 am
[...] story of H.H. Holmes, one of the earliest known mass murderers in American history. I’ve read about Holmes before. This adds some interesting details about his time in Chicago and the “castle” he built [...]