Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi

 

 

Reviewed by Ben

 

Summary: an amazingly-detailed account of the Manson family murders, telling the history of the family, Manson's wild motive for the killings, and the exhausting journey of bringing the killers to justice.

 

I recently read Helter Skelter, the definitive account of the Manson Family saga, written by Vincent Bugliosi, who represented the State of California as prosecutor on the case. Before reading this book, I was only aware of some basic facts of the Manson family murders: that Charles Manson had not actually committed the murders himself, but instead had followers-over whom he had incredible control-which he commanded to do the deeds. Since Manson represented a major moment in the history of US popular culture, I wanted to know more. I was also in the mood for some true crime reading, so where better to start?

 

 Helter Skelter did not disappoint. The book pulled me in immediately, keeping me awake late into the night as I cruised through what was some pretty heavy reading, more than 600 pages crammed with details. I was enthralled by the wide span of the Manson family's activities, the bizarre nature of the cult leader's motive for the killings and the long, hard fight to bring the Manson family down.

 

First, I came into this book only knowing about the Sharon Tate murders. Bugliosi's account includes tons of details behind the Manson family's infamy, which-locally at the time-stemmed from various events and mysteries that preceded the well-known Tate murders. An auto theft ring. Various minor thefts and frauds. Breaking and entering as a way to practice entering homes undetected. Myriad threats to various people who stood between Manson and what he wanted. Other murders. Attempted murders. Kidnapping. Suspicious suicides. The Manson family was bad news, long before the killing spree that made them famous. The history of their exploits made for fascinating reading.

 

Another thing I didn't understand before reading Helter Skelter was the motive for the Tate murders. The story behind what drove Manson to send his followers on their deadly mission was wilder than I could have guessed. Born from Manson's white supremacist beliefs, god complex and jealousy of successful entertainers (Manson was a failed musician whose work was rejected by recording studios), Helter Skelter was the cult leader's vision of an apocalyptic race war that would upend the world order and see the Manson Family installed as the world's rulers. The only thing needed was a spark to start the conflagration, which Manson and his followers were to provide. Bugliosi sketched out the story behind Manson's grand plan and how he got there, revealing a twisted vision so strange that it might not go over well as fiction.

 

The last major piece of the book was Bugliosi's account of the legal proceedings against the Manson family. As brutal as the murders were, the odds were against the prosecution in many ways. Sloppy police work, uncooperative detectives, inter-departmental rivalries, lost evidence, unreliable witnesses, intimidation, a relentlessly-filibustering defense attorney and Manson's control over his co-defendants all came together in a way that made it a near-miracle the killers-and Manson himself-were brought to justice. Helter Skelter reads like a triumph of the American legal system, the bravery and skill of the prosecution prevailing over the shameless desperation of the defense and the terrifying tactics enacted by Manson family members who were still roaming free outside the courthouse.

 

Vincent Bugliosi's Helter Skelter is a must-read book. It serves as a comprehensive course on a dark chapter of American popular culture. The book also provides great insight into the workings of a murder investigation and court room procedures. Helter Skelter has a lot to offer.

Nevermore Notes: The Harbor, Sunlit Weapon, Other Doctor Gilmer, Yellow House

 

Reported by Garry

 

The Harbor by Katrine Engberg is a Nordic noir novel set in and around the seamy underbelly of Copenhagen. This third entry in the Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner series sees our two investigators try to find a missing fifteen-year-old boy who has disappeared leaving behind only a cryptic note – was he kidnapped or did he run away? Our reader, who is a fan of other Nordic noir authors like Jo Nesbo, said that there were a lot of characters in this novel which proved somewhat confusing, but overall this was an exciting, tight, and well-written book that she thoroughly enjoyed.  NH

 

 

A Sunlit Weapon is the latest Maisie Dobbs novel by Jacqueline Winspear. Set in October 1942, this thriller sees Maisie aiding in the investigation of the shooting of a female ferry pilot. The pilot was delivering a Supermarine Spitfire (the fastest, most maneuverable fighter aircraft in the world at the time) to Biggin Hill Aerodrome. Maisie’s husband is an attaché at the American embassy and is coordinating a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the United States and a high-profile target for German assassins. These two storylines converge and intertwine in this fast-paced tale of mystery and spy-craft, which comes highly recommended by our reader. WJ

 

The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, A Murder, and an Unlikely Fight for Justice by Benjamin Gilmer is a fascinating and powerful true-crime/medical mystery set just “over the hills” in Brevard, North Carolina. When Dr. Benjamin Gilmer comes to town to take over the practice of Dr. Vince Gilmer, he starts to find out that the long-time and most beloved Dr. Gilmer was convicted of the horrific killing and mutilation of his own father. Benjamin becomes obsessed with finding out what would cause this seemingly kind and beloved doctor to commit such a horrible act. Abandoned by the prison medical system and labeled as a malingerer by the court system, Dr. Vince Gilmer was in dire need of both medical and psychological help but stuck in a system that prioritizes punishment over healing. This gripping story was first told on NPR’s “This American Life” and was recently published as a stand-alone book.  ML

 

The Yellow House is the award-winning memoir by Sarah M. Broom that chronicles her family and their relationship with a yellow “shotgun house” in East New Orleans. Sarah’s mother bought the house in 1961 and the family lived there until Hurricane Katrina, which Broom describes as “the Water,” destroys the neighborhood. Our reader stated that the book read like a collection of stories – pieces in the lives of the members of Broom’s family and that while she really liked the book, she found the disconnected stories to be somewhat confusing but thoroughly enjoyable.  CD

 

Also Mentioned:

Breaking Down Vonnegut by Julia A. Whitehead

Roots by Alex Haley

The Blonde by Anna Godbersen

Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C. Beaton

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Psmith in the City by P.G. Wodehouse

Jackaby and Beastly Bones by William Ritter

The Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in a Chicago ER by Thomas Fisher

A Coin for the Ferryman by Megan Edwards

Immortal Valor:  The Black Medal of Honor Recipients of World War II by Robert Child

ShadowMan: An Elusive Psycho Killer and the Birth of FBI Profiling by Ron Franscell

In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Brynn Warren has grown up knowing that she was a Warren witch—the very best witches—and that her family has watched over the town of Evenfall for generations. Left orphaned at a young age, Brynn was raised by her two aunts, gentle Izzy and feisty (to put it mildly) Nora, and Uncle Gideon in the family home.  Every Warren witch has gifts, but every one also has a special talent that sets him or her apart.  Izzy, for example, is a kitchen witch; her gifts come through most strongly in her cooking so that someone feeling nervous might eat one of Izzy’s cookies and suddenly feel calmer. Nora is a botanical witch, and Brynn is a witch of the dead:  one who can talk to spirits and pass along a final message.

Brynn’s gift would be a really great one to have at the moment, after Constance Graves has gone and gotten herself murdered in the Warren family B&B, especially since Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect. The problem is that since her husband’s death, Brynn hasn’t been able to communicate with the dead. Her powers don’t seem to work anymore—and she’s not sure she even wants them to.

This first in series book got off to a rousing start and just kept going.  Wallace does a good job of setting up the world, letting us know about some of the rules, introducing characters gradually, and creating a strong plot.  There was some good description that enlivened the proceedings, with purple sparks flying, the sound of frogs (very handy things, frogs), and other descriptions of sights, sounds, and smells. The pool of suspects – well, other than Aunt Nora—had some depth, although a couple were of the just mean people variety.

I found this to be a very entertaining book.  I especially liked the character development of the Warren family; Brynn herself has to face changes, but she also begins to see her relatives in a new light.  It was a nice bit of showing rather than telling. I liked the strong personalities, even explosive Nora.

The second book in the series, When the Crow’s Away, is scheduled for April 2022. I’m already looking forward to a return visit to Evenfall.