The 4 O'Clock Murders [Mass Market Paperback]

Scott Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

Chronicles the true story behind four 1988 Texas murders carried out at the behest of a dead self-proclaimed Mormon prophet, who left his sixty children a list of people he wanted killed. Reprint. K.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Black humor abounds in this American gothic horror story of breakaway Mormon fundamentalists gone mad. Anderson, coauthor of WarZones , provides a riveting, dark history of Mormonism through the prism of several generations of the LeBaron family, who followed Mormonism's abandoned tenets of polygamy and blood atonement as well as its tendency to excuse "the most dubious pronouncements and personality traits of so-called prophets." The central figure of the saga is the self-proclaimed prophet Ervil LeBaron, who had 13 wives and 60 children, and ordered killings of his "enemies"--including his brother and daughter--that started in the 1950s and purportedly continue to the present although LeBaron died in 1981. Anderson chronicles the intrigues of LeBaron and his minions throughout the American Southwest and Mexico in copious, sometimes numbing detail, but always with a tart tongue.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

According to Mormon tenets, members of the Mormon community who don't follow the policies of the elders must pay for their sin by "spilling blood." In this account of what investigative reporter Anderson believes to be "blood atonements" among members of a Mormon cult, Ervile LeBaron, who called himself the "One Mighty and Strong Prophet," created a hit list of people who must "spill blood." His thirst for power was so great that even members of his own family were made to atone for alleged sins. His brother was the first to go. After LeBaron's death, his malevolent influence reached beyond the grave when his three sons carried out his last wishes. At precisely 4:00 p.m. on a June day in 1988, the LeBarons executed four victims at three different sites. Mormon believers may be offended by the discrepancies of the faith that Anderson describes. He seems to be convinced that most Mormons are brain-washed and hypocritical. For true-crime collections.
- Belinda J. Pugh, Kings Bay Base Lib., Ga.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Dell (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044021629X
• ISBN-13: 978-0440216292
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #675,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best true crime books you will ever read, February 23, 2000

By 

Carol (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 4 O'Clock Murders (Mass Market Paperback)

Without a doubt one of the most unbelievable, and breathtaking true crime books you will ever read. Although disturbing, the book is so well written and documented that it pulls you along the horrible and twisted journey of the LeBaron family. Although there is a cast of hundreds, the book is concise and easy to follow. You feel as if the author was with them. Amazing!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 4 O'Clock Murders, June 28, 2000

By 

Tara Timberlake (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 4 O'Clock Murders (Hardcover)

This book gave a really great insight into cults and how one could get wrapped up in a cult before you know it. The first few chapters were a bit difficult to get through, myself having to read them over twice because there is so much information, its overwhelming. Also, the book takes many points of views, from many different members of the family, making it challenging to keep all names and facts in order. Despite these difficulties, the book was absolutely fantastic and I recommend it to anyone, whether you like reading about true crime, romance, religions or history.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Four O'Clock Murders, June 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The 4 O'Clock Murders (Hardcover)

The Four O'Clock murders is a indepth look at the tradgedy of the LeBaron family. I found the book very interesting to the point I could not put it down. It looks very closly at how once decent beliefs can be twisted to suit ones greeds. This book follows through generations of this family giving some insight into what made this family tick. I would recomend this book.