The Blood of Innocents: The True Story of Multiple Murder in West Memphis, Arkansas [Paperback]

Guy Reel (Author), Marc Perrusquia (Author), Bartholomew Sullivan (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Pinnacle (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078601363X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786013630
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Oversimplified treatment of the West Memphis Three case., December 9, 2002

By 

Beeblebrox (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blood of Innocents: The True Story of Multiple Murder in West Memphis, Arkansas (Paperback)

This book is typical pulp-novel fare for the bathroom/airport reader of trashy true-crime books. "Guy Reel, et al." are no Joseph Wambaugh.

In its attempt to chronicle the West Memphis Three case, this book has many flaws which render it almost unreadable to anyone having knowledge of the case. First, the authors unfairly characterizes the defendants, overemphasizing the pseudo-occult nature of Damien Echols' behavior that led to the prosecution's "Satanic Panic" theory -- one which was supported at trial by testimony from an "expert" who received his degree from a mail-order diploma-mill. This genius testified that one sign of occult behavior was the wearing of dark clothes, "black dungarees ... sometimes they will tattoo themselves." Under this standard, half of Philadelphia could be argued to be Satanic. Yet, despite this incredible theory and even more incredible testimony, the authors really have nothing to say about it.

Moreover, the authors gloss over the patent weaknesses in the prosecution's case, including a total lack of physical evidence linking the defendants to the murder. Unless, that is, you count black T-shirts, many of which were seized from Damien Echols' house, as somehow being dispositive of guilt under the "Satanic Panic" theory.

Most disturbingly, the book almost completely fails to mention that the West Memphis PD's investigation of the murders was botched to perfection -- including the coerced confession of Jesse Misskelley, who was borderline retarded, and the failure of the police to investigate John Mark Byers, father of one of the murdered boys, despite somewhat strong evidence which arguably linked him to the murders.

All of this likely led to three innocent boys being placed on Arkansas' Death Row while the real killer roams free.

For a much more balanced and thorough portrayal of the case and the investigation -- or, more appropriately, misinvestigation -- read _Devil's Knot_ by Marla Leverett, who covered the story for the _Arkansas Times_

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good companion with "Devil's Knot", November 8, 2003

By 

sara (orlando, fl United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blood of Innocents: The True Story of Multiple Murder in West Memphis, Arkansas (Paperback)

Although this book seemingly attempts to present Damien, Jesse and Jason as guilty; the authors piece together a poor attempt at presenting hard evidence that the three had anything to do with the Robin Hood Hills Murders.

While there are a lot of facts left out of this outdated book, and while new evidence has surfaced, as well as some of the testimony being recanted or proven false, I found it a good companion to Devil's Knot by Mara Leveritt.

I also encourage any reader of this book that is not familiar with the case to do some extra research...there are a TON of people online that have been very willing to help and answer questions if you are confused.

As long as you don't rely on everything this book has within it as fact, and it is used as a companion with new and current information, I suppose it is worthwhile.

18 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Read "Devil's Knot" first!, July 15, 2004

By 

Darren La Salle (Melbourne, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Blood of Innocents: The True Story of Multiple Murder in West Memphis, Arkansas (Paperback)

This book is long on supposition and short on objective fact. In a nut shell, the book seems to say "The WM3 are guilty-take my word on it-don't be confused by facts, the story flows so thats all you need to know." Unfortunately the Arkansas penile system (and jury pool)seems to think this way too. The book is a must read for anyone interested in the case...if for nothing else than to get into the heads of the other side.