Dead Center: The Shocking True Story of a Murder on Snipe Mountain [Hardcover]

Frank J. Daniels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

The shocking true story of murder on Colorado's Snipe Mountain.

Struck by three rifle bullets, newlywed John Bruce Dodson supposedly died in a hunting accident. But District Attorney Frank Daniels suspected Dodson's wife-and would stop at nothing to prove his suspicions before another man suffered the same fate.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1995, the body of Dodson was discovered by Janice, his wife of three months, lying dead near their campsite on Colorado's Snipe Mountain. An experienced hunter, Janice was taking her husband on his first trip to shoot deer and elk. Dodson had been shot three times and died from a bullet that went straight through his chest. Daniels, a district attorney in western Colorado and an expert on fossilized wood (Petrified Wood) investigated the case for four years. He concluded that Janice, with or without the help of her ex-husband, who was hunting in the same area, killed Dodson in order to inherit an estate valued at half a million dollars. Daniels recounts here the many interviews he and his team conducted and the forensic and ballistic discoveries they made that led him to successfully prosecute Janice for first-degree murder, although all of the evidence was circumstantial and the murder weapon was never found. Unfortunately, the author's writing and characterization skills do not match the suspense of this true crime story. Daniels paints Dodson as a good-natured victim while describing Janice as manipulative and disturbed, but neither character comes alive. The enormous amount of sometimes confusing detail Daniels presents did convince the jury of Janice's guilt, but does little to enliven this tawdry tale.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A fantastic story!" -- Carole Arnold, Carole Arnold Show KOMA-AM. December 8, 2003

"A great book!" -- Jack Roberts, CRN National Radio, December 11, 2003

"A gripping book ... dogged detective work. Three deadly bullets were greedy bride's gift to new husband." -- Globe Magazine, November 4, 2003

"Profoundly interesting ... so interesting in the way it takes us into the heart of an investigation." -- The Morning Show, Greg Berg, WGTD-FM Milwaukee, Dec. 2003

Daniels does a good job of delineating what it takes to conduct an investigation that builds a solid case. -- Rocky Mountain News, October 3, 2003

Greed, betrayal, shocking conclusions.- Recommended for all those who enjoy true, inside stories of criminal investigations and the justice system. -- Cody's Books, September 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 311 pages
• Publisher: New Horizon Press; First Edition edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882822381
• ISBN-13: 978-0882822389
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,001,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars INTRIGUE, SUSPENSE AND JUSTICE, September 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Dead Center: The Shocking True Story of a Murder on Snipe Mountain (Hardcover)

My husband and I both enjoyed reading this book. Having been to the Uncompahgre Plateau several times, and having lived and worked in the same area that the main characters in the book lived and worked, it brought the entire story to life for us. We remember when it happened, although we knew none of the characters in the book. It is very well written, easy to follow, and although detailed about firearms, Mr. Daniels wrote an easy book to read. I highly recommend the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and Fascinating Read, September 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Dead Center: The Shocking True Story of a Murder on Snipe Mountain (Hardcover)

This book gave me insight to the details of a killer's mind. Janice is someone who could walk amongst us on any given day yet her greed made her take that extra step into evil that most of us are able to resist. The description of the gathering of evidence and of putting a case together so that Janice would not get away with this murder is presented in an organized and exciting way. I highly recommend this book to everyone from those unfamiliar with the investigation and court system to the trial lawyers.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible true story, January 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Dead Center: The Shocking True Story of a Murder on Snipe Mountain (Hardcover)

There have been stories like this before, but they are very rare, and incredible when told. It is the tale of a black widow murderess who kills her husband for financial gain. Often stories of this ilk rise to national consciousness because it's so astonishing when a woman kills in such a cold-blooded manner. Usually the MO is poison, but not so for Janice Dodson the central character in this murder. She shot her husband on Snipe Mountain in the Colorado wilderness with a high powered hunting rifle, dead center in the chest.

What makes this story so intriguing is the perspective from which it is told. The author is the prosecutor of this case, and he recounts in great detail the complete investigation and subsequent trial. The reader gets a sense of the incredible amount of work and dedication it took from law enforcement and the DA's office to bring this case to trial. That it even came to trial is remarkable, and a true testament to the dogged determination shown by the author and others over a five year period.

All in all, a fascinating narrative of an incredible story and a great read.