Customer Reviews

Every Move You Make

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Gary Evans was a complex, creepy dude and it is evident that the talented M. William Phelps put a lot of time and travail into tracking the trail of Gary's traumatic life and crimes. It's a big (496 pages) book, thoroughly researched. In the Acknowledgements, Phelps says: "the late great author Jack Olson once said that a [true]crime book without a few name changes is a crime story not worth telling, simply because the entire story is not being told. In my opinion, this book proves Jack's theory." Yep - in this reviewer's opinion, too. Phelps "goes the extra distance" to interview all sides and angles of the story, including those who don't want their real names released, in order to convey a complete crimology. And there's a well-known name or two here too - even David Berkowitz, "Son of Sam" puts in a cameo in text and center photo. Why? Read this book and see! Owen's Ann Rule rule: Don't peek at the pictures and accompanying text in the center until the suspect has been identified by law enforcement, unless you are one of those folks who read the last chapter of any mystery first ;-) applies here but I suggest that this time, you don't peek at the center pictures and text at all until you're at The End lest you spoil this surprise End. /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer

Well, a friend told me to read this book, I'm not much into true crime. Well after reading this book, I must say I need to start reading more of these books. This book really is a page turner. I could not put it down. The author does a great job in capturing the readers immediate attention. I like that style. Some books take a few chapters for you too get hooked. Not the case here. Gary Evans is one crazy s.o.b. They have to make this into a movie, it really is an incredible story. Mr Phelps, you now have a new fan. I guess I'll have to read your other books mow. Great job !

I have over 1000 true crime books in my personal library and I can say without a doubt this was one of the most fascinating books I have yet to read. I was captivated from the first page until the last. Even for the non-true crime readers, will love this one.

About halfway through the Phelps tome, I was prepared to write, "Easily one of the top ten true crime books I've read in the last five years, and I read 'em all." While true, let's up the ante: this is a GREAT book which transcends the true crime genre and should have been first issued in hardcover for those who will, someday, pass along their personal libraries to children or grandchildren: this book is good enough for the PERMANENCE of hardcover, where it could take pride of place alongside Capote's "In Cold Blood," et al. An AMAZING book, one whose only disappointment is that it, like all books, ends. I could have read another two hundred pages of a masterwork of this nature: fascinating subject, terrific research, an ear for the language and an eye for the image; Phelps has all of these crucial factors going for him. (If I must kvetch, let it be said that, in a book in which I--an old English teacher with a still keen eye--found no typos in the text itself, I did discover a rather distressing misspelling which should have been caught in copyediting, or at the printing plant: Chapter 66 has somehow become "Capter 66." And even that makes for an interesting first edition, as one rarely sees an error of this nature in a chapter heading. I TOLD you this book has it all!) Reader, DO NOT MISS this one.
Hit that "order" button right now. An incredible achievement in non-fiction, this.

I am an avid and continual reader of true crime. In EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE, I feel M. William Phelps has reached the level of some of the truly fine crime writers. (Jack Olsen comes to mind.) This book has all the prerequisites for great true crime: a fascinating story; intelligent literate writing; and meticulous and exhaustive research. Reviews of one of Phelps' more recent books, MURDER IN THE HEARTLAND, chastise Phelps for a sloppy rush job. I can assure you that this is not the case with EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE. This book was clearly a long time in the researching and the writing, and it presents to the reader the reasons contributing to the making of one of the more interesting sociopaths you'll read about. And Gary Evans is indeed a sociopath of the first order.
Additional points for lovers of this genre: the book is well edited. I recall no typos, and very few misused words. The picture section is also interesting and adds to the book, although in the paperback copy I read, the pictures will have fallen out by the 3rd reading.
And, thank God, there is NO interminable courtroom scene description.
I recommend this book unreservedly and totally, even to those who are not in particular true crime devotees.

I've been reading true crime for over 20 years, and this is EASILY the best one so far. It's going to be hard to find another one that compares. I lived in the New England area where parts of this book took place, which just made it that much more real. Mr. Phelps is to be commended on a fantastic book. Keep them coming!! PLEASE!!

Being personnally affected by this book (I AM "TORI ELLIS", "CAROLINE PARKER" IS MY STEP-SISTER), I found it to be more truthful than I expected, 98%. Mr Phelps did an excellent job depicting those involved, with only slight discrepencies. Would definitely recommend to readers enjoying true crime.

If you're ready to listen to a true story that will have you double checking door and window locks, even looking under the bed, Every Move You Make is the book for you. The life of Gary C. Evans would be horrific enough if it were fiction but to know that it is true challenges description.

Much has been written and extensive research has been done in society's efforts to probe the mind of a psychopath. What could have happened to turn a human being into an amoral being? We might guess in the life of Evans. His parents, Flora Mae and Leroy, were alcoholics and abused the boy repeatedly. If he refused to eat something he did not like, he was tied to a chair and force fed then tossed into his room. He was beaten severely countless times. How can one assess the emotional and psychological damage this may have caused?

Whatever the case, his mother taught him to steal and he was an apt pupil. More clever than most thieves he planned his robberies but was caught several times and sent to prison. He was a deft liar, convincing enough to explain the disappearance of someone he had killed.

Friends? That word was not in his vocabulary as he murdered those who helped him steal. He killed without remorse, murdering the storekeepers from whom he stole.

At last, around 1985 New York State Police Senior Investigator James Horton became involved in one of the murder cases. He promised himself that he would somehow discover the truth about Evans and those who had been slain.

J. Charles is an estimable reader with some 40 years experience in professional theatre. He delivers a taut, chilling narration of an unthinkable true story.

- Gail Cooke

In true M. William Phelps style, we are introduced to State Officer Jim Horton and professional burgular Gary Evans who, through a series of 496 attention-gripping pages, play a real life of game of Cops & Robbers or Cat & Mouse yet amazingly establish a connection...a friendship, in a skewed sense.

If you are like me and don't mind long, very detail books, you will enjoy this one. Readers are provided with an indepth look into the life of Gary Evans from his meager beginnings; all the while, readers also enjoy a clearly present background of Investigator Jim Horton. And, although not as detailed as the main "characters," the backgrounds of those involved with Evans, whether they be paramour or victim, is also provided to help the reader develop an idea of how that person became involved with Evans and, often later, Horton.

I absolutely loved this book. This is one I would consider to be in the Top 10 of Best Written and All Time Favorites.

This stands out as one of the best true crime books I have ever read. (I lost count long ago..)
All of Mr. Phelps books are excellent, but EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE is a stand-out. The characters are all deeply researched and the story itself is complex and disturbing.
I tend to find authors I like and stick with them. Highly recommended if you are an avid true crime reader!