Customer Reviews

Michigan Murders

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

True Story of John Norman Collins. Eerie, and well done. I had to read this in my Evidence and Criminal Investigation class as a sort of case study. Missing some pertinent details (as one would expect). Shows true investigation techniques of the time and the difficulty when the case goes cold. When reading this book it reminded me of how much easier the proof in the case would have been had they had DNA screening techniques, although I am sure John would have found a way around it. A great look at the escalation of serial crime. Makes me want to drive to Ypsi and check it out for myself, but I am pretty sure that would be to much for me. I live near Milwaukee and one serial killer area is enough for me! for more info on this case check out crimelibrary.com

This is an interesting account of a series of murders in Michigan during 1967 - 1969 (with another in California), and is quite stimulating until the last couple of chapters. The reporting on the trial was extremely bland, and deflated the over-all effect of the rest of the narrative.

The book would have been improved with photos -- victims, investigators, crime scenes and, of course, the man ultimately convicted.

I was a student at EMU just a few of years after these murders happened. It was, and still is, truly chilling to read about the murders and the investigation. When I read "The Michigan Murders" for the first time (in hardback) I travelled around Ypsilanti and the surrounding area visiting the various crime scenes. Very, very eerie. I have read many true crime books and Keyes' writing is among the best. As the preceding reviews indicate, this book needs to be reprinted and made available again.

If I had written this review when I first read this book (about 30 years ago), I would have given it 5 stars. But I was 16 then and more easily impressed. I live in the area of these murders and know all the locations very well. I also know the facts of this string of murders committed between 1967 and 1969 and while Keyes was convinced of the guilt of John Collins in all of these cases, time has proven him to be wrong in at least one case and quite possibly four of the cases. The book is well written and holds the reader's attention especially the search for "the killer". The last few chapters tend to bog down on the minutia of the court trial, but overall its a quick read. In summary, crime buffs should enjoy this book as long as they are willing to overlook the somewhat biased POV of the author and realize that this is not all there is to know of these crimes.

This is an excellent book. I have read several true crime stories about serial killers and this is the best one I have read. I found an old copy of this on my mothers bookshelf. Too bad it is out of print this is an great book. I too would be interested in a follow up book on the killer. Is he still in prison?

This is a sad yet fascinating account of savage serial killings in America's heartland. It was well researched and written. The killer and the community come to life in this gripping tale of fear, terror and frustration that overtook these Michigan communities. I have never been to Michigan but after reading it I felt like a native, part of the bustling college scene. I envisioned myself walking those same streets. Who would have predicted the murderer to be who he turned out to be? Until a lucky break surfaced, the case was a nightmare for law enforcement, and the entire community. An excellent who-done-it to be sure. But If I there were to make a constructive criticism it would have been to have a more indepth psycological profile of the killer and details of the interviews he gave - a longer epilog. The story just ends abruptly after he is sent to prison. But all in all a must read for true crime buffs.

I'm in the middle of my 17th read of this book, having first acquired a copy about 10 years ago. I've lost the jacket cover, and the book itself is a bit dog-eared, but it is so well written, and very hard to put down. I gain more insights each time I read it. It must have been a very frightening time for the residents of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mr. Keyes ties all of the clues and loose ends together extremely well. I have been trying to find out more about the background of John Collins (the murderer), that would cause him to hate young women so much that he would murder seven of them, but have been unable to find anything. I wonder if he is still in jail, or since released. Mr. Keyes, please write a follow-up!!

I have been patiently waiting and hoping this book would be reissued since the options on the Amazon Marketplace have been limited in regard to the book's condition and the prohibitive price. I found this book to be a very riveting read. Author Edward Keyes has done meticulous research in putting this book together. He goes into great detail whenever he introduces a new character in the book in addition to providing graphic detail (sometimes too much so) into the condition of the body cast aside into a wooded area. Author Keyes doesn't pretend to know why a clean-cut looking individual (in teacher education no less) commits such brutal savagery on the young women in the Ann Arbor area of Michigan between the years of 1967-1969. John Norman Collins had a dysfunctional childhood, but so do many others who don't resort to such destructive behavior.

I did find Chapters 25 and 26 regarding the hair analysis in court to be beyond my comprehension and interest, but that's my problem. The frustration of the local police in solving the case, the anguish the parents of the murdered women were subjected to, and the shock of Collins' uncle ( a state police officer) and aunt when they realize their nephew has come under suspicion all provide drama as the case winds its way to a conclusion.

The only drawback to me is the use of fictitious names for everyone and no photos in the book. However, if fictitious names are used photos of the actual individuals in the book won't be in the book. If you enjoy true crime stories the reissuing of this book provides you with an opportunity to once again purchase this book at a reasonable price.

Between July of 1967 and July of 1969, the bodies of 7 young women were found dead and decomposing... all within a 25 square mile area resting between Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The bodies of all of these young women were horribly mutilated, oftentimes with head injuries so severe that immediate identification was impossible. In addition, many of the bodies had been slashed, cut, or burned postmortem. All were sexually assaulted.

It is common knowledge that the great majority of serial offenders (both serial rapists and serial killers) tend to escalate in behavior over time. As their obsessive and deviant fantasies become ever more powerful and difficult to control or ignore, the offender is compelled to kill more often, assuming more risk. This is exactly what happened with the Michigan murders. Consider the statistics:

July 1967 - One Victim
July 1968 - One Victim
March 1969 - Two Victims
April 1969 - One Victim
May 1969 - One Victim
July 1969 - One Victim

Initially, I thought the killer had taken time off in June of 1969. However, it was later revealed that the offender took a road trip to California in June of 1969, where he murdered a 17 year old girl. Who was this violent offender so driven to kill and kill again? A well-groomed, attractive, gregarious student attending Eastern Michigan University! On the average, John Norman Collins was murdering at the rate of 1 victim per month near the end of his murderous reign. He was 23 years of age when apprehended. Can you imagine the body count had Collins not been arrested and had continued to kill for another year or two? What if he had gone undetected another 10 years? The thought is horrifying!

I found it interesting and very telling that as a Freshman at Eastern Michigan University, Collins maintained good grades and was considered a successful student. During the second semester of his Sophomore year, Collins began cutting classes and his grades suffered greatly. Collins began killing the semester after his school performance began to suffer and he fell behind, suggesting that for a a full semester before he ever killed, Collins was in the grip of psychological deterioration and decline. It seems likely that he began his stalking and prowling behaviors during this time, his fantasies finally giving way to murderous rage in July of 1967. The truly sobering fact is this: John Collins was questioned by police investigators following the 2nd homicide. He was dismissed as a possible suspect. As a result, 6 more women would die before Collins was finally apprehended.

I found THE MICHIGAN MURDERS riveting. In fact, had I been allowed to use 1/2 star ratings, I would have given it 4 1/2 stars. Why not 5 stars? There were some minor portions of the story where the descriptions of the police investigation dragged and the trial coverage was rather tedious and dry. The coverage of the trial could easily have been reduced by 10 pages without losing any real content. However, the slower portions of the story were not extended and did not detract greatly from the book as a whole. I highly recommend THE MICHIGAN MURDERS for all True Crime lovers.

I did want to mention one issue that confuses me greatly. Nowhere in my copy of THE MICHIGAN MURDERS is the offender ever named as John Norman Collins! In the book, the offender is named as James Armstrong. When I initially read the other reviews, I thought I must have read another book by the same title. However, after following a link provided by another reader to the Michigan State OTIS registry, I did a search for John Collins. The information I found indeed confirmed that "James Armstrong" is John Norman Collins. The prison issued identification number for Collins is the same number listed for James Armstrong in the book. The physical description matches. The date of the offense for which Collins was convicted is the same date of the last known murder in Michigan of Carol Ann Gebhardt.

What gives? Why is the murderer given a pseudonym in the book? How did it escape my attention - as apprently, I am the only one - that "James Armstrong" is really John Norman Collins? Can someone help me out? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

This book will hold your attention even if you are not from the Ann Arbor area. If you are, knowing the area makes it all the more engrossing. I highly recommend it.