Shattered Sense of Innocence: The 1955 Murders of Three Chicago Children (Elmer H Johnson & Carol Holmes Johnson Series in Criminology) (Hardcover)

~ Richard C Lindberg (Author), Gloria Jean Sykes M.A. B.A. (Author)
Key Phrases: candy heiress, slain boys, livery business, Idle Hour, Cook County, Kenneth Hansen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Telling the story of shocking triple murder in Chicago in 1955, Lindberg and Sykes present considerable detail about the families of the boys who were murdered and the sociopolitical forces then at work in the Chicago metro area. They provide information about the Chicago "Horse Mafia," a crime syndicate separate from but acquainted with Chicago's legendary Outfit, and they criticize the investigators, arguing that the panoply of competing investigative units worked against each other, hindering the investigation. Worse, the inexperienced and ham-handed coroner failed to secure the crime scene. Packed with information and raising questions about the man found guilty of the crime, this is an excellent and accessible overview of the confounding crime that put pedophilia on the nation's front pages. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“One of the most horrific crimes of the 1950s, the kidnapping, molestation, and brutal murder of three Illinois boys is brilliantly reexamined and brought back to harrowing life in Shattered Sense of Innocence.  The human drama, poignancy, raw terror and legal quest for justice captured by the authors make the book one that readers of true crime will eagerly want to read.”—Vincent Bugliosi, author of Helter Skelter

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Product Details Hardcover: 440 pages Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press; 1st edition (September 28, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 0809327368 ISBN-13: 978-0809327362 Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #327,599 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
candy heiress, slain boys, livery business, livery horses, triple homicide, murdered boys

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Idle Hour, Cook County, Kenneth Hansen, Ken Hansen, Northwest Side, Chicago Police, Silas Jayne, Jefferson Park, Robinson Woods, Roger Spry, Kenny Hansen, Anton Schuessler, George Jayne, Mark Hansen, Malcolm Peterson, Bobby Peterson, Jed Stone, John Schuessler, Robert Peterson, Park Ridge, Daily News, Garland Building, Monte Cristo, Frank Jayne, Milwaukee Avenue

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 39 books:

• Practical Homicide Investigation, Fourth Edition by Vernon J. Geberth on page 166, and Back Matter
• Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children (Library of Contemporary Thought) by Jonathan Kellerman on page 166, and Back Matter
• To Serve and Collect: Chicago Politics and Police Corruption from the Lager Beer Riot to the Summerdale Scandal by Richard C. Lindberg in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Psychopathy: Theory, Research and Implications for Society (NATO Science Series D: (closed)) by D.J. Cooke in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Indian Summer (New York Review Books Classics) by William Dean Howells in Back Matter

See all 39 books this book cites

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Return Again to the Scene of the Crime by Richard Lindberg

Discusses:

• candy heiress
• Cook County
• Silas Jayne

Return to the Scene of the Crime by Richard Lindberg

Discusses:

• candy heiress
• Cook County
• Jefferson Park

Unbridled Rage by Gene O'Shea

Discusses:

• candy heiress
• livery horses
• Cook County

Return Again to the Scene of the Crime by Richard Lindberg Discusses: candy heiress Cook County Silas Jayne Return to the Scene of the Crime by Richard Lindberg Discusses: candy heiress Cook County Jefferson Park Unbridled Rage by Gene O'Shea Discusses: candy heiress livery horses Cook County Loading...

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	62% buy the item featured on this page: Shattered Sense of Innocence: The 1955 Murders of Three Chicago Children (Elmer H Johnson & Carol Holmes Johnson Series in Criminology) 4.3 out of 5 stars (9) $21.86
	15% buy Murder Gone Cold 5.0 out of 5 stars (4) $14.95
	9% buy Hot Blood (St. Martin's True Crime Library) 3.9 out of 5 stars (13) $6.99
	8% buy Three Boys Missing: The Tragedy That Exposed the Pedophilia Underworld 4.9 out of 5 stars (7)

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.3 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 9 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Lost, October 20, 2006 By  UnsolvedFan - See all my reviews The Schuessler-Peterson murders, the long unsolved deaths of 3 boys in 1955 Chicago, have inspired three books; "Unbridled Rage," "Three Boys Missing," and "Shattered Sense of Innocence." All are highly recommended. This is the one that may keep you awake all night. The authors are brilliant writers and the book is exhaustively researched. Many new questions are raised: Were the victims looking for someone the night they died? Why did two of the boys, Bobby Peterson and John Schuessler, report being afraid of someone? Who was the mysterious "Mr. Potato Head?" Who was the source of screams heard in a remote area that night? What is the meaning of the puzzling forensic evidence? Who is the elusive pedophile Ken Hansen? He was convicted of the murders, but some still have doubts. Did a mystery witness secretly confess to being the real killer? Did missing heiress Helen Brach know too much? Is she the Jane Doe in the unmarked grave? Did the same killer murder Judy Andersen in 1957 and the Grimes sisters in 1956? This book is like film noir in book format. (There a a few graphic photos.) It is unquestionably one of the greatest true crime books ever written. Read it even if you have to leave the lights on all night. 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Murder Mystery Set in 1950's--fabulous read!, November 21, 2006 By  Joanne Denison "joanne denison" (chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    The book is an amazing murder mystery set against the backdrop of 1950's Northwest side of Chicago. The neighborhood tales and stories tell of a fascinating slice of the 1950's with accurate details, so that even if you are not a murder mystery buff, the book is still extremely interesting. The book carefully relates the bumbling, inept police work which is grossly inadequate due to the lack of forensic science development at the time, and most notably, DNA testing. Although tons of people power and money were thrown at the case, nothing much develops from all this into hard evidence. The only trial that took place was decades later and even that was based upon circumstantial evidence and weak confessions, although the reader was left with a sense at the end that justice was served. Perhaps the book is a bit choppy and many questions are left unanswered, but that is the crux of the entire book--the police work was choppy, fairly uncoordiated, major suspects and clues were not followed up on well, or even at all. So the book style follows the uneasiness of the police work, the uneasiness of a neighborhood left with a triple murder of 12 year old boys found naked, dead, with their lifeless bodies shown on the TV news that evening. But most importantly, the book is reveals stories, tales and legends and a style of life not really known outside the NW side of Chicago, but which can be easily appreciated by anyone. I believe most people would find that they simply cannot put the book down and will feel compelled to read it in a day or two. The writing is an excellent quality, and the investigative work was extremely good and very believable. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A Comment by the Author, July 27, 2008 By  Richard Lindberg (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I am the co-author of "Shattered Sense of Innocence," one of 12 books I have authored dealing with compelling Chicago subject matter. I am not in the habit of responding to editorial reviews by the readers of my books. I am always grateful to them for the time they have taken to comment on my work - for good or bad. Legitimate, objective commentary, offered without bias or self-serving motive is what this process should be all about. However in recent years I have regrettably observed an ominous trend developing in the AMAZON review process. Too many reviews are being posted by the friends and relatives of authors - and in some cases the friends and relatives of authors of competing works who take a personal delight in "slamming" the work of the first author for whatever spurious motivation, usually based in envy or disappointment. "Shattered Sense of Innocence" has received outstanding reviews from the Chicago Sun-Times and other publications, and the highest testimonial from Vincent Bugliosi, author of "Helter Skelter," one of the finest true crime books ever published. I wish more authors would have the courage to speak out on this issue when a book is slandered by a reviewer with an axe to grind, a personal motivation or simply has been encouraged to do so by a frustrated or disppointed competitor. Thank you for allowing me to make this statement - with the hope of seeing a greater level of professionalism, integrity and ethical standards practiced by the contributors and reviewers to AMAZON.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Account of Evil Horseplay This book tells of a triple murder that it took almost 50 years to prosecute. Actually, you will get insights into three different sequences of Chicago-area murders - different,... Read more Published 4 months ago by R. Schultz 5.0 out of 5 stars Authors title is spot-on and questions still remain about this baffling case. I was the same age as these boys and living in the South Suburbs of Chicago when they were killed, so these murders left a great impression on me. Read more Published 6 months ago by RCB 1.0 out of 5 stars Much Too Much Information I typically avoid books where the only reviews on the dust jacket come from other authors (as opposed to newspaper and magazine critics whose reputations are on the line) and... Read more Published on November 5, 2007 by Cubs69 5.0 out of 5 stars Suffer the children This book completely held my interest and that of several friends who read it at the same approximate time. We spent hours discussing it. Read more Published on March 25, 2007 by Borowy26 4.0 out of 5 stars Shattered Sense of Innocence I found this book to be very interesting as I was a kid in that time. I remember the murder case very well as I know a lot of the places they stopped at and where they lived. Published on March 14, 2007 by Kenneth A. Labuda 5.0 out of 5 stars Chicago Murders in the 1950's I bought this book as a gift for my husband. He saw a write-up about it in the newspaper and wanted the book. We were kids ourselves when these murders happened. Read more Published on January 11, 2007 by P. Raymond Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 440 pages
• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press; 1st edition (September 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809327368
• ISBN-13: 978-0809327362
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #327,599 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost, October 20, 2006

By	UnsolvedFan - See all my reviews

The Schuessler-Peterson murders, the long unsolved deaths of 3 boys in 1955 Chicago, have inspired three books; "Unbridled Rage," "Three Boys Missing," and "Shattered Sense of Innocence."

All are highly recommended. This is the one that may keep you awake all night.

The authors are brilliant writers and the book is exhaustively researched. Many new questions are raised:
Were the victims looking for someone the night they died?
Why did two of the boys, Bobby Peterson and John Schuessler, report being afraid of someone?
Who was the mysterious "Mr. Potato Head?"
Who was the source of screams heard in a remote area that night?
What is the meaning of the puzzling forensic evidence?
Who is the elusive pedophile Ken Hansen? He was convicted of the murders, but some still have doubts.
Did a mystery witness secretly confess to being the real killer?
Did missing heiress Helen Brach know too much? Is she the Jane Doe in the unmarked grave?
Did the same killer murder Judy Andersen in 1957 and the Grimes sisters in 1956?

This book is like film noir in book format. (There a a few graphic photos.) It is unquestionably one of the greatest true crime books ever written. Read it even if you have to leave the lights on all night.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Murder Mystery Set in 1950's--fabulous read!, November 21, 2006

By	Joanne Denison "joanne denison" (chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is an amazing murder mystery set against the backdrop of 1950's Northwest side of Chicago. The neighborhood tales and stories tell of a fascinating slice of the 1950's with accurate details, so that even if you are not a murder mystery buff, the book is still extremely interesting. The book carefully relates the bumbling, inept police work which is grossly inadequate due to the lack of forensic science development at the time, and most notably, DNA testing. Although tons of people power and money were thrown at the case, nothing much develops from all this into hard evidence. The only trial that took place was decades later and even that was based upon circumstantial evidence and weak confessions, although the reader was left with a sense at the end that justice was served. Perhaps the book is a bit choppy and many questions are left unanswered, but that is the crux of the entire book--the police work was choppy, fairly uncoordiated, major suspects and clues were not followed up on well, or even at all. So the book style follows the uneasiness of the police work, the uneasiness of a neighborhood left with a triple murder of 12 year old boys found naked, dead, with their lifeless bodies shown on the TV news that evening. But most importantly, the book is reveals stories, tales and legends and a style of life not really known outside the NW side of Chicago, but which can be easily appreciated by anyone. I believe most people would find that they simply cannot put the book down and will feel compelled to read it in a day or two. The writing is an excellent quality, and the investigative work was extremely good and very believable.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comment by the Author, July 27, 2008

By	Richard Lindberg (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am the co-author of "Shattered Sense of Innocence," one of 12 books I have authored dealing with compelling Chicago subject matter. I am not in the habit of responding to editorial reviews by the readers of my books. I am always grateful to them for the time they have taken to comment on my work - for good or bad. Legitimate, objective commentary, offered without bias or self-serving motive is what this process should be all about. However in recent years I have regrettably observed an ominous trend developing in the AMAZON review process. Too many reviews are being posted by the friends and relatives of authors - and in some cases the friends and relatives of authors of competing works who take a personal delight in "slamming" the work of the first author for whatever spurious motivation, usually based in envy or disappointment. "Shattered Sense of Innocence" has received outstanding reviews from the Chicago Sun-Times and other publications, and the highest testimonial from Vincent Bugliosi, author of "Helter Skelter," one of the finest true crime books ever published. I wish more authors would have the courage to speak out on this issue when a book is slandered by a reviewer with an axe to grind, a personal motivation or simply has been encouraged to do so by a frustrated or disppointed competitor. Thank you for allowing me to make this statement - with the hope of seeing a greater level of professionalism, integrity and ethical standards practiced by the contributors and reviewers to AMAZON.