Customer Reviews

Through the Window: The Terrifying True Story of Cross-Country Killer Tommy Lynn Sells

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Diane Fanning's "Into the Water" was the worst true crime book I have ever read. "Through the Window", while being equally amateur, is an improvement. Her use of similes and childish metaphors ruins her journalistic integrity. Take this gem from page 66 describing a forced rape and attempted murder, "Her gullibility gleam on its (the knife) blade." Or another Fanning classic on page 33 regarding the killer's wooing of a victim, "Like a leaf in a whirlpool, she was drawn into this world of uncontrollable violence." Fanning does not seem to know if she is writing a romance novel or true crime.

Aside from the cliches, the storytelling is passable. While the story is not chronological, it is effective. Tommy Lynn Sells killed women, children, and even an infant moments from birth by slahing their throats. In some cases he beat or shot his victims. What makes him somewhat unique is that he lacked a consistant M.O., yet his killing spree went on for years over many different states boundaries. The story of the thirteen year old girl with a slashed wind pipe, who survives Sells's attack, is frightening. If not for her, Sells's crimes may still be accumulating. What is most disturbing about the story is how the law apprehended this man so many times, yet could not keep him off of the streets.

Any points Fanning earns for content, she loses with the afterword. It is largely a letter written by the killer Tommy Lynn Sells to praise the work of Diane Fanning (which he has never seen) and call out all those who he feels have wronged him. It made me wonder who's side the author is on.

An excellent book - but rather frightening! It is hard to believe that anyone could commit such horrendous crimes and not get caught for such a long time. And it is easy to read with a smooth, seamless delivery that glides from page to page. Even the courtroom scene was riveting with the notes that passed between the killer and his attorney adding a dimension to the coverage that you seldom see. The Afterword wrapped it all up so well with quotes from the Texas Rangers, a letter from Tommy Lynn Sells and the personal impressions of the author. A fascinating read.

I just finished Diane Fanning's true story of Cross-Country Killer, Tommy Lynn Sells. I ordered the book from Amazon.com and started reading it the same day it arrived. Since it's a small book, I had it finished in a day. But then I couldn't put it down either. Fanning did an excellent job of describing in detail the events that took place, as well as the trial. I can't help but wonder what drives a writer to want to speak directly with a convicted killer. Surely she knew that getting inside this man's twisted and tormented mind wasn't likely to happen. And yet, Sells apparently respected Mrs. Fanning enough to tell her as much as he did. I was living in southern Illinois not more than forty miles from Ina when Sells killed the Keith Dardeen family. I spoke directly to an IDCI agent about the horrendous crime. He stated that without a doubt it had to be the worst he'd ever seen in his entire career in law enforcement. It's sad that so many men have been sentenced to life in prision for crimes they may have committed, only later to be released because DNA proved this to be the case. But when a person like Sells is placed on death row for a crime he admitted to doing, I see no reason to prolong his stay there. He may well have been a victim of abuse as a child, and his childhood anything but healthy. But are we to believe that this sad state of affairs is to blame for his pre-meditated and vicious crimes of killing innocent children. I think not. If true crime readers enjoy a gorey crime story, then Fanning's Through The Window will be for them. I do highly recommend this book for being well written and providing the facts as they appeared to happen.

I pride myself with devouring at least one book per day, and this book is no exception.

Diane Fanning's writing style and research of Tommy Lynn Sells is superb; the reader, as he goes through the manic pace of this book, gets the feel of being on a Starkweatherish spree of his own at the turn of each page. The end also gives you the feel of the predictable and catalysmic aftermath after Sells is captured and tried.

The only downside to this book (some may disagree) would be the speculations of Sells' involvement in several unsolved cases in states he had reportedly visited and made confirmed murders. A case in point is the murder of Joel Kirkpatrick (whose mother is currently serving time for his murder) and the unsolved murder of a Philadelphia runaway whose strangled body was found in a Tropicana railcar in Florida. It is in this respect that Fanning treats her subject like modern day Henry Lee Lucas, although such speculations are not entirely fruitless concerning Sells lack of motive for his crimes.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in current crime cases, and how criminal trials for such individuals bring them to justice.

The information published in Through the Window by Diane Fanning regarding the abduction of Angie Houseman is incorrect. Angie Houseman was abducted from St. Ann, Missouri, not O,Fallon. There is a 20 mile difference in the locations of these two towns. This information should be verified for accuracy before being printed.

I have not read the book. I came across the information about Angie Houseman while looking to see if there was any new information regarding her case on the internet. Sadly her murder remains unsolved 14 years later.

This book details the crimes,at least some of them and the one that got him caught in a fluff, tabloid type treatment.Not the clinical examination of his life I had hoped for.I had heard of Tommy Lynn Sells via the TV and found his case interesting. The book was instead jumpy at times,hopefully factually accurate and was given a feel from a female author that seemed to be trying to elicit sympathy for a man who was devoid of empathy.It had the potential to be much more under a different focus but was superficial and poorly established.Good, I guess if you enjoy reading the lurid tales of cross country serial killers after all, he did and does exist and is quite real and did all the things the book claims he did and more.I would have liked more biography in order to get a better look at why he did it.It gives you some insight but was clearly rushed. Buy it only because there is nothing else out there about this three named killer. But for the serious student of psychopathy and its dark legion you, as I, will be left craving more of the life of Tommy Lynn Sells and his murderous lifestyle than this book can offer.

Through the Window is a totally engrossing account of the killing spree led by serian killer Tommy Lynn Sells. The first part of the book moves rapidly from crime to crime. The author, Diane Fanning, talently holds the attention of the reader by documenting the who, when, where, how, and what of each of the crimes Sells has confessed to having committed. This part of the book is impossible to put down.
However, once Sells is arrested and his trials begin, the book crawls along at the speed of a snail. It's dull, boring, and repetitive. All the information we've already been given is rehashed over and over and over again. For this reason, I do not recommend this book.

Gripping read even if disturbing and shocking in parts. How is it possible that one individual escaped the detection of police for such a long length of time???!!! Unbelievable! I recommend this book to read but be prepared to feel moments of disbelief, shock and anger. Anyone that can kill children, pregnant women and entire families has to be the worst type of fiend out there.
Tommy Lyn Sells, the serial killer, killed with no remorse and at times for the most trivial reasons. e.g. Being angry at someone. His reign of terror lasted many years and in various states of the USA, only everyone was oblivious to this fact, including the law.
I can honestly say it is a good thing that he has been caught.....or you might not be around today reading this about him!
WELL WORTH THE READ!!!!

The author brings precision and strong sentiment to a horrifying story. I was shocked and repulsed but found the author's craft a compelling, exciting read. Only a fine writer can make a reader feel so completely immersed and continue to read when the story sickens us.

This is an unbelievable story. I am a true crime junkie, but Tommy Lynn Sells is the WORST serial killer I've ever read about. The courage of young Krystal to get help & then to testify in trial is remarkable & speaks highly of her character.
This book isn't for the weak of heart. Very disturbing & graphic details. This is 1 of the few books I've read in just 1 day.
VERY highly recommended.