Customer Reviews

The Yosemite Murders (True Crime)

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

 

 

McDougal once again goes beyond the headlines of a tragic California crime and offers up more information on the Sund/Pelosso/Armstrong murders of Yosemite in 1999 that you will find anywhere else. "The Yosemite Murders" paints the horrifc picture of Cary Stayner, a 37-year-old good-looking slacker who confessed to the killings of four beautiful, meaningful women. This book details the 1972 kidnapping and seven year debacle of Cary's younger brother Steven. Also, McDougal digs into the Stayner background to deliver more information than we have ever read about this poor family. And whether Steven's disappearance and reemergence into a media darling had any impact on Cary's future. He also brings to issue whether or not the FBI may have committed heinous errors and led to the death of an innocent Yosemite employee. McDougal lays the case out in an easy-to-understand order that never panders to the lowest common denominator. This book is FAR from boring. It brings a very complex case into focus and is the necessary text for the federal trial against Stayner later this year. I have read approximately 3,000 true crime books, and without a doubt, "The Yosemite Murders" ranks near the very top.

I have been a reader of True Crime for over a decade. I had watched the "I know my name is Steven" show when I was young and always remembered bits and pieces of it. I specifically searched for that book and found this one as well. I read about Steven Stayner's ordeal first, and then about Cary. I think it's a bummer he wanted so badly to be in the spotlight. Anyway, I found this book to be disappointing. Sure it had all the details of the crimes and how he was apprehended, but there was no ending! I think it's pretty safe to assume this book was published before Cary even went to trial. After I read it, I had to Google the outcome of the case because the book left me hanging. I would like to know what went on during the trial, what extra details came to light, etc. I expect that from a True Crime book, and I really felt like this was an incomplete account of the whole story.

MCDOUGAL'S chronicle of the Yosemite Murders of Carole and Juli Sund, Silvina Pelosso and Joie Armstrong is a well-researched piece that includes conversations with local law enforcement and residents. The book draws the conclusion without explicity explaining the egotism of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and how that attitude of machismo prevented investigators from locating the alleged killer before he killed again and subsequently confessed to the crimes. McDougal thoughtfully covers the accused killer, Cary Anthony Stayner's, turbulent and well-publicized family, without offending or exploiting its members. Because of the deadline for publication of the book, the trial (which has not yet begun) is not included. People interested in an objective view of the events from February to October of 1999, will find an accurate account in the book.

McDougal wrote a high speed page turner alright!I couldn't put this book down! i recomend this book to people who want to know the details of this tradgic murder case. Vivid detail, and what really happend.McDougal stabs at the how,who,what,when,were,how questions and delievers answers to every question you still have, I can almost guarentee that.Not only does it focus on the 4 murders in the beautiful park, but also of Steven Stayner's child hood and what was believed what happenend.Full of facts and even colored pictures of;the 4 victims, Joie Armstrongs cabin, the hotel room the 3 were taken from, and a few more you can't find anywhere else.

Another great book from Dennis McDougal. As always he does excellent reporting and provides a great page turner. I love his style and the way he gives the reader insight into the killer's life and how he became who he is. McDougal doesn't sensationalize, but gives the reader rich background on victims, killer, and families. The only question I have is why more of his books aren't on Kindle.

Can't wait to read this after I finish reading "I Know My First Name Is Steven" which is about this guy's brother.

McDougal digs deep into the heart with his descriptions of the gruesome murders. The beginning of the book fools you into thinking that McDougal will keep descriptions light, while covering all the necessities. However, as you read farther you find insignificant details. While some may find it helpful to know the full background of Cary Stayner's childhood, I failed to make a connection between what the kidnapping of his younger brother had to do with the murders the elder Stayner child committed. It seems as though each time McDougal introduced a new character, an in depth background was required. I feel as though the writer was merely trying to make his book appear longer by adding pointless details. The details did come in handy, however, when he described the murders. Over all I enjoyed the book, but found it tedious. I found myself skipping parts of each characters background in an effort to find the "good" part of the book. I doubt I will choose to read another True Crime book by Mr. McDougal.

I used to live 2 doors down from the Stayner family when they lived in Atwater, California. WOW. Del and Kay were very nice people, pretty much kept to themselves. I lived there when Steven was killed, it was SO SAD.
I found the book to be quite interesting since I lived in that area. It is just too crazy to me that someone could commit such horrific crimes. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and Cary's family. Senseless murder is just something I will never understand. I don't normally read crime stories, but read this one because of who it was about...... I will be following the trial in the newspaper.

I find this book an incredible model of premier investigative reporting. How Dennis can write so well without personally knowing his subject I'll never know. I enjoy a well-written novel also, but combining these existing facts with well-crafted writing is genius. This book informs whatever the reader may have heard or read before, bringing to life an individual's aberrent world. The author's comprehension of the antisocial mind is brilliant.

Ugh. As a seasoned reader of true crime novels this one is pointless. The writing is egotistical, vindictive with regard to fellow authors, and full of "fifty cent" words that are obviously plucked directly and pointlessly from the thesaurus. Loaded with useless and unconvincing personal commentary. Sixteen pages on the boring details of a funeral - including quoted poetry! I estimate one fifth of the text have anything interesting to do with the murderer...the rest is fodder. I am honest enough to admit that I don't read these books because I expect superior writing or because I am obsessed with the plight of the victims...I read these books to gather facts and formulate my own opinions on the psychology and intrigue of the mind of a killer. Nothing of interest along those lines here. I will avoid McDougal's books now and forever.