The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts: Murder and Memory in an American City

This is a beautifully written book about a very disturbing topic. The author takes the reader on a journey to understand the brutal murders through the exploration of the background of Brownsville prior to the crime, the psyche and influences on the primary perpetrator, the impact and varying viewpoints of those who live in the town, and the effect of the building remaining or being destroyed. And the author raises many questions about the many gray areas surrounding this ---- questions and not answers ---- that trigger the reader to examine his/her own beliefs about these things given new perspectives to consider tough topics. What is unique about this book is that it devotes the majority of chapters to giving the reader a large framework to consider the crime and aftermath, rather than the crime itself. Further, it gives the reader much insight into the tireless work and dedication of an investigative journalist. I highly recommend this read, and look forward to more books from this talented young author.

I spent $14 for this book. Way to much for the dross therein. Touted as equivalent to In Cold Blood, it isn't even in the same category. Do not pay more than $5 for this book. The author is way too frightened to really address the crime -- or of facts relevant to the crime or the prime perpetrator. He might have spent years answering the author's thousands of questions, but your prime takeaway will be that he has trouble spelling and he's polite. Even the Chapter which advises not to be read before bed contains only one shocking revelation, and while it is truly shocking, I found it more difficult to read the opaque, non-revelatory chapter on the author looking at the coroner's photos. But mostly this book is a disappointing collegiate directed examination of entirely unrelated personal "investigations" -- i.e., time wasters -- that add up to much time and ado about nothing -- irrelevancies. You will learn little. I found the book not to live up to the hype. The book is uninformative. She may have attempted to speak to a killer as Capote did, but she has none of his insight into either the killer or herself or the city or the neighborhood or into any of the other topics she introduced and addressed as thoroughly as any uninformed neophyte who consults experts without having enough knowledge to interpret them. It's as illuminating as listening to idle gossip on a topic about which you care nothing. It's a badly explained doctoral thesis. She has a mastery of English but not of the subject at hand. I am very disappointed. I definitely expect something better from a publisher's high asking price. That isn't the author's fault.

I could not put this book away. Beautifully written, thought provoking, and an in depth examination of the circumstances and people associated with these hideous crimes. The author writing style is not one of an indifferent newspaper reporter. She also mesmerizingly captures the ambience, culture, and attitude of South Texas. Fascinating.As you progress through the book, you realize how badly our society is failing so many. Like everyone else,Excellent. Beautifully written and mesmerizing insight into the circumstances surrounding a horrific tragedy.Ms. Tilllman also captures the ambience of Brownsville, TX. ....she draws you into the point of view of its people and their culture. .

An elegant meditation on how we treat the poor and the mentally ill. This is an odd book. I would never have read it had I not heard a bit on NPR that emphasized the philosophy rather than the horror of the crimes. Took a chance and ordered it. Read it cover to cover. Tillman is a fine reporter and writer. She looks at the people involved, the border town where the dreadful incident took place, the way different states handle the death penalty. Her thoughts are deep, her sentences are lucid, and her sensitivity is finely tuned. And -- so important for a journalist -- she perseveres through her reporting, despite the grim and tiresome work involved. I enjoy true crime books, but this really is not one. This is a book to savor and to contemplate.

This book is a fascinating read about a journalist's personal and brave exploration of a horrific crime and its impact on the community in which it took place. Through exquisitely written prose, Tillman brings us along on her years-long journey in search of possible causes of a triple murder while examining its ongoing effects. In doing so, every perspective is covered: legal, psychological, philosophical, and personal. Like a powerful play that causes an audience member to walk in the wrong direction upon leaving a theater, Tillman's compelling story will no doubt stubbornly occupy your thoughts after you finish reading the last page.