Starkweather
The Untold Story of the Killing Spree that Changed America
by Harry N. MacLean
Published by: Counterpoint, November 28, 2023
Genre: Nonfiction | True Crime
Page Count: 432 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9781640095410
Publisher’s Description
The definitive story of Charles Starkweather, often considered to be the first mass killer in the modern age of America
On January 21, 1958, nineteen-year-old Charles Starkweather changed the course of crime in the United States when he murdered the parents and sister of his fourteen-year-old girlfriend (and possible accomplice), Caril Ann Fugate, in a house on the edge of Lincoln, Nebraska. They then drove to the nearby town of Bennet, where a farmer was robbed and killed. When Starkweather’s car broke down, the teenagers who stopped to help were murdered and jammed into a storm cellar. By the time the dust settled, ten innocent people were dead and the city of Lincoln was in a state of terror. Schools closed. Men with rifles perched on the roofs of their houses. The National Guard patrolled the street. If there is a cultural version of PTSD, the town suffered from it.
Starkweather and Fugate’s capture and arrest, and the resulting trials about the killing spree, received worldwide coverage. The event would serve as the inspiration for the movie Natural Born Killers and Springsteen’s iconic album Nebraska. Today, the story has dropped far from the national consciousness. With new material, new reporting, and new conclusions about the possible guilt or innocence of Fugate, the tale is ripe for an updated and definitive retelling. In Starkweather, bestselling author Harry N. MacLean tells the story of this shocking event and its lasting impact, a crime spree that struck deep into the heart of the heartland.
About the Author
Harry N. MacLean, a Denver-based lawyer and acclaimed author, gained recognition with his Edgar Award-winning bestseller “In Broad Daylight,” chronicling a small-town murder, followed by a true crime short delving into its backstory. His latest release, “Starkweather,” explores the 1958 murder spree that captivated America. MacLean’s diverse literary repertoire includes “Once Upon A Time,” a true crime tale, and “The Joy of Killing,” a psychologically gripping debut novel. Beyond his literary pursuits, MacLean boasts a legal career, including roles at the SEC, Denver Juvenile Court, and the Peace Corps.
Featured In
