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A review by lavanda4
Scoundrel: How a Convicted Murderer Persuaded the Women Who Loved Him, the Conservative Establishment, and the Courts to Set Him Free by Sarah Weinman
4.0
As a young married father, Edgar Smith was sentenced to die in June, 1957 for the hideous death of young Vickie Zielinski. He took full advantage of her naivete and audaciously blamed her for his rage and death. Yet he died of natural causes in 2017 in prison aptly (or inaptly) called Death House at the age of 83. How did this happen? He used everything in his power to manipulate, cajole and fool everyone. He confessed but then changed his mind, he confused and abused. Sadly, his legal team members (especially William Buckley) were taken in and defended him to the nth degree, eventually enabling him to walk free. After release, Smith viciously attacked a second young woman, Lisa Ozbun, severely injuring her and was arrested and imprisoned once again. It was not until then that his legal team admitted they had made a terrible mistake.
Vickie Zielinski was a teenager and had everything to live for. But as the author explains when victims are killed, their lives are over. The killer has the power. Vickie's and Lisa's families paid dearly. Book Editor Sophie Wilkins was taken in, too, and entered an emotional affair with Smith and exchanged hundreds of (at times very inappropriate) letters to each other while he was in prison (and later deeply regretted it). Yes, Smith wrote books from Death House. Not only that but he married three times in his lifetime. After he was freed he even launched lawsuits and wrote book reviews. The author also writes about what happens to each person involved. Smith outlived nearly all of them.
This tragic true crime story is a difficult read in a way as it is graphic, contains abuse and other triggers. I had not heard of this case before and therefore learned a lot, not only about the case but was reminded of the capacity of human beings from foolishness to predation to manipulating to killing. Learning about Mary Higgins Clark's connection was interesting. The photographs are crushing. Though fascinating and informative, this book is not for everyone due to the content. The author researched meticulously and what she wrote is absolutely riveting. That ending...wow!
My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this insightful book about a despicable killer, infuriating injustice, trickery and heartbreaking repercussions for the families affected for many years, into subsequent generations.
Vickie Zielinski was a teenager and had everything to live for. But as the author explains when victims are killed, their lives are over. The killer has the power. Vickie's and Lisa's families paid dearly. Book Editor Sophie Wilkins was taken in, too, and entered an emotional affair with Smith and exchanged hundreds of (at times very inappropriate) letters to each other while he was in prison (and later deeply regretted it). Yes, Smith wrote books from Death House. Not only that but he married three times in his lifetime. After he was freed he even launched lawsuits and wrote book reviews. The author also writes about what happens to each person involved. Smith outlived nearly all of them.
This tragic true crime story is a difficult read in a way as it is graphic, contains abuse and other triggers. I had not heard of this case before and therefore learned a lot, not only about the case but was reminded of the capacity of human beings from foolishness to predation to manipulating to killing. Learning about Mary Higgins Clark's connection was interesting. The photographs are crushing. Though fascinating and informative, this book is not for everyone due to the content. The author researched meticulously and what she wrote is absolutely riveting. That ending...wow!
My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this insightful book about a despicable killer, infuriating injustice, trickery and heartbreaking repercussions for the families affected for many years, into subsequent generations.