47 pages • 1 hour read
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
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Book Brief
336
Book • Nonfiction
Alabama • 1970s
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Furious Hours by Casey Cep is a work of literary nonfiction in the true-crime genre that details the story of Willie Maxwell, an Alabama minister suspected of murdering several family members for insurance money, and Robert Burns, who killed Maxwell at a funeral. The book also covers Harper Lee’s unsuccessful effort to document these events. The story involves themes of violence, murder, and mental health challenges.
Informative
Mysterious
Contemplative
Suspenseful
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
28,298 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Furious Hours by Casey Cep expertly combines true crime, biography, and literary history, delving into novelist Harper Lee's unfinished work. Reviews commend its meticulous research, narrative depth, and engaging prose. However, some find its multi-layered structure occasionally disjointed. Despite this, it is praised for its illuminating and evocative storytelling.
Who Should Read Furious Hours?
Readers who appreciate true crime and Southern Gothic literature will enjoy Casey Cep's Furious Hours. Comparable to books like Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, this book delves into murder, courtroom drama, and racial tensions in the Deep South. Fans of meticulously researched narratives with a historical backdrop will be enthralled.
28,298 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Book • Nonfiction
Alabama • 1970s
2019
Adult
18+ years
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