Book Review: Judgment Ridge : The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Judgment Ridge : The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Dick Lehr , Mitchell Zuckoff
Class/Genre:   Non-Fiction   Mystery   True Crime

In the early weeks of 2001, residents of the Dartmouth, NH were sickened to hear of the brutal deaths by stabbing of two popular professors, attacked in their home and left to bleed out on the floor of the study. Although they had an valuable collection of art, potentially worth several thousand dollars to a fence, the only item taken from their home was less than $500 in cash.

Investigators almost immediately had two clues to follow - heavy sheaths suitable for large lethal hunting knives were left behind by the killers, and a bloody footprint was identified as made by a specific type of outdoor boot.

Painstakingly checking several thousand purchase records from outdoor supply companies, the investigators located purchases shipped to areas near Dartmouth. While questioning two teenage boys who lived in a small rural town north of Dartmouth, investigators located a boot which matched the footprint. In a few short hours after the first visit to their homes, the boys disappeared. Their car was located in a nearby truck stop, and nationwide bulletins were issued for their apprehension.

Everyone involved, the investigators, the families of the boys, their teachers, friends, and fellow students were amazed at the prospect that their small community had contained two very young men capable of such vicious brutality.

Lehr and Zuckoff are reporters for the Boston Globe, and this book grew out of coverage by the Globe as the manhunt and subsequent trials took place. Their portrayal of the murdered couple creates a poignant portrait of two persons who were devoted to each other in late middle age, excellent parents, and widely respected teachers and researchers. Equally poignant is their outline of the two young killers, which concludes with a well researched, believable analysis of what led to their crimes.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM