With one victim already brutally and senselessly murdered in Murrells Inlet, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office is then confronted with another similar set of circumstances at the scene of a second murder. As Paul Waring, a retired state trooper from Connecticut, is called in to help investigate these murders, a third victim – a Catholic priest - has been found shot to death inside a church in Pawleys Island. But why? Two days later, a tragedy involving Paul’s family occurs in nearby Garden City. Is this latest incident an attempt to discourage Paul from working these three murders or has the person responsible for these heinous acts become even more dangerous? A suspenseful and exciting series of events connects each of these murders. Then, as Paul and his fellow cops begin digging for answers, they learn their suspect now has plans to blow up the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. As Paul and his colleagues piece together some of the evidence they have found, their suspect's uncle is found dead. Is a symbol from the past really the cause behind all of the mayhem that has caused many along the Grand Strand to become concerned for their safety or are there other reasons? This explosive story will satisfy readers who enjoy being teased with many unsuspecting twists.
“Riveting... a personal and highly original work of true-crime storytelling.” — John Douglas, former FBI criminal profiling pioneer and co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Mindhunter A chilling investigation into the unsolved “boy in the woods” murder; journalist Jim Cosgrove chronicles his decades-long struggle to uncover the truth of a family friend’s disappearance and death — perfect for fans of I'll be Gone in the Dark and Memorial Drive. For nine years, South Carolina officials struggled to identify “the boy in the woods,” a young man whose body had been discovered just south of Myrtle Beach in a fishing village called Murrells Inlet. Meanwhile, 1,200 miles away in Kansas City, Missouri, Frank McGonigle's family searched for him at Grateful Dead concerts and in the face of every long-haired hitchhiker they passed. Consumed by guilt for how they'd treated him, Frank's eight siblings slowly came to understand that — like Jerry Garcia sang — he's gone and nothin's gonna bring him back. Frank McGonigle was finally found — and identified as “the boy in the woods.” Four years later, the case still unsolved, Jim Cosgrove, a McGonigle family friend and investigative journalist, picked up the trail of Frank’s cold case and began uncovering connections to a ruthless local crime boss and blunders by the threadbare sheriff’s department. When his research began to stall, a chance meeting with the soft-hearted, straight-talking “energy reader” Carol Williams provided a metaphysical spark that reignited Jim's resolve. Although his work as a journalist trained him to be skeptical, Cosgrove found himself starting to become a believer when Carol provided details about Frank’s murder that turned out to be freakishly accurate. In 2019, Cosgrove returned to Murrells Inlet with one of Frank’s brothers to dredge up some old leads and settle Frank’s case once and for all…
Praise for The Horry County Murders... "Peter Warren's experiences as a criminal investigator are clearly captured in this exciting new book. You cannot help but feel like you are there with Paul and Bobby Ray as they attempt to solve this series of murders that confront them." -Colonel Kenneth H. Kirschner (Ret.), Connecticut Department of Public Safety "It is great to see the characters of Paul Waring and Bobby Ray Jenkins back from Warren's first novel Confederate Gold and Silver. No one is more qualified to write a murder mystery than Warren. His unique experience and these great characters make this book a real page turner from the start." -Dr. Mark Foster, The University of Georgia "A deadly combination of murder, drugs, criminals of all sorts, and great suspense. A well-written murder mystery which is a must read! Very, very entertaining!" -SAC Jeffrey Brandau (Ret.), Kansas Bureau of Investigation "Many people set out to try and write an exciting novel or two, but few succeed as well as this author has. Warren's career as a state trooper prepared him to have a second one as a great storyteller. This is such an occasion! This is a GREAT follow-up to Confederate Gold and Silver." -Major Timothy Baughman (Ret.), New Mexico State Police Paul Waring, a retired state trooper from Connecticut, is recruited by his friend, Captain Bobby Ray Jenkins, from the Georgetown County Sheriff's Department, to help solve a series of brutal murders that continue to occur between Myrtle Beach and Georgetown. Can Paul's expertise help stop the murders before the killings continue? Why has Georgetown been selected as the dumping ground for each of the victims?
After 17-year-old Crystal Todd was found brutally murdered in her South Carolina hometown in 1991, her best friend, Ken Register, was the last person anyone would suspect. But when DNA tests confirmed he raped and stabbed Crystal, their small town was stunned. photos. Martin's Press.
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is normally an idyllic place. Until death arrives on recently widowed bookstore owner Clark Thomas' doorstep. When the body of a local businesswoman and environmentalist gets dumped by the back door of his shop, Clark finds himself in a unique position to investigate the crime. But should he? When it comes to murder, something else drives him he doesn't want to admit. As he launches his own search for the killer, Clark comes across a variety of colorful Boardwalk inhabitants who might have had reason to kill an otherwise beloved person. Can he do it and start putting his wife's death behind him in the process, or will it open up a fresh wound?
South Carolina is well known for beaches, barbecue and palmetto trees, but plenty of mystery lies behind the idyllic façade. Some residents once claimed to be tormented by a creature that was part lizard and part man. South of the Border is one of the more famous and unique tourist attractions in the state--complete with a giant sombrero. Lynches River is the only river in the nation that crosses under the same bridge three times. Peachtree Rock Heritage Preservation in Lexington County is home to one of the most unusual natural formations in the United States. Author Sherman Carmichael details these and more in a collection of stories that can be found only in the Palmetto State.
In The Hands Of A Sadist... First, he bound and beat his girlfriend, a 43-year-old librarian. Then he went after her teenaged daughter-warning her, "Scream and I will kill you both"-before knocking her unconscious. When the teenager awoke, he proceded to rape her. And in a final horrifying act of depravity, he forced the girl to watch as he slit her mother’s throat. But the killing didn’t stop there... In The Crosshairs Of A Killer... Stephen Stanko was described as "a perfect gentleman" who "seemed so pleasant...and so normal." But behind Stanko’s mild-mannered appearance, round spectacles, and quiet intelligence was a coldblooded ex-convict who kept a grisly scrapbook on serial killers-and convinced everyone he was a nice guy-until he killed and killed again. On The Trail Of A Psycho... A well-orchestrated manhunt caught up with Stanko, who tried to get away with his crimes by pleading insanity. But the jury saw through his ruse and the ruthless killer was sentenced to death. Case Seen On 48 Hours Includes 16 Pages of Shocking Photos A PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN . . . Denise Amber Lee was a 21-year-old happily married mother of two little boys. She had her whole life ahead of her...until an intruder broke into her Florida home. Within a few short hours she was savagely terrorized, murdered, and buried naked in a shallow grave near a desolate swamp. A DEPRAVED KILLER . . . Michael King, a 38-year-old out-of-work plumber, was a ticking time bomb. For years, neighbors called the police on King, complaining that, among other things, he'd thrown battery acid in their pool and slashed their tires. Denise’s fate was far worse. In a horrifying act of cruelty, King bound her with duct tape, raped her repeatedly, then shot her dead. A TRAGIC FAILURE. . . Incredibly, Denise managed to call 911 twice during her abduction. Eyewitnesses and her distraught husband also called, but a slow, inefficient system tragically failed her. As a result, Florida passed the Denise Lee Law, setting voluntary standards for 911 systems. King was sentenced to death. But for Denise and her loving family, it was too late. Includes 16 Pages of Shocking Photos Difficult to put down. . .. This is one that I highly recommend. --True Crime Book Reviews on Watch Mommy Die Die For Love Sarah Ludemann was new to love. The Pinellas, Florida, 17-year old was a late bloomer. When she fell for a boy she was blind to the world of sex, drugs and drama swirling around her. Soon, Sarah had a bitter enemy in 18-year-old waitress Rachel Wade; both girls were head-over-heels with a cocky two-timer named Joshua Camacho. On a warm spring night, their passions erupted into violence. A knife flashed under the streetlights. When the fight was over one girl was dead and the other charged with murder. In an emotion-packed courtroom the whole story took shape--a troubling tale of conflicting lives, tangled sexual affairs, and the high price of having the right feelings for the wrong guy. . . "Brisk pacing. . .shocking details." --Publishers Weekly on The Burn Farm Includes dramatic photos.
In The Hands Of A Sadist. . . First, he bound and beat his girlfriend, a 43-year-old librarian. Then he went after her teenaged daughter--warning her, "Scream and I will kill you both"--before knocking her unconscious. When the teenager awoke, he proceded to rape her. And in a final horrifying act of depravity, he forced the girl to watch as he slit her mother's throat. But the killing didn't stop there. . . In The Crosshairs Of A Killer. . . Stephen Stanko was described as "a perfect gentleman" who "seemed so pleasant. . .and so normal." But behind Stanko's mild-mannered appearance, round spectacles, and quiet intelligence was a coldblooded ex-convict who kept a grisly scrapbook on serial killers--and convinced everyone he was a nice guy--until he killed and killed again. On The Trail Of A Psycho. . . A well-orchestrated manhunt caught up with Stanko, who tried to get away with his crimes by pleading insanity. But the jury saw through his ruse and the ruthless killer was sentenced to death. Case Seen On 48 Hours Includes 16 Pages of Shocking Photos
