The Misbegotten Son

Arthur Shawcross is to be pitied, but you just cannot. From the time he was a child, he knew he was "different," but never knew why, nor did he receive any insights by family or counselors. Shawcross grew up in a tiny village in upstate New York, quit school in the 9th grade after being held back twice, served in the Army and then his life fell apart. He brutally murdered 10-year old Jack Blake, for which he was suspected but never arrested. He subsequently murdered 8-year old Karen Hill and was convicted. After plea-bargaining, he received a 25-year sentence of which he served 14+ years and was released on parole.Why was he released? Basically because he was cunning and shrewd. He did everything he could to be a model prisoner, and none of the mental health team could diagnose him. Though a few psychologists thought he should never be allowed to live in an open society, there was little they could do to hold him beyond 15 years. Shortly after his release, he began a two-year killing spree, murdering 11 prostitutes before being captured. I had the strong feeling there were many more murders that we will never know about.Jack Olsen takes us through Arthur's life via an oral history and taped Q and A interview with Shawcross. The book is brilliant. By letting the people closest to Shawcross tell their stories in their own words, interwoven with dispassionate analysis, the author rivets our attention and interest. At the conclusion, a dogged psychiatrist finally uncovers that Arthur has a severe biological impairment, an extra Y chromosome and a little known compound that is a marker for violent behavior. The two together were biological dynamite.Arthur Shawcross's story is fascinating. It brings to the forefront "nature vs. nurture" arguments. It appears Arthur would have been no different regardless of where and how he had been raised. Mr. Olson brings Arthur, his family and friends, and his victims brilliantly to life.

Very simply: Jack Olsen put together this amazing book that not only had me engaged so intensely that I read it straight through, but it was the book that got me "addicted" to the true crime books. Every other book I read, I hold up in comparison. None have outshone it. The descriptions of the lives and times of the people in the book are so enlivening, you begin to feel you know them in a most authentic way. The book touched and moved me, educated me in the sick ways of a serial killer as well as the sick ways of a society that turns them loose. I strongly recommend, no, I INSIST people read this book. You will not be disappointed! And if you've never read Jack Olsen before, start now.

...one of the best books, period! Jack Olson gathered an enormous amount of first person inteviews with victims, families, psychiatrists, and Shawcross himself. Instead of getting fancy with the order of events (a la Don Lasseter), he logically lays it out for the reader. Shawcross is one sick pup and you'll get to know him real well by th time you put this book down. Only drawback--no pictures! Check out one the the cable companies' serial killer profiles to see what Shawcross looks like and his venues of murder.

This is the finest crime/mystery book I have ever read. This book is chilling! Once you pick it up, you won't put it down, and once you read it, you won't forget it!

I was born and reside in Rochester, NY and recall when all of this mayhem was taking place. Jack Olsen does a magnificent job of covering all of the details of the Shawcross story along with precise facts on how, when and where things occurred. Wonderful book!