I have to be honest, I came away from this book feeling a little short-changed. And I’m not really sure why. What did I expect to get from this book? I was interested in the trial of Reverend Willie Maxwell’s murderer. Yes, it was a story made more interesting by the interest of Harper Lee. But, the trial of Robert Burns had the least information of the whole book.

The book begins by telling us of the five people Maxwell (allegedly) murdered for their life insurances. That’s interesting. Then he is killed, the trial of Robert Burns happens, and at a later date Harper Lee becomes interested in it. But she can’t write the book. She struggles, after Mockingbrid, to write anything again. And the book focuses, mostly, on that.

This book is interesting. But the factual, journalistic style makes it all feel a bit detached. It’s not as vibrant as it could have been. I also didn't feel it was really about the trial, as it claims to be on the jacket. It's more about this writer's knowledge of Harper Lee.

Historians. People who enjoy learning about their favourite writers. Fans of Harper Lee.

The details of Harper Lee's friendship with Truman Capote.

It didn't feel like I learned anything. It seemed somewhat bland, to me.

Read something I will enjoy more.

Frustrated. Bored. On the point of giving up, many times.

Casey Cep. From Amazon: "CASEY CEP is a staff writer at "The New Yorker."

"Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee" is her first book. It was an instant "New York Times", "WSJ," & Indiebound bestseller. The book earned rave reviews from Michael Lewis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Al Roker, David Grann, and Helen Macdonald.

You can follow Casey Cep on Twitter (@cncep) and Instagram (@caseycep) or visit her website (www.caseycep.com)."

I'm not sure I do.

It's just not as interesting as I would have liked.

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Created May 31, 2025 at 6:10am • Submit your own review...