Well written narrative of a triple murder and the insane artist responsible for it. Gives an overall feel for the time, some extra murders seem added just for the heck of it, but an interesting read ( )

The story itself was interesting and well-researched, but at times I felt like the author was padding it because he didn't have enough material. I would have preferred to read a shorter, tighter account of Bob Irwin's mad, murderous mayhem. ( )

This was one of those true crime events that I had no knowledge of whatsoever. I've never seen a movie of, heard it referenced, nothing. I went into this blind. After reading this, is still seems more fiction than fact. On Easter Sunday, New York City was aghast when it learned of a gruesome triple murder. A mother killed and stuffed under the bed; her daughter (entering the apartment later in the evening) was killed on top of the bed, most likely never knowing her mother's corpse laid beneath her. In the next room a boarder is murdered in his sleep; getting stabbed a dozen times in his head with an ice pick. Who would do this and why? Robert Irwin, dubbed the mad sculptor by the press, was in and out of mental institutions in his youth. He had a troubled childhood and was known to go into fits of rage. He was also a masterful art student, he was a talented sculptor and it seemed for a time that art would be his saving grace. It was not. A series of unfortunate events occurs and the author does a great job describing Irwin's life and that of the people he killed. Photographs are included and lots of other New York crime tidbits that I enjoyed. It's salacious, over the top, absurd, and sad. It doesn't read like most true crime novels, but it's still very engaging! ( )

Not really sure why I'm getting into this true crime bit recently, but I'm fascinated by some of these stories (perhaps I can blame this one reading one too many Flavia de Luce books!). This one in particular struck my interest, as the killer obviously had some serious mental illness. Or maybe not obviously, but the author certainly presented it that way. And it's interesting (there goes that word again) how far we HAVEN'T come with regards to the victim's reputation, when it involves a pretty, single woman. Sigh. ( )

all over the place. needed editing and focus. ( )