In October of 1975, the wealthy Bell Haven enclave of Greenwich Connecticut was rocked by the brutal murder of 15 year old Martha Moxley. The murder weapon (a distinctive golf club) belonged to her neighbors, the Skakel family. What’s more, teen-aged Tommy and Michael Skakel, both of whom had sexual interests in Martha, were among the last to see her alive. Nevertheless, by 1998 (when this book was written) the murder remained unsolved. Some blamed police incompetence, and others blamed a cover-up by the Skakel family, who refused to cooperate with the police investigation.

Author Timothy Dumas grew up in Greenwich, and has written extensively on the Moxley murder case for newspapers and magazines. In Greentown, he traces events preceding and following the murder in the context of the wealthy community in which they took place. We see Bell Haven as a community with dysfunctional families, rampant alcoholism, irresponsible parents, and spoiled children who grow to become dysfunctional adults. The local police force has had no experience with murder, and are diverted into following blind leads and unlikely suspects. Further, the Skakels close ranks behind their attorneys, and the two boys (Tommy and Michael) are sent off to private schools, out of the reach of the police investigators. Nevertheless, a persistent police investigator (Frank Garr) and a dogged local newspaper reporter (Ken Leavitt) are among those who keep the case alive. Indeed, Dumas uses information brought to light by Garr and Leavitt to suggest probable involvement of Tommy and/ or Michael Skakel.

By the time Dumas wrote this book (1998), the investigation had been re-opened and a grand jury had been convened. Further, the case had attracted attention of former police detective Mark Fuhrman who began writing his own book on the case. With no person having been indicted, Dumas’s book is a report on a case in progress. However, within two years, Michael Skakel was indicted for the murder, and in 2002, he was convicted; he is now serving a prison sentence of 20 years to life.

Despite Michael Skakel’s conviction, many questions remain about the Moxley murder. Among them is the question of how a wealthy upscale community can give rise to the social pathologies that spawned the murder. Tim Dumas’ book helps to answer that question, with the helpful perspective of one who knows Greenwich from the inside. Readers interested in other details of the case will want to read both Len Levitt’s Conviction and Mark Fuhrman’s Murder in Greenwich. ( )

May 27, 2002
Greentown: Murder and Mystery in Greenwich, America’s Wealthiest Community
Timothy Dumas

GREAT non-fiction book about the murder of Martha Moxley. I’ve been fascinated by this story for years, and I knew Mark Fuhrman had written a book about it, but I never bought it because it was, well, Mark Fuhrman. I actually went ahead and bought his book at the same time I bought this one, though. Figured I’d read both. Only bought the paperback of Fuhrman’s book, though. Haven’t read it yet. Don’t know if I will anytime soon, because Dumas’ book was just so good! He tells it like a suspense thriller, in the present tense, and it’s really riveting.

Not your typical true crime fare, usually so dry and technical. Quite a revelation was made. A woman who dated one of the younger Skakels years after the murder says that he confirmed that his brother did indeed kill Martha. He appeared to be referring to Tommy, though the name was never said. Of course, Michael is the one on trial now for the crime, 25 years later. I don’t think he’ll be convicted, though. He shouldn’t be, really - not on the evidence they’ve got, which is none.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. I’ll definitely read it again. ( )

When I first read this book, Martha Moxley's murder hadn't been solved. I remember getting shivers as I read this. I reread it after Michael Skakel was convicted and it still gave me the creeps. It is better written than most true crime and makes for a spooky read on a dreary day. ( )