The Midnight Assassin: Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America's First Serial Killer
In "The Midnight Assassin: Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America's First Serial Killer" by Skip Hollandsworth, readers are taken back to late 19th century Texas, specifically Austin in the 1880s, where a series of brutal murders terrorized the city. The narrative unfolds with meticulous research, providing a detailed account of the unsolved crimes and the investigation that ensued. The book delves into the social and historical context of the time, painting a vivid picture of a city on the rise, grappling with fear and panic as the killer, dubbed the Servant Girl Annihilator, struck terror in the community.
Hollandsworth's writing style in "The Midnight Assassin" is praised for its historical accuracy and attention to detail, offering readers a well-investigated true crime story that captures the essence of Austin in the 1880s. The book provides insights into the unsuccessful search for the killer, the societal impact of the crimes, and the racial prejudices prevalent in the community. Despite the lack of a definitive conclusion, the narrative keeps readers engaged with its suspenseful storytelling and vivid portrayal of a city in turmoil.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains graphic descriptions of murder and violence against women, which may be a trigger for sensitive readers.
From The Publisher:
A sweeping narrative history of a terrifying serial killer-America's first-who stalked Austin, Texas in 1885
In the late 1800s, the city of Austin, Texas was on the cusp of emerging from an isolated western outpost into a truly cosmopolitan metropolis. But beginning in December 1884, Austin was terrorized by someone equally as vicious and, in some ways, far more diabolical than London's infamous Jack the Ripper. For almost exactly one year, the Midnight Assassin crisscrossed the entire city, striking on moonlit nights, using axes, knives, and long steel rods to rip apart women from every race and class. At the time the concept of a serial killer was unthinkable, but the murders continued, the killer became more brazen, and the citizens' panic reached a fever pitch.
Before it was all over, at least a dozen men would be arrested in connection with the murders, and the crimes would expose what a newspaper described as "the most extensive and profound scandal ever known in Austin." And yes, when Jack the Ripper began his attacks in 1888, London police investigators did wonder if the killer from Austin had crossed the ocean to terrorize their own city.
With vivid historical detail and novelistic flair, Texas Monthly journalist Skip Hollandsworth brings this terrifying saga to life.
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