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│ Amazon│Shelton L. Williams
As a true crime (and ghost story) lover, I am quite surprised I've never heard of the Kiss and Kill Murder that took place in Odessa, Texas in 1961. This book is written by Shelton L. Williams, who also happens to be the cousin of the victim, Betty Jean Williams.
Williams has done a fantastic job of not only keeping the reader entertained as they turn the pages, but with the heartfelt telling of the story itself. While reading this story, it brings back memories of books I've read in the past that focus on Texas football in particular (i.e. Friday Night Lights) and how very much that "football culture" takes centerstage in certain cities in Texas (i.e. Odessa). Having Williams' POV on this case, and frankly the culture at the time considering it was before the talk of women's rights was a thing, is what cemented this story for me.
It makes me sad and angry, to say the least, of how the attention of this case, during the trial especially, was on the individual who killed Betty instead of Betty herself and what was done to her. But in writing this book, I truly believe that Williams has given us, women in particular, something back. He has given Betty something back - her story. If in the end, all we are, are stories - then let it be in truth and memories.
I recommend this book to all my fellow true crime readers and to those interested in the culture of the early 1960s, football madness, etc.
Williams has done a fantastic job of not only keeping the reader entertained as they turn the pages, but with the heartfelt telling of the story itself. While reading this story, it brings back memories of books I've read in the past that focus on Texas football in particular (i.e. Friday Night Lights) and how very much that "football culture" takes centerstage in certain cities in Texas (i.e. Odessa). Having Williams' POV on this case, and frankly the culture at the time considering it was before the talk of women's rights was a thing, is what cemented this story for me.
It makes me sad and angry, to say the least, of how the attention of this case, during the trial especially, was on the individual who killed Betty instead of Betty herself and what was done to her. But in writing this book, I truly believe that Williams has given us, women in particular, something back. He has given Betty something back - her story. If in the end, all we are, are stories - then let it be in truth and memories.
I recommend this book to all my fellow true crime readers and to those interested in the culture of the early 1960s, football madness, etc.
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5/11/22
Playlist
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5/12/22
Review
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5/12/22
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5/13/22
Review
The Book's Delight
5/14/22
Guest Post
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5/15/22
Scrapbook Page
StoreyBook Reviews
5/16/22
Review
Book Fidelity
5/17/22
Guest Post
Sybrina's Book Blog
5/18/22
Review
Forgotten Winds
5/19/22
Notable Quotables
All the Ups and Downs
5/19/22
BONUS Review
Rox Burkey Blog
5/20/22
Review
Reading by Moonlight
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
5/11/22
Playlist
Hall Ways Blog
5/12/22
Review
Boys' Mom Reads
5/12/22
BONUS Promo
LSBBT Blog
5/13/22
Review
The Book's Delight
5/14/22
Guest Post
It's Not All Gravy
5/15/22
Scrapbook Page
StoreyBook Reviews
5/16/22
Review
Book Fidelity
5/17/22
Guest Post
Sybrina's Book Blog
5/18/22
Review
Forgotten Winds
5/19/22
Notable Quotables
All the Ups and Downs
5/19/22
BONUS Review
Rox Burkey Blog
5/20/22
Review
Reading by Moonlight
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