When a child is murdered and horribly mutilated in the small community of La Ronge, Saskatchewan, rumours of ritual killings and satanic cults quickly spread among the townsfolk, not helped by the slow reaction of the police to find the killer. In fact, the manner of the killing is so grotesque police are reluctant to release details, fearing the community may not be able to deal with the reality of the crime. When officers do make their move, they arrest 14-year-old Sandy Charles and his 7-year-old accomplice, William Martin.
The fourth book in Kathryn McMaster’s True Crime Press Series, focuses on the horrific murder of 7-year-old Johnathan Thimpsen in 1995. As always Ms McMaster tells the story with great attention to detail, using court transcripts, eyewitness accounts and interviews to create a thoroughly well-researched record, exploring the crime, the killer’s state of mind and the effects on the community. Given the brutal nature of the murder, the writing is sensitive and thoughtful, and provides an insight into the ordeal suffered by the families of the children involved, as well as the people of La Ronge, following this appalling crime.
This story includes many gruesome details that some readers may find disturbing.
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Colin Garrow 