Will to Murder: The True Story Behind the Crimes & Trials Surrounding the Glensheen Killings

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Summary: Great non-fiction
Review: An extraordinarily well-done non-fiction. Very gripping.

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Summary: Fascinating look behind the scenes
Review: Great read, filled with insider details of the infamous Condgon murders, and a fascinating look at a twisted killer recently released from prison. This book proves the adage that truth is stranger than fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Very well written, lots of details you can't find elsewhere!
Review: I loved this book. I thought the attention to detail was what was so spectacular about it. I grew up in Northern Minnesota and I loved hearing every little detail about a story that I have been around my whole life. Who wants to read a "generalized" account of a murder? True life murder investigations and accounts are very detailed, as they should be and this one is no exception. It was great getting all of the extra information that you don't hear about on TV or in the newspapers. I love non-fiction books and I think this one was truly interesting to read. I couldn't put it down even though I knew the ending! Very well written. I highly recommend it.

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Summary: My book club loved it!
Review: It's seldom you get to read a compelling story about something that happened in your own backyard, but my book club here in St. Paul had the opportunity with "Will to Murder." We enjoyed how it took us, step by step, through the gruesome murders, the investigation and the prosecutions. I especially appreciated how the detective and prosecuting attorney openly acknowledged mistakes they had made. It would be a great book for anyone interested in the law or police work. What really keeps you reading, however, is the fascinating story of Marjorie Caldwell Hagen herself. You can't wait to see what she does next. Who knows -- more may be coming now that she just got released from prison.

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Summary: Never on a Sunday
Review: On the night of Sunday, June 26, 1977, somebody snuck into the Congdon Mansion in Duluth, MN (featured in the 1972 thriller "You'll Like My Mother") and killed mega-rich Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse. Most folks around here think the murder was perpetrated by Elisabeth's bizarre adopted daughter dearest, Marjorie Congdon LeRoy Caldwell Hagen, and Marge's then-husband, Roger Caldwell.

Nonetheless, Marjorie was acquitted of these murders. And she was never even charged for 2 more murders of which she is almost certainly guilty. The heirs to whom she would forfeit her share of her mother's vast estate "settled" the civil case involving the "slayer statute" [the one that expresses the intent that those who kill their benefactor shalt not benefit.] One can only shake one's head in wonderment and console oneself that although there be imperfect justice on this Earth, certainly Marjorie will answer to a Higher Authority in the Next Life. She has already exhibitted an affinity for Fire in her numerous arsons, for some of which she was actually imprisoned.

This book is a collaboration between former Duluth News-Tribune crime reporter Gail Feichtinger, the Duluth Detective Gary Waller, and the St. Louis Co Prosecutor John DeSanto. With 20/20 hindsight, they courageously lead the reader through the morass of investigative and legal procedure and admit to screw-ups along the way. They explore "what ifs," like DNA testing, which was not developed back in the "Dark Ages" of the 1970's. There are helpful photos and charts and an abbreviated Congdon Family Tree in the back. An Index of all the players would have been nice, but I made my own.

Danger, Will Robinson! And all other Readers, at least those from the Region: Do Not Start Reading this rivetting book on a Sunday evening, if you work a Regular Monday - Friday work week. This book is way too addictive. Better to start on Friday evening and dedicate your weekend to it. It's that engrossing! /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer, Lone member of My Own Book Club - I read what I want, when I want (except during those unfortunate times when I have to work for a living.)

Rating:
Summary: Great non-fiction
Review: On the night of Sunday, June 26, 1977, somebody snuck into the Congdon Mansion in Duluth, MN (featured in the 1972 thriller "You'll Like My Mother") and killed mega-rich Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse. Most folks around here think the murder was perpetrated by Elisabeth's bizarre adopted daughter dearest, Marjorie Congdon LeRoy Caldwell Hagen, and Marge's then-husband, Roger Caldwell.

Nonetheless, Marjorie was acquitted of these murders. And she was never even charged for 2 more murders of which she is almost certainly guilty. The heirs to whom she would forfeit her share of her mother's vast estate "settled" the civil case involving the "slayer statute" [the one that expresses the intent that those who kill their benefactor shalt not benefit.] One can only shake one's head in wonderment and console oneself that although there be imperfect justice on this Earth, certainly Marjorie will answer to a Higher Authority in the Next Life. She has already exhibitted an affinity for Fire in her numerous arsons, for some of which she was actually imprisoned.

This book is a collaboration between former Duluth News-Tribune crime reporter Gail Feichtinger, the Duluth Detective Gary Waller, and the St. Louis Co Prosecutor John DeSanto. With 20/20 hindsight, they courageously lead the reader through the morass of investigative and legal procedure and admit to screw-ups along the way. They explore "what ifs," like DNA testing, which was not developed back in the "Dark Ages" of the 1970's. There are helpful photos and charts and an abbreviated Congdon Family Tree in the back. An Index of all the players would have been nice, but I made my own.

Danger, Will Robinson! And all other Readers, at least those from the Region: Do Not Start Reading this rivetting book on a Sunday evening, if you work a Regular Monday - Friday work week. This book is way too addictive. Better to start on Friday evening and dedicate your weekend to it. It's that engrossing! /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer, Lone member of My Own Book Club - I read what I want, when I want (except during those unfortunate times when I have to work for a living.)

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: The murders detailed in this book happened in my home town, on the day I turned 6 months old. So I grew up hearing whisperings about the gruesome murders. When I toured Glensheen, the tour guides evaded all murder questions. I never really knew the story. My parents bought this book for my birthday, and I after 10 pages I couldn't put it down. It does an excellent job of presenting the facts, but interspersed with great character development, in the form of giving bits of Congdon family history. Engaging and exciting to read. Brilliant.

Rating:
Summary: Very well written, lots of details you can't find elsewhere!
Review: This book was like reading top-notch fiction; I couldn't put it down even though I knew the ending. The co-authors were the chief investigator and the prosecutor of the Glensheen mansion murders. Their direct participation (including some painful admissions of mistakes made) gives this book enormous credibility. The lead author, a reporter and a lawyer, ties it all together.

The book not only chronicles a double-murder investigation and two trials, it brings the cases up to date with new DNA analysis of critical evidence.

When I checked around, Will to Murder was flying off the shelves here in Minnesota. I suspect it will have legs and get national attention as well.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful..but there is a better one!
Review: Will to murder was a wonderful book. I grew up in duluth minnesota about 2 miles from the glensheen mansion so i love to read about the murders and the mansion its self. But if you think this book was a good telling of Marjorie Caldwell LeRoy Hagen you'll love Glensheens Daughter. Its all about Marjorie and her life as a basicly money hungry, demanding, women, not to mention crazy (in my opinion at least). It tells about her murdering her last husband Wallace Hagen not only that but all the fires she started in arizona and over all her whole criminal life. It is great book. Even better than Will to Murder. I recomend it to any one who enjoyed Will to Murder.