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Rating: 
Summary: Insightful glimpse into the mores of small town America
Review: "Indiana Gothic" closely resembles the plot of any number of soap operas or prime time dramas, except this "plot" really happened in early 20th century America. Pope Brock takes a long-held family secret and turns it into a riveting drama of adultery, jealousy, and murder. Young up-and-coming politician Ham Dillon becomes involved with his wife's older and married sister, fathers her child, and ultimately dies for it at the hands of her tortured husband. The ensuing trial of his brother-in-law and its use of the insanity plea only climaxes a local history that never fails to entertain. Since this story was a closely kept secret in Brock's family, he is forced to create various key conversations between the participants. In fact, Brock's ill-chosen use of rather florid language to capture these dialogues almost turns this book into a novel. What saves this from becoming just another interesting piece of period fiction is Brock's indepth look into the local politics of small town America at the turn of the century. Fortunately, the trial itself was well-documented, and this adds a ring of authenticity to the book. Brock also obviously researched the myriad aspects of daily life during this time period and he uses this knowledge to ground the events in a realistic environment. Despite Brock's need to "fabricate" significant conversations, this book does eventually succeed as an important piece of local history.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow, boring book
Review: "Indiana Gothic" closely resembles the plot of any number of soap operas or prime time dramas, except this "plot" really happened in early 20th century America. Pope Brock takes a long-held family secret and turns it into a riveting drama of adultery, jealousy, and murder. Young up-and-coming politician Ham Dillon becomes involved with his wife's older and married sister, fathers her child, and ultimately dies for it at the hands of her tortured husband. The ensuing trial of his brother-in-law and its use of the insanity plea only climaxes a local history that never fails to entertain. Since this story was a closely kept secret in Brock's family, he is forced to create various key conversations between the participants. In fact, Brock's ill-chosen use of rather florid language to capture these dialogues almost turns this book into a novel. What saves this from becoming just another interesting piece of period fiction is Brock's indepth look into the local politics of small town America at the turn of the century. Fortunately, the trial itself was well-documented, and this adds a ring of authenticity to the book. Brock also obviously researched the myriad aspects of daily life during this time period and he uses this knowledge to ground the events in a realistic environment. Despite Brock's need to "fabricate" significant conversations, this book does eventually succeed as an important piece of local history.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating Reading
Review: I ordered this book because it was a crime that took place in my home town. I was delighted to find that this book was very well written by a talented author. Beautifully written story not only about adultery and murder, but what life was like at the turn of the century in a small southern Indiana town.
Rating:
Summary: One of those rare novels with universal appeal....GREAT!
Review: If tales of murder and mystery are your thing, or if you're into historical novels that transport you to another era, you'll LOVE this book. But more important, even if you're not interested in works of that ilk, you'll STILL love this book-- simply because it's so beautifully written. As so many others at this site have commented, it's a real page turner ... and who can't resist that? And the "story" is made even more engrossing because Brock makes it so rich in detail. I have also read "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," which is somewhat similar, but found Brock's book to be far more engaging. He is a very gifted writer, so don't miss out on this terrific read! (I actually missed my subway stop once while reading it, as I was so "carried away.")
Rating:
Summary: Excellent...intriguing, I could barely put it down!
Review: My husband's family grew up in this area, and he knew several of those who contributed to Brock's research. Family members were here for a recent reunion and recalled many of the later events cited. It is a fantastic story, and Pope Brock is to be commended for an outstanding novel!
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating story
Review: Saw the author on the today show, and it prompted me to read his book . . . and am glad I did . . . this book has it all: adultery, murder and a great trial . . . very good "feel" for details.
Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best books I've ever read!
Review: There aren't enough stars or adequate words to give this book the merit it deserves. It was in the "true crime" section of the library, and I mainly picked it up because it was one of the few I hadn't read. What a pleasant surprise to find a rather ordinary story told in such a bewitching manner! By reading Mr. Brock's words, I felt that I was familiar with the atmosphere and living conditions of Allie and Link, Maggie and Ham, and the other players. Allie Hale is in the prison of a loveless marriage to her former schoolteacher when her younger sister, Maggie, marries handsome Ham Dillon. The subsequent affair between Allie and Ham is not only predictable but perhaps inevitable. Allie's biggest mistake was probably giving birth to a 12-lb. boy that she hoped her husband would believe was premature, but then she named him after her lover. Link, however, could add two and two and, when confronted, Allie confessed all. The broken-hearted Link repeatedly attempted suicide (with and without asking his wife to join him) and eventually decided he needed some intensive treatment. He was on his way to the Kellogg's institute in Battle Creek, Michigan, when he met his rival on the street and put five bullets into him. Every aspect of this story is fascinating--the rivalries, passions, and betrayals as well as the mundane and ordinary are spellbindingly told.
Rating:
Summary: True Crime, Scandal, and Kelloggs Cornflakes
Review: This book was in my favorite section of the library: "True Crime," Dewey Decimal #364.1523. It would make a mighty fine Soap Opera too! Passion and murder in "fin de siecle" Indiana. As the author explains in his preliminary "Note To The Reader:" " The story you are about to read lay buried in my family for a long time. It concerns the true circumstances of the death of my great-grandfather, Ham [Albert Hamlet] Dillon, and it was kept secret from most of us, his descendants, for nearly eighty years. ... What follows is a true story, reconstructed. No plot points have been jiggered to make it a better tale. However, much of the record is fragmentary, of course - including the courtroom testimony - or missing altogether. Ultimately, the facts formed a line of buoys in a sea of my own imagination." Vii -Viii It's a vivid voyage, and Brock masterfully reinvigorates folks from 100 years ago. The attempted suicide in the outhouse is particularly poignant (and probably pungent.) This reviewer won't pre-tell the whole tale-wouldn't it lessen your enjoyment if I did? You'll have to read it yourself to find out what Kellogg's Corn Flakes have to do with any of this! But here's an excerpt from the reconstructed transcript of the murder trial, wherein the Defendant is claiming "temporary insanity." The sad state of "psychiatry" in that era is either laughable, or makes one want to reach for the Prozac. The Defendant's treating physician is testifying, offering a diagnosis of "Neurasthenia." (Don't go running for your current copy of the DSM - this "illness" is no longer diagnosed.)
"Neurasthenia, what's that?"
"Well," said the doctor, growing expansive, "it's a new sort of disorder that's arisen just in the past decade or two, mostly here in the United States. Actually we ought to be a little proud of how many cases there are, because you might say it's an indicator advanced civilization - caused by the general movement in our society now away from physical labor and toward mental labor. Naturally it's more common in offices than in outdoor work. More common in men than women because men are required to use their brains more." (p. 301) Earlier, another doctor had told the Hales: "It's not the criminally insane or the hopeless alcoholics or the ones who think they're the King of Siam - who do you think the largest group of mentally disturbed [institutionalized]people is? Farm wives." (p. 166) Res Ipsa Loquitur. (Also known as: Well, duh! The thing speaks for itself.) Living in those harsh conditions, with so little respect, might make anyone go a little "crazy!" I wish there were pictures of the major players. There is no description of the cover photo. I presume that the gentleman is Ham. But is the woman Allie or Maggie?
Rating:
Summary: True Crime, Scandal, and Kelloggs Cornflakes
Review: This book was in my favorite section of the library: "True Crime," Dewey Decimal #364.1523. It would make a mighty fine Soap Opera too! Passion and murder in "fin de siecle" Indiana. As the author explains in his preliminary "Note To The Reader:" " The story you are about to read lay buried in my family for a long time. It concerns the true circumstances of the death of my great-grandfather, Ham [Albert Hamlet] Dillon, and it was kept secret from most of us, his descendants, for nearly eighty years. ... What follows is a true story, reconstructed. No plot points have been jiggered to make it a better tale. However, much of the record is fragmentary, of course - including the courtroom testimony - or missing altogether. Ultimately, the facts formed a line of buoys in a sea of my own imagination." Vii -Viii It's a vivid voyage, and Brock masterfully reinvigorates folks from 100 years ago. The attempted suicide in the outhouse is particularly poignant (and probably pungent.) This reviewer won't pre-tell the whole tale-wouldn't it lessen your enjoyment if I did? You'll have to read it yourself to find out what Kellogg's Corn Flakes have to do with any of this! But here's an excerpt from the reconstructed transcript of the murder trial, wherein the Defendant is claiming "temporary insanity." The sad state of "psychiatry" in that era is either laughable, or makes one want to reach for the Prozac. The Defendant's treating physician is testifying, offering a diagnosis of "Neurasthenia." (Don't go running for your current copy of the DSM - this "illness" is no longer diagnosed.)
"Neurasthenia, what's that?"
"Well," said the doctor, growing expansive, "it's a new sort of disorder that's arisen just in the past decade or two, mostly here in the United States. Actually we ought to be a little proud of how many cases there are, because you might say it's an indicator advanced civilization - caused by the general movement in our society now away from physical labor and toward mental labor. Naturally it's more common in offices than in outdoor work. More common in men than women because men are required to use their brains more." (p. 301) Earlier, another doctor had told the Hales: "It's not the criminally insane or the hopeless alcoholics or the ones who think they're the King of Siam - who do you think the largest group of mentally disturbed [institutionalized]people is? Farm wives." (p. 166) Res Ipsa Loquitur. (Also known as: Well, duh! The thing speaks for itself.) Living in those harsh conditions, with so little respect, might make anyone go a little "crazy!" I wish there were pictures of the major players. There is no description of the cover photo. I presume that the gentleman is Ham. But is the woman Allie or Maggie?
Rating:
Summary: Very well written
Review: Without a doubt, this is definitely one of the finest books I have read in a long time. I am suggesting INDIANA GOTHIC to anyone who asks me, "what is a good read?" I truly hated to turn the final page! Bravo to Mr. Brock.
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