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  • The Misbegotten Son

  • Written by: Jack Olsen
  • Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
  • Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (39 ratings)

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The Misbegotten Son

Written by: Jack Olsen
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
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Publisher's Summary

An account of the crimes of Arthur Shawcross describes how the paroled child killer shot, stabbed, suffocated, and strangled 16 Rochester, New York, prostitutes and examines how the legal system failed his victims.

©2014 Jack Olsen (P)2015 Evan Olsen, Su Olsen

What listeners say about The Misbegotten Son

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of the best audio books I've listened to

I could listen to Kevin Pierce read the telephone book, the fact that he narrates this unbelievable journey makes it all the more reason to give this a listen. It was very interesting hearing the crimes reported from a victim, detective and murderers point of view.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Horrifying Crimes Made Palpably Real

The events in this book are informed by transcripts of interviews, police reports, and court documents. Jack Olsen dramatizes heavily - the crimes described are extensively fictionalized (no-one recorded dialogue in real-time during crimes, after all) - but, unlike in many books in this genre, the artistic license works. The author strikes a nice balance between documentary and quasi-screenplay.
Furthermore, this book is very well-written: The vocabulary is expansive, the timeline is presented logically, and Olsen gives voice to the perpetrator, victims, their families, and investigators with startling realism. Additionally, he paces this 18-hour book perfectly.. I was worried about the length, but it actually goes by quickly - propelled by true-to-life dialogue, vivid description, and immersion into the settings discussed.

It must be noted that Kevin Pierce turns in an impressive performance. I have found his reading tone a little too matter-of-fact in previous audiobooks but that's not an issue in 'Misbegotten Son'. Even when presenting psychiatric reports (intrinsically dry), Pierce makes the text interesting.

This 10/10 book is an exemplar for a quality True Crime audiobook. Spend the Credit.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I highly recommend this book

I’m a huge fan of Kevin Pierce; he’s an exceptional narrator. This book was sad and unsettling, but super engaging.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Misbegotten Son

Amazing story telling. I like that there were point of views from different characters ie the parents of the killer, the detectives and the killer himself.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow!

Incredibly written & fantastic narration. I will definitely read/listen to another by this author. The story however is very disturbing and I found it hard to listen to some parts. Not for those with a weak stomach!

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Misbegotten Son

This story shocked me. Many times I would say out loud....what the hell man. Tragic. Heart wrenching. Couldn't stop listening.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Interesting but too long.

I really got lost a bit toward the end. Great reading voice and story though.

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