Cruel Heart: A True Story of Murder in Kentucky

by William Van Meter

Book Overview

A shocking investigation into a true crime that tore a town apart--the violent murder of a young coed in Kentucky, the innocent boy who was jailed for the crime, and a small Southern community filled... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312373090
• ISBN13: 9780312373092
• Release Date: November 2010
• Publisher: St. Martin's True Crime
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Bluegrass: A true story of Murder in Kentucky

As a Bowling Green native, remembering the story well, I thought I knew alot about the case. Needless to say there was so much more that Vanmeter brought to the reader that only through his research and writing we have come to know. I have read the book more than once and would recommend the book. This is not just a book about a murder in university town in Kentucky but it brings to light the background of social differences, lifestyles of small town america and sometimes how economic status can prove to be the enemy. Well researched and well done.

Innocent

It is ashame that the word of the accused would be taken serious from anyone. The story is written perfectly so that you have a very good feel for what took place at "Western". Like many other books it only shows how law enforcement and the media cause a verdict without a trial, simply public opinion. The facts were laid out in this book which made it easy to follow.

Race, Gender and Class

Van Meter, William. "Bluegrass: A True Story of Murder in Kentucky", Free Press, 2009. Race, Gender and Class Amos Lassen William Van Meter gives a mesmerizing and harrowing account of the murder of college student Katie Autry who was brutally raped, stabbed and then set on fire in 2003. The setting was Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and this book does not just retell the story of the murder but also looks at the issues of race, class, gender and area and we quickly notice that there are many issues of morality that come into play. There were three people involved--Katie herself, and two young men who were separated by economic and culturally but who were also socially and historically united. The background and circumstances of how Katie dies make this book one in which the reader finds himself riveted to the pages. Upon beginning the book, I was sure I knew who was guilty and the entire case seemed rather simple but as I began to read the "other" story and realized that there was nothing simple at all here. Memories of the murder are brought forth in "Bluegrass". The trial found Lucas Goodrum, the major suspect and a 21 year old from Scottsville, Kentucky not guilty of murder and Stephen Soules, his friend and accomplice, also from Scottsville, a partner in crime who raped the co-ed. Soules entered into a plea bargain in order to get life without parole if he showed that Goodrum was involved. Let's look at Goodrum for a moment. He came from a very wealthy family and he dared to be friends with Soules who was biracial and came from a poor family. Autry came from a broken home and was raised for most of her life in foster homes. When she got to college she went a little wild as she got a taste of freedom. She drank at fraternity parties and danced at a local strip club. She was dating an African American football player with whom she claimed to be in love and she was friendly with many of the blacks on campus. Goodrum resented this and we learn that he had a bit of a history of domestic violence. Hence the issues of class and race come into play. The author does an accurate job in covering all aspects of the murder and the trial but where he really shines is in his writing about Bowling Green. This is not just a book about a trial but a look at people and place. Instead of concentrating on the legal errors that took place in the trial, Van Metier looks at the situation that allowed this horrible crime to happen. He writes literature and not sensationalism and his writing is wonderful. The book is just the right length for an afternoon read but it will keep you thinking for a very long time.

Difficult to put down

I found this book to be so interesting I was thoroughly engrossed in it. It was very hard to stop reading to do anything else. I am familiar with the area of the murder and know some of the people involved. It was good to read the complete story and know the backgrounds of the murder victim and the accused. Knowing the story is true made me see how tragic the murder was.

Very engaging

I was familiar with the story and case, as Bowling Green is my hometown. The author paints a very realistic picture of the setting, a small town shocked by the horrible murder of Katie Autry. I also can attest to the media blitz of the case, and how many important details were left out, while less important details were sensationalized. Would highly recommend due to the importance of sharing Katie's story and the author's engaging style.