New York Times bestselling, Edgar Award winning author Harry N MacLean joins us to discuss his new true crime book STARKWEATHER: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree That Changed America.

In late 1957 and early 1958 nineteen-year-old Charles Starkweather went on a spree of crime and murder through the American heartland, much of it accompanied by his fourteen-year-old girl friend Caril Ann Fugate, that would leave eleven dead, including Caril’s own parents and toddler sister.

The crimes sent shock waves throughout the world and became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring numerous films and songs, including Natural Born Killers, Badlands, and the song "Nebraska" by Bruce Springsteen.

Most saw them as a murderous and callous Romeo and Juliet, hellbent juvenile delinquents in love, both complicit. Starkweather received a death sentence and died in the electric chair, Caril Anne was convicted of first-degree murder and would spend nearly two decades behind bars. But there were a flurry of unanswered questions, such as, how complicit was Caril Ann in the crimes? Was it justice that was sought or vengeance? And was a not only completely innocent teenage girl, but an actual victim, found guilty of crimes she didn’t commit?

New York Times bestselling author and Edgar Award winner Harry N MacLean set out to answer these questions with his new book STARKWEATHER: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree that Changed America. Harry grew up in Lincoln Nebraska where the crimes took place and had ties with the victims as well as Starkweather and Fugate, and today we are delighted to have him on the show to discuss these crimes, their cultural ramifications and the complicity of Carol Ann Fugate.

STARKWEATHER: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree That Changed America goes on sale November 28, 2023 everywhere you get books, pre-orders available now.

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