The Phantom Killer

Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders: The Story of a Town in Terror

By: James Presley

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

The salacious and scandalous murders of a series of couples on Texarkana's "lovers' lanes" created a media maelstrom and cast a pall of fear over an entire region. What is even more surprising is that the case has remained cold for decades.

Combining archival research and investigative journalism, Pulitzer Prize-nominated historian James Presley reveals evidence that provides crucial keys to unlocking this decades-old puzzle. Although the case lives on today through television, the Internet, a revived fictional movie, and even an off-Broadway play, with so much of the investigation shrouded in mystery since 1946, rumors and fractured facts have distorted reality.

Now, for the first time, a careful examination of the archival record, personal interviews, and stubborn fact checking come together to produce new insights and revelations on the old slayings.

©2014 James Presley (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Diligently researched, this gripping, page-turning account would be a standout true-crime narrative even without the material Presley gathers to buttress his identification of the serial killer." ( Publishers Weekly)

Fantastic!

I listen to a lot of Texas history in audiobook form, which, combined with a random, unplanned visit to Texarkana, led me to find this book. The writer truly knows writing. He organized the book exceptionally well, and covers all areas pertaining to the murders, including a compelling tie up in the Epilogue. I was only slightly bored on one occasion. The rest of it was gripping, and the narrator was excellent! Just know in listening, you might find yourself moved by random noises in your dwelling place, and cautiously entering dark rooms. I appreciated the historical nature of the book.

Mostly great.

Mispronounced Ouachita, the name of a nearby college. Wrongly accented pronunciation of Texarkana. Proved my mother lied to me about k owing one of the victims! I believe he correctly identified the killer.

Good listen

I never like unsolved stories, but think I enjoyed this rendition so much because of all the facts and conclusions. A good flowing story in any case.

The Go To Source for the Texarkana Serial Murders

The narrator is fantastic and clearly put time and effort into learning how to pronounce names and locations before settling into reading the material. The case is presented from bottom to top with clever framing so that you don't know how frustrated you're going to be with the persons involved by the end. Not as much of a mystery, just horribly mishandled.

Dull and BORING.

this book is BORING. I have up on it after about an hour and a half.