Thomas Sweatt: Inside the Mind of DC's Most Notorious Arsonist

By: Jonathan Riffe

Narrated by: Sam Graham

Between 1980 and 2005, a serial arsonist terrorized neighborhoods throughout the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. In 2005, Thomas Sweatt was arrested and eventually confessed to more than 340 arson-set fires that killed four people. Investigators named him the "most prolific and dangerous serial arsonist in American history".

Dozens of authors, TV producers, and movie producers tried to contact Thomas in prison but were all unsuccessful. Only Jonathan Riffe was able to break through. For three years, Jonathan wrote and talked regularly to Thomas. This is his story in his words: a story of arson and murder, law and order, philological deviance, crime and punishment, and the terror of fire. The story of one man.

©2018 Jonathan Riffe (P)2019 Jonathan Riffe

Answers behind the questions

As a firefighter during the reign of destruction during the timeframe of this book I wanted to know the why, behind Thomas Sweatt. Riffe you answered many of my questions in this book. I still have some unanswered memories that predate the timeline laid out from Sweatt's accounts. The 1990's and the numerous unexplained fire's in 27, 30 & 19's areas and throughout the city.