“The research in this book is simply amazing! Ron Franscell has basically re-mapped Texas, specifically pinpointing where all of our most notorious outlaws lived, performed their gruesome deeds, and died. On top of that, he's uncovered riveting stories about outlaws in far away corners of the state that very few us even knew about. For everyone interested in Texas’ great outlaw past, this is an indispensable guide.”? Skip Hollandsworth, executive editor of Texas Monthly
“Gifted crime writer Ron Franscell takes you along on an absolutely fascinating road trip. And along the way, be prepared to often hear yourself saying, ‘Damn, I didn’t know that!”
?? Carlton Stowers, dean of Texas true crime and Edgar-winning author of “To The Last Breath” and “Careless Whispers”
“Texas has more than its share of unforgettable crime stories that cover a full range of human emotions—from the tragically comical to the unspeakably horrific. None of those stories can be fully understood without the context of place and Ron Franscell’s OUTLAW TEXAS, an effective combination of interesting stories, directions, and GPS coordinates, gives us the ‘what and where’ necessary to understand our uniquely Texan true-crime heritage.”
-- Gary Lavergne, bestselling author of “A Sniper in the Tower” and “Bad Boy from Redbud”
“Can’t wait to fire up my GPS. A fascinating trek through Texas crime.”
?? Kathryn Casey, author of the Texas true crimes “Shattered” and “Descent into Hell”
Description
A fascinating journey through the Lone Star State’s unruly past—
with maps, photos, and more
Texas rightfully claims a celebrated place in the “wildest” West of both myth and reality—which makes it truly stranger than fiction that The Crime Buff’s Guide to Outlaw Texas is the first-ever travel guide to the many sites related to the Lone Star State’s renowned rambunctious past, complete with GPS coordinates that put you at the scene of the action.
From outlaws like Sam Bass and John Wesley Hardin to Bonnie & Clyde and Houston’s notorious Candy Man killer, Texas has dozens of places where true-crime buffs can actually stand close to history. For many readers, the attraction to these sites—some well-known, some obscured by time—is irresistible.
Written with the same fast-paced, gripping style that marked the author’s widely praised earlier work, The Crime Buff’s Guide to Outlaw Texasis an indispensable resource for both criminal-history enthusiasts and travelers. Each site description includes a concise summary of the location’s significance, historical context, maps, directions, and photos.
Praise for a previous book by the same author, The Darkest Night
“Heartbreaking . . . Not unlike Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.” —Chicago Sun-Times
“This uncommon story has every chilling component of human terror, drama, and suspense that readers of true crime look for.” —Vincent Bugliosi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Helter Skelter
“A very, very, good book . . . written by a very, very, good writer.” —Ann Rule, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Beside Me