Lawrence P. Gooley

North Country / Adirondack Author

Book Tag: Rensselaer County

> Books > Rensselaer County

Love, Jealousy, and Murder in the Adirondacks & Foothills: New & True Stories of Fatal Infidelity and More

, , ,

Love, Jealousy, and Murder in the Adirondacks & Foothills-Front Cover

Discover the dark and fascinating history of love, jealousy, and murder in New York’s Adirondacks and foothills. This gripping collection by acclaimed historian Lawrence P. Gooley explores real-life cases of passion-driven crimes, unraveling the motives, trials, and aftermaths of notorious incidents from the 19th and 20th centuries. Each chapter dives deep into the lives of ordinary people whose relationships turned deadly, including:

  • Howard Bishop and the “Code of the Hills”: A shocking tale of infidelity ending in murder and a sensational trial
  • John Benson: Killing a Friend to Possess His Wife—an explosive love triangle with tragic consequences
  • Adam Nappi & Mary Leo: Lust, murder, and a web of secrets that spanned continents

Drawing from court records, newspaper archives, and personal testimonies, Gooley’s book offers a vivid, meticulously researched account of true crime in rural America. Perfect for fans of historical mysteries, true crime, and regional history, this volume reveals how love and jealousy can ignite deadly passions, leaving lasting scars on families and communities.

Dannemora’s Death House: The Crimes and Fates of 41 Killers Sentenced to Die in Clinton Prison’s Electric Chair

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dannemora's Death House-Front Cover

In 1890, when electrocution replaced hanging in New York State, Clinton Prison became a house of execution for the next 24 years. But not every killer who was sentenced to death died in the electric chair. Some were saved by fate, mercy, legal action, or last-minute reprieves. While some ultimately survived, most did not. By 1914, when all executions were moved to Sing Sing, 26 inmates had been electrocuted at Clinton.

Inside are the stories of 41 murderers who were sentenced to die in Dannemora’s electric chair. Graphic details of many brutal attacks are covered, including victims’ injuries as provided in coroner and autopsy reports, so this is not a book for the squeamish—but it is a book for fans of true-crime stories. There’s plenty of drama, passion, and angst throughout in stories ranging from shocking to frightening to just plain remarkable. » More Details

25 Diabolical Adirondack Murders: The Twisted, Fiendish Deeds of North Country Killers

, , , , , , , , , ,

25 Diabolical Adirondack Murders-Front Cover

Within these pages are twenty-five complete stories of murder in the North Country. The perpetrators range from average citizens to some of the worst degenerates imaginable. Their methods run the gamut from poison to clubs to knives to guns to axes, while their stories contain shocking revelations and remarkable twists, far too many to count. And some are just plain unusual.

These true chronicles from long ago once held readers spellbound, and are as riveting as many of the high-profile murder cases in modern media. It’s at once fascinating and disturbing to explore the devious minds of those who walk among us. » More Details