Thursday, April 7, 2011

BAFFLING BINGO MYSTERY DAY: I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"BAFFLING BINGO DAY"
I'M VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE  
THIS THURSDAY'S 
TRUE CRIME BOOK CHOICE IS.....

GIVEAWAY ENDED 
I WOULD FIND 
A GIRL WALKING
BY KATHY KELLY
and DIANA MONTANE

ABOUT THE BOOK:
What made me kill and kill again?
I can't answer that except like this...

 

Culled from interviews with the lead investigator and the victims' families, and exclusive access to the killer, this is a revealing, shocking, and unflinching portrait of Gerald Eugene Stano, a man who fancied himself one of the greatest lady-killers of them all.

The book gets inside the mind of Daytona Beach serial killer Gerald Stano, who admitted killing as many as 40 women over an 11-year period. In a total of 40 letters, he talked about what motivated him, in his words, "to kill and kill again."

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
The author, Kathy Kelly, is an Assistant Managing Editor / Metro / Team Leader at the Daytona Beach News-Journal, a newspaper. Kathy Kelly was a reporter for the Daytona Beach News-Journal and became involved in several of Gerald Stano murder cases. Included in I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING are excerpts from letters that Stano wrote to her.

Diana Montane is a journalist and published author. She was Arts & Entertainment writer, as well as art, theatre and film critic, for Miami’s first newspaper, The Miami News, until the demise of that publication. Shortly therafter, she was Entertainment Editor and art, theatre and film critic of EXITO, a weekly published by The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and The Chicago Tribune.

MY REVIEW/THOUGHTS:
In what best selling author Michael Connelly describes as “One of the best looks inside the mind and motives of a serial killer that I’ve ever read”, authors Kathy Kelly and Diana Montane give readers a true crime drama in I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING. Just prior to the technological age that would change the way law enforcement would handle criminal investigations forever, Gerald Eugene Stano became one of the most prolific serial killers of his time. Without surveillance cameras, cells phones, DNA evidence, and computer communication between law enforcement agencies, it was basically a simpler time allowing the likes of Stano to ride around in his treasured cars looking for young girls for sex…or what started out that way.

Late in the 1960s and 1970s, Stano could be found cruising around the World’s Most Famous Beach - Daytona Beach, Florida, in search of his next victim. It is hard to understand why these women went with Gerald Stano who was what we might now probably call a nerd (?) - chubby, polyester pant suits and gold jewelry, large plastic framed glasses, disco music loving drunk (most of the time) and yet, they did. But in I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING, Kathy Kelly takes her experience with Stano,  goes inside the mind of this madman, and along with Diana Montane, provides a glimpse into what made him tick.

At the time, Kathy Kelly was a reporter at The Daytona Beach News-Journal and being on the “police beat”, was the one to write the stories about these killings and Stano. Kathy’s reporting caught Stano’s attention as he loved to read his own press and he would only agree to interviews if it was Kathy who did them. His other connection was with DBPD Sgt. Paul Crow. Crow, who had studied at the FBI Academy in Quantico, was able to connect with Stano in a way no other lawman could, and so was the one that Stano put his trust in. Since so many of the murders were committed in other jurisdictions, the lawmen from those places would work through Crow to deal with Stano. Once Stano took a liking to Kathy Kelly, he agreed to answer questions for her so she could get all the facts and they corresponded. Kathy kept all his letters in a shoe box in her home with thoughts of someday working to put them into some kind of book.

Along with fellow reporter Montane, they worked for two years to tell Stano’s story and the description of the crimes he committed are compelling.  More importantly especially to the authors, are the stories of the victims and their families. Taking the details from Stano’s letters, the authors have written a haunting story that readers will find hard to put down. Many of the chapters are devoted to the victims and how their part of the story came about. Yes, some of the women were runaways or prostitutes, but there also was the graduating senior on a class trip, a dancer, a cheerleader, a local champion swimmer, and even a tiny, young skater. All of these girls had families and lives ahead of them and Kathy makes sure readers knows their stories. There are even two of the girls who had twin brothers so being victims wasn’t the only coincidence. Their families and how they dealt with each loss as well as what some are doing today are included. Intertwined to make an intense and fascinating read, I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING will keep you turning pages as it surely did for me.

Gerald Stano’s background is also written about from when he was the unwanted child of a prostitute to a very much wanted baby of an adoptive parent who fought to keep him even after he was labeled “inadoptable”.  Gerald’s relationship with his adoptive parents even up until the end is described. In confessing to killing about 40 women all around Florida, you would think Stano would have remorse and yet he is described as someone who you never would believe was spending years on death row, even at some point next to another infamous serial killer, Ted Bundy. Stano could be found knitting blankets for inmates’ children and even sending Kathy a scarf and hat he knitted for her one time. It was obvious as you read the book and later in the letters that are there verbatim in the appendix, that Gerald took a liking to Kathy. He even asked Paul Crow if she was married. For Kathy, it was a difficult and emotional journey to “get the story” and keep herself sane while this madman thought of them as friends.  The letters in the back of the book are quite meaningful after reading the story as Kathy interjects personal observations to explain some of what Gerald writes about. In fact, it is from one of the letters that the authors got the title of the book. Gerald Stano had written to explain how he picked a victim, and he said very casually that “I would find a girl walking….“. In a second appendix, all the letters to his “good friend” Paul Crow are also included.

How Stano is finally convicted and which of the murders is the one that finally gets him executed is described. The book even has some photographs but as the authors are quick to say, none of them are gruesome. Stano was executed in 1998 and always one to make people think, he changed his stories, recanted his confessions and put the blame on Paul Crow while claiming his innocence in a letter left with his lawyer! With his hints at knowing more than he was telling before his death, we will never know how many more women he really killed. However, the suspicion he tried to throw on Crow was investigated and of course, cleared. Montane in a recent radio interview said about Stano, “I felt he was a very average but cunning individual…self-inflated with a grandiose image of himself…a lady killer, a real lady killer”. I guess that says it all but one thing I know for sure is that it has made me look at strangers differently, no matter how charming they may appear, I am careful when I am out alone. As a resident of Daytona Beach, chills still run up and down my spine as I think of all the places Stano worked and frequented that are so familiar to me. I ask myself each day where I was at a certain time and wasn’t it REALLY possible I, too, must have run into him? Good thing for me I rarely walk anywhere!
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ALEXANDRA AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT BERKLEY AND PENGUIN PUBLISHING, I
HAVE TWO COPIES OF THIS CHILLING REAL
LIFE CRIME NOVEL TO GIVE AWAY. ALSO, I
HAVE TWO AUTOGRAPHED COPIES TO 
ADD TO THAT MYSELF FOR A TOTAL OF
FOUR LUCKY WINNERS THIS TIME!
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOVE THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING AND DON'T FORGET THAT EMAIL ADDRESS!

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: "LIKE" I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING ON FACEBOOK HERE AND LEAVE A COMMENT THERE SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BOOK AND/OR GIVEAWAY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANOTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED. FOR EACH ONE YOU COMMENT ON SEPARATELY, YOU GET AN EXTRA ENTRY!
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, APRIL 25!
GOOD LUCK!
WATCH FOR MY INTERVIEW WITH KATHY KELLY COMING THIS SATURDAY AND MY OWN PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS AND "CONNECTIONS" TO THIS CASE. EARN BONUS ENTRIES FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 

121 comments:

debbie said...

This sounds like a chilling book. We may never know what drives people to do these terrible things, but at least we are improving our ways to catch them. I would really like to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the toys giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love reading about serial killers and murder mysteries. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

Steve Capell said...

I have been waiting to read your review of this fascinating book. The one take away that I often hear is how the perpetrators (Gerald Eugene Stano in this case) are victims of abuse as children. I spent five years doing prison ministry at Lansing Correctional and I have found that many of the incarcerated have endured a absolute horrible life as a child. I would very much like to read this novel so I am throwing my name into your hat. BTW - GREAT REVIEW!

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I love mysteries and this sounds like a particularly well-written one!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

bermudaonion said...

I used to be a true crime junkie, so this book sounds fascinating, and very scary to me. I'd love to read it. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Amber said...

I like I Would Find A Girl Walking on Facebook - my FB name is Amanda Moore -and posted on their FB wall about this giveaway:
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=190329257677191&id=804795642
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

Sorry, Karen, will have to pass this one up. Somehow I can compartmentalize fictional serial killers but the real thing gives me nightmares. You have an excellent write up and I look forward to yournterview. When I was doing my internship for counseling, I passed up all the prison ones because unlike Steve Capell I couldn't do it. When someone broke into our apartment in LA, I had flashback of the person climbing out of our bedroom window for weeks!
I do agree that neglect and abuse are behind a lot of the serious criminals in our society.

Carol Wong

Laura said...

I enjoy true crime books. Please enter me. I am a follower.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

Fascinating but creepy!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/55986571488395265
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I like d I would find a girl walking on fb-mamabunny shelor and left a comment on their wall.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=177496695636574&id=171159266260857
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Satori
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered 31 Pelcan Court
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Hokus Pokus
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Toys
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered The Sweetest Thing
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Seasons of Sugarcreek Trilogy
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Love You More
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

petite said...

Your review made this book fascinating. thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Toys. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Satori. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Children's Trilogy. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Love You More. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Pop. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Pillsbury. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

Oh my this sounds really scary! I am from Florida and have always lived here, so I love to find stories that take place here (even those that are horrifying). I don't remember hearing about this serial killer, however, and only remember reading about Ted Bundy (we actually discussed him in a Criminal Psychology class I took at FSU...which is one of the places he killed girls at...and a girl in the class started crying saying her aunt at lived at the sorority house that Ted Bundy went into and murdered women in!). This definitely sounds like a read with the lights on book!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I liked I Would Find A Girl Walking on Facebook (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbacks #1.
candc320@gmail.com

petite said...

Entered The Sweetest Thing. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbacks #2.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbacks #3.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbacks #4.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbacks #5.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Xmen DVD giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Pop Cakes giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

traveler said...

I would be interested in reading this book although it is a departure for me. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Satori. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Children's Trilogy. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Toys. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Pop giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The pillsbury book giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Love You More. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

mverno said...

that the guy has a high grandiose opinion of himself.what makes these minds tick? love to read this thriller
mverno@roadrunner.com

clenna said...

What I find interesting about this book. . . I wonder what motivates a serial killer to continue to kill over and over. I want to try to understand what drives someone like that.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I like I would find a girls walking on FB and I left a comment there.


clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered "Love you More" giveaway.

clenna at aol dot com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/56075883571716096


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

This sounds like one that you read in bed with hubby close by. So my kind of book.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Pamela Keener said...

The mind of a killer seriously baffles me. How they justify their killings and how they pick their victims all that sounds like an interesting read.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered "Love You More" giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

lag123 said...

I love true crime stories and what makes the criminals become who they are. Ted Bundy's story fascinated me. How can someone be so deranged and evil? Thanks for the giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/56192134914641920

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I like on FB and left a comment: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=190480820995368&id=625391422

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the PILLSBURY EASY AS PIE GIVEAWAY

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the SEASONS OF SUGARCREEK TRILOGY GIVEAWAY

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the SWEET VALLEY CONFIDENTIAL AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Lori said...

This is my kinda book, I enjoy reading True Crime Books (its Ann Rule`s fault, shes good)

ctymice at gmail dot com

Lori said...

Liked I Would Find A Girl Walking on Facebook & left comment (http://www.facebook.com/crftyldy/posts/190518884324895)

ctymice at gmail dot com

lag123 said...

I entered The Sweetest Thing Giveaway

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered Toys giveaway

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the Hokus Pokus giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the 311 Pelican Court giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered TRIPLE PLAY ARC DAY FOR 3 KIDS BOOKS GIVEAWAY

lag110 at mchsi dot com

bloggingmom said...

This sounds like a chilling book. I love reading about real crimes. It is very interesting to me. garczynski (at) aol (dot) com.

bloggingmom said...

I have "liked" I would find a Girl Walking on FB.

Laura H. said...

I think the thing that intrigues me most is the killer's "liking" he took to one of the authors and how he agreed to answer any questions she had via correspondence. I also find it interesting that this "nerd" could get girls to "give him the time of day". This is one book for those of us who enjoy delving into the psyche of a killer.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/56722437286543360

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

FB fan of "I Would Find a Girl Walking" and left comment: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=183251701721463&id=171159266260857

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "311 Pelican Court" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "X-Men" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Cake Pop Cookbook" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Hokus Pokus" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Toys" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Clink" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Pillsbury Easy as Pie Cookbook" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Seasons of Sugarcreek" Trilogy giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

"I like Bingo on FB." (Laura G. Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Love You More" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Save Me" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

bison61 said...

40 women over an 11-year period-very chilling

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Denise S. said...

I love true crime! I am fascinated that the author got him to write to her.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

It all sounds interesting. I remember Ted Bundy but I don't remember hearing about this guy at all. Maybe it's because he was across the country the entire time. Boy, times sure have changed in criminal investigations, huh? I'd love to read this.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered for POP BAKERY COOKBOOK

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered for 311 PELICAN COURT

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered for TOYS

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered for THE SWEETEST THING

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered for SEASONS OF SUGARCREEK TRILOGY

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered for LOVE YOU MORE

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered for SAVE ME AUDIO BOOK

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Commchick said...

True crime novels are a passion of mine and I would love to win this one.

belchers@jccal.org

Laura H. said...

Entered the "Return to Sender" giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Timshaun said...

True crime novels are a genre that I haven't read much of , but I think this book sounds really interesting.

Timshaun said...

Like I would find a girl walking and left message on fb.
Shaunda.Eppes at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Pillsbury
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Save Me
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered return to sender
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Jenn S. said...

Love stories based on real life events. Sounds very interesting.

jas8929 at gmail dot com

turboterp said...

I love the true crime genre, and what I love about this book is that it's written by two women-- a rarity in books of this sort.
Thanks!
turboterp at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

The authors' journalism backgrounds intrigue me!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Kitty Cardero said...

I think it's interesting that his own words were used to get inside his crimes.
kittycardero at gmail dot com

Kitty Cardero said...

http://twitter.com/#!/kittycardero/status/61930852476665856
kittycardero at gmail dot com

Kitty Cardero said...

Like I Would Find A Girl Walking on facebook https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=193998343976949&id=100001974503018
kittycardero at gmail dot com

Kitty Cardero said...

I entered the Love You More giveaway
kittycardero at gmail dot com

Anita Yancey said...

It made me want to win the book when I read it was about a Daytona Beach serial killer. I wish I knew what made them kill. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I entered your giveaway for Love You More.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Deadmonkeys90 said...

I want to read this because it sounds very thrilling, like something i could not put down!
deadmonkeys90@yahoo.com

Deadmonkeys90 said...

fb fan, left a comment
deadmonkeys90@yahoo.com

christal couturier said...

I'm a masters student for psychology. I read every true crime book I can get my hands on. My hope is that one day we will "truly" understand the "humans" that do these horrible acts
willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

christal couturier said...

"LIKE" I WOULD FIND A GIRL WALKING ON FACEBOOK
willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

christal couturier said...

I entered the Love You More Giveaway
on 4/25
I love Lisa's books. I try to read all of them.
willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

susansmoaks said...

this sounds very interesting, i am interested to read about the possible additional murders
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

esldiane@gmail.com said...

I found this book to be interesting and a thriller and hard to be put down
diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

Mona said...

I am a fan of true crime books. I especially like if back-stories on the victims/killer are included. in a way, I find them educational as to what to look out for.

monagargATyahooDOTcom

Mona said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/#!/Kulmona/status/62615103589203968

monagargATyahooDOTcom

Mona said...

Entered SEASONS OF SUGAR CREEK TRILOGY

monagargATyahooDOTcom

Mona said...

Entered LOVE YOU MORE

monagargATyahooDOTcon

Mona said...

+5 Swag Bucks

monagargATyahooDOTcon

Unknown said...

This sounds like an interesting book. Letters written by a serial killer is very chilling. garrettsambo@aol.com

Charlene Kuser said...

What interested me most about this
book is that it gets inside gets inside the mind of Daytona Beach serial killer Gerald Stano.I like to
see what makes these serial killers
tick and how they choose they victims

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Charlene Kuser said...

Tweeted this:http://twitter.com/#!/Swtlilchick/status/62630742445920258

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY