Devil’s Knot

The True Story of the West Memphis Three

By: Mara Leveritt

Narrated by: Lorna Raver

“Free the West Memphis Three!” - maybe you’ve heard the phrase, but do you know why their story is so alarming? Do you know the facts?

The guilty verdicts handed out to three Arkansas teens in a horrific capital murder case were popular in their home state - even upheld on appeal. But after two HBO documentaries called attention to the witch-hunt atmosphere at the trials, artists and other supporters raised concerns about the accompanying lack of evidence. Now, award-winning journalist Mara Leveritt provides the most comprehensive look yet into this endlessly shocking case.

For weeks in 1993, after the murders of three eight-year-old boys, police in West Memphis, Arkansas, seemed stymied. Then suddenly detectives charged three teenagers - alleged members of a satanic cult - with the killings. Despite stunning investigative blunders, a confession riddled with errors, and an absence of physical evidence linking any of the accused to the crime, the teenagers were tried and convicted. Jurors sentenced Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley to life in prison. They sentenced Damien Echols, the accused ringleader, to death. Ten years later, all three remain in prison. Here, Leveritt unravels this seemingly medieval case and offers close-up views of its key participants - including one with an uncanny knack for evading the law.

Mara Leveritt has won several awards for investigative journalism, including Arkansas’s Booker Worthen Prize for her book The Boys on the Tracks. A contributing editor to the Arkansas Times, she lives in Little Rock.

©2002 Mara Leveritt (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“ Devil’s Knot…leaves you wondering what new sick dread might be lying in wait on the next page, one of those that telegraphs the frustration and fear of its characters through the cover like a chunk of iron struck with a mallet. The monster Leveritt reveals in the end, however, is more terrifying than even the fork-tailed bogeymen conjured by West Memphis police and prosecutors to fit their crime. What Leveritt reveals to us is the most horrible fiend a rational person can imagine when matters of life and death are at stake: the Specter of Doubt.” ( Arkansas Times)

Sad Story created a Hard Listen

There are some events out there that happen to the most unfortunate. ether you can digest this and do what you can to remain true to right from wrong. or run with the mob and not have your own opinion. not a story for the faint hearted.

Still not convinced

I'm still not convinced the three teens weren't the killers. Even though there is doubt, it doesn't mean they didn't do it.

Excellent info, great book but….

This is an excellent source of info that hasn’t been covered in the past. Extremely detailed police reports and court room arguments that we never knew. But.. if I have a complaint its with the audio it self. They “Totally” have the wrong person reading! It’s the wrong voice for this horrific story. It’s like listening to Mrs Claus from the 1970s Christmas Stop Motion TV special. At times it was cringe worthy.

If I can recommend another audio book please do yourself a favor and get Damien’s Life After Death! It’s in Damien’s own voice, you can really feel the pain, torment, and suffering in his voice when discusses his young life! Poor guy never had a chance in life with that family.. In a way the cruel hard punishment he had to endure probably in many ways saved his life. The path he was on desperately needed 180 turn around. I Just wish it was a different situation for him! God sent him a Guardian Angel in Lorie Davis. A real love relationship that otherwise never would have happened

Sad

This was so sad for all 6 of these young boys. May the Lord Bless all involved.

Overall, pretty good book

The narrator was okay. I had to read this for a class so I had to read through the whole book, but it was an interesting book to "read." I am definitely going to look more into the West Memphis Three.

A Deeper Look

A deeper dive into the case, families, suspects, and victims. Excellent additional information that was not portrayed in the movie. Would recommend to anyone interested in the case or someone that would like more information than the HBO documentary provided.

Beautifully told story.

Mara Leveritt's story telling skills are impeccable. She honestly presents the facts, to let the reader deduce the truth feom the lies. This story will make you so passionate to find the truth of who murdered these 3 young boys. Highly recommended!

great book but light on ending

really great book if you love courtroom dramas. Shows how broken our judicial system and police are. only complaint is it ends with the end of the trial and the current update is only a 5 min afterword. would have liked more up to date information.

Slow

The narrator can make or break an audible. I found that she was slow at times. Loved the story and book, but narrator could have been better.

WOW

I honestly didn't care for the voice raging the book but I absolutely loved all the detail that was put forth in creating such a visualization of what happened. I'm amazed that all of this was allowed to go on. I'm not a pro and I feel like I could have done a better job in this investion.