Murder in the Neighborhood

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book initially, but it went far beyond what I thought I might get out of it.

The story of Howard Unruh was one of a person haunted by the war he had fought in, and the treatment that he received from his neighbors. As he tried to do something for his mother (a simple gate), it was torn off and removed. I believe that was the final straw that forced Howard to snap. His short rampage was one that filled an entire neighborhood with horror, as people were gunned down, children included, in just a few minutes. Innocent bystanders never stood a chance.

Howard was never convicted, instead he was sent to the New Jersey Insane Hospital, where he would stay until his death, but the devastation of his crimes lived on. The eyewitness, a young boy who had spent time with Howard, was someone who could not understand why Howard would do what he did, and the haunting way the book unfolds shows the healing and eventual forgiveness of young Raymond.

I enjoyed reading through this book.