Strangler

For some reason Anthony Allen Shore (AAS) is called "The Tourniquet Killer" (TTK). A "tourniquet" I believe is usually a piece of cloth or rope that is used to save someone's life as it temporarily cuts off the blood flow to a part of the body where a severe injury has occurred, often an amputation. I also believe a "ligature" is like a tourniquet although a ligature is used for more nefarious reasons, such as strangling someone.On the other hand a "garotte" is like a ligature -- high-tech garottes were used supposedly as a means of Capital Punishment a long time ago until someone wisely decided they were cruel and unusual punishment -- except a garotte has a handle, like a stick, that is attached to one end of a rope and then used to turn that rope and make it tighter and tighter. Or looser and looser. Take your pick.But when a garotte is used, usually by a serial killer (SK) nowadays -- rarely will you ever hear about one being used outside of the worst-of-the-worst SKs -- it's also made "looser and looser" although unexpectedly, that's usually not a "good thing" as Martha Stewart might opine. It's often done to temporarily revive a victim so that it can be tightened again. And loosened again. And tightened again. Until at least the SK is done with his "fun" and decides to finally -- and sometimes mercifully -- end the life of his current target. Ms. Stewart might say, "A garotte is a very BAD thing." Indeed.And this is why I believe that AAS -- his mom wanted to name him "Anthony Steven Shore" I think but his father wisely recommended against it for obvious reasons -- should instead be called "The Garotte Killer" (TGK). It's actually a more fitting name because that was Mr. Shore's preferred method of murder. If you see an SK, and that SK uses a garotte, you should fear him because the use of a garotte is actually somewhat rare. And sadistic. I believe that Robert Ben Rhoades -- "The Truck-Stop Killer" -- used them and he was "a very bad man." And not in the way that Stephen A. Smith talks about Aaron Rodgers, by the way. Mr. Rhoades is one of the worst SKs I've read about as he not only used a garotte, but he also had the bad habit of taking pictures of his victims just before he killed them.If you decide to buy and read "Strangler" -- I give a mild recommendation that you do -- you will read about this and more. Mr. Shore was also a pedophile so "Strangler" isn't really for the meek, although the author -- Corey Mitchell -- actually doesn't get too explicit in his descriptions of the murders. That might be a good thing. That might be a bad thing. It depends upon what you're looking for when you read a true-crime book. For me, I actually usually don't mind if an author gets too explicit because it's almost impossible to get that type of information anywhere else, unless perhaps you sat through a trial. I never have myself.Mr. Shore did have an MO -- trolling for minors that he could coax into his van before killing them. But he also had a "signature," or what an SK does that's not necessary for the commission of a crime but necessary for him to fulfill some psychological need. I would say that signature included the use of a garotte -- he could've strangled his victims with his hands instead, for example -- but it would also include the biting and near mutilation of his victim on a certain part of her body. I won't write what that part is to not only hold the suspense for you but because, well, this is a family site. But his signature did meet some needs of Mr. Shore although we'd only be speculating exactly what those needs are. I have my suspicions but I'll keep them to myself.I am giving "Strangler" a 4-star review today, but I will admit, I almost went 3. I strongly considered it. In reality I would go 3.5 if I could. It's just that there are some weaknesses in "Strangler" but there are some strengths as well. I think the book is pretty good most of the first half but then starts going downhill, but then it's saved in the second half, oddly when some of the courtroom strategy and courtroom theatrics are described. That is usually the worst part of a true-crime book for me too. In particular the verbatim quotes from Kelly Siegler are a hoot. I was actually laughing during an entire chapter when Mr. Mitchell wisely gives the prosecuting-attorney-who-should-moonlight-as-a-comedian Ms. Siegler at least a full chapter. Funny stuff. She comes across as a real person and not just a boring prosecuting attorney. Most prosecuting attorneys are, at least from the books I've read. Luckily I've never had to go toe-to-toe with one myself. She does seems to be a realist and doesn't have any problems swearing. Or climbing on top of a colleague during a trial to show how a woman stabbed her boyfriend or husband almost 200 times. (You can see some of that online if you search for it. Darkly humorous stuff.)Mr. Mitchell does make some poor choices though too, in my opinion. I think he uses informal language a bit too much -- "the pair went out for a cup of joe" (why not "the pair went out for a cup of coffee"? -- and I think some of the descriptions of crime scenes were unnecessary, and would embarrass some victims if they were still alive, especially really young victims. Why take cheap shots at victims? That was a serious faux pas in my estimation."Strangler" is a bit of a ride as it has its good points and bad points, as any book does. It tightens up to make the reader interested, then it loosens up too much at times to make the reader bored. At least it does it over and over so I can give it a mild recommendation. Anthony Allen Shore liked to tighten and loosen a garotte on his victim, over and over, strictly for his own sadistic pleasure. So I'll go with a pass on him, although he was executed not long ago which might not make too many people unhappy.

First, my parents were the ones Tony mentioned going out with his parents. My family knew the Shores well. We called Tony's Mom "Aunt Dea" and my brother and I even spent a summer w/ them when they moved to FL. It was a shock to me when I first read about Tony committing these crimes, and since my parents had passed I had lost track of his family. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I got this book but, being a fan of true crime stories and knowing the person who committed the crime in this book, I guess I expected it to be a little less... tedious? I appreciate the author wanting to give as many facts as possible... but, a 30 minute TV show gave me more information on Tony, his criminal behavior and arrest. The book covers the evidence well. It covers the immediate crimes well. But, It really does not seem give a full accurate depiction of everything occurring during the timeline. It left out a good portion of information about how things were in his homelife. The way his children were locked in the home, poorly nourished at times. How he managed to convince social workers he was caring for his daughters. etc.I found it interesting that the names of my Parents were dropped into the book... basically saying they used to go out to clubs with tony's Parents ( this was before tony was born) and then nothing else was mentioned... why even put that in? It is fine to give background on Tony's parents but. if you are going to do that, then it needs to be more accurate and informative. not just a random sentence stuffed in the text.Even if I did not know the family... this book would have been on my radar because I love true crime stories. this book droned on about things that were not important to the story... at times it was like watching grass grow. I would say... if you want a more interesting version... watch the TV show "evil lives here" ... that interviews Tony's Daughter. I believe Amazon prime has it on streaming!! Save your money... there is nothing new in this book... except some photos (some of which are of the dead bodies of victims...a bit much if you ask me.)If you know nothing about this particular case. This book will give you the basics with lots of static. I found myself getting bored at times when they discussed the least important minutae. it just felt like some of the writing was for word count, to appease the publisher.

Strangler is an exceptionally excellent written and researched book. Right from the first page Corry Mitchell captures and draws you deeply into the world of Anthony Shore. You will feel the raw emotions of his family as his secrets come to fruition, and the perverse way that he perceives life. Shore is a psychopath who not only commits incest but as the book title says Shore tortures, rapes, and eventually strangles his victims to death.Without giving to much away this book is set in Huston Texas and reads like a horror movie. Strangler It is a very fast paced book, which is about control, manipulation, and murder. It is the chilling accounts of a sexual predator who preys on young girls.An excellent true crime story which is gory yet sensitive, thought provoking, yet frightening. A true crime story told at it’s very best. A Rare Gem for true crime readersI am part of the ARC group for Wildblue Press and BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Great read. Kindle price supurb

I felt that this book was too padded out with personal info about all the characters rather than the killer and his crimes.