Nine year old Mike McCarty lived an idyllic life in small Waveland, Indiana. He loved eating pancakes and chocolate milk in the local diner. He played in the fields and creeks. He and his friends stashed cigars and magazines in their secret spot. He enjoyed the status of his police officer Dad in the community. And on February 14, 1977, fear entered his life. That’s the day that gunmen broke into a local home and shot the inhabitants, killing the boys and seriously injuring the mother.
Mike McCarty divides his memoir, “Choking In Fear-A Memoir About The Hollandsburg Murders,” into two parts. The first recalls his time as a child with the horror of the murders weaving in and out of his life. In a juvenile voice, the first half tells the stories of school elections, mischievous tricks, holidays and his perceptions of the world. Information about the murders, as understood by a youth, slowly spins out and colors his world. As an adult, McCarty is still haunted by the murders. The second half of the book chronicles his attempt to face the memory of the murders and put his fears to rest. He intensively researches the murders and subsequent trials. He sends questions to the murderers in jail. He receives a response from one and interviews him. He interviews the surviving mother. He reads everything he can find about the case. He comes to some conclusions about why some people commit horrific crimes.
The book is a fine memoir of small town American childhood. The second half presents the details of McCarty’s search and the details of the murders in a straightforward, non-gory and easy to read style.
“Choking In Fear-A Memoir About The Hollandsburg Murders” adds the story of the Hollandsburg murders to American true crime writings.
Mike McCarty and Don Hopper, the prosecutor in the case, will be at Bookmamas on Tuesday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the Hollandsburg Murders and sign copies of the book.