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Read the fascinating accounts of 40 sensational crimes that occurred in Minnesota between 1859 and modern times.
A bank robbery gone wrong, a murder for hire, the kidnappings of two beer barons—sometimes the truth is stranger, more shocking, and more compelling than any fictional story. When it comes to the history of crime in Minnesota, this is certainly the case. Learn about the most infamous true crimes in the history of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, dating back to 1859. This updated edition of Famous Crimes of Minnesota chronicles 40 cases that range from robbery and kidnapping to murder.
Written by renowned historian and biographer Michael Burgan, the book examines history’s unlawful acts that rocked Minnesota and often grabbed headlines across the country. Famous Crimes of Minnesota presents startling details about outlaws, gangsters, and thugs, along with the everyday heroes who stopped them. Photographs and sidebars supplement the accounts of these shocking events.
Fans of the true crime genre and history buffs will appreciate this thorough collection. Michael’s ability to present the facts of each case with flair and his knack for storytelling make it a gripping read. You’ll want to keep this book on the coffee table at home and at the cabin; it’s sure to elicit plenty of conversation. These are real crimes, real people, and it all happened in Minnesota!
Book Features:
- 40 crimes from throughout the state
- Startling details about outlaws, gangsters, and heroes
- Infamous lawbreakers like Bonnie & Clyde, the James-Younger gang, and John Dillinger
- Crimes dating as far back as 1859
- Photographs and sidebars to supplement each account
Michael Burgan is a freelance writer who specializes in books for children and young adults, both fiction and nonfiction. He also has written articles and blog posts that have appeared in newspapers, university publications, and on the Bloomberg website. Michael is a produced playwright and the editor of The Biographer’s Craft, the newsletter for the Biographers International Organization. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
From Statehood to the Gangster Era
- A Husband’s Slow Death
- A Robbery Gone Wrong
- The Murder of Kitty Ging
- Family Matters
- The Wife Gets It
- The Circus Lynchings
- When the Criminal Becomes the Victim
- A Favorite Madam
- The Willmar Bank Robbery
- Snatching Millionaires
- One Who Got Away
- Beating the Rap–As Usual
From the Post-War Era to the Dawn of the New Millennium
- Robbery Leads to Murder
- The Dentist Did It
- The Family That Slays Together
- This Gun for Hire
- One Mother’s Cruelty, Another’s Love
- Racial Tensions of the Times
- Paying a High Price
- A Murder in the Family
- Cold Case Closed
- The Weepy-Voiced Killer Confesses
- Obsession Turns Violent
- Murder on the Farm
- A Mystery Solved
- A Serial Killer Thwarted
- The Angry Heir
- A Cold Case of Murder
- Black Cloud Over Red Lake
- Terrorism in Africa: The Minnesota Connection
- Self-Defense or Cold-Blooded Killings?
- Murder on a Minneapolis Sidewalk
- Unrest and Arson after the Murder of George Floyd
- A Murder, But No Jail
- First Responders Face Awful Ambush
Other Notable Minnesota Crimes
Chapter Notes
Index
About the Author