Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died

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Pub Date Mar 22 2016 | Archive Date Aug 15 2018

Description

The doorbell rings in the home of a prominent Palm Beach citizen, quickly followed by a shotgun blast that shatters a window, cracking the calm of a cool January night. Rodger Kriger falls to the floor, mortally wounded, leaving a wife and six children.

Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died is closely based on a sensational, real murder that happened in the posh ocean-side town in 1976. In the thin guise of fiction, the book contains shocking new information never before made public. Author Bob Brink, an award-winning journalist, was a newspaper reporter in the locale where the assassination occurred. It made media headlines for 15 years.

An ambitious prosecutor pins the deed on Mitt Hecher, a hoodlum and karate expert. At Hecher's trial, fellow jail inmates testify that he confessed. He is convicted and sentenced to the brutal and anarchic state prison at Raiford, where a stabbing a day and a killing a week are the "mean" average.

Judges repeatedly frustrate Hecher and several attorneys working without fees to get a new trial, as investigators pursue myriad scenarios. Meanwhile, his wife contracts a deadly disease.

Was Hecher innocent, and if so, who did it? Did the sons of a wealthy Cuban kill Kriger? Were the operators of a gambling enterprise out to get him? Was a love triangle the basis for the shooting? Did a vicious underworld figure do the bidding of a criminal gang? Was a prominent politician behind the slaying? Those are the questions seeking answers amid the exploration of issues of justice and power.

Murder in Palm Beach is the saga of a battle between a man whose swagger has sent him spiraling to the bottom and powerful, sinister forces determined to keep him there. It is a story of redemption wrapped in a mystery tale reeking with power, sex, violence, and romance.

The doorbell rings in the home of a prominent Palm Beach citizen, quickly followed by a shotgun blast that shatters a window, cracking the calm of a cool January night. Rodger Kriger falls to the...


Advance Praise


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9780692666265
PRICE $2.99 (USD)

Average rating from 40 members


Featured Reviews

The reader that likes true crime/mystery stories will immediately be drawn into the story line and that it is a true unsolved murder. The characters are strong personalities and by description the reader can easily get to know what they are about. And, the setting of Palm Beach adds glamor and sex. It is a fast, easy read. Not a book that leaves a life long impression; but entertaining.

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When I first began this book, I did not like Mitt as others that he encountered. But due to the good writing, I actually began to feel for him once his journey began. I do understand that the book is loosely based on a true crime, but I had never heard of the crime before. This did not matter while reading this book. Good, solid writing and holds your interest. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

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Murder and the seedy underbelly of this city associated with the rich and glamorous are showcased in this book written as fiction with a strong ring of truth. The book is based on a real incident with a victim, Rodger Kriger who is a tad shady and the main character, Mitt Hecher, who is a bit of a thug and someone you don't really like but end up feeling for him. Did he really kill Kriger?
I found the characters well written and the book was fast paced and hard to put down at times. Unfortunately it illustrates our imperfect justice system and corruption at all levels. Bob Brink has written an interesting book and a fascinating look at Mitt Hecher's story. This is an excellent read and well worth your time. Thank you to NetGalley, Bob Brink and publisher BooksGoSocial for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Rodger Krider, a well known businessman with a wife and six children goes to answer the door and is shot through the window and later died. Mitt Hechler is a guy who has been in trouble a number of times, never for murder but the prosecutor has decided he could be a good match for this murder and get him off to prison with the help of some other inmates and false testimony. This story follows closely to a real case in Florida. How do you fight the system? Mitt learns along the way much about himself and gains the respect of the guards and the inmates. He always has those fighting for him but sometimes it is like hitting a brick wall.

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A good read, a little slow and old-fashioned in places. Would recommend. Four Stars.

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This book, a fictionalized account of a real murder that happened in 1976. Actually, only a few things (like the names) have been changed. It was a fascinating book, too. It was well written and the characters were well developed. I am betting that they were pretty close to the real people, since the author was a reporter who covered the case and had great knowledge of the case. I loved this book and had trouble putting it down. It is fascinating, to say the least!

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An interesting and captivating read, which is heavily steeped in high sexual content, drugs, violence and murder, a crime fill book mixed with a little political drama, that would peak the interest of readers that love these books. The characters are really into their parts and the storyline is okay. The violence content level is high so is the sexual content, which makes this a most interesting story indeed.

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I liked how the author "mixed" fact with fiction in this book. The story is very well written, and you can almost imagine the way things were back in 1976. Did they actually did the correct guy for the murder or is the murderer still free? Was it a killing for revenge? Jealous boyfriend/husband? We may never know the answers, but this story is great to read!

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This is a great murder mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. There were a lot of characters and initially found it a little confusing but once you get into the story hang on for a good time! I would definitely recommend!

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This is a really well researched and put together book. The characters were really interesting. The plot was fascinating and shocking in places. The details of the American legal system added to the story. I would definitely recommend this book.

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I fan of true crime stories. This one was chilling and well written. Its a page turner.

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A fascinating and gripping read. I found myself living the story as if it was a true account of Hechters' life and had to keep reminding myself that it was a fictional story. I sympathised with him in his predicament, felt his sadness at times and cheered for him in the end. The book has a very clever believable plot that grabs the readers' attention Very satisfying and a real pleasure to read

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Palm Beach, the land of the tanned, toned and moneyed, is marred by the murder of a prominent resident. A typical "who done it" would be a slight to this book because it's much more.

Bob Brink's Murder in Palm Beach is similar to a 1976 murder (also similar to another PB murder in the early 1980s but I think I'm reading too many crime thrillers). The book revolves around Mitt, the guy accused of the crime, who is imprisoned based on overzealous prosecutorial skills rather than outright guilt. There are plenty of other plausible scenarios but Mitt is the man unlucky in every way who is "pinched" for the murder.

The book is well written which is expected since Bob Brink is an experienced print journalist. If you enjoy following the guy wrongly imprisoned, this story is for you. It will keep you engaged, titillated and, if the book was a meal, well nourished.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

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Well-written account of a horrible misjustice. Nonfiction that reads like fiction. Thoroughly enjoyable.

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This book grabbed me and drew me in from the first chapter. It’s a scary account of how our criminal justice works. The protagonist Mitt Heckler wasn’t a choir boy by no means but what happened to him was beyond belief, the sad part is that it happens more than we the public knows. I’ve read excerpts from other reviews and I have to agree this would be a great television mini-series. I would watch it for sure.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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When a prominent Palm Beach businessman is shot to death in the doorway of his home by an unknown assailant, politicians know that a quick conviction can help in their own rise to power. With no compelling evidence district attorney Scraponia manages to indict and convict Mitt Hecher, a local troublemaker.

The story follows Mitt's life before, during and after prison. Without giving away the story, Mitt is an impressive young man and the way things turn out, with the help of several attorneys and an enterprising journalist, is amazing yet true.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I am going to Palm Beach for a work trip and I can not wait to get there so I can see these places up close. This was a well written book.

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This book made me so cross. Since being accused, by the police, of something that they had no way of knowing even if a crime had been committed, I've always been wary of trusting the law enforcement officers 100% and this book shows the difference corrupt ones can make to a person's life. They are only human after all. They bear grudges and dislikes that, as in this case, can cause someone to spend undeserved time in prison.

Justice, here, was too late for Mitt's wife and the lack thereof had cost him over 10 years of his son's life.

Good book

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I gave this book a 5 out of 5 star review. It was an enjoyable and I would recommend. to others. Generously provided to me through NetGalley

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A very interesting read with lots of details. It takes you back in time along with the story and you can picture everything as if you’re there.

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I love true crime and this one is one I can highly recommend. Pacey and informative, I could hardly put it down, which is the sign of a true crime classic

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