Sept. 2023 - True Crime Book Club - Past Titles - LibGuides at Westwood Public Library

About the Author: Wayne Miller

Wayne Miller was a Special Agent, Criminal Investigator and Certified Fire Investigator for the U. S. Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for 25 years. He has been involved in numerous high profile criminal cases involving illegal firearms, bombings and arson. He was also a member of the ATF National Response Team, responding to major fire and explosion incidents. For the past 17 years, in the private sector, Mr. Miller has been a fire and explosion analyst for the Massachusetts - based Wright Group, Inc. During his career, Mr. Miller examined more than 2,300 fire and explosion scenes, responded to over twenty-five major incidents, as well as testified as an expert in more than forty cases in Federal and State courts in civil and criminal cases.

https://www.burnbostonburn.com/

Other Writings:

Burn Boston Burn

Bang Boom Burn

Wayne Miller in Conversation with Sergeant Detective Paul Sicard

Synopsis

In the early 1980s, Boston was set ablaze with nightly multiple-alarm fires. Over a two-year period, 264 buildings were torched, intentionally set on fire, resulting in millions of dollars in damages and hundreds of injuries. This is the astounding true story of the deep conspiracy of 9 men, including 3 Boston cops and a Boston firefighter, determined to wreak havoc on the city and of the relentless investigators who uncovered what was termed "the largest arson case in the history of the country". Told by the ATF Special Agent who lived this investigation for three years, Wayne Miller, Burn Boston Burn is a tale of domestic terrorism and internal corruption. The book details the series of crimes that shook the Boston area, by interweaving the activities of the arsonists with those of the investigators, the firefighters and the citizens of the area.

Discussion Questions

What were the main factors contributing to the surge in arson during the 1980s in Boston?
How did the arsons affect the city of Boston, its residents, and its economy?
What were the motivations behind these arsons? How did the perpetrators justify their actions?
How did law enforcement and the fire department initially respond to the arson crisis? What challenges did they face in investigating and preventing these incidents?
Discuss the impact of the "Charlestown fire" on the public perception of the arson problem. How did this incident shape the response to the crisis?
In what ways did the arson crisis highlight the socioeconomic disparities within the city?
The documentary explores the social and economic conditions that may have contributed to the rise of arson. What were some of these conditions?
What strategies did law enforcement and the city's leadership implement to combat the arson problem? How effective were these strategies?
Discuss the role of community engagement and cooperation in addressing the arsons. How did communities come together to combat the crisis?
The documentary features interviews with various individuals, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and community members. How do these firsthand accounts contribute to the understanding of the arson epidemic?
Consider the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by those involved in the arsons. How do you think these individuals justified their actions to themselves and others?
What lessons can be learned from the Boston arsons of the 1980s in terms of urban planning, law enforcement, and community involvement?
Reflect on the broader themes of crime, justice, and socioeconomic disparities that the documentary raises. How do these themes relate to contemporary issues in society?
What inspired you to delve into the world of true crime and start writing about it?
How do you choose the cases you write about? What criteria do you consider when selecting a subject for your books?
True crime often involves exploring dark and disturbing subjects. How do you personally handle the emotional and psychological aspects of researching and writing about such topics?
Could you describe your research process? How do you go about gathering information, conducting interviews, and verifying facts?
What challenges do you encounter when investigating and writing about true crime stories? How do you overcome these challenges?
What role does storytelling play in your true crime books? How do you balance the factual aspects of a case with engaging narrative techniques?
Do you have any particular ethical considerations when writing about real crimes and the people involved? How do you approach sensitive topics and portray real individuals in your work?
True crime often involves exploring the psychology of criminals. How do you approach understanding and presenting the motivations and behaviors of those involved in the cases you write about?
What impact do you hope your true crime books have on readers? Do you aim to educate, entertain, or provoke a certain response?
How has writing about true crime changed your perspective on crime, justice, and society as a whole? Have there been any unexpected insights or lessons you've gained?
True crime can sometimes sensationalize or exploit real tragedies. How do you ensure that your work maintains a sense of respect and empathy for the victims and their families?
What are some of the most memorable interactions or experiences you've had while researching or promoting your true crime books?
Do you believe there's a broader societal fascination with true crime? Why do you think people are drawn to these stories?
Have you encountered any misconceptions or stereotypes about true crime authors or the genre itself? How do you address or challenge these perceptions?
What advice do you have for aspiring true crime authors who want to approach the genre with integrity and depth?
Are there any specific cases or topics you're particularly passionate about exploring in the future?
How do you balance your personal views and biases with the objective approach required in true crime writing?
In a rapidly changing media landscape, how do you see the true crime genre evolving, and what role do you believe it will play in the future?

Fact vs Fiction: Boston's Burning

Wayne Miller's first book is set in the early 1980s while Boston is set ablaze. Two hundred sixty-four buildings were burned intentionally set on fire, resulting in millions of dollars in damages and hundreds of injuries. This is the true story of the deep conspiracy of nine men, determined to wreak havoc on the city and the relentless investigators who uncovered them. Told from the perspective of the head ATF Special Agent in charge of the investigation, Wayne Miller, Burn Boston Burn is a tale of political deceit and internal corruption. The book details the series of crimes that shook the city of Boston and became known as one of the largest arson cases on record in the history of the country.

3000 Degrees by Sean Flynn
Call Number: 363.37 FLYNN
In the fading industrial city of Worcester, Massachusetts, there are men whose jobs are to brave danger, endure long shifts, and trust other men with their lives. Like their counterparts in cities and small towns everywhere, they are firefighters, and like firefighters everywhere, they take enormous pride in their brotherhood and their calling. On December 3, 1999, as the men of Central Street and other Worcester stations lived their daily lives, worked second jobs, and raised their children, they did not know an inferno unlike anything they had ever seen was about to put them to the ultimate test.
Paradise by Lizzie Johnson
Call Number: 363.349 Johnson
On November 8, 2018, the people of Paradise, California, awoke to a mottled gray sky and gusty winds. Soon the Camp Fire was upon them, gobbling an acre a second. Less than two hours after the fire ignited, the town was engulfed in flames, the residents trapped in their homes and cars. By the next morning, eighty-five people were dead. As a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle , Lizzie Johnson was there as the town of Paradise burned. She saw the smoldering rubble of a historic covered bridge and the beloved Black Bear Diner and she stayed long afterward, visiting shelters, hotels, and makeshift camps. Drawing on years of on-the-ground reporting and reams of public records, including 911 calls and testimony from a grand jury investigation, Johnson provides a minute-by-minute account of the Camp Fire, following residents and first responders as they fight to save themselves and their town. We see a young mother fleeing with her newborn; a school bus full of children in search of an escape route; and a group of paramedics, patients, and nurses trapped in a cul-de-sac, fending off the fire with rakes and hoses. In Paradise, Johnson documents the unfolding tragedy with empathy and nuance. But she also investigates the root causes, from runaway climate change to a deeply flawed alert system to Pacific Gas and Electric's decades-long neglect of critical infrastructure. A cautionary tale for a new era of megafires, Paradise is the gripping story of a town wiped off the map and the determination of its people to rise again.
Deadly Goals by Wilt Browning
Call Number: 364.1523 Browning
The true story of Pernell Jefferson, a handsome college football star drafted by the Cleveland Browns, who was not originally questioned by the police after his abused girlfriend's charred remains were discovered in a dry creek bed in Virginia.
Ordinary Heroes by Joseph Pfeifer
Call Number: 973.931 Pfeifer
New York Times Bestseller From the first FDNY chief to respond to the 9/11 attacks, an intimate memoir and a tribute to those who died that others might live When Chief Joe Pfeifer led his firefighters to investigate an odor of gas in downtown Manhattan on the morning of 9/11, he had no idea that his life was about to change forever. A few moments later, he watched as the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Pfeifer, the closest FDNY chief to the scene, spearheaded rescue efforts on one of the darkest days in American history. Ordinary Heroes is the unforgettable and intimate account of what Chief Pfeifer witnessed at Ground Zero, on that day and the days that followed. Through his eyes, we see the horror of the attack and the courage of the firefighters who ran into the burning towers to save others. We see him send his own brother up the stairs of the North Tower, never to return. And we walk with him and his fellow firefighters through weeks of rescue efforts and months of numbing grief, as they wrestle with the real meaning of heroism and leadership. This gripping narrative gives way to resiliency and a determination that permanently reshapes Pfeifer, his fellow firefighters, NYC, and America. Ordinary Heroes takes us on a journey that turns traumatic memories into hope, so we can make good on our promise to never forget 9/11.
The End of Normal by Stephanie Madoff Mack
Call Number: Biography Mack
When the news of Bernard Madoff 's Ponzi scheme broke, Americans were shocked and outraged, perhaps none more so than the unsuspecting members of his own family. After learning that their father's legendarily successful wealth management company was "all just one big lie," Mark and Andrew Madoff turned their father in and cut off all communication with both parents. Mark and his wife, Stephanie, strove to make a fresh start for the sake of their two young children, but Mark could not overcome his sense of betrayal and shame-he and other family members were sued for $200 million in October of 2009. He hung himself on the two-year anniversary of his father's arrest. Left to raise her children as a single mother, Stephanie wrote this memoir to give them a sense of who their father really was, defend his innocence, and put her personal statement on record once and for all. In this candid insider account, she talks about her idyllic wedding to Mark on Nantucket, what it was really like to be a part of the Madoff family, the build-up to Bernard's confession, and the media frenzy that followed. It is about the loss of the fairytale life she knew, adjusting to life with a man she hardly recognized anymore, and the tragic and final loss of her husband.
My Lost Brothers by Brendan McDonough; Stephan Talty (As told to)
Call Number: BIOGRAPHY McDonough
The true story behind the events that inspired the major motion picture Only the Brave . A "unique and bracing" ( Booklist ) first-person account by the sole survivor of Arizona's disastrous 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire, which took the lives of 19 "hotshots" -- firefighters trained specifically to battle wildfires. Brendan McDonough was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when he, for the sake of his young daughter, decided to turn his life around. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a team of elite firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. Their leader, Eric Marsh, was in a desperate crunch after four hotshots left the unit, and perhaps seeing a glimmer of promise in the skinny would-be recruit, he took a chance on the unlikely McDonough, and the chance paid off. Despite the crew's skepticism, and thanks in large part to Marsh's firm but loving encouragement, McDonough unlocked a latent drive and dedication, going on to successfully battle a number of blazes and eventually win the confidence of the men he came to call his brothers. Then, on June 30, 2013, while McDonough -- "Donut" as he'd been dubbed by his team--served as lookout, they confronted a freak, 3,000-degree inferno in nearby Yarnell, Arizona. The relentless firestorm ultimately trapped his hotshot brothers, tragically killing all 19 of them within minutes. Nationwide, it was the greatest loss of firefighter lives since the 9/11 attacks. Granite Mountain is a gripping memoir that traces McDonough's story of finding his way out of the dead end of drugs, finding his purpose among the Granite Mountain Hotshots, and the minute-by-minute account of the fateful day he lost the very men who had saved him. A harrowing and redemptive tale of resilience in the face of tragedy, Granite Mountain is also a powerful reminder of the heroism of the people who put themselves in harm's way to protect us every day.