Heartbreak Chronicle of The Chicken Coop Murders
Review by Kim Cantrell
It was 1927, when 13-year-old Sanford Clark was told by his mother that she was sending him to live with his uncle. Over the half-hearted objections of his father, Clark left his home in Canada to live in (the former) Wineville, California.
His uncle would become known as one of the U.S.’s worst child serial killers. His uncle was Gordon Stewart Northcott.
Anthony Flacco recounts the story of Northcott from Clark’s point of view, as told to his oldest son, Jerry, in his 2009 book The Road Out of Hell; a book best-known as being the story behind the story of the 2008 movie Clint Eastwood movie Changling, starring Angelina Jolie.
Dedicated readers of the true crime genre will find this Flacco’s writing style is extremely reminiscent of Truman Capote, as this book is more of a true crime novel; meaning, essentially, there is a great use of creative licensing.
Flacco’s easy flowing, story teller manner makes for an excellent written book; and, therefore, I highly recommend adding The Road Out of Hell to your true crime reading list.
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