Overview

Devil in the Basement reveals the shocking truth about my family. I learned about the murders, bombings, and devil worship when I visited my ancestors' hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. As a former private eye, I investigated what had happened and even ventured into the eerie basement where the satanic rituals had occurred. The story begins in 1928 when thousands of Ku Klux Klan members march through this sleepy town. My great uncle Jal's passions were ignited that day, as were those of my grandfather Tucker, who changed his Italian name to ""sound white"" with hopes of escaping poverty and racism, and of becoming a U.S. Senator. Meanwhile, my great-grandmother set up a criminal enterprise in the back barn, and my great aunt was hauled off to an insane asylum before becoming the mistress of a Detroit mobster. But this story is not just about my family. It is also about their creepy neighbor Ernie, who had a ghoulish, life-sized doll. He abused his wives and dabbled in his favorite pastime: evil. He liked evil. He was creative when it came to evil. He was all about evil. Devil in the Basement is a story of love and horror, racism and hope, of Christian piety and satanic ritual. It is a book that shines a light on one of the most ghastly real life incidents in West Virginia history. It is a story you will never forget.

Full Product Details

9780996133531

Table of Contents

Reviews

The most bizarre set of tragic events ever to occur... - Fairmont Times Gritty... Fascinating. - Robert Markowitz, New York Times essayist Alone and bitter, [the killer] fabricated a horrible revenge--on the world and himself. - The West Virginian Charlotte Laws is a tsunami. - Snatch Magazine Magical, artful, and unflinchingly tragic. A living, breathing dragon of terror and surprise. Devil in the Basement is a sassy and haunting thriller that pits a bipolar Hannibal Lecter against a Mr. Smith goes to Washington and proves once and for all that fact can be stranger than fiction and way more creepy. - Pamelyn Ferdin, actress and author of upcoming memoir, A Good Little Trouper A fascinating, unflinching and entertaining read... The story simmers and bubbles. You will not be able to put this book down! - Kelly Wilson, best-selling author of Caskets From Cosco Riveting. Powerful. Fast-paced. Delectable. Best writing of the year. - Every Way Woman Show Devil in the Basement will make you think twice about evil and satanic cults. I highly recommend it. - Dr. Bruce Goldberg, best-selling author of Past Lives, Future Lives It will inform you, shock you, and shake you up. Filled with historical detail, Devil in the Basement is a beautifully written account of racism, hate, and justice. - Greg Mongrain, best-selling author of To Kill a Sorcerer A page-turner with plenty of twists, spellbinding turns, and complex characters. Devil in the Basement is a stirring cauldron of pure delight. - Sue Jones, Hollywood Report TV There is ingenuity and soul in every character. There is authenticity in every scene, spanning the roaring 20s through post World War II. Devil in the Basement is a soup of passion, history, rich language, and complex immigrant experience, nestled against the backdrop of the KKK, Hangman Forest, and a basement where a life-sized, satanic doll conspires with its human monster. This book, based on incredible true events, was kept hidden in police blotters and FBI dossiers until now. It is more than a story; it is an experience. Enjoy! - Rohan Chaubey, columnist, author of Make People Want You. Charlotte Laws has taken her family and through copious research turned lore into legend. I couldn't put it down. - Diana Wagman, best-selling and award winning author of six novels, including Spontaneous. Reminiscent of Steinbeck's writing and cleverly crafted. This book is a gem not to be missed. - Paulette Mahurin, best-selling author of The Seven Year Dress. If genre-straddling were an Olympic competition, Devil in the Basement would take the gold. This impassioned and riveting book combines historical detail with full characters, rich language, a poetic rhythm, and a spine-chilling true story that culminates in bloodshed, explosives and mayhem--all on a gray and memorable Wednesday in 1948. It brings attention to the plight of Italian-Americans in the early twentieth century. The devil in the basement is much more than a real-life Satanist doing dastardly deeds in the cellar. It reveals the prejudice that resided in some Southerner's hearts. Charlotte Laws' compelling story captures the racism, poverty, struggle, horror, and difficulty of the era for an entire class of citizens who were locked in the basement of society--namely those of Italian descent. Get ready for a wild ride! I highly recommend Devil in the Basement. - Laurelee Blanchard, author of Finding Paradise: Leilani Farm Sanctuary of Maui.

"""The most bizarre set of tragic events ever to occur..."" - Fairmont Times ""Gritty... Fascinating."" - Robert Markowitz, New York Times essayist ""Alone and bitter, [the killer] fabricated a horrible revenge--on the world and himself."" - The West Virginian ""Charlotte Laws is a tsunami."" - Snatch Magazine ""Magical, artful, and unflinchingly tragic. A living, breathing dragon of terror and surprise. Devil in the Basement is a sassy and haunting thriller that pits a bipolar Hannibal Lecter against a Mr. Smith goes to Washington and proves once and for all that fact can be stranger than fiction and way more creepy."" - Pamelyn Ferdin, actress and author of upcoming memoir, A Good Little Trouper ""A fascinating, unflinching and entertaining read... The story simmers and bubbles. You will not be able to put this book down!"" - Kelly Wilson, best-selling author of Caskets From Cosco ""Riveting. Powerful. Fast-paced. Delectable. Best writing of the year."" - Every Way Woman Show ""Devil in the Basement will make you think twice about evil and satanic cults. I highly recommend it."" - Dr. Bruce Goldberg, best-selling author of Past Lives, Future Lives ""It will inform you, shock you, and shake you up. Filled with historical detail, Devil in the Basement is a beautifully written account of racism, hate, and justice."" - Greg Mongrain, best-selling author of To Kill a Sorcerer ""A page-turner with plenty of twists, spellbinding turns, and complex characters. Devil in the Basement is a stirring cauldron of pure delight."" - Sue Jones, Hollywood Report TV ""There is ingenuity and soul in every character. There is authenticity in every scene, spanning the roaring 20s through post World War II. Devil in the Basement is a soup of passion, history, rich language, and complex immigrant experience, nestled against the backdrop of the KKK, Hangman Forest, and a basement where a life-sized, satanic doll conspires with its human monster. This book, based on incredible true events, was kept hidden in police blotters and FBI dossiers until now. It is more than a story; it is an experience. Enjoy!"" - Rohan Chaubey, columnist, author of Make People Want You. ""Charlotte Laws has taken her family and through copious research turned lore into legend. I couldn't put it down."" - Diana Wagman, best-selling and award winning author of six novels, including Spontaneous. ""Reminiscent of Steinbeck's writing and cleverly crafted. This book is a gem not to be missed."" - Paulette Mahurin, best-selling author of The Seven Year Dress. ""If genre-straddling were an Olympic competition, Devil in the Basement would take the gold. This impassioned and riveting book combines historical detail with full characters, rich language, a poetic rhythm, and a spine-chilling true story that culminates in bloodshed, explosives and mayhem--all on a gray and memorable Wednesday in 1948. It brings attention to the plight of Italian-Americans in the early twentieth century. The ""devil in the basement"" is much more than a real-life Satanist doing dastardly deeds in the cellar. It reveals the prejudice that resided in some Southerner's hearts. Charlotte Laws' compelling story captures the racism, poverty, struggle, horror, and difficulty of the era for an entire class of citizens who were locked in the basement of society--namely those of Italian descent. Get ready for a wild ride! I highly recommend Devil in the Basement."" - Laurelee Blanchard, author of Finding Paradise: Leilani Farm Sanctuary of Maui."

The most bizarre set of tragic events ever to occur... - Fairmont Times Gritty... Fascinating. - Robert Markowitz, New York Times essayist Alone and bitter, [the killer] fabricated a horrible revenge--on the world and himself. - The West Virginian Charlotte Laws is a tsunami. - Snatch Magazine Magical, artful, and unflinchingly tragic. A living, breathing dragon of terror and surprise. Devil in the Basement is a sassy and haunting thriller that pits a bipolar Hannibal Lecter against a Mr. Smith goes to Washington and proves once and for all that fact can be stranger than fiction and way more creepy. - Pamelyn Ferdin, actress and author of upcoming memoir, A Good Little Trouper A fascinating, unflinching and entertaining read... The story simmers and bubbles. You will not be able to put this book down! - Kelly Wilson, best-selling author of Caskets From Cosco Riveting. Powerful. Fast-paced. Delectable. Best writing of the year. - Every Way Woman Show Devil in the Basement will make you think twice about evil and satanic cults. I highly recommend it. - Dr. Bruce Goldberg, best-selling author of Past Lives, Future Lives It will inform you, shock you, and shake you up. Filled with historical detail, Devil in the Basement is a beautifully written account of racism, hate, and justice. - Greg Mongrain, best-selling author of To Kill a Sorcerer A page-turner with plenty of twists, spellbinding turns, and complex characters. Devil in the Basement is a stirring cauldron of pure delight. - Sue Jones, Hollywood Report TV There is ingenuity and soul in every character. There is authenticity in every scene, spanning the roaring 20s through post World War II. Devil in the Basement is a soup of passion, history, rich language, and complex immigrant experience, nestled against the backdrop of the KKK, Hangman Forest, and a basement where a life-sized, satanic doll conspires with its human monster. This book, based on incredible true events, was kept hidden in police blotters and FBI dossiers until now. It is more than a story; it is an experience. Enjoy! - Rohan Chaubey, columnist, author of Make People Want You. Charlotte Laws has taken her family and through copious research turned lore into legend. I couldn't put it down. - Diana Wagman, best-selling and award winning author of six novels, including Spontaneous. Reminiscent of Steinbeck's writing and cleverly crafted. This book is a gem not to be missed. - Paulette Mahurin, best-selling author of The Seven Year Dress. If genre-straddling were an Olympic competition, Devil in the Basement would take the gold. This impassioned and riveting book combines historical detail with full characters, rich language, a poetic rhythm, and a spine-chilling true story that culminates in bloodshed, explosives and mayhem--all on a gray and memorable Wednesday in 1948. It brings attention to the plight of Italian-Americans in the early twentieth century. The devil in the basement is much more than a real-life Satanist doing dastardly deeds in the cellar. It reveals the prejudice that resided in some Southerner's hearts. Charlotte Laws' compelling story captures the racism, poverty, struggle, horror, and difficulty of the era for an entire class of citizens who were locked in the basement of society--namely those of Italian descent. Get ready for a wild ride! I highly recommend Devil in the Basement. - Laurelee Blanchard, author of Finding Paradise: Leilani Farm Sanctuary of Maui.

""The most bizarre set of tragic events ever to occur..."" - Fairmont Times ""Gritty... Fascinating."" - Robert Markowitz, New York Times essayist ""Alone and bitter, [the killer] fabricated a horrible revenge--on the world and himself."" - The West Virginian ""Charlotte Laws is a tsunami."" - Snatch Magazine ""Magical, artful, and unflinchingly tragic. A living, breathing dragon of terror and surprise. Devil in the Basement is a sassy and haunting thriller that pits a bipolar Hannibal Lecter against a Mr. Smith goes to Washington and proves once and for all that fact can be stranger than fiction and way more creepy."" - Pamelyn Ferdin, actress and author of upcoming memoir, A Good Little Trouper ""A fascinating, unflinching and entertaining read... The story simmers and bubbles. You will not be able to put this book down!"" - Kelly Wilson, best-selling author of Caskets From Cosco ""Riveting. Powerful. Fast-paced. Delectable. Best writing of the year."" - Every Way Woman Show ""Devil in the Basement will make you think twice about evil and satanic cults. I highly recommend it."" - Dr. Bruce Goldberg, best-selling author of Past Lives, Future Lives ""It will inform you, shock you, and shake you up. Filled with historical detail, Devil in the Basement is a beautifully written account of racism, hate, and justice."" - Greg Mongrain, best-selling author of To Kill a Sorcerer ""A page-turner with plenty of twists, spellbinding turns, and complex characters. Devil in the Basement is a stirring cauldron of pure delight."" - Sue Jones, Hollywood Report TV ""There is ingenuity and soul in every character. There is authenticity in every scene, spanning the roaring 20s through post World War II. Devil in the Basement is a soup of passion, history, rich language, and complex immigrant experience, nestled against the backdrop of the KKK, Hangman Forest, and a basement where a life-sized, satanic doll conspires with its human monster. This book, based on incredible true events, was kept hidden in police blotters and FBI dossiers until now. It is more than a story; it is an experience. Enjoy!"" - Rohan Chaubey, columnist, author of Make People Want You. ""Charlotte Laws has taken her family and through copious research turned lore into legend. I couldn't put it down."" - Diana Wagman, best-selling and award winning author of six novels, including Spontaneous. ""Reminiscent of Steinbeck's writing and cleverly crafted. This book is a gem not to be missed."" - Paulette Mahurin, best-selling author of The Seven Year Dress. ""If genre-straddling were an Olympic competition, Devil in the Basement would take the gold. This impassioned and riveting book combines historical detail with full characters, rich language, a poetic rhythm, and a spine-chilling true story that culminates in bloodshed, explosives and mayhem--all on a gray and memorable Wednesday in 1948. It brings attention to the plight of Italian-Americans in the early twentieth century. The ""devil in the basement"" is much more than a real-life Satanist doing dastardly deeds in the cellar. It reveals the prejudice that resided in some Southerner's hearts. Charlotte Laws' compelling story captures the racism, poverty, struggle, horror, and difficulty of the era for an entire class of citizens who were locked in the basement of society--namely those of Italian descent. Get ready for a wild ride! I highly recommend Devil in the Basement."" - Laurelee Blanchard, author of Finding Paradise: Leilani Farm Sanctuary of Maui.

Author Information

Charlotte Laws is an award-winning and bestselling writer. She has authored seven books, contributed to four academic anthologies, and written 135 articles that have appeared in various publications, including the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Salon, Huffington Post, and the New York Daily News. Laws has a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California, two master's degrees, and two BA degrees. She completed her postdoctoral study at Oxford University, England.

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