Prophet of Death: The Mormon Blood-Atonement Killings
Like Cynthia Sasse and Peggy Widder's The Kirtland Massacre ( LJ 10/1/91), Earley's Prophet of Death recounts the 1989 Morman cult murders of the Avery family. Both books are well researched, but Earley's focuses much more on the dynamics of the group. He also provides greater details on cult leader Jeff Lundgren's growing psychosis. At 320 pages, the book seems too long, and some points are covered in too much detail. Still, this may be the better book for a psychological profile of a killer and the cult who assisted in the murders of five people. Perhaps as interesting as how the group came together is the disintegration that followed when the individuals realized they were facing murder charges. Their faith in Lundgren only seemed as strong as his ability to protect them; they squealed loudly at the trials. Of interest to large libraries, or those with true crime sections.- Lois Walker, formerly with Winthrop Coll. Lib., Rock Hill, S.C.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.