Another View of the Boston Strangler

Bostonist became somewhat obsessed with the Boston Strangler case after reading A Rose for Mary which chronicles the case from start to finish with such detail that you are instantly taken back to that frightening time here in the city. Written by local journalist and nephew of one of the Strangler victims, Casey Sherman, the book definitely led Bostonist to question if Albert DeSalvo was indeed the Strangler as he confessed to being. When we heard about the new book from author Sebastian Junger, A Death in Belmont, Bostonist instantly thought of Sherman’s tale. Junger, who's most well known for the book about the Gloucester fisherman, A Perfect Storm, has decided to use his family’s own personal encounter with the Boston Strangler and base his latest non-fiction novel upon it.

In 1963, Junger was an infant in Belmont, Mass. with his family, who was having renovations done to the house. It was at this time that an elderly female neighbor was brutally raped and killed down the street; police arrested Roy Smith who had been cleaning the victim’s house that afternoon. Yet, at Junger’s own home that same day, Albert DeSalvo was finishing up some carpentry work. The author takes this information and creates a web of people, scenarios, and coincidences in the book. Can it be referred to as non-fiction or fiction? While some question the reality of it all, you can start by reading an excerpt here and start judging it for yourself.

Junger is appearing at the Harvard Book Store Thursday evening at 6p.m. to discuss A Death in Belmont so bring your conspiracy theories and questions. The event costs $3 and tickets can be purchased at the store or by phone at 617-661-1515.