The Devil at Genesee Junction: the Murders of Kathy Bernhard and George-Ann Formicola, 6/66 by Michael Benson

The Devil at Genesee Junction: the Murders of Kathy Bernhard and George-Ann Formicola, 6/66 Reviews

• 
  Sherrie

  "The Devil" started out as an interesting look at one of the first well publicized random killings of the 1960s and the differences between now and then, both in society and law enforcement. But it becomes bogged down in tedium; interview after interview is recorded, but no real attempt is made to tie them together. In many cases, the author's thoughts are impossible to differentiate from logical conclusions. A map would also have been helpful. It's difficult to call a true crime novel boring, but Benson manages to make this one so by book's end.
• 
  Lyn Smith

  Excellent account of a double murder in my hometown in 1966. I couldn't stop reading it. I knew both of the victims and many of the people cited in the book.
• 
  Lewis

  Benson has talents for making a tragic murder about himself, and not much else.
  
  Benson did a good job of pulling together a lot of information about the murders, though most of it was via interviews. There was too much information at times, focusing on unrelated murders and local criminals for seemingly no reason.
  
  There are certainly too many interviews, with a diminishing return of information across the whole book. This wouldn't be so bad if the author tried whatsoever to draw any meaning from these interviews or reflect upon the information at hand. Instead he presents the information, and occasionally asks the reader a rhetorical question and moves on.
  
  The author is not a great writer, switching to a conversational tone with the reader for sentences at a time and very abruptly.
  
  There are a handful of weird asides that have to do with himself and his childhood and have nothing to do with the murders. The accompanying text to a photo in the book urges the reader to check out his dad's cool car with a push-start ignition. Great.
  
  Benson offers some disturbing descriptions of young girls in this book that seem like they're coming from the 9 year old him, as opposed to a 58 year old. "She was pretty but a tomboy". "She was pretty but had trouble spitting out her words". "Puberty hit her HARD". "[13 year old murder victim] looking feminine and confident days before her death."
  
  This is more upsetting juxtaposed by his underlying love for male machismo. He seems to admire the "badasses" (his word) of the town for the cool-guy things they did, making sure his subdued words of praised never shared the same paragraphs as when these badasses were harassing women. This was not overt or frequent.
  
  Also there's a sentence in the book that's literally "I decided the answer was maybe." Even if the book was a good read, I'd be angry about that useless line. No information was conveyed there Benson.
• 
  David

  A fascinating read with myriad local (Rochester) references about an unsolved double murder of two teenage girls in Chili's Ballantyne neighborhood in 1966 that I had never heard about before this book. Although it can be difficult at times to keep track of all the (creepy) personalities in this story, Michael Benson (who grew up in Ballantyne) pieces together a compelling account of this incident and its context in an attempt to find answers and closure. If you came of age in the Rochester area in the latter half of the twentieth century, you'll likely find this investigative chronicle engrossing and be able to feel the ways these events forever changed the author and the Ballantyne neighborhood.
• 
  Trailhoundz

  Riveting account of the 1966 double murder of two teenage girls outside Rochester, NY. I read the book twice in a row to see if I could figure out "whodunit"- sad to know the crime was never solved. Nice photo insert but I wish a map of the neighborhood had been enclosed; so much was described (and important to the story) but it was hard to keep straight. I would definitely read more by this author!
• 
  Lora King

  A true crime book that reads more like a memoir. The author, Benson, sets out to find out who killed two young girls in his small town outside Rochester NY back in the early 1960's. One of the girls mother has wanted to know facts about the case for years but no one would tell her, trying to protect her from the gruesome aspects of the murder. I find that so demeaning to this woman. That men thought women couldn't handle the facts....guess it's better to imagine the worse for 40 years. I have to say not one stone is left un-turned in Benson's quest. Seems like the "good old days" weren't good from women and children and violence and sexual crimes were pretty rampant but kept hidden away. An expensive e book but I enjoyed the read. First heard about the book on a podcast.
• 
  ♥ Marlene♥

  Began reading this the day before yesterday. I liked it at first. It was a lot of backstory about how living was like during that time and that is okay. I like learning new things or reconnect to things that happened back then but after reading for a while I begin to realize that this book is going to stay like this. There is not a story nor a resolution it seems.Not sure if I will continue.
• 
  Stephanie

  What made this book interesting was the fact it happened in an area with which I am familiar. I also found it interesting that so any crazy people lived in this small rural area. It was obvious the author did his research thoroughly. I suppose I am not a murder mystery fan.
• 
  Sharon

  Interesting, but kind of confusing. It's just 300 pages of theory after theory after theory ...
• 
  Karen Belom

  Never in my life have I read about so many weirdos all in one place! Yikes, remind me not to go to that town in New York!
  
• 
  gilleoin

  Great true crime novel about two unsolved murders in the Rochester, NY area in June 1966. The first third discusses, in great detail, the area in which the author and the victims grew up in. I found it all really interesting, because it is local to me.
  
  The author shares the neighborhood gossip, from the time around the murders and current remembered gossip from other neighborhood people. He shares the case files that MCSO sent him. He goes over in detail all of the suspects.
  
  I ended it thinking it was likely one of two contenders- one a local with a history of sexual assault and violence and the other a well-known serial killer from our area who may have been in the area in ‘66.....there was a third person that everyone seemed to think may be the perpetrator but I think he was more of a victim of gossip and he spent a lot of time trying to make himself seem tougher than I suspect he ever was.
  
  Unfortunately, all these suspects have passed away, so even if we ever find out exactly who did it, there’s no justice for this crime :(
• 
  Chuck

  This is such an incredible story! I live within a 30 minute drive of the crime scene yet had never heard of this until my wife found this book at the library for me. It captivated me knowing I’ve driven past the area and hiked in so many local parks close to where this tragedy occurred. Growing up in a rural area in the 1970’s I completely understand the description of the carefree summer adventures with neighborhood kids and how this event must have forever transformed and altered the safety that the community had felt. Your commitment to honoring the victims and telling their story will keep this crime and their memory alive for years to come. I immediately had to buy a copy of this book for myself and now can’t wait to tackle your other reads! They are a must read for all true crime fans!
• 
  Michele

  Too many characters and no conclusion.
• 
  Susan Plake

  Excellent
• 
  Kayleigh

  a ton of information. well written, and fascinating/horrifying to hear some of the relatively recent history of my adopted hometown. terribly sad, and incredibly disappointing.