Victim: The Other Side of Murder

Victim: The Other Side of Murder documents the aftermath of the 1974 Hi-Fi Shop murders in Ogden, Utah. The book follows the victims and their families in the wake of a robbery-turned-violent-crime that left three people dead and two survivors with severe injuries. Author Gary Kinder reconstructs the events through extensive interviews and research, focusing on teenager Cortney Naisbitt and his family's experience. The narrative tracks both the immediate impact of the crime and the long-term effects on the survivors and their community. This true crime account diverges from standard entries in the genre by centering the victims' perspectives rather than the perpetrators or investigation. The book details the physical and emotional recovery process, the court proceedings, and the ways the survivors worked to rebuild their lives. At its core, the book examines themes of human resilience and the ripple effects of violence through families and communities. It stands as an early example of victim-centered crime reporting that influenced later works in the genre.

Readers find this true crime account haunting but respectful to the victims, focusing more on survivor Carol DaRonch and the families' experiences than on the perpetrator. Many note it avoids sensationalism while depicting the lasting trauma and grief. Readers appreciated: - Focus on victims rather than killer - Detail about the investigation process - Writing style that humanizes victims - Historical context of 1970s Utah Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Complex timeline can be hard to follow - Some found it too emotionally heavy Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) Representative review: "Unlike most true crime that glamorizes killers, this book shows the devastating ripple effects on families and communities. Hard to read at times but important perspective." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mentioned this book changed how they view true crime narratives by centering victim experiences.

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🔍 One of the first true crime books to focus primarily on victims rather than perpetrators, helping spark a shift in the genre's approach 📚 Author Gary Kinder went on to become a writing instructor and developed "WordRake," a widely-used editing software for legal professionals ⚖️ The Hi-Fi murders (the subject of the book) led to significant changes in Utah's death penalty laws and became a landmark case in the state's criminal justice history 🎓 The book is frequently used in criminology and victim advocacy courses as a teaching tool about the long-term effects of violent crime on communities 🗺️ The events took place at the Hi-Fi Shop in Ogden, Utah - a city that experienced significant social and economic changes in the 1970s as it transitioned from its railroad boom era