Sun Struck: 16 Infamous Murders in the Sunshine State (New Horizon Press, 2009) by Robert A. Waters and John T. Waters, Jr.
Despite its reputation as a happy getaway with family-themed amusement parks, packed beaches, and air-conditioned retirement communities, Florida is also the home to some of the most brutal criminals in the nation. It was the killing ground of the Gainesville Ripper, the Tamiami Strangler, the Hog Trail Killer, Bobbie Joe Long, Aileen “Monster” Wournos, Ted Bundy, and Ottis Toole, the serial killer allegedly responsible for the murder and decapitation of “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh’s six-year-old son Adam.
In Sun Struck: 16 Infamous Murders in the Sunshine State, brothers Robert A. Waters and John T. Waters, Jr. describe some of the most heinous crimes that have emerged from the underbelly of Florida. The authors, both natives of the state, investigate the reasons Paradise has given birth to this kind of violence.
This compelling book chronicles several murders that made national news, including the cases of Jessica Lunsford, Carlie Brucia, Tiffany Eunick, and Caylee Anthony. While these murders gained notoriety, the authors also describe a dozen less well-known crimes. There’s the murderous pedophile whose botched execution changed Florida’s death penalty laws; there’s the unarmed female correctional officer left alone at night to guard five rapists and murderers, with predictable results; there's the bloody massacre at a south Florida Waffle House restaurant; and there’s the Milwaukee gang-banger who senselessly gunned down a beloved police officer during Spring Break at Panama City Beach.
Sun Struck: 16 Infamous Murders in the Sunshine State is a dynamic true crime book that offers the inside scoop on some of Florida's most shocking murders. This book will make you think twice about your upcoming road-trip to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando.
Robert A. Waters is the author of The Best Defense and co-author of Outgunned! True Stories of Citizens Who Went up Against Outlaws And Won. His true crime blog, Kidnapping, Murder, and Mayhem, is popular among Internet crime aficionados. Waters received his bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and his master’s degree from the University of Georgia.
John T. Waters, Jr., is the co-author of Outgunned! True Stories of Citizens Who Went up Against Outlaws And Won. He served a four-year tour of duty in the Marine Corps before obtaining his B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University.
Comments from readers about Sun Struck:
"What an outstanding book. Many of the cases were new to me, and I like that." Richard C.
"I read this book while traveling from New York to Florida and almost turned around and went back home." Sarah R.
"I bet the Florida Chamber of Commerce loves this book! It’s great." Cindy J.
"A fresh true crime book with fresh, new stories. Not the same old re-hashed cases I’ve read about over and over." Emily A.
Available on Kindle at Amazon.com