Casey Cep looks at a fascinating true crime story from the 1970s, where Reverend Willie Maxwell was accused of murdering five of his family members for insurance money, a case that Harper Lee spent years investigating in hopes to turn into a book. Although the state tried to prosecute him, Maxwell was acquitted with the help of his savvy lawyer Tom Radney. Then, at the funeral of Maxwell's niece whom he is assumed to have killed, a man shot Maxwell in cold blood and is acquitted of that murder with the help of the same Tom Radney. 

I'm not generally one for true crime, but Furious Hours sucked me in with the enthralling case of Willie Maxwell. As the body count keeps climbing, the twists and turns and frustrations of police had me hooked. The book is split in thirds, discussing Willie Maxwell and the suspicious family deaths, the trial of Maxwell's murderer, and then Harper Lee and her investigation.

Furious Hours is written more for true crime fans than Harper Lee fans. The first two parts were fast-paced and intriguing, but Harper Lee's addition, while an interesting and informative connection, slowed the book considerably.