Murder on Birchleaf Drive: The True Story of the Michelle Young Murder Case

Because I am a crime story junkie I read a lot of these books. Most of them are just like this one - a well reported narrative with plenty of carefully researched quotes. In other words, adequate. I guess when Ann Rule died, she took with her a natural way of telling an often horrific yet true story using actual interesting, colorful prose. I miss that. There's no prose in Mr. Epstein's book but perhaps I am asking too much. This is not a novel. Until another Ann Rule comes along, I will continue to chow down on these adequate books but in my head I am just imagining what Rule could have done with the same facts. Wow, she was that good.

Excellent read! This book is clearly well-researched and written in an objective point of view. Although the author will sometimes insert his own commentary, it does not feel intrusive. I agreed with his opinions and often found myself asking the same questions he was asking. His writing style and structure made you feel like you were in the courtroom. He did take a few liberties regarding the mindset of some of the main characters, but he did explain his rationale and thinking process of why and how he was able to surmise what they must have been thinking at the time.One warning for Kindle edition readers: the book is divided into two parts and in between them, the author provides photographs of all the key characters. Along with the pictures, there are captions. Do not read the caption! They contain spoilers and outcomes that are detailed in part two!! This was disappointing for me as I did not previously know about this case or the outcome.The last few chapters of the book felt a bit rushed and contained a lot of legal jargon and technicalities. To me, that was not as enjoyable as the rest of the book. I found myself skimming through those parts.

I have read true crime for over twenty years and this book is average. Three quarters of the book is taken up with the two trials and the appeal cases, and only a small portion is devoted to the crime itself. The author does not delve into the childhood or even lives of the two main characters. Nothing special here.

Being from the Raleigh, NC area, I remember this awful murder so wanted to learn more. The author does an excellent job of presenting the legal information but also provides so much insight into the people involved in and affected by this tragedy. Highly recommended!

It is surprising that this book received good reviews. It provides a drab summary of the trial evidence already available online and offers no additional details. There's no effort to gain insight into the truly vile character of Jason Young. There's no focus on the most horrifying and compelling evidence, the bloody footprints of his young daughter who was cleaned up, drugged and left in the house with her battered deceased mother. A well-written true crime would have shown true compassion for the victim and her family. This book is lacking on many levels.

This book has been an epiphany for me. It serves to fill a void in my personal understanding of the justice system. The importance of due diligence is fully displayed. Riveting

True crime books have become a little tedious in recent time due to writers extending length by repeating much of the content many times. This book is NOT like that.It is extremely well researched and constructed. A tragic story and the end is not going to be a surprise but the writer makes it adventurous for all that. His in depth knowledge of the main players is invaluable when adding depth to the story. This is especially obvious when recounting the trials, the weak point of many of this genre, constantly repeating what we have already been told.The author sets the stage, adds body to the characters and is thorough though not tedious recounting the drama. Some others just run the court records but this writer has something to add to the tactics and the court decisions.It took a long time to nail this murderer but you can feel the pain of the investigators and what must have been the satisfaction of the final result. I would recommend this to any true crime fan or non fiction reader

Murder on Birchleaf DriveThis is the first book I have read by Steven Epstein, and the author does an excellent job and draws you into the story and lives of Jason and Michelle Young. Steven does an excellent job of presenting the legal information, and the book is taken up with the two trials and the appeal cases. The book also provides so much insight into the people involved in and affected by this tragedy that the book literally drew you in and I felt like I was in the courtroom during these proceedings watching and listening to both sides.Steven as this is your First book my only complaint was the book provides photographs of all the key characters, plus captions. Please do not read the caption! as it tells you the ending. A shame you did not put the second part trial pictures with guilty verdict at the end. Otherwise excellent read and will defiantly be reading more books by you. Excellent book and Highly recommended!

I started reading this book with great interest but, about two thirds of the way through I put it down.My reason? The author committed, what to my mind, is the cardinal sin of authors.In the photograph section of the book the whole outcome of the trial is given away.From that point on, I couldn't have cared less to continue reading.The story itself was good in places but, it got a bit tedious...before the photograph reveal...and I think I was relieved to say "well, that's that then" so, I had my excuse to close the book.If you are going to read this book, please don't look at the photos until you have reached the conclusion.At least then you'll have a reason to continue the book.

At the start it read almost like a novel. The savage murder of a young pregnant mother with her young child in the house was quite heartbreaking. Her husband had a pattern of behaving like a jerk, but the dynamics within the family, particularly the personality and involvement of his mother in law, inspired some sympathy. He was an immature, narcissistic person but despite feeling he was probably guilty but from the outset of the first criminal trial I was left incredulous that in the light of the back story, his could be considered a fair trial.

Just couldn't get into this book. Very confusing and long winded. I had to stop reading after about a quarter the way

Absolutely riveting read, could not put this book down. it does go into great detail about the trial but I loved it, still not sure about guilt though!!.

The story is very sad but really gripping. I thought it went on and on a bit too much. Liked the way it was written.How anyone could have that bloke down as not guilty need their head testing