SDWEG member Richard L. Carrico and WildBlue Press proudly launch his new book this month. MONSTERS ON THE LOOSE: The True Story of Three Unsolved Murders in Prohibition Era San Diego will be released on October 17, 2023. Richard is a professor at SDSU and the author of more than 30 articles and 5 books.
MONSTERS ON THE LOOSE is a true story examining three unsolved murders during what was a dark time in San Diego's history. Told by an award-winning author and historian, Richard L. Carrico, fans of true crime won’t be able to stop from diving right into this gripping narrative.
Carrico has dedicated time to these victim's stories, emerging as an advocate for them more than 90 years after the murders. Their relentless pursuit of justice and the unearthing of shocking revelations promise to captivate readers and keep them on the edge of their seats.
Richard will be doing several presentations/book signings in the San Diego region kicking off with a program entitled beer and books at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park November 5th from 3 to 5. A new book and fresh craft beers, what could be better? Richard’s web site PastShadows.net has information on this and other signings.
Reviews:
OnlineBookClub.org Kendal Low August 7, 2023
San Diego in 1931 was, apparently, rife with murder. With forensic evidence not quite what it is today, many of these murders went unsolved. Richard L. Carrico details the three unsolved murders of Virginia Brooks, Louise Teuber, and Hazel Bradshaw. The author walks the audience through the girls’ last days alive, the search for their killers, and the criminal trial of one suspect.
I am so pleased to say that I highly enjoyed my time reading this book! I have always been a fan of true crime, so it came as no surprise to me that this book sounded incredibly interesting. I found that Carrico did a fantastic job of describing these girls and their lives, and the search for any suspects. I think it was helpful that these murders took place where the author grew up, so he had a connection to the places featured that was obvious in his writing.
It is obvious how much work Carrico must have put into researching these murders, as there was so much information on the deaths themselves, the lives of the girls before they were murdered, and their families’ reactions to their untimely deaths. The information is so well detailed that I even believe I know who committed Teuber’s murder.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Dr. George Phillips, Professor of History Emeritus, University of Colorado.
As archaeologist, historian, and now murder investigator, the intellectual curiosity of Richard Carrico has no limits. Well researched and written, his new work, as with all good mysteries, takes us into unknown territories and keeps us reading well into the dark night.
