Masquerade: A True Story of Seduction, Compulsion, and Murder

Lowell Cauffiel

Jul 2014 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

A psychologist’s secret life on the seedy side of Detroit gets him entangled with a prostitute—and her murderous pimp—in a “compelling work of true crime” (Detroit Free Press).

In the exclusive suburb of Grosse Pointe, Alan Canty was a respected psychologist, with clients drawn from wealthy families across Detroit. But at night, he ventured into the city’s seedy south side, where, under the name Dr. Al Miller, he met with prostitutes. One girl in particular caught Dr. Al’s eye: a skinny teenage drug addict named Dawn, an ex-honor student who had fallen under the spell of a pimp named Lucky. Canty became their sugar daddy, spending thousands to buy them clothes, cars, and gifts. But when the money ran out, Canty’s luck went with it—and he was soon found hacked to pieces, his body scattered across Michigan.

Covering the trial for the local press, Lowell Cauffiel became enthralled by this story of double lives and double crosses. In this thrilling true crime tale, Cauffiel shows what happens when deception turns fatal.

Ratings and reviews

A well known, highly respected psychologist's walk on the wild side leads to deception and death. Fascinating character analysis and the lives of those he impacted.

Fascinating story . Unputdownable

About the author

Lowell Cauffiel is an American novelist, screenwriter, and producer. He began his career as a journalist, contributing to publications including Rolling Stone and the Detroit News. In 1988, he entered the world of true-crime writing, publishing his first book, Masquerade. He later went on to write the New York Times bestseller House of Secrets. More recently, he has begun writing and producing crime documentaries and made his directorial debut in 2012 with the film Men in a Box.