Three Boys Missing: The Tragedy that Exposed the Pedophilia Underworld

James A. Jack

Jan 2006 · HPH Publishing

About this eBook

On October 16, 1955, Robert Peterson and Anton and John Schuessler left home to see a Disney movie. Two days later their bodies were found in a forest preserve. This true crime story, written by one of the original detectives on the case, details the police investigation of this triple child murder that spanned 40 years. Never presented before, this firsthand account honestly discusses the successes and failures of the various law enforcement agencies involved with the investigation; describes the intense media attention and public reaction to the crime; and openly addresses the pain and loss experienced by the parents of all three boys. Though heartbreaking, the knowledge the story imparts is important as a historical reference as well as a statement about our shortcomings as a society.

Ratings and reviews

Great Book. It really takes you inside the investigation and gives a glimpse into what these families and the city was experiencing at that time. I love the completeness of the book with regards to an update on each of the major people mentioned in the book. I was nto familiar with this case at all but happened to come upon information on it online. When I saw this book I had to read it to know more about these 3 young boys. Three Boys Missing is an insightful, powerful, raw look into a case that will pull at the heart strings to all who read it.

But, I wanted to know about how the police came to suspect Hansen. The story jumps from the 50s to the 90s, and a lot of back story on how Hansen came to be on trial was left out. I would have liked to know more about Det Jacks involvement in the investigation into Hansen, if he was involved. Or, to hear his thoughts about that investigation and the officers involved. Det Jacks is a good storyteller, and I could imagine the events and people he describes as if I am watching a film. The last chapters concerning the trial read like someone else wrote them entirely.

This is a very interesting book. It tells the true story of 3 boys who were horribly murdered in Chicago after seeing a Disney movie. Its a combination of manuscripts , part of it the first hand account from one of the lead detectives on the case and a closing act written by another author. The writing style of the first part of the book are very engrossing and it almost feels like a film noir or a gritty old time cop saga. The flow of the book is disrupted with the abrupt change of pace at the end.