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13 Victims. 2 Survivors. The chilling case that shook Detroit to its core. The true story of serial killer Benjamin Atkins.
THE CRACK CITY STRANGLER: The Homicides Of Serial Killer Benjamin Atkins offers a chilling, in-depth account of the horrifying crimes committed by one of America's most notorious serial killers.
In this gripping narrative, award-winning journalist B.R. Bates delves into the twisted life of Benjamin "Tony" Atkins, whose reign of terror in Detroit spanned less than a year in the early 1990s. Known for targeting vulnerable women in Detroit's most dangerous neighborhoods, Atkins attacked at least 13 women along a mile-and-a-half stretch of Woodward Avenue, one of the city's most iconic streets.
Known as "the nation's fastest serial killer," Atkins' crimes were brutal and relentless, leaving victims abandoned in the dark corners of the Cass Corridor and Highland Park. Only when the lone survivor of his horrific spree came forward did law enforcement begin to connect the dots and ultimately capture the monster behind the killings.
Through meticulous research in this second book in her Murders In The Motor City series, Bates uncovers the complex web of motivation, abuse, and desperation that led Atkins to target sex workers, while also exploring the societal pressures and systemic neglect that shaped his dark path. A poignant look at a killer's psychology, Bates invites readers to understand how a troubled life could give rise to such monstrous behavior.
Compelling Editorial Review
"THE CRACK CITY STRANGLER" is well-researched and superbly written. Bates takes the reader behind the scenes and describes Benjamin Atkins's actions in a riveting manner. She paints a vivid picture of the victims that is both factual and heartbreaking." - Scott Fulmer | Host and Producer, A Study in Crime | A True Crime Podcast
First Book in the Murders in the Motor City series
The first book in the Murders in the Motor City series is THE 'BABY DOLL' SERIAL KILLER: The John Eric Armstrong Homicides.
He was the boy next door—sweet, friendly, unassuming. But behind John Eric Armstrong’s innocent façade lurked a monster. Prowling Detroit’s streets, he preyed on women who never saw the danger coming. The ‘Baby Doll’ Serial Killer unearths his chilling crimes and the hunt to stop him.
Author B.R. Bates
B.R. Bates is a longtime author and journalist whose career includes 10 years in the daily newspaper business, as well as writing and editing work in the corporate, health-care, ministry and government sectors. She graduated from Michigan State University's accredited School of Journalism.
