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“THE SHAWCROSS LETTERS is a graphic and dramatic page turner that delves into the twisted mind of a serial killer. A true crime book that will horrify, enlighten, and keep you up at night.” – Joseph Souza, Author of The Neighbor
What happens when one of the most evil men in the history of America meets a man he trusts to share his darkest secrets with? How does it affect someone already on the edge of society when he is taken under the wing of a serial killer? Partly told through the letters of Arthur Shawcross, The Shawcross Letters is the tale of one of America’s most notorious serial killers and his relationship with his would-be biographer, John Paul Fay.
John Paul Fay was a murderabilia dealer with a troubled past. Arthur Shawcross, also known as the Genesee River Killer, was in prison after being convicted of murdering numerous women, he officially has killed 14 people in all. The two created a business relationship, with Fay shopping the drawings of Shawcross and working with him on a book of his life. They also created a bizarre friendship in which Shawcross would let out his darkest secrets and Fay would finally meet someone that he himself felt oddly at home with. But as we all know, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
The Shawcross Letters is a unique book, it is not only literary, but it lets the reader into the mind of a serial killer in a way that few books have ever done before. The reader will be drawn into the mind of Shawcross through his letters, and will find themselves wondering, what actually separates a serial killer from someone that walks among us every day?
Warning Contains Extremely Graphic Material Including Descriptions of Rape, Murder and Cannibalism.
John Paul Fay
From The Book:
At the beginning of it all, I pitched Shawcross a business arrangement. If he were amenable, wonderful! If not, I’d either get a response spattered with a serial killing cannibal’s strain of hate or just never hear from the Genesee River Killer again. Either way, I was a battered lifetime veteran of bad starts and unhappy endings, so what would be the loss? Still, there was hope, muddied and bloodied as it was.
7/6/00
MR. FAY, What was the drawing of mine that you sold? What did you sell the item for? I can use a money order — only if it does not put you out! May I ask who bought said item? Can you send addresses of people who are collectors?
Where might you be moving to? Now that you have parted with one item of mine, here are two more to help you on your way, Mr. Sawman. Some handle you have there! It was the handle, Sawman, that got my attention.
I have used a MACHETE on a few Head come right off! Vietnam will do that to you!
Mr. Fay, I hear about letters being sold all the time. The people who do that I generally leave alone. I dislike writing to someone and have them sell a letter because I have said things that are not cool for the eyes of others!
Wish I was in Boston again. Last time I was there I was a teenager.
Melissa of California, I’d like to rattle her bones a few times for real…She would not be the same afterward. HAHA
Mr. Fay, you now have her photos. Do as you wish with them.
Stay cool.
Later,
Arthur S
Author Brian Whitney
From The Author:
When I first was approached to help write The Shawcross Letters I had no idea what I was getting into. I knew it to be the story of Arthur Shawcross, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, and his friendship with a man named John Paul Fay.
As a fan of true crime, I have read books before where a famous killer befriended a member of society, and I always found them lacking, they always seem to be reaching for something, promising some sort of payoff that the book never actually achieves. When someone tries too hard to be dark and scary, one can sense it. I soon found out this book was different than any true crime book I had ever read.
This book consists of numerous letters from Shawcross, and offers terrifying and disturbing glimpses into his mind. There may be a collection of letters from a serial killer that has been published that is more depraved and more fascinating, but if so I haven’t read it.
And what of my co-author John Paul Fay? While most books of this nature show the person who has befriended the serial killer as either a dupe or a victim, Fay is practically overjoyed to make the acquaintance of Arthur Shawcross, and exults in their burgeoning friendship. After reading all of this one might think that this book glorifies serial killers, that Shawcross and Fay are treated as heroes through their own words. The truth is actually far different. What this book does is offer a peek into a world that while we all knows exists, none of us ever get to see at least those of us that survive. If you dare read this book you will never look at serial killers, or the guy sitting next to you on the subway, quite the same way.
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This sounds fascinating. I look forward to getting a copy and checking it out thoroughly.
Congrats bro. I’m so proud of you. I can’t wait to read this. So glad I was able to help you.
Love ❤️ your sister,
Jennifer Joan Fay
This was an interesting book and a surprisingly fast read. It is heartening at the end to find that the author can “come clean’ and get his life in order. Shawcross is, of course, disgusting, s in and that doesn’t even say it. It is a grand thing that we have prisons to hold such monsters. Why Mr. Ray wanted to romp with the monster is beyond me, but to each his own. I did feel that Mr. Ray tried too hard in some places and made himself out to be far more evil than he truly is. The fleeting mentions of abuse put this in perspective, though. When we strive to destroy our children, we often succeed, though they live on for many years.Fortunately, Mr. Ray lived on and found his way and has no doubt a fascinating writing career ahead. Well done, Sir. Spooky and strange, but well done.
Not for the light hearted…This was defiinitely an interesting read. I find it encouraging that John wrote about his thoughts and eventually came out ahead in all of this. I’m not sure that I believe all that Shawcross wrote to John, Sometimes I had to reread parts, it’s so interesting what he wrote. He was very full of himself wasn’t he…This was a good, honest, book about demons you may have and overcoming them. Good luck to you John in the future.