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The Story Behind "In Broad Daylight"
Standing a few feet from where the killers opened fire on Ken Rex McElroy more than three decade ago, Harry N. MacLean tells the story of how he came to write his Edgar Award-winning book in his new true crime short, “The Story Behind 'In Broad Daylight.'”
MacLean had doors slammed in his face, guns pulled on him, and was bitten by a dog. Eventually, he won over the closed community of Skidmore, Mo. The inhabitants shared with him the reign of terror Ken Rex McElroy inflicted for twenty years in Northwest Missouri, and information about his murder on the main street of Skidmore in 1981. Despite 45 witnesses, the case remains unsolved. MacLean tells the story in his book “In Broad Daylight,” first published in 1988.
“The Story Behind 'In Broad Daylight'” brings the book up to date and includes several previously unpublished pictures. It also answers many questions about the killing itself, such as who was involved, and what has become of them. The author discusses the nature of the moral consequences of the killing for the town and those involved in the killing. MacLean describes the breakthrough events when key characters agreed to speak with him, and he realized he would finally get the story.
MacLean had doors slammed in his face, guns pulled on him, and was bitten by a dog. Eventually, he won over the closed community of Skidmore, Mo. The inhabitants shared with him the reign of terror Ken Rex McElroy inflicted for twenty years in Northwest Missouri, and information about his murder on the main street of Skidmore in 1981. Despite 45 witnesses, the case remains unsolved. MacLean tells the story in his book “In Broad Daylight,” first published in 1988.
“The Story Behind 'In Broad Daylight'” brings the book up to date and includes several previously unpublished pictures. It also answers many questions about the killing itself, such as who was involved, and what has become of them. The author discusses the nature of the moral consequences of the killing for the town and those involved in the killing. MacLean describes the breakthrough events when key characters agreed to speak with him, and he realized he would finally get the story.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2013
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About the author
Harry N. MacLean
10 books110 followersHarry MacLean, an Edgar Award winning true crime writer (In Broad Daylight) has changed genre's with his new novel, "The Joy of Killing." Variously described as a literary thriller, a psychological thriller or philosophical thriller, the book earned a rave review from Kirkus:
"MacLean’s writing is lyrical, ebbing and flowing like a deep riptide that conceals the danger beneath; there is something unsavory and even panic-inducing about being pulled inside his tale. . . A dizzying and delirious meditation on desire, violence, guilt, and philosophical justification."
The book will be on sale in early July.
MacLean's first book was “In Broad Daylight,” published by Harper Collins. This book tells the story of the killing of a town bully on the main street of a small town in northwest Missouri. It won an Edgar Award for Best True Crime and was a New York Times Bestseller for 12 weeks. Brian Denehey stars as the bully in the movie version. “In Broad Daylight” became available as an e-book July 2012.
MacLean’s second book was “Once Upon A Time, a True Story of Memory, Murder and the Law.” Also published by Harper Collins, it tells the true story of a man on trial for murder based solely on his daughter’s “repressed memory” of witnessing him murder her playmate 20 years earlier. “Once Upon a Time” was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Basic Books published his third book, “The Past Is Never Dead, The Trial of James Ford Seale and Mississippi’s Search for Redemption,” which was shortlisted for the William Saroyan Award, given by Stanford University.
MacLean released “About In Broad Daylight, the Story Behind the Book,” in the fall of 2014.
MacLean’s first career was as a lawyer. He graduated from the University of Denver College of Law, magna cum laude, and also received a master’s degree in Law and Sociology from DU. He worked as a trial lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission and as a magistrate in Denver Juvenile Court. He taught as an Adjunct Professor at DU Law. He served as First Assistant Attorney General for the state of Colorado, and as General Counsel of the Peace Corp during the Carter Administration.
For the past twenty years he has worked as a labor arbitrator and author.
His next effort, a memoir, will tell the story of his year working undercover as a prison guard in a maximum security prison in Delaware.
"MacLean’s writing is lyrical, ebbing and flowing like a deep riptide that conceals the danger beneath; there is something unsavory and even panic-inducing about being pulled inside his tale. . . A dizzying and delirious meditation on desire, violence, guilt, and philosophical justification."
The book will be on sale in early July.
MacLean's first book was “In Broad Daylight,” published by Harper Collins. This book tells the story of the killing of a town bully on the main street of a small town in northwest Missouri. It won an Edgar Award for Best True Crime and was a New York Times Bestseller for 12 weeks. Brian Denehey stars as the bully in the movie version. “In Broad Daylight” became available as an e-book July 2012.
MacLean’s second book was “Once Upon A Time, a True Story of Memory, Murder and the Law.” Also published by Harper Collins, it tells the true story of a man on trial for murder based solely on his daughter’s “repressed memory” of witnessing him murder her playmate 20 years earlier. “Once Upon a Time” was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Basic Books published his third book, “The Past Is Never Dead, The Trial of James Ford Seale and Mississippi’s Search for Redemption,” which was shortlisted for the William Saroyan Award, given by Stanford University.
MacLean released “About In Broad Daylight, the Story Behind the Book,” in the fall of 2014.
MacLean’s first career was as a lawyer. He graduated from the University of Denver College of Law, magna cum laude, and also received a master’s degree in Law and Sociology from DU. He worked as a trial lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission and as a magistrate in Denver Juvenile Court. He taught as an Adjunct Professor at DU Law. He served as First Assistant Attorney General for the state of Colorado, and as General Counsel of the Peace Corp during the Carter Administration.
For the past twenty years he has worked as a labor arbitrator and author.
His next effort, a memoir, will tell the story of his year working undercover as a prison guard in a maximum security prison in Delaware.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 29, 2021
For readers whose only focus are typos and errors in formatting, this is probably not the book for you. However, if you are a reader whose main focus is the content of the story then I recommend it.
The ultimate in vigilante justice.
The ultimate in vigilante justice.
September 10, 2013
Having read "In Broad Daylight" many years ago when it came out, I was curious to read the "story behind" the story, of how it was written, and it was worth the read.
It told how the author was able to break through the wall of silence that the townspeople had kept up for so long, and talk to insiders as if he were one of them. Interviews many of the key players.
It told how the author was able to break through the wall of silence that the townspeople had kept up for so long, and talk to insiders as if he were one of them. Interviews many of the key players.
March 24, 2018
If you read and enjoyed MacLean's terrific book IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, you will be interested in this short account of how it came together.
December 5, 2022
Great book for background on small town murder
I spent 14 years on the police department in Maryville, Missouri. I also worked for a short time for the Nodaway county Sheriff's office. This book was shows what happens in our society when the legal system b drops the ball and allows criminals to rule.
I spent 14 years on the police department in Maryville, Missouri. I also worked for a short time for the Nodaway county Sheriff's office. This book was shows what happens in our society when the legal system b drops the ball and allows criminals to rule.
November 16, 2013
The back story of In Broad Daylight. Interesting to see the process behind the book.
June 9, 2018
Somewhat interesting view of how the author got the story when others couldn't. Lots of typos and a few facts that seemed wrong. I want to investigate a few dates that I think he's incorrect about. But a nice read after finishing "In Broad Daylight".
August 8, 2024
excellent coverage of the crime
I really liked this book. It was thoroughly informative and detailed about the actual history of the story In Broad Daylight. Which is on my list to read next.
I really liked this book. It was thoroughly informative and detailed about the actual history of the story In Broad Daylight. Which is on my list to read next.
May 17, 2017
Short follow up from the book. Filled in where people and the town was years later. Brought some closure.
September 1, 2019
Nothing special about this book or really too new. I like his writing but it seemed to retell things we already knew.
July 24, 2020
Interesting narrative
The story of how the author compiled his information to later write In Broad Daylight, reaffirmed his dedication to a story that needed to be told
The story of how the author compiled his information to later write In Broad Daylight, reaffirmed his dedication to a story that needed to be told
July 23, 2016
Okay, so I read this book because it was implied that there was new info since the realize of the first book. Well, no there wasn't any new info and really it was a hash over of the same old stuff from the first book, but I was OK reading it since I still wasn't quite done processing the first book. Don't waste your time reading it though...nothing new to discover.
February 7, 2016
Interesting to see how the book came about.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews