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The Delphi Murders: The Quest To Find ‘The Man On The Bridge’
On February 13, 2017 , two Indiana teenagers, Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, went for a walk in the woods near the abandoned Monon High Bridge. They never returned home.
Their bodies were discovered on Valentine's Day morning , sparking a torrent of news coverage and social media speculation that engrossed the attention of people around the world. A grainy photo of the suspected killer walking across the bridge and a chilling cellphone recording of his voice saying "down the hill" captured the public's attention. Numerous possible suspects were brought to the attention of the authorities but dismissed, leaving everyone wondering who could have committed such a heinous crime. Author Nic Edwards , host of the wildly popular True Crime Garage podcast, was fascinated by the case and for years conducted his own extensive research and commentary. As such he was able to dissect the investigation that included an extensive list of possible suspects, such as a hatchet-wielding lunatic, a kidnapper with unusual tattoos, a murderous pastor, a rapist, and a father and son catfishing team. Then in late October 2022 , local pharmacy technician Richard Allen was charged with the murders. His arrest raised multiple questions about how he was able to evade law enforcement for so long and what motivated him to commit such a horrific crime. In THE DELPHI MURDERS : The Quest To Find ‘The Man On The Bridge’, Edwards and his bestselling co-author Brian Whitney (YOU HAVE A VERY SOFT VOICE, SUSAN) provide a detailed account of the investigation from the day the girls’ bodies were found to the events leading up to Allen's arrest, and unique insight into the minds of the killer and those who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice.
Their bodies were discovered on Valentine's Day morning , sparking a torrent of news coverage and social media speculation that engrossed the attention of people around the world. A grainy photo of the suspected killer walking across the bridge and a chilling cellphone recording of his voice saying "down the hill" captured the public's attention. Numerous possible suspects were brought to the attention of the authorities but dismissed, leaving everyone wondering who could have committed such a heinous crime. Author Nic Edwards , host of the wildly popular True Crime Garage podcast, was fascinated by the case and for years conducted his own extensive research and commentary. As such he was able to dissect the investigation that included an extensive list of possible suspects, such as a hatchet-wielding lunatic, a kidnapper with unusual tattoos, a murderous pastor, a rapist, and a father and son catfishing team. Then in late October 2022 , local pharmacy technician Richard Allen was charged with the murders. His arrest raised multiple questions about how he was able to evade law enforcement for so long and what motivated him to commit such a horrific crime. In THE DELPHI MURDERS : The Quest To Find ‘The Man On The Bridge’, Edwards and his bestselling co-author Brian Whitney (YOU HAVE A VERY SOFT VOICE, SUSAN) provide a detailed account of the investigation from the day the girls’ bodies were found to the events leading up to Allen's arrest, and unique insight into the minds of the killer and those who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2023
471 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 25, 2023
Nic Edwards is half of the “Nic and The Captain” that make up the True Crime Garage podcast. If you like that podcast, you’ll like this book. I appreciated Nic’s journey through the “what ifs” of the case. Most of this book was written before the 2022 arrest of the accused. The Delphi murders case is one that has stayed with me since day one in 2017. I’m glad they caught someone and hope the family gets more answers soon. Recommended for true crime readers.
April 27, 2023
Nic writes like he talks and since TCG is my favorite podcast, it feels more like a conversation between friends. I’ve been listening to Nic and the Captain since the Burger Chef murders, their first episode, so it was very interesting to hear where it all began.
Delphi is one of those cases for me. To share the emotion, the pathos of it all with a bit of new information and a lot of insight into the authors was intriguing. Chapter two tore me up.
Delphi is one of those cases for me. To share the emotion, the pathos of it all with a bit of new information and a lot of insight into the authors was intriguing. Chapter two tore me up.
May 23, 2023
My main problem with this book is that the author relies more heavily on his own opinions and theories than what is fact, so anyone approaching this book without any prior knowledge of the case will come away with strong biases. I am not totally opposed to occasional interjections from the author, but in this case I think the title should reflect the content of the book by being called "One Man's Quest to Find The Man on the Bridge..." or something along those lines.
August 16, 2023
I’m a fan of True Crime Garage, the podcast author Nic Edwards hosts with The Captain, and I think Edwards himself is a good egg. One thing I like about him is that he recommends a book at the end of nearly every episode. He’s a book guy! I was so glad to hear he was finally coming out with his own book.
I don’t really blame Edwards for the issues I have with this book; there was an editor and a co-author, after all. I also don’t really have the heart to blame him because there is a giddiness I feel he has just for having been given the chance to write a book. So I wish I had liked it more, but I feel I should explain what I dislike.
This book should have been, and actually already has been, several podcast episodes. I don’t mind tangents and incorrect grammar when listening to a podcast, in fact both can sometimes bring me closer to a podcast, but in a book it can be both confusing and frustrating, and it comes off as badly organized and even messy. There is a lot of rambling. I’m happy to listen to Edwards get long winded about his theories and values in podcast form, but it was boring and seemed inappropriate in book form.
The majority of this book could and should have been rewritten once the arrest was made. I also think the release date could and should have been pushed to a later date. Most of the book is spent on various suspects and relatively little is spent on the actual arrested man, Richard Allen. When the book does finally get to Allen, Edwards has to continue to rely on unsubstantiated theories since so little is known other than what is stated in the probable cause affidavit. I already listened to Edwards breaking down the affidavit on TCG, and there’s nothing really new to listeners of the podcast. So, long story short, I hope someone, even Edwards, eventually releases a book on this case that has more information about the case.
I don’t really blame Edwards for the issues I have with this book; there was an editor and a co-author, after all. I also don’t really have the heart to blame him because there is a giddiness I feel he has just for having been given the chance to write a book. So I wish I had liked it more, but I feel I should explain what I dislike.
This book should have been, and actually already has been, several podcast episodes. I don’t mind tangents and incorrect grammar when listening to a podcast, in fact both can sometimes bring me closer to a podcast, but in a book it can be both confusing and frustrating, and it comes off as badly organized and even messy. There is a lot of rambling. I’m happy to listen to Edwards get long winded about his theories and values in podcast form, but it was boring and seemed inappropriate in book form.
The majority of this book could and should have been rewritten once the arrest was made. I also think the release date could and should have been pushed to a later date. Most of the book is spent on various suspects and relatively little is spent on the actual arrested man, Richard Allen. When the book does finally get to Allen, Edwards has to continue to rely on unsubstantiated theories since so little is known other than what is stated in the probable cause affidavit. I already listened to Edwards breaking down the affidavit on TCG, and there’s nothing really new to listeners of the podcast. So, long story short, I hope someone, even Edwards, eventually releases a book on this case that has more information about the case.
April 25, 2023
First, in full disclosure, I'm a big fan of Nic: I've listened to all the episodes of TCG, am nasty with OTR, and listened to most of the Big Kid Show. I'll circle back to this in a moment.
Second, I'm really glad I listened to this book. It was entertaining and interesting. And, if you're unfamiliar with the Delphi Murders, this may be the definitive source of information on that case (at the time of me posting this review). Although I haven't lived in Indiana for almost two decades, I grew up there, close to Delphi (close enough to have dated someone who lived there). So, like Nic, I've been fairly obsessed with this case, and done as much research as I can on it (although I'm certainly not connected to any insiders the way Nic is). And I can honestly say that this is the most comprehensive coverage of the case that I have read -- and by a large margin.
Third, circling back to point 1, because I've listened to every episode of True Crime Garage and Off the Record, I didn't actually learn much about the case that I hadn't already known (mostly from Nic and the Captain). That's okay by me (I've listed to several episodes of TCG multiple times), but wanted to toss this out there in case others may be expecting a lot of new information about the case. What was new and interesting to me was Nic's telling of his own journey with this case. But my guess is that I found that interesting because I finding him to be a compelling character -- and because he's in my earballs every week, I feel like I had the opportunity to get to know someone better who has been in my life for a long time (even though appropriately I'm unknown to him).
Fourth, the main reasons four the 4 star review instead of a 5 star review are that a) the writing struggles sometimes, and could definitely have been tighter (my very unscientific estimate is that the book could have been shorter by 10-15% without any loss of content -- mostly due to repetition); and b) the focus of the narrative shifts too much for my taste: sometime this is a book about Nic, sometime its a book about the Delphi case, and sometimes it a book about other cases altogether.
In summary, I'm glad Nic wrote the book, I'm glad I read it. If I'm totally honest, my favorite line of the entire book was the last thanks Nic gave in the author's credits -- for reasons I can't explain, it sent chills of joy through my body.
Second, I'm really glad I listened to this book. It was entertaining and interesting. And, if you're unfamiliar with the Delphi Murders, this may be the definitive source of information on that case (at the time of me posting this review). Although I haven't lived in Indiana for almost two decades, I grew up there, close to Delphi (close enough to have dated someone who lived there). So, like Nic, I've been fairly obsessed with this case, and done as much research as I can on it (although I'm certainly not connected to any insiders the way Nic is). And I can honestly say that this is the most comprehensive coverage of the case that I have read -- and by a large margin.
Third, circling back to point 1, because I've listened to every episode of True Crime Garage and Off the Record, I didn't actually learn much about the case that I hadn't already known (mostly from Nic and the Captain). That's okay by me (I've listed to several episodes of TCG multiple times), but wanted to toss this out there in case others may be expecting a lot of new information about the case. What was new and interesting to me was Nic's telling of his own journey with this case. But my guess is that I found that interesting because I finding him to be a compelling character -- and because he's in my earballs every week, I feel like I had the opportunity to get to know someone better who has been in my life for a long time (even though appropriately I'm unknown to him).
Fourth, the main reasons four the 4 star review instead of a 5 star review are that a) the writing struggles sometimes, and could definitely have been tighter (my very unscientific estimate is that the book could have been shorter by 10-15% without any loss of content -- mostly due to repetition); and b) the focus of the narrative shifts too much for my taste: sometime this is a book about Nic, sometime its a book about the Delphi case, and sometimes it a book about other cases altogether.
In summary, I'm glad Nic wrote the book, I'm glad I read it. If I'm totally honest, my favorite line of the entire book was the last thanks Nic gave in the author's credits -- for reasons I can't explain, it sent chills of joy through my body.
June 19, 2023
Hmm... it was ok.
I did not fully understand the need to add so many unconnected true crime stories to a book about this one specific case.
Also, as the author said himself, most of the book was written before the arrest of the now main suspect. At that time I would have thought the book needs to be rewritten, as most of the previous speculation about the possible suspects would become irrelevant information.
I do not want to leave a low/bad/too critical of a review for someone's first book, and as the author is a seasoned true crime podcaster, but I feel like this book fell flat on the topic/case itself. Sorry, I do truly feel bad saying that, as there needs to be more books and attention to unsolved cases, as that is ever so important, but... alas... two stars.
I did not fully understand the need to add so many unconnected true crime stories to a book about this one specific case.
Also, as the author said himself, most of the book was written before the arrest of the now main suspect. At that time I would have thought the book needs to be rewritten, as most of the previous speculation about the possible suspects would become irrelevant information.
I do not want to leave a low/bad/too critical of a review for someone's first book, and as the author is a seasoned true crime podcaster, but I feel like this book fell flat on the topic/case itself. Sorry, I do truly feel bad saying that, as there needs to be more books and attention to unsolved cases, as that is ever so important, but... alas... two stars.
May 20, 2023
The Delphi Murders is a very well known case within the true crime world. The author of this book explores every aspect of the crimes, as well as the lives of Libby & Abby. This is a great book if you’re intrigued by true crime, or have heard of the case & are looking for more information!
There is so much to say about Nic (& the Captain) and the work done through the podcast ‘True Crime Garage’ (TCG). For a debut novel, I was blown away by the amount of work & care put into it. Even if I wasn’t an avid listener & huge fan of the podcast, I would absolutely enjoy this book. Nic not only puts in the detail to help you picture the case, but he also makes it easy to connect. Nic is so intentional with his work & relatable as a person, and you can definitely see that in this book. I hope he continues to write more!
All thanks to Nic Edwards himself for sending me an arc of his book in exchange for a review! 🤍
There is so much to say about Nic (& the Captain) and the work done through the podcast ‘True Crime Garage’ (TCG). For a debut novel, I was blown away by the amount of work & care put into it. Even if I wasn’t an avid listener & huge fan of the podcast, I would absolutely enjoy this book. Nic not only puts in the detail to help you picture the case, but he also makes it easy to connect. Nic is so intentional with his work & relatable as a person, and you can definitely see that in this book. I hope he continues to write more!
All thanks to Nic Edwards himself for sending me an arc of his book in exchange for a review! 🤍
March 14, 2024
An interesting look at the infamous Delphi murders and the subsequent search to find the main suspect, the man on the bridge, who was filmed by one of the ultimate victims of the case moments before the murders occured.
This was written primarily before the arrest of the main suspect, who was then charged, so much of the book centres on the background of the events leading up to the murders. Other suspects are considered, and statements by law enforcement are detailed. About a third of the book focuses on other murders that have yet to be solved, some with potential links to the Delphi case. As a true crime enthusiast, I appreciated learning about other cases.
The author is co-host of the popular podcast True Crime Garage (of which I'm a big fan), so listeners will appreciate the conversationalist tone of this book. Hopefully once the trial and verdicts of the Delphi case are complete, a revised edition of the book will appear. Otherwise, I'm sure a podcast episode or two will suffice.
This was written primarily before the arrest of the main suspect, who was then charged, so much of the book centres on the background of the events leading up to the murders. Other suspects are considered, and statements by law enforcement are detailed. About a third of the book focuses on other murders that have yet to be solved, some with potential links to the Delphi case. As a true crime enthusiast, I appreciated learning about other cases.
The author is co-host of the popular podcast True Crime Garage (of which I'm a big fan), so listeners will appreciate the conversationalist tone of this book. Hopefully once the trial and verdicts of the Delphi case are complete, a revised edition of the book will appear. Otherwise, I'm sure a podcast episode or two will suffice.
July 22, 2023
No new information here that we haven't heard before. I felt it was very opinion-based. There was much talk about himself and other cases, and less about the victims' stories.
July 24, 2023
Most of this book was written before the arrest of Richard Allen and he is awaiting trial for the murders of two teenage girls who were killed near a bridge in Delphi, Indiana.
The author spends the majority of his time with theories based on very little evidence, as the police have withheld material found at the crime scene.
The author promotes his crime podcast and I have not heard it and after two hundred plus pages of shameless plugs by Mr. Edwards, I never will.
A book is due in September by another writer and it will surely be better than this one.
The author spends the majority of his time with theories based on very little evidence, as the police have withheld material found at the crime scene.
The author promotes his crime podcast and I have not heard it and after two hundred plus pages of shameless plugs by Mr. Edwards, I never will.
A book is due in September by another writer and it will surely be better than this one.
November 30, 2024
I liked this book but I’m also a True Crime Garage listener. This book reads like Nic speaks. I can see how that can bother some but I enjoyed it. I became invested in the Delphi murders because of Nic and True Crime Garage so this book means different to me than other true crimes books.
July 18, 2023
Need to work on show vs. telling. Building suspense vs. long monologues centered on the killers imagined character. Or trying to somehow anger the killer by stating how much of a coward he is on the chance he reads the book. I’m not saying I disagree, I’m saying it is just not the right time. Who is your audience? The killer? Or the public at large?
June 21, 2023
6/13/23
I dislike the TCG podcast, and if I'd realized who was behind the book I would have passed. I'll give it a shot because I really want to know what happened with this case.
--
6/21/23
I skimmed - a lot. I hate when authors introduce their own opinions and background into their books. The only exceptions I have to this rule are Anne Rule's The Stranger Beside Me and James Renner's Amy: My Search for Her Killer. I don't want to hear about how you got into true crime (that's what the preface is for), I want to read about a specific case.
So much inconsequential information in this book. I'll stick with Ann Rule, Erik Larson, and James Renner to read true crime handled by professionals.
I dislike the TCG podcast, and if I'd realized who was behind the book I would have passed. I'll give it a shot because I really want to know what happened with this case.
--
6/21/23
I skimmed - a lot. I hate when authors introduce their own opinions and background into their books. The only exceptions I have to this rule are Anne Rule's The Stranger Beside Me and James Renner's Amy: My Search for Her Killer. I don't want to hear about how you got into true crime (that's what the preface is for), I want to read about a specific case.
So much inconsequential information in this book. I'll stick with Ann Rule, Erik Larson, and James Renner to read true crime handled by professionals.
May 27, 2023
I’ve been listening to Nic’s podcast True Crime Garage for what feels like forever and have always enjoyed it. When he mentioned he had written a book a few episodes ago I thought it was a joke I’d missed. Nope! He sure did. So I bought a few audible credits and immediately downloaded it.
It’s interesting to go through this knowing what we now know about the Delphi case. But this book brings attention to various layers, including some things I hadn’t yet heard (which is surprising considering that I followed this case pretty closely).
There’s a nice human touch, too, and at times the voice, despite the narrator sounding anything like Nic, is SO Nic it made me laugh.
Most importantly: Is The Captain’s name Patrick?!
It’s interesting to go through this knowing what we now know about the Delphi case. But this book brings attention to various layers, including some things I hadn’t yet heard (which is surprising considering that I followed this case pretty closely).
There’s a nice human touch, too, and at times the voice, despite the narrator sounding anything like Nic, is SO Nic it made me laugh.
Most importantly: Is The Captain’s name Patrick?!
May 24, 2023
A great first book for Nic, his expertise and dedication really shine through. While I did notice a few typos/grammatical errors, it was still an easy, engaging read.
Even if you've listened to every episode about Delphi from TCG, I would still recommend this book!
Even if you've listened to every episode about Delphi from TCG, I would still recommend this book!
April 22, 2023
As soon as I heard Nic Edward’s published a book about the sad deaths in Delphi, I knew I needed to listen to yet. Yes, full confession: I listened to the Audible version of the book. I loved every minute of it. As a loyal listener of True Crime Garage, I knew I needed to hear an in-depth review by Nic. By the time the book was published, an arrest had been made. At the time of this review, the trial has not been held. It remains to be seen if he is found guilty. I appreciate hearing the full scope of the known facts of the the case. If you are interested in this case, read the book or listen to the Audible version. I know you’ll enjoy either of them.
June 9, 2025
Nic Edwards’ The Delphi Murders: The Quest To Find ‘The Man On The Bridge’ offers a detailed and heartfelt look at the infamous 2017 double homicide in Delphi, Indiana. As half of the True Crime Garage podcast duo, Edwards brings a conversational, accessible style that will undoubtedly appeal to his established fanbase. His research is thorough, and the book succeeds in painting a vivid picture of the case’s emotional toll on the community and those who followed it closely. The book is highly readable and organized, with a tone reminiscent of Edwards’ podcast, making it easy for listeners and newcomers alike to follow along. Edwards’ passion for the case and the genre is clear, and his willingness to share his personal journey adds a human touch that some readers will appreciate.
However, the book leans heavily on Edwards’ personal opinions and theories, often blurring the line between fact and speculation. This approach may leave readers—especially those unfamiliar with the case—feeling like they’re absorbing more of one man’s perspective than an objective account. Significant portions of the book are devoted to Edwards’ own experiences, his podcasting career, and other unrelated or only loosely connected cases. For readers seeking a focused, investigative narrative strictly about the Delphi murders, this can feel distracting and at times self-indulgent. Additionally, because the book was written largely before the arrest and trial of the main suspect, it lacks closure and up-to-date insights, making it feel incomplete, especially for those hoping for a definitive account. The structure, which jumps between the Delphi case and other unsolved crimes, can be confusing and dilutes the central narrative.
While The Delphi Murders is engaging and well-researched, it ultimately feels more like a memoir or extended podcast episode than a rigorous true crime investigation. Edwards’ storytelling ability and dedication are evident, but the book’s heavy reliance on personal reflection and opinion, combined with its lack of new revelations, may disappoint readers looking for a more traditional, fact-driven true crime book. Fans of True Crime Garage will likely enjoy the familiar voice and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, but others may find themselves wishing for a tighter, more focused account of this haunting case.
However, the book leans heavily on Edwards’ personal opinions and theories, often blurring the line between fact and speculation. This approach may leave readers—especially those unfamiliar with the case—feeling like they’re absorbing more of one man’s perspective than an objective account. Significant portions of the book are devoted to Edwards’ own experiences, his podcasting career, and other unrelated or only loosely connected cases. For readers seeking a focused, investigative narrative strictly about the Delphi murders, this can feel distracting and at times self-indulgent. Additionally, because the book was written largely before the arrest and trial of the main suspect, it lacks closure and up-to-date insights, making it feel incomplete, especially for those hoping for a definitive account. The structure, which jumps between the Delphi case and other unsolved crimes, can be confusing and dilutes the central narrative.
While The Delphi Murders is engaging and well-researched, it ultimately feels more like a memoir or extended podcast episode than a rigorous true crime investigation. Edwards’ storytelling ability and dedication are evident, but the book’s heavy reliance on personal reflection and opinion, combined with its lack of new revelations, may disappoint readers looking for a more traditional, fact-driven true crime book. Fans of True Crime Garage will likely enjoy the familiar voice and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, but others may find themselves wishing for a tighter, more focused account of this haunting case.
December 20, 2023
This wasn't quite what I expected. I wasn't expecting the author's opinion to play such a roll in the book. I expected a true crime mystery, where the reader gets the facts as they unfold making getting more information with each turn of events. There was a lot of opinions, and lots of waffling between saying the chief is doing a good job and questioning why they would think/do/say that with all the evidence, while also complaining that they don't have all the evidence.
The book is about a double murder in Delphi, where a brief video of the culprit is released to the public, after which, a lot of speculation ensues about who he is, how he walks, what he's wearing, what his voice is like, which leads to many men who are questioned as suspects.
I have never listened to the author's podcast, but it definitely read more like a podcast than a book. It was interesting, but not fully flushed out. Part of the problem was the book was written in real time which is great for a podcast or something episodic, but is problematic for a book that's trying to convey a story to the reader.
I'm sure his podcast is great.
The book is about a double murder in Delphi, where a brief video of the culprit is released to the public, after which, a lot of speculation ensues about who he is, how he walks, what he's wearing, what his voice is like, which leads to many men who are questioned as suspects.
I have never listened to the author's podcast, but it definitely read more like a podcast than a book. It was interesting, but not fully flushed out. Part of the problem was the book was written in real time which is great for a podcast or something episodic, but is problematic for a book that's trying to convey a story to the reader.
I'm sure his podcast is great.
April 29, 2023
True Crime Garage has had hands down the most thorough and compassionate coverage of Abby and Libby's case. Even though the book didn't cover anything I hadn't heard on the show, I did learn that Nic and the Captain are brothers. I do think it's silly that a man who podcasts for a living didn't narrate his own audiobook, but the narrator was fine.
July 1, 2023
True Crime Garage is one of my favorite podcasts, so when I came across this book and realized that Nic wrote it I was very excited. Unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me. The writing was all over the place and talking about other cases that had nothing to do with anything. I skimmed a lot.
September 15, 2023
"I began reading the article but there was nothing."
That pretty much sums up how I feel about this book.I read a lot of True Crime, but I didn't enjoy how this book was written. The author spent so much time talking about himself and other cases that I dont feel like I learned anything about Abby & Libby. At some points, it felt like rambling. That can work for a podcast but it's hard to read.
That pretty much sums up how I feel about this book.I read a lot of True Crime, but I didn't enjoy how this book was written. The author spent so much time talking about himself and other cases that I dont feel like I learned anything about Abby & Libby. At some points, it felt like rambling. That can work for a podcast but it's hard to read.
October 10, 2023
I think this book could have been amazing IF it has been written after the trial. That's the biggest problem - it doesn't take us through to the end, and can't, since the story is still being written in real time.
I like Nic on TCG. His research skills are ridiculously good. His storytelling ability is exceptional. It's hard to look away when he's in the deep parts of a story. And you can see the best parts of those skills show up in this book. Nic talks about how he's wanted to write a book for a long time and he should know that he CAN write and SHOULD write more. My not loving the book had nothing to do with the writing ability.
He weaves the journey he took with the same one we all took as we learned information and followed press releases about new suspects. He opened up about how it felt, how he couldn't stop thinking about it. We all can relate. I know some people don't like when authors insert themselves into these stories, but this is not an investigative story. This is personal - the title of the book really should have been "One man's quest" because this is about Nic. It reminds us that the people who invest their lives in helping, in telling these stories and researching the facts and talking to the experts and the families are also personally affected by them. It's impossible to become passionate about this subject without becoming part of it. So the parts of the book that are memoir, that are about other stories and how he got to where he is now feels right for the book. This book is a memoir and not strictly about Delphi and probably should have had a different title.
And because it's more memoir than investigation, it makes no sense that the audiobook is narrated by someone else. Listening to the podcast, knowing his voice and the way he tells a story, it felt jarring to hear his words in someone else's voice. This was probably a publisher choice and not Nic's, but it is still weird and hopefully doesn't happen with his next book.
The journey part of the book was good, but again, it falls apart at the end because we aren't at the end. There's almost no information in the book about the man on trial. And there's no follow-up on the previous suspect and his crimes. There's none of the craziness currently going on with the defense. It's unfinished and I think that was a real misstep. Hopefully he goes back and tries again, rewrites it from the beginning to the real end when it's all over and told in Nic's voice. I think THAT would be a 5 star book and if it ever gets written and published, I would love to read it.
I like Nic on TCG. His research skills are ridiculously good. His storytelling ability is exceptional. It's hard to look away when he's in the deep parts of a story. And you can see the best parts of those skills show up in this book. Nic talks about how he's wanted to write a book for a long time and he should know that he CAN write and SHOULD write more. My not loving the book had nothing to do with the writing ability.
He weaves the journey he took with the same one we all took as we learned information and followed press releases about new suspects. He opened up about how it felt, how he couldn't stop thinking about it. We all can relate. I know some people don't like when authors insert themselves into these stories, but this is not an investigative story. This is personal - the title of the book really should have been "One man's quest" because this is about Nic. It reminds us that the people who invest their lives in helping, in telling these stories and researching the facts and talking to the experts and the families are also personally affected by them. It's impossible to become passionate about this subject without becoming part of it. So the parts of the book that are memoir, that are about other stories and how he got to where he is now feels right for the book. This book is a memoir and not strictly about Delphi and probably should have had a different title.
And because it's more memoir than investigation, it makes no sense that the audiobook is narrated by someone else. Listening to the podcast, knowing his voice and the way he tells a story, it felt jarring to hear his words in someone else's voice. This was probably a publisher choice and not Nic's, but it is still weird and hopefully doesn't happen with his next book.
The journey part of the book was good, but again, it falls apart at the end because we aren't at the end. There's almost no information in the book about the man on trial. And there's no follow-up on the previous suspect and his crimes. There's none of the craziness currently going on with the defense. It's unfinished and I think that was a real misstep. Hopefully he goes back and tries again, rewrites it from the beginning to the real end when it's all over and told in Nic's voice. I think THAT would be a 5 star book and if it ever gets written and published, I would love to read it.
August 18, 2025
- not one interview was conducted for this book. He did not speak to family of the victims for permission or even just to talk about the girls as children and not simply victims. He did not speak to law enforcement. He did not speak to journalists. I have never ever read a true crime book that doesn’t at least attempt to speak to key players.
- in lieu of actual conversations, Edwards constantly suggests what he believes people would have said or thought with no basis because, you know, he has no idea what they would have said given that he made no effort to learn
- Edwards regularly calls readers ‘dumbasses’ or ‘idiots’ for subscribing to theories he personally does not agree with. Incredibly judgmental throughout
- prior to the verdict, Edwards very clearly suggests the accused is guilty despite continuously reminding the reader he should be ‘innocent until proven guilty’. Not once did i notice him use the word ‘allegedly’.
- more than half this book is compromised of other, at times unrelated, cases. Not even short overviews, but entire chapters for these cases, and often Edwards is unable to even point to a theorised link
- ‘if you’re here for graphic details about how the girls were found, you won’t find it here’ but goes on to describe in detail how the girls were found
- incredibly colloquial for a book about something so serious
- Edwards literally used Wikipedia as a source at one point
- kept asserting that the perpetrator intended to kidnap the girls and had an accomplice. Again, with NO source or evidence for this.
- incredibly repetitive, going over the same points over and over again, often multiple times within one chapter
This entire book spotlights his podcast more than the actual victims. I know more about his podcast than either Abby or Libby and that makes this entire book feel massively unethical. I am honestly surprised Edwards has not been broached for libel. These girls deserved so much better than what happened to them, and so much better than this halfhearted attempt as supposedly telling their story. I would give this 0 stars if I could.
- in lieu of actual conversations, Edwards constantly suggests what he believes people would have said or thought with no basis because, you know, he has no idea what they would have said given that he made no effort to learn
- Edwards regularly calls readers ‘dumbasses’ or ‘idiots’ for subscribing to theories he personally does not agree with. Incredibly judgmental throughout
- prior to the verdict, Edwards very clearly suggests the accused is guilty despite continuously reminding the reader he should be ‘innocent until proven guilty’. Not once did i notice him use the word ‘allegedly’.
- more than half this book is compromised of other, at times unrelated, cases. Not even short overviews, but entire chapters for these cases, and often Edwards is unable to even point to a theorised link
- ‘if you’re here for graphic details about how the girls were found, you won’t find it here’ but goes on to describe in detail how the girls were found
- incredibly colloquial for a book about something so serious
- Edwards literally used Wikipedia as a source at one point
- kept asserting that the perpetrator intended to kidnap the girls and had an accomplice. Again, with NO source or evidence for this.
- incredibly repetitive, going over the same points over and over again, often multiple times within one chapter
This entire book spotlights his podcast more than the actual victims. I know more about his podcast than either Abby or Libby and that makes this entire book feel massively unethical. I am honestly surprised Edwards has not been broached for libel. These girls deserved so much better than what happened to them, and so much better than this halfhearted attempt as supposedly telling their story. I would give this 0 stars if I could.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2023
The case of Abigail Williams and Liberty German
Brian Whitney and Nic Edwards write about the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German in THE DELPHI MURDERS: The Quest To Find The Man On The Bridge. I am a fan of true crime stories. I've read books from Author Brian Whitney before, and this book was well written, and gave some depth to the story. I think I read it at just the right time, as every time I read a true crime book, I look up more information about the case, to see if there has been any developments. And in this case, there were more developments than in the book, and it seems that court documents claim that the young girls were killed in a pagan cult, but that's according to the defense. There seems to still be a case while it is in court, and what is going on. It's called the Delphi murders because the girls went missing after going for a walk, in Delphi, Indiana. Their bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge trail in the Delphi Historic Trails. The book starts from the beginning, and goes through the motions of where the investigation went, especially in different directions, and there were different suspects, but that's how an investigation will go. The case is now in court, and I will be following it. My heart goes out to the parents of these young girls, as it is always disheartening to discover such a case. THE DELPHI MURDERS: The Quest To Find The Man On The Bridge is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
Brian Whitney and Nic Edwards write about the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German in THE DELPHI MURDERS: The Quest To Find The Man On The Bridge. I am a fan of true crime stories. I've read books from Author Brian Whitney before, and this book was well written, and gave some depth to the story. I think I read it at just the right time, as every time I read a true crime book, I look up more information about the case, to see if there has been any developments. And in this case, there were more developments than in the book, and it seems that court documents claim that the young girls were killed in a pagan cult, but that's according to the defense. There seems to still be a case while it is in court, and what is going on. It's called the Delphi murders because the girls went missing after going for a walk, in Delphi, Indiana. Their bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge trail in the Delphi Historic Trails. The book starts from the beginning, and goes through the motions of where the investigation went, especially in different directions, and there were different suspects, but that's how an investigation will go. The case is now in court, and I will be following it. My heart goes out to the parents of these young girls, as it is always disheartening to discover such a case. THE DELPHI MURDERS: The Quest To Find The Man On The Bridge is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
August 11, 2023
The best true crime books are the ones written by authors who are passionate about the mystery, the clues, and their own commitment to justice.
I am a long-time fan of True Crime Garage, and listening to this book was like having a personal visit from an old friend. Nic Edwards' investigative style is a unique combination of tenacity and personal vulnerability; he is exhaustive in his efforts to solve the mysteries (which truly made me wonder how - or if - he turns his mind off when it becomes too obsessive), and has a conversational, intimate way of delivering his theories that make his listeners (or, in this case, readers) truly feel like they're having a one-on-one experience with him, spit-balling ideas in 'The Garage'.
Loved this exploration into a case that has clearly haunted him, and actually teared up when, in the Author's Note, he saved the last and most significant "thank you" for 'Patrick' (quotes intentional; that was quite the reveal - maybe lots of long-term listeners already knew it. I, however, did not. It explains so much, and my apologies for every time, listening to TCG, I scolded one or both of them for being snarky or dismissive with each other).
I wonder how many times Nic & The Captain have shared a snigger when listeners have written then to scold them for real. Shame on you boys! (Kind of).
5 Stars.
Nic, please choose another case to write about. Then another, and still another.
I am a long-time fan of True Crime Garage, and listening to this book was like having a personal visit from an old friend. Nic Edwards' investigative style is a unique combination of tenacity and personal vulnerability; he is exhaustive in his efforts to solve the mysteries (which truly made me wonder how - or if - he turns his mind off when it becomes too obsessive), and has a conversational, intimate way of delivering his theories that make his listeners (or, in this case, readers) truly feel like they're having a one-on-one experience with him, spit-balling ideas in 'The Garage'.
Loved this exploration into a case that has clearly haunted him, and actually teared up when, in the Author's Note, he saved the last and most significant "thank you" for 'Patrick' (quotes intentional; that was quite the reveal - maybe lots of long-term listeners already knew it. I, however, did not. It explains so much, and my apologies for every time, listening to TCG, I scolded one or both of them for being snarky or dismissive with each other).
I wonder how many times Nic & The Captain have shared a snigger when listeners have written then to scold them for real. Shame on you boys! (Kind of).
5 Stars.
Nic, please choose another case to write about. Then another, and still another.
June 16, 2023
2.0 stars— After watching several true-crime specials and reading multiple news articles on the murders of the two young girls at Delphi, I was excited to see that a book was being published covering the investigation in this case. The author of the book is one of the hosts of the true-crime podcast, “True Crime Garage” so he definitely knows how to research a case. Unfortunately for the author, an arrest was made in this case a few months ago which made most of the book irrelevant. Most of the book was devoted to all of the suspects that the author believed might have played a part in the murders ( none was the correct one) and the author’s life story of how he became interested in true crime and started his podcast (boring for the most part). The author is very knowledgeable and does great research on the cases he covers, but as far as the relevant material about the Delphi murders, there is just a short section at the end of the book that covers the suspect who was arrested and is set to go on trial for the murders. This book felt like reading a preview article about a national championship sport’s game after the game was already played and a different result occurred than what was speculated about in the preview article. I hate to give this one a bad review but with all of the recent developments in the case, this book is just a waste of time
August 24, 2023
I've been following this case for 6 years & TCG has always been great at covering cases both solved & unsolved. New & old. So when I heard Nic was releasing a book in regards to Delphi, I couldn't wait to get my copy.
He talks about other cases they covered - ones that also need to be known about because most of them still need answers and solved as well.
This book isn't giving you "new" info on the case - why? because the case is still ongoing. He only has info the rest of the public has. An arrest was made last fall & Nic was able to get in a new chapter at the end in regards to more info on that.
This is a great read for TCG fans & those who want to know the case so far. Read about other cases that are sad, given the victims and the need for answers.
It's like sitting down with Nic & talking case files over a couple beers. These guys in the garage do more than just read an article, they let these cases soak into their brains & want to do something about them. They reach out to those closest to the cases & put it out into the true crime universe for people to listen & hope someone out there in particular hears & is able to send tips and answers in for the unsolved cases they cover.
He talks about other cases they covered - ones that also need to be known about because most of them still need answers and solved as well.
This book isn't giving you "new" info on the case - why? because the case is still ongoing. He only has info the rest of the public has. An arrest was made last fall & Nic was able to get in a new chapter at the end in regards to more info on that.
This is a great read for TCG fans & those who want to know the case so far. Read about other cases that are sad, given the victims and the need for answers.
It's like sitting down with Nic & talking case files over a couple beers. These guys in the garage do more than just read an article, they let these cases soak into their brains & want to do something about them. They reach out to those closest to the cases & put it out into the true crime universe for people to listen & hope someone out there in particular hears & is able to send tips and answers in for the unsolved cases they cover.
January 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️
03. 📖
I was excited to read this book because I have always been intrigued by the Delphi case. Especially as they have found the killer, and they’ve chose to keep the trials out of the public eye. However, I felt as though this book fell short. It was hard to follow because the author would jump between different cases. I think if you Took a look at how much was about the Delphi case and compared that to how much of this book was about other cases. It would probably be a pretty even split. This was confusing to me, as I didn’t have interest in many of the other cases. I also didn’t feel as though his parallels between the two cases made much sense, and felt more like rambling.
•••
On February 13, 2017, Indiana teenagers, Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, went for a walk in the woods near the abandoned Monon High Bridge.
They never made it home.
Their bodies were discovered on Valentine’s Day morning, sparking a torrent of news coverage and rampant social media speculation that captured the attention of people around the world.
03. 📖
I was excited to read this book because I have always been intrigued by the Delphi case. Especially as they have found the killer, and they’ve chose to keep the trials out of the public eye. However, I felt as though this book fell short. It was hard to follow because the author would jump between different cases. I think if you Took a look at how much was about the Delphi case and compared that to how much of this book was about other cases. It would probably be a pretty even split. This was confusing to me, as I didn’t have interest in many of the other cases. I also didn’t feel as though his parallels between the two cases made much sense, and felt more like rambling.
•••
On February 13, 2017, Indiana teenagers, Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, went for a walk in the woods near the abandoned Monon High Bridge.
They never made it home.
Their bodies were discovered on Valentine’s Day morning, sparking a torrent of news coverage and rampant social media speculation that captured the attention of people around the world.
May 18, 2023
I've been following the Delphi Case from the beginning, including TCG's coverage of it. Nic's cadence on the show and his personality shows in this book. I enjoyed the writing style and hope to see more from him!
This book is an amazing overview of this case and other cases similar to it. My hope is after the Richard Allen trial and additional suspects and/or information come to light there will be an addendum to this book. How can we all know so much and so little at the same time? The amount of research and effort put into this book shows, and I am honored to have read (listened) to it.
I do have some questions for Nic...1: Why didn't you narrate the book?! I thought you picked a great narrator, but was surprised considering what you do for a living :)
2: Do you have doubts about Richard Allen? That's the impression I get...but us true crime folks tend to follow the evidence. I am hoping more comes to light soon.
GREAT BOOK! Congrats & Cheers!
This book is an amazing overview of this case and other cases similar to it. My hope is after the Richard Allen trial and additional suspects and/or information come to light there will be an addendum to this book. How can we all know so much and so little at the same time? The amount of research and effort put into this book shows, and I am honored to have read (listened) to it.
I do have some questions for Nic...1: Why didn't you narrate the book?! I thought you picked a great narrator, but was surprised considering what you do for a living :)
2: Do you have doubts about Richard Allen? That's the impression I get...but us true crime folks tend to follow the evidence. I am hoping more comes to light soon.
GREAT BOOK! Congrats & Cheers!
May 23, 2023
Nic Edwards is nothing but compassionate in his true crime studies. While I am coming as a fan of his TCG podcast, that love comes from the way Nic is on his show. He doesn’t make a joke of anyone’s case, he doesn’t gush over the killer like it’s a carnival ride, and he ALWAYS puts the victims at the forefront of each case. The same can be said for Libby and Abby—they’re the ones who matter here, not the gruesome details or the fanatics that rallied behind anyone who looked weird throughout the grueling 6 years of this case.
Nic respects the girls and their families and creates a story that’s easy to follow and links his ideas and thoughts through calculated studies, not whims or gossip in the mill that he finds.
While I was disappointed he didn’t narrate this himself, the narrator chosen did a wonderful job and stayed on the energy required for this work.
Nic respects the girls and their families and creates a story that’s easy to follow and links his ideas and thoughts through calculated studies, not whims or gossip in the mill that he finds.
While I was disappointed he didn’t narrate this himself, the narrator chosen did a wonderful job and stayed on the energy required for this work.
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