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I Am Cain
On the night of April 7, 1990, newlyweds Nancy and Richard Langert were brutally shot in the basement of their suburban Chicago home. There were no leads. Nothing was stolen. The only clue was an illegible message Nancy left behind, written in her own blood. It was a crime that shocked the community and baffled the FBI and seven local police departments. They explored every prospect -- from IRA assassinations to Mafia hit. But it was a tough Illinois policewoman who would track down the killer, exposing a horror that was shockingly close to home. Veteran Chicago journalists Gera-Lind Kolarik and Wayne Klatt present a chilling investigation into this true story of murder, compulsion and tragedy.
"I Am Cain is one of the most chilling true crime books I have ever read."
-- Ann Rule, author of A Rose for Her Grave
Gera-Lind Kolarik (Prisoners of Fear) has been a journalist in Chicago since 1976 where she was a police reporter with City News Bureau and a freelance reporter with the former Chicago Daily News. Kolarik lives in Chicago.
Wayne Klatt has worked as a broadcast editor and reporter for the City News Bureau since 1962. He lives in Chicago.
"I Am Cain is one of the most chilling true crime books I have ever read."
-- Ann Rule, author of A Rose for Her Grave
Gera-Lind Kolarik (Prisoners of Fear) has been a journalist in Chicago since 1976 where she was a police reporter with City News Bureau and a freelance reporter with the former Chicago Daily News. Kolarik lives in Chicago.
Wayne Klatt has worked as a broadcast editor and reporter for the City News Bureau since 1962. He lives in Chicago.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1994
75 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 11, 2019
A tragic case of triple homicide
This is a well-written account of a terrible murder that took place in Winnetka, Illinois, in April of 1989. The killer broke into a townhouse and waited for the residents to come home. Richard Langert and his pregnant wife, Nancy, were ruthlessly shot to death in their home.
I was disgusted with the investigators, the way they scattered in all directions chasing down their outlandish theories and pondering the "indecipherable" message . I took one look at it and knew immediately what it said. It wasn't even a clue, but they wasted so much time on it. And I especially didn't like Lady Bulldozer Bishop! She was more hindrance than help.
The case was investigated for 18 months before the murderer was handed to them on a silver platter. It was someone they didn't even suspect. They had been busy chasing down the mob, the IRA, a drug connection, and whatever other fantastic theory they came up with.
The book reads like a novel and is never ambiguous or difficult to understand.
9
This is a well-written account of a terrible murder that took place in Winnetka, Illinois, in April of 1989. The killer broke into a townhouse and waited for the residents to come home. Richard Langert and his pregnant wife, Nancy, were ruthlessly shot to death in their home.
I was disgusted with the investigators, the way they scattered in all directions chasing down their outlandish theories and pondering the "indecipherable" message . I took one look at it and knew immediately what it said. It wasn't even a clue, but they wasted so much time on it. And I especially didn't like Lady Bulldozer Bishop! She was more hindrance than help.
The case was investigated for 18 months before the murderer was handed to them on a silver platter. It was someone they didn't even suspect. They had been busy chasing down the mob, the IRA, a drug connection, and whatever other fantastic theory they came up with.
The book reads like a novel and is never ambiguous or difficult to understand.
9
April 6, 2019
A fascinating read!
This was a good read about a very unusual crime, one so obvious that the police almost couldn't solve it. How it got cleared up -- and why it happened in the first place -- is what this story is about. There was a whole lot of information on the killer's psychology in here -- straight from the killer, not a bunch of speculation! -- and that really helped the situation make sense. My only issue with the writing is that it was hard to keep names straight because the characters were hardly described at all. There was a lot of description of people's clothing but the actual person would be described only as short or balding. The killer was described as "almost handsome." What does that even mean? His girlfriend was described as wearing a black outfit over a red sweater.
Wouldn't it have to be the other way around? This was a very good read anyway. Well worth your time.
This was a good read about a very unusual crime, one so obvious that the police almost couldn't solve it. How it got cleared up -- and why it happened in the first place -- is what this story is about. There was a whole lot of information on the killer's psychology in here -- straight from the killer, not a bunch of speculation! -- and that really helped the situation make sense. My only issue with the writing is that it was hard to keep names straight because the characters were hardly described at all. There was a lot of description of people's clothing but the actual person would be described only as short or balding. The killer was described as "almost handsome." What does that even mean? His girlfriend was described as wearing a black outfit over a red sweater.
Wouldn't it have to be the other way around? This was a very good read anyway. Well worth your time.
September 4, 2015
Well Bought this one on amazon for a good price and glad I did.
Also very glad I decided to not read the first chapter because way too many true crime authors think the reader likes to know who did what and why from the beginning.
Read the first chapter later and glad I skipped it. Boy it as really a great book because I did not know who did it so it was exciting to read about the police investigation.
One chapter left but yes I would read more book written by these 2 authors.
Also very glad I decided to not read the first chapter because way too many true crime authors think the reader likes to know who did what and why from the beginning.
Read the first chapter later and glad I skipped it. Boy it as really a great book because I did not know who did it so it was exciting to read about the police investigation.
One chapter left but yes I would read more book written by these 2 authors.
March 21, 2013
This is kind of an old story, but it was compelling. It's a scary story, about how a killer doesn't always look, or act, like a monster. They are hiding among us...all the time. It's a sad story, about how someone can completely and totally disregard the life of another. David Biro is a scary guy and I'm glad he's no longer out there.
May 2, 2022
This is a pretty good non-fiction true crime book that covers the murders of Richard and Nancy Langert and their unborn child. They were murdered in their home in IL back in 1989, but the way the audiobook read, it made me feel more like this took place in the 1950's...hard to explain why. The book was a bit slow to start, but I did find myself sucked in by the half way mark. The murderer is a straight up piece of $hit and I'm glad his friend turned him and his ass got life in prison without parole, just checked and yep as of 5/2/2022 he is still in prison without parole. Sucks that his life was ruined at age 17 and his parents were garbage, but he also seems like a complete sociopath that would kill more people if released. Crazy true story that is heart breaking for the lack of any motive...just an innocent family getting murdered by a disturbed young guy who clearly wanted more attention from his parents and never got it....maybe now in prison? Doubt it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2018
One of the best true-crime books I've ever read. It reads like a murder mystery, including investigation of the Irish Republican Army for a double murder in Winnetka, Ill. The killer is a fabulously rich kid who wants to commit a Leopold & Loeb murder: Not knowing the victims, kind of seeing if he could pull it off. Crime for the sake of crime, to prove he was smarter than the police.
The narrative writing is superb; for half the book I couldn't believe it wasn't a novel, with so many disparate strands finally leading to a conclusion. I don't usually review true-crime books, but this one was outstanding. You should see the picture of the house in Winnetka where the murderer lived with his oblivious parents. And the look of utter arrogance on the face of the murderer.
Truly outstanding.
The narrative writing is superb; for half the book I couldn't believe it wasn't a novel, with so many disparate strands finally leading to a conclusion. I don't usually review true-crime books, but this one was outstanding. You should see the picture of the house in Winnetka where the murderer lived with his oblivious parents. And the look of utter arrogance on the face of the murderer.
Truly outstanding.
June 17, 2020
I saw this story on a true crime show and was intrigued. It’s a well written true crime story. You’ll enjoy it if you like true crime stories.
August 30, 2017
True Story of Evil
One of the best books I have read about the subject. I could not put the book down. A great read considering the subject. Recommend this book to those interested in true crime as well as first time readers.
One of the best books I have read about the subject. I could not put the book down. A great read considering the subject. Recommend this book to those interested in true crime as well as first time readers.
March 7, 2020
You won't be able to put it down.
This book takes you inside the mind of a sociopath. The scary part is the sociopath is 16 years old.
I strongly recommend this Book. This book will make you want to hug your Family a little tighter, and cherish every moment you have with them.
This book takes you inside the mind of a sociopath. The scary part is the sociopath is 16 years old.
I strongly recommend this Book. This book will make you want to hug your Family a little tighter, and cherish every moment you have with them.
March 3, 2018
crazy intriguing
very spellbinding work. well told thought out and told with great detail. holding the inteeest of the reader. good read
very spellbinding work. well told thought out and told with great detail. holding the inteeest of the reader. good read
March 14, 2018
Kept my attention
This story flowed well. I appreciated the authors style of writing. Detailed without going into it so much it bores you.
This story flowed well. I appreciated the authors style of writing. Detailed without going into it so much it bores you.
July 7, 2022
Better than a lot of other true crime. The author looks carefully at the various suspects, which slows down the beginning, but the analysis of the perp's personal history and family issues is definitely enlightening.
April 3, 2025
I remember this well. I had just left the North Shore and my mom would send me the news clippings through the mail!
November 2, 2009
I have to admit that true crime books are my guilty pleasure reading. I was drawn to this particular one because the murder occurred in the affluent suburb (Winnetka, Illinois) where I went to high school and the crime was committed by someone who went to my high school (and I knew personally). Like most true crime books, it lacks subtlety and is poorly-written, maybe worse than average, because particularly the pacing was lacking. If I didn't have a personal connection to the crime at hand, I probably would have only given it one star.
January 25, 2017
Nonfiction North Shore murder.
True crime fans.......this is for you! A complete start to finish great read.
Maybe because I used to live in the same area, it was so interesting, and having gone to New Trier with some of the police officers and remembering the streets and shops, it seemed very vivid. Great photos also.
True crime fans.......this is for you! A complete start to finish great read.
Maybe because I used to live in the same area, it was so interesting, and having gone to New Trier with some of the police officers and remembering the streets and shops, it seemed very vivid. Great photos also.
April 19, 2017
I read this book when I was in junior high school, The first true crime book I had ever read. The murder happened in Winnetka, and I had grown up in neighboring Glencoe: it was so provocative to hear the names of streets and restaurants and schools that were regular fixtures in my daily life listed off as the background of a heinous crime.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews