Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime

 Bibliography: Fleming, C. (2022). Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime. Anne Schwartz Books. ISBN 978-0-593-17743-3

Plot Summary: The true crime story takes place in Chicago in the early 20th century. It follows the two teenage boys, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, both rich, and brilliant in their own ways, yet both deeply disturbed. It begins with conception and completion of the crime: kidnapping and murder of a 14-year-old boy.  It then goes into discovery of the crime, the boys arrest, and the trial. They are defended by Clarence Darrow, who hopes to save the two boys from the death penalty, hanging. 

Critical Analysis: Fleming's telling of this historic case is told as a narrative, mixed with primary sources such as newspaper clippings, interviews, and photographs. The story reflects the depth of her research into not only the story behind the crime, but the personal stories of the two teenage boys in order to attempt to understand their deviant behavior. Her sources include contemporary newspaper accounts, magazine articles, interviews, photographs, letters, court testimony, and books by other authors. She remains, as much as possible, objective, telling both sides of the story.  It is well written, suspenseful and dark, delving into the disturbed minds of the two young man.  A definite read for those who enjoy both history and true crime. 

Reviews:

HornBook: "This is, at once, a psychological crime thriller, a suspenseful courtroom drama, and a timely, relevant examination of social issues. In the field of YA narrative nonfiction, Fleming ...continues to outdo herself. "

School Library Journal: "A chilling page-turner with compelling psychoanalytic aspects not often seen in young adult nonfiction. Highly recommended."

Awards:

Nerdy Book Club 2022 Nerdies Winner

Connections:

Use in a high school sociology class during a study of stereotypes (such as ethnic or social class).  As a class, discuss how these may have played into the boys development and the resolution of the case.

Use in a high school psychology class. Compare and contrast how the brain was studied then as compared to now. Discuss the implications of mental illness when charging someone with a crime.

Use in a high school criminal justice/law class. Discuss the trial and how one would argue the boys were or were not insane and if there is justification for an insanity plea. 




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