Murder in Canaryville

The True Story Behind a Cold Case and a Chicago Cover-Up

By: Jeff Coen

Narrated by: Shawn Compton

The grandson and great-grandson of Chicago police officers, Chicago Police Detective James Sherlock was CPD through and through. His career had seen its share of twists and turns, from his time working undercover to thwart robberies on Chicago's L trains to his years as a homicide detective. He thought he had seen it all.

But on this day, he was at the records center to see the case file for the murder of John Hughes, who was 17 years old when he was gunned down on Chicago's Southwest Side in 1976. The case's threads led everywhere: police corruption. Hints of the Chicago Outfit. A crooked judge. Even the belief that the cover-up extended to "hizzoner" himself - legendary Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley.

A murder that had roiled the city and had been investigated for years had been reduced to a few reports and photographs. What should have been a massive file with notes and transcripts from dozens of interviews was nowhere to be found. Sherlock could have left the records center without the folder and cruised into retirement, and no one would have noticed.

Instead, he tucked the envelope under his arm and carried it outside.

©2021 Jeff Coen (P)2021 Tantor

Excellent read/listen

It was a well written book. Interesting for people following cold cases and Chicago history.

Really hit home.

I enjoyed hearing about familiar names and places in south side Chicago. The contrast with past events in the city during the timeline of the subject of the book made this an interesting read.

Good Story

Being from Chicago, and living most of my life near the area mentioned in this book, I found it very interesting. I found the it annoying with mispronounced street names and school names. While some were easily made mistakes (Throop St. is pronounced Troop not THRoop) and unless you’re from Chicago, most would make that mistake. But I think we all know Illinois has a silent S 🙄.
I also feel as tho, the book left the story toward the end to talk about all the corruption in Chicago w the police. Again, living here, I know this, and found it interesting. Yet I’m not sure others would agree.
None the less, Lamantia died a few years back. The neighborhood acted like a King died 🙄

Interesting documentation of Chicago history

Well written story. I enjoyed listening very much. But since I grew up in the area, the pronunciation of some proper names irritated me.