Obeying Evil presents the shocking true story of Ronald Gene Simmons and the most disturbing family killing spree in the United States. Over the course of a week in 1987, he murdered 14 members of his own family, a former co-worker, and a stranger. In 1979, Simmons retired as an Air Force Master Sergeant following 20 years of service. The instability that followed his military days exacerbated … days exacerbated his desire for control over his family. Simmons used intimidation, humiliation, and violence to assert dominance over all but one of his family members. He allowed a softer side to surface for his favourite daughter, Shelia, whom he forced into an incestuous relationship and eventually fathered her child.
His need for total control led to isolation within his family and an inability to hold down a job. His frustration grew to untold levels when Sheila left the family home and married another man. With his plans in ruin and his grip softening, Simmons surprisingly supported his family’s desire for a big Christmas celebration. The stage was set for a heartwarming reunion but he had laid a very different set of plans.
Obeying Evil portrays the ‘Mockingbird Hill Massacre’ from the perspective of Ronald Gene Simmons. It’s a shocking true story about dominance, intimidation, and extreme violence.
If you are especially sensitive to accounts of the suffering of children, it might be advisable not to read any further.
If, however, you seek to understand the darker side of human nature by coming face to face with it, then this book is written for you. Scroll up and click on the Buy Now button at the top of this page.
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This book gives a very good look into the life of a twisted individual. While I’ve studied a lot of true crime, I’ve never heard of Arkansas’ most dangerous serial killer, Ronald Gene Simmons, before this book. After listening, I think I’ve learned enough to know just how disturbing all his crimes actually were. The author’s prose throughout left some intriguing questions as well as one at the end in which he poses the idea that it is easier to believe this killer was a highly intelligent psychopath rather than believing than a sane person could be capable of doing everything he did.
Excellent true crime book, and the narrator did a splendid job as well.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
I grew up about 30 miles from where this massacre occurred and remember the terror and horror that was felt in this small community. The author, Ryan Green, does a good job of leading the reader through the background of Ronald Gene Simmons and telling the listener what might have led up to his horrific killing spree.
Even though this is a fairly short book, it covers this story in an effective way. If the reader wants something more in-depth, I am sure that there are books that would fit the bill. The opening of the book gives you a glimpse into the psychotic thinking in Simmons’ mind on that fateful December day in 1987. Mr. Green then leads you through the early life of Simmons, his incestuous relationship with his oldest daughter, and his abuse and control of his wife and children. The end of the book describes the legal wranglings that occurred and their implications for future cases involving a death sentence.
The narrator, Steve White, does a great job and his pacing and emphasis are perfect. The author does not pull any punches in his descriptions of the actual murders, but he also doesn’t overdo the graphic details. IMHO, if you are a reader that “enjoys” true crime books, you expect details of the crimes. However, be aware that some of the murders are more troubling than others since they involve very young children.
I definitely recommend this book for anyone who remembers this crime spree, as well as those that are looking for a well-written true crime book. The next time that I am looking for a short account of true crime, I will remember Mr. Green’s writing and know that I will not be disappointed. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book through Audiobook Boom! and chose to review it.
Unfathomable depths of depravity…
Unlike most people during the holidays, Ronald Gene Simmons spent the Christmas of 1987 not in celebration with loved ones but, instead, committing unspeakable and unfathomable acts of depravity against the people one would have expected him to cherish the most. Between December 22nd and 28th of that year he ruthlessly killed 16 people, 14 of whom were members of his own family ranging from 6 months to 46 years of age. His acts of violence were not rage-induced, heat-of-the-moment types of crimes but, rather, deliberate, pre-meditated, exceptionally cold and calculated acts of brutality for which he never showed a hint of remorse. Obeying Evil is an examination of the life and psychology of this bafflingly incomprehensible man as only Ryan Green could tell it. If you have read some of his other true crime books you will recognize his unique style of combining the facts of the crime with an astute detailed psychological analysis of the perpetrator and producing a non-technical, smooth-flowing narrative that reads almost like a novel. This, like the other books I have read by this author, is highly informative and completely compelling – I would like to say it is an enjoyable read but given the grim subject matter, that seems insensitive. I will say that true crime enthusiasts should find this book entirely captivating from start to finish.
I chose to read along while listening to the audio version and must comment that the narrator, Steve White, once again offered an impeccable performance just as he has on several other books by this author.
I was provided with an audio copy of this book by Audiobook Boom! in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.
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