Leah Marcus was the seventeen-year-old daughter of a rich, white, Jewish power couple, the father a famous mass tort lawyer, the mother CEO of a non-profit corporation assisting the mentally ill. Leah was a piano-playing prodigy who dreamed of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon. Leah’s boyfriend, Damon Allbright, was the star point guard at their high school, an excellent student, gifted with an … an angelic singing voice and the African American son of the pastor at one of Cincinnati’s major Baptist churches.
During the fourth day of Cincinnati’s 2001 race riots, someone bludgeoned, bound, strangled and probably sexually assaulted Leah. Leah Marcus’ death held the city spellbound during the spring and summer of 2001. Suspicion soon fell on Leah’s boyfriend. After Damon’s DNA is found in Leah’s body, the investigators charged him with her rape and murder. Her murder, the alleged murder, of a beautiful, young white woman at the hands of a black man, gripped the city like so many crimes involving sex, race and class. Damon was tried for the offense.
Ten years later, the crime reporter for the Cincinnati Tribune, who covered the crime and trial, decides to re-investigate the murder and learn the truth behind the senseless killing. Her story is a tragedy in the tradition of Shakespeare.
And The River Runs Deep drills into the lives of two families set amidst the turbulent times of racial strife and the impending doom of 9/11.
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And the river runs deep (The Coldcase murder mystery of Leah Marcus) by A.J Ullman.
This novel was written as true crime story so there was lots of information given but for me there was just too much information it made the book hard to read for me and I kept wanting to skip lots of the book, I didn’t really like the style of writing and all in the book just wasn’t for me at all, but others may find it enjoyable.
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is a gripping novel. Based on true events this book is focused on the murder of a young teen girl and the lives of those caught up in the event.
This book had me absolutely hooked right from the start. I love true crime stories and this has got to be one of the most intriguing I have read. The author has done an incredible job of making it a story worth reading while also keeping it clear that this is about a real person.
It was so easy to connect with all the characters. I was instantly part of the story. I liked even more that this is a case I hasn’t heard of before so I had no clue as to what the outcome would be. This is such a well written and unputdownable book, I would highly recommend it!
Leah Marcus was a 17-yr-old wealthy, white, Jew descendant with a well-off family. She was a piano prodigy and aspiring pediatric neurosurgeon. Damon Allbright, all-star football who had a beautiful singing voice in the church’s choir as pastor’s son of one of Cincinnati’s biggest churches.
Leah was brutally killed during the 2001 race riots. Her death had a profound effect on the city during the summer and spring of that year. Suspicion fell on Leah’s boyfriend and matters turn worse when the cops find Leah’s DNA on Damon pinning the rape and homicide squarely on him.
Sexism, classism and racism all play a role in Damon’s trial. Local crime reporter of the Cincinnati Tribune decides to re-investigate the trial and discover the truth of the heinous crime.
I always enjoy a good read of true crime, mystery and unraveling of a character’s life. This book is no different as it has multiple layers. This is a gut-wrenching read considering what happened to Leah but to have her boyfriend accused is what breaks your heart as well. When I read or witness things like this in reality, we want justice to be served but not every time we get it. This is by far one of the best books that’s captured my imagination!
I struggled with the beginning of this book. I, personally felt like there was a ton of information that didn’t directly pertain to the crime. BUT, after a few chapters I couldn’t put it down. This book discusses the 2001 race riots and murder of Leah Marcus.
It goes over all evidence, court hearing and interviews. It is extremely captivating. The ending is a MAJOR twist and I almost screamed out loud at work.
I highly recommend this book.
JLet me say that I have been reading for many, many years. In all those years of reading I can’t recall reading any book that blind sided me like this one. And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is so skillfully written it will have you looking up these people on Google. Especially if you, like me, missed the page that says “This book is a work of fiction”. It doesn’t feel like fiction. The author has so skillfully woven his fiction into the tapestry of truth it’s almost indiscernible. I like that “Gotcha” moment. It so rarely happens. A.J. Ullman is an author I will definitely be reading again.
This is a great look at a true crime that happened in Cincinnati. Leah Marcus was a popular, bright, talented young girl who was found murdered in her home. She had been raped, strangled and hit over the head.
The police look at several suspects but DNA evidence points to her boyfriend Damon. But is his story about having sexual intercourse with her the day before the murder true or a story hes made up to cover his tracks.
The writer delves into the case and produces an informative book about the case, the evidence and the outcome.
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus
By A.J. Ullman
5 out of 5 stars
The story And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is a book that is very powerful and moving. It is a story about the murder of Leah Marcus, the investigation into her death, and how Damon Allbright, Leah’s boyfriend was tried for the offense. The crime reporter who worked for the Cincinnati Tribune at the time of the murder ten years later decides to re-investigate. The story is very well written and does a wonderful job of laying out what the investigation found and when Damon was tried. Leah’s murder occurred at a time of racial strife and the investigation brings up the subject of race and class. Once I started this book, I just couldn’t put it down. It pulled me in and didn’t let me go until the final page. The story explores and dives into the lives of the two families affected by the tragedy. This is a story that had my emotions going up and down while reading and trying to determine just what had happened. It is a book that I would recommend reading.
This is my first book by this author, I loved it from beginning to end. It is a well developed story that took me back to a time where races were at odds. The author’s attention to detail made me feel as if I was right there with the characters. I had no problems connecting with the characters and the emotions that they made me feel. Leah is a young adult that was found brutally murdered. Her boyfriend was a young African American male whose DNA was found on her. He was tried for her murder. Years later a crime reporter wants to get to the bottle of this murder and learn the truth. Will they find justice for Leah? Two families, racial odds, and one senseless murder. You don’t want to miss this one! I highly recommend this book.