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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A.J. Ullman did a great job with this book. I have read plenty of True Crime stories, Ann Rule was my favorite, and I thought I was reading one. And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus has probably been one of the best books I have read so far this year.
The story is fictional, but set in a time when actual events were happening. Leah Marcus is a 17-year old who is getting ready to head off to college to become a surgeon. Though she is a gifted musician and could go to one of the best schools in the country, she wants to help other people. She had recently broken things off with her boyfriend, Damon Allbright, as she didn’t think their relationship would work out being at different schools after high school ended. Was he her killer?
Damon Allbright is the son of a preacher and a star on the high school football team. He has been dating Leah for the last couple years and is devastated by their break up. He had his whole life ahead of him with a bright looking future. Was he angry enough to throw that away by killing Leah?
Suspect number two is a neighbor down the street by the name of Vernon Banks. He is unemployed living in his parents attic. Vernon has been in and out of prison several times for crimes that involved teenaged girls. Was he the culprit? Due to his past he cannot be ruled out right away.
Like I said, I have read many true crime stories and I thought I was reading one. This was so well written that it is easy to forget that the victim is a fictional character. I was not expecting the ending when I got there. After all the evidence was gathered and presented I thought they had the right guy. Boy was I wrong! The reason for Leah being killed is mind blowing and in my opinion petty, but people have killed for far less.
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is a fictional True Crime story. It has been cleverly crafted, that it reads as a True Crime novel. To say I love True Crime is an understatement, I am addicted to it and AJ’s writing did it justice. It had me spellbound with the mystery and suspense, intrigue and drama, angst and wondering. I was so consumed by and swept away by the story and the emotions that I soon found the book had ended.
This is a must on everyone’s TBR list and I look forward to reading more from this author.
5 Star
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is a intriguing true crime story that had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen next. From the very beginning I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. While this is my first read by this Author I can definitely say it won’t be my last. This is about the murder of a young teenage girl named Leah , the investigation of her death ,Damon her boyfriend and how he was tried. Ten years later the crime reporter whom worked for the Cincinnati Tribune at the time of the murder decides to re-investigate . It’s one of those books that will have you thinking about even days after you finish. If you’re a true crime fan and even if you’re not I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to dive into more books by this Author.
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, this is the first book I’ve read by A.J. Ullman. The story is very well written and does a wonderful job of laying out what the investigation found and when Damon was tried. 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. I read this book in one sitting because I got so enthralled in the story that had its twists and turns and kept me wanting to find out the outcome of the story. I highly recommend this book.
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus
by A. J. Ullman
This story was so intriguing that I couldn’t put it down. This is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely won’t be my last. This story was so well written that it made me feel like I was right in there with it. This book is rich in detail so you can picture all of it in your mind’s eye. I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say that I was on the edge of my seat and this is a must read. I read this book in one sitting because I got so enthralled in the story that had its twists and turns and kept me wanting to find out the outcome of the story. I highly recommend this book.
And the River Runs Deep by A.J. Ullman a five-star read that took my breath away. This was an odd one for me as I adore True crime, but I don’t normally enjoy reading about it, and haven’t for years I enjoy devouring it in other mediums instead but this has re-ignited my passion as this isn’t like your typical true crime read, as it’s a novel based on an investigation, but its so well done it will leave you questioning everything. This is such a gripping tale that once you pick it up you wont be able to put it down for anything, its such a well plotted and interesting story that you need to pick it up and sink yourself into the investigation.
This is a different read for me. Reading through this I see how much Leah was loved by those who surrounded her and get an imange of a young lady who was ready to lead her life. Its very hard to read this account because of all the details that went into it.
And The River Runs Deep
By
A.J. Ullman
This is a cold case book written by an investigative reporter set during the race riots in Cincinnati.
Leah is a teenager that was found murdered in her house by her mother and this crime reporter takes through the history of her death and who the police assume murdered her however in the end he discovers years later that it was committed by someone else.
This story also has lots of history about the times that surround Cincinnati, during the investigation of her murder. All in all a very good read, you will enjoy this book.
5 Stars
And the River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus is a cleverly crafted and intriguing novel by A.J Ullman. This is my first read from Mr. Ullman- and after venturing into his ‘world’, I am happy to say that it won’t be the last.
I was drawn to the book by the title, as I am a true crime junkie. I snatched up a copy and dove right in. I soon discovered that this isn’t a ‘true crime’ story, but in fact a fictional account that’s written so incredibly well, with all the ‘realism’, investigative elements, police procedural, and forensic details- that there were times I forgot this wasn’t ‘real’.
Mr. Ullman’s attention to detail and meticulousness gave this story so much authenticity, intrigue, suspense, mystery, and drama. I was so caught up in the details and events, that I lost all sense of time and place- riveted in the story for an afternoon. And that is really all you could ask for from an author, and story.
So, if you love true crime, intriguing storylines, unputdownable stories, and shocking twists- then this is definitely the book for you!
I am happily looking forward to exploring more of Mr. Ullman’s work!
Happy Reading!
Thank you, A.J Ullman!
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman. I LOVED this book. Its a crime mystery based on a true story. Its the story of the murder of Leah Marcus and how her boyfriend at the time Damon Allbright was tried for the offense. 10 years after the crime, the crime reporter of the Cincinnati Tribune who covered the case wants to reopen the case. He’s determined to find out what really happened. Leah was a 17 year old wealthy white girl who wanted to be a pediatric neurosurgeon and was amazing on the piano. Damon was the all star point guard at their high school, had an amazing singing voice and was African American. His father was the Pastor at one of the major Baptist Churches in town. Leah was murdered and raped, beat up and strangled and when Damon was taken in for questioning the whole town went nuts. There were race riots and when Damon’s DNA was found in Leah’s body they charged him with the crime. Will the reporter find out what really happened to Leah and will Damon be freed? Will this crime tear up this city? This book is amazing and warning it will keep you reading until you are finished!
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A. J. Ullman is about a young woman who is murdered. A. J. Ullman has used true facts and situations to tell the story of Leah Marcus. This novel takes place in a time when things whites versus blacks and so forth. Just a few months shy of a major historical event is the murder that rocked the Cincinnati area. Filled with facts about what really went on during that time and how the case was handled makes this novel seem like you are there with writer. This novel is told in first person so it reads like you are right there having it recounted to you from someone who was there first hand and knows what really went on.
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman
5 +++++++++ Stars
I am a true, true crime fan. I love watching true crime and I love to read Crime novels, this is my first read by this author and also my first true crime novel.
I will say there was a lot of information in this story, much of it was information I don’t feel I needed to fully appreciate the story. It was mainly the backstories of all the secondary and even third characters in the book. The information and facts that pertain directly to the crime though were written beautifully and I was able to keep everything organized in my mind.
I love true crime because I love the facts, the what if’s, and the is that possible things that need to be taken into account. This author did an amazing job and matched so many of my own reasonings throughout. The last chapter blew me away!! Never saw that coming and actually read the chapter beginning about five times to figure out what I was reading!! Well played!!!!
I am looking forward to reading more from this author and have already recommended this to a couple friends who like me are fascinated with how all this stuff plays out.
Highly Recommended!
I can’t even begin to describe the level of love I have for true crime… bring me a comfy blanket, warm drink and a platform with all the true crime and I am one happy little being. I enjoy the intrigue that the idea of something with a real stake in history withdrawals from the reader or one watching. It elicits empathy and emotions that tend to be something we need to explore as humans much more. I Iove how this novel sweeps you away and you almost forget that you are reading a real actual story that has real lives and real emotions are being laid out with blood sweat and tears, those real emotions and events pulled out of the characters. This book has a lot of moving pieces to show you the way things play out with and accuracy that will leave your heart beating fast. The characters become an integral part of your life and you find yourself pulling for all the justice that is deserved being served up. I look forward to finding more books within the true crime genre and seeing what else is available from A.J. Ullman.
I can’t begin to describe how immediately transported I felt as I read this book. I was breathless the entire time and immersed into this world that was real and tangible. The storyline was so well developed I was certain it was true. Ullman completely left me spellbound with the crime drama. I simply cannot say more without giving it away. And I certainly cannot wait to get more from this author in my library.
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is an amazing novel! I can not say enough how much this book kept me at the edge of my seat. I stayed up well past my bedtime just to finish it. Such a great write from A. J. Ullman. It is hard to remember that this novel is work of fiction! It felt so realistic and something that you just might briefly catch a headline about. It’s truly a haunting story. I highly recommend this book to all true crime fans, it will keep you on your toes! Well done, A.J. Ullman!
This story pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the shocking ending. This is the story of a crime reporter that re-investigates the murder of Leah Marcus 10 years after it occurred. Her boyfriend has already been tried for the crime. However, the crime took place during the race riots of 2001, and the re-investigation uncovers times when classism, racism, and sexism may have swayed opinions of what really happened.
After getting used to the amount of backstory and facts laid out, I found myself intrigued by all the details and trying to figure out what actually happened. I do not want to give anything away. It is a really good read that is worth the time invested!
Based on true events, this book is focused on the murder of a young victim. This book had me absolutely hooked right from the first page! I don’t usually read true crime stories, but i was definitely not disappointed. The author has done an incredible job of making it a story worth reading, while also keeping it clear that this is about a something that actually happened. This is such a very well written book, and I would highly recommend it!
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus
A.J Ullman
4 of 5 stars
And the River Runs deep is my first experience with A.J Ullman’s writing and a different feel of book than I am used to reading. Throughout the book there are several facts shared, while it was informative and well written, it at times felt too… factual.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and was incredibly wrapped up in the case. The writing is strong and engaging and I would definitely read more work from this author in the future.
And The River Runs Deep is a true crime novel by AJ Ullman.
Leah Marcus was a seventeen year old school girl with her whole life planned. She was going to make music, she was going to save lives, she was going to bring joy to those close to her. She never got to do any of these things. Leah was found, in her bedroom, brutally murdered.
The novel is written from the point of view of a journalist who reinvestigates the murder case ten years later. It is so ‘factual’ that I had to check that this wasn’t in fact a true story (despite having novel in the title). For me, this style of writing is completely different to what I’m used to. I found it a bit difficult to get used to at first, with lengthy descriptions of the area in which it’s set, but once I got used to it, it was very enjoyable.
The story is set against the backdrop of the Cincinnati 2001 race riots, where tensions, emotions and tempers are already running high.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but I will say that this is a book you need to read right to the very end.
I’ll be the first to say I am not a huge fan of true stories. But this book sunk into my head and latched on hard. This story follows two families through probably some of the hardest times in their lives. Definitely a good read.