White Christmas, Bloody Christmas

Book excerpt: On Christmas Day, 1929, a mysterious mass murder was carried out in the snowy foothills of N.C. by a church-going tobacco farmer. Charlie Lawson brutally gunned down his wife & 6 children age 4 mo. to 17 years, bludgeoned them, then placed their heads on pillows before taking his own life. There seemed no motive, only two unfinished notes & many unanswered questions. Why was one son spared? Why did the clock stop, precisely recording the time? Why no Christmas gifts in the home? Did Lawson simply go insane? The bloody crime scene became one of the most popular attractions of the Depression era southeast, attracting thousands--the story became legend. After 60 years, the mystery had survived all attempts to explain it. Now, an elderly niece of the murderer has revealed the well-kept secret. More than just a true crime, this is a historic, once-in-a-lifetime story of murder, premonitions, & scandal. A rare opportunity to see a famous mysterious murder explained. Finally, the tombstone's prophecy has been fulfilled..."We have read the meaning of our tears, & now we understand." 10,000 copies already sold.