And the Sea Will Tell
Written by Vincent Bugliosi and Bruce Henderson
Narrated by David Colacci
4/5
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About this audiobook
Vincent Bugliosi
Vincent Bugliosi received his law degree in 1964. In his career at the L.A. County District Attorney's office, he successfully prosecuted 105 out of 106 felony jury trials, including 21 murder convictions without a single loss. His most famous trial, the Charles Manson case, became the basis of his true-crime classic, Helter Skelter, the biggest selling true-crime book in publishing history. Two of Bugliosi's other true-crime books -- And the Sea Will Tell and Outrage -- also reached #1 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list. No other American true-crime writer has ever had more than one book that achieved this ranking. Bugliosi lives with his wife of many years in Los Angeles.
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Reviews for And the Sea Will Tell
190 ratings13 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very engaging. Bugliosi does a great job of explaining legal terms and going into depth about the details of the case.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Utterly compelling. I could not wait to take a car journey just to listen to the next installment.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book and the case it is about is absolutely fascinating. I read a lot of True Crime, and this is one of my favorite books from the genre- it would be perfect, save for one thing: Buglioso's incredible ego.And the Sea Will Tell is a two part book: the first half is the story of the crime. A brief recap: Buck Walker (aka Wesley G. Walker) and Stephanie Stearns (referred to as "Jennifer Jenkins" in the book), are two quasi-hippies, involved in a relationship and living in Hawaii. Buck was a career criminal, known for violence, but supposedly highly charismatic and extremely intelligent. At 36, Buck has already served time for Armed Robbery, and for distribution of MDA, the latter of which he was on parole for. Stephanie came from a middle class family, and had a relatively good life. She was pretty, easy going, peace loving and by all accounts a “good girl”. The two met in HA, and Stephanie quickly fell for Buck, who she saw as gruff, but also had a good side (she was alone in this opinion). Buck somehow got caught up in another MDMA distribution case, after attempting to sell to someone undercover; the prospect of violating his parole and being sent back to prison for a potential life sentence motivating him into buying a poorly kept, mastless, unrigged boat with an unlucky history, which he intended to rehab and use to sail he and Stephanie off the island. Their destination was a little known atoll known as Palmyra. Palmyra also has a history of being unlucky- several deaths, ships damaged and sunk after coming too close to the atoll's invisible coral reefs, and a lagoon thick with small but aggressive reef sharks and poisonous fish, have given Palmyra a mysterious, spooky aura. This has only been compounded by the foreboding feeling reported by many visitors. The island had been occupied by the US Navy for many years, until the station was demolished after WWII, and its ownership once again privatized. The Navy left behind bunkers and a skeleton crews worth of equipment, which also added an eery quality, but many looked at it as a salvagers paradise. In addition to the treasure trove of Navy remnants, legend claims an actual one was buried there by a pirate some centuries ago.Because the island is private, small, and notoriously difficult to dock or fly to, Buck thought it was the perfect place to escape fro the law, and he and Stephanie set about repairing their newly acquired aquatic jalopy. While their boar was made eventually made somewhat seaworthy, it was clear from the beginning neither of the two were aware or properly outfitted for life on a small island, far from civilization. At the same time, another couple- Malcolm "Mac" Graham and Eleanor "Muff" Graham, were embarking for Palmyra as well, but aboard an incredible sailboat called the Sea Wind. It was Mac's pride and joy, and a remarkably impressive sight to behold, made even more desirable by Muff's efforts to decorate, and to stock the boat with every possible need they might have while there. Ultimately, there is a disappearance, and presumably murder. Stephanie and Buck were accused; arrested, and a trial begins. Eventually, at least one murder is proven to have taken place. The first half of the book tells that story, in a vivid, fascinating, and un-put-downable fashion. I was completely hooked, and read through it within a day and a half, b/c I just couldn't put it down. I don't know if it's just that the story itself is so fantastic that it beggars belief, or if the writing was just superb- probably a combination of both- but it left a void after I was done with it, that no other book could come close to filling. The problem is the second half of the book, which covers everything from the point of Stephanie and Buck's arrest, up to the end of the trials. Bugliosi is hired to represent Stephanie, who somehow managed, in my opinion, to hoodwink Bugliosi. This is relevant, b/c Bugliosi spends the first quarter of the second part explaining why he never takes on a guilty client, how he determines if a potential client is guilty, his ambivalence about Stephanie Jenkin's possible guilt/innocence, and finally his decision to represent her, b/c he considers her innocent, despite having every red flag and obvious clues point out the opposite. I won't get into the guilt/innocent issue though- that's for you to find hen you read the book. But I really could have done without the second part. I don't really like it when an author inserts himself in the story, and in Bugliosi's case, he can't help inserting himself- to the point that I started thinking they should have called the book “Why Vincent Bugliosi is so brilliant, and some other people who got murdered”. Bugliosi loves himself. Majorly.He is a smart man, and has written several books about his career, which is, by all accounts, also impressive. But the second half- the trial, mainly- could have easily been cut down and inserted into the first part, cleanly, and made it much more readable. I had to force myself to finish the second part, b/ it just went on, and on, and on some more. I got so frustrated with it, b/c here’s this guy who is supposedly pretty bright, and by his count, absolutely brilliant, yet he has no idea this woman was probably the mastermind behind all this? And even if she wasn't, she clearly played a bigger part, and whatever her involvement, she isn't honest about it. That makes her guilt even more plausible. That, and the fact that Bugliosi thinks himself so incredibly fascinating that he tells you so, a hundred ways, and pats himself on the back through out the thing.They really are like two different books, entirely. The first part is written in third person, and really, it could have been a novel. It's obviously Bugliosi's take on Stephanie Jenkin's version of what happened, and it's damn good- but I do have questions about the ethics of writing a true crime story and events no one can confirm or deny. It had the makings of a really good novel, and perhaps they should have just taken it in that direction. I know there is a movie based on the book, but I've yet to find a copy for a reasonable price.If you enjoy true crime, sailing, mystery islands, or anything spooky, you'll enjoy this. Even for just the first part, it's well worth the money, and the story still sticks in my mind. I actually had to take a break from true crime after this one, b/c everything I read after was no where near as interesting. An excellent and gripping book.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was long but I couldn’t put it down. Thanks again
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5And the Sea Will Tell by Vincent Bugliosi is a 2006 W.W. Norton Company publication. Last year I read a novel that might have been partly inspired by this true crime case. The author mentioned this book in her notes at the end of her novel, which triggered a memory of both this book and the made for television mini-series based on it. Although the novel jogged my memory- reminding me of the bare basics of this case, I had long forgotten the specifics. So, I thought I’d try to locate a copy of this book and re-read it sometime. Though this edition was published in 2006- the book was originally published in early 1990s. The case in question began way back in the mid-1970s, when an affluent couple- Mac and Muff Graham took off on a long voyage aboard their sailboat- ‘The Sea Wind’- (this boat is actually called at ketch). Apparently, Muff had a strong feeling of foreboding before embarking on this journey- and sadly, her intuitions proved correct. Expecting the island of Palmyra to be uninhabited, the Graham’s were a bit irritated by the presence of Buck and Jennifer- a scrappy looking couple who were obviously ill prepared-the seaworthiness of their vessel is highly debatable- they are very low on provisions and are hanging around waiting for someone to bring them more supplies.Meanwhile, the two couples would have to resign themselves to sharing the island. But, when the Graham’s go silent, not answering any attempts at communication, it raises serious questions. When Buck and Jennifer subsequently arrive in Hawaii aboard the Sea Wind attempting to pass the boat off as their own, they don’t fool anyone- and are eventually arrested for theft. Years pass- Then the skeletal remains of Muff Graham are discovered. Buck and Jennifer are arrested for murder- But they are tried separately. This is where Bugliosi comes in. The attorney became a household name when he prosecuted Charles Manson. But at this time, he is trying to transition from prosecution to criminal defense -and this case would a good one bulk up his reputation- which is how he came to be Jennifer Jenkin’s attorney. In this book, Bugliosi takes the reader through the entire case from start to finish. Although Bugliosi was a very good attorney- no matter what side of the debate- he is not exactly humble, and this comes through in the tone of this book. He is also verbose to the extreme. The book really should have been trimmed down by half- I’m not joking- because the author tended to go on long diatribes that made for dry reading at times. Eventually, he gets down to brass tacks, leading to the ultimate courtroom showdown. The argument was that Buck was guilty of murder- but Jennifer was totally clueless about it. Bugliosi was convinced of her innocence. But, even after reading this book twice now- I still don’t feel like we know the whole truth of what happened on that island. To this day the body of Mac Graham has never surfaced… Overall, despite being overly long this is a compelling murder mystery and a riveting courtroom drama. 3.5 stars
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bugliosi tells this story with such passion, that it keeps you turning the pages - I read this book in 3 days ... Complete page turner, keeps you interested until the very end ... Amazing how these "free spirits" could get away with so much, who you choose to believe, is up to you ...
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5this is a true story and is a movie
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is another true story by the author of 'Helter Skelter' (which I have not read). It's an intresting story written colorfully and well. The characters are developed so as you have the impression of actually knowing them persoanlly. But beware, the primary author, Bugliosi, is a bit full of himself.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Two couples, both seeking solitude on a deserted Pacific Island, arrive at Palmyra Island in close succession. Only one couple survives to tell the story. Fugitive Buck Walker (using alias Roy Allen) and his girlfriend, Jennifer Jenkins, intend to live off the land out of reach of the authorities who are on the lookout for Buck. Avid sailor Mac Graham and his reluctant wife, Muff, aim to spend a year on their well-stocked, well-equipped boat. When Buck and Jennifer are discovered in Hawaii on the Graham's boat with no sign of the Grahams, the pair are tried for theft. Several years later, human remains are discovered on Palmyra Island and Buck and Jennifer are tried for murder.Much like TV's Matlock, defense attorney Vincent Bugliosi, a former prosecutor, accepts cases only when he believes his client is innocent of the crime(s) with which they have been charged. After hearing Jennifer's story, Bugliosi believes she is innocent of murder. Bugliosi and co-counsel Len Weinglass take on her defense.The book reveals what I've always suspected about Gilligan's Island. This remote Pacific island is no paradise. There is a sinister aspect to the island itself. The tension builds as other visitors to Palmyra come and go until only two couples are left. The suspense is sustained throughout the trials, first of Buck Walker, then of Jennifer Jenkins. The most appealing aspect of the book for me is the inside look at Bugliosi's legal strategy. Bugliosi starts with his summation and works backwards. He researches the background of every witness statement and piece of evidence. He scripts examinations, cross examinations, and motions. He anticipates what the prosecution will do and stays a step ahead of them. It's a fascinating look at the inner workings of the legal system.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is perhaps the best of Bugliosi's books, a masterpiece of the true crime genre. Bugliosi excels at blending the facts of the murders with descriptions of the legal prosecutions that follow. The legal element is fascinating and useful for the lawyer engaged in navigating the courts; but the crime facts are what compels the general reader. We feel the terror and helplessness of the victims especially in this case as they encounter a predatory couple they are without resources to defend against. Unlike most of Bugliosi's books, in this one he is the defense attorney and this role offers a unique perspective and something of a moral quandry for the career prosecutor who professes only to defend those accused when he personally believes in their innocence. The question is fairly presented in the book: is Bugliosi's client (the female partner in crime) truly innocent? The ambiguity adds an element of additional interest to the usual format of the true crime book where we know who is guilty from the get go.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Captivating story well told.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5There is something about Vincent Bugliosi's writing that always brings me back. Along the same lines as Helter Skelter, Bugliosi uses his knowledge of true crime to spin a web of horror. Going to the Caribbean will never be quite the same again!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Among the lessons learned from this one: 1. Your lazy slacker boyfriend really is no good.2. Trust the old sailors, they know what they're talking about.3. Listen to your gut.4. Be prepared.5. You can't hide from the long arm of the law.6. Don't be stupid.7. You get what you pay for.8. Paradise ain't.I really enjoyed this book, and still think of it years after reading it.