Scoundrel

Más información sobre el libro

This true-crime narrative explores the wrongful exoneration of killer Edgar Smith, who spent nearly half his life in California's penitentiary system before dying in obscurity at age eighty-three in 2017. Convicted for the 1957 murder of fifteen-year-old Victoria Zielinski, Smith was once America’s most notorious convict. The story unfolds through his unlikely friendship with William F. Buckley, Jr., founder of National Review and a key figure in the neo-conservative movement. Their relationship blossomed through nearly 2000 pages of prison correspondence, leading Buckley to advocate for Smith’s release by writing articles, fundraising, and hiring lawyers. He also enlisted the help of Sophie Wilkins, a book editor with whom Smith engaged in a passionate epistolary affair. This advocacy not only secured Smith’s freedom but also propelled him into the spotlight as a bestselling author, prison reform expert, and minor celebrity. However, his story takes a dark turn as his violent tendencies resurface. The investigation reveals the intersection of crime and culture, illustrating how ambition, ego, and the quest for fame can intertwine with the darkest human impulses.