• The Midnight Assassin

  • Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America's First Serial Killer
  • By: Skip Hollandsworth
  • Narrated by: Clint Jordan
  • Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (470 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Midnight Assassin  By  cover art

The Midnight Assassin

By: Skip Hollandsworth
Narrated by: Clint Jordan
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.99

Buy for $14.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

A sweeping narrative history of a terrifying serial killer - America's first - who stalked Austin, Texas, in 1885.

In the late 1800s, the city of Austin, Texas, was on the cusp of emerging from an isolated western outpost into a truly cosmopolitan metropolis. But beginning in December 1884, Austin was terrorized by someone equally as vicious and, in some ways, far more diabolical than London's infamous Jack the Ripper. For almost exactly one year, the Midnight Assassin crisscrossed the entire city, striking on moonlit nights, using axes, knives, and long steel rods to rip apart women from every race and class.

At the time the concept of a serial killer was unthinkable, but the murders continued, the killer became more brazen, and the citizens' panic reached a fever pitch. Before it was all over, at least a dozen men would be arrested in connection with the murders, and the crimes would expose what a newspaper described as "the most extensive and profound scandal ever known in Austin". And yes, when Jack the Ripper began his attacks in 1888, London police investigators did wonder if the killer from Austin had crossed the ocean to terrorize their own city.

With vivid historical detail and novelistic flair, Texas Monthly journalist Skip Hollandsworth brings this terrifying saga to life. The introduction and epilogue are read by the author.

©2016 Walter Ned Hollandsworth (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about The Midnight Assassin

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    230
  • 4 Stars
    136
  • 3 Stars
    76
  • 2 Stars
    20
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    215
  • 4 Stars
    133
  • 3 Stars
    59
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    202
  • 4 Stars
    130
  • 3 Stars
    63
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Fascinating Cold, Cold Case

Any additional comments?

I find books about historical murder cases fascinating, the best of its kind being "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larsen, which happens to take place in roughly the same time period as this case does. Like Larsen, this author goes to great lengths to contrast the technological growth spurt and hopeful high spirits of the people of Austin in the late 19th century with a series of truly horrible crimes that knocked its citizens for a loop.

Although Hollandsworth spends a bit too much time in the setup and is not the literary magician that Larsen is, this long lost tale of horror obviously haunted and obsessed him for some time, and the product of his obsessive research is worth reading.

The comparisons with the Jack the Ripper case are tantalizing, and the fact that future of forensics, psychology and even public lighting were influenced by the details of this forgotten case is amazing. Took some patience in the beginning, but I was glad I stuck with it by the end.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A magazine article puffed out to book size

the author did a lot of research for this book and puts much of it in here. The story involves some horrific axe murders in Austin in 1885-6. No suspect was ever convicted; the only one who was convicted on one of the murders got a new trial and was never re-tried. You get lots of details about life in Austin and in Texas in the 1880's. A lot of details. Not so much about the murders, because, face it, there was little in the criminal investigation tool box. Most murderers (then and now) were rather obvious. Anyway, wasn't my cup of tea.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Mind numbingly boring

The author mostly writes about rich white Austin residents unrelated to the story. He has very little to say about the people who were actually at risk of being killed. Obviously what was important was how having their servants killed affected Austin society.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Literary Accomplishment...

An enthralling true crime story of America's first documented serial killer. An absolute must for the true crime lover!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

it's Okay if you need to fill a few hours

I know the author put a lot if work into this book. it is very hard to make a book about conjecture compelling. Nice try.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not Very Interesting

It had a lot of facts about Austin, Texas during that time period but I was expecting much more suspense and excitement.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

History of Austin

This book is more along the lines of a "history of Austin" that just happened to include a murderous mystery.
Well written but I prefer more information on the serial killer and the murders.
Just felt dry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent review of Texas history

Not only is this an interesting recounting of the murders of that time, but a long lost tale of the black citizens of Texas in Austin. I enjoyed learning (if enjoyed is appropriate wordage for the horrible treatment they received) about the culture during this dark time in Texas history. I recommend this book for both history and murder enthusiasts.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful history of old Austin.

Though some simple but distinctly Texan words were badly Mis pronounced poorly I nearly gave up on this book. But I kept going and was well rewarded with a great read.
Seriously, who provinces Seguin as San Gwen?!?! They’ve never been to Texas for sure!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great true crime saga

well written and well performed. skip hollandsworth has always done good work in short(er) form, and it has translated well to long form. highly recommended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful