Part 1: Just in time for Crimecon Denver 2025~
July 20, 2012: The Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colorado, transformed into a scene of unimaginable horror when a man donned in a gas mask and body armor unleashed gunfire upon the 400 men, women, and children immersed in the thrill of the new Batman movie. In mere moments, the aisles turned into rivers of blood as chaos erupted, with bullet casings strewn across the ground among the fallen and the wounded. James Holmes, in a chilling act of violence, claimed the lives of 12 innocent individuals and left 58 others grappling with injuries. Amidst the heart-wrenching cries of pain and sorrow, the universal question of “Why?” was cast heavenward, pleading for answers.
This compelling trilogy, inspired by the insights of psychiatrists who encountered and analyzed James Holmes, delves into the complexities of the shooter’s life, exploring his family dynamics, educational experiences, behavioral nuances, and psychological state. Insightful psychological theories and explanations seek to unravel the enigma surrounding a troubled mind. Part 1 introduces us to the shy boy who grows into a college student, grappling with the struggle to connect deeply with friends and professors, choosing instead to keep his innermost thoughts shrouded in silence, all because he “just wanted to keep it private.”
Buy A Dark Night in Aurora: Inside James Holmes and the Colorado Mass Shooting by Dr William H. Reid, MD
Buy AURORA: The Psychiatrist who treated the Movie Theater Killer Tells Her Story by Dr Lynne Fenton and Kerrie Droban.
Our CRIMECON DENVER meetup is Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in the Gaylord Rockies Hotel, Embers Lodge Bar at 9 pm MT.
CRIMECON IS COMING! GET your MURDER SHELF BOOKCLUB MERCH!
Sources, photographs, recipes, and drink information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –July 2025.
Contact: jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick the next true crime book to be featured on the podcast!
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