You should read Mississippi Mud for its relentless pursuit of justice. It isn’t just a “whodunnit”; it’s a “how-did-they-get-away-with-it.” If you are fascinated by the intersection of politics, organized crime, and the legal system—specifically how a grieving daughter took on the corruption of an entire city to solve her parents’ murders—this book is gripping. It provides a chilling look at the “Dixie Mafia” and the dark underbelly of a seemingly quiet coastal town.
- Edward Humes
- True Crime / Investigative Journalism
- Rich
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In 1987, a prominent Biloxi, Mississippi couple—Judge Vincent Sherry and his wife, Margaret, a city councilwoman—were brazenly murdered in their home. The professional execution-style killings shocked the community. For years, the investigation went cold, stalled by a local power structure that seemed more interested in protecting its secrets than finding the killer.
The story follows the Sherrys’ daughter, Lynne Sposito, who refused to let the case die. Her amateur investigation eventually led to the uncovering of a massive criminal enterprise operating out of the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola), involving a “lonely hearts” scam, millions of dollars in stashed cash, and a web of corruption that reached into the highest levels of Biloxi’s legal and political offices.
⭐ Reviews
Publishers Weekly:“A shocking tale of corruption and conspiracy. Humes’s meticulous research and narrative drive make this more than just a crime story; it is a portrait of a city held hostage by its own shadows.”
The New York Times Book Review:
“Humes has a gift for making the complex mechanics of a criminal conspiracy as clear and compelling as a fast-paced novel. It is a harrowing and impressive piece of reporting.”