THE PEYTON-ALLAN FILES
By Phil Stanford
Ptown Books, 2010 ($15.95)
ISBN-10: 0982895801
ISBN-13: 978-0982895801
Reviewed by Cherie Jung
THE PEYTON-ALLAN FILES refers to a true crime case in Portland, Oregon on November 26, 1960. Two teenagers, Larry Peyton and Beverly Allan, are murdered in the hills. "Slaughtered by person or persons unknown" as they say. There is no known motive and very little physical evidence. Over time, there will be various theories and suspects.
The author is a writer and investigator. As true crime books go, I found this one more interesting than most for two reasons -- no, make that three reasons. One (and the least of which in my mind, I am from Oregon, near Portland, and vaguely remember the names Peyton-Allan). Two, my realtives were cops in the neighboring county and I vaguely remember them talking about the case. But three, and the most important, I think, is the author's writing style. He presents a lot of information, facts, and theories, but he doesn't get in the way of the story. He just lets the story unfold. And it's a creepy, scary story. True crime fans will be riveted.
PORTLAND CONFIDENTIAL is the author's first book. ROSE CITY VICE is due to be released in the fall.
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