A scandalous true crime story, that follows the life of May Walker Burleson and the events that led to homicide.

 The story begins in 1900, when the deadliest hurricane recorded in history devastates Galveston, Texas.  May Walker was only twelve years old at the time and later writes a detailed account of that day. Photos from the Galveston and Texas History Collection show the aftermath of the fierce storm.

The next chapters follow May Walker from her early years of marriage to Richard Coke Burleson, captain, in the U.S. Army and her involvement and participation with the National American Woman Suffrage Association.  She seemed to have a full social life and the beauty to go with it.  It didn’t last though, long periods of separation from her husband would lead to divorce.  It was interesting to see how divorce proceedings were handled in 1935. The author includes divorce filings and proceedings, everything is very detailed.

May doesn’t handle the divorce well and packs a pistol in her handbag and heads to South Carolina, where Richard’s second wife, Isobel is staying. May spots Isobel in the hotel cafeteria and approaches her. Shots are heard, and the police are summoned. The author gives a very detailed account of what took place that day. It was very chilling knowing that this really happened.

The book is well researched and includes details such as photos, testimony excerpts, letters, newspaper reports, depositions, and eye-witness accounts. It was very interesting to read about May and follow her life from such a respected position to becoming a murderess.

Examining all her beautiful photographs and reading about her charmed life really had me wondering how someone with so much can spiral to such emptiness.

Fans of Texas history and and true crime will appreciate this well documented account of May Walker Burleson.