Murder in Little Egypt

To his patients in the impoverished area of Southern Illinois known as Little Egypt, general practitioner Dale Canvaness could do no wrong. His employees and family, however, saw another side to him--alcoholic, abusive and completely lacking in empathy for others. When two of Canvaness's four sons were found shot to death in separate incidents, it was hard for the residents of Saline County, IL to believe that their trusted physician had anything to do with it. The evidence told another story.

Murder in Little Egypt is a frustrating read. Author Darcy O'Brien shares anecdote after anecdote describing Canvaness's mistreatment of those closest to him, yet the physician gets away with bad, even murderous, behavior time and again. show more Canvaness's second wife, who was one of O'Brien's informants for the book, is a particularly pathetic figure, always hoping against hope that her sociopathic husband would somehow change back into the fun-loving man she thought she had married.

Detailed and slow-paced, this book is recommended for the true-crime reader with a strong tolerance for human failings. show less

The unbelievable tale of a well-respected doctor by day and a familial tyrant by night. The town loved this man, but those who truly knew him, saw a much different man who actually killed two of his sons. (Read twice.)

In December 1984 Dr. John Dale Cavaness was charged with the murder of his son Sean. The community was outraged and rose to his defense. What they didn’t know was that for years he had terrorized his family and his employees. He made disastrous financial investments and was a womanizer. No one spoke out because everyone was afraid of him.

Seven years earlier Cavaness’ first son was found dead of homicide in the woods of Little Egypt. That murder has never been officially solved but many believe Cavaness is responsible for it. This is the story of what happens when greed is greater than the love a man has for his children.

Meticulously researched and compelling written this is a fascinating account of the history of the area in show more Southern Illinois known as Little Egypt and the life of Dr. Cavaness and his family and how he was able to hide his predilections for power and money from almost everyone. I recommend this to true crime fans. show less

John Dale Cavaness was a beloved doctor in southern Illinois, in a poor area called Little Egypt. He often treated patients without requesting payment. To his family and co-workers Dr. Dale, as he was known, by his patients, was a tyrant, he took no interest in his wife and four sons, he threatened co-workers and forced them to sign forms saying treatment was received by patients who had never entered the office. Dr. Dale was particularly embarrassed and upset with his oldest son, Mark and his third son, Sean whom he felt lacked direction.
In 1986, Mark was found shot to death, near his truck. Six years later, Sean was found shot to death along a road. Investigators found shortly before Mark and Sean's deaths Dale had taken out show more insurance policies on both boys. Witnesses were able to place Dr. Dale with Sean just hours before he was shot.
Dale was convicted of the death of his son, Sean and sentenced to death. show less

I hate when I start a book and can't focus on it due to the narrator. Sometimes it's their ridiculous accents or the way they mispronounce a word, etc... I'm not sure exactly what it is about this narrator but I'm just not connecting. Maybe I'll actually read this one in print. I'm not doing the audiobook though. Two and a half hours in and I still can't connect.

An engrossing read about a selfish man who destroys his family and himself.