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The Killing Spree: A True Story of a String of Brutal Murders, Rapes, and the Cop Who Tried to Stop It
John Edward Swindler never learned to read or write and instead became a bona fide criminal at the age of fifteen. His crimes quickly advanced from car theft to arson. At three hundred pounds, with long, fuzzy red hair and pimply skin, his appearance was so frightening that he intimidated fellow inmates into performing crimes from their jail cells. He sodomized other convicts, who dared not refuse him. He was moved in and out of solitary confinement in an attempt to break him of his violent ways. It failed. Released from prison because he was uncontrollable, he began a multi-state crime spree that culminated in the rape and murder of three young people and the shocking assault on a Fort Smith, Arkansas, policeman named Randy Basnett. In a matter of days, Swindler’s lust for death grew into an unforgettable KILLING SPREE.
On September 24, 1976, two men—John Edward Swindler, a force for evil, and Officer Randy Basnett, laying his life on the line for good—came together. The result altered their lives, and the lives of many others. This is their story.
On September 24, 1976, two men—John Edward Swindler, a force for evil, and Officer Randy Basnett, laying his life on the line for good—came together. The result altered their lives, and the lives of many others. This is their story.
- GenresTrue Crime
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 19, 2023
I will read anything and everything Anita Paddock ever chooses to publish. I can't get enough!
June 16, 2023
If you like true crime and have ties to Arkansas, you should check out Anita Paddock. This one is a can't put down, read in one sitting kind of book. Though it's a tragic story, she handles it with respect. I love how she gives you the facts without a lot of useless information. I'm always excited for a new book by Anita Paddock!
January 2, 2023
I just finished reading “The Killing Spree” by Anita Paddock.
I had to stop reading part way through because of anger of the situation and tears flowing for Officer Randy Basnett and his family.
Anita did an amazing job of writing this true crime book as she always does.
She is in-depth of the events, she shows such compassion for the victims and their families and she also writes of how truly evil that the murderer of Officer Basnett was.
Another 5 star read Anita. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had to stop reading part way through because of anger of the situation and tears flowing for Officer Randy Basnett and his family.
Anita did an amazing job of writing this true crime book as she always does.
She is in-depth of the events, she shows such compassion for the victims and their families and she also writes of how truly evil that the murderer of Officer Basnett was.
Another 5 star read Anita. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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March 10, 2023Heartbreaking, but loving tribute
What a loving tribute to a beautiful man killed In the line of duty, and the victims that are left behind.
There are more victims than just the immediate ones when someone commits a crime. The family of the person who was killed, their co-workers, people they've met in their day-to-day lives, and those they may have met only for a moment but whose life they impacted in a profound way in that short time, plus the entire community is affected in some way when a brutal murder is committed. When MORE than one is committed by the same person, well, the impact just casts an even wider net.
Please think of this as you read this book. A REALLY great True Crime book is usually longer, delving deeper into the childhood of the offender - after all, those who read this genre, read it to answer the questions of Why and How someone can do such a thing. This book doesn't do that, which is why I gave it the rating I did. Another 100 pages could have easily been added focusing on that and still been within the parameters of a good page length for true crime fans to read.
What a loving tribute to a beautiful man killed In the line of duty, and the victims that are left behind.
There are more victims than just the immediate ones when someone commits a crime. The family of the person who was killed, their co-workers, people they've met in their day-to-day lives, and those they may have met only for a moment but whose life they impacted in a profound way in that short time, plus the entire community is affected in some way when a brutal murder is committed. When MORE than one is committed by the same person, well, the impact just casts an even wider net.
Please think of this as you read this book. A REALLY great True Crime book is usually longer, delving deeper into the childhood of the offender - after all, those who read this genre, read it to answer the questions of Why and How someone can do such a thing. This book doesn't do that, which is why I gave it the rating I did. Another 100 pages could have easily been added focusing on that and still been within the parameters of a good page length for true crime fans to read.
August 27, 2023
I absolutely love everything that Anita Paddock writes! I'm always hooked from the very beginning of the book. This book is about the murder of Arkansas police officer Randy Bassnet. Randy was married to his wife Cindy, who had two children from a previous marriage, and they had one daughter together named Amanda. Amanda was three months old when Randy was shot and killed in the line of duty. Randy was killed by a guy named John Swindler. Who was a gay man that loved to go around committing crimes and killing people. Especially gay men. Swindler had pulled into a gas station in Arkansas because he got lost. When he pulled into the gas station there were a couple of police officers there. Randy had realized that there was a BOLO put out on Mr. Swindler, so he had gone to his patrol car to look at his computer. Upon noticing that John was driving the same kind of vehicle that was described in the BOLO Randy went to place Swindler in custody and when he went to do so, Swindler fired two shots. One hit Randy in the stomach and the other one hit him in the chest. Swindler was convicted by two different juries of murder and was sentenced to death by electrocution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
Excellent true crime writing
Another chilling true crime story from my hometown. Fort Smith and the surrounding area will never forget the remorseless multiple murderer who killed police officer Randy Basnett. Nor will anyone forget that Randy Basnett emptied his gun at his killer, wounding him, before he died.
Anita Paddock has told the story exactly as I remember it with the addition of many facts and details of which I was unaware. Ted Bundy and John Swindler are two of the reasons I support the death penalty.
18
Another chilling true crime story from my hometown. Fort Smith and the surrounding area will never forget the remorseless multiple murderer who killed police officer Randy Basnett. Nor will anyone forget that Randy Basnett emptied his gun at his killer, wounding him, before he died.
Anita Paddock has told the story exactly as I remember it with the addition of many facts and details of which I was unaware. Ted Bundy and John Swindler are two of the reasons I support the death penalty.
18
November 4, 2023
A heinous murderer freed by an incompetent warden
It is relatively short with minimal background on the protagonist’s childhood. Those that like a lot of that type of detail will be left wanting. For me, it was an intriguing story that literally brought tears to my eyes several times. The killer and his antics are extremely horrific. Be prepared to feel close to some of the individuals and sad for their circumstances.
It is relatively short with minimal background on the protagonist’s childhood. Those that like a lot of that type of detail will be left wanting. For me, it was an intriguing story that literally brought tears to my eyes several times. The killer and his antics are extremely horrific. Be prepared to feel close to some of the individuals and sad for their circumstances.
August 21, 2023
Not just an Arkansas crime story
It is a story of crimes committed in multiple states, and the investigation and trial afterward. But it is a human story of a wife and mom, and a group of police officers who would not let a friend down. It's an inspiring story of love and friendship.
It is a story of crimes committed in multiple states, and the investigation and trial afterward. But it is a human story of a wife and mom, and a group of police officers who would not let a friend down. It's an inspiring story of love and friendship.
February 15, 2023
Anita Paddock is a very dear friend of mine, and I always look forward to a new book from her. This one fits right in with the rest. The story of a local hero and how he lost his life taking down a horrible murderer. May Randy Basnett's sacrifice never be forgotten.
March 17, 2023
Another Good Read from Ms. Paddock
This was a well researched and written true crime book. It's the 2nd book by Anita Paddock that I've read; the first one being Blind Rage - also well worth reading.
This was a well researched and written true crime book. It's the 2nd book by Anita Paddock that I've read; the first one being Blind Rage - also well worth reading.
May 13, 2023
Justice for some.
The story was sad and brutal and devastating to read, but at least there was some justice done to the pain who destroyed so many lives. The 3 stars is because the book doesn't load well and there's blank pages.
The story was sad and brutal and devastating to read, but at least there was some justice done to the pain who destroyed so many lives. The 3 stars is because the book doesn't load well and there's blank pages.
June 21, 2023
Anita Paddock always does an outstanding job telling the true stories of tragedies in Arkansas. I always look forward to the next book that comes out. To live in Arkansas and recognize the places she writes about is always interesting, I can relate to the story knowing where it took place.
March 5, 2023
The book was hard to put down. It was compelling from first to last. Ms. Paddock knows her subject and tells all the details. She made the whole true crime come to life.
July 5, 2023
Felt rushed and lacking in depth.
January 15, 2024
Sad Story
Sad book about an evil murderer! I think the death penalty is well deserved for murderers like this man. He should have been executed much sooner!
Sad book about an evil murderer! I think the death penalty is well deserved for murderers like this man. He should have been executed much sooner!
April 28, 2024
A brutal but interesting non-fiction account of a killer who went on a rampage throughout the South.
March 9, 2024
One of those stories that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
September 17, 2023
to the point and no fluff.
Some of the testimony was difficult to understand. Maybe the vernacular of the south. More pics would have been better. More history of this murderer would be helpful. I was confused about responding backup officers, that no one attempted first aid. Could they tell he was already gone?
Some of the testimony was difficult to understand. Maybe the vernacular of the south. More pics would have been better. More history of this murderer would be helpful. I was confused about responding backup officers, that no one attempted first aid. Could they tell he was already gone?
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews