Convoluted
Terry L. Harmon
Independently Published (2024)
ISBN: 979-8326519740
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (01/2025)
If you are a fan of excellent true crime writing then “Convoluted: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide” by Terry L. Harmon is a book you do not want to miss. The book covers every detail of the murder and investigation into these deaths, and it covers an amazing fifty years of investigation. It is stunning that the murder happened in 1972, but those most likely to have committed these murders were not determined until 2022.
“Convoluted” is a book that encompasses many things but it is first and foremost the story of the murders of Bryce and Virginia Durham and their son Bobby. Taking place in the small town of Boone, North Carolina on a freezing night in the middle of a huge storm, the three bodies were discovered in the bathroom of the Durham home by their son-in-law and his neighbor. Although it is initially believed that four men from the state of Georgia perpetrated the crime and the case is closed, there were just way too many questions left over to make it that simple. Why would these men have come all the way to North Carolina to kill an entire family? This question remained in the minds of investigators as the book continued to detail the huge number of clues, various other possible suspects, and different ideas about what happened on that fateful winter night. For decades, different members of law enforcement in North Carolina continued to work on this case attempting to get definitive answers.
“Convoluted” is a detailed and riveting account of these murders and everything that happened after the victims were found. On a side note, I think that “Convoluted” is the perfect title for this story. Every time, as the reader, you feel that something has been proven to satisfaction we are given a new piece of information that completely changes the outlook of the case. I can only imagine how the investigators felt during the entire thing. The second you think you know something, you find out that it is wrong, or it doesn’t matter and then yet another theory or suspect appears.
Terry L. Harmon has done an incredible job with this horrible true crime story. His research is meticulous and the task of putting together all the information into a logical and interesting book that flows well and keeps the reader involved at all times is done flawlessly. Frankly, I was beyond impressed due to the mountain of information that is included; wading through it all to put together a chronological and interesting story must have been a monumental undertaking. In addition, the author’s account always remains neutral as he tells the story. Personally, every time I read new chapters, I was accusing someone new under my breath and positive that that person or those persons had committed the crime. As the years progress and the available technology changes and improves, it really does just keep adding more and more confusion as to who might have been involved.
I highly recommend “Convoluted: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide” by Terry L. Harmon to every true crime fan out there. It is honestly one of the best in this genre that I have ever read. Every single detail is included, and it brings you closer and closer to the edge of your seat with each new revelation. This is definitely a not-to-be-missed book. 5 Stars!