Outside Valentine Explained

Outside Valentine is the 2004 debut novel of American author Liza Ward, the granddaughter of two of the victims of spree killer Charles Starkweather.^{[1] [2]} The book was first published on August 12, 2004 through Picador and is told from the perspective of Caril Ann Fugate, Starkweather's accomplice, the son of two of his victims, and the son's wife.^{[3] [4]}

Film rights to Outside Valentine were optioned, but plans to create a feature film did not come to fruition.^[5]

Synopsis

Lowell, an antique collector operating out of Manhattan, can't seem to forget the bloody path that Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate left behind them while they went on a killing spree. His wife tries his hardest to soothe him, but can't see to drive the terrors from his dreams. Meanwhile, Caril Ann recollects the first day she met Charles and the events that this meeting would spark.

Reception

Critical reception for Outside Valentine has been positive.^{[6] [7]} The New York Times gave Outside Valentine a mostly positive review and noted that the work's appeal would differ depending on whether the reader was looking for a novel or for a true-crime book.^[8] Publishers Weekly posted a starred review for the book, which they called a "riveting literary suspense novel".^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hansen. Liane. First Novel a 'Valentine' to Murdered Grandparents. NPR. 12 April 2014.
2. News: Coll. Susan. The long, wide wake of a serial murderer and three other novels of troubled hearts. https://web.archive.org/web/20140611121759/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-206636.html. dead. 11 June 2014. Washington Post. subscription . 12 April 2014.
3. Web site: Outside Valentine (review). Kirkus Reviews. 12 April 2014.
4. Web site: Schlichenmeyer. Terri. Survivors live to tell their story in 'Outside Valentine'. 29 September 2004 . Daily NonPareil. 12 April 2014.
5. News: Fictional spin on infamous murder spree. https://web.archive.org/web/20140611121800/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-116470175.html. dead. 11 June 2014. 12 April 2014. The Record. subscription . 11 December 2005.
6. Web site: Siegel. Tatiana. 'Outside Valentine' gets inside the legacy of a killing spree. USA Today. 12 April 2014.
7. Web site: Whitney. Susan. Book review: 'Valentine' full of tenderness. https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144449/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595092128/Valentine-full-of-tenderness.html?pg=all. dead. April 13, 2014. Deseret News. 12 April 2014.
8. News: Schappell. Elissa. 'Outside Valentine': He Looked Like James Dean. New York Times. 26 September 2004 . 12 April 2014.
9. Web site: Outside Valentine (review). Publishers Weekly. 12 April 2014.