Synopsis – Madman
What happens when a chilling crime slips through the cracks of collective memory? In Madman, M.F. Gross excavates a nearly forgotten 1949 Florida murder that once paralyzed a region—and now reads like a suspense novel come to life.
In Madman, M.F. Gross transports readers to the simmering summer of 1949, when a horrifying act of violence shattered the calm of Crystal Beach, Florida. A brutal home invasion had left a young mother dead and a small town reeling. The suspect—John Calvin “Rastus” Russell—was a cunning, dangerous ex-convict and escaped asylum patient whose sudden disappearance set off a manhunt unlike anything the Gulf Coast had ever seen. For over a month, law enforcement and civilians scoured citrus groves, coastal backroads, and dense thickets in search of a man capable of unthinkable violence. But what emerges in Madman is more than just a tale of pursuit. It is a richly detailed, emotionally resonant portrait of a community thrust into fear, and a justice system stretched to its limits. Gross reveals the forgotten corners of mid-century Florida, exposing the vulnerability of small-town life and the courage it took to confront an unknowable threat.
Author Bio
Author M.F. Gross is a researcher and writer fascinated by the hidden truths buried in local lore. A former financial writer with a knack for investigative work, Gross spent a year piecing together the story of Madman from brittle newspaper clippings, dusty legal files, and fading oral accounts. His journalistic eye and immersive prose bring readers into the heat and heartbeat of postwar Florida, where one man’s violence became a region’s nightmare. A longtime resident of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Gross is committed to reviving forgotten moments that reveal just how fragile—and resilient—communities can be. Visit him at his website and on Instagram.
My Review
Madman is a true crime novel that discusses a crime in a beach town in Florida in 1949. The book is meticulously researched and the author is able to support many of his statements with evidence of his research. There are interesting pictures included. However, some are of the gruesome crime scene so be prepared.
If you enjoy true crime, you will enjoy this account about a lesser-known crime.
Author Q&A
How did you research your book?
I started with pulling all newspaper and media files from the entire incident. From there, I incorporated private researchers, a private detective (to locate survivors and descendants of those involved – for interview purposes), visits to actual locations, police files, files from local historical societies, ancestry.com, etc, etc, etc…. It was a time consuming but fascinating process.
What’s the hardest scene or character you wrote—and why?
The hardest scene to write was the actual murder scene and what happened right before it. The only witness was Mrs. Browne and she was not only hit on the head and likely suffering from concussion, she may have had something to hide. Some of her explanations and time lines simply do not make sense. I had to connect the dots on some of it.
Why did you choose this setting/topic?
The crime happened about 100 yards from my house. So I was literally living on top of the former crime scene. That connection fascinated me – and I believe walking near that and other related sites regularly during the writing allowed me to absorb some of the energy from it. I know it sounds strange but it felt real.
What sets your book apart from others in your genre?
For one, it is a period piece. It happened in 1949 so part of it is recreating the time period. Secondly, it’s not a straightforward true crime piece. It starts out as “Charles Manson comes to 1949 Mayberry.” But then it morphs into an action/adventure, cat and mouse like chase movie, all wrapped within a twisted love story involving a teenaged girl. Oh yeah, and the judge that set the killer free years earlier? He might have been his father.
