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Robert Zorn
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Cemetery John: The Undiscovered Mastermind of the Lindbergh Kidnapping Kindle Edition

by Robert Zorn (Author), John Douglas (Foreword), Mark Olshaker (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 176 ratings
This true crime novel examines the 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping, arguing it was orchestrated by a Bronx deli clerk who got away with the crime scot-free.

In this meticulous and authoritative account of the trial and the times of the Lindbergh kidnapping, Robert Zorn clears away decades of ungrounded speculation surrounding the case. Inspired by his father’s relationship with the actual accomplices—including the mastermind—he presents the clearest ever picture of a criminal partnership that would shake every class and culture of American society.

Using personal possessions and documents, never-before-seen photographs, new forensic evidence, and extensive research, Robert Zorn has written a shocking and captivating account of the crime and the original “Trial of the Century.” From the ecstatic riots that followed the Spirit of St. Louis on either side of the Atlantic, to the tragic night that would shake America’s sense of security, to the horror of the New Jersey morgue where Lindbergh insisted on verifying the identity of his son, Zorn’s skillful treatment meets this larger-than-life story and gives it definitive shape by revealing the true events behind the crime, for the first time.

Praise for Cemetery John

“Eighty years after the kidnapping of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s baby from their Englewood, N.J., home, the case still raises questions, ones Zorn ably examines through an unusual lens. . . . Retelling the by now familiar story of Charlie Lindbergh’s kidnapping, Zorn imbues it with novelistic suspense. Even if Zorn doesn’t definitively prove that Knoll, who died in 1980, was the crime’s mastermind and Hauptmann’s accomplice, he makes a strong case.” —Publishers Weekly

“Debut author Zorn makes a compelling case that the 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping was orchestrated by a Bronx deli clerk who got away with the crime scot-free. . . . Zorn’s research includes new forensic evidence, personal and historical documents, and interviews, laying the foundation for a thrilling true-crime tale that offers a resounding answer to the question of who was really responsible for the kidnapping.” —Kirkus Reviews
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  1. Print length
    317 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    ABRAMS Press
  4. Publication date
    June 14, 2012
  5. File size
    4.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An interesting read for Lindbergh fans." (--Library Journal

)

"Retelling the by now familiar story of Charlie Lindbergh's kidnapping, Zorn imbues it with novelistic suspense. Even if Zorn doesn't definitively prove that Knoll, who died in 1980, was the crime's mastermind and Hauptmann's accomplice, he makes a strong case." (--Publishers Weekly )

"Mr. Zorn embeds his theory in a deft narrative that borrows gracefully and with credit from many previous books about the Lindberghs and the kidnapping" (The Wall Street Journal )

"Robert Zorn's account of his own investigation into this 80-year-old mystery is as compelling and dramatic as the crime itself. The term 'page turner' is used too frequently, but Cemetery John is just that. Once you start reading it, you will not stop. This book should be on the top of everyone's summer reading list. You won't be disappointed." (--The Daily Caller )

About the Author

Robert Zorn is a graduate of Duke University and the Wharton School of Business. His unique qualification to tell this story is his relationship to his father, the late Eugene C. Zorn, Jr., a nationally respected economist, and the only person who ever witnessed the conspiracy behind the kidnapping

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07P8DJ4VR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ABRAMS Press; 1st edition (June 14, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 14, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 317 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 176 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
176 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-researched with compelling evidence and appreciate its readability, comparing it to a terrific film. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how the handwriting matches the ransom notes. Additionally, the pacing is captivating, and one customer describes it as a whole new understanding of an old story.

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31 customers mention "Story quality"27 positive4 negative

Customers find the book's story compelling and intriguing, with one customer noting it provides a fresh perspective on the Lindbergh kidnapping case.

"...Written in a smooth and easy to read fashion, yet detailed and informative throughout, "Cemetery John" is one of the finest books I have..." Read more

"...His personal connection to the story is strong and the evidence is there for questioning the consequences of the trial of Hauptmann...." Read more

"...Still I found the book fascinating and provocative and strongly recommend it for anyone interested in the Lindbergh case." Read more

"...With a narrative technique that is objective and straightforward, he reminds his readers of human rights while exploring intricate details related..." Read more

29 customers mention "Scholastic content"26 positive3 negative

Customers praise the book's well-researched content, providing essential facts and analysis with compelling evidence.

"...Written in a smooth and easy to read fashion, yet detailed and informative throughout, "Cemetery John" is one of the finest books I have..." Read more

"...makes a lot of sense, & the author comes across as a sincere seeker of truth and justice. I would recommend it to anyone interested in this case." Read more

"...With a narrative technique that is objective and straightforward, he reminds his readers of human rights while exploring intricate details related..." Read more

"...The evidence put forth is compelling and asks every reader to re-consider what history has written down for this case...." Read more

26 customers mention "Readability"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, describing it as a fascinating read that reads like a terrific film.

"...and informative throughout, "Cemetery John" is one of the finest books I have read in years...." Read more

"...Knoll, however..... Good reading and thought provoking!" Read more

"...Other than that, the book makes a lot of sense, & the author comes across as a sincere seeker of truth and justice...." Read more

"...Although this is a thoroughly enjoyable and well written book I disagree with its claim that it "clears away ungrounded speculation" and &#..." Read more

21 customers mention "Writing quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well written and readable, with one customer noting that the handwriting matches the ransom notes.

"...Written in a smooth and easy to read fashion, yet detailed and informative throughout, "Cemetery John" is one of the finest books I have..." Read more

"The author presents his story well, debunking the "lone kidnapper" theory...." Read more

"...The book is well written, and the author seems to have done his homework, judging from the meticulous notes documenting his research and sources...." Read more

"...Although this is a thoroughly enjoyable and well written book I disagree with its claim that it "clears away ungrounded speculation" and &#..." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book captivating, with one customer describing it as thought-provoking and another noting its vivid imagination.

"...Knoll, however..... Good reading and thought provoking!" Read more

"Very interesting book that is well written and captivating." Read more

"...Incredibly on the basis of a vivid imagination by Gene Zorn there is suggestive evidence that John Knoll not only looks like Cemetery John and has..." Read more

"Thorough, objective, and most of all captivating. This book is a must read no matter if you are well versed on the case or coming in blind...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Steven S. Airheart
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Personal and Intriguing look at "The Crime of the Century"
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2016
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    "Cemetery John" by Robert Zorn is one of those books that make you wonder why you waited so long to read it. I felt as though just about everything that could have been written about the Lindbergh Kidnapping had indeed been written. This book, however, does more than break new ground in the case--it turns it inside out. Written in a smooth and easy to read fashion, yet detailed and informative throughout, "Cemetery John" is one of the finest books I have read in years. On one hand it is a history lesson detailing one of the most shocking crimes of the 20th Century. On the other hand it is a personal memoir prompted by a chance meeting between Zorn's father and the alleged kidnappers. Intriguing, revealing, honest and balanced, this is a must read for anyone remotely interested in the Lindbergh case. This is one of those books begging to be made into a movie--I am surprised it hasn't been done by now! Many of the books I read these days go straight to Goodwill or to the used bookstore when I am finished with them. This one has a permanent spot in my personal library. Great read!
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Lewis Sofman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another plausible scenario for the Crime of the Century
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2012
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    The author presents his story well, debunking the "lone kidnapper" theory. His personal connection to the story is strong and the evidence is there for questioning the consequences of the trial of Hauptmann. He addresses the issue of a gang of kidnappers, who was the real mastermind behind it. Cemetery John never looked like Hauptmann and never will. Knoll, however.....
    Good reading and thought provoking!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • seashell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
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    The entire truth will probably never be known about the tragic death of the Lindbergh baby. But of the many different theories about the crime, this intriguing book offers one that seems very plausible.
    The book is well written, and the author seems to have done his homework, judging from the meticulous notes documenting his research and sources. I found it to be a very compelling read.
    My only problem with it is the absence of any explanation for how the kidnappers knew the Lindberghs would be at Hopewell that fateful night, which was a last minute change to their normal routine. This is not mentioned at all, and it would seem to be an important fact, pointing to the possible involvement of one of the Lindbergh servants.
    Other than that, the book makes a lot of sense, & the author comes across as a sincere seeker of truth and justice. I would recommend it to anyone interested in this case.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rich
    5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative Read - Highly Improbable Conclusion
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2013
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    It is likely that what truly happened at the Lindbergh's Hopewell residence on the night of March 1, 1932 will never be known. Although this is a thoroughly enjoyable and well written book I disagree with its claim that it "clears away ungrounded speculation" and "reveals the true events behind the crime for the first time." At best the book adds one more speculative theory to an already overwhelming collection. However Robert Zorn does present sufficient circumstantial evidence to at least cause the reader to ponder whether or not John Knoll might have played a role in the "Crime of the Century". For instance, Knoll does resemble the artist rendering of Cemetery John and seemingly spent beyond his means in the years following the kidnapping. However, there is scant evidence presented that Richard Hauptmann ever met or knew John Knoll. Hauptmann had a habit of writing things down; he recorded phone numbers, addresses, even serial numbers of bills often in strange places. Yet nothing has ever been found among Hauptmann's possessions to remotely link him to Knoll. Only a trickle of ransom bills were discovered in circulation after Hauptmann's arrest and in my opinion Knoll's handwriting bears little resemblance to the writing in the 15 ransom notes whereas Hauptmann's contains striking similarities. Despite what the computer analysis demonstrated as some similarities, it appears to me that Knoll's script was far more fluid and polished than anything written in the ransom notes. Also it is hard for me to believe that with Knoll's oversized ego he would not want to leave behind for his legacy the story of how he masterminded the "Crime of the Century." How tortuous it would have been for such an ego not to let the world know in his dying days that "I was there!" Likewise it is inconceivable to me that Hauptmann would take the chair for his boss as he ran for safe haven in Germany after Hauptmann's indictment. After reading this book my personal conclusion is that John Knoll had nothing whatsoever to do with the Lindbergh kidnapping. Still I found the book fascinating and provocative and strongly recommend it for anyone interested in the Lindbergh case.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Annu Subramanian
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing Masterpiece
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2016
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    Cemetery John: The Undiscovered Mastermind Behind the Lindbergh Kidnapping started with what a father saw and heard when he was a boy. We are often drawn to stories we hear from our parents and grandparents, especially the ones they witnessed, particularly the ones we can never forget.
    The kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh, Jr. happened more than eighty-three years ago and made sensational news, leaving a tremendous amount of grief in the hearts of many. Mr. Zorn’s well-researched account of the kidnapping takes the readers beyond the media high points surrounding the tragedy. He presents intriguing and verified facts with an insightful look into life and loss of life. With a narrative technique that is objective and straightforward, he reminds his readers of human rights while exploring intricate details related to every step of the kidnapping tragedy. After reading Cemetery John, we feel for little Charles Lindbergh, Jr. as much as the world felt for him when he was kidnapped and murdered.
    In some ways, the success of Cemetery John: The Undiscovered Mastermind Behind the Lindbergh Kidnapping relies on how Mr. Zorn takes a sensational story and talks about it without making it sensational. The sadness of the tragedy would continue to haunt us, but the author has unfolded the sadness gently and mindfully.
    Mr. Zorn's father saw and heard something as a boy, and that left an indelible impression in the son's mind when he came to know about it. Now we have this wonderful book!
    11 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Patricia Turner
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have read several books on this subject. This one is well written and informative. It satisfied my interest about the perpetrators of the crime.
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  • S. Ramsey-Hardy
    5.0 out of 5 stars "crime of the century"
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2014
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    The kidnap and murder of the Lindbergh baby was a crime like no other. Even though the facts of the case are familiar, every time you read a description of what happened on that night in 1932 it sends shivers down the spine.

    The crime is riveting partly because of the unique status of the child's parents. In 1932 Charles Lindbergh was the most celebrated hero in America. His achievement in flying solo across the Atlantic had been a sensation, and the kidnap of his baby son was a shock which magnetised the attention of the world.

    Lindbergh said, "the more famous you become, the more you lose your life". After his flight made him a star Lindbergh found the relentless publicity unbearable, so he and his wife Anne were living in an isolated part of New Jersey where they hoped to be left in peace with their child. But their lonely house was unprotected, isolation was not enough.

    This book has a chilling description of the theft of the baby and its calamitous aftermath, and the author offers a very fascinating argument for having uncovered the mastermind of the plot. The evidence which the author presents certainly adds up, and there are telling photographs of the putative culprit.

    The author's deductions do leave one important point unresolved: the name used by Bruno Hauptmann. It seems Hauptmann did NOT use his first name "Bruno", he always went by his second name, Richard.

    When eventually Hauptmann was tried for the baby's murder, Charles Lindbergh claimed (under oath) that a man's voice he heard at 70 yards' distance, nearly 3 years earlier, calling out two words ("Hey Doc!"), was the voice of Bruno Hauptmann. The claim appears to defy credibility, but because Lindbergh himself made it, this was sufficient to seal Hauptmann's fate.

    Bruno Hauptmann was executed by electric chair for the child's murder but, as many thought at the time, it is hard to believe Hauptmann motivated the plot and acted entirely alone. This gripping book might offer the solution.

    (On a point of information, Kamenz the town in Germany where Hauptmann's mother lived, was the site of a Nazi concentration camp -but it was not an "extermination camp" as the author states, Kamenz was a sub-camp of Gross-Rosen.)
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  • Mr. Darcy
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book
    Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2013
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    I choose this rating because this book really gave me the facts of the story that lots of people talked about, but never really explained what really happened. So now my curiosity is more that satisfied. I recommed this book to any one who is interested in real life mysteries.
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  • N Alvarez
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book. I could not put it down.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2017
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    I must admit I found the John Knoll hypothesis very compelling. Zorn has convinced me of his involvement. However what is not realistic is the part of Zorn's theory that Hauptmann built the ladder, drove the car AND broke into the house whilst Walter was relegated to just holding the ladder. Hauptmann was not that dumb. I do believe Hauptmann was involved but it makes more sense to think that he was strictly the ladder guy - he built it, he was there to put it together and to hold it up. I think Hauptmann would have insisted that others have their own roles to play.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Insight
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2017
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    An interesting look at an old case by someone who's father knew the man who was probably the leader of the gang that undertook the kidnapping.
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