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Bloodlands Collection #6
The Pied Piper
With makeup and an affected Elvis pout, Tucson’s Charlie Schmid was a crude parody of a bad-boy heartthrob. In 1964, he still had a hold on girls who’d follow him anywhere. He murdered three of them.
It was the dawn of the free-love movement—perfect for a magnetic madman who’d also foreshadow its end a few years later in the malignant charisma of Charles Manson. The inspiration for a classic story by Joyce Carol Oates, Schmid, the most bizarre serial killer of any era, was the epitome of a narcissist flattered into believing he could get away with murder.
The Pied Piper is part of Bloodlands, a chilling collection of short page-turning historical narratives from bestselling true-crime master Harold Schechter. Spanning a century in our nation’s murderous past, Schechter resurrects nearly forgotten tales of madmen and thrill-killers that dominated the most sensational headlines of their day.
It was the dawn of the free-love movement—perfect for a magnetic madman who’d also foreshadow its end a few years later in the malignant charisma of Charles Manson. The inspiration for a classic story by Joyce Carol Oates, Schmid, the most bizarre serial killer of any era, was the epitome of a narcissist flattered into believing he could get away with murder.
The Pied Piper is part of Bloodlands, a chilling collection of short page-turning historical narratives from bestselling true-crime master Harold Schechter. Spanning a century in our nation’s murderous past, Schechter resurrects nearly forgotten tales of madmen and thrill-killers that dominated the most sensational headlines of their day.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2018
About the author
Harold Schechter
72 books1,304 followersAka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)
Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.
Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.
Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.
Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.
Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.
Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
December 13, 2021
In Tucson Arizona 1954, Charlie Schmid thought he was a bad-boy heartthrob. Spoiled by his parents Charlie never had to do anything, but hang out in his apartment or spend his days on the Speedway with friends. Bored one day he recruited his friends to find a girl for him to kill. After murdering her and then disposing the body in the desert, he bragged about it to his friends. Over 30 teenagers knew about the crime. Not one contacted the police. It all comes tumbling down when Charlie strangles his girlfriend and her little sister one night. Quick true crime read. Also featured on ID channels A Crime to Remember.
December 9, 2018
Before listening to The Pied Piper, I had never heard of Charlie Schmid. In 1960s Tuscon, AZ, Schmid gathered a group of followers around him. Schmid had a fascination with killing people. He murdered three young women just to do it. He got away with it for awhile....until his friends turned on him.
This story is supremely creepy. I don't see how Charles Schmid had any sort of magnetic personality. His behavior and appearance seems incredibly odd. He loved Elvis...so he dyed his hair black, used mascara and applied pancake makeup to his face. He walked around with a strange sneer on his face, thinking it made him look like Elvis. That would not attract me to follow someone into aberrant behavior....it would repel me. But then again, I guess I can't understand why people followed Charles Manson either.
Bizarre story. I listened to the audio book version of The Pied Piper. The audio is just over an hour long and is narrated by Steven Weber. Weber reads at an even pace and is easily understandable. I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand the entire story.
The Pied Piper is one of six true crime stories in the Bloodlands Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals. Schechter has written several true crime novels about famous killers including Ed Gein and H.H. Holmes. The Bloodlands Collection gathers together little known stories of crimes from the last 100 years. I've listened to 3 of the stories so far....enjoyable and informative. This one is by far the creepiest. Schmid makes for a disturbing tale of murder and weird behavior.
This story is supremely creepy. I don't see how Charles Schmid had any sort of magnetic personality. His behavior and appearance seems incredibly odd. He loved Elvis...so he dyed his hair black, used mascara and applied pancake makeup to his face. He walked around with a strange sneer on his face, thinking it made him look like Elvis. That would not attract me to follow someone into aberrant behavior....it would repel me. But then again, I guess I can't understand why people followed Charles Manson either.
Bizarre story. I listened to the audio book version of The Pied Piper. The audio is just over an hour long and is narrated by Steven Weber. Weber reads at an even pace and is easily understandable. I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand the entire story.
The Pied Piper is one of six true crime stories in the Bloodlands Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals. Schechter has written several true crime novels about famous killers including Ed Gein and H.H. Holmes. The Bloodlands Collection gathers together little known stories of crimes from the last 100 years. I've listened to 3 of the stories so far....enjoyable and informative. This one is by far the creepiest. Schmid makes for a disturbing tale of murder and weird behavior.
November 11, 2018
The Lord Piper by Harold Schechter brings the reader along on another trip down a bloody history lane. This book covers criminals that attract followers then convince those followers to help commit murder. Lots of detailed information on cases in here.
October 12, 2023
از مجموعه «مشاهیر مرگ»(Bloodlands Collection) نوشته شکتر که استاد ادبیات در امریکاست و تخصصش داستانهای جنایی مستند است. این مجموعه شش جلد کمحجم در قطع پالتویی است که در هرکدام به جنایت و قاتلانی مشهور در تاریخ امریکا میپردازد. تمامی اتفاقهایی که در هر کدام آورده شده مستند است و مرجع آن در انتهای کتاب آورده شده است. شکتر استادانه این فکتها را کنار هم چیده و به شکل داستانهایی جذاب درآورده است.
در امریکای دهه شصت قرن پیش میگذرد که «چارلز اشمیت جونیور» -اسمیتی- در میان مد الویس و هیپیها و نوجوانهای افسار گریخته امریکا، هوادارهایی جمع میکند و دست به قتلهایی بدون هدف خاصی میزند.
و باز هم سیستم قضایی مدرن و عجیب امریکا که از او شاعر میسازد ...
در امریکای دهه شصت قرن پیش میگذرد که «چارلز اشمیت جونیور» -اسمیتی- در میان مد الویس و هیپیها و نوجوانهای افسار گریخته امریکا، هوادارهایی جمع میکند و دست به قتلهایی بدون هدف خاصی میزند.
و باز هم سیستم قضایی مدرن و عجیب امریکا که از او شاعر میسازد ...
October 23, 2020
Fascinating glimpse into a narcissistic serial killer from Tucson, AZ. He sought to make himself look different with pancake make up, a style of hair like Elvis, and even used a cloths pin to fasten on his lip to make a lip pout. And he has loyal followers for a time.
Another true-crime short available from the Audible Plus Catalog. These true-crime shorts are such interesting history, and a rare look into the killer’s life and the crimes they committed. Narration was excellent. I look forward to more in this series.
Another true-crime short available from the Audible Plus Catalog. These true-crime shorts are such interesting history, and a rare look into the killer’s life and the crimes they committed. Narration was excellent. I look forward to more in this series.
July 2, 2022
This was a short but interesting story about a serial killer I was not aware of.
August 19, 2024
With his pancake makeup and fake beauty mark, his mascaraed eyes, pouty lips, and a weird, flesh-colored bandage plastered to the bridge of his nose, he looks less like an actual person than a figure from a particularly creepy wax museum.
At the beginning I was who the hell is Charlie Schmid, but the author does a good job of bringing up the Pied Piper nickname and the descriptions of how he modified his face. Then it clicks, I've heard of him before and his fascination of killing people, control people and feeling all sexy with making his face look more like Elvis (let's be honest... it was not!).
In my mind I can't figure out how he had so much following but at the same time I struggle to understand Charles Mason, Jones, or David Koresh. The story is bizarre from beginning to end and the only reason he was caught (if you ask for my opinion) was solely on his friends turning on him.
What I found extremely ridiculous is how after he is sent to jail, he gets attack, and they try to save his life with surgeries... He was lucky I wasn't alive during that time and work in that prison, I would have pretended to see nothing, go away and let him die.
These are some of the extra readings that I'm going to consider later from the Notes section:
● The Tucson Murders by John Gilmore
● The Pied Piper of Tucson by Don Moser, Jerry Cohen
● Crossing the Yard: Thirty Years as a Prison Volunteer by Richard Shelton
● Cold-Blooded: The Saga of Charles Schmid, the Notorious "Pied Piper of Tucson" by John Gilmore
At the beginning I was who the hell is Charlie Schmid, but the author does a good job of bringing up the Pied Piper nickname and the descriptions of how he modified his face. Then it clicks, I've heard of him before and his fascination of killing people, control people and feeling all sexy with making his face look more like Elvis (let's be honest... it was not!).
In my mind I can't figure out how he had so much following but at the same time I struggle to understand Charles Mason, Jones, or David Koresh. The story is bizarre from beginning to end and the only reason he was caught (if you ask for my opinion) was solely on his friends turning on him.
What I found extremely ridiculous is how after he is sent to jail, he gets attack, and they try to save his life with surgeries... He was lucky I wasn't alive during that time and work in that prison, I would have pretended to see nothing, go away and let him die.
These are some of the extra readings that I'm going to consider later from the Notes section:
● The Tucson Murders by John Gilmore
● The Pied Piper of Tucson by Don Moser, Jerry Cohen
● Crossing the Yard: Thirty Years as a Prison Volunteer by Richard Shelton
● Cold-Blooded: The Saga of Charles Schmid, the Notorious "Pied Piper of Tucson" by John Gilmore
May 2, 2019
Another in Amazon's Bloodlands collection, this is the story of Charles Schmidt ("Smitty"), a small but psychotic person who hung out with teenagers although he was in his 20s. He ended up killing 3 girls, just to do it. The kids who helped him eventually testified against him, and he spent the rest of his life in prison. Eventually, he was murdered by fellow inmates.
I fail to understand the attraction - reading about him, it seems like he was a creepy little weird man. But you know how teenagers are. I guess.
Pretty sure there was an episode of A Crime to Remember on ID about this guy.
I fail to understand the attraction - reading about him, it seems like he was a creepy little weird man. But you know how teenagers are. I guess.
Pretty sure there was an episode of A Crime to Remember on ID about this guy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2019
Not my favourite of Schechter's Bloodlands Collection, The Pied Piper wasn't quite as convincing as the other volumes in the series, especially in terms of Schechter's exploration of the criminality at the heart of US culture.
This time out, Schechter is trying to illuminate the USA's love for and vulnerability to charismatic manipulators. If it isn't quite the USA's easy love affair with cults, it is, at least, the USA's dangerous defencelessness to those who can make others do anything.
Enter Charles Schmid.
An Elvis / James Dean inspired "Rebel Without a Cause," Schmid preyed on a group of outsiders in Tucson of the 60s, turning them all into his accomplices in a series of murders that were seemingly perpetrated for a combination of kicks, experience, and to rid himself of those who annoyed him.
Schechter is right to try and unlock this strange cultish demon of US culture, but his subject -- this time out -- is both underwhelming and less convincing than say the "Bloody Benders" and their thrill killing in Little Slaughterhouse on the Prairie. Schmid doesn't have the potency of that other Charles of true crime infamy, nor do his short lived crimes ever go beyond local horror. Yet they do show, without a doubt, how easy it is for those on the periphery of society to fall under the spell of a big fish in a small pond.
Regardless of its lesser place in the Bloodlands Collection, The Pied Piper is a fascinating story, and Steven Weber's vocal performance remains outstanding, as it has throughout this series.
I have only one volume to go in the Bloodlands Collection, and I will be sorry to see it end.
This time out, Schechter is trying to illuminate the USA's love for and vulnerability to charismatic manipulators. If it isn't quite the USA's easy love affair with cults, it is, at least, the USA's dangerous defencelessness to those who can make others do anything.
Enter Charles Schmid.
An Elvis / James Dean inspired "Rebel Without a Cause," Schmid preyed on a group of outsiders in Tucson of the 60s, turning them all into his accomplices in a series of murders that were seemingly perpetrated for a combination of kicks, experience, and to rid himself of those who annoyed him.
Schechter is right to try and unlock this strange cultish demon of US culture, but his subject -- this time out -- is both underwhelming and less convincing than say the "Bloody Benders" and their thrill killing in Little Slaughterhouse on the Prairie. Schmid doesn't have the potency of that other Charles of true crime infamy, nor do his short lived crimes ever go beyond local horror. Yet they do show, without a doubt, how easy it is for those on the periphery of society to fall under the spell of a big fish in a small pond.
Regardless of its lesser place in the Bloodlands Collection, The Pied Piper is a fascinating story, and Steven Weber's vocal performance remains outstanding, as it has throughout this series.
I have only one volume to go in the Bloodlands Collection, and I will be sorry to see it end.
July 16, 2018
This was a quick read. A lot of information and while the story could have used more details for the length if the story the details were enough. Good read
July 3, 2018
Part of Amazon's Bloodlands collection (of which I plan to read most), where Schechter wrote 6 short stories of infamous American crimes. This one introduced me to Charles Schmid, aka "The Pied Piper", a serial killers in the 1960s. I didn't know about this killer so it was interesting to learn, though the audio book version was a bit dry.
January 12, 2021
A true-crime story about a teenage psychopath who, in the mid-60s, liked to wear makeup and assume an Elvis-like rebel without a cause persona to wow the local girls and, ultimately, murder some of them for fun. He wasn't too bright, so he soon got caught.
Since crime reporters apparently love to hand out nicknames, this one was dubbed the Pied Piper of Tucson.
Since crime reporters apparently love to hand out nicknames, this one was dubbed the Pied Piper of Tucson.
August 14, 2022
I'm sure this case had to have inspired an episode of Criminal Minds.
I find it most interesting that the perpetrator, Charles Scmid Jr., spoke so much crap that at least 30 people knew of the crimes he committed but assumed it was all BS.
I find it most interesting that the perpetrator, Charles Scmid Jr., spoke so much crap that at least 30 people knew of the crimes he committed but assumed it was all BS.
December 24, 2018
I love it when Amazon groups these books all together, would enjoy seeing why and how they decide to do this?? all these are by: Harold Schechter? that is a 1st, right?? don't they usually have book by different authors? i made a list of my most favorite and in which order!! (I apparently did not read them in order, just jumped around and listen/read what i wanted to, that is how i roll!!!) 1. Rampage, 2. Brick Slayer, 3. Panic, 4. Pied Piper, 5. Little Slaughterhouse, & 6. Pirate (auto and books Kindle Unlimited, Bloodlines) I definitely think you have to have both the listen and read ...'cause there are so many awesome must see stuff. I love the narrator. "Steve Weber". then when you read the books .. u get like these amazing visuals. so cool! i will say these are not always pleasant stories ...they are pretty harsh ...but I would imagine that was well known before you starting reading?? right??! i mean these are not romances ... but i wonder ... i guess i could read some of the reviews (have yet to do that. some reviewers get kind of weird about certain things??!) I really enjoyed it ...and glad i found these. i know i wanna see more from Harold soon enough!! way cool! I do wonder ... can you really lump killers or folks who commit similar crimes into one box??! i recall when i was in college my teacher said we all have similar thoughts or feelings ...but the ones who go about carrying out the evilness ...that is what makes us different. it makes you wonder what sends them over the edge or make them so mean?? hateful?? have they been hurt in their past? treat wrong when raised ...what is it?? can you just narrow it all down to 1,2, and 3 ..and these reasons make you so to carry out evil ways??! i wonder??!
July 7, 2018
Hey, c’mon, babe Follow me
I’m the Pied Piper
And I’ll show you where it’s at
- lyrics to a popular song at the time
"The Pied Piper" is a very interesting account of a serial killer in the 1960's in Tucson, Arizona, named Charles Schmid, or Smitty to those who knew him. My interest was piqued partly because I had never heard of the Pied Piper, so called because of his charismatic ability to get the local teenagers to follow him like lapdogs. I also was intrigued due to Smitty's obsession with his appearance. Apparently in imitation of his idol Elvis, Smitty would die his hair black, add mascara and pancake makeup to his face, paint a beauty mark that looked like a greasy mole, and affect a pouty snarl. In an effort to add three inches to his height, he would stuff his boots with empty cans and newspaper - this made him walking funny.
You know, if it looks like a freak, walks like a freak....
You get the picture. He killed three young women for the kicks. Eventually his friends ratted him out, and he was tried, convicted and sentenced to the gas chamber, which was later commuted to life in prison. Eventually, he was murdered by a pair of convicts would some grudge. The community in Tucson, I'm sure, is grateful for that act.
I enjoyed this book, and look forward to more of this series.
The story of Smitty was the inspiration for Joyce Carol Oates' “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”
I’m the Pied Piper
And I’ll show you where it’s at
- lyrics to a popular song at the time
"The Pied Piper" is a very interesting account of a serial killer in the 1960's in Tucson, Arizona, named Charles Schmid, or Smitty to those who knew him. My interest was piqued partly because I had never heard of the Pied Piper, so called because of his charismatic ability to get the local teenagers to follow him like lapdogs. I also was intrigued due to Smitty's obsession with his appearance. Apparently in imitation of his idol Elvis, Smitty would die his hair black, add mascara and pancake makeup to his face, paint a beauty mark that looked like a greasy mole, and affect a pouty snarl. In an effort to add three inches to his height, he would stuff his boots with empty cans and newspaper - this made him walking funny.
You know, if it looks like a freak, walks like a freak....
You get the picture. He killed three young women for the kicks. Eventually his friends ratted him out, and he was tried, convicted and sentenced to the gas chamber, which was later commuted to life in prison. Eventually, he was murdered by a pair of convicts would some grudge. The community in Tucson, I'm sure, is grateful for that act.
I enjoyed this book, and look forward to more of this series.
The story of Smitty was the inspiration for Joyce Carol Oates' “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”
September 27, 2018
This told the story of the Pied Piper of Tucson, who was a serial killer in the 50s and 60s. He was the classic 50s greaser, and teenagers found him compelling. Sort of like a 50s Charles Manson who was never as famous. This one didn't really stand out, still kinda creepy though the way people can be swayed into bad things by charisma.
April 20, 2024
The stuff that gives you nightmares
WHOA!
I'd never heard of or read about this case or man. The author, Harold Schechter, does a great job pulling together resources for one heck of a book. This is one psychopathic serial killer without remorse and, as the nickname suggests, had the ability to gather followers. This isn't exactly a cult scenario. There is the desire to want to be 'cool' or 'in' with the bad boy. Only, back then, the bad boy look was that of Elvis, not going around and killing people!
Recommended! 👍
📚📚📚📚
WHOA!
I'd never heard of or read about this case or man. The author, Harold Schechter, does a great job pulling together resources for one heck of a book. This is one psychopathic serial killer without remorse and, as the nickname suggests, had the ability to gather followers. This isn't exactly a cult scenario. There is the desire to want to be 'cool' or 'in' with the bad boy. Only, back then, the bad boy look was that of Elvis, not going around and killing people!
Recommended! 👍
📚📚📚📚
August 13, 2018
Good information given as I've never heard of this serial killer before. He definitely fit the criteria as it was sad reading about the lives lost.
September 2, 2018
The strange tale of a murderous would-be teen idol in 1960s Tucson, Arizona.
September 13, 2018
His name was Charles Schmid, aka The Pied Piper of Tucson.
Seemed there were a lot of cult like serial killers named Charles around that era.
Seemed there were a lot of cult like serial killers named Charles around that era.
October 8, 2018
This novella, like all of Schechter's work, manages to make learning fun. It was also a delight for me to discover that two other things I've read and loved drew inspiration for their central antagonist from this man. In addition to "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", Jack Ketchum's book The Lost also owes a debt to Schmid.
Why is truth so much scarier than fiction?
Why is truth so much scarier than fiction?
August 6, 2021
i want to like his writing style because he’s chosen really interesting cases to write about, especially in the context of american culture, but it’s not clicking.
rating: 3/5 stars
rating: 3/5 stars
November 10, 2018
I downloaded this because it's short and it was free at the time. I'll be honest, I didn't read the description and I wasn't expecting a true crime story. I had never heard of the "Pied Piper of Tuscon," and though the story was kind of disturbing and bizarre, it was also quite interesting.
July 12, 2018
I had never heard of this serial killer, so I found the book interesting. It's a very quick read with no fluff or sensationalized drama. The story is told in a very straight-forward, factual manner. The author could have delved more into some of the details of the killer and the people who surrounded him. I was kind of intrigued by the killer's adoptive mother and would have liked to learn more about her relationship with him.
July 26, 2018
Interesting story I never heard of before.
August 19, 2018
True story
This book tells the true story of a murderer in the early 60’s. Very interesting story. Joyce Carroll Oates wrote a short story based on this murderer.
This book tells the true story of a murderer in the early 60’s. Very interesting story. Joyce Carroll Oates wrote a short story based on this murderer.
December 15, 2021
Rating: I liked it 😊
Nonfiction November 2021
This is part of a collection of true crime stories. I liked this format a lot, is short and goes straight to the point.
This one is about a man that killed three women.
I recommend it
Nonfiction November 2021
This is part of a collection of true crime stories. I liked this format a lot, is short and goes straight to the point.
This one is about a man that killed three women.
I recommend it
October 25, 2018
not read for a theme
Wow. It was weird, horrifying, and I couldn't put it down. It's super short and I highly recommend. I am also now obsessed with this collection and look forward to moving on to the next one.
Wow. It was weird, horrifying, and I couldn't put it down. It's super short and I highly recommend. I am also now obsessed with this collection and look forward to moving on to the next one.
September 12, 2018
Off to find that story Joyce Carol Oates wrote.
December 28, 2019
This one baffles me, honestly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews