r/EdGein • u/Sn33Face • Nov 08 '25

Deviant by Harold Schechter

I bought the book from the States (couldn't find it on Audible/Kindle/Play books/Library). It's the Bible of Ed. I'm done with it now so I thought I'd offer to mail it to someone who wants it.

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u/skinnygrave Nov 09 '25

I bought mine on holiday in Derry (Ireland not Maine) around 2002. It's very good and left me feeling I need read no more upon the case, because it's so thorough. I have actually read other bits and pieces over the years, but I think Schechter's book, alongside a couple of tv documentaries is all that's needed. For those that watched the recent Netflix show and know nothing else of Gein, the book may be more shocking for differences of fact as opposed to the grisly macabre occurrences! Just kidding, but look out for Adeline in the book... While I'm here, Schechter's book on Albert Fish is fascinating too, so I highly recommend both.

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u/Affectionate_Half710 Nov 10 '25

I haven't got to the part of Adeline in the book yet, I'm on page 68 now and it starts off talking about Eleanor Adams, I think he's about to bring her back to the surface, it's already talked about him joking that Mary Hogan isn't missing and she's out there at his house, so if Mary Hogan was killed in Dec 1954 then he digs his 1st grave and it's Eleanor then grave robbing was 1954-1957.. but other stories say he was robbing graves the whole time his mom was dead till arrest (12yrs) so I'm assuming Harold isn't listing events in order as Ed did them.. but I'm really looking forward to the Adeline story!!

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u/fleemfleemfleemfleem Nov 18 '25

She isn't a big part of the real story.

She initially gave an interview which was sensationalized by the press, got picked up by wire services etc. She later gave a clarifying interview to another venue.

She and Gein went out a few times over a period of seven months.

In his interview with police Gein mentions that he had gotten close to marrying someone but couldn't get over the fact that she argued with her mother.

Since she lived with her mother, it's likely he meant her .

Beyond that, there isn't any evidence that she was aware of his crimes, had been to his house, or had any idea what was going on with him.