• Front cover view of Decathlon of Death by Jack Leslie centered on a neutral light gray background. Cover shows creasing and rubbing.
  • Back cover view of Decathlon of Death by Jack Leslie centered on a neutral light gray background. Back cover shows creasing and rubbing.
  • Close-up spine view of Decathlon of Death by Jack Leslie centered on a neutral light gray background. Spine shows rubbing and minimal creasing.
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Jack Leslie | Historical True Crime and Murder Mystery

Decathlon of Death by Jack Leslie

Decathlon of Death by Jack Leslie

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A 1950s California True Crime Narrative of the Chester Massacre, Highway Robbery, and San Quentin Executions

In May 1950, a violent robbery gang executed local grocer Frank Chester and three young family members in the mountain community of Chester, California. The brutal crime ignited a massive multi-county manhunt across northern California and Nevada, linking the perpetrators to a string of armed robberies and homicides across the American West.

Author Jack Leslie reconstructs the law enforcement investigation that identified gang members L.A. Riser, Santo, and Perkins. The book follows the ballistics evidence, interstate extraditions, and the 1953 triple execution in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Jack Leslie delivers a detailed historical account of mid-century Western law enforcement and multi-state crime sprees. Featuring archival police records and courtroom proceedings, this rare true crime volume is ideal for fans of James Ellroy, Max Allan Collins, and W.C. Heinz.

Edition & Specifications

Publisher: Tarquin Books

Pages: 263

Format: Paperback

Publication Date: 1979

ISBN: 9780932600011

Condition Note:

Condition & Grading Guide

How We Grade Our Books

  • 📸 True-to-Life Photos: For all vintage and pre-loved books, the photos on the page are of the exact physical copy on our shelf. Brand-new books feature official publisher cover art.
  • New: Direct from the publisher; immaculate, unread condition.
  • Like New: Pristine condition with minimal to no shelf wear; looks unread.
  • Very Good: Lightly read with minor shelf wear or light cover creasing. Pages are clean, crisp, and unmarked with a tight binding. (Our baseline standard for pre-loved books.)
  • Good: A well-loved reading copy with visible shelf wear or page aging, but fully intact and structurally sound.

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  • Damaged in Transit? If your shipment arrives damaged or incorrect, email us within 72 hours of delivery scan at customerservice@fehmerlingbooks.com. We’ll evaluate it immediately and provide a prepaid return label and replacement or full refund.
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$11.00 USD
$11.00 USD
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