The Man No One Believed: The Untold Story of the Georgia Church Murders by Joshua Sharpe is an outstanding and powerful true crime book that tells the harrowing story of a double murder committed in a Georgia church in 1985. The victims—a prominent African American couple—deserved justice, but instead, the case became a tragic example of corruption and wrongful conviction.

Sharpe’s research is meticulous, guiding readers from the night of the murders through both the original investigation, and the deeply flawed investigation, the wrongful arrest and conviction of an innocent man, and ultimately, the hard-fought battle to exonerate him. He paints such a vivid and detailed picture that you feel like you're right there with him, sitting in on interviews and uncovering the truth piece by piece.

The book also exposes the staggering level of corruption and negligence it took for such a miscarriage of justice to occur. It’s infuriating, heartbreaking—and ultimately, hopeful.

I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s a triumph not only because the real killer was eventually found, but because the innocent man was freed, and thanks to Sharpe’s work, their stories are now known. This is true crime journalism at its best.

I received a copy to review. All opinions are my own.
This was a very well written book that covered every aspect of the crime and subsequent conviction and everything afterwards. I definitely was shocked by this case and how it was handled and it’s so important for writers and journalists to cover things like this to keep the public informed and educated. I also enjoyed the authors ties to the area and how he handled gathering the information for this book.

Joshua Sharpe writes an incredible story of a 1985 double murder, and the fight to exonerate an innocent man.

A white man walked into a South Georgia church and brutally murdered Harold and Thelma Swain in 1985. The killer vanishes into thin air. The case remained unsolved for 15 years and then one day authorities charge an innocent man. Dennis Perry received a double life sentence.

Joshua Sharpe discovers a path of corruption and injustice. Even after he hits dead ends during his investigation he finds it unacceptable. He is determined to find the truth. He eventually finds evidence to prove Perry's innocence and discovers the real killer. The real culprit is an alleged white supremacist who wasn’t shy to tell everyone he had committed the murders. I find it scary that he decided he needed to face the real murderer.

As he was fighting for justice, people that were to help with the investigation turned up dead. The local officials fought to keep Perry in prison in spite of evidence that proves he had nothing to do with the murders.

This is one of the most unbelievable books of corruption in a local community and the cover up is even more incredible. This book kept me on the edge of my seat.

THE MAN NO ONE BELIEVED by Joshua Sharpe is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in true crime—and especially those interested in learning more about cases where justice took far too long to be served.

Sharpe, an investigative journalist, was asked by a Georgia Innocence Project to look into the conviction of Dennis Perry, who was (wrongfully) convicted of the double murders of Mr and Mrs Swain. The Swains, who are black, were killed while in their country church attending a missionary meeting. Despite zero physical evidence, and the only witness statement coming from a woman who suffered from hallucinations and delusions, Perry was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to life.

It was heartbreaking to read this book in many ways. To know what Perry went through as well as the Swain family, who believed police when they were told the right man was behind bars. Much applause goes to the few investigators who knew Perry was innocent and who did all they could despite pushback to help prove it. The amount of racism, shoddy police work, and blind eyes due to politics displayed throughout this case is mind boggling.

I literally finished this book in a single day. I could not put it down. The author did a stellar job researching and investigating and I was so happy to see the outcome of his (and everyone involved… including the brave witnesses who came forward) hard work. People need to realize that something like this can happen to anyone.

Sharpe writes in a way that is easy to read and quickly become invested. Some of his descriptions, especially of the area, are at the same time so beautiful.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
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