A True Crime by Elly Stevens with Larry Cieslinski
RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER’S DREAM TURNS DEADLY IN A WEB OF DECEIT AND BETRAYAL
Jon Pownall, a commercial and glamour photographer, dreams of filming a motion picture of his own creation, The Salem Six. Those dreams are dashed when he is murdered in his office in Portland, Maine’s Monument Square before the Hollywood contracts are signed.
Detectives learn that, when Jon hired a producer who teamed up with a political money raiser and new attorneys, his dream quickly turned into a nightmare. With a $400,000 key-man life insurance policy signed, a director’s contract unsigned, and Hollywood contracts imminent, they knew that Jon feared for this life.
Will the family see justice prevail or will evil reign?
Reviews
As the daughter of the murder victim featured in this book, I am extremely proud of how Elly Stevens presented only the factual account of what truly happened. She skillfully based her work on transcripts, depositions, newspaper articles, and insights from the two surviving family members.
Lynda Pownall-Carlson
GOODBYE FAT LARRY presents us with us with a riveting step by step account in how to discover the truth of an unsolved murder by way of a legal and psychological autopsy. The author uses a mixture of interviews, transcript reviews, newspaper accounts, legal findings and legal machinations to present the reader with enough information to formulate his or her own opinions about what actually happened to the murder victim. But don’t look for judicious decisions to help finding the ultimate truth as in this and many other cases, true justice remains elusive, frustrating and sadly the American way.
Dr. Babble
I like how Elly organized this book, breaking it down into several sections to help frame the events and illustrate the story. I enjoyed her writing style. A tremendous amount of research went into this book.
J.S.
I highly recommends this fast-paced true crime. Elly Stevens has a fluid writing style that kept me guessing as to whether my assumptions were correct on the outcome of the murder.
Carol Qualls
I like true crime but I don't usually gravitate to the written story. This captured my attention immediately. I find myself thinking of Jon and how trusting he was. I could feel myself back in time and see it play out in my head. I actually knew Jon's wife and found her to be a nice person. I feel a sadness that I didn't know this story when I knew her. I highly recommend this book!
Patty McGraw
The buildup to Jon's death was so tense, and when the truth starts to unravel, it's both shocking and deeply sad. The author did an amazing job blending suspense with raw emotion. Highly recommend.
Elowen Price
Brilliantly written! The crime scene, the tension, and the atmosphere were all so vivid. I was drawn in from the first chapter, and the mystery behind Jon Pownall's death was unraveled with such precision, it gave me chills. Will surely check out more of Elly's books.
Joseph Harris
Our book club couldn't stop discussing this one. It's shocking, tragic, and fascinating all at once. The writing makes you feel like you're right there following every lead, trying to piece together the mystery yourself. Definitely one of the most gripping true-crime reads we've had this year.
Bounce Smith
I am so grateful to Elly for publishing this book. As one of the children in the film, I thank Elly for working for 3 years, combing through newspapers, police interrogations, trial documents, and family interviews to shed light on the murder of Jon Pownall.
My heart raced from the beginning to the end of the book. Her attention to the facts and details will bring readers back to 1973 on a ride with many twists and turns.
This work finally brings closure and honors his family, life, and legacy. "Rest in peace, Jon. Your story has been told."
Melanie