In 'Furious Hours,' author Casey Cep unfolds the spellbinding true story of the Reverend Willie Maxwell, a Southern preacher and suspected serial killer of the 1970s. Maxwell managed to evade conviction repeatedly — despite the deaths of five family members under dubious conditions, all resulting in substantial insurance payouts. The twist in the tale comes when, after his latest victim's funeral, Maxwell is killed in a scene brimming with witnesses, only for his assassin to be acquitted by the intervention of the same shrewd lawyer who had defended Maxwell for years. This tale, however, is not only one of crime and courtroom intrigue; it is interwoven with the story of Harper Lee — the elusive literary titan behind 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' Drawn to the case and envisioning a true-crime masterpiece to rival 'In Cold Blood,' Harper Lee embarked on a journey to document the trial and weave a narrative that would showcase her incisive eye for detail and justice. Yet, the book, christened 'The Reverend' by Lee, remained unfinished. Cep's meticulously researched book serves as a tribute to Harper Lee's talent, capturing not only the sensational courtroom saga but also painting a poignant portrait of Lee's complicated relationship with her craft, fame, and untapped potential.