My upcoming book, Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir, received a five-star review this week from the Manhattan Book Review, which launched squeals and gasps in my household (okay, this was just me; my husband is more measured). The reviewer, Philip Zozzaro, called my debut “a future true crime classic,” and I would like to send him a bouquet of flowers, or a cupcake basket, or whatever is appropriate.
Like all my editorial reviews, this one was not guaranteed to be positive. I’m particularly thrilled Mr. Zozzaro connected so closely with my story, and I’m honored by his long, thoughtful review and description that perhaps one day, Chained Birds could be a true crime classic. Mr. Zozzaro is a renowned book reviewer who pens editorial critiques for such publications as The Los Angeles Book Review, Seattle Book Review, San Fransisco Book Review, Chicago Book Review, Forward Reviews and others. I am over the moon that my book fell into his hands!
Here’s the last paragraph from his review:
Chained Birds is a gripping true crime narrative about the flawed prison system and the damage done to those who become institutionalized. Author Carla Conti had a front-row seat to the sideshow trial where the Department of Justice held the cards and refused to yield in its prosecution. Conti’s passion comes across with great clarity, whether addressing the grave injustice against Kevin Sanders or her political views. The story is part social commentary and part memoir, and each half is compelling in its direction. Chained Birds is a book that will generate emotions from frustration to sadness and even awe at the events that transpired. Carla Conti has penned a book destined to be a future true crime classic.
As usual, I couldn’t wait to share this review before it posted to MBR’s website. When it does, I’ll update this post with that review link.
Here’s the full review:
Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir
By Carla Conti
WildBlue Press, 430 pages, Format: HardbackStar Rating: 5 / 5
It all began with an innocuous incident, an act of rebellion perpetrated against a vindictive and sadistic corrections officer. This disobedience led to further repercussions against inmate Steven Tremblay, culminating in a beating and shanking administered by two inmates. Kevin Sanders was one of the inmates who reluctantly participated in this assault at Lewisburg Penitentiary in 2011. Sanders had been in and out of correctional institutions for much of his adult life. His participation in the assault would lead to him and the other inmate being hit with new charges. Sanders wanted to fight the charges as he had attempted to warn one of the officers about letting Tremblay in his recreational cage.
The Bureau of Prisons created the Special Management Unit to handle the more problematic prisoners. The program was inaugurated at Lewisburg in 2009. However, the backstory of Kevin Sanders would illustrate how the program was riddled with abuse and corruption. Kevin Sanders had been transferred from USP Allenwood as he was subject to death threats from a gang. Sanders had balked at assaulting a friend and incurred the wrath of the gang’s shot caller. Despite his participation in the Tremblay assault, he believed the guards instigated the assault and the evidence would clear him.
Scott Powell was a middle-aged attorney who had represented an eclectic list of clients in his career. He didn’t know that his new client’s case would come to dominate the next decade of his life. He would go to trial and face an uphill climb between an unfriendly judge and an unscrupulous prosecutor. His defense team would include a seasoned lawyer named Jack Bear and his school friend Carla Conti. He would tell Carla that this case might merit a book. Carla was initially skeptical, but as Kevin’s trials and tribulations followed, the story expanded to mythic levels.
Chained Birds is a gripping true crime narrative about the flawed prison system and the damage done to those who become institutionalized. Author Carla Conti had a front-row seat to the sideshow trial where the Department of Justice held the cards and refused to yield in its prosecution. Conti’s passion comes across with great clarity, whether addressing the grave injustice against Kevin Sanders or her political views. The story is part social commentary and part memoir, and each half is compelling in its direction. Chained Birds is a book that will generate emotions from frustration to sadness and even awe at the events that transpired. Carla Conti has penned a book destined to be a future true crime classic.
Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro for Manhattan Book Review
Chained Birds will publish with WildBlue Press on 11/12/24.
Carla Conti is a true crime journalist, storyteller, and prison reform advocate. Her debut book, Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir, will be published by WildBlue Press on November 12, 2024.
