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Murder in Pleasanton: Tina Faelz and the Search for Justice
In April 1984, Foothill High freshman Tina Faelz took a shortcut on her walk home. About an hour later, she was found in a ditch, brutally stabbed to death. The murder shook the quiet East Bay suburb of Pleasanton and left investigators baffled. With no witnesses or leads, the case went cold and remained so for nearly thirty years. In 2011, the investigation finally got a break. Improved forensics recovered DNA from a drop of blood found at the scene matching Tina’s classmate, Steven Carlson. Through dusty police files, personal interviews, letters and firsthand accounts, journalist Joshua Suchon revisits his childhood home to uncover the story of a disturbing crime and the controversial sentencing that brought long-awaited answers to a city tormented by questions.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 31, 2016
This is a good, well-written story about a cold case and how it finally got solved. The author did an unusually good job of painting a picture of the personalities involved -- not normally the case when almost all of the major players in the story are young kids. I really got a sense of who Tina and her killer were and how this crime haunted the whole community. There were a few temporal and other anomalies in here -- an 8-year-old boy was in 5th grade? a 14-year-old was in 7th grade? can that be right? -- but generally the book was quite straightforward.
March 26, 2020
I am an avid listener of the true-crime podcast Cold Case Files and after hearing the episode about the solved cold-case of Tina Faelz, this book was recommended by the host as some extended reading. In the Californian town of Pleasanton, a young girl called Tina was walking home from school down a shortcut but never arrives home. Her body is found a short time later and the whole community is in shock. In this read, the well-written chapters looked at the case from all angles so hearing everyone with their point of view made the case more interesting. Available on KU and well worth your time if you are like unsolved/solved mysteries.
October 3, 2022
Josh Suchon is an unlikely true crime author. He's a play-by-play announcer for the Albuquerque Isotopes after all, but the murder of Tina Faelz happened in his hometown of Pleasanton, CA. It took on a personal interest. I can see how obsessive the writing of this was as layers were peeled away. 30 years is a long time to wait for an answer to the question of who was responsible for her murder. Fortunately, I have the conclusion in one sitting. Accurate research is paramount with true crime and Mr. Suchon did his homework as well as writing a compelling book.
I also lived in Pleasanton (16 years after the murder), but my interest was piqued that a murder could have happened in Pleasanton, and I wanted to see if I recognized any of the locations. Yes, I knew a lot of the locations and as much true crime I read; I know that the most heinous of crimes can happen next door.
I also lived in Pleasanton (16 years after the murder), but my interest was piqued that a murder could have happened in Pleasanton, and I wanted to see if I recognized any of the locations. Yes, I knew a lot of the locations and as much true crime I read; I know that the most heinous of crimes can happen next door.
February 14, 2017
This was a well written true crime book. Again an old case (it seems lately I have read a lot of old case tc books) but I thought it an interesting read and not boring. Only thing annoying was that he sometimes called people by their first names and then by their last names and you know how bad I am with names, it did confuse me for a while.
The author did not say it but I did feel Tina was not being raised very well. Mum was always going out to the bar and left Tina alone or with a friend as a teenager.
One thing I find very weird of American law is that when a criminal is not immediately caught, but let's say years later they a lot of time profit from that. Like in this case. The killer committed a crime as a teenager and the lawyer had the audacity to ask that he (40 years old now or so) would be held as a juvenile because that was what he was if he had been caught. I have come across this rule and it is mostly of benefit for the criminals. How come they get the benefit of not being caught sooner? That is so weird. If someone knows the rule I am talking about I would appreciate.
Any way good book.
The author did not say it but I did feel Tina was not being raised very well. Mum was always going out to the bar and left Tina alone or with a friend as a teenager.
One thing I find very weird of American law is that when a criminal is not immediately caught, but let's say years later they a lot of time profit from that. Like in this case. The killer committed a crime as a teenager and the lawyer had the audacity to ask that he (40 years old now or so) would be held as a juvenile because that was what he was if he had been caught. I have come across this rule and it is mostly of benefit for the criminals. How come they get the benefit of not being caught sooner? That is so weird. If someone knows the rule I am talking about I would appreciate.
Any way good book.
April 3, 2023
Well written
No drawn out boring histories and plenty of researched interviews. I especially enjoyed the pictures and articles which frequented many of the chapters. You have to applaud those in law enforcement that don't give up on cold cases. I enjoyed this book and so glad that justice was finally served!
No drawn out boring histories and plenty of researched interviews. I especially enjoyed the pictures and articles which frequented many of the chapters. You have to applaud those in law enforcement that don't give up on cold cases. I enjoyed this book and so glad that justice was finally served!
January 31, 2016
I went back and forth a bit about whether to rate this book 4 or 5 stars. I settled on 5 stars for this reason: this book concentrates on the impact of this crime on the friends, relatives, and acquaintances of the victims in detail, dealing with the perpetrator factually but without sympathy, which is as it should be.
It follows a typical true-crime pattern, mostly chronological, although with some disjointed segments that I found hard to follow in the second half. The style is journalistic/police report, but with appropriate coverage of the emotional destruction the crime caused. The trial was covered, but not in excruciating detail (if you're a transcript aficionado, you won't find any of that here.)
The crime itself was heinous, not solved for 30 years while it languished waiting for DNA testing to develop to the point where it could be used on the evidence. Frankly, I was a bit surprised that the perpetrator was actually convicted on the strength, or lack of strength, of that evidence; there wasn't much, or if there was, it wasn't brought forth in the book.
I would have liked to know more about any profiling used to try and identify the killer during the intervening years. I'm assuming there wasn't any, but it seems like the evidence was pulled out multiple times and re-examined, so I'm not sure why not. I was also bothered by the author's use of the term 'this author' when referring to himself; it was jarring and impersonal, and part of the allure of this book is that it was written by someone who lived in the area and knew some of the actors, although that wasn't brought out much in the book, either. 'I' would have been just fine, perhaps with a bit more coverage of how, when, and with whom he was involved around the time of the crime. I would also have appreciated a map, rather than just photos, though there were enough photos that I eventually got oriented to the area.
All-in-all, the book does a good job of showing the reader a criminal whose mental growth and maturity was apparently stalled by drug use and violence, and the reverberations his actions caused for years and years to come.
It follows a typical true-crime pattern, mostly chronological, although with some disjointed segments that I found hard to follow in the second half. The style is journalistic/police report, but with appropriate coverage of the emotional destruction the crime caused. The trial was covered, but not in excruciating detail (if you're a transcript aficionado, you won't find any of that here.)
The crime itself was heinous, not solved for 30 years while it languished waiting for DNA testing to develop to the point where it could be used on the evidence. Frankly, I was a bit surprised that the perpetrator was actually convicted on the strength, or lack of strength, of that evidence; there wasn't much, or if there was, it wasn't brought forth in the book.
I would have liked to know more about any profiling used to try and identify the killer during the intervening years. I'm assuming there wasn't any, but it seems like the evidence was pulled out multiple times and re-examined, so I'm not sure why not. I was also bothered by the author's use of the term 'this author' when referring to himself; it was jarring and impersonal, and part of the allure of this book is that it was written by someone who lived in the area and knew some of the actors, although that wasn't brought out much in the book, either. 'I' would have been just fine, perhaps with a bit more coverage of how, when, and with whom he was involved around the time of the crime. I would also have appreciated a map, rather than just photos, though there were enough photos that I eventually got oriented to the area.
All-in-all, the book does a good job of showing the reader a criminal whose mental growth and maturity was apparently stalled by drug use and violence, and the reverberations his actions caused for years and years to come.
January 9, 2023
It was alright. The most annoying thing about the writing for me was he never calls the victim by her first name - well once in parentheses. The only time her first name is used other than that is when he is quoting someone else. There are a few moments in the book where the author writes more respectfully and fluently rather than just regurgitating facts and scenarios and he is a pretty good writer. It is disappointing that he did not write more empathetically or write a book instead of a very long newspaper article. Having said that, it was alright and worth a read. There are just moments in the book where it is apparent he could have done so much better.
November 29, 2017
This book honestly leaves me speechless. I grew up in Pleasanton (and lived 2 streets away from Tina’s family home) so my interest in her story runs deeper than a random true crime book.
While she was viciously murdered a few years before I moved to Pleasanton; many of the places they talk about were places I hung out at as a kid. I vividly remember learning self defense in my Jr. High P.E. class and the teachers talking about her murder being one of the reasons why it was important for us to learn it.
The pictures brought back so many memories that I am unsure how to fairly rate this book. I want to give it a 5 star review just because I am thankful someone finally told Tina’s story but for some reason I just can’t. While it went in sequential order of events; the writing style was hard to follow at points. I do think that Suchon did an amazing job of presenting all accounts (for and against Carlson) in an unbiased way.
While she was viciously murdered a few years before I moved to Pleasanton; many of the places they talk about were places I hung out at as a kid. I vividly remember learning self defense in my Jr. High P.E. class and the teachers talking about her murder being one of the reasons why it was important for us to learn it.
The pictures brought back so many memories that I am unsure how to fairly rate this book. I want to give it a 5 star review just because I am thankful someone finally told Tina’s story but for some reason I just can’t. While it went in sequential order of events; the writing style was hard to follow at points. I do think that Suchon did an amazing job of presenting all accounts (for and against Carlson) in an unbiased way.
August 14, 2022
You know how it's always said that authors should write about what they know? This book proves that point. I've read a few true crime books this summer. This one was by far the most enjoyable because the author grew up in Pleasanton where the crime took place.
Josh Suchon went to the high school that the victim attended and lived close to her house. It is his knowledge of the time and place that enabled him to put the reader in the time and place of the crime. The author also understood the mindset of the high schoolers involved.
Josh Suchon went to the high school that the victim attended and lived close to her house. It is his knowledge of the time and place that enabled him to put the reader in the time and place of the crime. The author also understood the mindset of the high schoolers involved.
October 4, 2015
When I was a freshman in high school, a classmate of mine, Tina Faelz, was murdered walking home from school. Despite the fact that it happened in broad daylight, there was no witnesses, and the police never found the murder weapon. The crime went unsolved for decades. Through the diligence of the police department, the evidence was preserved, and improved forensic techniques eventually led to the arrest and conviction of Steve Carlson for the murder, Faelz was fourteen at the time of the murder; Carlson was sixteen. I had known them both.
In Murder in Pleasanton, reporter Josh Suchon describes the crime scene and tells the story of both teens. He makes Tina come alive again in the memories of her friends, and follows Steve's downward spiral into drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal activity that led finally to his arrest. The DNA evidence is explored in great detail, as is the trial from the preliminary hearing all the way to the verdict. The neighborhood comes alive as Suchon gives voice to the many people he interviewed for this book. There are brutal, heartbreaking passages here, all the more difficult to take because they are true. If you want a story about good cops who worked hard and finally got their man, this is your book.
Disclosure: I was one of the hundreds of people Suchon interviewed while he worked on this project. I'm also credited with providing two of the pictures for the book (under my "real" name, as opposed to this, my author pen name.)
In Murder in Pleasanton, reporter Josh Suchon describes the crime scene and tells the story of both teens. He makes Tina come alive again in the memories of her friends, and follows Steve's downward spiral into drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal activity that led finally to his arrest. The DNA evidence is explored in great detail, as is the trial from the preliminary hearing all the way to the verdict. The neighborhood comes alive as Suchon gives voice to the many people he interviewed for this book. There are brutal, heartbreaking passages here, all the more difficult to take because they are true. If you want a story about good cops who worked hard and finally got their man, this is your book.
Disclosure: I was one of the hundreds of people Suchon interviewed while he worked on this project. I'm also credited with providing two of the pictures for the book (under my "real" name, as opposed to this, my author pen name.)
January 4, 2016
True murder
This was a very well written book. Short and concise there wasn't a lot of fluff. Every thing that was written was relevant to the story. The sad part is it took so long to cat h him.
This was a very well written book. Short and concise there wasn't a lot of fluff. Every thing that was written was relevant to the story. The sad part is it took so long to cat h him.
October 23, 2015
Josh (a friend of mine) has an interesting story to tell about a murder that took place in his hometown in Northern California. Thoroughly reported, well-written.
April 5, 2024
The author of this book is a sportswriter and play-by-play baseball announcer and he should stick to America's pastime, as true crime is not his strong suit.
Fourteen-year-old Tina Faelz was stabbed forty-four times and left dead in a ditch in California in 1984. With little evidence, the case remained closed until the emergence of DNA technology.
The cast of characters is filled with several people who should never have had children in the first place. Tina's mother divorced twice and had a habit of hanging out in bars into the wee hours of closing time. The culprit, Steve Carlson had a mom and dad who also enjoyed a busy nightlife. The boy became a meth addict and full-fledged alcoholic by the age of sixteen.
Both the killer and victim were bullied in school and on the day of the murder, Steve was locked into a garbage dumpster. His inner rage may have led to the killing frenzy.
The book was published in 2015 and ends with a letter from Carlson proclaiming his innocence. An Internet search gives a startling conclusion to the story.
Fourteen-year-old Tina Faelz was stabbed forty-four times and left dead in a ditch in California in 1984. With little evidence, the case remained closed until the emergence of DNA technology.
The cast of characters is filled with several people who should never have had children in the first place. Tina's mother divorced twice and had a habit of hanging out in bars into the wee hours of closing time. The culprit, Steve Carlson had a mom and dad who also enjoyed a busy nightlife. The boy became a meth addict and full-fledged alcoholic by the age of sixteen.
Both the killer and victim were bullied in school and on the day of the murder, Steve was locked into a garbage dumpster. His inner rage may have led to the killing frenzy.
The book was published in 2015 and ends with a letter from Carlson proclaiming his innocence. An Internet search gives a startling conclusion to the story.
July 9, 2022
This book is written by a journalist from the hometown where the crime took place in 1984. The factual narrative seems fair and unbiased. Truly beyond the horrific murder of a girl who never caught a break, the perspectives from so many who were growing up in time was heartbreaking. A small community rampant with neglectful parents, detached adults, rife with addiction and little healthy role modeling. This was a fast read and the author does a good job providing background and disclaimers when statements are claims verses facts. This book was a respectful and fair retelling of a singular event that was caused by and that caused myriad impacts to those involved.
August 27, 2021
My interest in this book was because I have been to Pleasanton several times and currently live not far from there. The pictures of the places in the book were very helpful, as the area has changed through the years. Its almost hard to believe the kids could go under the highway.
I feel so sorry for Tina and her family. She had a rough life and her murder was so hard on her family.
I am glad the murderer is in jail. It's sad they took so long to charge him. I still wonder exactly what happened that day.
I feel so sorry for Tina and her family. She had a rough life and her murder was so hard on her family.
I am glad the murderer is in jail. It's sad they took so long to charge him. I still wonder exactly what happened that day.
September 5, 2022
Interesting to read about a murder that happened in a place you know well, my 3 children went to two of the schools mentioned but attended years before & after this murder happened. I happen to know some of the family names mentioned also my daughter was in class with Ilene Misheloff the day she left school early to go to a skating lesson and was never seen again….my older daughter was friends with the mother in the Scherer family murder in Castlwood many years later. I am glad this case was finally solved after so many years.
November 18, 2017
Never too late
I can't imagine being a family member of a murder victim and having to wait 30 years for justice.
Steve Carlson spent those years doing drugs, fighting, and occasionally joking about having killed his young neighbor and classmate Tina Fae)z.
Thanks to Science and DNA he was finally convicted . So many lives were affected by this senseless, cruel person through the years.
I can't imagine being a family member of a murder victim and having to wait 30 years for justice.
Steve Carlson spent those years doing drugs, fighting, and occasionally joking about having killed his young neighbor and classmate Tina Fae)z.
Thanks to Science and DNA he was finally convicted . So many lives were affected by this senseless, cruel person through the years.
February 21, 2022
After 30 plus years, Steve Carlson is convicted of the killing of a classmate Tina Faelz. This true crime story was so sad. Carlson was in and out of jail for years for other crimes, managed to have two children he didn't have anything to do with and was married at one point. He was deeply disturbed and family pretty much disowned him. Other classmates and families were affected over several years from this whole senseless killing.
May 9, 2019
Fascinating book!
This book details the short life of Tina Faelz, her murder and the trial and conviction of her killer after the passage of more than thirty years. It shows how one person can touch so many other lives, even in death. I highly recommend it to other true crime readers.
This book details the short life of Tina Faelz, her murder and the trial and conviction of her killer after the passage of more than thirty years. It shows how one person can touch so many other lives, even in death. I highly recommend it to other true crime readers.
September 9, 2022
An interesting story about a long ago crime
“Murder in Pleasanton” covers the 1984 murder of 14 year old Tina Faelz and the eventual trial held many years later. The boo’ is well written and factual, with interesting insight about the lives of those involved. Anyone who lived in the Bay Area at this time, as I did, will find this an interesting and engaging read.
“Murder in Pleasanton” covers the 1984 murder of 14 year old Tina Faelz and the eventual trial held many years later. The boo’ is well written and factual, with interesting insight about the lives of those involved. Anyone who lived in the Bay Area at this time, as I did, will find this an interesting and engaging read.
December 9, 2022
A homerun for sure. Catch it asap.
Best true crime I've read in a long while. I've been at it awhile. I have Ann rule autographed books. This is a story that could have been either a short story or just completely overwhelming for a less skilled writer. The use of pictures as they apply really gives you a front row seat.
Best true crime I've read in a long while. I've been at it awhile. I have Ann rule autographed books. This is a story that could have been either a short story or just completely overwhelming for a less skilled writer. The use of pictures as they apply really gives you a front row seat.
January 2, 2020
Great book
I live 20 minutes from PLEASANTON. I worked in the area during the time. I remember bits and pieces of the story but this book put it all in order. Thank you for writing this. The families are in my heart and prayers.
I live 20 minutes from PLEASANTON. I worked in the area during the time. I remember bits and pieces of the story but this book put it all in order. Thank you for writing this. The families are in my heart and prayers.
October 8, 2022
Very well written, sometimes there is no explanation for the horrible things we experience in our lives. For this author and the community of Pleasanton the evil within caused unbelievable pain and changed their lives forever.
April 12, 2024
Great
I really enjoyed rear this book well written. I truly believe that he killed killed her but of cause he's too much of a coward to admit it, the fact that he is still denying he did it makes him a super coward and a Loser liar and rapist killer! !
I really enjoyed rear this book well written. I truly believe that he killed killed her but of cause he's too much of a coward to admit it, the fact that he is still denying he did it makes him a super coward and a Loser liar and rapist killer! !
May 28, 2020
Decent book, relatively short and a sad story for the Faelz family with some justice but not a happy ending.
Read
August 4, 2021I liked it
March 5, 2022
DNF. Completely boring. The way this book is written just makes everything seems like you’re wading through quicksand. Not a very good start into true crime for me.
July 12, 2022
A true crime case is never heard of. Well researched, well written. Held my interest
September 1, 2022
Interesting read, since I went to this high school and graduated 2 years before the murder happened. So sad for all involved and I’m glad this case was finally solved.
3.8 stars
3.8 stars
September 10, 2022
God Bless this Child
This is such a sad story and my heart goes out to Tina's family!! Well written book and highly recommended!!
This is such a sad story and my heart goes out to Tina's family!! Well written book and highly recommended!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews