While They Slept: An Inquiry Into the Murder of a Family

The narrative centers on the harrowing crime committed by eighteen-year-old Billy Frank Gilley, Jr., who murders his parents and attacks his sister, Becky. His chilling declaration to another sister, Jody, raises profound questions about freedom and the consequences of violence. Through interviews with Billy, Jody, and various individuals connected to the case, Kathryn Harrison delves into the complexities of trauma and the human capacity for resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy, revealing the depths of psychological struggle following such acts.