The Parable of the Knocker, Bryan Porter
The Parable of the Knocker, Bryan Porter
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The Parable of the Knocker
The True Crime Story of a Prosecutor’s Fight to Bring a Serial Killer to Justice

Author: Bryan Porter

Narrator: Michael Butler Murray

Unabridged: 11 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/15/2019

Synopsis

Alexandria Assassin: The Parable of the Knocker is a nonfiction book about the investigation, prosecution, and trial of a notorious serial killer, Charles Severance. Severance committed his crimes in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, an affluent, historic community just miles south of Washington, D.C.

Over the course of a decade, Severance ambushed three outstanding Alexandria residents in their middle-class neighborhood by knocking on their front doors in broad daylight and shooting them unexpectedly when they answered the knock. Severance was not personally acquainted with any of his victims, and instead selected his targets to revenge perceived wrongs and terrorize a community.

About Bryan Porter

Bryan Porter is the elected prosecutor for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, a mid-sized, historic city located just outside of Washington, D.C. Bryan has prosecuted thousands of serious cases and directed over fifty jury trials. He is also a legal instructor and has taught constitutional law and criminal investigations to thousands of law enforcement officers and prosecutors.

With two decades of law enforcement experience, Bryan provides an insider's, real-world perspective on how criminal cases are investigated and prosecuted. In his spare time, Bryan pursues his hobbies of sailing, rock guitar and crafting the perfect Manhattan. He once appeared on Jeopardy!, losing to a woman who writes books about talking, magical cats.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Peter on January 23, 2020

Porter presents a methodical account of his skilled and successful prosecution of a serial killer. His chilling depiction of the swamp that was the mind of the accused will stick with me for a long time. Porter and his team deserve enormous credit for their work, and for the close connection they ma......more

Goodreads review by Frank Riley on October 03, 2019

A superior account of murder, justice and persistence The author weaves an engrossing tale of a man who felt so alienated from society that he took the lives of three innocent people. He also openly shares his own personal experience with the investigation and subsequent trial, warts and all.......more

Goodreads review by M on April 27, 2025

I was honestly unsure about this book going in--having read other true crime (and non-true crime) by people in the justice system, there can be enormous ego, bitchiness, one-sidedness, and just bad writing. Happily, this book was the opposite. Porter presents everyone (except, of course, the killer)......more

Goodreads review by Sean on August 18, 2021

An engrossing account of the most heinous crime committed in my hometown during my lifetime. The author is the Commonwealth Attorney who prosecuted this case and does a thorough job of explaining case construction and explores the mind of a deranged killer. Some readers will object to the author’s A......more

Goodreads review by Albert on May 29, 2024

Having seen Commonwealth’s Attorney Porter handle a separate murder trial personally I was very excited to read this book. I think it’s well written and I like the analysis from a prosecutor’s mind. Definitely higher than average.......more

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