True crime writing at its best.
Didn't knew about this infamous incident. Glad I got my hands on this book, thanks to the author and Netgalley for providing me with the eARC.
This one is for all the true crime lovers out there, go and read this book. Sometimes, a bit lengthy but may be its the requirement for the flow of the writing.. overall, solid 4-star read!!!

This was a good book. It was well-written.
At times it was hard to read but it's worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Really liked this book! Thank you to the author and net galley for the advanced e-copy. I didn’t know about this tragedy before reading and it was interesting to follow along and learn about all involved, especially those who lost their lives. The narrative started off great and story like but was lost in the middle and came back at the end during the trials. I feel like that is not complete fault of the writer as it’s hard to intertwine 7 different people and their lives into a cohesive time logical story when it’s only one instance that linked them together. Lots of information provided but still a good read!

“This isn’t supposed to happen here.”
But sadly, tragedy strikes when you least expect it. I decided to give this one a try because it was eerily reminiscent of the tragic restaurant murders that happened in East Texas. I was intrigued by the writing style the author chose. I really liked how the author let the reader learn more about the victims, how some had traveled far to do something big here in America. Several were relatable, but then the brutal murders happened — and all for what? A senseless and tragic event that took place in a small town that will never be forgotten. We not only get to know the victims, but we also learn about the murderers, how they grew up, the relationships they had, and how the townspeople either united or turned on the local police and their investigation. Overall, it was a very intriguing story, right up to the trials. My heart aches for those who were brutally slain on that fateful day in 1993. I really liked how the title came into play and appreciated the tribute to the victims.

A very special thanks to Post Hill Press + Netgalley for the gifted arc.

If you love chilling true crime that reads like a thriller, Something Big needs to be on your list.

📍 Set in Palatine, Illinois
📆 A crime that haunted Chicagoland for nearly a decade
📖 A case that’s been misremembered, until now

Customers came for the chicken and biscuits
What they left behind was a crime scene that would shake the state

On a snowy night in January 1993, seven employees were found murdered inside a Brown’s Chicken. It took nine years to uncover the truth and the full story is finally being told.

In Something Big, @thewohlymammoth takes us beyond the headlines and into the heart of one of Illinois’ most infamous murder cases.

In Jan 1993, Palatine, Illinois, two men entered the 'Brown's Chicken' restaurant around closing time. At 3am police investigated reports that the workers had not returned home & found seven bodies in the walk-in freezer & fridge. Seven members of staff, including the two owners, had been killed & it would take a decade to bring their killers to justice.

As someone not from the US, I had never heard of Brown's Chicken or the murders before. The author has approached the case by not focusing on a linear reconstruction of the events, but by putting the spotlight on the people themselves. I think this does help to avoid sensationalism & to remind that reader that these were very real people with real lives which were tragically cut short.

I did think it occasionally lost a bit of focus & there were some things I was left wondering. For example, I was very interested as to why the false confession made out of nowhere happened, but the author never really returned to those two people & what the impact was on their lives. Overall it was an informative read but there just seemed to be something missing for me. 3.5 stars (rounded down).

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Post Hill Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I received a free copy of, Something Big, by Patrick Wohl, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I remember the Browns chicken murder from when I was a kid. It was such a sad time, January 1993. Seven people were murdered, and it seemed like it was never going to be solved. I was looking forward to reading this book, being from Illinois and remembering the case, but I did not like the writers style.

I had to read this since this horrendous crime happened near where I grew up in Chicago and was very familiar with the setting.

Brown’s Chicken was a large chain and was one of my favorite restaurants when I was a child. Thinking about it brings back many fun memories of going there with friends and family after performing in ice skating events. The location we frequented was not the one depicted in this book, however.

Something Big, really delves into the history of Brown’s Chicken and how it became a Chicagoland staple. I loved learning about how a little farm stand turned into a successful business and its connection to Portillo’s, another Chicagoland favorite restaurant.

What I found most intriguing, is learning about the people connected to the case. Wohl presented them as individuals with dreams and aspirations and not just as victims. Just as intriguing, was learning about those who committed the crime and those who kept secrets. I’m a big fan of Ann Rule true-crime books because she also offers a deep perspective into all involved parties as Wohl has done.

This is an incredible account of a truly nonsensical act. I’m heartbroken for the families of the seven employees lost that night in January 1993.

Thank you so much @thewohlymammoth for a gifted copy!

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre, A Decade-Long Manhunt, and the Trials That Followed
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Patrick Wohl
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: July 1, 2025
5⭐️

♦️ 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 ♦️
I don’t read true crime stories too often, but I watch documents, Dateline, 20/20, you name it. This story intrigued me because it happened around Chicago, which I am just a few hours from, and I hadn’t learned about it yet! This story is so crazy!

Essentially, one evening in January 1993, after closing up at Browns Chicken restaurant, the employees working never came home. Families start to worry and get police involved. When they arrive at the restaurant, they discover 7 bodies in the freezer/fridges of the employees. And it eventually takes 9 years for the murderers to be apprehended.

To start, I enjoyed the way Wohl told this true story. He focused on the human element of the case, providing background on the victims and key players in this case. While I was reading, I felt like I was given a personal account of everyone’s lives before the crime happened. You feel for the victims and their families when you learn how one or two of them were not supposed to be working that night, or how some just started this job or had just moved to America! You get that human connection to them, where something crazy like this can happen anywhere.

➡️ Also, side note, my eyes bugged out when I read the main murderer moved down to my city area and was eventually arrested in the town next to mine!

This story also highlighted the effort that went into this case over 9 years before apprehending the suspects. So many agencies were involved in this case and it’s crazy to know how many man hours go into these cases!

The DNA evidence that came into play was interesting because the criminalist at the time knew to save specific evidence that at the time they couldn’t get a profile from, but she knew science was advancing rapidly enough that it was worth saving!

If you like true crime stories, documentaries, etc, give this story a read!!

📚 ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre, A Decade-Long Manhunt, and the Trials That Followed
By Patrick Wohl
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
Publisher: Post Hill Press

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Huge thanks go out to Patrick Wohl for sending an autographed advanced copy of his book, and to Post Hill Press and to NetGalley for the e-arc -- in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

When author Patrick Wohl reached out and asked if I'd be interested in reading his upcoming true crime book, Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre..., I couldn't say yes fast enough! I was honored when he sent an autographed copy of this incredible read. And to my fellow true crime fans, prepare yourself for Something Big to be added to your TBR lists immediately.

Something Big is a comprehensive and thoroughly detailed written account of the Brown's Chicken massacre (as it became widely-known) in Palatine, Illinois, on January 8, 1993. Sensitive and tactfully-written, it was clear to me that Wohl had taken his time in compiling this information and had really gotten to know those involved in this case. In the preface, Wohl explained he was raised not far from where this tragedy occurred and grew up eating Brown's fried chicken. As such, this case stuck with him over the years. While there were numerous books about this case, none came from someone with local ties, and Wohl cited his desire to focus on the stories of those involved and share the human side of the tragedy.

"People trusted me with incredibly intimate stories about this awful event that profoundly impacted their lives. Many of them still live with this tragedy day in and day out. To them, it's not just a story. I promised to write this book in a way that is different from other tales, respecting the families while still managing to tell a compelling narrative for readers with no connection to Palatine, Illinois."

After finishing this gripping read, I assert Wohl did EXACTLY as he set out to do. This book was so well-written, with each chapter dedicated to a detailed story of a person's life and their connection to the brutal crime. His writing style was immersive, as he took me along on his journey of looking deeper into the lives of those impacted by this crime - from before the crime was committed until after the verdicts were delivered.

I greatly appreciated the way in which Wohl shared this accounting of one of Illinois's most brutal crimes and its impact on everyone it touched. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in true crime -- and I genuinely look forward to any future true crime stories to which Wohl may lend his masterful writing prowess.

#SomethingBig #PatrickWohl #PostHillPress #truecrime #truecrimereads #BrownsChickenMassacre #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecs #booklover #bookaddict

I hadn't heard of this case so I was surprised to learn of the case and its emotional weight as this book explored the human cost of violence.

Something Big by Patrick Wohl is an incredibly detailed and well-researched account of a massacre I was only vaguely familiar with. I had heard of the case before, but didn’t know the full story. After reading this book, I feel thoroughly informed from the crime itself to the arrest and eventual convictions of those responsible.

Mr. Wohl does a remarkable job not only in telling the story of the victims — who feel real and deeply human through his descriptions and personal stories — but also in shedding light on the perpetrators. Understanding who they were and what led them to commit such a heinous act adds important context and depth to the narrative. You also get to know the investigators and legal professionals who worked tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and their families.

The pacing of this book is excellent. At no point did it drag or feel bogged down by unnecessary detail. In many true crime books, I’ve noticed the trial portion can feel overly long or too technical. Not here. As a paralegal, I personally enjoy that aspect of a case, but I appreciated how Mr. Wohl struck the right balance — providing just enough trial coverage to inform without overwhelming the reader.

Overall, I think Something Big is a good read. If you’re looking to learn about this case, this would be the first book I’d recommend.

4.5/5
Thank you @thewohlymammoth @post_hill_press for the gifted copy of this book!

I’m so thankful Patrick Wohl reached out to me about Something Big because I TOTALLY remember this story from the news! I moved to the Chicago area after college, and this case has lingered in headlines and conversations here ever since. It took place in Palatine, just about 40 minutes from where I live — the senseless murder of seven innocent people at a Brown’s Chicken one night as they were closing up.

Patrick does such a great job honoring the victims, giving us a real sense of who they were beyond the crime. Two were high school students, and the others were hardworking people chasing the American Dream. I always appreciate when a true crime book highlights the lives lost and reminds us of their humanity — not just the horrific event. Patrick really did them justice.

The book also offers a thorough look into the killers’ backgrounds, the painstaking police work, and the long, winding road it took to finally bring them to justice years later. Honestly, thank goodness for people with a conscience who refused to let this case go cold.

It felt like reading a 48 Hours or Dateline episode and once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Patrick’s research is solid, his sources well-cited and I could not put it down once I started.

If you’re a true crime reader, this one is absolutely worth adding to your list. Rest in peace to the seven victims of this heartbreaking tragedy — you are not forgotten.

If you’re a true crime reader, this one is absolutely worth adding to your list. Rest in peace to the seven victims of this heartbreaking tragedy — you are not forgotten.

As someone who had never heard of the Brown's Chicken massacre, I was intrigued to learn about it. When I first read the title, I'll be honest I thought chicken's were massacred. But that's just because I had never heard of Brown's Chicken. After learning that Brown's Chicken is an actual fast food chain I was eager to learn more about this restaurant and what happened to it's people.

Here's a little synopsis.....back in January 1993 in Palatine, IL a Brown's Chicken restaurant is robbed and seven people massacred. This true crime book is a unique telling of this tragedy. Its written a bit differently than a traditional true crime book in which each chapter is about a different person or persons. Its an interesting take and it really gets down to the emotional aspects of the victims and their families. It doesn't just focus on the crime itself but it focuses on the victims before the tragedy and the impact on their families afterwards.

If you like true crime I would definitely check out this book.

A powerful and well-researched true crime book about the 1993 Brown’s Chicken Massacre, a case I hadn’t heard of before. Patrick Wohl focuses not just on the crime, but on the victims’ lives and the long, complex investigation. Respectful, informative, and deeply human.

As someone who lives for true crime podcasts, I was shocked I hadn’t heard about this case before. Something Big was a gut-punch of a read. It’s a tragic, horrifying story, but Patrick Wohl handles it with care and thoughtfulness. What really stood out to me was how much space he gave to the victims and their families—we get to see who they were and what they brought to the world, not just what was taken from them.

The crime itself was senseless and cruel, committed by men who wanted to do “something big” for no reason other than violence. As a crier, I definitely had moments where I had to pause and sit with the weight of what the families shared. Still, the writing flowed so well, and the story was told with such clarity and respect that I couldn’t put it down. I’d absolutely recommend this to fellow true crime readers. It’s heartbreaking, yes,but deeply human.

5 STARS!!! The Brown’s Chicken Restaurant massacre, Chicagoland. Prepare yourself for a true crime experience unlike most others. This book reads like a well-crafted 8-part documentary, delving deep into the intricacies of the case with a phenom level of detail. What sets it apart is its rigorous commitment to transparency; every source is meticulously cited, allowing the reader to follow the investigative trail firsthand. This commitment to factual accuracy ensures a gripping narrative without resorting to the sensationalism and graphic imagery often seen in television true crime docs.

If you're a fellow true crime buff seeking a richly detailed and ethically presented account, then this is your next must-read.

This was a gripping and respectful deep dive into one of the most disturbing crimes in Illinois history. Something Big is the kind of true crime book that doesn’t just rehash newspaper headlines but adds important depth, context, and humanity. Patrick Wohl does an excellent job unraveling the details of the 1993 Brown’s Chicken massacre, from the tragic murders themselves to the nearly decade-long manhunt that followed.

The storytelling is clear and methodical without ever feeling cold or clinical. Wohl gives voice to the victims, their families, and the investigators who spent years trying to bring justice to a town still haunted by this crime. His research is extensive and it shows, but it never overwhelms the reader.

This case has often been remembered more for its shock value than for the lives lost. This book changes that. It is heartbreaking, horrifying, and necessary. True crime readers will appreciate the sensitivity and seriousness Wohl brings to the story.

Highly recommended for fans of Ann Rule or anyone who wants to better understand how a crime like this reverberates through an entire community for decades.

As someone who had never heard of this tragedy prior to receiving the book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had read the blurb for the book and that was it.

I felt the book was well written, it provided me with the facts of the case, as well as building a full picture of the people who were murdered, which allows you to see them as the people they were, more than just as victims reported in the media. I thought the author did an excellent job of bringing their stories to life.

The book is full of details surrounding the murders and the police investigation that ensued, and takes you through the whole process, including the hearings at court and the outcomes. I thought it was respectful and well researched.

I did feel there was a slight disconnect in the timeline of the book, and that there was a jump forward and then back that confused me slightly but I do think this is largely due to the nature of the investigation and eventual conclusion rather than an issue with the writing.

So much thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 1, 2025
In January of 1993, two young men broke into a Brown’s Chicken restaurant in Illinois after closing hours and opened fire, intentionally killing the restaurant’s two owners and five other employees. The case remained unsolved for nine years and, finally, when apprehended, one of the suspects admitted that he did it because he wanted to do “something big”.
And that is where Patrick Wohl’s non-fiction true crime story, “Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre, A Decade-Long Manhunt, and the Trials That Followed” gets its name. Although Wohl claims the story is a well-known and frequently told one, at least in the state of Illinois, it was a complete unknown to me. Seeing as I didn’t have any background to go on, I couldn’t tell you if Wohl presented information that had been previously unknown or not. What I can tell you, though, is the story is engaging and disturbing, even though the tale itself is gory and disturbing.
“Big” is split into three parts; the first talks about the victims of the crime, whether it was those who were slaughtered that day or those who were intensely affected, the second part focuses on the background characters who played an important role in the crime itself and its resolution (even if they didn’t know it yet) and of course, the third part talks about the trial and its verdicts. Wohl ensures that all question readers have are answered to the best of his ability, while still maintaining a high level of respect for the victims and their loved ones.
The crime itself was so out there and so bizarre that I don’t think even the suspects really knew what motivated them. That being said, although Wohl provides us with a bit of background on both murderers, I wanted more on their upbringing and the influences in their lives. Was the hard childhood Jim endured enough to turn him into a killer of seven people? Did Juan simply allow himself to be influenced by the more dominant Jim? These are the details that I most desperately wanted to know but, as is in most true crime, these are the details that often aren’t revealed to anyone outside of the criminal minds themselves.
Whether you knew about the Brown’s Chicken Massacre or not, Wohl provides a compulsively readable version that true crime fans will flock to (pun not intended).