1949 – Crystal Beach, Florida. A peaceful town. A brutal crime. A story too shocking to be fiction.
John Calvin “Rastus” Russell, a drifter with a criminal past, committed a horrific act that shattered the tranquility of this seaside community. The savage murder of Norman Y. Browne and the brutal attack on his wife left the town in terror, turning neighbors into vigilantes. But the capture of Russell was only the beginning of a dark, twisted tale.
As the investigation unraveled, buried secrets about the victims, their hidden histories, and a tangled web of betrayal came to light. The story only grew darker — an escape. A desperate manhunt. A hurricane. And a conclusion no one saw coming.
Haunting. Explosive. True.
This is the forgotten case that gripped a nation and shattered a community. Discover the shocking truth in Madman today.
“What a mind-blowing story! This just goes to show you that deadly attacks can happen anywhere, even in the most peaceful and scenic of towns. This chilling true-crime mystery immediately drew me in and left shivers down my spine long after the last page. The author expertly weaves together the facts and witness accounts from the story and delves into the dark psychology behind it… I recommend this very eye-opening and thrilling read to all true-crime enthusiasts everywhere.” – L. DeRollo
“I thought I knew this story. I had no idea. MADMAN isn’t just a true crime book—it’s a living, breathing tapestry of a tragedy that rocked a quiet Florida town and left deep scars still felt today…The author masterfully pieces together witness accounts, old newspaper clippings, police reports, and other records to make the events of 1949 come alive… This book is haunting, well-researched, and impossible to put down. It’s part history, part mystery—and it hits close to home.” – Julie Anne Wells
The story of Madman is still unfolding. M.F. Gross continues to investigate Rastus Russell’s life and the chilling events that shook Crystal Beach in 1949.
If you have family ties, old photographs, personal stories, or any historical materials connected to Russell, the victims, or the case itself—we want to hear from you!
Your insights could help shape future blog posts, companion features, or follow-up projects tied to Madman.
Share your story: Author@MFGross.com
