M.F. Gross is an author and storyteller fascinated by the hidden, untold histories that shape our communities. A former financial writer turned history buff and true crime detective, Gross spent a full year unraveling the forgotten 1949 Crystal Beach murder that became the chilling centerpiece of MADMAN. A longtime resident of the Florida Gulf Coast, Gross combines deep local knowledge with vivid, cinematic prose to resurrect the real-life terror that once gripped a town—and could just as easily happen again. When not digging into dusty archives, or visiting forgotten locations where history was made, he can be found exploring Florida’s wild coastlines, chasing the next great untold story.
A Hidden Chapter of History Finally Told
“This book reads like a thriller but hits like a documentary. Gross’s storytelling is bold, vivid, and brutally honest. From the first terrifying moment to the final page, MADMAN delivers a harrowing account of a town’s worst nightmare. You won’t be able to put it down—and you’ll be thinking about it long after it’s over..”
“I guess I should have taken instructions in the art of trapping rattlesnakes.” ~ Sheriff Todd Tucker (frustrated during the chase)