The Devil and Harper Lee

In the 1970s, the enigmatic Reverend Willie J. Maxwell became both a revered leader and a suspected murderer in a small Alabama town, allegedly killing five family members for insurance payouts. As rumors of voodoo and untouchable power surrounded him, celebrated writer Harper Lee sought to capture this chilling narrative for her next book. Despite her extensive research and time spent in Alabama unraveling the dark threads of this Southern Gothic tale, she ultimately abandoned the project. Investigative reporter Mark Seal revisits this gripping story, exploring the lives intertwined with Maxwell's actions and the mystery of Lee's unfinished work.