Bone Valley
- Judith D Collins
- Oct 12
- 6 min read
A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida
By: Gilbert King
Narrator: Gilbert King
Macmillan Audio
ISBN: 978-1250368546
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: 10/07/2025
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars (ALC)
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King also narrates this chilling exploration of one of America’s most haunting wrongful conviction cases. Based on the hit podcast, Bone Valley dives into the dark heart of rural Florida, where a young man’s life was upended by a tragic miscarriage of justice.
This program contains bonus archival audio, interviews (some previously unheard), and audio from the podcast.
“Captivating, enraging, and all too true.”
—Bob Kolker, New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road
“Bone Valley is a work of rare moral clarity and deep compassion.”
―Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking
In 1987, Leo Schofield was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Michelle. Always insistent on his innocence, he was poorly served by his legal defense: the investigation was sloppy, the case flimsy, and numerous pieces of evidence were ignored. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Over thirty years later, Gilbert King is tipped off to Leo’s case and is astonished by what he found: layers of corruption, flawed evidence, and deep-seated errors. He can’t shake the story and starts to get to know Leo and his family. Leo shows an incomprehensible amount of grace and love about his situation, which spurs Gilbert even more to tell his story.
Bone Valley is at once a revelatory investigation into a murder, a chilling portrait of the criminal justice system, and a uniquely powerful story of grace and redemption. Gilbert King has written a new classic of narrative nonfiction.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
Praise
“You won’t read any thriller this year as spellbinding as Bone Valley. It’s captivating, enraging, and all too true―and its astounding conclusion will leave you in tears”
―Bob Kolker, New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road and Lost Girls
“Bone Valley is a work of rare moral clarity and deep compassion. Gilbert King’s investigation reveals not only a grievous injustice, but the grace that can emerge when truth is pursued with empathy and integrity. In the spirit of Just Mercy and Dead Man Walking, this story reminds us that true justice requires more than facts―it requires heart. I urge you to read it.”
―Sister Helen Prejean, bestselling author of Dead Man Walking
“With depth, humility, and an open, timid understanding of its inadequacy within the legal system, this orientation of King’s reporting grants human gravitas to the mind-blowing frustrations of procedural technicalities. Both infuriating and hopeful, a story about the ultimate integrity of truth.” —Kirkus Reviews
My Review
BONE VALLEY: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida, authored and skillfully narrated by Pulitzer Prize winner Gilbert King, is a powerful audiobook that delves into the wrongful murder conviction of Leo Schofield for the tragic death of his wife, Michelle, in Central Florida, 1987.
This captivating narrative not only explores the deeply flawed investigation but also highlights the broader themes of injustice that resonate throughout the legal system.
Drawing on the international acclaim of the Bone Valley podcast—recognized by The Guardian as one of the year's finest—this fresh investigation offers a profound look into one of the most shocking cases imaginable.
Prepare to be inspired as you journey through the intricacies of this compelling true crime story, where the fight for truth and redemption takes center stage.
About...
Gilbert King meticulously uncovers layers of corruption and systemic errors within the justice system, revealing the compelling story of Jeremy Scott, who, despite confessing to the murder, was initially dismissed by state authorities.
The accompanying podcast, book, and audio narrate Leo's relentless fight for exoneration, detailing his harrowing experience in prison and his eventual release on parole, while also shedding light on the unfolding saga of the actual perpetrator, Jeremy Scott.
For the past 36 years, Leo Schofield endured incarceration, wrongfully convicted for the 1987 murder of his young wife, Michelle—a crime he has consistently denied. He narrowly escaped the death penalty and could have been released had he chosen to confess to a crime he did not commit.
Leo's claims of innocence went largely unacknowledged until 2004, when previously unidentified fingerprints from the crime scene were linked to Jeremy Scott, a troubled and violent teenager from Polk County, Florida. Jeremy not only confessed to Michelle's murder but also to three additional murders in the vicinity.
Both Leo and Jeremy assert their truthfulness, yet the State of Florida remains steadfast in its disbelief of either man.
BONE VALLEY meticulously chronicles the wrongful murder conviction of Leo Schofield for the 1987 death of his wife, Michelle, delving into the flawed investigation and trial that resulted in a life sentence.
Parole and Release:
In April 2024, after decades of tireless advocacy for his freedom, and with the podcast shining a spotlight on his case, Leo Schofield was granted parole. He stepped out of prison on April 30, 2024.
Impact of the Podcast:
The Bone Valley podcast played a pivotal role in mobilizing public pressure and scrutiny surrounding the wrongful conviction, ultimately paving the way for Schofield's release after an agonizing 36 years
My Reflections on "Bone Valley"...
"BONE VALLEY: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida" weaves a captivating narrative that is both intense and deeply moving. Authored and narrated by Gilbert King, the audiobook brings a unique authenticity and empathy, elevating the storytelling experience to new heights.
Listeners will find themselves immersed in a whirlwind of emotions—ranging from sympathy and outrage for the wrongfully convicted Leo Schofield to frustration over the pervasive corruption within the justice system. King’s meticulous reporting and powerful storytelling humanize the harrowing tale of wrongful conviction, making it an essential work that highlights the critical flaws embedded within our legal framework.
The audiobook is not only powerful and evocative; it also features an array of bonus audio elements from the original podcast series, enhancing the experience. These include archival recordings, previously unheard interviews, and additional audio clips that allow listeners to delve into the true crime investigation as it unfolded.
As a Florida resident for over 24 years, I find it particularly disturbing that an innocent man could be wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit, especially when another individual confessed. This compelling case is expertly presented in the audiobook, which includes sensitive archival audio, interviews, and sounds from the original podcast.
One of the standout features of the audiobook is an exclusive, candid conversation between King and Leo Schofield. This intimate dialogue offers listeners a deeper understanding of the case and fosters a personal connection to those involved.
Both the audiobook and the podcast illuminate the grave miscarriages of justice and the alarming errors, as well as potential corruption, that can lead to wrongful convictions. This powerful examination of the justice system is marked by moral clarity and compassion, revealing not only grievous injustices but also the grace that emerges when the pursuit of truth takes center stage.
The emotional depth of the story resonates as it explores themes of grace, forgiveness, redemption, and the transformative possibility of change—particularly through Schofield's resilience and King's interactions with Jeremy Scott. Hearing Schofield's own voice after experiencing his story through King’s narrative offers a profound glimpse into his character and the grace he exhibited in the face of injustice.
BONE VALLEY serves as both an investigative exposé into a tragic murder and a testament to the significance of truth-telling. It showcases the meticulous investigation, the portrayal of injustice, and the potential for redemption through storytelling and an unwavering pursuit of justice. I highly recommend the audiobook as a powerful and effective means to engage with this haunting yet essential narrative.
Recommendations...
BONE VALLEY is an essential listen for true crime aficionados, dedicated followers of the podcast, and anyone who found resonance in Bryan Stevenson’s "Just Mercy," Helen Prejean's "Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account Of The Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate," (and movies), plus similar narratives that delve into real-life crime stories. It speaks to those passionate about the Innocence Project, the fight against injustices, wrongful convictions, legal intricacies, criminology, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
Special thanks to Macmillan Audio for sharing an advanced listening copy via Google Play in exchange for my honest thoughts.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 7, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
About the Author
Gilbert King is the writer, producer, and host of Bone Valley, a narrative podcast about murder and injustice in 1980s central Florida, from Lava For Good podcasts. He is the author of three books, including Devil in the Grove, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. A New York Times bestseller, the book was also named runner-up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. King has written about race, civil rights, and the death penalty for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic, and he was a 2019-2020 fellow at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Writers and Scholars at the New York Public Library. He lives in Brooklyn. WEBSITE
