What sets this book apart from other true crime histories is the way it balances rigorous fact with imaginative engagement. The inclusion of a reader survey, “What would you do if you found the missing money and gun?” creates a unique participatory dimension that elevates the reading experience beyond passive observation. It is a clever device that underscores the moral dilemmas and desperate realities of the time. The narrative shines in its characterization. Figures like Herman Lamm, “Oklahoma Jack,” and G.W. “Dad” Landy are not just names pulled from history but are rendered with depth, detail, and humanity. Meeker’s storytelling makes the reader feel the tension of the botched getaway, the fear inside the bank, and the almost cinematic unraveling of the gang as one mistake snowballs into another. His ability to weave folklore-like anecdotes, such as Landy’s cattle-rustling tale, into the broader factual record adds both texture and personality to the narrative. While some sections reiterate the gang’s missteps during their escape, these repetitions reinforce the sense of mounting chaos and inevitability. The book’s tone moves seamlessly between investigative precision and folk storytelling, a duality that reflects both the seriousness of the subject matter and the cultural mythmaking that surrounds stories of American outlaws. Ultimately, Sixth Man Missing succeeds on multiple levels: as a gripping true crime account, as a historical reconstruction of a community shaken by violence, and as a meditation on mystery, morality, and human choices. It is a work that will satisfy true crime aficionados, engage history enthusiasts, and spark discussion among general readers. Meeker’s book does more than recount a robbery, it invites readers to step into the shoes of those who lived it, blurring the line between history and legend in the most compelling way.​