(Editor's Note and disclosure: An interview conducted with Michael Scott's defense attorneys by the author of this review is included in this book.)

December 6, 1991.

That Friday night, 13 years ago, changed Austin forever when a policeman called in a fire at a North Austin "I Can't Believe It's Yogurt!" shop.

Later the bodies of four girls, some burned beyond recognition, would be found inside the store. They were Amy Ayers, 13, Eliza Thomas, 17, and sisters Sarah, 15, and Jennifer, 17, Harbison.

True crime author Corey Mitchell took court documents, media reports and independent research and put them together in Murdered Innocents, a 420-page paperback. Mitchell, a University of Texas graduate who lives in San Antonio, has written two other true crime books.

"Just like everybody else, I got caught up in the mystery of it and the inability of being able to find who was involved in the murders," Mitchell said of his drive to write the book. "I knew this was a case I had to write about … it was a blight on the city."

Though you may know how the story ends, Mitchell fills in the blanks.

For those who haven't heard the hellish tale and confessions, seen the crime scene photos or exposed to the forensic evidence, you will learn why Austin "lost its innocence" that day.

Four boys were originally accused in the crime. Robert Springsteen IV, 17 at the time, was convicted and sentenced to death. Michael Scott, 17, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The accused ringleader, Maurice Pierce, 16, was released after prosecutors admitted they did not have enough evidence to bring him to trial. And Forrest Wellborn, 15, the accused lookout and driver, was not indicted by two grand juries. All charges against him have been dropped. Pierce remains under investigation.

The book offers details of the girls gleaned from multiple sources, including interviews with their parents.

While it would be impossible to report on the numerous other suspects and confessions in this case, of which there were hundreds, Mitchell spends some time on other suspects -- enough to raise reasonable doubt for those looking for it.

"I really had strong beliefs that they had caught the wrong guys. I wanted to go into to the book with a very open mind. It just sounded sketchy. The biggest thing for me that changed everything was watching all the footage of the confessions. Robert Springsteen … without a doubt made me realize they actually caught the right … guys," Mitchell said. "And I really approached it ... as a case of a series of injustice and poor, shoddy police work."

The book, and its treatment of the horrendous crime, is by no means gratuitous or sensational writing. It does, however, put you in the middle of the investigation.

Ultimately, the book is about choices, Mitchell said.

"Which of these things caused the young guys not only to destroy four beautiful girls and their families … but also destroy themselves and their families? … Which choices do you make? … What separates a person who can go in and massacre four young girls versus me? Where did I take a step in the right direction and they took a step in the wrong direction? We'll never know the answer. We're just trying to figure out what we can," Mitchell said.

A portion of the proceeds from the book will go to SAJE, a foundation to make workplaces safe for teens. The name comes from Sarah, Amy, Jennifer and Eliza, the names of the murdered girls.

Mitchell's next book will be on Coral Eugene Watts.

Christian R. González is the Senior Producer for news8austin.com. He covered the trials of Robert Springsteen IV and Michael Scott.