Urge to Kill: How Police Take Homicide from Case to Court

by Martin Edwards

Procedural and technical inaccuracies can ruin an otherwise effective crime novel, especially given the public's ever-increasing interest in forensic details. In this fascinating guide, readers delve into the world of murder to learn how and why people commit homicide and how detectives capture the deadly perpetrators.

With a compelling mix of text, case studies and photographs, author Martin Edwards explores this intriguing subject step-by-step, empowering writers to create engaging and believable scenarios.

The book is organized into five sections, corresponding to the process of committing murder and solving it. In addition to stunning photographs of true crime cases, the book features more than 25 profiles of recent killers, including the Unabomber, Jeffrey Dahmer, Andre Cunanan, and other infamous murderers. Readers will also find a helpful glossary of definitions of important elements in murder cases, along with slang used by homicide detectives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

Martin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ He has published twenty-three novels, which include the eight Lake District Mysteries, one of which was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Prize for best crime novel of the year and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated Gallows Court and Blackstone Fell, while Gallows Court and Sepulchre Street were shortlisted for the eDunnit award for best crime novel of the year. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and has also been nominated three times for Gold Daggers. In addition to the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) he has received four other lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics, a former Chair of the CWA, and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think all crime writers should read this, so they don't sound so silly.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Urge to Kill" is like a behind-the-scenes tour of how detectives solve murder mysteries. Edwards explains everything from the crime scene to the courtroom in a way that's easy to understand.

The good part? You get to see how police do their job, and Edwards makes it interesting. The writing is clear, and you feel like you're part of the investigation.

But, just a heads up, if you're not into lots of details, this might be a bit much. It's like getting a super-detailed map when you just wanted directions. And sometimes, the story slows down, like a car stuck in traffic.

In a nutshell, "Urge to Kill" is a solid three-star read. If you're curious about how detectives work but don't mind some extra details, it's worth a look.