Obsessed with True Crime discussion
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True Crime read in 2016 ~ Reviews welcome here
It is actually an interesting case. There are many who believe Stano confessed to murders he didn't commit. They say detective Crow more or less lead him down that path. In fact, in 2007, it was discovered that the pubic hair on the victim he was executed for was not his! Sounds to me like an opportunity for someone to delve into this all in more depth and see what they come up with. There could be killers out there that Stano took the fall for. I do love it when really old cold cases get solved!
Shelley wrote: "It is actually an interesting case. There are many who believe Stano confessed to murders he didn't commit. They say detective Crow more or less lead him down that path. In fact, in 2007, it was di..."There was another killer confused with him -- I found somewhere online that Stano and another guy, Bernie Giles, were both dumping bodies at the same spot, so the other guy almost got blamed for one of Stano's killings. Now I wonder whether that was the pubic-hair case you just mentioned.
From Wikipedia and Murderpedia:"In late 2007, an FBI Lab Report surfaced which concluded that Stano could not have been the source of unidentified caucasian pubic hairs that were recoved from the body of 17 year old schoolgirl Cathy Lee Scharf. The report was never presented as evidence by the Public Defender representing Stano. The source of the pubic hairs was not identified, and the hairs were destroyed shortly after Gerald Stano's execution in the Florida electric chair in 1998."
So I guess the hair hasn't been tied to anyone else at this point.
Shelley wrote: "Just finished I Would Find a Girl Walking by Kathy Kelly about serial killer Gerald Stano. I gave it 3.5 stars. It was okay but a big part of the book was filled wi..."
I actually enjoyed I would Find a Girl Walking I thought it was better than Blind Fury,its many years since I read the latter though.
I agree, I found the book pretty thin, and actually stopped reading it....very unusual for me!
Just finished Killer on the Road: Violence and the American Interstate. I gave it four stars. This was a good read, analyzing the way the changing American landscape changes the crimes being committed there. The author writes pretty well and the book moves right along. This was a little more about the history of the interstate highways than it is about the crimes; she picked out just a few representative cases, talking about why this one came to be iconic in the American imagination while that one was never noticed at all and how the highway system made it possible for the killers discussed to do what they did. There are some killers in here that I have never heard of before in my life. Very interestingly, she also discussed how similar changes in other countries are causing similar changes in the crimes committed around the world. Well worth your time if you are interested in social change, American history, or serial murder.
Shelley wrote: "Just finished I Would Find a Girl Walking by Kathy Kelly about serial killer Gerald Stano. I gave it 3.5 stars. It was okay but a big part of the book was filled wi..."
I agree with your review. I usually skim over the letters.
I just finished reading Jack Olsen's book Give A Boy A Gun! I was fascinated by this story of the young man and thrilled to read about the history of the area he grew up in. I never knew anything regarding cowboy life and what they have to learn along the way. He honed his expertise throughout the years and through it all became a Mountain Man. A stunning account of a renegade poacher who many people called friends and what some called one of the last symbols of the West. A compelling read and page-turner, I highly recommend it. 5 Stars
Killer on the Road sounds interesting - adding it to want-to-read.
2 stars
Interesting walk though the mind of a man trying to find out the truth of his existence and his birth family. Book has way to much speculation on peoples thinking and what happen. I am giving it two stars because it does make you stop and think about the evidence and that time line filled with coincidence.
SouthWestZippy wrote: "2 stars
Interesting walk though the mind of a man trying to find out the truth of ..."
But apparently you hated it otherwise??? Two stars is a pretty low rating.
Fishface wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "2 stars
Interesting walk though the mind of a man trying to..."
I did not hate it but I did not love it. It was just a ok book.
Just finished Then No One Can Have Her by Caitlin Rother. I give it 4.5 stars.The author was very balanced in relating the story. She obviously did a lot of research and told the story in an organized and clear way. That helps because it's a pretty "eventful" story with lots of twists and turns.
Kannard's Skullduggery: 45 True Tales of Disturbing the Dead is not really holding my attn. very well, so I am now also reading Poison Tree: A True Story Of Family Terror, which is absolutely enthralling.
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2 stars
Interesting walk though the mind of a man trying to find out the truth of ..."
Wow, I have that book. Now I am concerned
♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "The Most Dangerous Animal of All: Searching for My Father . . . and Finding the Zodiac Killer2 stars
Interesting walk though the mind of a man trying to find..."
Bellez read it, we don't always have the same taste.
Gosh, how do you all get these animated pics here at Goodreads? This little guy is lively...kinda cute until he makes faces. I used to do that growing up and my mom told me my face would freeze in that position.
Rita wrote: "Gosh, how do you all get these animated pics here at Goodreads? This little guy is lively...kinda cute until he makes faces. I used to do that growing up and my mom told me my face would freeze in ..."Rita, you go to Google Images or someplace like that to find a "gif" (one of those moving pictures) that suits the moment, and you can copy its Web address and post it here like this:
< img src=INSERT WEB ADDRESS HERE > (but don't use the spaces I inserted between the brackets and the rest of the stuff you type in). Not every gif posts here successfully for some reason, but some of them do work.
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I found a really cool gif of a cat jumping and every time I tried to post it here got 'image error'.
Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Rita wrote: "Gosh, how do you all get these animated pics here at Goodreads? This little guy is lively...kinda cute until he makes faces. I used to do that growing up and my mom to..."LadyBelleza (I forgot how to make that heart...hint, hint) please find the really cool gif (what does gif mean) of a cat jumping and keep trying to post it here!!!! Thanks Lady Belleza. :) DANG...the happy face doesn't work either!
I just finished reading A Light In Dark Places by Jennifer Graves and Emily Clawson. This is a very interesting story by the sister of the perpetrator and the painful truth that she has to face. Her loyalty to the victims is raw and spoken from the heart. You can feel the darkness coming over her with all she had to go through and her courage is remarkable. I recommend this book. 4 Stars
where do I find 'save'.........it drives me crazy - still trying to post a review here
Rita wrote: "where do I find 'save'.........it drives me crazy - still trying to post a review here"I told you, Rita -- POST means SAVE on this site!
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Fishface wrote: "Rita wrote: "where do I find 'save'.........it drives me crazy - still trying to post a review here"I told you, Rita -- POST means SAVE on this site!"
Umm, o.k. Eileen.....thanks Mom! :::turning red:: WHAT would I do without you!
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In my review of Dismembered I wrote that there were three serial killers in Baton Rouge at one time. One was Sean Vincent Gillis, another one was Derrick Todd Lee; A.K.A.: "The Baton Rouge Serial Killer"; A.K.A.: "The South Louisiana Serial Killer", the third was nicknamed the "Prostitute Killer". I don't think he was ever caught.
Sean Vincent Gillis mainly preyed on women that he thought would be missed, women that 'were already dead', at least to him. Lee targeted the woman he believed he could never get. Attractive, intelligent, accomplished, successful. He also was a black serial killer killing white women, he just went after women he could only get by force. Then he killed them.
I wrote, rather tongue in cheek, that this book could also be titled, "How Not to Catch a Serial Killer". The task force had no experience in serial killers, and rejected suggestion from 3 people 'you should really look a this guy'. Not flighty people, two of them were experienced investigators. In the end, these investigators were not even mentioned in the press conference authorities gave after Lee was caught.
This book does not flinch in it's writing, the good, the bad and the ugly. The trial coverage is extensive and detailed. But it wasn't just a rehash of what you had already read. It really conveyed all that is involved in the prosecution of a murdered.
Derrick Todd Lee was tried and convicted of two murders, but he has been linked to at least seven more. There are more murders that authorities think he was involved in. He never confessed nor offered to reveal where he disposed of bodies. There are families out there in pain, on January 21, 2016 Lee died in prison, taking his secrets to the grave.
I recommend this book to true crime fans.
An excellent read! One system after another fails this family until, finally, someone takes the law into his own hands to straighten things out once and for all. Grippingly written -- really gives you a clear sense of what these people went through on a daily basis. The author paces the story according to what was going on, and unfortunately, that meant things slowed down drastically after we got into the court proceedings, and the suspense builds in a very different way as they try to decide what to do with the killer and everyone attempts to carry on a normal life. But ultimately that was as realistic as the earlier part of the story. A solid 5-star read. If you liked Richie and Sudden Fury, or even Devil Child, you'll love this one.
Just finished Conviction: The Untold Story of Putting Jodi Arias Behind Bars by Juan Martinez. I give it 4.5 stars (5 on GR). I didn't follow the Arias case. I came to it after it was over. It's like a real life "Fatal Attraction". This book is, of course, written by the prosecutor so it has that angle. I really enjoyed getting all the details of the case. It's very well written and easy to follow. Fascinating case. Jodi is where she belongs. I was glad she got life without parole.
I had previously read Exposed: The Secret Life of Jodi Arias by Jane Velez-Mitchell which I gave 4 stars to and Picture Perfect: The Jodi Arias Story by Shanna Hogan which I also gave 4 stars too but I distinctly remember that one was a lot better than the other. Obviously my rating both 4 doesn't help me to remember! **hits forehead with heel of hand**
There are more books about Jodi and the case out there. I wouldn't mind reading one that gets into her psychological profile. Does anyone know of one? Any other books on this case that you would recommend? Otherwise, I guess I am done. :)
On Feb 25th I finished Masquerade: A True Story of Seduction, Compulsion, and Murder by Lowell Cauffiel. I give it 4.5 stars.Wow. What a story! I sure got a good feel for what life is like for drug addicts living off of prostitution and criminal activity. Depressing ! Horrible.
The writing was excellent. This was my first book by Cauffiel. Think I will see what else he has written. :)
Others read recently that I had over on another discussion thread:The Yoga Store Murder: The Shocking True Account of the Lululemon Athletica Killing by Dan Morse Highly recommend this one. Very well written and balanced.
Blood in the Snow: The True Story of a Stay-at-Home Dad, his High-Powered Wife, and the Jealousy that Drove him to Murder by Tom Henderson Great case but I am not keen on the writing style. Would recommend it though!!
Deadly Voices: The True Story of Serial Killer Herbert Mullin by C.L. Swinney Short book and a quick read. A strange case and I am still not sure what to make of Mullin.
Shelley wrote: "Others read recently that I had over on another discussion thread:The Yoga Store Murder: The Shocking True Account of the Lululemon Athletica Killing by Dan Morse..."
For more on Mullin, may I recommend a book I found on Mark Monastyrski's shelf, The Die Song: A Journey into the Mind of a Mass Murderer?
Fishface wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Others read recently that I had over on another discussion thread:The Yoga Store Murder: The Shocking True Account of the Lululemon Athletica Killing by [author:Da..."
Thanks, Fishface. I will look that one up. I wonder if Mullin is still around and how he is now mentally? I wonder if he's still medicated and if so, does he take it willingly. I also wonder if they can force someone to take it when they have been convicted of a serious crime like that. I have heard cases of people finally getting and taking the medication they need and then finding it very hard to live with what they did while untreated.
Who is Mark Monastyrski?
I Googled Mullin. At his last parole hearing in 2011 he was denied. "It is clear that Mr. Mullin is incapable of morally and intellectually taking responsibility for these crimes," said District Attorney Bob Lee.
The Parole Board extended Mullin's sentence for additional 10 years. He will be eligible for parole again in 2021.
Shelley wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Others read recently that I had over on another discussion thread:[book:The Yoga Store Murder: The Shocking True Account of the Lululemon Athletica Killing|160729..."
Mark Monastyrski is a member of this site and the TC group at Shelfari. He went under a different monicker there -- Cinemapocryphon. He finds the BEST books, seriously.
I believe even floridly psychotic prisoners are allowed to refuse meds, unless it makes them so dangerous that someone places a court order to keep them in treatment -- just as if they were free men, although in a prison it's obviously a lot easier to enforce. Manson's a good example of a prisoner who's psychotic but allowed to go without treatment.
Rita wrote: "I just finished reading A Light In Dark Places by Jennifer Graves and Emily Clawson. This is a very interesting story by the sister of the perpetrator and the painful truth that she has to face. He..."I read If I Can't Have You: Susan Powell, Her Mysterious Disappearance, and the Murder of Her Children by Gregg Olsen about the same case. Very good read but a very sad case.
Shelley wrote: "Rita wrote: "I just finished reading A Light In Dark Places by Jennifer Graves and Emily Clawson. This is a very interesting story by the sister of the perpetrator and the painful truth that she ha..."Shelley, I read that book by Gregg Olsen as well. I did glean some information from Jennifer Graves book and I found it very interesting. It is not a long book but a good read!
Shelley wrote: "On Feb 25th I finished Masquerade: A True Story of Seduction, Compulsion, and Murder by Lowell Cauffiel. I give it 4.5 stars.Wow. What a story! I sure got a good fe..."
Shelley, you need to read ALL of Lowell Cauffiel's books! He is amazing and a top favourite of mine.
Shelley wrote: "Just finished Conviction: The Untold Story of Putting Jodi Arias Behind Bars by Juan Martinez. I give it 4.5 stars (5 on GR). I didn't follow the Arias case. I ca..."
Holy cow Shelley, you are powering through them all. I just ordered Juan Martinez's Conviction. I really enjoyed both Jane Valez- Mitchell's book and Shanna Hogan's book and both deserve 4 starts.
Fishface wrote: "An excellent read! One system after another fails this family until, finally, someone takes the law into his own hands to straighten things out once and for all. Grippingly written -- really gives ..."Fishface, the book you just gave 5 stars to and mentioned if you read Ritchie, Sudden Fury or Devil Child, you will love this one....what is the name and author of the book? I didn't see it here.
Rita said "Holy cow Shelley, you are powering through them all."I know! :) I go through spurts like this. I will read a whole bunch and then feel like I have over-dosed and will take a break from murder and mayhem for a bit. Not there yet though. lol
Rita wrote: "Fishface wrote: "An excellent read! One system after another fails this family until, finally, someone takes the law into his own hands to straighten things out once and for all. Grippingly written..."I was going to ask the same question! Especially want to know when it's been given 5 stars!
Shelley wrote: "Rita said "Holy cow Shelley, you are powering through them all."I know! :) I go through spurts like this. I will read a whole bunch and then feel like I have over-dosed and will take a break from..."
It's funny how we do that, get on a kick with the author and want all the books they wrote. I have done that too. With the O.J. Simpson case, Manson, Dahmer, Jodie Arias, Casey Anthony etc. I just can't get enough. lol
I do that with books & documentaries. I just watched three Manson docs in a row. Two were pretty good, one not so much. All very basic info.
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K.A. wrote: "I do that with books & documentaries. I just watched three Manson docs in a row. Two were pretty good, one not so much. All very basic info."Richie
Sudden Fury
Devil Child
Click on the links to find the books.
Click on the links to find the books.Are these suggestions? If so, thanks.
K.A. wrote: "Click on the links to find the books.Are these suggestions? If so, thanks."
In my review of Poison Tree: A True Story Of Family Terror, I mentioned that if you liked those books, linked above, you'll love Poison Tree: A True Story Of Family Terror. The themes all of them are similar, but I think Poison Tree: A True Story Of Family Terror is by far the best.
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Obsessed with True Crime
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It was okay but a big part of the book was filled wi..."
It was only so-so, frankly. For one thing, I've read all over the Net that he's killed over 40 women and the book only mentions less than 10. There were some grody crime-scene photos, but the author didn't seem very close to her sources and never appears to have interviewed a detective, a suspect or a grieving family member. It all reads like a ripped-from-the-headlines instant paperback.