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True Crime read in 2016 ~ Reviews welcome here
Dead Men Do Tell Tales: The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist4 stars
This is Dr. Maples' memoir of working as a forensic anthropologist at the Identification Lab in Gainesville, Florida, right across the way from the memorial wall where he can see the names of Danny Rolling's victims daily. Here's a man after my own heart -- he even majored in English Lit, like I did -- and the writing gets more amusingly florid, purple and literary as the story moves on. His forecast of the future of forensic anthropology is daunting, to say the least, but this book should help make it clear to anyone who doubts that this is a needed skillset in a crime-ridden world. The stories in here are remarkable and not to be missed.
Meredith: Our daughter's murder and the heartbreaking quest for the truth3 stars
A whole book about a young woman who has been almost completely forgotten -- the victim of the crime at the center of what I have come to think of as !!!THE AMANDA KNOX SHOW!!! This story is written from the viewpoint of Meredith's father. He does not dig very deeply into what it has been like for him and his family to cope on a daily basis with Meredith's murder, but he paints a very clear picture of what it is like to face the courtroom, the paparazzi, the funeral, and the sacks of mail sent in support from friends, relatives and total strangers. He also helps clear away some of the nonsense about the court proceedings that we've heard in the media, but even he cannot explain some of the legal decisions in here. This one is well worth your time.
Swift Runner, by Colin A. Thomson4 stars
Wow, what a horrible case. The title of the book is also the name of the man pictured in shackles on the front cover; he was arrested after it came out that he'd killed and eaten nine members of his family. This is more of a historical treatise than a true crime story, but it has elements of TC, some great diagnostic clues to what leads a man to be susceptible to the Windigo, and a fine study of the differing reactions of the Indian and white communities to the crime, which remained the worst in Canadian history for many years to come. The writing is amusingly purple but it's still a very short read. The big bonus in this book is the map of Canada showing all the Windigo cases the author was able to find, with a list of the names of the afflicted. Don't read this the same night you watch THE SHINING, as I foolishly did.
True Crime Addict: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray by James Renner3 stars
I also posted this in the author discussion forum but its a little hard to find so I will post it here too.
Finished the book. I have mixed feelings. Some parts were very interesting. Some were not. It was different in that it was written from the perspective of the author. It was different because it was written about a girl that mysteriously went missing. But after all the interviewing I so wanted the author to come up with something that wasnt already known. It just seemed to be a whole lot of chasing around based on assumptions and speculation. I'm not sure why this was such an addiction to this case. But what I did like is that this is not just a book taken from transcripts and newspaper articles. The author does a lot of leg work for this book. So...pros and cons. I will give it 3 stars.
Blood Echoes byThomas H. Cook...
This was a vivid recreation of the most gruesome and terrifying tragedy I have read. Most certainly, it is a chilling portrait of evil that annihilated a hard-work family of farmers that rendered more then half of their family members to their graves. One that not only paralyzed the remaining members mom, wives, sisters and aunt. Year after year the trials of the accused were appealed and delayed. The news papers and reporters were more interested in the accused. The victims as this point was all but forgotten. I thought this was very well written and this author shone a light on the flawed justice system.
5 Stars
Rita wrote: "Blood Echoes byThomas H. Cook...
This was a vivid recreation of the most gruesome and terrifying tragedy I have read. Most certainly, it is a chilling portrait of evil that annihilated a hard-wor..."
Gonna hafta read that!
BLOOD ECHOES by Thomas H. CookReview
This was a vivid recreation of the most gruesome and terrifying tragedy that happened in Seminole County, Georgia. Most certainly, it is a chilling portrait of true evil that annihilated a hard working family of farmers which rendered more then half of their family members. It was so devastating to the remaining members, it literally paralyzed their mother, wives and sisters of the deceased.
As time went by investigating this case, there was so much attention focused on the perpetrators that the victims and their grieving family were almost forgotten. It took this family heart-wrenching years back to the court room while lawyers battled out appeals, trials and delays after delays. This was very well written and the author shone a light on the flawed justice system. I highly recommend this book.
5 Stars
I just started reading The Poison Tree by Alan Prendergast and I am already hooked.
Rita wrote: "I just started reading The Poison Tree by Alan Prendergast and I am already hooked."That's a good one.
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This was a vivid recreation of the most gruesome and terrifying tragedy I have read. Most certainly, it is a chilling portrait of evil that annihilated a hard-wor..."
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4 stars
This is Dr. Maples' memoir of working as a forensic anthropologist at the Identificatio..."
I thought I had read this, looking at a review apparently I have, except I thought he was in New York, specifically Suffern County.
Karla Faye Tucker Set Free: Life and Faith on Death Row by Linda Strom1 star
I bought this book because the girl on the cover looked like the girl next door. She looks so happy and has such a beautiful smile. Nothing could be further from the truth. This book is about a girl who killed two people with a pick axe. However, I was disappointed to find out this was not a true crime book. It is mostly about the author and how she goes to prisons to convert prisoners to Christ. There is NOTHING at all in the book about the murder itself. She is a very religious person. It did make me want to learn more about this crime and it seems there are short stories in compilation books but no entire book about Karla Faye Tucker. There is an e-book short that is 67 pages and I am thinking about getting it but if you want to read a true crime book this is not the one.
Koren wrote: "Karla Faye Tucker Set Free: Life and Faith on Death Row by Linda Strom1 star
I bought this book because the..."
Crossed Over: A Murder, A Memoir is a very satisfactory alternative read on the Karla Faye story. Be aware that the author talks a lot about her own life, but it does help us understand why she wrote this book.
Fishface wrote: "Koren wrote: "Karla Faye Tucker Set Free: Life and Faith on Death Row by Linda Strom1 star
I bought this bo..."
Thanks FF.
Deep Sleep: Harry Bailey And The Scandal Of Chelmsford3 stars
This is the true story of an amazingly bad psychiatrist and his many bizarre exploits, which killed a dozen patients, led an unclear number of others to suicide, and finally led to his own suicide -- that's not a spoiler! They told us that on the first page! The authors wrote the whole book in the passive voice ("They saw that treatment had often been provided which had been specifically rejected by them"), which made it rather wordy and stuffy, but once we got into the meat of the story that stopped mattering. This man was a complete screwup and all his efforts went into, not changing the fact, but hiding it. If you're suspicious of psychiatry, this book rates up there with Bourrie's By Reason of Insanity and Freeman's Betrayal: The True Story of the First Woman to Successfully Sue Her Psychiatrist for Using Sex in the Guise of Therapy as a confirmation of your worst fears. B/w photos.
Redbone: Money, Malice, and Murder in Atlanta by Ron Stodghill3 stars
This was a pretty good read about a case that was at once totally average and really, really unusual. The motive and method were nothing to write home about, but the man who was murdered was a self-made IT millionaire living in a custom-built palace in Atlanta, GA, where he wined, dined, and distributed handfuls of cash, pricey gifts and luxury cars to his many, many acquaintances -- especially the women. The author did a great job of paring away everything but the key factors in the trial, focusing more on the personalities involved -- and there wasn't a dull personality anywhere in the bunch. I learned more about this odd corner of American history -- rich blacks in Atlanta and the community they've built -- than about the crime, but that works for me. A quick read. Worth your time. All the photos are in full color!
Koren wrote: "Deadly Voices: The True Story of Serial Killer Herbert Mullin 
"I am looking forward to your review. He's an interesting little dude.
Death in a Prairie House: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders4 stars
This is a very interesting read about what apparently still stands as Wisconsin's worst mass killing, the 1914 axe murders at Taliesin, the home Frank Lloyd Wright designed and lived in with his mistress and protégées. The author -- a VERY flowery writer who won't trifle with words like "talk" or "emotional upset" when he can use "palaver" or "palpitations" instead -- complains that no biography of the architect does more than glance off this enormous turning point in Wright's life and work. He attempts to set the record straight once and for all, clearing away a century of baseless theorizing and going to the source: the eyewitness accounts of the day. Two important characters in this story -- Gertrude Carlton and Edwin Cheney -- remain shrouded in mystery at the end of this little book, but Drennan does a fine job of explicating just about everyone else, including Wright's very complicated parents who had nothing at all to do with this terrible event. Well worth your time. Bring a thesaurus.
Rita Gurdas's Reviews > The Poison Tree: A True Story Of Family TerrorThe Poison Tree by Alan Prendergast
The Poison Tree: A True Story Of Family Terror
by Alan Prendergast
34600202
Rita Gurdas's review Jul 11, 2016 · edit
READING PROGRESS
02/22 marked as: to-read
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by Rita 0 minutes ago
Rita Gurdas This is a gripping and haunting story of profound child abuse in vivid often painful detail. This author revealed only just a small part of a very personal story he sought to tell. For years the wife and children of Richard Jahnke Sr. were terrorized by him. His daughter and son were controlled in every way growing up with his dictator-like rules. Richard Jahnke Sr. beat his wife as well as beating and verbally and physically abusing he daughter and son. This went on for all their growing-up years and were they were told constantly to obey his rules. Mrs. Jahnke was equally as frightened and tried to please him in every way. These kids were so traumatized and afraid to say a word. Richard Jahnke Sr. taunted his son constantly and dared him to be a man and stand up for himself. By November of 1982 Richard Jahnke Jr. , thinking this was the only way out to end this nightmare killed his father. What followed was years of delays, trying to piece together medical reports and trials. This author wrote a masterful story straight from the heart. I highly recommend it.
5 Stars
Finished Anatomy of Malice: The Enigma of the Nazi War Criminals by Joel E. Dimsdale. 4 Stars
The author takes a modern look at the psychological profiles of 4 of the Nazis charged with war crimes at the Nuremberg Trails (1945). It deals quite a bit on the Rorschach ink blot tests they all did and on the rivalry between two of the doctors (Kelley and Gilbert) who tested the men. Dimsdale does not come to any clear answers on what caused the Nazi's particular brand "malice". The 4 men profiled were all quite different. It was fascinating to read and there were little bits of gossipy stuff like Goring arriving at the prison with 16 matching monogrammed suitcases, a valet and red nail polish on his fingers and toes that I got a kick out of.
Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" by Gregg Olsen5 stars!
I just re-read this for the first time in probably 20 years; Olsen was the Author of the Month for July. Wow, I had forgotten the vast majority of this terrible and baffling story. The killer reminds me of Patrick Mackay -- his behavior is just that erratic and bizarre. Following up on the Internet wasn't very satisfying -- it doesn't look as if they ever got to the bottom of some other killings he's suspected of, and now of course he's dead, leaving behind many, many unanswered questions. The moment that touched me most was when the Amish community he left behind gave thanks when they heard that his son Danny might be dead -- "then his nightmare would be over." They had a point.
Blood Evidence by Craig A. LewisThis is a shocking true crime story and it's controversial trial that rocked a community and divided its citizens
No one would ever think that the victim's husband was involved in this murder. He is the epitome of gentle, quiet and calm. His family and friends all vouch for his serene nature. I understand that demeanour but in this case action spoke louder then words he didn't utter.
The blood evidence told the juror’s the whole story. What a riveting tale it was as this author expertly wove all the evidence to reveal the killer.
I highly recommend this book
4 Stars
Invisible Killer: The Monster Behind the Mask by Diana Montane and Sean Robbins4 stars
Interesting story but oh, the typos! Sometimes I couldn't understand what was being said. It wasn't misspelled words as much us it was words turned around or missing so you couldn't understand the sentence. It didn't happen very often but still was maddening. But the story was interesting. This guy did terrible things to people. It is hard to imagine how someone could do the things he did. I didn't quite understand why the title is The Invisible Killer. It makes it sound like he is a ghost.
Fishface wrote: "Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" by Gregg Olsen5 stars!
I just re-read this for the first time in probably 20 years; Olsen was..."
One of my all-time favorites and one that has certainly stuck with me years after I read it. That poor little boy.
Sacrifice Unto Me5 stars!
I've read several books on Ed Kemper, and even another book on the coincidental serial murders of Kemper and Mullin, but this one is outstanding. Where Urge To Kill focused on the group personality of Santa Cruz, CA where the killings happened and the changes the town went through as a result, this one focused entirely on the people directly involved, who the victims were, who the killers were, how they chose their victims, and what those unlucky people went through right up to the instant they died. The author discusses why the killers did what they did, who went looking for the victims when they disappeared, and something about the background of their lives. No other book has treated the victims as anything but a list of names, with the sole exception of Clarnell Strandberg. Very well written, too. I'm so sorry this book is out of print and so happy I sought this one out.
Fishface wrote: "Sacrifice Unto Me5 stars!
I've read several books on Ed Kemper, and even another book on the coincidental serial murders of Kemper and Mullin, but this one is outstanding. Where [b..."
Dang, yet another one I would have liked to read but can't get. Not even second hand copies on Amazon.CA. I "like" Kemper (and I hope you know what I mean by that). He and I have the same birthday (not year) and we are both left handed. Not that it means anything but I just noticed that.
Now my mental picture of you has changed, Shelley.
I used to associate your name with Shelly Brooks...
LOLBefore trying to stop using "Fishface" when addressing you, I thought of you as permanently looking like this:
I slightly shorter than Kemper and the other guy doesn't have that second 'e' which is just wrong.
They are both quite a bit taller than average, come to think of it. Shelly's a mere munchkin of 6'5" -- three inches shorter than the Edster.
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Shelley wrote: "LOLBefore trying to stop using "Fishface" when addressing you, I thought of you as permanently looking like this..."
Well, for the record, here's my driver's license photo:
But back on topic. I am nearly done with Murdered by Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain, and Injustice.
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I just finished The Devil's Defender: My Odyssey Through American Criminal Justice from Ted Bundy to the Kandahar Massacre by John Henry Browne, one of Ted Bundy's lawyer. Five stars. Well-written with some bombshells about the Bundy case; interesting other cases as well.
Ann Marie wrote: "I just finished The Devil's Defender: My Odyssey Through American Criminal Justice from Ted Bundy to the Kandahar Massacre by John Henry Browne, one of Ted Bundy's lawyer. Five star..."Now I have to read that. I would not have thought there were any remaining bombshells in the Bundy case!
Ann Marie wrote: "I just finished The Devil's Defender: My Odyssey Through American Criminal Justice from Ted Bundy to the Kandahar Massacre by John Henry Browne, one of Ted Bundy's lawyer. Five star..."Oh, I have been waiting for this one! It was expected to be out August 1st. I guess it's early. I will be getting it ASAP.
He mentioned a few of those bombshells in interviews he did a few years ago. I won't repeat them here and spoil the surprise. :) Of course, Bundy "experts" (who like to think they are anyway) were immediately skeptical.
Murdered by Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain, and Injustice3 stars
This felt like a long read by about 3/4 of the way through, but I'm glad I got around to it. The endless, repetitive nature of the recurring nightmare that is this author's life is captured perfectly in this book. I learned a great deal about a large gap in our legal system: the right of the defendant, or in this case convict, to drag the victim's family and friends into court over and over and over for reasons that are 100% manure. I was shocked to learn how long this has been going on -- Mumia shot her husband all the way back in 1981! -- and even more shocked to learn that MOVE is the group keeping the fire lit under his nonsensical claims. I completely disagree that this is about political correctness or the ascendancy of the left wing, and I disagree with Maureen Faulkner's repeated statements that MOVE caused their own house fire, but the main point of the book -- that you wouldn't support Mumia Abu-Jamal if you knew the facts of his case -- is another matter entirely. Read this if you have any interest at all in this case, in Internet advocacy or in people's mass belief in stupid ideas.
Just finished Devil in The Darkness: The True Story of Serial Killer Israel Keyes by J.T. Hunter. 4.5 Stars.
I have been fascinated with this case and Keyes since I first heard about it. He is one of the scariest serial killers ever. The planning he did was incredible and there was absolutely no hint of the darkness within to people who knew him. None. You can watch the interviews Keyes did with law enforcement online and they are chilling. This is the 3rd book I've read by J. T. Hunter and I have enjoyed each of them.
Finished Are You There Alone?: The Unspeakable Crime of Andrea Yates by Suzanne O'Malley4 Stars
Super sad. It's yet another case where a serious mentally ill person didn't get the treatment and attention they needed and tragedy was the result. Andrea should have been found not guilty by reason of insanity but at the same time, she should not be free.
Shelley wrote: "Ann Marie wrote: "I just finished The Devil's Defender: My Odyssey Through American Criminal Justice from Ted Bundy to the Kandahar Massacre by John Henry Browne, one of Ted Bundy's..." I think you'll like it. I discussed one of the bombshells with a Bundy author and he thinks it possible based on the information in the book and is going to follow up with the Tacoma police department. I'm curious if anything will come out of it.
Ann Marie wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Ann Marie wrote: "I just finished The Devil's Defender: My Odyssey Through American Criminal Justice from Ted Bundy to the Kandahar Massacre by John Henry Browne, on..."Wow, that sounds big!!!
Finished Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer 5 Stars
This book is about the murder of three people in a fundamental Mormon community which is not mainstream Mormonism. The author uses the case as a backdrop for examining the history of Mormonism and the breakaway fundamentalist sects which I would call cults (fascinating), examining extreme religious belief (fascinating) and the crime itself and the perpetrators (fascinating).
It is very well written and I highly recommend it.
Fishface wrote: "Wow, that sounds big!!! .."Sure does! I am impatiently waiting for the ebook release due on Monday.
Who Named the Knife: A Book of Murder and Memory, by Linda Spalding3 stars
This was not at all what I expected. What looked like a standard true-crime story turned out to be...how do I describe this? The author was attempting to come to terms with the events in her own life by clearing up how she feels about the criminal case she sat in on as a juror decades before. So basically, this is the same idea as Crossed Over: A Murder, A Memoir, although the results are very different. We get to know the convicted killer and what landed her in the same unit as the Manson girls (two of whom the author also met in the course of this story). We find out why this killer, like the Manson alumnae, are such standouts in a women's prison, but also what they have in common with most female prisoners. We learn a lot of things that were new to me, but all of it is filtered through the author's firm belief that this woman would never have been convicted without her, and that everything that happened to Maryann Acker is somehow about Linda Spalding. It's well written, but it comes across inherently ditzy and self-centered.
Fishface, I thought your review was very interesting. I opted to go with Crossed Over: A Murder, A Memoir. If you read Crossed Over, which one would you suggest is better?
A Dance with the Devil: A True Story of Marriage to a Psychopath by Barbara Bentley4 stars
This is a true story of a woman who married a man who was emotionally, financially, and physically abusive. At the beginning of the book I kept thinking how dumb could she be. Then he attempts to murder her and serves very little time and when he gets out attempts to benefit from her financially. From this point on I realized what a strong person she was, even helping to change a law that prevents spouses who have been convicted of a felony from profiting financially from their spouse in a divorce.
Rita wrote: "Fishface, I thought your review was very interesting. I opted to go with Crossed Over: A Murder, A Memoir. If you read Crossed Over, which one would you suggest is better?"I thought Crossed Over: A Murder, A Memoir was a little better. The talked about herself but it was clear she was not writing her book primarily about herself.
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Obsessed with True Crime
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I just finished this one on Israel Keyes. Haven't found really any books about him. I did give this one a h..."
Thanks, Jennie. I didn't know there was a book out on Keyes so thanks! There has been surprisingly little written about him. I wonder why. He is one very scary dude, I agree.