True Crime Read In 2018-19: Post Reviews Here!

[Diane in Australia]

Justice for Bonnie: An Alaskan Teenager's Murder and Her Mother's Tireless Crusade for the Truth
Authors: Karen Foster and I.J. Schecter


3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

After Karen's daughter, Bonnie, was murdered, she went through 17 YEARS of hell trying to get a straight answer from the police, trying to keep Bonnie's case fresh in the minds of the public, not to mention the grieving that she, and her family, suffered. This is one mother who never gave up. Very compelling read.

Also, Alaska changed their DNA Laws to "Collection of DNA on All Felony Arrests" in 2007 in honor of Bonnie (Bonnie Craig Amendments).

Bonnie Craig, Karen's murdered daughter

[Diane in Australia]

Rope Burns: The Shocking True Story of the Most Twisted Couple in American Crime!
Author: Robert Scott

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

A really despicable couple who commited heinous crimes. It makes one shudder to realise that folks like this walk among us. There is an updated version of this book, which reveals what happened in the first degree murder trial that is mentioned in this book.

An interesting sidenote, they were suspected of being the kidnappers of Jaycee Dugard. This book was published in 2001, and Jaycee didn't escape her captor until 2009.

[Fishface]

Diane in Australia wrote: "
Rope Burns: The Shocking True Story of the Most Twisted Couple in American Crime!
..."

The one I just got through reading, Hunting Evil, was about the same utterly charming couple.

[Diane in Australia]

Seven Days of Rage: The Deadly Crime Spree of the Craigslist Killer
Authors: Paul LaRosa and Maria Cramer

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

A 23 year old, All-American medical student, Philip Markoff, had a secret life that included liaisons with men/women, transsexuals/transvestites, bondage, violence, armed robbery, and murder. He lived with his fiance, who had no clue what he was up to.

The book was pretty basic, just the facts, or quotes from other sources. But it will give you the gist of this case. This book was published in June 2010, so, it does not cover subsequent events.

Murder victim, Julissa Brisman

[Diane in Australia]

Fishface wrote: "The one I just got through reading, Hunting Evil, was about the same utterly charming couple."

I have that one on my to-be-read list, too. What a depraved couple. Horrid.

[Diane in Australia]

A Date with Death: The Secret Life of the Accused "Craigslist Killer"
Author: Michele R. McPhee

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

This is the second book on the 'Craigslist Killer' that I have read. Again, like the other book, Seven Days of Rage: The Deadly Crime Spree of the Craigslist Killer, this book was published in June 2010, which means it doesn't include the events that came after that.

Murder victim, Julissa Brisman

[Fishface]

Diane in Australia wrote: "
A Date with Death: The Secret Life of the Accused "Craigslist Killer"
Author: [author:Michel..."

How are the two books different? Or are they?

[Diane in Australia]

Fishface wrote: "How are the two books different? Or are they?"

To be perfectly honest, Fishface, I don't really recall. Neither one must have been a stand-out for me, or I'd remember it better. So, I'm assuming they were much the same ... and somewhat forgettable.

[Fishface]

Diane in Australia wrote: "Fishface wrote: "How are the two books different? Or are they?"

To be perfectly honest, Fishface, I don't really recall. Neither one must have been a stand-out for me, or I'd remember it better. S..."

Well, that's not encouraging, but it's not as if I needed to rush out and buy more books anyway!

[Diane in Australia]

Fishface wrote: "Well, that's not encouraging, but it's not as if I needed to rush out and buy more books anyway!"

Well, don't take my word for it, your mileage might vary. Koren thought one of them was a 5 Star. You might, too.

I read so many books, that very few of them 'stand out' in my memory. But that's just me. I've often wished I could remember what I've read more clearly, but it slips away. (Plus, I have a lot of 'heavy' medical shit going on right now, so, my brain isn't always functioning at top notch level.)

I have a HUGE stack of books ... read in 2019 ... that I am trying to get added to my Goodreads account and, yes, I'm human, and I don't always remember a great deal about the book, if I let time drift by before writing my review. Hence, a lot of my reviews are short.

That's one reason my only New Year's Resolution is to post my Goodreads reviews immediately, upon finishing the book ... lol

[Diane in Australia]

Body Count: Devoted Father, Decorated Pilot, Serial Killer...
Author: Burl Barer

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

This book is about Robert Yates, a man who killed prostitutes in Washington State USA from 1975-98. There could be even more victims, as they found DNA in his car that did not match any known victims.

This was a tragedy on so many levels ... for the victims and their families, of course ... but also for Robert's wife and five children.

[Diane in Australia]

Final Justice: The True Story of the Richest Man Ever Tried for Murder
Authors: Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

When I first picked up this book I wasn't sure I'd like it. I don't usually enjoy reading about rich people putting one over on the justice system. In fact, it makes me want to retch. But, amazingly enough, I did enjoy this book.

It's about Cullen Davis, a multimillionaire, who according to witnesses, killed two people - one of them a 12 year old girl. As you can imagine, as soon as he was implicated, the 'fun' begins. The author deftly takes you through Cullen's life, his marriage, and all that led up to his 'alleged' murder spree.

Victims

[Diane in Australia]

Whatever Mother Says...: A True Story of a Mother, Madness and Murder
Author: Wensley Clarkson

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

Theresa Cross Knorr is capable of killing her own children. And not just that, but also capable of making certain they were hideously tortured before they finally found that final peace. The bitch is still alive, 73 years old. What a world!

If you can't take reading about horrendous child abuse, and a mother capable of it, I'd skip this book. What this family was put through is beyond fathoming. Thankfully, eventually, one daughter, Terry, was able to get someone to believe her, and the wheels started turning to bring her mother to justice. The book was published before the trial, so, you'll have to Google to know the final outcome.

Victims