Obsessed with True Crime discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Archive
>
True Crime Read In 2021
A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule 5 stars
Leslie Rule's mother is Ann Rule, one of my favorite authors. Her books were always on my Christmas wish list up until the time of her death in 2015. This is Leslie's first True Crime book. I was pleased to read the short bio of her mother at the beginning of the book and how her mother influenced her and glad that Leslie embraces her True Crime heritage. Leslie has a similar writing style to her mother. This book was a very interesting case about a woman who met a man through a website and when he didnt want to have a serious relationship she proceeded to stalk him and any woman he saw, including murdering one and then impersonating the dead woman on the web. Not being computer savvy myself, I was fascinated at the depths this woman went to conceal who she was on the net. This continued for some time. The author is adept at keeping us on the edge of our seats and not wanting to put the book down because we want to see what is coming next. The investigation and trial are nicely condensed and not at all repetitive. I hope Leslie continues her mother's tradition.
Koren wrote: "A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule 5 stars
I, also, loved this book. She writes very well. It is one of my favorite books of the last year.
Bonnie
In the Name of the Children: An FBI Agent's Relentless Pursuit of the Nation's Worst Predators, Jeffrey Rinek5 stars!
A great read, full of well-told stories of true crime cases. Most of these cases are not especially famous, but all of them are tragic and important to know about. The author is not your sterotypical tough-guy FBI agent. He struggles right on the page with the pain and sorrow and vulnerability stirred up by these atrocious crimes. Don't miss this memoir. I couldn't put it down.
Mod
True Crime Read In 2020: Post Reviews Here!
True Crime Read In 2018-19: Post Reviews Here!
True Crime Read In 2017: Post Reviews Here!
True Crime read in 2016 ~ Reviews welcome here Part 2
True Crime read in 2016 ~ Reviews welcome here
Bonnie wrote: "Koren wrote: "A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule 5 stars
I, also, loved this book. She writes very well. It is one of my favorite books of the last ye..."
I have this one. I need to get on it!
Stacey wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Koren wrote: "A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule 5 stars
I, also, loved this book. She writes very well. It is one of my favorite books..."
Koren sent it to me but I'm too dumb to be able to retrieve it from my email for some reason. Probably genetic.
Fishface wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Koren wrote: "A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule 5 stars
I, also, loved this book. She writes very well. It is one of my..."
Darn. I got an email saying the book had been returned. I hope you get a chance to read it at some point. I've never had anyone 'share' a book with me on Amazon so i dont know what you were doing wrong. Maybe someone can help.
Fair Game by Bernard DuClos4 stars
I like true crime books that have something different. This was different because it took place in Alaska in the early 1990's about a man who killed at least 17 prostitutes and/or exotic dancers. If I could change one thing I would have had him interview the killers wife and family but perhaps they refused. The book touches lightly into the psyche of a killer and mentions John Walsh but it would have been interesting to find out how the killer went for so long without his wife noticing anything. It held my interest all the way through. It was interesting to find out the killer was born just 20 miles from me in Minnesota. If I could I would like to tell the author that the name of the town the killer was born in is spelled Estherville and not Esterville.
Mod
4 stars
I like true crime books that have something different. This was different because it took place in Alaska in the ea..."
I have not heard of this book, but I have heard of this serial killer.
Lynne wrote: "Hi I am Lynne and I love True Crime maybe a little too much.I just got through reading A Love To Die For by Patricia Springer
This Christa is one sick bitch
I suggest reading this one a page turner"
TY for the review!
True Blue: Police Stories by Those Who Have Lived Them, Randy Sutton3 stars
This was a good read, with each chapter written by a different police officer from a different city. At times I noticed how alike the writing of most of the stories were, as if the editor rewrote all the chapters in his own voice, but the content varies wildly. Right at the end, the last section was suddenly devoted entirely to tales of 9/11, and tells you parts of the story not normally told. Well worth your time.
Stacey wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Koren wrote: "A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule 5 stars
I, also, loved this book. She writes very well. It is one of my favorite books..."
I wanna read it too.
My true crime story Sworn To Silence (by Jim Tracy) moved to No. 1 in professional responsibility and law ethics on Amazon. Thanks everyone.
Jim wrote: "My true crime story Sworn To Silence (by Jim Tracy) moved to No. 1 in professional responsibility and law ethics on Amazon. Thanks everyone."Thanks for telling us about it Jim!
Murder in Stilettos: Ladies of the Night Who Murdered2 measly stars
This was a quick read. Some of the cases were new to me, but most were very familiar. The writing was strikingly clumsy and this book badly needed text- and copyediting before it was released. But it was not to be
The Remorseful Monster by Stephen McGrann - 4 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was a really good book, but it was a rough read with what this serial killer did to his victims. Also I hadn't heard of him before either, so it was all new to me.
Marie wrote: "The Remorseful Monster by Stephen McGrann - 4 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was a really good book, but it was a rough..."
This book is totally new to me, TY for reviewing it!
Fishface wrote: "This book is totally new to me, TY for reviewing it! ..."You are welcome! :)
Marie wrote: "Fishface wrote: "This book is totally new to me, TY for reviewing it! ..."You are welcome! :)"
Added to the Des Nilsen shelf, FYI.
Passenger wrote: "New Ted Bundy book that tackles the unconfirmed survivors' stories. Ted Bundy: Examining The Unconfirmed Survivor Stories"
Book #95 on the Ted Bundy shelf, TY!!!
Passenger wrote: "Cool, hope you'll enjoy it. (...that came out kinda wrong, lol.)"It sounds like a fascinating read fo sho
Silent Testimony by Robert W. Walker1 star
The book was published in 1984. I'm glad that most true crime authors today have learned that readers want more background information on victims and killers and not so much word for word courtroom transcript. I skimmed most of this book trying to find some autobiographical information but there was virtually none. I'm listing this on GR as 'read' just so I don't pick it up again. I wish GR had a 'read but didn't finish button'.
Koren wrote: "Silent Testimony by Robert W. Walker1 star
The book was published in 1984. I'm glad that most true crime authors today have learned that reader..."
OMG, I hated that book! SO badly written but I kept going because the story itself was interesting and important, and because Florence deserved the attention. FYI Koren, many people at GR have shelves tagged "DNF" for "Did Not Finish." Even if they don't rate or review their books placement on a DNF shelf can serve as a warning to others.
Fishface wrote: "Koren wrote: "Silent Testimony by Robert W. Walker1 star
The book was published in 1984. I'm glad that most true crime authors today have learn..."
Thanks for the info. I knew that but I was thinking there should be a button to click in the drop down box. I saw your review. You and I usually do agree with our reviews and this time you were spot on.
Every Mother's Nightmare by Charles Bosworth, Jr3 stars
A 3-year-old and his 15-year-old babysitter are found murdered in a bathtub. This true story is more about the mother's than it is about the murders. If the mother's reactions had been left out of the story it would have been a very short book. Reading some of the other reviews, some people said the mother's helped solve the crime. I didn't really see that they helped to solve the crime except they kept pestering the cops to get it solved. I know I sound heartless, but I felt the author spent too much time dwelling on how upset the mother's were and I started to wonder if this story was going anywhere else. But then, we finally get to the arrest and court hearing, which was very tedious. And oh, the typos....3 stars for this book. Interesting story but I felt it could have been told better.
A Scream on the Water: A True Story of Murder in Salem4 stars!
A very good read about a disgusting crime and the creepy, creepy, creepy guy who committed it. The tale is told in small bites, which is good because there's a lot here to absorb. It's one of those books that teaches you something about the world these people live in, the local culture, the local resources and the group personality of Salem, Massachusetts. It's a tribute to old-fashioned shoe-leather police work too. The expert analysis of the killer's personality is going to get a place of honor on my Shrink-Bashing shelf. This one is well worth seeking out.
Sworn to Silence is an unforgettable story of two American lawyers who did the unprecedented. They searched for, found, and photographedthe lifeless bodies of their client’s victims and then kept it secret. They did so in the face of unendurable pressure from the authorities and the victims’ families, who suspected the lawyers knew more than they were saying.When the American public eventually learned of the lawyers’ actions, they were horrified, outraged, and vengeful. People could not fathom how two attorneys—fathers of teenage girls themselves—and supposed officers of the law, could conduct themselves in a manner seemingly beyond any concept of humanity.
Today, this landmark legal case is studied and analyzed in law schools worldwide.
Jim wrote: "Today, this landmark legal case is studied and analyzed in law schools worldwide."I'm wondering what, exactly, the law schools are teaching about this case. I'm no attorney but when I think about the Garrow case I can see a lot of legal tentacles reaching hither and thither..
Whether or not I agree or disagree, The "Buried Bodies Case" is taught as an example of ethical duty of confidentiality) and the right against self-incrimination, versus obstruction of justice. A defendant's attorney does not have an ethical obligation to the victim or the family of the victim. This has never been true in history, and would represent a serious conflict of interest in all criminal cases if it were true.
A defense attorney not only "does not have to" but indeed "is not allowed to" give law enforcement information divulged (without permission) by their client that may weaken their defense, regardless of whether it may advance the case of the prosecution. To do so would be Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, violating the rights of the defendant.
A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proving them guilty falls to the prosecution. If the prosecution could enlist the defense to help prove the defendant guilty, then our legal system would fail to be adversarial.
Jim wrote: "Whether or not I agree or disagree, The "Buried Bodies Case" is taught as an example of ethical duty of confidentiality) and the right against self-incrimination, versus obstruction of justice. A ..."
All perfectly true of course, but it seems to me that at the point where you go find a crime scene and photograph it, based on the confidential information a client has given you, you're somehow in an entirely different ballpark. I know any atty worth his or her salt does some investigation, but...
Maybe I'm asking at what point putting oneself into the investigative role that way becomes evidence tampering or interference with a police investigation. I know what the police would say about me if I came across a crime scene and decided to poke around in it and take photos and so forth, destroying who knows what in the process.
Fishface wrote: "Jim wrote: "Whether or not I agree or disagree, The "Buried Bodies Case" is taught as an example of ethical duty of confidentiality) and the right against self-incrimination, versus obstruction of ..."Exactly! That's why you must read the book!!
I finished a handful so far!The American Predator (Callahan)
Brady & Hindley: Genesis of the Moors Murders (Harrison)
Killer Cults (Singular)
Lost Girls (Kolker)
Try Sworn to Silence by Jim Tracy, tell me what you think!
Thanks the recommendation! I'll have to add it to my list when I'm out checking local bookstores.My True Crime Collection has hit around 150+ different books, so it might be a while until I get to anything haha
Jim wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Jim wrote: "Whether or not I agree or disagree, The "Buried Bodies Case" is taught as an example of ethical duty of confidentiality) and the right against self-incrimination, versu..."Well I JUST got through reading another book on the case so it just feels like it's too soon.
Mod
American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century (Callahan)
Brady and Hindley: Genesis of the Moors Murders (Harrison)
Killer Cults: Stories of Charisma, Deceit, and Death (Singular)
Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery (Kolker)"
Even more linkys!
Frank, I would love to know what you think of Sworn to Silence!!
Lady Belleza, I would love to know what you think of Sworn to Silence!!
To Kill and Kill Again: The Terrifying True Story of Montana's Baby-Faced Serial Sex Murderer by John Coston5 stars
Serial Killer Wayne Nance
I don't think I have read a book about this serial killer before and I don't imagine Montana gets too many serial killers. Interesting from beginning to end. I read this on Kindle so I did a search to find pics before I was done with the book. Bad idea, as then I saw a spoiler as to how it ended. The ending was more like a movie than an actual thing that happened. If you like your true crime without all the court room drama this is for you
Mod
I would love to know what you think of Sworn to Silence!!"
Thanks Jim, I moved one of your posts to the authors folders.
I previously read Privileged Information which is about the same case. I will definitely put this book on my to read shelf.
Sworn to Silence: The Truth Behind Robert Garrow and the Missing Bodies' Case
Thanks!!
Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "Jim wrote: "Lady Belleza, I would love to know what you think of Sworn to Silence!!"
Thanks Jim, I moved one of your posts to the authors folders.
I previously read [book:Privileged Information|..."
Lady B,
Which of these books is the better one?
I must be losing it! I just finished While the City Slept: A Love Lost to Violence and a Young Man's Descent into Madness by Eli Sanders and hadn't put it on GR yet. When I went to put it on GR I saw I had already read it 3 years ago. At no time did I think I had already read this. Oh well. At least I still gave it 5 stars.
Mod
I would love to know what you think of Sworn to Silence!!"
Thanks Jim, I moved one of your posts to the authors folders.
I previously read [book:..."
I can't say, I have only read one of them.
Mod
You're not biased at all are you? ;)
Koren wrote: "I must be losing it! I just finished While the City Slept: A Love Lost to Violence and a Young Man's Descent into Madness by Eli Sanders and hadn't put it on GR yet. When I went to ..."You were the one who told ME to read it LOL.
Fishface wrote: "Koren wrote: "I must be losing it! I just finished While the City Slept: A Love Lost to Violence and a Young Man's Descent into Madness by Eli Sanders and hadn't put it on GR yet. W..."Early dementia I think. If I had listed it as currently reading first I would have caught it. Usually when I start something I have already read it sounds familiar but not this time. Looks like I am going to have to check GR before I order anything from now on.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Obsessed with True Crime
Books mentioned in this topic
In the Name of the Children: An FBI Agent's Relentless Pursuit of the Nation's Worst Predators (other topics)A Tangled Web (other topics)
Othello Rising: the Hunt for the Harvard Student Boston Strangler and Zodiac Suspect (other topics)
The Life and Death of Anna Mae Aquash (other topics)
My James: The Heartrending Story of James Bulger by His Father (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
M. William Phelps (other topics)Peter Brackney (other topics)
Melina Druga (other topics)
Harold Schechter (other topics)
Caitlin Rother (other topics)
More...
3 solid stars!
This story starts when the author spots two very creepy-looking men in a pickup truck near his house. They put him off so much that he calls the police about it. At almost the same time, a whole family is being murdered right across the way. A good, interesting read about a pretty unusual case of familicide. The author rightly characterizes this case as a truly mysterious situation full of unknowns, the central unknown being the suspect. The court proceedings were well compressed into a readable format, and the dangling questions were laid out very well. Being a neighbor and acquaintance of many of the principal characters gave him a great deal of access to areas of this story that a lot of authors wouldn't have -- and still he came away mystified. Read it and you'll understand why.