5 comments about Pitch Black: A Black CATs Novel.

1. Leslie Parrish does it again. She reels you in and takes you for a fast past, sexy ride that involves a very sharp serial killer, dubbed, The Professor. Alex Lambert is a troubled, but handsome FBI agent assigned to the Black Cat squad, a team of agents that investigate Internet related crimes. Parrish does a superb job creating a cast of characters we care about and can relate to. When two teenage boys are lured by a get rich quick scheme and are subsequently killed, Alec calls on the one woman who had been in contact with one of the boys, Sam Dalton--a woman who hides behind her computer. Together they work through the clues Parrish has carefully laid, while exposing their own souls. This is a great read that keeps you guessing who the killer is at every turn. A must read.



2. FBI profiler Alec Lambert nearly died during the Professor serial killer undercover operation that turned deadly. She was exiled for the lethal failure as someone has to take the hit within the bureau and she agreed with the assessment that her unit has failed to catch this serial killer for years.
   
   However, instead of her career dying with the blotched Professor case, Wyatt Blackstone brings Alec onto his BLACK Cats FBI cyber crime unit. Her first assignment on her new squad: the Professor serial killer who has stayed current on technology and now uses the Internet to find and lure his victims into his deadly web. Alec's partner is reclusive scam expert Samantha Dalton who is the agency's best bet to identify the Professor. As Alec pursues the killer and his partner, the Professor pursues Alec's partner targeting Sam as a victim while Sam struggles with her attraction to her partner and her fascination with the Professor who has fisted on making her his next valedictorian.
   
   The sequel to FADE TO BLACK is a terrific FBI police procedural romantic suspense starring two broken winged heroes and a brilliant diabolical villain with a heart that's cold The story line is fast-paced from the onset with its failed operation until the finish as the killer seems to constantly trump the Feds. Although serial killers have become a staple (see Untraceable) fans will enjoy the second Black CATs thriller.
   
   Harriet Klausner



3. Leslie Parrish does it again! She's given us the second installment of what I've heard is a Black CATs trilogy (though they're SO good, I can't help but hope they continue), and in keeping with the first, Fade to Black, she's knocked the romantic thriller genre on its butt with the well-paced, finely-crafted, and emotionally taut Pitch Black.
   
   Alec Lambert is an FBI profiler who's a bit on the outs with the Bureau after a bust went bad and left an agent dead and put Lambert in the hospital with gunshot wounds. He's still on some emotionally shaky ground, doubting his own abilities as he starts his latest assignment working for Wyatt Blackstone's Cyber Action Team (CAT). Unfortunately for a pair of teen boys, best of friends to the very very end and victims of an old nemesis of Alec's, Lambert has to hit the ground running on his very first day with the team in a race against time and cyberspace to catch their killer, the notorious Professor. That ground leads Alec straight to Samantha Dalton, divorcee and near recluse, and definitely a woman with a mission against all things cybercrime. She was the last one to have any contact with one of the victims, and her world is about to blow apart when she realizes she may not just hold the key, she may actually BE the key to the Professor's capture. If she lives through it.
   
   As I was with Fade to Black, I was extremely impressed with the mature development of the relationship between the romantic leads, Alec and Sam. It's such a delight to see a relationship that has both sparks flying AND realistic progression given the surrounding story line. To me, this aspect really sets Parrish's books head and shoulders above many many others I've read. And there's so much depth given to each character, deftly and subtly woven into the plot instead of seeming at odds with it. Such a treat to read.
   
   A caution, though, as Parrish has another unique skill that doesn't lead to the warm fuzzies. Her skill at bringing the reader right into victims' experiences gives us a disturbing insight that sets her apart from others I've read in the genre. It's also, I feel, what brings true darkness and horror into her books. They're not particularly gory - in fact, Fade to Black in particular could've been and wasn't - but they do touch a deep chord and leave no room for doubting a human monster's capacity for depraved cruelty. Not by languishing in the mind of the killer, but by humanizing the victims and familiarizing us with them even as they die.
   
   It's dark stuff at times, and may not be for all readers. I have a pretty much love/hate relationship with it, myself, actually - LOVE it on an intellectual level, but it resonates a sorrow deep enough in me that I can still feel it days later.
   
   All in all, I HIGHLY recommend Leslie Parrish's Fade to Black and Pitch Black. I did like Fade to Black just a wee bit more, as Sheriff Stacey Rhodes and Agent Dean Taggert are two of my all-time favorite characters in this genre, and there was one part of Pitch Black where Sam's actions struck me as almost stereotypical-victimish, doing something she should've known better than to do, though I do understand HER reasons for doing them. Still, that doesn't detract too much from my enthusiastic enjoyment of this book and the ongoing trilogy.
   
   4.5 Stars and a definite must read!



4. Special Agent Alex Lambert has been transferred into the Black CAT unit, not because he wants to be there, but it's his last chance to continue as an agent after a bad investigation left his partner dead. Alex walks into a morning briefing on a case that suddenly brings his past case to the present. Will Alex have a chance to finally capture the murderer he has been investigating for several years?
   
   Samantha Dalton runs a website devoted to debunking swindlers who trick victims online with schemes. She started her personal mission after a family member was destroyed by such a scheme. Sam runs a blog on her site and answers emails to anyone who asks for information or an opinion. This brings her to Alex's attention when an email is discovered on a murder victim's computer.
   
   Sam and Alex meet when it appears that one of her recent followers has been murdered. Sam is shocked to find out that not only was he killed by the perpetrator of this email scheme, but that it is a pattern. More shocking to both Sam and Alex is when they discover that the murderer seems to be focusing on Sam. The question is why and just how closely is he following Sam? The tension is getting as hot as the relationship between Sam and Alex as the days go by. Plans are constructed by the team, but it might be too late for Sam to escape whatever the murderer has planned for her.
   
   What to do when your life has been turned upside down unexpectedly? Pitch Black asks that question of both Samantha and Alex but for very different reasons. Samantha is determined that no one will be swindled again if she can help it. Alex has been transferred to the black sheep team as a chance to regain his career. I once again fell into the twisted plot that Ms. Parrish constructed with great suspense and characters you would love to have as friends. The actual murderer was a surprise to me as I had decided on someone with a totally different profession. I just know that when the murderer is unveiled, most readers will be surprised. On a side note, I was upset when one of my favorite characters was killed. I had hoped that the character would have a romance in the future. The pop and sizzle between Samantha and Alex combined with an intriguing suspense to make Pitch Black a must read for suspense lovers.
   
   Jo
   Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed



5. This is the second book of this series and it was really good. Leslie Parrish is a very good author whose characters are so well depicted that you think they are in a room with you. The dialogue is very entertaining and until the murderer is revealed, you just cannot guess. There is also a nice little twist that had my heart pounding. The romance is hot and I cannot wait to read the third book.

3 comments about The Wall Street Journal. Complete Identity Theft Guidebook: How to Protect Yourself from the Most Pervasive Crime in America (Wall Street Journal Identity Theft Guidebook: How to Protect).

1. *****
   I have read several identity theft books, and this book from the Wall Street Journal is by far the best. For starters, it is short, containing JUST the information you need to know. The first half of the book is about how to prevent identity theft. The second half of the book is about how to recover from identity theft. It is so helpful for me to have everything I need to know collected succinctly all in one place.
   
   The book covers things you can do to prevent identity theft and exactly how the latest scams are perpetrated so that you can be aware (including utility theft, employment identity theft, medical identity theft, and home equity theft). It covers understanding your credit report, including credit monitoring tools and other credit tools (including the differences between a credit alert and a credit freeze, something I had been confused about); the book identifies your credit report as the single most important document for protecting your identity. There are many examples of credit reports and how to interpret them. There is also information about identity theft and technology, made understandable for pretty much anyone.
   
   The second half of the book includes resources for identity theft recovery---numbers to call, sample letters, sample logs, laws, and more. Hopefully, by reading and implementing the first half of the book you will never need the second half of the book. Nothing is ever totally foolproof against identity theft, of course, but there are so many basic things you can do to minimize your risk of becoming a victim.
   
   Despite including all of this information, the book can be read by anyone in 4-5 hours. In my opinion, this is information everyone should be aware of. Law enforcement is overburdened and cannot be relied upon to protection; each person has to take personal responsibility to protect themselves, and this book is all you need to do so. You'll have work to do after reading the book, of course, but it will be worth it. Save you money, and if you want to just buy one book, make it this one.
   
   Highly recommended.
   *****



2. A thorough, easy-to-read depiction of how identities are stolen, how you can protect yourself, and what to do if your efforts fail. Significantly, the book points out that identity theft often is an inside job; i.e., it isn't a hacker in Russia, it is one of your nearest and dearest (?).



3. Excellent identity theft book. Although not a technical book, it gives the basic facts on threats and makes recommendations that should significantly reduce the incidence of identity thefts and the impact of an identify theft, if one occurs.

5 comments about Smasher: A Silicon Valley Thriller (A Silicon Valley Mystery).

1. Plot, sub-plot, sub-sub plot all woven together plus characters who are serious characters -- when's the movie coming out?



2. I am not usually a mystery reader, but am very happy I picked this up. It is a real page turner.
   
   This book is a blast - it has several interesting story lines that cleverly run together, Ian Michaels must find a way to save his high tech start up from a hostile takeover, vindicate his Great Aunt who was cheated out of a physics nobel price 40 years ago, while finding out who tried to run over his wife, an assistant DA prosecuting a murder case.
   
   As a resident of Silicon Valley, it was particularly fun. Ian manages to visit all the cool places between San Francisco and Palo Alto. If you live, here, you will know exactly where he is talking about.



3. Ian Michaels, the Jewish green tea-drinking, khaki-wearing, Silicon Valley executive is back again in Raffel's second great read. I found it refreshing to be led through a story by such an upstanding, dedicated husband, son and CEO, especially in these cynical times. Raffel's main character reminds me of Jimmy Stewart and his portrayals of the common citizen caught in unfortunate circumstances. A must read for anyone interested in Silicon Valley, Judaism, or simply a wonderful roller coaster ride of a mystery.



4. Thrasher is a Silicon Valley Roman å Clef about high tech boardroom shenanigans, venture capitalists, Nobel Prize politics, Stanford physicists and (of course) murder. Part of the fun is spotting the references to real life models.
   
   I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to Keith Raffel's next book.



5. I really enjoyed the previous novel by this author, Dot.Dead and was looking forward to Smasher. Some of the same good elements are here, the author's suave humor, his intimate familiarity with some aspects of the tech world in SV, the warmth of the family interactions. Overall, though, I didn't experience any of the suspense that carried the story so well in Dot.Dead. The sub-plot in Smasher that employed a fictional history of the postulation and discovery of subatomic quarks actually ruined the novel for me, for the following two reasons:
   
   1) On the one hand, the plot attempts to immerse the reader in the real-life present-day world of silicon valley - with many observations about actual people, companies and events that are related to the valley. So then incorporating an alternate history of a major piece of modern physics had the effect of continuously jarring me awake from the fictional narrative of the story. I think this would be true for anyone who is aware of the actual history and science of quarks and the Standard Model and the real physicists who formulated these ideas, such as Murray Gell-Mann who received a Nobel for his work. This author did not choose to make up alternate histories for HP, Apple, or other aspects of the history of computers and networking, so choosing to distort the history of physics seemed all the more bizarre. Would readers be okay if the sub-plot involved a totally different history of Apple computer without Steve Jobs in the picture? I doubt it, so why pick on physics this way - it's a disservice to an amazing discovery and the real people who made it.
   
   2) the alternate physics sub-story portrays a female physicist whose work does not get the credit it deserves - this came across as preachy PC lecturing - the kiss of death for good story-telling. A real theoretician who did not receive a Nobel for his contribution to quarks, but some feel should have, George Zweig, was a man, not a woman. The author admits in the acknowledgment that the fictionalized physics story is the 'novelist's prerogative' and he further reminds us of the injustices done to a real-world scientist in a different field, Rosalind Franklin, who should have shared the Nobel for her contributions to understanding the double helix structure of DNA. Yes, that's a damn shame, but it's also a totally different story. In Smasher, Isobel Marter comes across as an icon, not a real person, so that also weakens whatever dramatic element her character might contribute to the plot.
   
   My only other quips with the novel (and these apply a little bit to Dot.Dead, but a lot less so) a) I wish the allusions to Silicon Velley lore were presented more integrally into the story - a lot of times our narrator starts to sound like a Fodor Travel Guide in referring to famous places or events, or the culture of the deal. Readers know this stuff already. b) I know the hero is supposed to be in his mid-to-late thirties, but he often comes across as much older in his behavior and outlook. Yeah he jogs and texts on his iPhone, but he talks about his achy back like a much older guy, and worries about cholesterol levels. He also refers to the pirated CDs of Grateful Dead concerts - someone didn't do their homework. The Dead encouraged fans to record and disseminate all their concerts and copies were widely exchanged and copied among Dead Heads.
   
   Anyway, the boardroom discussions are always fun in these novels. I hope he comes up with a stronger plot for the next mystery in the series.

5 comments about Terrorist Recognition Handbook: A Practitioner's Manual for Predicting and Identifying Terrorist Activities, Second Edition.

1. 5-Stars on Mr. Nance's "Terrorist Recognition Hamdbook!" This should be considered a Terrorist Primer on terrorist awareness and preparedness for observing terrorist surveillance indicators and preplanning. It is "well-worth" the price tag and it is highly recommended!
   
   Jeff Strohman, Antiterrorism Program Manager and Senior Instructor, USMC



2. This book is an essential book for the intelligence operative, the fiction writer or anybody interested in the vital topic of terrorist operations. The author breaks the book down into understandable sections so that the reader can gain a comprehensive understanding of terrorism and terrorists. Afterward, you will understand weapons, cell organization, motivation, profiles and various active terrorist groups.



3. ...would be to look in the mirror. The so-called "war on terror" was an unprovoked attack by the US on a country that had absolutely no involvement in 9/11. George Bush has been the world's most dangerous terrorist the last few years, but somehow he doesn't fit the author's narrow definition.



4. Let me begin by saying I did not read this book. While searching for books by and about Comandante Marcos, Amazon directed me to this book. Reading the excerpt the author uses Marcos as an example of a terrorist. This gross error made me assume that this book is nothing but "intelligence" propaganda that continues to be spoon fed to the simple minded people of the world. My school, which is smaller, has an intelligence dept. funded by the NSA. The reasons for them placing it at a smaller school like mine is clear, we have a lot of students who are here because of the GI Bill. They are brainwashed in the military so why not continue brainwashing them to do our bidding. I signed up to take one of these course and dropped out right after reading the biased and no way near objective syllabus. This type of teaching is making us incredibly unsafe as a country and as a world and needs to be combated.



5. There are several so-called "reviews" that have nothing whatsoever to do with the content of the book. Indeed, one "reviewer" admits that he didn't read the book at all, and the others are obvious political grandstanding - again having nothing to do with the merits of the book. These "reviews" should be completely ignored by anyone who is looking for a definitive discussion of terrorists and their methods. A "must read" for intelligence and security professionals, especially in the critical infrastructure sectors.

5 comments about Spies Among Us: How to Stop the Spies, Terrorists, Hackers, and Criminals You Don't Even Know You Encounter Every Day.

1. I'm an information security professional - I read Ira Winkler because he knows what's what - but I am very annoyed at the editors for choosing such a stupid subtitle. I don't mind "Spies Among Us" by itself, because any InfoSec professional knows that the real spies are among us, but the rest ... garbage.
   
   That being said, I think Ira Winkler has the capability to open anyone's eyes if they simply allow it to happen. This book presents good examples (case studies) that any IT manager or CIO can understand. That's so important these days because managers and CIOs are often hired for some reasons other than their in-depth IT knowledge. When we work for these people, it's important that they see the simplicity of problems that can destroy any security program built by the best and most knowledgable InfoSec pro. This book isn't written for me. It's written for the non-professional, which is a perfect target audience to write in favor of.
   
   Winkler also presents the reader with information about differences between the mindsets of people from different countries. That was something that I was not precisely thinking about since most of my clients and their critical people are "local" to the United States; still, it's important to know and remember when dealing with and protecting against International themes of people.
   
   Folks, if you're looking for cyberterrorism and how it works, avoid this book like the plague; however, if you want to get an eye opening view of protecting your information and your infrastructure, look closely and remember what you read.



2. Good work!!!!
   
   And from a REAL LIFE perspective... that anyone can grasp.



3. This book has really opened my eyes to issue I never thought of in Information Security.
   
   WARNING: This book might make you lose sleep at night.



4. This is an excellent book and it reads well. Since I have worked in some of the arenas the book presents I can relate to the subject matter. The book raises a lot of questions about our cyber infrastructure and our personal privacy.



5. I come from the enterprise/corporate security world. Ira understands the spook side of security where budgets are greater, time more plentiful and stakes quite high. A good read.

5 comments about The Fugitive Game: Online with Kevin Mitnick.

1. Face it, whether you're a white hat or a black hat - hacking is hacking. Alas, the term "ethical hacker" is merely a way for those breaking the law to rationalize their behavior. Littman did a great job of exposing this great debate in the book. In the field of information security, Mitnick is known to all of us as the king of social engineering. Let's be completely honest (even Mitnick and Littman exposed this in the book)... Kevin is not good at hacking but rather at exploiting the human factor. That is - humans are the weakest link in this whole information security thing - not the systems themselves. You want to design a secure system? - educate your users, administrators, managers and executives on how to be wise and vigilant and adhere to a sound security policy.
   
   Thank you to Mr. Littman for showing us the many sides of Mitnick's life. I look forward to reading about Poulsen next in "The Watchman".



2. This is the best book I read about Kevin Mitnick's exploits, time on the run, and eventual arrest. It reads like a thriller, is true to it's subject material, and is informative too. If you want to know the story behind one of the country's most noted computer hackers, this is the book to read. (Until of course he publishes his memoirs :-)).



3. Well, maybe it's because I always wanted to live the new economy revolution that happened there in that time and I always wanted to be "connected" even if I was too young and my parents could not understand my point. I'm a bit "obsessed" by this story and not just because there's still something to be clarified, but because the scenario and the period where these events are based mean something in the Internet history. I've red the books, the documents, the reports, the old post messages and nearly everything that is available on the net, and I can say that definitely this book add something more to all of that. I like the author's perspective as well because he wants to understand what's really behind. Of course, as the author's himself said, the book is based mainly on dialogues and interviews with all the people involved in the story, but at the end I hoped there was the chance to extract more details about who really attacked Shimo and why Kevin was handling Shimo's files. I got the feeling that all the phone calls reported were at the end too dispersive and distant from the real secrets of the story. But I believe the author did that to point out what was really behind Kevin's way of behaving, and what really was his point of view, and the book is really successfull in that. Probably what left me a bit disappointed is that I hoped at the very end the author could ask Kevin something more to get more light on all the story after his capture, but probably just my expectations were too high.



4. I saw the movie "Track Down" with Skeet Ulrich and that intrigued me enough to want to read this book.
   
   I really enjoyed this book and found it very informative and fair to the subjects, since it is a true story.
   
   highly recommend if you are interested in computers and those that hack, just from the vicarious thrill, as well as how to protect yourself online!



5. The same author wrote "The Watchman" which is about Kevin Poulsen. I loved that book and this book.
   
   It's good to read a more reliable story on Mitnick than what came from garbage that John Markoff wrote. You actually get to hear the stories the way Mitnick explains them. He trusted Littman (the author) enough during his hiding time to call him and talk to him for hours at a time and explain what he's done, what he didn't do and his life on the run. You also get to see snippets of how corrupt John Markoff sounds during this entire thing and I don't think Littman even meant to do that.
   
   I do like "The Watchman" a bit better... at times reading the long conversations between Mitnick and Littman can get a bit repetitive or boring... However, most of the time it's very interesting.
   
   I'd suggest reading "The Watchman" first and then reading this book, as you'll notice a whole bunch of tie-in's from the characters in that book and how they relate to Mitnick. I found that fascinating how everyone was linked in one way or another...

5 comments about Computer Forensics: Computer Crime Scene Investigation (Networking Series).

1. Computer Forensics is very appropriate considering a number of data storage facilities that
   have been recently hacked into, resulting in theft of customer data. The subject matter of computer forsenic
   is logically presented from grounds up leading to a volume of valuable information. I was impressed with the
   case studies that appear in the appendix. The end of chapter exercises should be very useful,
   and thus could be adapted in a teaching environment. This text should form a companinon to the author's
   other text on Firewalls.



2. This edition of the book addresses the most current concerns/issues that every computer professional/layman should be aware of. The sheer amount of information offerd is impressive but, as always, presented in the same easy-to-absorb manner as John's numerous other books.



3. I was real excited when I saw this book that looked like the bible of computer forensics and it came with a DVD. The cost of 50 dollars made it expensive but with DVD that I hope would have video that I can watch.
   
   THe book is okay in giving a general idea of computer forensics. It was not very specific in what to do. It has an interactive part in which it give you general answer too not very thorough.
   
   Then, it goes on a tangent about warfare and cyber terrorism. It leaves the forensics behind. And the book goes over 700 pages.
   
   The DVd is intro to some fornesics software, I was hoping it had video
   to show people like me that are visual and can learn more this way.
   
   So, the book is okay but I would check others that are more specific and give more thorough details about computer forensics.



4. Vacca appears to have edited rather than written this, and none too well at that. Some chapters use British spelling and some US, some talk of Pounds Sterling and others Dollars. (For each of the five star reviews, examine that writer's other reviews see if you detect a pattern emerging.)
   
   Having said that, the book does present a fairly decent overview of computer forensics for those who want general information about it, and had it been advertised as such I'd have graded it higher. It offers little or nothing, however, to the practitioner or serious student.



5. This is an excellent book. I will tell you that it is not for beginners. This book is like a field book telling you the ins and outs of the legal side of computer forensics. It does tell you about some of the technical aspects of the Computer Forecsics field.

5 comments about Malware: Fighting Malicious Code.

1. This book provides the best review of malicious software that is presently available. If you need a comprehensive reference then this is the book for you. The author is a well-known and respected security analyst and this book provides solid information at a level suitable for the system administrator. Unlike so many books of this type, it is not a camouflaged endorsement of some vendor's products or a simplistic and alarmist text.
   
   Topics covered include:
   - viruses, with a brief history and description of the various types and their mechanisms;
   - worms, again with a brief history and description of the various types and their mechanisms;
   - mobile code, including browser scripts, ActiveX controls, Java applets and mobile code as it occurs in email clients and distributed applications. Given the increasing amount of mobile code, this is particularly valuable;
   - backdoors, particularly Netcat and VNC but covering some others as well;
   - trojans inlcuding wrappers, source poisoning and browser co-option;
   - rootkits for Unix andWindows;
   - kernel-mode rotkits for linux and Windows;
   - possible modes, including BIOS and microcode attacks.
   
   "Encyclopediac" is the only description I can give, but be warned that it's not for the general reader, or for newbies.



2. I am fortunate to have an autographed copy from when Mr. Skoudis taught a SANS class I attended; and have had to take a lot of time getting it read in the meantime. This is the book that I would recommend to anyone that would learn the workings of worm, virus, trojan horse and other malware - not how to write them, but how to understand and deal with them. The information on setting up a lab to examine these critters is a good start for those wanting to understand attacks - but like other reviewers have said, this book is not for one without a grounding in computer security.



3. This is a good book. Ed has become a master in this filed and he put tons of good stuff in the book.



4. Great book explaining all the different types of malware out there. Skoudis helps to understand the technical details of each malware type without going into too much detail. The links provided, altough a few years old, are all still relevant.



5. Nutshell review - This is a really good book, well written, easy to digest and follow. Good coverage and enough depth to provide a decent grounding from which further research into specific areas of interest can be launched.

1 comments about 21st Century Security and CPTED: Designing for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Crime Prevention.

1. Randy Atlas, PhD., CPP, AIA, is likely the most qualified writers and trainers on CPTED, approaching the likes of the past legends of CPTED the likes of Oscar Newman, the late Tim Crowe, etc. While there are many scholars and practitioners that could rise to take the mantle of leadership defining the face of proselytizing for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to the masses, I think Dr. Atlas's book clearly puts him forward as the front runner. Since 1991, Tim Crowe's book, "Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: applications of architectural design and space management concepts" has been the core curriculum for CPTED practioneers, architects, schools, etc; Crowe's book was given an update in 2000. But there have been many improvements, criticisms, and updates to CPTED that have not found their place within one cover until Dr. Atlas released his important contribution to the industry. CPTED is the design or redesign of an environment to reduce crime opportunity and fear of crime. CPTED is achieved through access control, surveillance, and territorial reinforcing strategies that incorporate procedural, mechanical, and natural methods. As CPTED has evolved, several defined schools of CPTED thought have formed that are frequently characterized by the professionals that espouse the school variants; there is a Florida school, an Australian school, and Canadian school of CPTED, and many variations more. Indeed, some scholars, such as Greg Saville, Ph.D. (also a contributor to Dr. Atlas's book), have focused on 2nd Generation CPTED brining even more color analysis to the implementation and thinking that must go into successful application of CPTED strategies and methods. This particular book on CPTED is an important core contribution to the professional security manager's tool kit for reducing crime in specific places. It augments and builds upon the successful work of prior scholars in the field. But Dr. Atlas has done much more than just focus on what CPTED was, or has become. Rather, Dr. Atlas asks the difficult questions, what should we be doing? How shall we adapt to new and changing crime situations? And what about entertaining new ideas about old concepts? Indeed, Dr. Atlas is not afraid of confronting challenges with CPTED theory, but rather meets these challenges head on by inviting guest contributors to his book that bring a collective balance to the presentation of data, theory, and practical applications. In closing, and in fairness the reader, I disclose that I had a very small part to play in the book's production; I am a co-author of one of the 32 chapters of this book, "Chapter 6: Understanding CPTED and Situational Crime Prevention," written by Severin Sorensen, John Hayes, and Randy Atlas. My small participation in this project should in no way discount my review of Dr. Atlas's important work; rather quite the opposite, my own experience with CPTED makes me the perfect reviewer for this important work. It is for this reason that 21st Century Security and CPTED is a must read for security professionals. It will no doubt become part of the core curriculum of CPTED practitioners, architects, police officers, property managers, and security personnel interested in learning how to make the built environment more defensible and safer. The book is a solid contribution to the field, should be in every library of criminology, security management, police studies, and architecture. It is a good read.

5 comments about Fade to Black: A Black CATs Novel.

1. Dean Taggert is part of the new Black CAT (Cyber Action Team) in the FBI. Dean has seen many things while being in the FBI and before the transfer in to the CAT group. But the video he is watching now tops anything he has ever seen. At first it is thought to be a phony snuff film, but it becomes very evident that it is an actual and grisly murder. Dean and his group also discover that this is not the only one done by the same person and they decide to test out their fledgling wings and grab this case for CAT.
   
   Stacey Rhodes has come home and is the current sheriff of her sleepy little town. The high point of her job is usually the patrols as drunks are leaving the bar on the weekend. But she does have one cold case - a missing person matter that is a year old. While Stacey isn't even sure that the town bad girl is even really missing, she does keep updating the missing persons databases. Imagine her surprise when after one normal weekly update, Stacey receives a call from the FBI.
   
   Dean knows much more about their serial killer, nicknamed The Reaper, by the time he travels to meet with Stacey. It appears that a cyber club called "Satan's Playground" which caters to every type of deviant behavior is involved. Dean and Stacey meet each other, they are surprised with an attraction to each other. Stacey might be a small town sheriff now but that is not how she began in law enforcement and is quick to pick up on the unsaid facts. Unraveling a deadly chain of clues begins to bring them closer to The Reaper and while this is going on, it seems that Stacey's small town is exploding with crime that has been slowly building. When Stacey and Dean quit denying their building passion for each other, it becomes much more than either expected. Danger is coming closer as The Reaper goes for the ultimate kill. To defeat The Reaper, Stacey will have to accept that it's someone she knows and use her inside knowledge of her citizens to help Dean and his team.
   
   One small town sheriff with a past and one FBI agent trying for a new future search for sociopath serial killer in Fade to Black. Stacey needed to escape for a bit and returned home to become the sheriff. Dean transferred into CAT to try and have a better life for his son. Both Stacey and Dean were instantly characters I could believe in from their first meeting to their falling in love and finally to admitting that love. I truly enjoyed the suspense and scattering of clues as the plot unrolled before me. When I learned the identity of the killer, I discovered that I was close but not correct in figuring out the killer. Fade to Black is Ms. Parrish's first romantic suspense and if this is what is to come, I will be in line for her next adventure. Fade to Black is like a wonderful maze with clues, red herrings, great suspense and of course a love story with a happy ending. A book you will want to re-read just to see what clues you missed the first time.
   
   
   
   Jo
   Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed



2. This book contained a great suspense story. The characters are entertaining, the mystery is not easily guessed (actually I didn't see it coming at all), and the romantic side of it was really good. I highly recommend this book.



3. Wow! I have never read anything by this author before but really like dark romantic thrillers by authors like Karen Rose and Allison Brennan. I found this book and the next two in the series to be exciting and suspenseful, mysterious and romantic. I had no clue who the bad guy was and every time I thought I had figured it out, the author threw another possibility at me. Really well done!



4. I am not a fan of romance novels. In other words, I would not knowingly purchase a traditional romance novel. I purchased this series without realizing that Parrish writes romantic suspense.
   
   The search for the serial killer was good, really, really good, but for me it was diluted by all the interruptions to iterate and reiterate the characters romantic interest in one another. I would have enjoyed the book so much more had the author not spent so much time illuminating the romantic interest between the two main characters. If the author had just toned down the sentiments, sensations and passions, the mystery of who was committing these crimes was five star quality.
   
   So if you enjoy romantic suspense, you will most certainly enjoy this book. For those readers who prefer to read less about a character's love life and more about the mystery and finding the serial killer, I recommend the Stony Barrett series by Cody McFadyen.



5. I read the prologue and first chapter and gave up. I didn't believe these characters for a second. Too much smirking, eye rolling etc. More than one, one of the characters saw doubt, or fear or some darn thing in another characters eyes! Oy, all I've ever seen in another person's eyes is....eyeballs. The writing is not good. WAY too much telling, not enough showing. Too many adverb modifying verbs. I don't let my beginning writing students get away with that. I have to wonder - are ALL THREE of the books in the series this bad?????