No comments about Cooking with a Serial Killer Recipes From Dorothea Puente.

5 comments about Jfk Myths: A Scientific Investigation Of The Kennedy Assassination.

1. Mr. Jacobs posed the following question:
   
   If you shot the arguably most important man in the world, and you were caught and jailed within two hours of carrying out the deed, then why not stand up and admit it, and give a "salute" for the cause, and tell the world why JFK had to die? If you were guilty and they caught you THAT quickly, what would ever motivate you to think anyone would ever believe your claims that you are a PATSY? But here we are, posing "if-then" scenarios, and it's of no interest to these fellows. Hope it is for you.
   
   By asking this question, Mr. Jacobs has shown he has absolutely no knowledge of Lee Harvey Oswald the man, and what type of individual Oswald was. Is this unusual? Unfortunately, it is not. Most if not all conspiracy authors prey on isolated pieces of evidence as opposed to having a deep understanding of Oswald and what made him tick. Per his older brother Robert: "Lee always liked to think he was smarter than everybody else". "He never wanted others to know what he was thinking". Upon his return from Russia in 1962, Oswald was interviewed by the FBI. When asked by the FBI whether he was an asset of American Intel, he smiled. He then told Robert "they asked me if I was in intellignece". "I had some fun with them". Per Robert, this was the essence of Lee Harvey Oswald. He hated authority, listened to nobody and felt his importance in the pro-castro movement was not being recognized. He wanted that recognition. Hence, his attempt to murder General Walker in April, 63. Again, he failed. In July, 1963, he received a letter from the Department of the Navy refusing to overturn his undesireable discharge. Oswalds life was spiriling out of control. He hated his job, he was living in a boarding house without wife and children, he had no money....and he had no future. What he did have on November 22nd was means, motive and opportunity. When Robert Oswald visited his brother in the Dallas Jail on 11/22 he knew Lee had killed the President. He only had to look into his eyes.
   
   It is interesting to note that David Lifton has critiqued Sturdivans work because he too is coming out with another science fiction piece on Oswald. Lifton of course is infamous for his "Best Evidence" scenario that JFK's body was altered between Dallas and Washington. This flies of course in the face of known facts that the body was NEVER left unattended during the flight. In addition, if one knows anything about bullet wounds, it is IMPOSSIBLE to alter these wounds without detection. Simply ask any wound ballistics expert. And I thought George Lucas wrote great science fiction! As is typical of the conspiracy community, Lifton in his critque mentions Oswalds infamous "I'm just a patsy" comment. What he fails to quote, is the entire comment. Oswald said "I'm just a patsty, they only picked me up because I'm a communist". Lifton, like virtually every CT who's written a book would have you believe Oswald was saying he was a patsy of the intel community or organized crime. Why quote the entire comment since it dramatically changes the tone and intent?
   Simply because it does NOT fit the agenda of the conspiracy community. Mr. Lifton? Let the marketing begin. Mr. Lifton states, the case will rest or fall on the validity of the evidence. I agree with this statement. However, what Mr. Lifton fails to tell you is....after 43 years, not ONE conspiracy theory has EVER proven to be true. Not one!!
   Mr. Lifton, as conspiracy theorists do uses the "reverse scientific method". They determine what happened, throw out all the data that doesn't fit their conclusion and then hail their findings as the only possible solution. To give you an example, Mr. Lifton has actually stated that Dealey Plaza consisted of underground tunnels for the assassins to escape and that the trees and foliage within Dealey Plaza was NOT REAL and was actually disassembled by the conspirators on the evening of 11/22. And yet, the conspiracy community looks at Lifton as a "leader". Frightening isn't it?



2. there's interesting reviews on the diminished velocity theory of bullet 399 that shows lots of contradictions with Sturdivans ever-changing analysis.
   
   But just when you think that no more can be learned about the JFK caper, up pops an article by an attorney George Costello presenting a paper before the bar in 1996 I believe, pointing out an irrefutable fact which I have seen with my own eyes---over and over, every which way to Sunday. Ironically, a fact that was first brought up by Posner and which actually contradicts that writers' own claims. The lapel flap.
   
   I recommend securing a quality slo-mo copy of the Z film. Study JFK's obvious reaction to an injury sustained at the very latest at Zapruder 220 (but that's way pushing it as the HSCA established the injury to be as early as 190). In any case, Kennedy is clutching his throat as the limo emerges from the Stemmons sign. Now carefully look at Connally's lapel; it ISN'T flapped over his shirt at this point but then in the next frame, the shirt is blacked out with the obvious thrust of his lapel.
   
   A bullet travelling at well over 1,000 fps should have moved the flap practically instantaneously---while kennedy was hit before emerging from the sign but IT DIDN'T. Absolutely, unquestionably, without any doubt whatsoever. See for yourself. Conclusion: TWO BULLETS within a second of one another. Thanks Mr. Posner for pointing the way. Oh, how the truth shall out albeit ever so slowly and deliberately!



3. I read Best Evidence many years ago, but I have not read this book, yet.. Ordering it now, but I have to ask.. Since Mr. Lifton (?) decided to speak out in this forum..
   
   1. Not to get involved in the actual assassination, because it is too detailed an event to discuss in this forum.. However, how do you account for Oswald's actions, post Dealey Plaza?.. Why, as 4 different eyeball witnesses (William Scoggins, James Tatum, Domingo Beinavidas, and Helen Markham) said, did he shoot a police officer?.. Why did 9 other eyewitnesses say they saw Lee Oswald fleeing from the scene with a gun?..
   
   2. Why did he throw his jacket underneath a car two blocks from the crime scene?..
   
   3. Why was Oswald arrested with the pistol that killed Officer Tippit?..
   
   Answer.. Because HE WAS the person who killed Offier JD Tippit..
   
   Now.. Why would Oswald leave work, walk six blocks east on Elm Street.. Get on a bus.. Get off the bus.. Get into a cab, which he has drop him 5 blocks from his house.. Walk to his boarding house, go in and arm himself (?).. Leave, and 10 minutes later gun down a police officer?..
   
   WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?.. Like I said, there IS NO DEBATE about this.. Four (4!) eyewitnesses positively IDed Oswald as the man who gunned down Tippit.. 9 other witnesses positively IDed Oswald fleeing the scene "holding, or shaking" a pistol.. Not to mention the six (6!) individual pieces of PHYSICAL EVIDENCE that tie Oswald to the crime scene, including (1)the gun found on Oswald, which was matched to the (2,3,4,and 5) spent hulls found at the scene.. The pistol was matched "to the exclusion of every other pistol in the world".. And finally, the (6) jacket found tossed underneath a car in a gas station parking lot, 2 blocks away!..
   
   So the guy killed Tippit.. Beyond a reasonable doubt, he killed a cop.. Why would he do that?.. You're an expert (so you say).. So please, use your expertise, and convince me there is a totally innocuous reason for Oswald to kill a police officer..



4. There must surely be a conspiracy to not review this book favourably ! It is outstanding and one of the very best on this subject.
   Several of the more recent books on the JFK assassination have been written by legal, ballistics and medical experts rather than journalists seeking fame and fortune. For that reason much that was considered as conspiracy "gospel" in this case has been debunked in recent years. Mr. Sturdivan is an expert in his field and his conclusions come with a weight and persuasion that leaves the competition from the pro conspiracy side of the fence literally standing.
   I have read over 300 books on this subject, I used to believe in a conspiracy and still take an active interest in the subject. This book was the one that finally convinced me that all the shots were fired from above and behind and that they were fired by Oswald. Forget the grassy knoll - it's a huge red herring. Concentrate on the best evidence - the film, medical and ballistics. Read this book and put the case to rest.



5. This book was a really good read and proved to me that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone shooter in Dealy Plaza that day. The Author is very knowledgable in the subject matter and explains in details how the "magic bullet" was not magic at all but a bullet which followed the laws of physics.
   
   Before reading this book, I was not sure if there were other shooters in Dealy Plaza. I visited the site this summer on Vacation and could see where the other shooters could have been located. If you look at the film, without understanding how the bullets deform and cause injuries after thier first impact then I can see why you would think there was another shooter. But the author does a very good job of proving that the shots fired from the Texas School Book Depository can and did cause all of the injuries and reactions from the president and governor.
   
   However, the book does not go into great detail about why Oswald did it (we may never know, thanks to Jack Ruby) and why Jack Ruby killed Oswald. Although, I do think that Oswald was a lone nut, the book does not prove that Oswald was not either part of a larger conspiracy or working for someone else.

5 comments about Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders.

1. This is better that Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie married and had a child. Pure power to the mind. All crimes must be paid for as this book revealsed. I hate being lied to since this book reveals the truth of all truth.



2. I bought this book for my wife, who is a Romantic Suspense writer. I did a keyword search looking for books on forgeries. This is the best book I have found if you want to learn about an example of this particular type of crime.



3. "Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders" is a very fine analysis of one of the most bizarre stories in Mormon history. It tells the story of the Salt Lake City bombings on 15 and 16 October 1985 that killed Steven F. Christensen and Kathleen B. Sheets and seriously injured Mark W. Hofmann.
   
   One of the scenarios developed during the period immediately following the deaths of Christensen and Sheets on 15 October, associated the bombings with high finance and the crumbling business empire of J. Gary Sheets, husband of Kathleen and former associate of Christensen. Sheets' business, CFS Financial Corporation, was in a well-publicized nose-dive. His investors and creditors were clamoring for repayment and Sheets was considering bankruptcy. Christensen had left CFS a few months earlier unhappy with the direction Sheets had charted for the company. Could Sheets have planted the bombs to collect insurance money on the victims or to keep them from talking about illicit business dealings? Could disgruntled investors have placed the bombs? No one knew.
   
   If this were true, it bore no relationship to the Mormon church. The monkey-wrench in this scenario was what appeared to be the attempted murder of Hofmann on the morning of 16 October. He was not associated with CFS in any way, but he had a business relationship with Christensen revolving around the discovery and sale of Mormon historical documents. Christensen had purchased from Hofmann the so-called "Salamander Letter" of Martin Harris to W.W. Phelps, which had been unveiled in a circus-like meeting of the Mormon History Association in May 1985. After Hofmann's bombing most of the speculation suggested that the murders were linked to that document and the study of Mormon origins.
   
   Dated 23 October 1830, this letter narrated a strikingly different story of Book of Mormon origins than most were familiar with from the standard faith story. It suggested that Joseph Smith was intimately involved in folk magic (one aspect of which involved a white salamander who guarded the gold plates) and money-digging, and that the Book of Mormon was simply one more instance of these practices. Moreover, the messenger who delivered the plates to Joseph bore little resemblance to the benevolent being traditionally associated with the story. Instead, he was a crusty and malicious spirit who jealously guarded the treasure. The document seemed to hold the potential to destroy the underpinnings of faith for many naive believers.
   
   The "Salamander Letter" appeared to be a connecting link between the victims in this scenario for the bombings. Christensen had acquired this document from Hofmann; Kathleen Sheets' husband, who seemed to have been the real target of the bomb in this scenario, had been a business associate of Christensen.
   
   Most Mormon historians dismissed as absurd charges made by police investigators within a few days after the bombings that Hofmann was the primary suspect in the murders and that he had cold-bloodedly murdered Christensen to cover up illegal business dealings and Sheets to make it look like the killings were CFS-related. His own injuries, they thought, coming a day after the first murders were the result of the accidental detonation of a third bomb intended for yet another victim. Mark Hofmann was the closest thing the Mormon historical community had to a genuine celebrity. As the discoverer of several overwhelmingly important Mormon documents, he was both nationally known and invariably well-liked. It seemed impossible that Hofmann was a forger and con-man par excellence who committed two grisly murders to stave off financial ruin and a public unmasking of his illegal business dealings.
   
   As it turned out, the police were right. Authors Sillitoe and Roberts describe how Hofmann had brutally murdered Christensen and Sheets and had injured himself while handling a third bomb in his car. He had committed murder to mask a complex array of white-collar crimes that extended back to his student days in the late 1970s at Utah State University. These crimes demonstrated a pattern of deceit and manipulation that was impressive in its size, scope, and length of time.
   
   The immediate causes of the murders, according to the authors, revolved around a complicated collection of documents worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, the McLellin Collection. William McLellin had been one of the original Twelve Apostles of 1835 but had left the church in 1838. Evidence suggests that he collected considerable material on the development of Mormonism. The McLellin Collection was fabled as a treasure trove of important historical materials, many of them damaging to the church's traditional view of history.
   
   In 1985 Hofmann claimed to have found the collection and borrowed huge sums--a $185,000 signature loan that Hugh Pinnock, a high-Mormon leader, had arranged in one instance--from several different people, each unknown to the other, for the purpose of acquiring it. In effect he sold the same collection to several different people. Hofmann did not produce the collection for any of his investors and during the fall of 1985 increasing pressure was bore on him to repay his creditors or to produce the collection. He staved them off for a time with some very slick tap-dancing and even secured backing for his bank loan by having Pinnock arrange for a wealthy Mormon to buy the collection from Hofmann and donate it to the church. The money obtained from this sale would not only pay back the $185,000 bank note but also provide Hofmann with a tidy profit.
   
   Christensen, who had dealt with Hofmann before, volunteered to serve as a middle man for the movement of the collection from Hofmann to the church. As such he became a key player when Hofmann defaulted on the $185,000 loan and Pinnock asked him to press Hofmann for settlement. Christiansen was persistent and Hofmann was increasingly unable to avoid his probes. The bombing of Christensen would buy him time since his main protagonist would be out the way, Hofmann thought; maybe the church would drop the matter entirely. The bombing of Sheets was a diversion that would make Christensen's murder appear CFS-related.
   
   The authors suggest that the 15 October murders did not dissuade the church from completing the transaction for the McLellin collection. In one of the most satisfying sections in the entire book they describe how Hofmann was informed after the Christensen and Sheets murders, which most people at first thought were CFS-related, that the deal was still on track and Christensen would be replaced by Donald Schmidt, the retired LDS Church Archivist. Desperate action was required, so Hofmann built a third bomb. The victim would be another decoy, this time one associated with Mormon document dealings.
   
   Brent Ashworth, a successful lawyer and businessman who also bought collectible documents, was the ideal target. He and Hofmann had been meeting most Wednesdays in Salt Lake City for years, 16 October was a Wednesday, and he could easily get him to accept a bomb wrapped in a package similar to the first two. Afterward, Hofmann believed, there would be no pressure to proceed with the McLellin deal. This time, theoretically, all of Hofmann's objectives would have been achieved. But Ashworth did not meet him in Salt Lake City on 16 October and the bomb accidentally detonated. Hofmann was seriously injured and the police investigators at the scene quickly found tell-tale clues implicating him in the bombings.
   
   The police pursued the leads discovered at the site of the third bomb to a logical conclusion and built a tremendously convincing circumstantial case against Hofmann. Although it took months, Hofmann was finally charged with the murders and several lesser crimes in February 1986. The evidence presented in the preliminary hearings thoroughly convinced Judge Paul Grant. According to the authors, "At the beginning of the preliminary hearing, Grant had thought perhaps Hofmann was innocent. But by the end, he thought him clearly guilty, a pathological liar with no conscience and no remorse" (p. 454). A plea bargain resulted, with Hofmann pleading guilty to certain of the charges and promising to answer questions about his operations in return for a commitment not to seek the death penalty.
   
   The authors of "Salamander" perform an admirable service by sketching in most of the details of the bombings, the document dealings, and the character of Mark Hofmann. They describe a man who was outwardedly a believing Latter-day Saint but who was motivated in his crimes by a lust for money and an opportunity to embarrass his church. Always gracefully and with a touch of pathos, the authors narrate the complex events leading up to the murders, the peculiar circumstances of the murder investigations, the discovery of the evidence incriminating Hofmann, and the legal fireworks surrounding the case.
   
   A forensic analysis by George J. Throckmorton, the technician who discovered the secret of the Hofmann forgeries, rounds out the volume and conclusively proves the illegitimate origins of 106 documents coming from the dealer, including all of his major finds.



4. Not remembering the alcohol plant mentioned in the quote in the following paragraph, I asked Allen Roberts, my friend and one of the authors of this book, as to what the reviewer was refering. Allen had no clue as there IS no alcohol plant mentioned anywhere in the book. Allen Roberts and Linda Sillitoe are people of high integrity and spent many, many, many hours doing meticulous research for this book so that an objective account of the events COULD be told. Either the following quote does not refer to this book, or the reviewer needs to read the book again.
   
   Don't believe everything you read!, January 8, 2001 Reviewer: A reader: "My family was involved with the alcohol plant in New Mexico that the authors of the book claimed never existed. I know it actually did exist, I was there. If the authors had done a minimum amount of research, they would have known it too. So this makes me wonder what else they got wrong. I tend to think there was a lot that really didn't fit together, so I'll keep searching for the truth. I hope everyone else does too."



5. When I found myself in Salt Lake City on business in the early '90s with an unexpected free day on my hands, I thought to use it for pleasure reading and was directed to the Deseret Book Store. It looked like a Barnes & Noble. I did not know it was in thrall to the Mormon Church.
   
   There, I asked a female clerk if there happened to have been any books written about a series of bombings I recalled reading about in the New York Times some years earlier. I was interested in knowing if the culprit had ever been captured and, if so, what had happened to him.
   
   She replied there were two books. "One is historical fact and the other is fiction," she said. "The fiction is pretty bad." At this, she actually wrinkled her nose as if the fiction had left a bad smell she could still detect.
   
   So I bought the 'historical' book she recommended. It was "Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders." Despite the turgid prose, jumpy time lines, and bucketfuls of shibboleths and cliches, I managed to wade through the whole thing in half a day. I found it crushingly dull, very poorly written, and at times completely impenetrable to a reader like me with little or no recollection of the actual case.
   
   "Salamander" suffers from many defects of writing, style, organization, sloppy editing, and negligent proof-reading -- but none so severe or nettlesome as the fact that it makes no narrative sense whatsoever. The largest mystery in reading this book became, for me, wondering over the seemingly indeterminable motives of quite a few of the key characters. Most of them abruptly drop in or fade out of the story like indifferent actors at a crowded theater audition where only bit parts are on offer.
   
   The next day, I happened to mention my frustration with the book to two friends who live in SLC. When they heard how I had come to read "Salamander" they howled with laughter.
   
   "That bookstore clerk steered you to the official Mormon Church version," one explained. "You'll never be able to understand what really happened until you read the other book -- the one she called fiction."
   
   They reminded me of the title of the book I should have read. It was "The Mormon Murders," written by Naifeh and Smith. I read it that night. It is superb.
   
   Naifeh and Smith lay out a clear, well-written, and compelling narrative of the murders. Not only do they explain and document all available evidence about the motives of the perpetrator and intentions of his victims, the total environment in which the killings were conducted, and the dramatic preliminary hearing, they also show the reader in detail how and why powerful political and religious forces were at play behind the scenes.
   
   In short, The Mormon Murders by Naifeh and Smith cleared up two mysteries I had encountered on my visit to Salt Lake City: the murder case itself and why the "Salamander" book I had just read was so atrocious.
   
   If you happen to collect books that are so notoriously bad they have become collector's items for that reason (some folk do, you know), go ahead and buy "Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders." But it's a waste of your time if you try to read it.

3 comments about Evil Angels Among Them.

1. In a small and insulated society, sometimes evil grows and festers. And then, if changes are introduced from outside that society, sometimes that evil begins to ferment. Evil Angels Among Them by Kate Charles takes place in the small English village of Walston. Everyone knows everyone else and everyone understands his or her place in the social and power structure of the village. Newcomers Gillian and Lou, a lesbian couple with Gillian's young daughter, and Stephen and Becca, the newly married rector and his wife, engender the change that activates the malignancy. There is gossip and rumor, then obscene telephone calls and finally murder. Stephen's friends, David Middleton-Brown and Lucy Kingsley, come to Walston to try to sort things out. This is a study of evil, a banal and petty evil, but evil nonetheless. The atmosphere of the book is fetid with fear and ambition and hatred. Only the church stands, peaceful, beautiful, above the infection in the village. This intricate and intellectual mystery pulled me into the story, taking me down by-ways and back lanes, until finally the solution was revealed, layer by layer. It also introduced me to some very complex and interesting people, three-dimensional people who change and grow because of what happens to them in this little village.The church and the rector are at the center of the story, but the storm swirls around them, hardly touching them with its frightfulness. This is hopeful because that means the good people who live in this village may rise above the gossip, the prudishness, the licentiousness of the few tainted people. This is a story that is a mystery and yet surmounts the mystery to reflect a universal truth



2. This book held my interest all the way through and was well-written. One thing puzzles me. Part of the plot hinges on a young bride who receives obscene phone calls. She gets so upset that it is ruining her marriage and her health. She listens to each phone call all the way through each revolting detail. Why? Why doesn't she simply hang up the phone? Or report the problem to the telephone company? Somehow, since the gal is not an idiot, this part does not ring true. I wonder if this bothered any other readers.



3. I've read the other books in the "Book of Psalms" series and this one was very disappointing. The story began in a fairly amusing and intriguing way, as is usual with Kate Charles, but about half way through, the characters and dialogue became very predictable and the ending was not a surprise, to say the least. The dialogue also seemed very dated and similar to the author's other stories. I hope the next one will be better.

5 comments about The Cops Are Robbers.

1. This book was incredible ! It shows how greed overpowers the will to protect the community. The Author writes how he breaks into the Former Depositors Trust bank in Medford, Massachusetts. The story tells of the secret acts they use to enter the bank's vault and remove the money. I recomend highly and on a scale of 1-10 I give it a 20 !



2. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, couldn't stop until my eyes dropped shut. A great first-hand account of police corruption in Masachusetts during the 1970's. I highly suggest this to anyone that grew-up during the era in Massachusetts.



3. This is a very good recounting of what went on. There was a lot left out...such as witnesses (other cops) being sent out of state until things cooled off and a few other details which showed a wider conspiracy of silence.Medford is not a very large city and the 70's were frought with a high incidence of criminal activity - including an organized crime murder in a benign coffee shop full of witnesses. Overall it is worth the read, showing it doesn't have to be a big city to have big city crime.



4. This book has to be one of my favorites. I enjoyed every aspect of it including the setting, characters, and accuracy of the actual event that took place. Each character has its own personality and diversity of living which brings controversy to the plot. I believe it was very successful and since I live in Tewksbury and near Boston, I have visited many of these places and can relate to the book's setting. I feel as if you pick up this book and start reading you won't be able to put it down.



5. Just finished reading this book and it was a gripping, well told story. The narrative works very well and while you know he gets caught, it's hard not to hope the statute of limitations would run out before he's caught. I had to remind myself that Clemente was one of the perpetrators and not a "good" guy. In spite of the perfect planning of this, a lot of innocent people lost their most prized possessions, never to be returned.
   
   I appreciate the fact Clemente didn't spare himself of blame or problems and seemed to have accepted the punishment for his part in the crime. Reading this book about all the crime and police corruption going on and there isn't a single mention of Whitey Bulger (but there is of the Winter Hill Gang) makes it seem like the Boston area in the 80's was just like the wild west.
   
   It would be great to get an updated on Clemente and the other members of the gang and see how time has changed their attitudes.

2 comments about Once a Hero.

1. I know this man & have spent countless hours with him. Both visiting him in prison (for 4 years, every week) and out in Texas. A remarkable human being. I trust him with my life and I don't say that easily. Jim Little is a unique person. I consider him as close as a brother. This book brought me into his life & I have renmained there. No one could ask for a more devoted friend in life. Jim Little is unique in so many ways.
   Trust me, this is a great story. And an incedable individual.
   We have been friends since I first met him in prison 13 years ago.



2. I read this book last year. I couldn't put it down. It was lent to me by my very good friend Peggy. Peg is Jim's sister,(also mentioned in the book). Because I Know Jim Little, it made the book more intriguing. This is a must read, weather you know Jim and his family or not.

No comments about Catch Me If You Can.

No comments about Chopper 4.

5 comments about Mistresses of Mayhem: The Book of Women Criminals.

1. This is a decent guide for those who are unfamiliar with various female criminals, though more serious students of crime may find it wanting. My quibbles: 1) some of the entries, e.g., Lizzie Borden, are too brief to do their subjects justice; 2) though there is a general bibliography, one really has no way of knowing what sources she used for individual cases, which would be helpful for the controversial ones; 3) some of her facts are wrong, e.g., she repeatedly refers to Elizabeth Bathory as Elizabeth Bathroy; 4) there are occasional stupid errors, e.g., "had their fingers pulled off with hot pinschers" (pg. 15); 5) the writing is sometimes awkward, e.g. "[the police] were lucky enough to come by some great DNA samples." (pg. 118). On the plus side, I can't think of any females that were not included. Verdict: a mixed bag.



2. Great concept for a book, but not well executed. Too many typos (Countesss Elizabeth Bathory, the "Blood Countess," is listed as having the last name of "Bathroy," just as one example), showing that the book was not proofread very well . The author also uses web sites and magazines for sources, many of which have erroneous information about these women.

   Better research techniques, and a decent editor would have helped immensely. I was very disappointed.




3. No one is perfect but a non-fiction is no use if you cannot trust the accuracy of the information in it. In Mistresses of Mayhem, Ms. Hornberger makes mistakes so blatant that it calls the whole book into question. One wonders if she did any research at all or just read up on the criminals on the Court Tv Website. She misnames Countess Elizabeth Bathory (the so-called female Dracula) as Bathroy. (No it is not a typo. It is spelled that way all through the book.) In the famous Diane Downs case already well documented by Ann Rule in Small Sacrifices and made into a tv movie seen by many, she misidentifies the daughter who died as Christie who might be surprised by this since Christie not only survived but testified against her mother. (Cheryl is the daughter who died but Hornberger describes Cheryl as testifying at the trial.) Simple proofreading could have corrected these mistakes. Good research would have made proofreading and this review unnecessary.



4. If you are looking for solid facts, this is not something you need to invest in. I agree with several other reviewers in that I noticed that the infamous Elizabeth Bathory had her name mutilated by the author as Bathroy and not just a typo! Even though the Bathory issue was NOT a typo, I found several of those as well. Another thing that was in error was with the Susan Smith excerpt...the author states that she drove her children into a river. I live in SC and know for a fact that Susan Smith drove her children into a lake. Horribly written with a lot of the word "um" in the pages (which I find very irritating) and what appears to be a lot of "fluff" that just isn't necessary. I am currently reading the book from the prospective that these are just stories and looking at the book that way makes it almost entertaining.....but still not factual.



5. First off, I was amused at two authors for the book - Francine Hornberger and Francine Homberger. A quick check verified my conclusion that the letters "rn" must have appeared like an "m" so we have two variations of the same name, which is Hornberger in other booksellers' Web sites. This is not a review as I did not read it. I subscribe to Zooba and had selected this title, based on its description alone, as one of the books on my list, but Zooba e-mailed me to let me know the book was no longer available. I then went to Amazon's Web site to look into their price, but after reading these reviews I think I will not order it. That error in which of Diane's daughters survived was particularly bad. Thank you all for taking the time to write your reviews and warnings. One thing I checked on the internet was Elizabeth's last name and found Bathroy used in a number of sites, though more for the fictional character (such as in the movie Daughter of Darkness) based on the real person. One site mentioned the Brie family and included the name Lady Hera Bathroy, changling sister to Elizabeth, followed by Lady Elizabeth Bathroy Creed (my mother). I do own Dracula Was a Woman: In Search of the Blood Countess of Transylvania, by Raymond T. McNally, in whose blood-curdling book the name used is Elizabeth Bathory.

3 comments about True Ghost Stories of Lancaster County Pennsylvania.

1. I have read most of the writers other books as well as this, and let me say that she adds such reality to her books. Each story is written from actual accounts from the people that have had the experiences, or have been researched to the validity of the story. She tells it with such clarity that you can almost see the images. You can feel the hair on the back of your neck start to perk up. But just when you're feeling your nerves at the end of one story she throws a light little comment at you to calm you enough to get ready for the next story. This truly is wonderfully written you'll enjoy every minute of it



2. The stories in this books are easy to read and enjoyable. I recommend buying this book if you live in the Central PA area (or not). [...] Keep the great books coming though.



3. i read the previous reviews, got the book, etc. I'd call this 'light true ....".. There are few 'real' ghost stories, and unnecessary time was spent on questionable parts, like Three Mile Island. At sixty some pages, I wondered, is this all? The places are bewildering to out siders like me but the map helps. Author has a light style and makes easy reading. There are far better ghost books out there, search! Even if they aren't under 7 bucks.