No comments about Small Sacrifices.

5 comments about Scene of the Crime: Photographs from the LAPD Archive.

1. Just a note on other reviews in regard to the lack of captions. The LAPD negatives are not kept with the case files. There are very few case files even available, as they have been destroyed due to lack of space. There is a normal descruction process within the LAPD for paper files. The cases researched in this book were taken from old homicide log books. Also newspaper databases were used. If you would like more details on the LAPD Archive please visit fototeka.com



2. Scene of the Crime was a bit disapointing due to the fact that the readr must go back and forth from the photos, to the captions, which are compiled at the end. Quite a few of the cases have no information available at all, as the other reviewers have mentioned, and although the LAPD has done a great job maintaining paper on most of these cases, some details are bound to slip through the cracks.
   
   A few of the cases depicted in "Scene of the Crime" are also depicted in Huddleston's "Death Scenes", though nowhere near as graphic. Many of the locations found in the book are still standing, as a matter of fact, I often pass by the building shown on pgs 52-53 (traffic collision at 1st and Boyle) though now its an apartment building but still featuring the unique parapet up top.
   
   Overall a pretty good read.



3. I am sure everyone is aware that Scene of the Crime is not the first collection of police archive photos to be released. The past few years have seen the release of many collections of such photos; the most well known being New York Noir, Evidence and Death Scenes. New York Noir and Death Scenes have a common thread in their use of well-known writers in their introductions. Luc Sante the noted New York historian collected the photographs for Evidence and penned the introduction for New York Noir. Katherine Dunne, the author of Geek Love is responsible for the intro to Death Scenes. Scene of the Crime follows that tradition; drafting the modern master of Los Angeles noir, James Ellroy, to pen the introduction to this collection of archival Los Angeles crime photos. Much as Luc Sante was the ideal choice for New York Noir, Ellroy is perfect for this collection of photographs from the city that has been his muse.
   
   Some may be inclined to compare collected archival crime scene and police photos to the work of Weegee, but to do so would be a mistake. In his time Weegee photographed to satisfy tabloid papers and their readers. Don't get me wrong, I love the photographs he took, but the police photographer is not in it for the same thing. The crime scene photographer is there for documentation. It's his job, no different than taking portrait shots of unruly and unkempt children in a corner alcove at the local mall. However, there is art to be found in crime scene photos, it is not just point and shoot. The angles, the shadows, the composition of the photos, why some have the faces of the victims shown and why some do not, these are all aspects of the art behind the documentation of the crime scene.
   
   After the introductions and essays the photograph collection is shown with no documentation other than the notes of the photographer written on the image. This technique forces the viewer to look at the photos and imagine the stories behind them. How and why did all the subjects living and dead end up facing the lens of the Los Angeles Police Photographer? The two suited men shot over dinner. The man shot dead in an open doorway. An empty room with an open door. Bloodstains on the floor. Cheesecake photos pushpinned to a panel wall. Cigarrette cartons and bottles strewn across a wood floor. Heads resting in puddles of blood. Knife and razor cuts. Bodies laying in doorways, on steps, in cars, on streets, face down, on their backs, partially dressed, fully suited, naked and cut into pieces. Bodies lying in tubs, lying in shallow graves, shot, beaten. Dead and beaten women who would be beautiful if it were not for the blood that has run from their mouths, noses, and ears. Sharp dressed men, with their suits covered in their own blood. Ah, the good old days...
   
   After the collection an index tells as much of the story behind each picture as possible. It is interesting to look at the index and see how close your imagination was to the reality. How close were you to deciphering the scenes? Did you nail the stories behind the SLA note, the suicides, the lovelorn, the rejected, the beaten, the famous, the unknown, the riots, the drunks, the mobsters, the stars, the starlets, the starry eyed, or the Manson family?
   
   At first I did not appreciate the layout of the book, photos with no captions. Without the background you are forced to study the scene more intently than you would if all the details were given to you. What happened? What time did the crime take place? Why did the crime take place? Who would commit such a crime? Who's body are you looking at? In effect, you become a detective, arriving at the scene of a crime, knowing absolutely nothing other than what you are staring at. In the end, this is a perfect layout for a collection of crime scene photographs. A book that becomes more revealing and more interesting every time it is opened.



4. Scene of the Crime is the latest in a recent influx of collections of crime scene photography, and it has added appeal in that some of the images are of famous cases, such as the Black Dahlia murder and the Manson Family slaughterhouse. The book is laid out in the same manner as most of these books, with black and white images presented in the first half of the book, and information for each photograph at the back. Unfortunately, many of the photographs piqued my curiosity, only to find a sad, unsatisfying, "case information unavailable" comment awaiting me in the back of the book. Still, many of the images are so well-composed and interesting that they could be seen in art museums rather than cold case files, so this is a minor quibble.
   
   However, there are also quite a few lesser and uninteresting images as well, which left me feeling a bit cheated given my suspicion that the LAPD coffers are overflowing with many more graphic, historic, and fascinating images. Comparing this book to the classic LA crime gallery Death Scenes: A Homicide Detective's Scrapbook serves to further point out this collection's shortcomings. There is nothing in here as punch-in-the-gut brutal as the image of the decapitated baby on the cutting board or as surreal as the peaceful head sitting in the middle of a road after a traffic accident, both from Death Scenes. Taken on its own merits, I might have given the book a five skull rating, but in comparison with its more amazing brethren I'd have to rate it a four.



5. I saw a story about the authors on a local PBS show in Los Angeles, they are preserving the LAPD photo archives and have picked some of their favorites for this book. It's a bit gruesome in parts (of course, they are crime scene photos!) but it is an interesting glance into L.A.'s past, and I'm glad these folks are doing what they can to preserve our heritage. The photo presentation is great - this is a nice, large format book that gives you good sized images. Recommended for fans of photo and/or the macabre.

5 comments about Deadly Lust.

1. A great read, Unique-has personal touch (local authors) combined with extensive research and clever documentation of data. Organization and structure was excellent and differed from other S.K.books because of subtle fusion of authenticity and creativity. As avid reader of S.K. books found this one interesting and informative, reflecting the successful collaboration of a scientific writer and a novelist whose ability to "turn a phrase" and hold reader's attention is remarkable. Characters described and developed well, thus producing a sound, scary and accurate profile of an S.K. and gutwrenching sympathy for the victims & families. Fascinating portrayal of St. Augustine's dark side, the crack cocaine culture and characters who inhabit & perpetuate it's squalor. A great read-hope to her more from the Vernons.



2. True story of a serial killer on the loose. He (William Lindsey) admitted to seven killings, but possibly caused many more accross the United States. Very good summer reading.



3. As an avid true crime reader I found these authors wrote an exceptional book, which contains a great deal of insight into the whole field of understanding serial killers. Made excellent reading and did not get bogged down in a great deal of stuff about the legal system, which I find boring, but instead on the victims and the subject. Of the same caliber as Ann Rule and Wm Phelps ..



4. This book covering serial killings in the late 80/90's in the St. Augustine, Florida area was very well researched and written. Numerous references, eyewitness accounts and interviews with the victims and murderers family/friends make this a very good read. Especially interesting was the background material provided on the victims involved which left this reader with a real sense of who the woman were and how they got to the place in time that they unfortunatly met the worthless killer. One update/correction on the story: Madacsi and Motes, the two men convicted of attempted murder for a previous incident involving one of the serial killers ultimate victims - Diana Richardson - was given life sentences for their crimes by the state of Florida on the charges. The book states they were given 20 yrs. for the crime. Regardless, a recommended read.



5. I found this book about serial killer William Lindsey to be very interesting. Chocked full of details about the killer and his victims, readers are able to get a clear picture of life on Crack Head Corner in St. Augustine, Florida. However, at times, the authors tended to repeat the information. And often, I felt their purpose in writing this book was to elicit great sympathy for the victims and even their killer due to their addictions and, for the latter, his abusive childhood.
   
   Irregardless of their actual intent, the book is indeed interesting. However, the last chapter or two of the book could have been left out as those chapters are dedicated to brief synopsis of other serial killers' crimes, the psychiatry of serial killing, and the low down on drug abuse. All these subjects have been covered numerous times and are best left for those books which are what I refer to as "textbook style" books (i.e., The Killers Among Us: Examination of Serial Murder and Its Investigations (2nd Edition).

5 comments about In the Best of Families: The Anatomy of a True Tragedy.

1. This book is AWFUL. Don't waste your time or money. The writer is horrible, he's all over the place, never keeping to the story, going off on adventures and subjects that have ZERO to do with the story AND is EXTREMELY BORING. I stopped reading 1/2 way through the book - maybe when I got nothing else to read on a rainy day I'll finish it, or should I say, skip through the remainder as I did thus far. Horrible, horrible writing - don't publish anymore books by this author!



2. This is not one of the best true crime books I've read but I found it to be a very informative study of schizophrenia and how NOT to treat it. The story focuses on how a wealthy suburban couple try to cope with their schizophrenic sons, who are put through various dubious treatment methods including bizarre diets, regression hypnotherapy,and confrontational counselling by men who are later exposed as quacks. The mother is a very smothering although well-meaning lady who only seems to exacerbate both of her sons illness by scheduling every minute of their lives even as adults, and attempting to control every morsel of food they eat, believing that the right combination of foods and herbs will cure thier illnesses. After Jeff committs suicide while in an institution, the parents are reluctant to committ their other son Michael so they keep him living at home. Things become truly bizarre near the end of the book when Michael gets the obsessive idea in his head that his mother should have sex with him. For several days the parents tolerate him walking around the house naked, verbally abusing his mother and making lewd sexual suggestions to her. The father does nothing and seems very distracted by his high profile job. I'm sorry, but at this point I think any one with common sense would leave or throw this obviously dangerous man out of their house. Sadly they let things continue until Michael flips out and murders his mother, then has sex with her while dead.

   I'm no expert on schizophrenia, but I do know that keeping a patient on the right medication is extremely important and without that the illness only gets worse. This murder was a tragedy that could have been prevented. There is also much in the book about Ronald Reagan's "tough love" policies for the mentally ill which included closing state-run mental institutions all over America. This apparently led to thousands of mentally ill people being turned loose on the streets and becoming homeless.




3. I have two sons, and I pray that they don't become schizophrenic or bi-polar every day. This book was scary. It is about what can happen when parents don't beleive in conventional medicine to help mental illness. Schizophrenia cannot be curied through homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy, macrobiotics, or quack treatments. It can only be monitored through medication and a good psychiatrist. Even then it can still be dangerous, as many schizophrenics don't like to take their meds. The Mom dominated the sons and the Dad seemed like he wasn't there. What a tragedy.



4. Both my brothers have psychotic illnesses. It took years for both to be diagnosed. There were frequent bouts with alcoholism, drugs, arrests and nasty behavior. I hate to say it, but I moved thousands of miles away while my parents attempted to come to their aid continuously. In a review at this site the writer wonders how the father (Roy) could let it happen when he had an important job. You'd be surprised how numb you can get to aberrant behavior.

   Two years ago, via genealogical research, I discovered a maternal great aunt and great uncle institutionalized with paranoid schizophrenia. My mother never knew. In the early 1900's the treatment included religious instruction. Ha!

   If you're interested in the real thing, this is the book for you.




5. I attempted to read this book approximately 2 years ago, finally giving up in frustration. The subject of the book would suggest it is an interesting story and, perhaps in the hands of a better author, it might have been. A prominent family haunted by mental illness. Two sons diagnosed as schizophrenic. An overbearing, controlling, and obsessive mother. Denial that eventually culminates in tragedy. Sounds promising, does it not?
   
   Unfortunately, the book suffers from the inclusion of much unnecessary information and repetition. After reading 150 pages and doomed to boredom, I finally skipped to the end simply to find out what happened to the young son who was both victim and offender. I doubt it is coincidence that when Michael finally succumbed to his psychotic impulses, that it was his mother, Marguerite, whom he murdered. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Marguerite continued to believe that if her children maintained a diet free from refined sugar and processed foods, she could reverse the ravages of schizophrenia. Even the death of her older son to suicide in a psychiatric facility was not enough to prompt a different course of action. Instead of seeking reputable mental health assistance for her younger son, she pursued a number of "holistic" remedies, spending thousands of dollars on methods, doctors, and therapists that amounted to nothing short of quackery. In what can only be described as an act of extreme rage, Michael clubbed his mother to death, dragged her body to the master bedroom, and raped the corpse, even urinating inside his mother during the sexual assault. Suffocated under the weight of an overcontrolling and demanding mother, and delusional from years of untreated mental illness, Michael finally unleashed his rage in a psychotic frenzy. There was no attempt to conceal the crime, nor was there ever any doubt as to how this tragedy unfolded.
   
   While the book is disturbing testament to the denial of some families with regard to recognizing and treating serious mental illness, the writing is lackluster and, in many portions, boring enough to bring the average reader to tears. In fact, the book is not even worth the effort tears would require. Waste no more time. Set your sights on some really exceptional True Crime by Kathryn Casey or Jack Olsen.

No comments about Serial Killers: Up Close and Personal: Inside the World of Torturers, Psychopaths, and Mass Murderers.

5 comments about Fatal Embrace: The Inside Story Of The Thomas Capano/Anne Marie Fahey Murder Case (St. Martin's True Crime Library.).

1. From the style in which this book is written, you would think that it was authored by a computer and not two respected journalists. Instead of weaving a compelling narrative the authors spit out facts one after the other. This case was full of suspense and intrigue, two things which are entirely lacking in this work and which are vital in any true crime story (even when the reader is familiar with the facts of the case) in order to pique the reader's interest, keep them guessing, and most importantly to keep them turning the pages. A far superior account of this case is the excellent "And Never Let Her Go" by Ann Rule.



2. Of the 3 books currently available concerning the Capano-Fahey case, this looked to be the best. It did not disappoint. The book was written by a reporter who covered the case from beginning to end, Cris Barrish. His grasp of the details of the case and descriptions of the way the case impacted the community make the book truly enthralling. The writing style is excellent, never too wordy. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the author(s) were a little too vehement in their dislike for Capano and were not as objective as they could have been. However, that doesn't mean I don't highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in finding out what happened to Anne Marie Fahey. The reviewer who said the book was boring is plain wrong. It's as much a "couldn't put it down" book as I've read in the true crime genre.



3. I thought this book was abosolutely amazing! I could not put this book down! Cris Barrish came to my class at the University of Delaware and spoke to us and that is why I had to go out and buy a copy! I was amazed at the ability to write with such great detail! I loved it and recommend it to anyone!



4. I lived in Delaware through the Capano murder investigation and trial -- in fact, it marked my first years as a Delaware attorney. This was literally the talk of the town for many years as the investigation and trial dragged on; and as this is a small town, word gets around fast. Yet, I learned a few things from the book that I hadn't previously been aware of.

   It's hard to tell where Barrish's writing ends and Meyer's begins. Barrish is a reporter for the Wilmington News-Journal and covered the story from start to finish. I suspect he filled in some of the more obscure details about Delaware and its strange quirks. Yet, the book is peppered with first-person accounts by Barrish regarding covering the story which are out of place among the balance of the narrative. And some of the descriptive sentences in the book are practically Dickensian in their length.

   Finally, the trial is almost given short shrift as opposed to the investigation. More attention to the legal nuances of the trial -- and there were many -- would have been helpful.




5. Tom Capano was a successful attorney, husband to nurse Kay, and father of four daughters in one of Delaware's prominent families. He even had two mistresses on the side as well. He was one busy fellow but one of his mistresses, Anne Marie Fahey (appointments secretary to Delaware Governor Carper at the time) went missing. We would learn later that she killed but never how except that a gun was involved and her remains dumped in a cooler off the coast of the Jersey Shore in Stone Harbor with the unwilling help of his brother. Tom would spend the rest of the time spinning a web of lies out of control. He would blame his first mistress, Debby McIntyre, as the woman behind Anne's death. Ironically, Anne Marie had no use for the older attorney who was controlling, manipulative, and obsessed with losing her or part of his ego. Anne Marie had come from a tragic childhood where her mother died young and her father became an alcoholic. She and her siblings managed to maintain a close relationship. One night after dinner at the Panorama Restaurant in Philadelphia, Anne Marie was never heard from again. The worst happened because Tom couldn't let go. The authors here do an excellent job in bringing the story alive with different perspectives but without being complex. The story is well-known and was also written by other authors. But the purpose of the story is that a man who had everything lost it all because he was so selfish over a loss of a good woman who he shouldn't have had in the first place. Finally, the people he loved turned on him including his brothers and his longtime mistress, Debby, who he would try to destroy as well. It's a story that is Shakespearan in size and tragic as well to be told over and over again.

5 comments about Forsaking All Others: The Real Betty Broderick Story.

1. If you ever wondered how a writer can crank out a book moments after the fact, then read this book.

   Fact Checking should be mandatory or at least a consideration.




2. This woman works her butt off to put this ingrate through, first, med school and then law school.

   She suffers countless miscarriages because HE doesn't believe in birth control.

   And then he throws her over for a bimbo in his office who wasn't half the woman Betty was and wages an emotional and psychological war on his abandoned wife.

   I agree with the one juror: "What took her so long?"

   As for the female prosecutor, she's nothing more than a "pilot fish for the patriarchy."




3. In other reviews I had written that I watched the movie on Lifetime TV and became interested in this case. This book was good, quick to read but not terribly in depth. This author did not do the research that was done by author Bella Stumbo in the book Until the Twelfth of Never: The Deadly Divorce of Dan & Betty Broderick. While my sympathy is first with the Broderick's two young sons and their daughter Lee, I truly felt sorry for Betty. The Broderick's older daughter Kim I have mixed feelings for after reading Stumbo's book.In some ways she seemed eager to hang her mother all the while getting everything she needed or wanted from her. In some area's you can see they she takes after her dad and not in a good way.As I said this is an afternoon read, for the true story read Bella Stumbo's book.



4. True crime cases hold a grim fascination for many, and the Broderick case rarely fails to disappoint. After reading books on the subject authored by Bella Stumbo and Bryna Taubman, I made an attempt to familiarize myself with as many aspects of the case as possible, reading archived newspaper accounts, court transcripts, viewing TV clips, etc. The one indisputable fact about Betty Broderick is that she suffers from selective memory, chronically lying and twisting facts, events and dates when it best suits her. Even sympathetic writers and interviewers freely acknowledge this. To base a book solely on her 'story' is to present a warped one sided tale that begs to be held beneath a microscope. The author of this work should be thankful that the book sank without a trace and that no one seriously challenged her tale, for a mountain of legal documentation exists that could easily refute much that is presented here. The fault lies with the author however and not with Betty Broderick, for anyone spending 15 minutes with the subject is aware that her story is so tinged with anger and a lack of complete responsibility that it must be considered just that, a story.
   
   The most inflammatory statements in the book are Betty Broderick's repeated assertions that Dan 'stole her kids and wouldn't give them back' when court records show that Betty forcefully and willingly dumped all 4 children on his doorstep and refused repeated pleas from her attorneys to take them back unless they 'were returned with the financial settlement she wanted.' Additionally, veiled references to physical abuse between Dan and Linda, Dan's 'alcoholism,' his physical abuse of the children, and frequent attacks on the character of Dan and Linda only highlight Betty Broderick's disturbed and narcissistic character and should not have been included without back-up from solid and indisputable sources.
   
   The only purpose this book serves is to ensure Betty Broderick serves her full prison term with no hope of parole; there is just too much factual information in the records to disavow this book, and anyone familiar with the case will realize that Betty remains what she has always been- a "pro" at shifting details and facts to suit herself and still refusing to acknowledge her responsibility in destroying the lives of her children and those around her.



5. I had never heard of Betty Broderick until I picked up this book (I understand there are two other books on the subject which have better reviews). This is Betty's story from Betty's point of view (the author based the book on prison interviews with her and tries hard to make the case that Betty was a hapless victim) and yet, to me, she still comes across as unsympathetic.
   This does not mean I have any sympathy for her husband, Dan, or his mistress, Linda, both of whom acted abominably towards Betty, but she could have handled the situation very differently, in a way which would have left her with her children, a fair financial settlement, her dignity and her freedom.
   Betty, however, was definitely her own worst enemy. Sure Dan fought her in court - and she consistently played into his hands. When you're fighting to regain custody of your children and you want to show what a stable, responsible parent you are, you don't leave obscene messages on your ex's answering machine, you don't vandalize his property, you don't drive your car through his door (!), you don't flout restraining orders...especially when your ex is trying to show the court that you're unbalanced.
   She claims that she couldn't hire a lawyer because she couldn't come up with a retainer. She comes from a well-to-do family - she couldn't persuade her parents or siblings to lend her the money?
   She claims that Dan was terribly abusive to her throughout their marriage, starting with their honeymoon (and yet she told Oprah that their marriage was 'perfect'). Why did she stay? Well, partly it's because she had no identity other than being a wife and mother - and partly because she loved the lifestyle of being married to a rich man (the designer clothes, the luxury vacations, etc).
   Still, the story is a fascinating one.

2 comments about Oscar Wilde's Last Stand.

1. This is how history should be written: exhaustively researched, well organized, good command of the language. This book goes way beyond what the title promises, giving us an encompassing social history of the "upper classes" of Britain from 1900 to 1918. Many surprises here, all of them believable. The only request: to give us, in an appendix, a more thorough vitae of the players.



2. There are a number of ways to count the trials of Oscar Wilde, but what's becoming widely known as the "fourth" Oscar Wilde trial is a fascinating incident which occurred after his death. It is certainly must reading for anyone wanting to be acquainted with the Wilde story; especially if you're American. Maud Allen, the Canadian-American who brought about the libel action which initiated the trial, is familar to Canadians and some Americans since Felix Cherniavsky's 1991 book "The Salome Dancer" was published and mentioned this incident. And now Philip Hoare, a Briton, provides us with a fuller treatment of the trial's flow. Hoare's book is nicely written and has some stunning photographs of Maud Allan performing on stage. My only criticism is that Mr. Hoare says Ms. Allan's opponent, Noel Pemberton Billing, was "Mosley Before His Time." He refers to Sir Oswald Mosley, a later leader of the British fascists. If Mr. Hoare really knew his fascists, rather than his sterotypes, he would know that Mosley affiliated with the left wing tradition as a moderate member of parliment. Mosley continued to advocate those economic remedies as a fascist, continued his interest and associations with Britains's cultural vanguard, and was remarkably tolerant about homosexuals. In fact, it's no secret that Mosley's son by a first marriage, Nicolas, was homosexual, and to that son Mosley left the papers detailing his long, extraordinary, and tragic career. Today Nickolas is a prominent and respected liberal novelist, and his books about his father, Rules of the Game and Beyond the Pale, indicate that respect was mutual.

5 comments about The Complete Jack the Ripper.

1. Donald Rumbelow, as a Scotland Yard Detective, provides a grim, realistic study of the Ripper Case, even down to studying such vague connections as Ellery Queen fictional work concerning it.
   He was permitted access to records that are still sealed, and was shocked to find how little of the records survived. He was also able to put back the death bed picture of Mary Kelly.

   The only fault I find is in his analysis of the suspects. He seemed to rigid and not willing to look into this with any real depth.

   Overall, a must for any ripperologist!!




2. Donald Rumbelow has an excellent writing style and this is an easy to read and understand book. In particular, he does a great job of helping the reader understand the conditions in London's east end during this time of the old city's history. He also gives the reader a complete understanding of the limitations faced by police in the late 1800's. If no one saw the killer commit the crime, it was almost impossible to make an arrest.

   This is a fairly short book as compared to other ripper books but there is a wealth of information. This would be an excellent book for someone just getting interested in the ripper for it is more of an introduction to the case than anything else. Rumbelow never really makes any attempt to solve the case. Instead he spends a lot of time showing the faults in other ripper writer's theroies. I think it was Sherlock Holmes who said that if you get rid of all the things that were impossible, what was left was the answer, no matter how improbable. I think that may be what Rumbelow is up to.

   Truth be known, the section I enjoyed most was the chapter called "Beyond the Grave", which deals with ripper like killers who followed Jack. The Yorkshire and Dusseldorf rippers and Jack the Stripper for example. Their cases are not only highly interesting but also prove that the shadow of Jack the Ripper will be hanging over us for a long time.




3. I actually got to meet and discuss the murders with Mr. Rumbelow on a trip to London last summer, and it's not hard to see why he is considered by many well-thought-of historians and many of Hollywood's elite as the Official Jack The Ripper Historical Expert. For instance, he not only has an amazing amount of knowledge regarding details of the Ripper Case, but he was also a historical consultant for the 2002 film "From Hell", the most accurate Ripper film, to date. In this book, he paints a bleak yet comprehensive portrait of the case that has baffled historians and case-solvers, alike, for the past century. Highly recommended!



4. This book is the best I have read on this subject. On my last trip to London I actually went on a tour with the author Donald Rumbelow. I bought the book from Donald at the end of the tour and he autographed it for me. Donald leads a London "Jack the Ripper" walk that far surpasses any other guided tour of any sort that I have ever been on. He knows his stuff, as you can see by reading the book. Donald is the Curator of the Police Crime Museum and a former Scotland Yard Detective. Anytime I go to London, which is about every couple of years, I have to go on a "Ripper" tour with Donald. Travel guides like Fodor's, Frommers, Eyewitness etc recommend the expert walking tour and his crime book. Donald's walking company site is "london.walks.com".



5. I just returned from London and attended Donald Rumbelow's "Ripper Walk" (on 20 May 04) and Donald has just revised his book. He did not have any copies available at the end of the walk because they are sitting at the publishers (Penguin) but will be available anytime now. As everyone has stated, this gentleman knows his subject. It was one of the highlights of my trip to London!

1 comments about Greed, Rage, and Love Gone Wrong: Murder in Minnesota.

1. This book tells ten true tales of Greed, Rage and Love Gone Wrong in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and beyond. The eras are varied. But the jarring jumping back and forth in the time/space continuum within each recounting is enough to make even the head of Scott Bakula, seasoned Quantum Leaper, spin. There's even a Ride Along with Pancho Villa.
   
   There are pictures embedded in the text and Source Notes in the back. But weren't the LeRoy and Hagen children in *figure* skating - not *speed* skating together? For the reader whose interest is whetted by the saga of Marjorie Congdon LeRoy Caldwell Hagen, I suggest Will to Murder: The True Story Behind the Crimes & Trials Surrounding the Glensheen Killings by Feichtinger, Desanto, & Waller. And also, you might want to "Dial M" The Murder of Carol Thompson.
   
   Previously, this reviewer had commented in another review that there must be something in the water out there in Ann Rule's Pacific Northwest beat - what with all the macabre goings on run rampant out there. Well, Bruce Rubenstein's book on Murders in Minnesota demonstrates that it happens here in the Land of Sky Blue Waters, too. Will there be a "Part 2" regarding Dru Sjodin, Jodi Huisentruit, Erika Dahlquist and the recent tragedy on Red Lake Reservation? /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer