5 comments about Hidden Evidence: Forty true crimes and how forensic science helped solve them.

1. This book could also be called The Big Picture Book of Forensic Science or The First Book of Forensic Science. It seems like a picture book for adults, and the photo-to-text ratio is the main problem I had while reading this book.

   The text seems to be an afterthought and there is no depth to it--just a bare recital of the facts of a particular case, forensic discipline, or procedure. The photos and illustrations more than compensate for the text, although many of them are gruesome [including the now-famous photo of Jack the Ripper's last victim, one of the most stunning crime scene photos of all time]. I've read about forensics for many years and this book was, to me, lame, but its just the basics text and great photos and illustrations make it an ideal book for someone who has no previous knowledge of forensics. It is a great introduction to the field.




2. This is a picture book for adults about forensics. The photos and illustrations are amazing, varied, and, often, gruesome and graphic. The text seems like an afterthought; nothing more than the basic information is given, and each case study covers the facts and very little else. This book is not for someone like myself who studies forensics, but rather for someone who is hooked on CSI, doesn't know anything about the topic, and wants to read more about it. This book is a much better general forensics overview and has more detailed information [and more information generally] the The Forensic Science of C.S.I.

   Hidden Evidence also explains the major types of forensic science [ballistics, DNA, trace evidence, etc] and uses case studies to document each field. Overall, this book is a good starting point for anyone interested in forensic science.




3. This book is good and has a lot of info. if your into forensic Science. This book is pretty interesting if you want to learn in this subject. If you have to do a report on a science subject this is pretty good but its kind of long.



4. Hidden Evidence , by David Owen is a intriguing book about 40 different crimes and how forensic science was involved in solving each one. This non-fiction book covers forensic science cases from 1775-1988. This book has everything from carpet fibers to fingerprints to DNA testing and how each one put someone away in jail.

   Hidden Evidence is placed everywhere around the world. Forensic Science is going on at anytime and everywhere. "Whenever you have excluded the impossible , whatever remains , however impossible , must be the truth"(Owen 8). Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said that quote referring to all of forensic science. "Large fragments of glass can sometime be fitted into the lamp or window pane from which they were broken for a positive match , or the glass can actually preserve a record of the order in which events really happened"(Owen 180). David Owen knows what he is talking about and he should know with his 50-year forensic background.

   One thing that stuck out in my mind was all the pictures in this book showing the evidence of some of the cases and or examples of certain instruments that are used in forensics. I feel that this book was well written. I think anyone interested in science should read this book especially if you are interested in forensics.




5. Very helpful book for my son who has a class project on forensic science. He used one of the photos for a clay skull. I recommend this book.

5 comments about Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia Murder.

1. I wholeheartedly agree...this is tense, good and written without an agenda. Much research has gone into this book..and the writer's style is flawless..
   
   As a true crime book-lover,I say read this one first... then read all the other "Dahlia Theory' books next.. for fun...
   
   Also... Ellroy.. if you like a good, raw novel with typical Ellroy style.



2. Living in Southern California, I always love reading true crime books with So-Cal historical content. Loved it. The pictures inside are fantastic (some graphic). There are pictures of Elizabeth Short in death and in life. There's also a great map of the Los Angeles area that gives 48 places frequented by Short and mentioned in the book. Some are still in existence too. Map also points out the site of the body discovery.
   The best pictures and illustrations I've seen in a true crime book.
   
   It's an exciting read from start to finish. As compared to some other Dahlia books I've read, I think this one gives us a glimpse into Elizabeth Short - the person. It's obvious from reading this book that the author has done extensive research to create the most accurate picture of one of the most haunting unsolved murders in Los Angeles.
   
   I think the author is right on the mark with his theory into the main suspect.
   
   Read this one before the other Dahlia books.



3. Severed is a truly great read. I was totally absorbed into this book. It's a brilliant, genre-breaking transcripted oral history noir, given by those involved, many of whom were still alive at the time, and are taken and crafted in the diffuse light of another less than promising LA Wednesday morning back in January, 1947, before the fog burned-off at about 10:30 AM. Then you could see her nude body, brutally tortured and completely severed at the midriff, drained of all fluids, carefully washed, and posed for the shutter bugs, who always got there first.
   
   The horror over on Norton, north of 39th. Street, south of Coliseum. Formerly Elizabeth Short of Medford, Mass. The paperboys always know the way. You should believe him when he says he saw a car there at six. A black Ford. That's what the morning paperboys know. That's what the morning paperboys did; fold papers and ID cars.
   
   Martin Lewis, the shoe salesman with a story to tell, to me, formed an interior ring of truth, around which Gilmore's other subjects have spun their true stories. That's how you know it's true. A slight return. It chords with something else, and it buzzes in your head...Gilmore has her there, for a moment, the Black Dahlia herself, and then is all but predictably knocked, skidding, off of her real killer's trail, just as his alkie protagonist and anti-hero, Lanky Jack Wilson is suddenly taken from him, and us, deus ex machina.
   
   "A signature sex killing." Ellroy says. I call it the perfect crime. Did Jack Wilson do Elizabeth Short in? No way in Hell. But, no matter. I suspect the real killer is in there, somewhere. Down the list. Lucid, and at times transfixing, written in seemingly effortless prose, and annealed with the inclusion of some truly shocking crime scene photos, this is the best place to start your own search for the killer, who could still be alive and at large. There is no statute of limitiations on the truth when it comes to LA's darkest and most infamous and unsolved murder case.



4. 
   I agree with the previous reader called Veronica T.
   
   This book is by far the best book on the subject of the BLACK DAHLIA, (written thus far). It's the only book written to date, that makes any sense.
   
   I've read other books on this same subject and most of them did not come close. Infact, some other books written on this same subject were down right un-imaginable & unbelievable (eg: some books proposed that the Black Dahlia serial killer was the "father of a known L.A. Police Officer",and this was stated in the other books... without showing many facts,other than a few photos that looked nothing like the Dahlia, etc...).
   
   However, by contrast, the facts in this Gilmore book are very well presented by the author.
   An easy book to read.
   As I said, it's the best one out there on the subject.
   
   PS: The photos in this Gilmore book are so shocking, so plz beware (gulp!).



5. Due to the mystery and sensationalism surrounding her murder, Elizabeth Short has been much over-glamorized by both the media and crime buffs alike. In "Severed," John Gilmore does an amazing job of portraying Ms. Short as a real person...warts and all. I've read many works on this case (both fictional and non-fictional) and this is the first one that's left me feeling as if I could relate to Ms. Short as a human being.
   
   I think what I admire most about this book, though, is the author appears to stick to the facts and ONLY the facts. I get the impression that if something wasn't documented and couldn't be verified, Mr. Gilmore elected not to include it.
   
   Unlike some other readers, I feel that Gilmore's theory of who killed Beth Short is probably the most plausible of any I'm aware of. It may not be the sexy revelation we've all been wishing for, but as Freud said, "sometime a cigar is just a cigar."

5 comments about Nightmare in Napa: The Wine Country Murders (48 Hours Mystery).

1. I live in Napa, and work in an agency directly involved with the investigation and prosecution of the case. This book's main focus is on the lives of the victims and very little on the actual investigation or trial. Mr. LeRosa seems content to sensationalize the victims, especially Leslie Mazzara, with an unfair portrayal of her as a bit of a wild child, who, before the actual killer was caught, might have been the target of the killer as a result of her flirty behavior with men. It is rubbish and cruelly unfair to the memory of Ms. Mazzara. Mr. LeRosa's portrayal of the investigation by Napa Police Department and the prosecution by the District Attorney's Office is both wrong and unfair. It is clear he didn't really research that aspect of the case, so busy was he digging into the pasts of the victims. I was insulted by this book. I'm sure readers not close to the case will find it fascinating, but are many of us locals who reject the book outright.



2. I often have a tendency to agree with the reviewers submitted by regular members here who, as relates to NIGHTMARE IN NAPA, have declared it to be a disappointing piece of work. Particularly, I find their reviews this time to on the side of shallow.
   
   Author Paul LaRosa provides a two piece account of true crime in this book. Readers are provided in depth details of the murders of Leslie Mazzara and Adriane Insogna; that is, as in depth as it can be. One must consider that, despite much investigating, even the police were short on leads EXCEPT for those that pertained to Leslie; thus, just as LaRosa provides a great deal about Leslie and her life, this is exactly what the homicide detectives were sorting through during the investigation.
   
   Is it over kill on Leslie? Sure, even I tired of hearing about this "Southern beauty queen" who, truth be known, had won only one pageant. However, it was an accurate account of the workings of the homicide investigation. (I would have liked to see more social photos of Leslie; however, I'm going to assume they were unavailable as the author makes note that Cathy Harrington, Leslie's mother, was unnerved by the portrayal of daughter in the media and, as a result, was probably unwilling to provide such photos since such photos are, generally, provided by family members.)
   
   As an avid reader of true crime, I actually enjoyed the more intense focus on the victims as the focus generally lies on the accused until the Victim Impact Statement made in the end. Readers of NIGHTMARE IN NAPA are given the opportunity to feel the pain and anguish of the survivors, especially Arlene Allen, Adriane Insogna's mother. Allen is an amazing woman, a strong-willed survivor.
   
   I did not feel that this book lacked depth. It may not have provided answers to many of the questions readers would like answered, especially as to "Why?," but, one must bear in mind, those pieces of information are simply not available. Chances are no one will ever know why Eric Copple, the confessed killer, committed this horrendous crime; at least, the truthful version, anyway. Theories are the ONLY means of explaining motive.
   
   If I had one major disappointment in finding something I was looking for with this book, it was that we didn't read more from the sole survivor, Lauren Meanza, and from Copple's wife, Lily, who was also best friends with victim Adriane Insogna. While I can understand Lauren's silence, I have to ponder why Lily, at the very least, didn't attempt to make readers understand why she would continue to remain married to and support a man who so viciously killed her best friend. However, the author cannot be held accountable for anyone's refusal to talk.
   
   When one chooses to read NIGHTMARE IN NAPA, it can't be entered into with the intention of reading your typical true crime; specifically, an overused pattern of rehashing the crime followed by background on the accused then a Courtroom finale. Author Paul LaRosa peruses a different style of writing (see also Tacoma Confidential: A True Story of Murder, Suicide, and a Police Chief's Secret Life (48 Hours Mystery), that is unique and enjoyable to read.



3. Nightmare in Napa was a big disappointment after reading another book in the 48 hours series. The book starts out well enough by describing the victims and their various friends and then the crime itself. However, there is very little mentioned about the investigation until over halfway through the book. There is so much time devoted to the victims that it almost reads like a biography. The problem is that these are not especially interesting people. Eventually, as I continued reading, I was let down by finding out the investigation was dull as well. This story contains about an hours worth of a compelling mystery, which is perfect for the TV show, but not so much for a book.



4. I just finished "Nightmare". I thought it was a well written book. It told the story of two young women, brutally murdered in their home. The killer, unknown at the time, turns out to be someone close to them. I didn't feel like the author portrayed Ms. Mazzara as a wild child. I had the impression she was a beautiful, spirited, kind, young woman. The author did a good job of conveying to the reader, that these women were an assest to our society and it's a tragedy, they are no longer here. The end, is sad and pathetic. Copple is a lowlife punk and he never gives a reason as to why he felt the need to kill two wonderful people.



5. This book immediately drew me in with its gripping and sad storyline.
   LaRosa makes you feel like you know these characters personally by the end of the story. Adriana and Leslie were so much more than the media made them out to be. Many crime books tend to tell one side of the story, where as LaRosa presents all sides of the story. Lessons can be learned from this book to leave no angle unturned. This was a story that needed to be told.
   It leaves us with the question, How well do we really know our friends?
   My heart goes out to the families of the victims.

5 comments about No Easy Answers: The Truth Behind Death at Columbine.

1. What this book offers is a unique perspective that you will not get from the media or other parents who wrote books about their deceased children. Some are mad that Brooks Brown didn't offer a concrete solution to the shootings, therefore his motives for this book must be completely self-serving. I think that these one-star reviews are undeserved. The charges that Brooks wrote this book for the money are ridiculous, because it is almost impossible to make money from a book, unless you are as big as Stephen King. You will read that Brown believes that it would be wrong to place blame on one thing for what happened (such as music, video games or gun control, the "easy" answers), so he offers several events that combined led up to the tragedy: The police for ignoring the warning signs a year before the shootings, the staff at Columbine for ignoring the bullying, and the parents (Eric's especially) for not opening their eyes. There is also some hard-to-find information, such as what Eric's Doom levels were like, the stuff that was on his website, discussions of the basement tapes and what day-to-day interaction with the killers was like. This makes Brown's book different from all the others.
   
   It is clear that Brown wants as much accurate information as possible to be available, as well as to defend himself against the false charges lobbed at him from the police department who knew that they had dropped the ball in preventing the attack. Yes, a lot of the book is about Brown's life, but it all ties into what led up to the shootings. I did not read anything that was extraneous or uninteresting. In fact, this book seems to have the most credibility of anything I've read about Columbine. There are a few books in existence that try to turn the victims into martyrs for their faith, when religion had nothing to do with the shootings. No Easy Answers is much more believable, because like life, the answer is not always wrapped up neatly with a little bow. Highly recommended.



2. I just finished reading this book due to my interest in the Columbine shootings and what Brooks Brown had to say in his own words. I was deeply moved by his story and what he has put up with all of these years. Most reviews are written on a positive note, but I can't help but point out the negative reviews. Sure, you want answers, you want beliefs that reflect your own. Well, this book is about what this young man went through. Just a teenager about to graduate from high school-befriended two lost souls who manipulated and deceived everyone around them. How would you tell your story? It's about your experiences, your feelings and your struggles. I don't see it so much self-serving, as self-healing and therapeutic. Who are you to judge this person who had his whole world turned upside down, who was blamed for being a suspect for so long and by so many in his community; Who was forbidden to return to school along with other associates of the gunmen, just because of who they were. This society has a lot of soul searching and listening to do. Perhaps if more people had listened to Eric and Dylan, they wouldn't have felt the need to get their message across in such a selfish and cowardly manner. To me, this book wasn't supposed to be about praising the law enforcement and Washington D.C. for their efforts to find answers and to prevent something like this from happening again. What has changed in our schools since that April day in 1999? Not much from what I can see. And just recently, a college kid who worshiped Eric and Dylan, took 32 innocent lives along with his own. Perhaps if we read more accounts by Brooks Brown, these angry teens would begin to understand that they are not alone and that they have people they can talk to; whether it be on-line, such as on forums that Brooks mentions at the end of his book, or with other people their age that might go speak at their schools. 'No Easy Answers' is just that-there aren't going to be solutions to this ever growing problem in our society, but there can be people who will listen, empathize, and make known that change starts little by little. I believe that Brooks Brown has accomplished change-in his community and in the minds of many people out there. I for one, loved his book and will read it again, as a reminder of the hell he went through that day. No one deserves what any of those victims and families went through, but if they want to write a book to let people know what they dealt with so that it will help them heal, then I condone it 100% Freedom of speech is one of the greatest gifts in this country after all. Best of luck to Brooks in all he does and I hope that he continues to write more books to help those lost souls out there.



3. A fabulous account of a tragedy we so need to recognize and acknowledge to finally take action in our schools beginning in the elementary school (and continued in middle and high school) to deal with the important issue of bullying. Until we start addressing the toxic environments in our schools, school violence and damaged children will continue. A comprehensive guide that designs an effective plan and curriculum teaching respect, getting along, conflict and anger management isBully-Proofing Children: A Practical, Hands-On Guide to Stop Bullying. Lets learn from these lessons of Columbine and do something about it!



4. This was a strong and easy read by Brooks Brown. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Columbine tragedy. I would like to see the book released with a new afterward to include the 10th anniversary and Brooks' feelings towards the memorial.



5. I was forced to read this book for a Graduate course on Violence Prevention in Schools. It's very engaging, and at times a can't-put-it-down book, however, by giving Brooks Brown an opportunity to write this book, he's continuing the legacy of his two friends-turned-assassins.
   
   Prior to reading this book, I did not know, nor did I care to know the names of those two cold-blooded killers. By allowing a friend to write a book about them, it perpetuates their legacy. Wasn't that what they both wanted to achieve with their dastardly deed?
   
   Brooks Brown was destined to be a whiny loser back in high school, and it's apparent he still has no direction in life, and will milk this tragic incident for every cent he can. Disgraceful.

5 comments about Leopold and Loeb: THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY.

1. When you think of chicago during the 1920s, the first thing that comes to mind is Al Capone, prohibition, gangsters and crime. But in 1924, for a few months, Al Capone was no longer the talk of the town, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb became the most famous and unlikely celibrities of the time. Two extremely bright 19 year olds from very wealthy Chicago families, decide to kidnap and kill at random a person just for the "thrill" of it, with no other apparent motive than getting away with it and committing the perfect crime.

   The author tells in details the planning of the crime, the day it happened, the investigation, the arrest, the trial and the aftermath. The trial in particular is fascinating as it gives you a great insight on the muderer's personnalities, their intelligence, their upbringing and how their relationship with one another led to murder. The book is written as if it were a fictional mystery novel, you will sometimes find yourself wondering whether or not this really happened. The suspense builds extremely well throughout the book, as if Hitchcock himself had put his touch to it. Even if i knew from the beginning who the killers were, as the investigation unfolded, i almost thought they would get away with it.

   I highly recommed this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, history, law, psychology, chicago or just a great read.




2. Author Hal Higdon's superb "just the facts" approach gives us a starkly realistic look at one of the 20th century's most infamous crimes. In 1924 Chicago, millionaire collegians Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb murdered 14-year old Bobby Franks for thrills and to bolster their warped claims of superiority as inspired by philosopher Frederick Nietzsche. Readers learn all about the crime, it's planning, and how it was solved largely because of eyeglasses unknowingly left behind. Higdon also details the lengthy media trial (ala OJ Simpson) where famed attorney Clarence Darrow fought to keep his arrogant young clients from the gallows. We also get a detailed history of the crime's aftermath, including Leopold's questionable 1958 parole, and additional events extending into the 1970's.

   Higdon has given us a superbly readable account, one that settles certain misconceptions arising from COMPULSION, an excellent fictional account by Meyer Levin. Too bad Higdon hasn't written many other true crime books; he's got the knack.




3. Hal Higdon, a popular running writer, took an essentially scholarly approach to the Leopold & Loeb story. He went to all the primary sources he could find, as well as collecting all the popular press accounts. The result is much more complex and nuanced than the fictionalized versions we've been handed through the movies, primarily 'Compulsion' and Hitchcock's 'Rope'.
   
   To take the most obvious points, the subjects were not mentally deranged, nor were they homosexual lovers, nor were they even queer as we would understand it today. Bobby Franks was not the offspring of a prominent Chicago family but the son of a wealthy and elderly retired pawnbroker. Leopold and Loeb were not masochists secretly wishing to be caught and punished. They intended to get away with their 'perfect crime' and would have, except for an extraordinary run of coincidences and bad luck. In fact, it is possible--it is probable--that Leopold and Loeb had committed other crimes of murder or mutilation in the months preceding the Bobby Franks abduction.
   
   The story is so cluttered and ambiguous you might long for the fine hand of a novelist, to give a firmer shape to the story and eliminate all the backstory and minor characters that keep getting in Higdon's way. But reality is messy and seldom straightforward.
   
   MINOR QUIBBLES: Personally I wish Higdon had used a little more critical judgment in describing the subjects' mental abilities, about which they continually boasted, as arrogant adolescents so often do. L & L weren't brilliant so much as bookish and school-smart. Brighter boys would have seen the police net coming down upon them and wriggled away.
   
   Supposedly Loeb had an IQ of 160 and Leopold one of 210; Leopold was fluent in five or ten or fifteen languages, including Sanskrit and Hawaiian. The claims are preposterous. IQs simply cannot be measured that high. As for languages, while one may gain facility in many tongues (eg, be able to translate an essay or order dinner) gaining and maintaining fluency is entirely a different matter. As evidence of their high intellect, we are reminded again and again that Loeb and Leopold graduated from college by age 18. But in their time and place this was not all that remarkable. In the early 20th century, when students often skipped a grade or two at a time, it was very easy to get to college by the time you were 14. The main reason most college students didn't matriculate before they were 17 or 18 is was the social environment: boys in early adolescence were unlikely to be pledged by the better clubs or fraternities, and that's the main point of going to college--or at least it was, back when going to college meant something. In Leopold and Loeb's case age was not so much an issue. They weren't going to be admitted into the better fraternities anyway.



4. It is strange that I hardly ever recall hearing of the Leopold and Loeb killing until a few weeks ago. After doing a little research I knew that I needed to find a good authoratative book on the subject. Well, I sorta found one....
   
   Hal Higdon, has done a wondeful job researching this long lost topic. Higdon has obviously read through all of the newspaper reports, psychological profiles, and everything else concerning this case... the research is top notch. The writing is a bit of another story.
   
   The back cover indicates that Higdon writes for "Runner's World", and I think that may be the issue with the writing. "Leopeld and Loeb; The Crime of the Century" reads like a 345 page magazine article! The information is there and presented in a sraightforward manner, but that is about it. There is very little flare and almost no suspense in the telling. I agree that some may think that there is no need for flare and suspense in non-fiction, but I look at "The Devil in the White City" as an example that the two can coexist.
   
   In Short, "Leopold and Loeb: The Crime of the Century" will probaly hold your interest because of its participants and the nature of the crime. While Higdon's writing did nothing to ditract from the tale, the opposite is also true - he added very little. My final review - read Higdon's version if you are interested in this particular crime, but if you are just looking for a great nonfiction crime story look towards "The Devil in the White City".



5. After reading some of the reviews from this book, I almost passed on reading it myself. What a mistake that would have been! This book does tend to read like a term paper - but when there is this much drama in a real life story - I don't need the author to spruce it up! From a legal perspective - we have come a long way in protecting the rights of criminals (i.e. 5th & 6th amendment). A great legal history read. And a nail-bitting story! Couldn't put it down.

5 comments about Armed and Dangerous: The Hunt for One of America's Most Wanted Criminals.

1. This is a good book. It has an interesting insight into how government agencies really work. Having worked for a government agency in the past, I understand how paperwork and supervisory influence slow investigations and hinder law enforcement in many ways.
   
   I would have given this a five star rating, but Mr Queen's book Under and Alone is clearly a five star book and this one is not quite as good. Still a great read...
   
   M



2. William Queen has done it again! Reading this story is like being at his side as he pursues one of the most unpredictable and dangerous felons in modern times. I read the book in two days and found myself not wanting to let the story and the people go! I just hope that Queen has more stories to tell of his twenty plus years in law enforcement!



3. I really liked his first book and thought this might be about the same. I was wrong, not even close! The read was quick and the ending was pretty lame. Sometimes the true story is not the best story! I should of waited and got the book from a friend or the library. Sorry!



4. Your first clue that there is not much here is the big type size. Someone tried to stretch this tale into a book, but the material is inadequate. Queen spends page after page building up to the big moment when he defies death and captures some pyscho in the San Bernardino mountains more than 25 years ago. The problem is the arrest was fairly routine. There is a lot of extraneous detail about unrelated investigations leading up to the main case, obviously an effort to stretch the book. I hope Queen has some more substantial stories left in him, or else his best book, about his undercover stint as a Mongol motorcycle gangbanger, may be his only claim to fame as a writer.



5. William Queen has made a good follow-up to his best seller Under and Alone. Although his first was one of my favorites, this one is very well written and reads easily. Two thumbs up and very recommended.

5 comments about Journey Into Darkness.

1. This book explains his career as a criminal profiler for the FBI. John Douglas solved unusual kinds of crimes done by those who kill or rape or torture because they enjoy it. Profiling requires "creative-type thinkers", not accounting or engineering types. They must work well both alone and in groups. They need good judgment based on instinct, which can't be defined in an objective nature. Douglas says serial killers are mostly made, not born. Most come from broken or dysfunctional homes, and are victims of some type of abuse. Real-life killers were used as models for "The Silence of the Lambs", "Red Dragon", and "Psycho". The modus operandi is what the offender does, the signature is why he does it (that doesn't change). Virtually all multiple killers are male. Chapter 2 gives an example of solving murders where there was only a vague eyewitness description.
   
   Chapter 3 shows many examples where profiling was used to describe the habits of killers. Chapter 4 tells of more cases, some of which will never be dramatized for TV as they are too horrible. Chapter 5 deals with pedophiles. One warning sign would be a man whose house has games and amusements that appeal to children. Chapter 6 tells of the possible dangers to young children. One example is the murder of Megan Kanka. It doesn't tell you that her murderer was released from prison against all advice because a new governor wanted to cut costs. Fast footwork by propagandists made it appear to be the fault of the parents since "they didn't know". I wonder if this law affected the crime rate? Chapter 7 tells of the Collins family; its too long. Chapter 8 tells of the murder of Suzanne Collins, a sad tragedy. Chapter 9 tells of the after-effects on Suzanne's parents, and their support group. Chapter 10 is about the savage murder of a wife and her two girls. It established the use of criminal profiling at trials. Chapter 11 tells about the crimes of a rapist-murderer near Arlington Va. [Was this the inspiration for Patricia Cornwell's "Post Mortem"?] When they noted a 3-year gap in the crimes, they looked for someone who had been in prison for burglary; they found a likely suspect. This suspect was convicted, the first person in the world to be executed on the basis of DNA evidence.
   
   Chapter 12 is about the unsolved murders of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson. John Douglas was not called in by the police and the prosecutors, but has formed a strong opinion of the case. [Ever notice how many people's opinions are set by the first news and can never consider the facts in the case?] Note that his discussion of the attack omits the fact that two different knives were used (autopsy report). Douglas talked of the "widespread conspiracy" argument, but didn't read Steven Singular's "Legacy of Deception" which tells how a journalist in Denver got news about the LAPD! The timeline says O. J. Simpson is innocent. The limo driver arrived at 10:22 and saw no one enter or leave until the 11pm trip to the airport. Any evidence like a glove or blood drops had to be planted the next day. Ron Goldman was 5'9" and 175 lbs. His unexpected visit to Nicole's place put him in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nicole had been involved with another man who was 5'9", 175 lbs, but a few years older. In the dark the killers attacked the wrong man, then the witness who came out of the house. If her boyfriend then went into hiding, then that would confirm this theory.
   
   Chapter 13 gives the authors views on crime and punishment. Rehabilitation which makes a good guy out of a bad guy is best. But some offenders can never be rehabilitated and must be isolated from society. Capital punishment prevents the worst from recommitting their crimes. But the problem is to be sure those convicted are truly guilty. Criminals are manufactured from a poor home life. [But isn't this the result of poverty in many cases?] The problem is apparently without a practical solution.



2. I won't go much further. John E. Douglas is an excellent expert on true crime particularly the gruesome serial killings. I got the book before the Green River Killer was identified as Gary Leon Ridgway. Anyway, he analyzes cases and gives his opinions but he is pro-law enforcement most of the time. He doesn't like to give the benefit of the doubt towards the law enforcement community. Sadly, his dedication in the beginning of the book mentions only a portion of the victims in the book which some are well-known like Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson and the victims of Bernardo-Homolka crimes in Canada, as well as a few others. There were others who were murdered, brutalized, and their names are bearly mentioned in the book. Unless he changed their names to protect their true identity which I doubt because most of the murdered victims are identified. Since he is pro-law enforcement, he may not have a total open view of the criminals themselves. Granted, he knows how to identify the criminal whether a child molester or serial killer from his actions. He aids in their capture, prosecution, and their sentence whether death penalty or life in prison. He doesn't suggest ways to prevent such disasters such as a pedophile or serial killer from becoming such a creature because they aren't really human.



3. This book was a great reading experience. Douglas is an experienced storyteller, and being that these are not just stories, but actual accounts of reality make is a bonus! This book was a satisfing buy for my evil sweettooth. I loved it. It was worth adding to my collection of true crime interests.



4. Very informative, though some of the cases are repeated in the series of books that have been released by the authors.



5. As with all John Douglas books this was a completely fascinating read with so much insight. Marred only by a certain arrogance but then doing the work he does, who wouldn't be arrogant?

5 comments about Strangler.

1. Once again, Corey Mitchell holds my intrest with his story telling. He is sure to become a favorite among true crime readers.



2. I read this book in only a few days because I couldn't put it down. The way the author went into the backgrounds of not only the victims but some of the detectives, lawyers, etc. was really nice and cool. It helped remind me where I had heard some of the names before. Last night I was only gonna read to one part and as I was reading that mark kept changing until it was 5:45 AM and I was at the end :) A must for any true crime reader! Great job!



3. This is the first book I have read from Corey Mitchell, and based on the strength of this one, I will be purchasing his other true crime stories. Mitchell has a gift. Even with presenting what could be dull facts, he keeps the pages turning. His writing is clear and concise, and never gets boring. The story of Anthony Shore is interesting and the author really details his life nicely. You can never really know what makes a talented musician and very intelligent guy turn into a murderer, but Corey Mitchell lays out all the facts and gives you everything you need to get into the twisted mind of this killer. Very good book.



4. "Strangler" is another excellent offering from true crime author Corey Mitchell.
   This is the second book from Mr. Mitchell that I have read. Like "Evil Eyes" it didn't disappoint.
   
   The author includes transcripts from Anthony Shore's confessions.
   The reader gets a chilling insight into the mind of an incestuous serial killer. He sensed that he would be discovered after submitting a court ordered DNA sample. Mr. Mitchell gives accounts of some of Shore's disturbing activities as a youth.
   
   Corey Mitchell does a great job of detailing the investigation and prosecution of Anthony Shore.He writes about the crime lab scandal and that makes the independent DNA lab very important as a part of the prosecution's case. Add to that the tragic suicide of one of the homicide detectives,and the revolving door of relationships that the killer had and you have a very chaotic period.
   
   The author provides a fast-paced but focused book on virtually every aspect of theses murders,from the victims,their families,Shore's family,the detectives determination to solve the cases,and the Assistant District Attorney who successfully prosecuted the killer.
   A great read from one of the best true crime writers of the day!



5. I like the way Corey Mitchell writes, this book is excellent as is Evil Eyes. Both held my attention throughout with plenty of interesting details and juicy bits without sensationalism. After having read stacks of true crime books that declare they contain pages of "shocking photos" this book actually contains a really disturbing picture, I love it! Corey Mitchell writes true crime that almost takes you there. I dont pretend to read this stuff for purely intellectual reasons. I want to experience what the crime scene technicians and profilers experience. While I am very interested in what may separate a homocidal maniac from Joe America and I want to know warning signs and patterns and all of that. I admit I want a thrill of the forbidden and the chase. Corey Mitchell gives you the feeling of looking over the shoulder of the killer in my opinion and I like that. This is a really good book; but, I think Evil Eyes is even better. If you feel like I do, you probably should look into buying both of them.

5 comments about Are You There Alone?: The Unspeakable Crime of Andrea Yates.

1. The recent Court decision to over-turn the conviction of Andrea Yates was based in part on the evidence presented in this well-researched book on the "unspeakable" crime. Ms. O'Malley caught a number of mistakes in the way Yates was treated and the way her case was presented, but uncovering the erroneous testimony of the prosecution's expert witness, Dr. Park Dietz, was the central factor in discrediting the state's case against Andrea Yates. By virtue of her careful reporting and analysis, Ms. O'Malley managed, not simply to observe the trial process, but to become one of the most powerful participants in it. It becomes clear in this book that the psychiatric treatment of Yates is one of trial and error, if not downright neglect. Even reading the transcript of the Dietz interview is enough to convince one that Ms. Yates, whatever she may have known about right from wrong under the McNaughton doctrine, was not in control. She never doubted her actions were illegal, and she seemed convinced that they morally wrong; yet, at the same time, and in a way that makes her case for insanity that much more provocative -- she seemed convinced that she would be judged morally wrong for not drowning them, or otherwise ending their lives. She had talked herself into a tragic corner -- herself inevitably damned, she opted to save her children from the certain damnation that awaited them if, in her warped view, she did not act. No one denies that Ms. Yates suffered from mental illness prior to and at the time of her act. But the depth seemed to elude a number of people. The endless attempts to get Andrea to specify her thoughts at specific points in time for the purpose of the trial record would be risible but for the fact they were real. When Dr. Dietz asked her, "What were you wearing at the time of the drownings?" She responded, "clothes." She was so hopelessly operating at a cognitive level that simply didn't fulfill the requirements of an advarsarial system -- and yet she was there, having been declared sufficiently sane to stand trial. The decision allowing her to so stand was, in effect, the second tragedy.



2. I am almost finished with the book but it's taking me time to read it as it's not the kind of book you can read quickly. I'm anxious to see how it ends. I would rather have reviewed it after I finish it. I think the book is probably going to get better closer to the end then I am.



3. Having read St. Martin's rush-to-press book, "Breaking Point," as soon as it hit the stands, I was disappointed with O'Malley's long-awaited book about the Andrea Yates tragedy. Whereas Spencer interviewed relatives, friends, and acquaintances, O'Malley relied heavily on court transcripts and seemed to take a point of view from a telescope.
   The book about Andrea Yates that I want to read has yet to be written. For example, I want to know where she stored her pots and pans while she was home-schooling three children in a bus and ironing her husband's shirts so he'd look normal while working at NASA. I want to know why she didn't lose her mind earlier.
   As for Texas justice....We're talking about a state that found Andrea Yates to be as sane as the woman who hacked her ex-lover's wife to death with an axe in the 1980s. Only difference is, the axe muderess was found not guilty.



4. I read this book because it was a list of good reads. I felt it was. The topic is horrofic. How can a mother do this to her children? You get a sense that the author tries to be objective as possible with the reason. The author I also felt does a good job of pointing out the inconsisties with the time line with the attornies as a well as when Andrea Yates was on medication. She also does a fair job of looking at the story after the verdict. Overall I felt it was a fair balanced book contray to what others think. She presents the facts and details as objectively as she can and lets the readers make up their mind.



5. To be honest, I was very hesitant to even read this book. Like most people, when Andrea Yates killed her five children by drowning them in the family's bathtub, the only information I knew was what I heard from the media. I almost immediately formed my own opinion -- Andrea Yates was evil. So it took me awhile to open my mind to the fact that there could be more to the story.
   
   Once I started reading ARE YOU THERE ALONE? I absolutely could not read fast enough. This book is fascinating in delving into the issue of mental illness, and what it truly means. I learned about psychosis, about postpartum depression, about bipolar disorder, and much, much more.
   
   Although there are things I still don't understand (how Rusty Yates, Andrea's husband, could have left her alone with their children when he knew she was seriously mentally ill, for example), I have to say that I have a greater understanding of why Ms. Yates did what she did.
   
   Hers was a horrific crime, and one for which she deserved to be punished. But she also deserved to get help for the problems that had plagued her for many years. For that, Suzanne O'Malley and the doctors, nurses, and many others involved in the case are to be commended.

5 comments about Entering Hades: The Double Life of a Serial Killer.

1. A murderer gains celebrity and has the intelligentsia spring him. Only in America? Apparently not. This horror story is a wonderfully written account of an Austrian serial killer who used and abused the system and all its bureaucrats to do what came naturally for him. Author John Leake knows how to piece together a jigsaw puzzle of incompetence, luck (good and bad). This is a early page turner that will keep you shaking your head for a long time to come. Bravo.



2. Congratualations to John Leake on this outstanding work! Having been directly involved with Unterweger's extradition to Austria, I can report that women lawyers, law enforcement officers, and diplomats were instrumental in every aspect of this fugitive's return to Austria to answer for his hideous crimes against women. This gives new meaning to the words "poetic justice."



3. I bought this book based on the glowing reviews. I love true crime stories and was excited when this arrived. I tore into it, and it was off to a pretty good start. Then it started to drag...and drag....There were so many little details and names and places that I was bored stiff. I found myself daydreaming and having to reread passages on numerous occasions. I ended up skimming the final few chapters and then picking up at the end. I could not relate at all to the main character, Jack, and I had zero sympathy or empathy for him. He was purely evil and narcissistic and unlikeable, which, according to the author was the opposite of how many people in Vienna's society would have described him. I just didn't get it. Maybe the timing was wrong for me and this really was as great a book as the other reviewers claim. For me it was a borderline painful reading experience.



4. As good as anything Ann Rule ever wrote--and maybe even better.
   
   About the only complaint: author could have delved deeper into Unterweger's mother's life, as well as what exactly the killer's life was like as a young child, as he was raised by a grandfather who evidently was a mean drunk, etc.
   
   Other than that, a fine job of writing as well as research.
   Author John Leake definitely has a career in this field.



5. John Leake's Entering Hades: The Double Life of a Serial Killer is a very well researched and written book. Like others, I concur that the aspects of Jack Unterweger's double life and the ultimately deadly Austrian liberal perspective with respect to the ability of criminals to be rehabilitated were very well done. Less well developed were an explication of the reasons behind the protaganist's murderous behavior--his childhood (and his misrepresentation of certain aspects of his mother's and father's history)--and his sexual inclinations and their relationship to his murderous behavior. The fact that the story spans the Atlantic with key portions in two key Austrian locations--Vienna and Graz (where the American author's German language and translation skills shine)--as well as Los Angeles and, to a lesser degree, Miami, also adds interest to the book.
   
   In short, a very good true crime book about a most disturbing protaganist, particularly considering that this is the author's first book. I look forward to future books from this author.