This book is very well written. This story is beyond sad. Here's the thing that's tough for me...
I've listened through the book as I got it as an audiThis book is very well written. This story is beyond sad. Here's the thing that's tough for me...
I've listened through the book as I got it as an audio, and maybe I missed something I can't be sure. But despite the trial, despite the fact that I think the Duvall brothers are slime balls. Despite the fact that I have absolutely no doubt I would find these men despicable. I can't say that this case has been presented in such a way that would have allowed me as a juror to vote guilty. I'm not saying the star witness Barb is being honest. I even think they MIGHT have been guilty. Even very likely they were guilty. But might, and very likely are not beyond a reasonable doubt. My heart breaks for the families of these lost young men. I know as a mother the need to find justice would be the only thing that kept me alive if my son were to disappear without a trace. Still... from a legal perspective, this case... Well I just can't say there is justice here. I can say only maybe. I hate that feeling. I like everyone else want to believe they are guilty. I want to believe that after 20 years people could remember but I have doubts... It stinks.
As for the writing style of the book, it was good. I would purchase from this author again. I would recommend this book to individuals that enjoy nonfiction, true crime, and murder mysteries....more
**spoiler alert** I would hardly call the evidence in this book as conclusive. I am not convinced that Earl Van Best is in fact the Zodiac, but I am n**spoiler alert** I would hardly call the evidence in this book as conclusive. I am not convinced that Earl Van Best is in fact the Zodiac, but I am neither convinced that this is a an attention seeking idiot who will go to any length to connect himself to notoriety. Either is a possibility.
This book offers a fair amount of supposition that presents itself as circumstantial evidence. Here's my problem with that evidence. If the finger prints were a match, why is it possible to find evidence that the prints had to be manipulated to match? If the DNA was really a partial match, why on earth would SFPD not want to close a case that has been haunting them for years. I mean seriously, the agency that could say they closed the Zodiac case would get so much publicity that it would outweigh the possible scandal that would supposedly exist with an long dead detective married the ex-wife of a supposed serial killer. This particularly cover up story just doesn't hold weight. There's no way that if the evidence that was presented was as compelling as Stewart wants us to believe that law enforcement would not be eager to run that DNA sample.
The most disturbing possible conclusion to be drawn is that Stewart actually concocted this story in order to live vicariously through his father. To take it a step further that Steward is connecting himself to the Zodiac because he is attracted to the acts of this remorseless killer.
These are more or less my thoughts about this book. It doesn't remark on the writing style but is more about the content. As for the writing style it's not bad. It is well organized if a little boring in the beginning. The first 100 pages or so goes so far into the history of Best the reader loses track after a while as to why they started reading this book in the first place. Other than that it reads like good fiction.
Take aways for this book: 1. By the standard of reasonable doubt a jury could not convict based on the evidence in this book. 2. This book is good enough that I don't feel compelled to return it. 3. This book is not good enough that it will be one that I will read again any time soon. Maybe if I get bored some night and don't find something else I want to read....more
This is one of the best true crime books I have read in a long time. Absolutely incredibly well researched. The sources were fantastic. Leake covers tThis is one of the best true crime books I have read in a long time. Absolutely incredibly well researched. The sources were fantastic. Leake covers the crimes, the locations, the investigations, the trials, and the aftermath. I would recommend this book to individuals who enjoy the full length books written by Ann Rule.
Jack Unterweger's was very reminiscent of "The Stranger Beside Me." Mostly I think because you get the idea that his mask was very firmly in place like that of the early crimes of Ted Bundy. Like Bundy he was charming, and had many women supporters even after his arrest. Like Bundy he spoke to the jury in his trial and even made his own final arguments. For all I know the men may have been nothing alike, but... something tells me they would have had a lot in common.
This book is exceptionally well done. I would recommend this book to individuals who are looking more toward the procedural side of a true crime writing and less so to those who look for the sensationalism. Though this case is not unheard of in the USA, the name is not as well known and you will not get the salacious details stories that headline "sex and murder in a small town." ...more
I was getting to where I was ready to stop reading Phelps. Most of what he's put out in the past few years did not live up tNow That's More Like It!!!
I was getting to where I was ready to stop reading Phelps. Most of what he's put out in the past few years did not live up to his earlier writings, but this one? This one is amazing!
I love that Phelps does extensive research, he interviews as many people as he can. Phelps reports on the history of both the victim and the perpetrator. He does an full coverage of the trial, and the aftermath. He talks to family and friends of both women. This was a most satisfying read!!! Thank you Mr. Phelps for returning to your earlier style. I hung on every word so to speak.
I would recommend this book to anyone who looks for case studies on women killers, or psychopathy in women....more
This is not my first introduction to this case. I remembered a Wicked Attraction episode about this case, and an interview I saw given by Terri after This is not my first introduction to this case. I remembered a Wicked Attraction episode about this case, and an interview I saw given by Terri after the fact. It is one of the truly saddest cases I have ever reviewed. Personal feelings about the case, things I would like to point out:
1. This book is very well researched. There are plenty of primary and secondary sources to convince me of the authenticity of the account. 2. The information in this book is largely verified by law enforcement, news sources, and interviews given by Theresa Cross's children. 3. This book is not for individuals of week constitution. 4. This book is recommended for individuals completing case studies on sociological behaviors, family dimensions, borderline personality disorder, Stockholm syndrome, or psychopathy, case studies on crime or violence being inherited by means of genetics or learned behavior. 5. I would NOT recommend this book to young readers, individuals that have suffered abuse that have not sufficiently recovered from their abusive situation to avoid a PTSD episode. This book is violent. It had to be in order to tell the truth and do justice to Theresa's children, all of those children deserve to be pitied.
This book is a very good narration of the events of the lives of this family....more
This book is very well researched. There is a lot of primary and secondary source information. The details were a lot more graphic than I would customThis book is very well researched. There is a lot of primary and secondary source information. The details were a lot more graphic than I would customarily want to read, but I suspect that is because I know we are talking about a 6 year old child and it upsets me a great deal to think of what JonBenet suffered. The information though was very well collected and conveyed.
I realized about 2/3rds of the way through this book that I should not have purchased it to begin with. I never can make peace with stories that have no closure. Bosworth does a good job at drawing all the strands together and tying the bow at the end, but there can be no justice, no closure. Poor JonBenet will not see justice. I hate it! Not the book, the circumstances.
What did I learn in this book? Were any questions answered? Well, I guess one question was answered for me, but even that is merely my speculation. When this case was happening and since I have believed that JonBenet's brother Burk was the likely culprit. I believed this because I could think of no one else that could have committed this murder and gotten her parents to be complicit in the cover-up. I now believe there is no way that was possible. Having heard the autopsy notes I am convinced that even if a 9 year old boy had the sexual capacity to have left semen on JonBenet, and even if he was sexually sophisticated enough to try to use auto-erotic-asphyxiation for pleasure, it is completely unlikely that he could have delivered the blow that cracked open another child's scull. Add those elements up and he becomes a very unlikely suspect.
There is some controversy and conflicting reports regarding if sex was an element of this crime. Based on the autopsy findings reported in this book I think it is impossible to deny that was the case. So as the title asks, "Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?" I still have no more definitive feelings than I did in the past about the who. I even more firmly believe that the parents were involved. I find it disgusting that they managed to avoid police interrogation and polygraph testing. I have to believe it is their wealth that afforded them the ability to get away with murder. If some poor family from a poor neighborhood were in the same scenario they would not get to evade police for months and refuse to be interviewed. It simply wouldn't be tolerated.
I would recommend this book to individuals who have enjoyed other unsolved cases. I would also recommend it to those who participate or are interested in sociological issues, like does money buy immunity from the law? If this case is held up as an example along with OJ Simpson, I'd have to say it does.
Side note, I would not recommend this read to anyone suffering from PTSD related to a sex crime. Just my opinion, but those that I know would not do well with this book. ...more
This is a standard true crime book. It goes into all of the basics. You get the who, the what, and the why. You get the before the crime, the basics oThis is a standard true crime book. It goes into all of the basics. You get the who, the what, and the why. You get the before the crime, the basics of the crime, and the trial.
There are a couple of things that are outstanding in this book. For one thing, it calls forth the culture of New Hampshire. The fact that most who live there live and breath their motto, "Live Free or Die" is actually one of the reasons that Pam Smart was not initially suspected by the family. Her actions were not standard of a grieving widow, but these are people who believe their motto gives everyone the right to live and feel in whatever is natural to them. I respect that.
Something else that is called forward in this book is that this case is one of the first where a female educator took advantage of an underage boy who would not by most standards be considered a child. These cases are pretty well known today, but at the time, that wasn't the case. Pam Smart wasn't a teacher, but she did work within the educational system, and that put her in close proximity to a great number of teenage boys. Cases like this one have contributed to the legislation that deals with situations where someone is below the legal age of consent, but to old to be exactly covered under sex-offender laws. This book for me constantly brought forward Mary-Kay Letourneau. In the end she married her victim, who still does not see himself as her victim. Though I personally have a soap box to climb on for this issue, this is not the place....
Over all I would say this is a well done true crime book. It does not go into personal judgement of the characters, the lawyers, the judge, or the victim. It does not go into right or wrong, merely a just the facts ma'am telling of what happened....more
Bosworth tells the story of two mothers seeking justice for their children in this book. It is a chilling tale. These women fought for the murderer ofBosworth tells the story of two mothers seeking justice for their children in this book. It is a chilling tale. These women fought for the murderer of their children to be brought to justice, and in the words of one of them, in spite of the sheriff that made the job so much more difficult.
The book itself is well constructed, well researched, and organized. I appreciate good organization in a true crime book. Without it the story just winds around in all kinds of odd directions. ...more
This was an interesting case. More and more crime books are written that include a link to social media. I have to admit I had never heard of CatfishiThis was an interesting case. More and more crime books are written that include a link to social media. I have to admit I had never heard of Catfishing in this way. I guess when I think of cat fishing I actually think that you are going to go fishing for a catfish. I'm behind the times.
I also have to say that I do not think this book did a very good job at presenting the evidence of the case. Honestly if the only evidence is what's available to the reader of this book I wonder a jury came back with guilty verdicts on all of the individuals indicted in this book.
At any rate it is an interesting story, and if you utilize reading this type of book as a jumping off point to learn about social behaviors this is an interesting case study....more
This is perhaps the most heart wrenching true crime book I have ever read. Lacey Spears... I just have no words. It's not that I had never heard of muThis is perhaps the most heart wrenching true crime book I have ever read. Lacey Spears... I just have no words. It's not that I had never heard of munchausen by proxy but I've never read a case where that was the most likely cause of a child's death. If you have strong reactions to stories that include children I would strongly caution you to be aware that this book is going to strike deep.
In addition to saying that the story is one that is bound to cause the reader an emotional reaction there are a few other points I would like to make.
1. John Glatt is quickly becoming one of the best true crime authors I've had the pleasure to read. This is I think my 3rd or 4th book from this author. He is fantastic at taking the time to weave the pieces together into a cohesive narrative for the reader. I'm positive the research didn't come to him this clean and clear.
2. This book is extremely well researched. There are excerpts from the trial, quotes from the individuals involved, interview notes from investigators and journalists. Glatt took time to interview people who knew Lacey, and even Lacey herself. It is a thoroughly researched and complete work.
3. This book is not an indictment against social media, but maybe to some degree it should be considered a reminder that social media has social consequences. In this case, Lacey used social media to gather the sympathy should would not otherwise have gotten by keeping Garnet sick. It is a tragic story from beginning to end....more
Steve Jackson's work is way above par. I really like the way this book is laid out. You get the back story on many of the players in this book, the moSteve Jackson's work is way above par. I really like the way this book is laid out. You get the back story on many of the players in this book, the most interesting of which is the cop turned prostitute/crack addict. It's of course a sad and inspirational telling. I was really impressed with the amount of research and information in this book. Outstanding from beginning to end.
I would recommend this to individuals who enjoy the early works of M. William Phelps.
When this story was in the news I could never figure out just why people were so fascinated by this woman. Having now finished the book I still do notWhen this story was in the news I could never figure out just why people were so fascinated by this woman. Having now finished the book I still do not see why she captivated so much publicity.
One of the drawbacks of reading a book written by the prosecuting attorney in a case is that you really only get one side of the story. Unlike with writers such as Rule, Phelps, and Olsen with books written by the attorney you cannot expect to get outsider perspective. This fact alone usually makes a book less attractive to me.
I gave this book 4 stars regardless of the obvious bias for a number of reasons. First of all Martinez does his audience credit by assuming we are smart enough to follow the bouncing ball and walks us through the discovery of the evidence in this case. Secondly he does not try to take credit and peacock his triumph as the title suggests. He actually places the credit with every member of law enforcement and the judicial system that participated in the eventual conviction of Arias. Third the book is exceptionally well organized. Sometimes when writers go to compile the information from crime to conclusion they fail to make a cohesive narrative that allows the reader to follow the events as they happened. Then the reader spends time back tracking through the book to see if the time line that the author is drawing makes any since.
I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy true crime and legal thrillers....more
This book offered a lot of interesting information. It was a very good read. The research included many primary and some secondary sources. DiscussionThis book offered a lot of interesting information. It was a very good read. The research included many primary and some secondary sources. Discussion was provided on Bryant's behavior prior to the attack, a description of the actions taken by both Bryant and the police during the attack, and even some information about what has happened since. It was interesting to get information regarding how this individual was assessed afterwards and how behavioral criminalists have utilized this case and others to begin to learn about this type of offender.
This book is a great short if you need something to keep you busy for a few hours. I highly recommend it to individuals who do case studies, psychological studies, and sociological studies....more
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