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True Crime Book Reviews Available Now (page 11)

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Cover art for BIRTHRIGHT
NONFICTION
Released: Jan. 25, 2010
BIRTHRIGHT: THE TRUE STORY OF THE KIDNAPPING OF JEMMY ANNESLEY
by A. Roger Ekirch
"An engrossing familial and legal tale told with dash and clarity."
A contested inheritance, kidnapping, murder, revenge, a sensational courtroom trial--this true-life narrative by Ekirch (History/Virginia Tech; At Day's Close: Night in Times Past, 2005) sounds like an old-fashioned adventure tale. In fact, it "inspired at least five novels," including Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ROAD OUT OF HELL
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 3, 2009
THE ROAD OUT OF HELL: SANFORD CLARK AND THE TRUE STORY OF THE WINEVILLE MURDERS
by Anthony Flacco, Jerry Clark
"Gripping if occasionally drawn-out account of a gruesome crime wave and a victim who survived it."
A 1920s rape and murder spree, re-created with grisly details both real and imagined. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ASSASSINATION OF FRED HAMPTON
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 1, 2009
THE ASSASSINATION OF FRED HAMPTON: HOW THE FBI AND THE CHICAGO POLICE MURDERED A BLACK PANTHER
by Jeffrey Haas
"A still-chilling tale of law-enforcement misconduct."
An earnest attorney looks back at a notorious 1960s slaying. Read full book review >
Cover art for SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2009
SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF: A TRUE STORY OF THE MURDER THAT ROCKED NEW ORLEANS
by Ethan Brown
"A grim murder-suicide story delivered with skill and verve."
Journalist Brown (Snitch: Informants, Cooperators, and the Corruption of Justice, 2007, etc.) tries his hand at true crime. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ADDERALL DIARIES
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2009
Kirkus Star THE ADDERALL DIARIES: A MEMOIR OF MOODS, MASOCHISM, AND MURDER
by Stephen Elliott
"Deserves a place on the shelf next to such classics of uninhibited American introspection as On the Road and A Fan's Notes."
An endlessly fascinating memoir by a profoundly courageous writer. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE MEANING OF MATTHEW
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 20, 2009
THE MEANING OF MATTHEW: MY SON'S MURDER IN LARAMIE, AND A WORLD TRANSFORMED
by Judy Shepard
"Honest and inspiring."
A mother's memoir of her young son, his murder and the effect on a galvanized public. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FIRST FAMILY
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 4, 2009
Kirkus Star THE FIRST FAMILY: TERROR, EXTORTION, REVENGE, MURDER, AND THE BIRTH OF THE AMERICAN MAFIA
by Mike Dash
"Essential for students of organized crime in America. Murder and mayhem buffs will enjoy it too."
The Mob comes to America, and rivers of blood flow. Read full book review >
Cover art for THIS IS FOR THE MARA SALVATRUCHA
NONFICTION
Released: July 7, 2009
THIS IS FOR THE MARA SALVATRUCHA: INSIDE THE MS-13, AMERICA’S MOST VIOLENT GANG
by Samuel Logan
"Enervated treatment of a story that deserves more."
Fact-heavy, unfocused investigation of the Mara Salvatrucha criminal organization and the murder of a former member. Read full book review >
Cover art for ZERO AT THE BONE
NONFICTION
Released: July 1, 2009
ZERO AT THE BONE: THE PLAYBOY, THE PROSTITUTE, AND THE MURDER OF BOBBY GREENLEASE
by John Heidenry
"Harsh, chilling, lurid and gripping."
St. Louis Magazine founding editor Heidenry (The Gashouse Gang, 2008, etc.) delivers a lean, mean account of an infamous 1953 kidnapping and murder. Read full book review >
Cover art for A BRIGHT AND GUILTY PLACE
NONFICTION
Released: June 23, 2009
A BRIGHT AND GUILTY PLACE: MURDER, CORRUPTION, AND L.A.’S SCANDALOUS COMING-OF-AGE
by Richard Rayner
"The material would have benefited from a wider focus, but Rayner delivers a lurid, low-down portrait of Los Angeles sure to appeal to readers interested in the real L.A. confidential."
Noir-tinged portrait of the sick soul of America's Promised Land. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE RIDE
NONFICTION
Released: June 15, 2009
THE RIDE: A SHOCKING MURDER AND A BEREAVED FATHER’S JOURNEY FROM RAGE TO REDEMPTION
by Brian MacQuarrie
"A first-rate combination of true crime and social history."
Boston Globe reporter MacQuarrie chronicles the October 1997 murder of ten-year-old Jeffrey Curley and its devastating effect on his family. Read full book review >
Cover art for MURDER FOR HIRE
NONFICTION
Released: June 9, 2009
MURDER FOR HIRE: MY LIFE AS THE COUNTRY’S MOST SUCCESSFUL UNDERCOVER AGENT
by Jack Ballentine
"An intriguing life story in need of a ghostwriter."
Memoir of an undercover cop who posed as a hit man. Read full book review >