Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




True Crime Book Reviews Available Now (page 6)


Showing

Cover art for CARTEL
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 27, 2011

"One-stop shopping for basic knowledge about U.S.-Mexican narcotics diplomacy."
Overview of the war on drugs being fought without relief in Mexico and the United States. Read full book review >
Cover art for DEATH IN THE CITY OF LIGHT
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 27, 2011

"The author's successful transition into the true-crime genre—expertly written and completely absorbing."
The gripping narrative of a twisted serial killer preying on the most vulnerable citizens of Paris during the Nazi occupation. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 20, 2011

"Superb American history."
The shocking shooting and the painful, lingering death of the 20th president. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE UNEXPECTED PATRIOT
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2011

"The prose is workmanlike, but Rossmiller's patriotic, risky involvement in righting the wrongs of 9/11 resonates on every page."
A crusading, modern-day vigilante goes online to flesh out unsuspecting terrorists. Read full book review >
Cover art for SKYJACK
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 9, 2011

"A thoroughly researched, quirkily written saga suggesting that truth is, in fact, often stranger than fiction."
A nonfiction mystery revolving around the identity of a legendary criminal who has never been apprehended. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LAST TESTAMENT OF BILL BONANNO
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 9, 2011

"A serious, informative look at the Mafia from the inside, but fatally lacking in zest."
The real story of Mafia life, from one who lived it. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TAKEDOWN
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 2, 2011

"An object lesson in what a couple of determined law-enforcement agents can accomplish, even when outnumbered by the bad guys. "
A real-life Law & Order case, starring Romedio Viola, a detective from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Bonnie Klapper, a prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FATAL GIFT OF BEAUTY
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 2, 2011

"Burleigh's propulsive narrative and the many unsettling aspects of the case make this a standout among recent true-crime titles."
Powerful assessment of a tragic crime and its disastrous aftermath. Read full book review >
Cover art for WE IS GOT HIM
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 1, 2011

"A slice of American crime history both instructive and tragically entertaining."
The story of an 1874 kidnapping in Philadelphia that received sustained national attention. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SHOOTING SALVATIONIST
NONFICTION
Released: July 12, 2011

Account of a highly publicized 1926 murder in Fort Worth, Texas, and the trial of accused killer J. Frank Norris, a fiery fundamentalist preacher. Read full book review >
Cover art for REASONABLE DOUBT
NONFICTION
Released: July 5, 2011

"A flawed account of a sensational murder case."
Examination of a murder investigation perhaps gone awry, with Caucasian racism against African-Americans as the leading cause. Read full book review >
Cover art for PORTRAIT OF A MONSTER
NONFICTION
Released: July 5, 2011

"A worthwhile read for true-crime fans and followers of the case, but those looking for insight into the mind of a killer will be disappointed."
A thorough, journalistic recounting of two crimes, five years apart, linked by the same alleged perpetrator. Read full book review >