Perfect Murder A Books

I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK IN A LONG TIME THAT I LITERALLY COULD NOT PUT DOWN. I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK IN A LONG TIME THAT MADE ME CRY THAT HARD. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW EVERYONE THAT DIED THAT NIGHT....(GOD BLESS THEIR FAMILIES) AS WELL AS DIMEBAG. MY 15 YEAR OLD IS AN AVID GUITAR PLAYER AND THIS IS HIS HERO. I HAD TO READ IT BECAUSE THAT IS ALL WE EVER HEARD/AND STILL HEAR ABOUT IS DIMEBAG. WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY. I AM SO SADDENED THAT I CAN NEVER SEND MY SON TO ONE OF HIS CONCERTS. I BELIEVE HIS SPIRIT LIVES ON IN MY SON THOUGH BECAUSE HE PLAYS LIKE DIME VERY MUCH. HE OWNS 6 ELECTICS AND OF COURSE HAD TO GET A DEAN!!!!! THE ONE WE GOT HIM FOR XMAS WAS DIMEBAGS TRIBUTE GUITAR. AN AWESOME BOOK IS ALL I CAN SAY AND YOU JUST HAVE TO READ IT!!!!

The book jumps back and forth between Dime and the other people killed that night, so it is a little hard to follow. I enjoyed it, but was disappointed by the lack of biographical info on Dimebag.

Overall this was a very well researched project of a very disturbing tragedy. Getting to know the background of all involved put a name to the others besides Dime. I would have liked to see the same background info on Dime as many people do not know what a virtuoso he was, and how he attained his status. Some of the minutia got tedious at times, but it was a very interesting read.

Much like many heavy metal fans across the world, I felt like I hit a concrete wall face-first at 100 miles per hour upon hearing the news of Dimebag Darrell's tragic death. Being a long-time metal guitarist, I always looked up to Dime during my formative years as a player. The events at Alrosa Villa, where 3 other individuals were murdered on the night of 12/8/04, piqued my curiosity as to what really happened, how it happened, and what caused it to happen. Not only does this book objectively describe the volatile personality of the perpetrator (I refuse to mention his name), it also does a great job at presenting all the facts that led him to "snap". However, the true purpose of this book was to offer a glimpse into the lives of the 3 other people who died at Alrosa Villa: Nathan Bray, Erin Halk, and Jeffery "Mayhem" Thompson. Considering the fact that a rock superstar was murdered that night, it's easy to overlook the less prominent victims of this tragedy. What Chris A accomplished here was a humanization of those whom the media overlooked or relegated to the sidebars. Three seemingly different individuals showed remarkable courage, willingly putting themselves in the path of gunfire in an attempt to end a lethal situation and help the injured. This is what this book is REALLY about. It is NOT an attempt to capitalize on the death of a celebrity.

The book has a dual thesis; one being the victim's lives and the second the nightclub rampage and police shooting. What I did not realize while reading the book is that the author did a splendid job of weaving Thompson's, Bray's, Halk's and Abbott's seemingly unintersecting lives into the tragic end. I felt this book was in-depth and gripping.

There is no shortage of research done by the author. He has credited numerous people for contributions of photos, interviews and documents. Given the subject matter, it may have been easy to invoke a morbid fascination from the reader for the sake of selling books but, he tastefully used hundreds of crime scene photos. He obviously established a repor with CPD Officer J. Neggemeyer as well as other investigators. He did a fine job of delving into the lives of the victims and articulated what good people they really were, which made the occurrence that much more disturbing and tragic.

I thought the book was accurate for the most part, save for a few mistakes in municipalities. The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars was I felt that referring to Nathan Gale as "the beast" was childish. Although he slowly changed into a beast given his mental illness, changing the moniker does not change the fact that Gale was single-handedly responsible for immeasurable pain and damage.

Foxy Statehood Hens and Murder Most Fowl

Score: 4 / 5

Reviewer: Vee of Night Owl Romance

Online: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1080

Foxy Statehood Hens is a fun, three-story collection of romantic mysteries set in Oklahoma. All the stories take place or end in 1907, the year Oklahoma became a State.

The Spinster, The Pig and The Orphan by Jackie King

New to the Indian Territory in 1889, Harriet Lauren sets out to find a husband. With an inheritance, she opens a hotel and hires Radine Morgan an orphan who soon becomes a good friend.

After Ida Mae, a local 'fallen dove' and friend of Radine's is killed, Radine sets off to find the killer.

With likable characters, a good plot, wonderful dialog and social commentary of the time, The Spinster, The Pig and The Orphan is an entertaining read.

The Raucous Bird and a Felony Twist by Paula Watkins Alfred

Rebecca Donna Summersdale, an orphan who longs to shed the restrictive chains of womanhood, pretends she is Donnie, a boy. But upon meeting Donnie, Miz Myrtle, a local shop owner, sees through the disguise and demands an explanation. After hearing it, Miz Myrtle decides to help Donnie along in the charade. The pair become very good friends.

When Miz Myrtle is nearly murdered and left unable to speak, Donnie comes to her aide to bring about justice.

The Raucous Bird and a Felony Twist is a delightful story full of the unexpected. With colorful characters, an interesting plot and the added tension of Donnie coming into womanhood the story is a page-turner. I also felt the sense of time and place was well done as well as the dialog.

Hats, Healing and Homicide in Tulsey Town by Peggy Moss Fielding

After the death of her grandmother, Eula Mae Kent sets out for Arkansas to be with an Aunt she'd never met. When she is unexpectedly left behind by the lecherous Mr. Montmorcey, she is helped by Bartlett Starr, a local man who takes her into Tulsey Town, OK, where she decides to set up a hat shop.

Then the murder of one of the locals shakes things up and Eula Mae takes matters into her own hands.

While another period piece set in an unusual setting, the characters and their plight never felt real. The story felt forced and the ending contrived.

© Night Owl Romance 2007-2008

Statehood brings brave women to Oklahoma who succeed on the frontier by their charm and wit. This collection of novellas delightfully combines the best of mystery, romance, and western. Alfred's gender-bender shows her heroine disguised as a man only to discover the town banker has fallen in love with him/her. Fielding's novella leads us on a wonderful journey to life among Native Americans in pre-statehood Tulsa, and King's story fictionally demonstrates how young women actually came west and succeeded in commerce and romance. The book is a fun read and a great gift for the foxy hen in your life, whatever age she may be.

What a terrific little read, these three novellas celebrating Oklahoma's 100th birthday.

The second sentence in Jackie King's contribution, THE SPINSTER, THE PIG AND THE ORPHAN, defines the story. "One didn't buy a husband in the same way one bought a lumberyard."

Author Paula Watkins Alfred uses vernacular to push the reader back in time and give one the shivers as a young girl pretending to be a young man bumbling into danger in THE RAUCOUS BIRD AND A FELONY TRYST.

In the final offering, Peggy Fielding provides an affectionate close-up view of early day Tulsa in HATS, HEALING AND HOMICIDE IN TULSEY TOWN.

Foxy Statehood Hens is a great book - entertaining, and informative. It makes you really think about the hardships the early settlers endured as Oklahoma was settled, but especially the difficulties for women. But mostly, it was a fun read, and all three stories (romantic mysteries) really keep you guessing...and laughing! This is a great book for a lazy Sunday afternoon with a glass of tea, a hammock and a cool summer breeze.

Just in time for the Oklahoma Centennial, the Foxy Hens, also known as Peggy Moss Fielding, Jackie King and Paula Watkins Alfred, have created a delightful anthology of novellas set in the early days of Oklahoma statehood. FOXY STATEHOOD HENS is the second anthology by these authors, the first anthology is titled CHICK-LIT FOR FOXY HENS. This time the "Hens" have hatched three short murder mysteries. "The Spinster, the Pig and the Orphan" by Jackie King tells the tale of a spinster hotel owner with a murder on the premises. "The Raucous Bird and a Felony Tryst" by Paula Watkins Alfred chronicles the life of a young girl masquerading as a boy. Sleuthing is enough adventure for her until she loses her heart to the town banker. The heroine of Peggy Fielding's "Hats, Healing and Homicide in Tulsey Town" solves a murder with the help of a magical horse and his oh-so-romantic owner. This trio of mysteries will please readers searching for mystery and history.

The novel, The Perfect Shot, by Elaine Marie Alphin, is probably the best book I have ever read. It is basically about a teenager named Brian Hammek. He was outside playing basketball, and he watches his girlfriend get murdered. He loves to play basketball. One day he went to court to try to set his girlfriend's father free, he was kicked out of the courtroom and he hid in the bathroom and was threatened by his girlfriend's murderer. After a game he was up in his room when the murderer broke into his house and tried to kill him. He made the perfect shot on the murderer and saved his family's lives. I think the pace of this book was different than you would find in other books. It starts out fast, but then it slows down. In the end it speeds back up again. If you like thrillers, than this is a book you need to read. You never what is going to happened. That is a quick review of The Perfect Shot.

I saw this book in the bookstore and read the inside cover and thought it sounded very good. But I didn't get to read it for a few months, so I let my camp friend borrow it, and when he finished it in a few weeks, he said it was a very great book.

The story is well played out, and the characters are very great. I loved the mystery within it all, and the sadness throughout. This is a wonderful teen book that is quite amazing, and every teen who enjoys sports books or mystery books should buy this, because it's very entertaining.

I loved this book so much! I dont see how anyone couldn't. i read it for fun and it turned out to teach me a lot about love and about law. I can understand things more clearly by relating experiences to experiences of the characters. their lives are magnificently changing and understandable. i would reccomend this book to people who love teen murder mysteries and amazing pieces of writing that touch your heart. this book made me feel, it made me cry, it made me laugh. this book is about life and understanding the situation. the characters' struggles are real and exciting. this book is amazing.
I couldnt put this book down, but at some parts i had to, this story is very intense and that made it all the more lovely.
the murder of one boy's girlfriend turns into a path to life discovery, a path that leads to the meaning of everything. read this book and follow young Brian, go down the path with him. you will discover too.

I read this book based on a student recommendation. What a welcome surprise. This author deserves much more recognition for her talent. I look at and read Young Adult books all the time, but I knew nothing of this book.

The Perfect Shot is a wonderful look at teen life and the struggles human beings go through when dealing with a loss. This book is also an experienced look at the struggles young adults go through when trying to figure out what their place is in this world.

The book does all of the above and accelerates the plot with a suspenseful ending that will leave the reader wanting to read whatever this author produces.

This book is a gem of a Young Adult book. This is a definite must-read.

I am now going to backtrack and read this author's other books, one of which is an Edgar Award winner.

Like other reviewers, I think this is a great story. There are multiple levels to the plot--a murder mystery, a run at a basketball championship, a school project mirroring real life, a friendship tested. Even with all these elements working together, the story isn't convoluted. The start of the story, though, does drag a bit, especially compared to the fast pace of the rest of the novel. Overall a great read, though--another great one by this author!--and one that boys and girls alike would enjoy.

His books covers it all: history, stories, the idea of doubles and masks, the resolution of good and evil after World Wars through the detective who resolves to bring order out of chaos. David Lehman talks about the detective novel as one genre that crosses all classes. Given this election and all the open questions, let's delight in some sleuthing. We are asking Whowonit in America. His book is a Whodunit. This book is fun and includes many of David's Favorites throughout history, including Poe's Murder of the Rue Morgue and even spy novels such as LaCarre's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. If you delight in detective novels, you'll savor this read.

Finally in paperback, "The Perfect Murder" will provide intriguing delight for both newcomers and accomplished literary detectives. With this new twenty-first-century insight into the murder mystery, Lehman has now made the study of the Detective Novel as morally and historically important as any in literature today, "not only" in Lehman's words "because of the detective novel's debt to human nature but because of the possibly larger debt that human behavior owes to detective novels."

David Lehman investigates the development of mystery fiction, defining improvements and refinements, comparing auth
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ors, detectives, plots and techniques.

If, as he observes, the murder in the most inspired detective novel is perfect, it's not because of its solution but because of its artful conception. The first clue is in the basic premise of mystery fiction. Speaking, as it does, of such basic matters as life and death, quest and query, fear and the unknown, the detective novel assumes that the puzzles of life can and will be solved. The reader turns from the ordinariness of life to the author's promise that around each corner lurks the possibility of menace, that conspiracy fills the air, that we have every right to be paranoid, but in spite of it all, everything will turn out all right.

Another clue: Reading mystery fiction provides us with a harmless and vicarious way of releasing our homicidal instincts, says Lehman, allowing us to murder again and again without having to suffer the consequences. Thus, he concludes, reading mysteries leads us away from performing the act of murder.

"Our love of mystery is matched only by our longing for certainty," he writes. "and because we find it hard to tolerate the condition of doubt and guilt in shich we are destined to live."

Lehman's love of mysteries and his eagerness to share favorite books and characters lends charm and emphasizes his major points. A chronological bibliography is included and divided into related genres, critical documents and resource books. That proves to be a banquet of delicious additional reading on the subject. Another delight is his review of 15 of his favorite mystery novels.

Read this one to gain new insight and a deeper appreciation for the mystery genre.

I have a few of books on the crime/mystery genre. Some of them are overly academic (dry and professorial) while others are labors of love written by fans (passionate but not always insightful or even factually correct). Then there are those books that are still wonderful to read but are a bit out of date (the Haycroft, Keating and Symon books, for instance).

Lehman's book avoids all these pitfalls. He's a scholar but his prose moves along and is never fussy. He covers a lot of ground but never sails into vague generalities. And his recommended reading list (always a highlight in this sort of book) is nicely put together, with a good mix of old works and new.

If I had to buy a single volume for someone looking to expand his or her perspective on the history of the crime-mystery story, this would be the one.

One night in March 1999, fifteen-year-old dance student Rachel Elizabeth Barber vanished. No one could have guessed that she had become another girl's 'perfect' victim. Happy. Beautiful. Talented. She had everything her killer could want.
Perceived by crime experts everywhere as one of the most bizarre homicides they had encountered, Perfect Victim recounts two stories: Rachel's mother Elizabeth Southall tells of her family's heart-rendering experience - how they lived through unimaginable tragedy, going to extraordinary lengths to prove their daughter wasn't a runaway. Criminal court reporter Megan Norris provides another side of the picture; the analysis, the astonishment of professionals when faced with the killer's weird and unsettling letters, and the police proceedings that led, eventually, to the Rachel Barber case being solved.

Confronting and compelling, this is an incredible story about a callous and calculated crime.

First read by myself little over three years ago at the tender age of sixteen, Perfect Victim remains one of the most compelling works I have come across. The novel is essentially centred on Elizabeth Southall's intense and emotional tribute to her 15-year-old daughter, Rachel Elizabeth Barber, murdered by a troubled young woman driven to the unthinkable by obsession. Interspersed with Southall's story is an account of the case from the point of view of journalist Megan Norris, providing a detailed analysis of the motive and means while offering what little insight can be found into Rachel's 20-year-old killer.

Through the agony and ecstasy of Elizabeth's later entries emerges a truly beautiful tribute to her daughter's life, one that remains with you long after the pages close. It can remain difficult to twist yourself away from the ugliness of Rachel's early demise, yet, like Elizabeth, towards the novel's close you are simply inspired by the energy of Rachel's life. With the contribution of Norris' perceptive examination of the Barber case, Perfect Victim shines as a profound insight into love, death and beyond.

Feel free to discuss your own reflections on this exceptional book with me at bijou_bleu{at}hotmail.com.

I was drawn to a copy of Perfect Victim, thanks to the hypnotic, engaging and exquisitely beautiful eyes of Rachel Barber. The fifteen year old girl from Melbourne portrayed in this touching book. I got a copy for my Mum for Mother's Day 2002, since she loves true stories. I also felt I'd enjoy reading it and I really did. This book has touched me like no other real life account from a mother's perspective ever has. The events happen here in locations I know so for me it does have a chilling aspect to it I could relate to. I don't read many real life stories since they can have a profound effect on me. From the very first line it had me in a state of shock, and always incredibly moved. We never get to really know Rachel because from the start she has already vanished. So a sense of dread already comes over me. It's only through reading from chapter to chapter do the events of her disappearance take shape, and her final hours are reconstructed in a fascinating series of events, I couldn't even see coming. Yet it is a very gratifying resolution to Rachel's disappearance, and one I really enjoyed reading. Both sides of the story are addressed, not only from the mother of Rachel, but the killers story making this better then most other books around.

I think this would make an effective movie one day. I can see myself directing it but then maybe I'm a little too close to the subject matter. I might not also have much experience in this field but I guess it's all relative. I don't know anyone in this book but I wish I did. Rachel's eyes are a big part of the attraction to her I think. Nothing pychotic intended, just pure interest and a deep love to remember her affectionately. I think Ron Howard would do a wonderful film if offered it even though it may never be on the market for filming. To me, Ron did such effective films for 'Ransom' and 'The Missing'. Even though he doesn't like to do kidnapping stories I still think he does them extreamly well.

If I had to choose characters for a film I'd probably choose Amanda Seyfried as Rachel. Mika Boorem as Heather. Amber Tamblyn as Ashleigh-Rose. Hilarie Burton as Caroline. Pattie Tierce as Elizabeth the mother. Matt McCoy as the father Mike.

In 2002, the year this was first published, I discovered Rachel would have been eighteen. Now in 2005, if she had lived, and I believe she and others who have passed into heaven have never really gone, would have been twenty-one this year in September, and that is a very special event for most people. So for anyone who has lost someone close to them, you'd always want to remember. That's how I feel.

I really couldn't say a word wrong with this book, even though someone is sure to find faults. I'm sure I'll also hold a special place in my heart for this precious little girl, so please be respectful to my review and the subject matter. I'm so thrilled it has been recounted for people to read. I have also passed where Rachel used to dance and while I've never been to a funeral or visited her grave there would be time for that one day I'm sure. May we all look out for each other those past and present.

I'm more then happy to speak with anyone who has read this book and feels as touched as I continually am about everything it contains. A book I'm very proud of, and couldn't imagine it not being in my vast book collection. This is one of my favorite books and will always be special to me. I will always love this book.

Some of the mysteries you could solve but others were challenging and unsolvable. I liked it.

Comtemplating the perfect murder? At least buy this book to see how hard it is to pull it off. Solving these "almost-perfect-murders" is definitely not a spectator sport. Solve all the cases using the minimum number of clues and you can consider yourself an accomplished sleuth!! A team effort often helps to crack the cases, it's also more fun. Consider enlisting the help of a friend or significant other. Note that some of the stories may eventually be appear at The Case website.

Forgiveness is an enormous virtue yet we have to realize that we live in a world where the rule of law must prevail and criminals and conspirators have to face the consequences of their actions. To do otherwise is to establish bad precedence. Extending it a step further every person who is a part of an evil conspiracy, whether physically or in their hearts (motivated by personal selfishness or misplaced fear of the unknown) must repent. The forgiveness should be in our hearts and that is indispensable for closure and for peaceful existence.

Note from the author, Don Lasseter. Retired Judge Donald A. McCartin, about whom Perfect Justice was written, received the following letter which, with the writer's permission, he wants to share with Amazon.com:

From D. Kevin Lester, MD, Asst Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco.
November 9, 2004
Dear Judge McCartin:
I very much enjoyed reading your book, which took me only two days. Frankly, I am a slow reader, but it is an intriguing book and kept my interest throughout. Rarely does a person's interesting and fascinating, principled life get the opportunity to be written such as this. Don Lasseter was probably the perfect author for this book, since he is used to this sort of depiction. The layout of the book was captivating.

I am not going to have my wife read it since she would get nightmares, and I must admit that, since reading it, I have worried a little bit more about my adult children living in thet area where these tragedies took place. Linda and I lived in Long Beach during my time in medical school, on the peninsula in Belmont Shore, so reading the book brought back memories, and I could easily picture where and how these activities occurred.

I very much enjoyed reading your own life story and chuckled with the recent occurrence you had in Madera.... I most enjoyed the reiteration of your life's story and principles that remain a beacon for many.
Sincerely yours,
D. Kevin Lester, M.D.

Wisconsin has a very strange and notorious history of serial killers and macabre murders ranging from such infamous characters as Ed Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer. "Got Murder?: The Shocking Story Of Wisconsin's Notorious Killers" by Wisconsin author Martin Hintz is a compilation of Badger State crimes and criminals whose lethal behavior has never been so well detailed and annotated. as they have in this compendium of true crime stories. From the murder of Frank Lloyd Wrights lover and her children with a hatchet; to Ed Gein's grave robbing and bizarre butchery; to a deer-hunting trip that left six people dead, to the cannibalism of Jeffrey Dahmer, these stories range from Wisconsin's pioneer era down to today's newspaper headlines. Strongly recommended for personal and community library 'true crime' collections and reading lists, "Got Murder?" is fascinating, riveting anthology of stories that brings a whole new and dark dimension to Wisconsin history.

Murder at the Altar

This is a fascinating books on three counts:

1) It tells the little-known but important story of the murder of a church leader in New York in the thirties, a crime that strikes right at the heart of the coming Cold War, and a crime that is as current as tomorrow because it foreshadows today's international battles fueled by church versus state issues.

2) Murder at the Altar is an extraordinary adventure story.

3) The book reminds us how difficult it is for human beings to leave our barbaric past as we search for solutions to religious and political differences.

In the interest of transparency I am pleased to note that Phillips and I are colleagues; as journalists we've both reported from some of the saddest and sorriest datelines in the world. Those experiences fuel Phillips's storytelling in Murder at the Altar and help bring the crime and the trial to page-turning life. As he researched this fine historical novel, Phillips came upon unpublished and previously unknown photographs of the events and characters involved in the crime. These he's cleverly spotted throughout the text, adding a illustrative reality to the novel that neatly enhances its be-here-now tone.

For those concerned about Armenia, the Armenian diaspora, and the legacy of the Soviet era on Armenian affairs, this book is, of course, a must read. Nothing else is available that so completely explains the tragedies surrounding the murder of Archbishop Tourian, and how they continue to infect the survivors. But the book is no less valuable for those seeking an understanding of how good men can do bad things, or those just seeking a damn good story.

The topic at hand is rather gruesome - the perfect murder - - how can a murder ever be perfect, really? However, people do keep trying to commit the perfect murder. Here is a nice anthology on the topic. Entertaining, not for children.