Perfect Murder A Books

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.

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.

The picture perfect kid was what neighbors and friends called Joshua Allen Wolf. So the big question would be - What happened that would make him kill his beloved grandmother Carol Lindley? That is what this book strives to figure out.

Joshua came to live with his grandparents when he was about 8 yrs old. In fact, more times than not he would refer to them as mom and dad. Joshua's mom Lori suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. This left Joshua and his sister, at many times, neglected and dirty. Since Joshua wanted a stable life, he asked Carol and Bill Lindley if he could live with them. They readily agreed.

Through interviews with family members, police reports and court transcripts, Joshua's story unfolds. On May 6th Joshua shot his grandmother in the head. Two days later he poured gasoline on her and in various parts of the house and tried to burn it all up.

Stephen Wilson, Joshua's attorney tried to plead a case of mental illness partly because of his childhood with his mother. The prosecution would have no part of that saying that in trying to cover up the murder, Joshua knew full well what he was doing.

Anyone who enjoys true crime books will think this one is superb. Even though not all the questions are answered, there is still a lot of information here to digest. "A Picture Perfect Kid" is a comprehensive detailed book about a murder that was planned in detail, one of which the murderer thought he could get away with. The victim and the rest of the family could never have contemplated it happening.

The Poetry of Murder by Bernadette Steele is about Poet Geneva Anderson. Geneva's Aunt is found murdered in her office. Geneva is shocked to find that she inherited millions from her Aunt.

I enjoyed this book I found it very entertaining. I was unable to put it down until I finished it. I liked how the other characters were part of the story, but yet had their own background story line.

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Brad Cunningham was clearly the epitome of delusional narcissism. The classic sociopath/psychotic, without conscience, he cared for no one's feelings but his own. His personality disorders deemed him dangerous, placing him beyond any woman's worst nightmare. Lack of empathy and compassion combined with total self-absorption may make it difficult to see what anyone would find attractive about him; however, that is what characterizes people like Brad Cunningham as pure evil. He seeks out the perfect victim. He makes her feel important or needed or beautiful or whatever. There is a reason women fall for these men. Most are victims to begin with. I hope people do not judge Brad's victims too harshly. Sometimes others have a tendency to wonder how women could fall for guys like that. Men like Brad Cunningham know exactly what they are doing. I have read all of Ann Rule's books. I tout them as "must reads."

This is a gripping book from start to finish. It's hard to believe that there are real life 'psycho' people out there like Brad. He had to just be so charismatic to lure these normal, unsuspecting woman into his life like he did. This was a great book and had me up late turning pages- then cuddling up next to my wonderful husband and thanking the Good Lord above for my blessings!!!!

This book is excellent. Ann Rule really develops these characters to the extent you can feel the fear that was instilled in them by this man. Seldom have I ever felt such a rage towards anyone like I did Brad Cunningham when I read this book. Evil is too nice a word to describe Brad Cunningham. This man is nothing short of a monster and Ann Rule is at her best in telling the horrific evil he dispensed on everyone who came into contact with him.

This book was superbly written. I've read a lot of Ann Rule, and in my opinion, this was the best. There was a sick, ominious feeling throughout, because you knew it was going to get worse, but I couldn't tear myself away. I am amazed at Ms. Rule's ability to weave a story, complete with each of the many characters' backgrounds and present situations, without it seeming choppy.

A sample of her superb writing in this story: "...the enmity in Cheryl's relationship with Brad was intensifying. And as it did...the essence that was Cheryl had begun, finally, to disentegrate. As water eventually erodes stone after an eon of continual dripping, Brad's relentless seige against Cheryl was working its devastation."

Hard to believe that what I read in this book actually happened. I can only hope that somewhere deep in Brad's warped mind, he knows what a complete loser he is. I hope he has only female jailers who tell him what a piece of "garbage" he is every single day!

After finishing this book, I can only think of Cheryl as a martyr. Her unwilling sacrifice saved so many people from being tormented by Brad forever. At least in jail, his victims know where he is.

READ THIS BOOK!

I just finished reading 8 of ann rules books i dont know why I just found her - but i am so glad i have!!!! So many of the men/women who commit the crimes she relates are really so fascinating. I think Ann does an incredible job of weaving the history of the people involved, the psychological profiles, and the trials with updates and pictures...it's all good...

The people who perpetrate these crimes are such charming "users" - it is quite overwhelming to read 8 of her books in a row - i am watching neighbors to see if any of them seem psychotic!! Can make you a tad paranoid, but hey, these books are true and we should all be a bit more careful out there.

So I'm a new fan, cannot wait to buy more of her books!!!

I must agree with another reviewer that the book moved too fast, yet there was just enough personal insight to allow the characters to bond with you which made me want more from the book in the end. Still I really loved the story and the world in which it takes place. It would be great to read a follow up book with more details regarding......well everything and everyone. Enjoyed very much.

Wicked Gentlemen is one of my favorite books. Hale's writing style is simple and easy to read, yet not at all lacking in beauty and finesse. There is poetry in the author's words. Not only this, but the world in which these enigmatic characters, Belimai and Harper, exist is fascinating in and of itself. I've read this book several times over and I'm never disappointed or bored by what I'm reading. The characters are wonderful and the eerie, dreadful world in which they live is rich and alive on paper. My only complaint is the short length. Despite this downfall, the storyline was full and fleshed out.

It's been a long time since I sat down and read straight through a book. My only complaint is the book was too short. The writing was very precise in both the first person and third person sections. I thought the ending of the first section was a bit abrupt and would have probably been annoyed by that if I had read it as a stand alone story. She neatly drew it all together in the end, however.

In some ways her writing reminded me of the delicate social minuet of Swordspointby Ellen Kushner and the moral questions raised in Martha Wells' The Element of Fire and Wheel of the Infinite.

I really hope that the long fantasy novel she mentions on her web site gets picked up by a good publisher because I am certainly waiting to scoop it up when it does appear.

There are already many positive reviews of this novel here. I simply wanted to add my own praise for the work and say that once I started reading it, I could not put this book down. The writing style is elegant and compelling and the world created by the author is detailed and fascinating. If you enjoy fantasy, steampunk, or the like, you'll love this story!

The story is told in two halves, the first from one of the main characters' perspectives, the second half from the other's. I would most certainly read more of Ginn Hale's material...if only there was more.

I had only two serious issues with this book - one, it was actually two novellas rather than one novel, and that irritated me because the summary gives no indication of this (in fact, the summary does not really describe the book all that well). That leads into my second issue, which is that the entire thing seems rushed. I finished the book wishing the world itself had been more thoroughly explored, that even the characters had posessed a bit more meat. One of the things mentioned is that the one guy suffers an addiction to a deadly drug - yet the addiction matters not a bit to the story, is barely mentioned, and you only know he suffers an addiction because he says so. But for all the harm it does, he may as wel be addicted to caffeine.

So, I would have liked to see each of the novellas a full novel-length story.

That aside, I liked what was there. I liked the characters. I did not feel my money was wasted, and I will more than likely buy whatever this author next puts out. I especially liked that her story was not a smutfest. It was an honest to god story, and an interesting one (or, rather, two interesting ones), and it would be cool to see if the author ever revisits this universe.

Every once in ahwile I read a true crime story just to mix things up. As I read this story I was most amazed that something like this could happen so easily. It wasn't the best story I have ever read but the pages did fly by pretty quickly.

We should add Kristen Heather Strickland Gilbert to the list of sociopathic narcissistic murderers who are female. She is cold-blooded, calculating, manipulative, controlling, obsessive and possessive over her husband, her children, her boyfriends and friends. Kristen comes across as the angel of death but she suits her nickname. As a nurse in a veterans hospital, she would claim several lives through poisoning and rare medicines misused on purpose. She has a terrible attitude and discards everybody around her as easy as the needles that were filled with poisonous injections. She would finally get justice and be sent to Texas to remain a federal prison for the rest of her life. Despite a near death sentence, she is probably far away from Leeds, Massachussetts and the terror that she caused while as a nurse on duty during the graveyard shift. The patients were much better off being neglected than meeting with the angel of death who caused such terror, heartache, and misery where ever she went.

I HAVE GOT NOTHING DONE FOR THE LAST THREE DAYS. THIS BOOK HAD ME WANTING TO KEEP READING IT EVERY SECOND. GILBERT WAS REALLY, REALLY A SICK, SICK PERSON.

In PERFECT POISON, M. William Phelps has written a very good true crime story. Phelps has dug up another of those sociopaths he apparently has no trouble finding, this time a criminal and narcissistic nurse named Kristen Gilbert, who, while intelligent, is, in typical narcissistic/sociopathic fashion, not as smart as she thinks she is.
The book's positive points are very strong. Phelps, as he proved in his EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE, is an intelligent, diligent, and professional writer.
He has chosen an interesting story, and he moves the narrative along well, even in the last third of the book which is the often tedious trial segment. Phelps' research is impeccable and he clearly spent a lot of time
and energy on this book.

There are several reasons why I do not think PERFECT POISON is as good a book as EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE and why I rate it 4 rather than 5 stars:

1. PERFECT POISON at 474 pages is too long. I attribute some of this
to Phelps' apparent inclusion of every possible scrap of
informations he found, some of which is irrelevant, uninteresting
and occasionally just nonsense. I personally don't care to know how
lawyers, detectives, etc., are dressed, and certainly not more than
once. On page 232 Phelps spends two paragraphs describing a
building's parking garage, and states "Guards sit in tiny wooden
kiosks and take money as people exit the parking garages." Somehow I
just don't see this as unique. Did Murphy (page 287) really "put
out his first cigarette and prepare to light another."? While
discussing his trial strategy with his detectives, did D.A. Welch
(page 307) really "raise his eyebrows." Cynical,lazy, incompetent
writers of true crime use this device to fill their pages. Phelps
is clearly too good and too thorough to be so all inclusive for
this reason, but the book could use some editing.

2. I believe that in the best of true crime writing an author
as good as Phelps will basically write as a reporter, skillfully
presenting the facts and allowing the reader to form his own
opinions. Phelps does not do this. The tone of PERFECT POISON
is dramatic rather than objective and Phelps' writing in the trial
section is clearly biased toward the prosecution. On page 132,
Phelps writes that the result of an audit of drug security at a VA
hospital indicated that there was no accountability. He then
repeats, italicized, in his very next sentence, "There was no
accountability." On page 66, he writes that "most of the codes
were being called during the busiest times...and, lo and behold,
on Gilbert's tour of duty. Phelps is a talented enough writer
that it is irritating when he uses italics and "lo and
behold"s to emphasize what his narrative has already made crystal
clear, particularly since I would assume that most of his
readers are adults.
In the trial section, Phelps has defense attorney Miles
"delivering a diatribe" and classifies a cross examination of
some government witnesses, which, though unsuccessful, does not
appear to have been especially stupid as "Another misguided
claim by Gilbert's defense." Prosecutor Welch, on the other hand
"had come from the old school of law where litigation was all
about information - possessing it, controlling it, managing it,
and using it effectively." While I'm not sure that statement
has any actual meaning, its tone lends Welch a biased dignity and
competence not found in objective writing.

I present these flaws, as I perceive them, because I think Phelps is an excellent writer who can do better than PERFECT POISON. But even so, it is still a very interesting and well researched story. I'm happy to have read it and think most true crime fans will love it.

The story of Kristen Gilbert, as told by M. William Phelps, is something that hits so close to home. Is there one of us that has not placed our care into the hands of someone who we trusted would ensure our safety and well-being, such as a nurse or doctor? This was the case of many VAMC patients, and their families, who thought they were being treated for their ailments, but instead died of sudden cardiac arrest as a result of EPI posioning. And Gilbert was not discriminate in her victims as they ranged from their thirties to those well into their golden years.

What was the most fascinating aspect of this book is to see the clear evidence of psychosis in this young lady and to ponder how she was able to hide her insanity for thirty plus years.

I found that in the third portion of the book it became a bit redundant with the information regarding her trial. However, there were still many aspects of the trial that were newly presented and attention catching.

M. William Phelps is perhaps the best true crime writer today. His books, just as this one, are well researched, provide indepth information, and, overall, are fast paced and attention grabbing. Just as I have recommended his other books, I highly recommend this one too!

What improvements have been made for the "Miss Marple's Last Case" edition? There are already major differences in punctuation, word choices, and scene breaks between the original Collins and Dodd Mead editions of this novel. There are further differences between the Dodd Mead editions republished by Random House/Avenel and the Dodd Mead editions republished by Simon & Shuster/Pocket. There are further additions still in the Signet, Berkley, and Black Dog & Leventhal editions. For every publishing house putting out her works, there seem to be a new batch of editors altering Agatha Christie's words and the sound of her voice. What's the matter with these publishers? Whose voice do they think we want to hear when we sit down to a novel by Agatha Christie? And what will she sound like twenty years from now? It's frightening that her estate has failed to see the importance of guarding her words as she wrote them. Please tell me I'm not the only one here who senses that a crime has been committed.

Amazingly, I actually liked Miss Marple in this story. She's the likeable, feisty woman I remember from my childhood, not the snooty, condescending know-it-all from the last few books I've read. Still, I think the plot of this one is a little over-reaching, but it a faster paced mystery than most of the Marples - especially the ending. And even though it's on the short side, you still get a good sense of the characters and setting, and nearly enough details to solve the mystery yourself, if you're so inclined.

A must-read for any old-school mystery enthusiast, and one of the better Marples I've read of late (though Poirot is still better in my book!).

really scary. In some ways a refreshing break from the usual formulaic mystery. Very creepy. Great.

It was a nice mystery, but it didn't stick in my head long after I was finished with it. In fact, I had to review the plot again to write this review! That says something, because I have a good memory for books that really draw me in. However, I would recommend this book for any Christie fan.

Agatha Christie is well deserving of the title, the First Lady of Mystery. "Sleeping Murder", which is Miss Marple's last case, further enhances the rare distinction placed upon its author. It is a fast-paced exhilarating mystery that digs deep into the past to uncover a ghost that at least one person did not want uncovered.

When Gwenda Reed arrives in England, as a newlywed separated from her husband, her task is to search for the perfect house along the southern coast. Before too long, she finds exactly the right place that soon feels a little too much like home. When some strange coincidences leave Gwenda feeling as if she were going crazy, she discovers that she actually lived in the house when she was a very little girl, and was an eyewitness to a grizzly murder that no one seems to know anything about. Against better judgment, she and her husband Giles take it upon themselves to dig up the past to discover if Gwenda's father was at fault, and if Gwenda actually witnessed a murder, or just dreamed it up.

The title "Sleeping Murder" refers to a murder in retrospect, or a murder that seems to be dead but was merely sleeping. With Miss Marple on hand with ready help and suggestions, the Reeds soon uncover the truth, but with many a twist and turn along the way. "Sleeping Murder" has all of the elements that make Christie's mysteries such a marvel to read, even if the conclusion comes a bit quickly after an elaborate buildup.

Unfortunately, Amazon left out the prologue to the story. Many have commented that the murder should come early. It does,the very first thing in the prologue.

Of course, I give my own writing a very high rating -- suspense, action, romance, even historical accuracy regarding police, train schedule, the life of the hero, and a cliff hanger ending.

"L. Frank Baum and the Perfect Murder," in these first two chapters, contains no murder. I suspect there was a prologue that gave some details about the bloody deed, but even without it, this novel keeps a reader turning the pages with its wonderful setting (the East Coast of 1864); its humorous glimpses into the theatre world of that era; and believable, appealing characters, one of whom just happens to be the very young future author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

Will Frank and Rebecca remain romantically involved? Who is the roommate that Frank will soon be getting and how does he figure into any possible murder(s) in the past or future? Will Frank succeed in the theatre or does his future lie more with chickens?

In other words, what happens next? Can't wait to read the rest of "L. Frank Baum and the Perfect Murder."

The author does a good job of integrating real episodes from L. Frank Baum's early years - the expensive theatrical costumes, his research and publications on chickens. But I found the Jewish/Gentile romantic dilemma to be a little unconvincing. And Oz as an endearment inspired by the Torah?

I would have liked to see more mystery here. The writer would have been better served by Amazon, I think, with a more representative selection that conveys aspects of the Mystery, Thriller & Suspense genre.

Hess writes smoothly in a slightly melodramatic tone that effectively conveys the time and place of the late 19th century. Clearly he can convey humor; whether he can pull off suspense remains to be seen. This promises to be a fun book, especially for diehard Oz fans.

A leisurely but engaging beginning, with a detached and ironical tone appropriate to the period. As a fictionalised biography of Baum, this would be an entertaining light read, with a well-researched foundation.
Looking back at the synopsis, I was surprised to remember that this is a mystery, supposedly beginning with a gruesome discovery, which made me wonder if there was a missing prologue. If I were reading this as a mystery, I might become impatient with what looks like overlong preliminaries. If I read it without considering the synopsis, I'd be drawn in by the comfortable and assured voice.

The title of this excerpt made it almost irresistible to me. I've been a fan of the Oz series since I was a kid. For years, I would camp out in front of the television and watch the movie. One of my biggest thrills and a truly enlightening experience, was to see the film full-screen without interruption in a vintage theatre.

This excerpt was billed as a murder mystery, but I don't see any murder taking place. Generally, in genre writing, we're encouraged to give the readers a body within the first few pages. I'm wondering if there's a prologue here I'm missing?

I'm very intrigued by Baum's relationship with the actress he calls "Oz". Notes on the theatre at this time are also enjoyable and appear to be well-researched based on my own sketchy knowledge.

Good luck with this excerpt and thank you for allowing us to read it!

In SAY GOODBYE, the story begins with a car accident and sets in motion a thrilling ride for anyone lucky enough to pick up a copy of this book. Gary Kemmerman has spent the last year recovering from his wife's death and isn't quite ready to head back into the dating world, much to the dismay of some of his neighborhood friends. When one neighbor is killed in a car accident one snowy morning, Gary is pushed into the middle of an investigation when the grieving widow insists her husband's death was no accident and asks Gary to look into it.

The only witness to the car accident may know more than she realizes. This puts her life in danger and in trying to protect her, Gary realizes maybe he is ready for the dating scene again. When people who seem to know too much begin dying in random accidents, Gary uses all his skills as a crisis consultant and races the clock to save Becca's life and prove his neighbor's death was no accident.

E J Rand tells a story that is entertaining, engaging and completely engrossing! He weaves his tale one tiny thread at a time and leaves his readers no choice but to hold on and enjoy the ride. SAY GOODBYE is the first in the "Reluctant Sleuth" series, and I can't wait for the next installment.

This novel was recommended to me as a good first novel by a local (New Jersey) author. I thoroughly agree: the characters are believable, with no superhero abilities, and I was concerned about them throughout the course of the narrative. The plot was interesting and believable as well, and at the conclusion I was sorry that the second novel was not yet published as I wanted to see future developments.

I am not a frequent reader of fiction. I spend most of my reading time on the financial markets or historical subjects that, frankly, some would consider arcane.

So when I do sit down with a novel, I want there to be something compelling about it. That is exactly what I found in the plot development and action of this book. Overall, a highly absorbing read, and carefully thought out. Kept me on the edge of my chair. Thank you, E.J. Rand!

"Say Goodbye" is exciting, moving, and very believable. Easy to read and enjoyable, this is an excellent novel!

SAY GOODBYE, a reluctant sleuth mystery by E. J. Rand
Suspense, intrigue, romance are what I want when I pick up a mystery, and SAY GOODBYE delivers the goods. Gary Kemmerman, still mourning his wife a year after her death, steps outside on a cold winter morning to pick up his newspaper. After exchanging a few words with a neighbor, he faces only a long, sad ordinary day. But then, in an unlikely winter "accident," the neighbor, Norman Lyons, is killed as he drives to work and Gary finds himself swept into a murder investigation and a new romance.
SAY GOODBYE, the debut novel by the skilful writer E.J.Rand, features an unlikely protagonist. Kemmerman is a retired crisis consultant who has been plodding through his life in a fog since the death of his wife. But when his neighbor's widow insists, against official assessments, that her husband was murdered, Gary takes up her cause and finds himself hurtling through an exciting series of events that include more murder, arson, kidnapping, the discovery of a complicated financial scheme to skim off millions of dollars, and a new love interest in his life.
Becca, the only witness to Norman's "accident" is also pulled into the mystery and becomes the catalyst to revive Gary's interest in life as she is also drawn into the pursuit of some very evil conspirators.
The plot is fast paced and the action unflagging. The writing is clear and precise, the heroes and villain complicated and intriguing, and although the point of view jumps from character to character, I had no trouble following its trajectory.
I was quickly drawn into Gary's world and found myself rooting for the unraveling of the mystery and the developing romance. My only (slight) misgiving was the rapid consummation of the relationship, from first hello to a swiftly proffered marriage proposal but other than that, the connection between Gary and Becca seems warm and promises an exciting future partnership in both marriage and mysteries. I look forward to the next book in the series.