Murder Mystery Books

This riveting book chronicles and analyzes the amazing Branion murder case in which Dr. John Branion was arrested, tried, and convicted for the December 1967 murder of his wife, Donna. This was a case that caught the imagination of the public, at the time, as the Branions were a prominent family within the African American community in Chicago. I remember seeing a recap of this case on "Unsolved Mysteries" many years later and thinking that it was just about impossible for the doctor to have committed this crime, unless he could have been in two places at once.

The evidence that led to Dr. Branion's arrest was virtually non-existent and wholly circumstantial, fueled by conjecture and speculation. The police work was shoddy, at best, bolstered by faulty memories and a desire to close the case. Dr. Branion was tried in the then notoriously corrupt criminal justice system of Chicago, Illinois. The defense team was spearheaded by an attorney who was astonishingly inept. The prosecution was led by a veteran prosecutor who evidently left his ethics at home everyday before heading off to work. Many years later, the lead prosecutor acknowledged that he knew that Dr. Branion himself could not have committed the murder but prosecuted him any way, as he believed that Br. Branion had paid someone to kill his wife, despite lacking a scintilla of evidence to support such a theory. To compound this travesty of justice further, the trial was presided over by a corrupt judge who took a payoff and who, many years later, was convicted of taking bribes. Need one say more?

The murder of his wife Donna was to begin an undreamt of odyssey for Dr. Branion. After his conviction, he was permitted to be out on bail while pending appeal. For nearly three years, he waited in limbo, until his appeals were exhausted. When his appeals failed, he was sentenced to a minimum of twenty years in prison. He then did the only thing that he felt an innocent man could do, when faced with the prospect of a twenty year sentence for a crime he did not commit. He fled the jurisdiction, a move that would find him spending the next twelve years on the run in Africa until his eventual capture and return to the United States in 1983. He would then spend the next seven years in prison awaiting justice. When it finally came, it was too little, too late.

The author, who together with her husband, a law professor, tirelessly worked pro bono on Dr. Branion's appeals upon his return to the United States, puts together a well researched and persuasive chronicle of Dr. Branion's tragic saga. Well written and comprehensive, this compelling narrative will keep the reader riveted to its pages. It is with good reason that the author was the recipient of the Anthony and Agatha Awards for Best True Crime. Those who enjoy the true crime genre, as well as those who enjoy mysteries, will find the story contained within the pages of this book fascinating. Bravo!

There are SO many novels for kids about sorcerers, witches, vampires and the like that books based around magic must be like a no-brainer fall back position for publishers. But there's hope! Try this Traces series of novels. My 14 year old son read them all in quick order and talked his 12 year old sister into trying them and she loves these books.

The stories take place in an alternate reality, same timeline as ours but a world where cats and dogs are endangered, technology is far more advanced and the police have robot partners.

The hero is a 16 year old forensic investigator and he has a robot sidekick and they are a crime solving team.

My son says he likes the books because there are good plot twists and humor throughout the book.

Thank you, Mr. Rose, for actually being inventive and writing these captivating books that aren't sorcery driven.

This is an awesome story-it's a murder mystery and love story with some spirituality mixed in---it has a good message especially to people who have lost a loved one in their lives--I was told that even though this book was written as a fiction, it was based upon a true story---The story flows very nicely and keeps you in suspense also---I couldnt put it down once I started reading it---I recommend it highly for people who like murder mysteries and for people who like love stories too---it has something for everyone--

Chief Inspector Henry Tibbett and his wife Emmy are spending a couple of weeks vacationing with some friends on board their yacht Ariadne. This one, unlike some Dead Men Don't Ski and others, really does start about as a vacation, but before long, he's interested in the recent drowning of local sailor Pete Rawnsley. Something about the death just doesn't sound right to Henry. He's also interested in recent jewel robbery in the area. Before long, another murder convinces him that the two are related. Now the question is, can he save Emmy from being the next victim?

I enjoyed this book a lot. You don't have to be sailor to like it, but if you knew something about boats (I don't) you'd probably enjoy it more. I still really liked it. I like the whole series and I wish that more of Moyes books were still in print.

This is a great, classic detective story. Written in 1933, it captures characters of 1933 New York City well. Fun to read. Fun classic characters: a suspicious butler, a crazy old lady kept safe in an upper floor apartment of an old mansion. Really a good mystery. This is the first Philo Vance mystery I have read - now I want to try the others.

Rebecca Monroe own Vintage & Classics, a car restoration shop in Head Tide, Maryland, which is the prime reason Racer Peyton Madison's chief mechanic hires as part of the crew in the open-wheel race at Indianapolis. She is glad to get away from home after learning the people who raised her aren't her biological parents and she has a grandmother she knows nothing about. Being at Indie is a dream comes true for Rebecca who loves driving vehicles from the sixties, seventies, and eighties.

The dream turns into a nightmare when a rash of accidents happen including a cut break-line, watered gas and stripped lug nuts occur. The car originally supposed to race is so torn up that Peyton replaces that car with the more expensive and glamorous Lotus 49C. Rebecca is positive that the accidents were really sabotage in disguise; her assertion is confirmed when someone shoots at them hitting the windshield. Needing the money and not wanting any negative publicity, Peyton refuses to call the police, a decision that will cost him when the saboteur comes after him. Rebecca is determined to find out who the criminal is and why Peyton is the target; a choice that puts the life of an innocent child, who attached herself to Rebecca, in danger.

In DRIVEN TO MURDER, Judith Skillings provides a racing mystery that is complex and cleverly constructed with so more crossroads readers won't know which path is the right one. The protagonist charges into danger knowing doing nothing will not make things safer. Rebecca is spunky, kind and independent, which brings her the affections of two very different men. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this enthralling mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Ms.Farrelly has done it again. Not only a clever mystery, but I finally understand what derivatives are. Wonderful local color and memorable characters plus a good plot. Who could ask for anything more?

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