Murder Books

Pincus weave a fascinating, true tale of what makes killers tick in this 2001 book. Pincus himself interviewed hundreds of killers during his career as a neurologist. He combines his knowledge of the human body and psyche to draw his own conclusion about why people kill. Whether or not you buy into his theory, Pincus offers a solid case in a well-written, slim book that is an excellent, quick reference for fiction crime writers.
Angela Wilson
Author

The point of this fairly slim volume is to convince the reader that many (perhaps the vast majority) of our most dangerous criminals have neurologic impairments, and that brain dysfunction, along with child abuse and paranoid thinking, is at the heart of much violent behavior. This is not an entirely new message, but it is one Pincus approaches with a great deal of authority -- he's a professor of Neurology at Georgetown, was formerly at Yale and has studied dozens of death row prisoners along with his colleague Dorothy Ortnow Lewis.

Dr. Pincus clearly decided not to risk alienating readers with scientific terminology or complex explanations of brain physiology. The book follows the familiar "casebook" true crime format used by various ex-FBI profilers, coroners, and cops. Most chapters focus on a particular criminal Pincus had dealings with (many of them in his role as an expert witness) and what that criminal's life story shows about the origins of homicidal violence.

The coversational writing style (and oddly cheery alliterative chapter titles) stand in contrast to the horrific nature of much of the material. The crime scene details will be familiar to any reasonably hardened reader in the literature. What really stood out for me was the descriptions of childhood abuse endured by many of the perpetrators Pincus has studied. As a former inner-city teacher, I taught kids from pretty screwed up homes, and had some friends from abusive families while growing up. But the stories Pincus recounts (corroborated by siblings and others) remind us that there is almost no downward limit to the depths of human depravity.

What's rather odd about all the better works in the study of violence and homicide is the sense that this field is under-funded, under-appreciated and obscure. Pincus and other pioneers in the field have answered some important questions, but their work raises hundreds more. If, say one percent of the money our government has spent trying to prove that marijuana is dangerous were instead spent on studying the roots of violence, perhaps we'd have more answers.

I just finished "Base Instincts: What Makes Killers Kill" and I am adamant that our society shows so much more monetary respect for crime and punishment than early childhood education. We have had recent headlines about men, here in Austin, spiking babies and toddlers like footballs after a touchdown, in anger, killing or maiming them and ending up in prison for life. While this outrage is profoundly disturbing, professionals dither at whether or not early childcare intervention is ethical, cost effective or necessary in our society. Paying attention to parenting of the young child uplifts not just that family, but our societies future well being. Child abuse is the single most important determinant of future violence, and it is endemic and epidemic in our frontier based national mind set. We need to launch an all out campaign to raise the national consciousness about the importance of the nurturance of women, and the children that they in turn nurture, in the first three years of life, and beyond.

This is a well written, well researched book that should be required reading for all professionals involved with adults and children who exhibit anti-social behaviour. It will be invaluable to educators, psychologists, attorneys, police officers,psychiatrists and more. Why wouldn't anyone who can do so not want to be aware of new findings that could lead to identifying, intercepting and possibly changing the course of a future serial killing or classroom tragedy? Take the time to read the book. It's worth it.

"Base Instincts: What Makes Killers Kill?" by Jonathan H. Pincus, MD, ISBN 0-393-32323-4 pbk, Norton & Co. 2001: a 225 page disquisition plus 13 pages of notes by a NYU Professor of neurology & psychiatry and graduate of Columbina CPS who investigated some 150 murderers over a 25-year period and tenders his unified theory that "killers kill for the same reasons," regardless of their classifications (single, mass, serial, & perhaps genocidal).

Pincus observed that killing arises in the milieu and troika of disturbances which generally discloses (1) childhood abuses (sexual, verbal, physical), (2) frontal lobe damage (birth trauma, chromosomal, genic, infectious, toxic as alcohol & drugs), and (3) a medley of mental (neuro-psychiatric) impairments e.g. bipolar depresssion, paranoia, ADHD, CD, ODD, etc. He hypothesizes that single, mass, and serial killings have similarities with the Nazi/Hitler's paranoid anti-Semitism, Gaza Strip atrocities and various terrorist factions of more recent vintage.

He opines the only feasible remedy would be prevention of child abuse and cites pilot studies underway, and also specifies factors impeding implementation of other remedies including treatment of convicted murderers. He details his basic neurologic testing format including specific tests directed at eliciting impairment of the frontal lobes, the latter being somnething he states most/many neurological examiners fail to do. Dr. Pincus has worked successfully on a number of defense cases aimed at getting death sentences switched to life without parole.

The treatise is not overly technical, the writing style is a bit wordy, and very minor detractions were noted (i.e. XYY in not a chromosomal deficit but a chromosomal excess or defect; Trisomy 21 is no longer referred to as mongolism but Down's syndrome; and this reader is skeptical that someone could & would drink a 12-pack of beer and a pint of whiskey in 45 minutes (one can every 3.75 minutes & not counting the hard liquor).

This study is an important contribution to the study of homicide and it provides engaging thought-provoking commentary on what makes murderers murder and also a workable solution to the problem of homocides. This book gives ample graphic grisly details of physical & sexual abuse, sans pictures, which some readers will find disturbing, but so then is murder. This is a must read.

"Battling Wall Street: The Kennedy Presidency" is great reading for people who want to move beyond books about the mechanics of the Kennedy assassination. The book helps explain why the "Eastern establishment" and a lot of other influential people, might want to get rid of President Kennedy. Another book, "History Will Not Absolve Us : Orwellian Control, Public Denial, & the Murder of President Kennedy" provides additional pieces of the puzzle by explaining how the American establishment, including leading establishment liberals like Noam Chomsky and Alexander Cockburn, have worked to sell the Warren Commision's 'lone gunman' cover-up. The amazing thing about the Kennedy assassination is that, despite a lot of nonsense coming from the mainstream media, the American people know it wasn't a lone gunman and the killers didn't do us a favor.

In reviewing the thoughts of most researchers of the JFK assassination, one sees that most of them invariably bring up the Cuba issue, and occasionally Lee Harvey Oswald's possible involvement with this issue.
Now, however, in this book, Professor Donald Gibson may have uncovered the real issues behind the death of President Kennedy. He reveals so many issues, in fact, that one has to begin to decide which one is the crucial one, the one that provoked the conspirators to decide to kill him.

The death of Kennedy seems to this observer of the American scene a resolution of the struggle of the two forces to decide who really rules America. Since people who run the government colluded with the murderers of the president, it's pretty obvious who really runs the show.
Readers of this book may want to try Gibson's second book, "The Kennedy Assassination Cover-Up". After forty years, Americans should want a reasonable answer to the question of who killed Kennedy. Gibson may provide the answer.

In 1989 a book was published called "Crossfire", in which Texas-based journalist Jim Marrs reviewed most of the information he thought was then available concerning the JFK assassination. A large part of the book dealt with those people and groups whom he thought were the most likely to have killed Kennedy. Allen Dulles and his CIA were included in his list.
Donald Gibson has added one more suspect to this list in this book, and it would appear to this reader that someone has finally made sense of the events of November 22, 1963.
From this one book alone, one could seriously accept the idea that the eastern establishment, the Wall Street crowd, the corporate elite and all their connections had the most to lose with Kennedy as president. They had the motive and means to kill the president and then to cover it up. Gibson flatly states the establishment and the CIA's interests were intertwined. In fact, the CIA was merely the enforcer for the Council on Foreign Relations global agenda. Both Allen Dulles and John J McCloy were extremely important members of the Council, who managed to land on the Warren Commission and lead the cover-up. In fact, a case could be built that they organized the plot. All they needed was the green light from someone in the inner circle of the Rockefeller-dominated Council, like one of the Rockefellers.

this book helped give me a whole new meaningful perspective on the kennedy assasination..it sifts through all the misinformation, and the same tired trashy expose type books on the kennedy presidency that don't give any meaningful information, i am much more interested in a president's policies economic and otherwise as opposed to his sex life...i highly reccommend that anyone interested in politics, economics, or the kennedy assasination read this book twice and very slowly. gibson lays everything out clearly in an easy to understand way, i highly reccomend this book.

This book is a great read. The subject matter is interesting and thought provoking. I had the privilage of having Prof. Gibson in class. His knowledge is vast and inspiring. His passion has motivated me not only in the college realm but in life itself.

again, Terri has given me a new type of book to read.. I'm not limited to one style or one content

Great book, easy reading. Hard to put down.

Blind Trust is STUPENDOUS!!! I could not put it down. As usual, Blacstock has combined romance, Faith, love, hope, mystery, suspense and excellant Christian, family values to make a wonderful book. The characters are believable and she portrays the emotions so well. I could almost see the scenes as the story progressed. This is a book that I highly recomend if you want something good to read.

Wonderful book in a great series. A must read with the other books in this series. Will enjoy other books by Terri Blackstock as well such as Emerald Windows, Broken Wings, etc.

Terri Blackstock penned another winner with "Blind Trust," Page after page of this well written thriller draws and keeps you in the midst of a battle against the forces of evil. A gut-wrenching narrative that has you wondering just who are the good guys and who can you trust. A fabulous example of learning to 'let go and let God.' If you haven't read any of Terri Blackstock's novels buy one today and you will soon be a Blackstock fan.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

Lindy Cameron hails from the beautiful Mornington Peninsula outside of Melbourne, Australia. She is a freelance editor and enjoys golf. BLOOD GUILT is her first Kit O'Malley mystery. BLEEDING HEARTS and THICKER THAN WATER follow. She has also published a novel entitled GOLDEN RELIC.

Kit O'Malley is an ex-cop who has taken on the cloak of a private eye. Her mother is a society maven whose school chum, Celia Robinson, hires Kit to tail her husband and catch him in a compromising position. Kit complies, follows the rotter, and catches him in the act. But her final meeting to finish the case instead turns into a murder investigation of Celia Robinson. Kit meets Celia's independent daughter and her friend, the prickly lawyer Alex Cazenove, and Kit falls head-over-heels, so to speak:

"Despite the volume, however, she could still hear the warning bells going off in her head. After all there was nothing as ridiculous as someone whose nerve endings were going completely gah-gah over a person who didn't particularly like that someone at all, at all. And there was also absolutely NO point in allowing herself to become interested in a person whose interests lay elsewhere. And Kit was NOT thinking about Alex's impending marriage. In fact the way Alex was watching over Quinn-correction, make that 'watching' full stop-Kit was beginning to wonder if Alex knew whether she was on the right path by intending to plight her troth to the divine Enzo."

Lindy Cameron takes the reader down what initially seems a straightforward path of murder and mayhem only to tweak the journey over and over. This tale is expertly told; passionately portrayed; and properly plotted to make for a rollicking romp through a sinister world of complete psychopaths. But Kit O'Malley is up to the task. She is full of courage and insecurity, and is a lovable character whom the reader can fully support. Kit's discovery of real love is touching and astonishing. Cameron's characters all stand out, although the bad guys all seem to jell together into a gooey abyss where they belong. BLOOD GUILT is an excellent introduction to the indomitable Kit O'Malley, and Cameron scores on her first shot with this compelling read.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

Blood Guilt is the first book of Kit O'Malley Mystery. Katherine (Kit) O'Malley, an ex-police official, was a private eye at day and a wannabe mystery writer at night. She took a job of following the husband of the wealthy owner of Orlando House Publishing, but she didn't expect such a tedious tailing of an unfaithful husband could lead to a conspiracy that ...

I think that's enough. You shouldn't read more than that to avoid the spoilers.

Even though the story was told in the third person, it's almost like that you look at the whole thing through Kit's eyes. The story doesn't give you a detailed description about how Kit looked but you can get quite a great deals about what kind of person Kit was. The sarcastic tone, which often showed up in the story telling, is just like one of Kit's characteristics.

Personally, I enjoyed very much in reading the romance plot like the one depicted in this book. It did make me ponder, just like solving a mystery.

For mystery, it's not like the classical mystery, but it was well plotted. You can feel that the author did do her homework and pay great attention to make the logic right.

Another good thing in this book is it has many interesting characters, main or minor, which you are able to distinguish their personalities. Good dialogs, too. The story isn't fast-pacing, considering a book of 386 pages covered barely over three weeks (and mostly at the last week). It's also kind of slow to go into the main part of the story. You need a little bit patience in the beginning. You'll find it's worth your time in the end (at least for a mystery/adventure reader).

Lindy Cameron's debut novel is wonderful. I enjoyed Kit O'Malley's character. She was down-to-earth with a sense of humor and integrity. This novel covered all the bases: romanace, mystery, intrigue.

I can't wait to read the next two she has coming out.

The book was delightful. It had murder, mayhem, humor, and a very good romance thrown in. Plus, as another reviewer pointed out, it was not "dark". And you know the best part...it was not warrior princess and sidekick. I commend the publishers for putting out books with substance, both in story and length. It is refreshing to read a book with 300+ pages as opposed to the skimpy ones that B**** (rhymes with Ella) puts out. Thank you to the author for a great book. I look forward to your next.

Lindy Cameron is a terrific writer, as smart and funny as the charming, goofy, danger-prone heroine of her book, Kit O'Malley. Blood Guilt is a great read; I finished it in a single sitting because I couldn't put it down. I am very much looking forward to the sequel, which is due to be published in August.

Do yourself a favor: buy this book, pour yourself a cup of coffee, settle in a comfortable chair, and enjoy the ride.

Author Eric Konigsberg grew up in a prosperous and socially conscious Midwestern Jewish family, descendants of east European immigrants who had settled and made their living and reputation in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Sometime during his young adulthood, the author is surprised to learn that his father's uncle, Harold Konigsberg (Koyo), is a violent and notorious Mafia hit man accused of some 20 murders. Not satisfied with simple murder, he is infamous for permanently disturbing the surviving family members.

While writing a magazine story on mob crime, despite his family's objections, Eric becomes acquainted with Koyo, who has spent the last 40 years in jail on a never-ending self-led legal battle. Soon the author is being manipulated by his uncle to aide his crusade for freedom. His association with the crime figure ends when his life is threatened.

This intriguing story is told through the uncovering of family denial and lore, historical facts, statistical data on Jewish immigrant culture, narrative from victims families, facts from FBI and court reports and commentary from Koyo himself.

It's hard to say whether Konigsberg (Uncle Heshy) is a brilliantly manipulative businessman, a remorseless criminal, a loyal family man or just plain psychotic.

Maybe the moral of the story is: There are some basic issues children should take advice from their parents about--and forging a relationship with family members connected to the mob might be one of them!

Armchair Interviews says: Intriguing story that was most interesting to read.

Having known a great deal about the people depicted in this book, I do have to say that the author did a superb job. The only thing I did not care for is that 1 of the "accused" mentioned in the book is still living. I happen to be a "blood relative" of that person mentioned in the book. Although it is all a matter of public record I have to say that it is very uncomfortable knowing that Mr. Konigsberg would write this book knowing that there are other families out there who are not familiar with the events that took place,like he was. Mr Konigsberg is digging up alot of skeletons for some of the other families mentioned.

Blood Relation is a superbly written account of one family's secret connection to Mob violence in America. The characters are as sinister, vivid, and intriguing as any fictionalized "good fella" novella, but more frightening because every fascinating detail is true. Immersed in discovering his uncle's horrible history, Eric Konigsberg confronts his own perceptions of himself and his family. Best of all, it is a page-turning adventure for the reader.

I knew that I'd buy Blood Relation after reading the excerpt in the New Yorker magazine, but I had no idea how much better the book would be. Konigsberg's voice is very subtle, almost plaintive and self-abnegating, and maybe it's because he's not a hard-seller with a typically annoying therapy issue to work out that his point gets across so poignantly: how weird would it be to have a mass murdering psycho's genes double-helixed alongside yours and those of your whole family? What is it like to deal with shame, to have your family shamed, to feel somehow (if irrationally) responsible for gruesome, venally, crudely performed acts of murder that you yourself had nothing to do with, but must somehow, however tangentially, live with for the rest of your life? The story itself is fascinating for anyone who's into the fifties and sixties and the whole mafia scene and great crime stories in general. I mean, the main subject here is a true and fascinating psycho. The murders and the glee with which he executes them is beyond compare. But I think the most interesting thing for me is the delicate and evolving relationship between the writer and his uncle, the mass murderer. As a story about family, as a story about a journalist, the depiction of what it must have been like to go visit this creepy guy in jail over and over again, this guy who's manipulating you, but desperate to get his story out, who at one point gets angry at you and threatens to kill you, then later on, berates you, "Hey, you jerk, why don't you come visit me more often?? Everyone ignores me!! Where's the love???" -- it's just too odd of a scenario and too well-written not to titillate and fascinate. I'd definitely give it a ten, whatever your background is. I think for anyone with any kind of immigrant backround, which is to say 99% of America, it's a fascinating story about how hard we all try to fit in and what happens when a real weirdo/loser enters into the picture. I loved it.

Konigsberg's book is a success on many levels--as a period piece, a crime drama, and most impressively, as a profound investigation into what it means to be related to someone, anyone. Konigsberg does not flinch as he looks into what his murderous great uncle means to his family, his religion, his aspirations, and himself. An elegant, courageous work of art.

Mike Echols does an outstanding job of chronicling the history of abuse "Brother" Tony, an evangelical itinerant preacher, inflicts upon the children of families who came to look up to him and trust him with their sons. Brother Tony is clearly a psychopathic predator who took advantage of hundreds and hundreds of boys during his roving ministry. Echols well illustrates that pederasty has not just been a problem in the Catholic Clery but in the fabric of many who betrayed the sacredness of the trust that was bestowed upon them in a number of arenas. While Brother Tony eventually gets jailed, it's fairly clear that it's far too little, too late. Brother Tony will be back in action within the next few years and parents need to look out for their kids.

Brother Tony's Boys illustrates again the importance of parents talking forthrightly to their children about potential predators who might be as close as relatives or as trusted as men of God. A sad story which chronicles a tremendous betrayal and the damage that these young people will need to come to grips with as their lives progress. An excellent edition to books dealing with similar issues in differing settings: "Scouts Honor" chronicling the sad story of abuse in the boy scouts, Jason Berry's outstanding book on Catholic Clergy, "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" Parents might read these along with some of the books on averting and treating some of these issues, i.e., author Mic Hunter is among the treatment pioneers in this field and his books are available on Amazon.com. A frightening subject -- yet not one to simply be ignored. Parents and educators need to be proactive about these kinds of predators! Highly Recommended! Daniel J. Maloney

I am a survivor of Tony Leyva's crimes and was not mentioned in the book. My experience with him was in the early 70's. I have first hand knowledge of how he operated and can truly say Mr. Echols' report on Leyva is completely thorough and accurate. Relatively few people will work to expose this type of behavior. Echols is to be congratulated. A must-read for parents.

I read this book as a recommendation for parents to be aware of pediophiles and how to spot them. Having children, I was compelled to know how to protect them. Here is a story I will never forget - part of that is indespensible. Worse, I cry for the countless victims of sexual abuse. When you see ( very thoroughly ) in this detailed account, just how far reaching the devistation is, you can only pray for such victims and strive to protect the ones you love and educate every one else!

I couldn't put it down, as the story grew more horrifyingly unbelievable, I kept thinking it couldn't get worse, but it did - for everyone involved.

In the end, I had to search the internet to see where Tony Leyva was today -- and found that he'd died in prison in 2003. I couldn't help but wonder if his victims rejoiced at the news? Yet a man's fate was hopelessly and finally sealed with the more infinite punishment I am sure awaits him.

As for author Mike Echols, that internet search was even more disturbing. He, too, died in 2003. But I won't tell you how, or where, or other circumstances. You can look that up for yourself after you finish the book. See for yourself what his searching, his quest for justice finally led him to.

You'll realize that you can't go anywhere near any and all things pornographic without being affected by it.

The subject of Mike Echols' book, Pentecostal evangelist Brother Tony Leyva, is to get out of prison this fall unless the U.S. Parole Commission decides to keep him in prison to serve his full prison term (he has now served 10 years out of the 20 years to which he was sentenced).

Mike Echols is trying to get people to write letters to stop Tony Leyva's parole.

Good book I guess but you can not truelly investigate Namblaa until you have made a list of alll government members all the way up to the whitehouse who are actual members of nambla until you expose them you will never be able to truelly battle Nambla

I really enjoyed this book, especially since I am a former Wilmington resident. Wanda Canada is an excellent writer and she brings Carroll Davenport to life as a very endearing personality. I enjoyed the references to various Wilmington locations and to areas where I still have family members living, such as Porter's Neck. I am looking forward to the third installment in the series.

I enjoyed my first experience with a Wanda Canada novel, Cape Fear Murders. Having lived in Wimington, it took me through familiar streets to some of my favorite memories of that gorgeous city. I look forward to reading more Canada!

I LOVED every moment of this book...the author's writing style is one of my favorite by far! She included so many unexpected twists and turns into the plot that it was absolutely a book that I could not put down! I am very glad that I discovered this local author within my county library! I highly recommend this book to anyone and definitely suggest if you like this book to check out "Island Murders" as well which was the book written before this one! :)

CARROLL DAVENPORT IS A GREAT CHARACTER. THIS BOOK TAKES OFF AND NEVER STOPS, I LOOK FORWARD TO HER NEXT BOOK. IT IS A GREAT READ AND VERY FAST.

I really enjoyed the adventures of Caroll Davenport and the turns and twists of "who done it". Nicely written and great book to read on vacation or a wintery day. I picked up Wanda Canada's first book in the series, Island Murders, in a book store while on vacation in South Carolina and it made me want to read more about the characters adventures. I am waiting for the third in the series.

I haven't read the screenplay, yet. In fact, I'm debating on buying it or not after watching the movie, itself. As far as I know, a friend of a friend got the movie off from an editing reel...my friends remaining undisclosed at this time. I was never into the whole Charles Manson scene...in fact, this is the first piece of info. about Charles Manson that I've seen/read. The only thing I could base my thoughts about it is from what other have said about it. Then one day, me and quite a large group of my buddies were getting hammered, and my friend asked if we wanted to watch something. The way he described it was 3 hours of the sickest things you've ever seen, progressively getting worse, having graphic scenes of the twin towers blowing up, with porn scenes and football mixed together, followed by that midget "beetlejuice" doing obscene acts of...well...you don't want to know. But after watching this, I saw a side of the Manson murders that I never even fathomed of wanting to see. So, in conclusion....i would say that this is excellent reading material for the daily american psychopath, but you better make sure you have a lead stomach, cause' you're in for a bumpy ride. Email me if you want to add something.

~Jeff

Great book, the pictures were clear and crisp. I can't wait for this to come out on DVD!

This is something of a first, a published edition of the Screenplay of one of the best Underground films never to have been distributed. Up until now, only the lucky few attendees of Film festivals have been able to catch a glimpse of Jim Vanbebber's radical reworking of the Manson Family story since the Film has yet to have been distributed to Theaters. Now, while Vanbebber finishes his final cut, you can read the screenplay itself, browse the photos and add his take on the crime spree to your collection of classics like HELTER SKELTER. Of course, I can hardly wait for the film, but in the meantime... I'll take this. The retelling itself focuses on a theory of the crimes that has not been in the forefront. Vanbebber's take on the big question of WHY the murders took place is disturbing since it demystifies the crimes and shows them for the dirty, filthy, stupid and brutal murders they actually were rather than some statement on a fictional Race War. Ultimately, I feel his telling of the stories is more disturbing as a result of his refusal to be swayed by media myths.

I've been hearing about CHARLIE'S FAMILY for over five years and ever since I've been dying to see Underground Wunderkind, Jim Van Bebber's retelling of the Manson story. Sadly, it seems that the film is either not yet finished or has not yet acquired a Distributor. In a year when Blair Witch made so much money on such a false pretense, I gotta ask myself why this film hasn't seen the light of day? Still, Creation has now published the screenplay to this long-awaited project along with lots of groovy production stills which has calmed me down some. However, after reading the story which is a poignant but slightly sardonic look at Tabloid Culture, I only want to see the film more and more. Even so, I think anyone interested in Van Bebber's work (My Sweet Satan) can appreciate his narrative style and enjoy reading this screenplay. One advantage to reading it as a screenplay instead of some novelization is that you can see in your mind's eye, what shape the film will take place. It's like a secret glimpse into the creative process that few people outside of a studio ever get access to. The story itself is very up to date even if it is about Manson. The wrap-around story brings the moral questions of the Manson mystique into focus while the flashback scenes transport us back into the harrowing summer of 1969 when the Hippie movement jumped the tracks and a small band of Free-lovers and their ex-con Guru, Charlie, decide it's End Of The World Time and take their paranoia to the streets. The back then and then and the Here and Now of this telling blend very well and make us all wonder if it's very wise to objectify the monsters of our past. Personally, I'd like to see the author move on to a serious, sociological exploration of Manson-Worship but I doubt even he could stand to wallow in the Manson story much longer. Still, if you can overcome your reluctance to read a screenplay, you won't be sorry because in here are all the big answers to the questions raised by the Manson Murders, not the least of which is WHY ON EARTH they happened in the first place. Oh.. and the answer has very little to do with Helter Skelter.

I have purchased five copies of this book already and probably will buy more as gifts. This is a MUST HAVE BOOK for True Crime readers. Yes, I know, It's a screenplay. Even so, it manages to put across more hard info about the transformation of Charlie from Love Guru to General Charlie of the Acid Apocolypse than any book, article or expose since Ed Sanders' THE FAMILY. If you have a heart at all, the scenes recounting the murders of first Gary Hinman, the forgotten Manson Victim and then Sharon Tate and friends and then the poor La Biancas will leave you broken and weeping. I felt that for the first time, a work about Manson has put the Victims first. Not much else to say except buy this, read it, think about it and tell anyone else who might be falling into that "Manson was a misunderstood genius" rap that they NEED to read this book too.

I have read all the Judge Dee mysteries at least twice, and really love them. However, I have just read a number of books on China and discover that van Gulik has purposefully mislead readers to make ancient Chinese justice just like Western justice and rather appealing. The truth is almost the exact opposite.

If you are interested, a standard history of china by harvard professor John Fairbank and Merle Goldman, China A History, explains that the Chinese justice system was openly corrupt (corruption did not have to be secret - it was and is the accepted way), relied on torture of both plaintiff and defendent, had no consistent laws, no equal punishments for the same offence (everything was based on class and kinship status) and bascially was just like modern Communist law: it was a vehicle for the state to control behavior. The goal was not 'justice' in the Judeo-Christian sense but state control.

Also like Communist China under Mao, imperial law relied on collective punishment to terrorize the populace. The entire population was divided into groups of ten and one hundred families, and if anyone in the whole group was condemned, the entire group could be executed. For serious offenses against the state, thousands of families could all be executed.

Van Gulik is always showing citizens bringing disputes before the court. In reality, this was never done (as both sides could be tortured and both sides had to pay the court and both sides had to bribe the court). Instead, people relied on their village elders or clan heads to rule on disputes, as the court system was too dangerous.

Most of the ideals that Van Gulik gives to Judge Dee of fairness, protecting the weak against the strong etc. are Christian values that go back to the Jewish Bible (God creating all men equal, protect the weak and the stranger, equality before the law etc). They are antithetical to Chinese values from imperial to modern times. It is very important not to pretend that foreign cultures are the same as we are...or that our values are universal. They are very special treasures that we should be incredibly grateful for.

The Judge Dee books also mention women's tiny feet at times, but he never tells the reader that until 1900, all upper class and middle class women in China had their feet broken and maimed leading to their being crippled for life, unable to walk normallyeuphemism - binding their feet). From the 19th century, this custom of torturing and crippling women spread among the peasants also. 10% of girls probably died from this treatment.

Van Gulik prominently features 'courtesans' and 'prostitutes.' A more accurate term might be slaves or sex slaves.

We are often told that China was 'more advanced' than the west until modern times. In truth, they were most comparable to ancient Rome, a cruel and despotic slave-owning culture with admirable roads and art. But Rome at least had rule of law, something China never had.

So, enjoy Judge Dee - but take it for what it is, bascially a fun Western mystery story set in a lovingly recreated period piece, kind of like most Hollywood movies - great costumes, great settings, fun plots, endearing characters - all basically unrealistic.

The Judge Dee Mystery Series by Robert Van Gulik are paperbacks that I keep after I read them. In fact I have purchased every one that Amazon offers. These are superb Asian-flavored legal mysteries, impressive because of the historical accuracy and insights about the Chinese character given by Van Gulik. In this book one of the cases the Judge solves (there are 3 different cases) is the mystery surrounding the death of a young girl on her wedding night. Needless to say Judge Dee gets to the bottom of the murder and solves all 3 mysteries. It's important to note that Judge Dee-Jen Dijeh (630-700 A.D.) was a real Magistrate known for his wisdom in China, and his stories became a part of the folklore of China. Robert Van Gulik was fascinated by the tales of this judge and wrote a fictionalized series featuring the Judge in the early 1950s. If you enjoy well crafted myteries that are full of wit, clever plot devices, action and adventure as well as great descriptions of food and culture, you'll love all the Judge Dee Books just as I do.

Yet another strong entry in Robert Van Gulik's series about a crime solving Imperial Magistrate in seventh-century China. In this book, Judge Dee has taken up a new posting in the large and flourishing district of Poo-yang on China's east coast. The district seems prosperous and relatively crime free, so the judge's retinue consisting of his faithful retainers Sergeant Hoong, Ma Joong, Tao Gan and Chiao Tai are all looking forward to an easy posting. But contrary to all expectations, the team has to deal with several crimes in the district soon after arrival. A young girl has been raped and murdered with her killer absconding and the judge is also asked to look into a long series of crimes committed by one of Poo-yang's wealthiest merchants Lin Fan by one of his victims who may have her own hidden agenda....To make matters more complicated, the judge soon learns that the monks in the wealthy Buddhist temple in the area may be preying upon unsuspecting women and cheating them of large sums of money by promising them that they will be able to conceive a child by offering prayers and money at the temple! This may seem like an overwhelming series of problems, but Judge Dee with the help of his assistants is able to clear up the various crimes with his usual flair and wisdom. Enormously entertaining, both for its wealth of historical detail about ancient China as well as for its finely plotted mysteries. Highly recommended for fans of the series and even those who are just looking for a good mystery read.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends THE CHINESE BELL MURDERS in which Judge Dee solves the mystery surrounding the death of a young girl, where all the evidence points to the guilt of the deceased lover. on her wedding night.

Judge Dee-Jen Dijeh (630-700 A.D.) was a Magistrate known for his wisdom & wit in China, & his stories were a part of the local folklore. Robert Van Gulik, who had a historian's interest in China in the early 1950s, was fascinated by the tales of this judge, & finally collected & fictionalized them into four volumes.

The wit, ingenuity, & genius of Judge Dee is well reflected. Remember the old tales of King Solomon the Just -- well, give them an Asian flavor, a touch of Old China -- & you get Judge Dee.

All of Judge Dee's books are most pleasurable - - worthy of 10 stars!

The Chinese Bell Murders is another of the classic Judge Dee mysteries authored by Robert Van Gulik. This book, along with the Chinees Maze Murders, is probably the best of the Judge Dee books.

The plot of this story involves three disparate events, a rape/murder, shenanigans in a Buddhist temple where women with fertility problems are apparently giving birth due to divine interventions, and a corrupt businessman who is involved in a bloody family feud. Along the way, Judge Dee and his assistants have an encounter with the bell that is the title of the story. Van Gulik ties up everything in a tidy package that is engrossing and gives the reader an insight into ancient China.

What is impressive about this book is the historical accuracy and insights about the Chinese character given by Van Gulik, no doubt due to his service in the Dutch foreign service and his credentials as a Sinologist. The Buddhist influence in T'ang Dynasty China and the corruption of monks was a constant problem and Van Gulik is not complimentary in his portrayal, which is similar to the unfavorable portrayals of Buddhism by Chinese writers throughout history. Also, the corruption of businessmen in China and the conflict between northern and southern China is well portrayed. Only a Chinese or somebody who is familiar with China can understand the nuances and conflict.

As one of the original five Judge Dee books (this one is the second book in the sequence), the detail and the plot are very much in line with the famous Chinese stories of the day, albeit in a more compact form. This lends authenticity and makes these stories better than the later Judge Dee stories, which are still good.

I just finished reading Cold Rolled Dead by Paul D'Ambrosio. I am very impressed with his accurate description of the area where the story takes place. The author is obviously aware of all of the wonders and problems that are prevalent in South Jersey and takes you along to the unique Pine Barrens, the beautiful Long Beach Island vacation spot, the crawling summer traffic on the causeway, and clamming from the garveys in Barnegat Bay. The characters are real and the tension is great as you go with them from Harvey Cedars to Barnegat Light, etc. looking for the murderers. It is a very exciting and satisfying read. I would highly recommend it and look forward to his next book.

Cold Rolled Dead is one of those gems you find in a blue moon. This is a surprisingly taut, suspenseful and slightly off-center thriller that is almost impossible to put down. I bought it for myself, but my wife grabbed it first and I couldn't pry it out of her hands. The novel is packed with key details about computer forensics and stock scams that is rare in today's superficial book market. The twists and turns are enough to shake a seasoned roller coaster rider, and the ending will come as a Hitchcock-like shock. The plot aside, my hat is off to the author for creating a slew of strong-willed female characters to play against the crop of menacing male villains. Highly recommended, especially if you like scoping out new authors or love the Jersey shore.

This book is fantastic! It was fast paced and kept me guessing throughout. Each chapter brings fresh suspence enhanced by the authors knowledge of the latest forensic breakthroughs. The characters are so real,long after you've turned the last page, your still wanting more.....

Paul D'Ambrosio's debut novel is a fast-paced thriller wrapped in a thinking-person's plot. "Follow the markers" with cop-on-the-edge Matt Forge, and have a delightful time enjoying the suspense and wry humor along the way. If you enjoy reading about the Jersey Shore, good cops and bad cops, organized crime, or even nuns on retreat you will love Cold Rolled Dead.

A thrilling mystery that I couldn't put down. This book held my interest from cover to cover. The characters were interesting and I would love to read the future adventures of Matt Forge and Sister Maris. This could be a great series. A great book for the beach or a cruise.