Serial Murder Books

This book is excellent! I read it in 1998 and just re-read it in July '05. It never ceases to amaze me at the way the author portrayed Adrena Reynolds. Poor soul of a girl who actually get hers in the end even though she really had no control over her early childhood. This book creates a great discussion about what goes around comes around!

As I read this debut novel (published in 1998) by Bernadette Connor it dawned on me about half way through that not since I ran across Henry Van Dyke's novel BLOOD OF STRAWBERRIES way back in 1969 had I read a novel by an African American writer who says practically nothing about race or racism. Occasionally the author describes a character's skin tone-- Adrena Reynolds, for example, is described as a "milk chocolate beauty"-- but that's about the extent of any reference to color. Furthermore, I do not believe we are ever told where the action takes place although it appears to be in a major metropolitan northern city. What we do have, however, is a story that often almost tells itself, taking on a life of its own. Part romance, part mystery, DAMAGED is about Adrena Reynolds who suffers horrendous sexual abuse at the hands of her awful parents but who finds much love through her psychiatrist Dr. Vivian Matthews and the doctor's family.

Ms. Connor is a tremendous storyteller and is at her best when she shows readers rather than tells them what is happening or what to think about what is happening. Occasionally she gilds the lily with phrases like "silent stillness." But she more than compensates for such with appropriately descriptive language. For example, Vivian sees herself when she is suffering from depression as having fallen into a hole "filled with different shades of black." At one point Adrena says that she and Vivian are in the same boat and offers her one of her oars. One character is described as pretty "but there's no one home." When Vivian muses over the difficulty she is having with her husband, Ms. Connor says in perfect prose: "Simply said, Vivian missed her marriage."

Simply put-- to borrow a phrase from the author-- you will care desperately for Adrena and you hope against hope that her life will turn out well. Ms. Connor's themes are serious: the irreparable harm that parents inflict on their innocent children, the fragileness of life, the importance of love even when it is not enough.

DAMAGED is certainly an impressive first novel.

This was a great book. You should definitely get this one. I've shared it with many people and now that I have it back, will reread it.

This book was off the hook. I couldn't and wouldn't put it down. I would recommend this book to all my avid readers.

Author Bernadette Y. Connor spins a thought-provoking tale of abuse, survival, redemption, and the need for forgiveness in her novel Damaged! The novel centers around the relationship of teenager Adrena Reynolds and her psychiatrist Vivian Matthews. As a child, Adrena was raped and beaten by her violent father while her drug addicted mother sat by and watched. After being rescued from her abusive home, the girl is assigned to Dr. Matthews for treatment and placed in foster care. But Dr. Matthews' inexperience in her position is evident, as she allows herself to become overly attached emotionally to her young charge, and Adrena's own sociopathic tendencies readily become evident as she manipulates her relationship with Matthews like some emotional vampire.

Connor has a wonderful eye for detail and a gift for providing the reader with a strong sense of place. Her descriptions of sessions between Matthews and Adrena almost leave the reader feeling as if she as broken some doctor-patient privilege, the detail is so clear. And the heart-wrenching scene involving the actual assault on Adrena was so intense I had to put the book down and collect my thoughts before continuing.

The true power of this novel is hampered, however, by the authors tendency to overly explain to the reader what they should be feeling. She often makes statements of the obvious that take away from the story. There are times when I almost felt as if the writer was making excuses for Dr. Matthew's inability to handle her patient. There is also a tendency to dictate events, as opposed to allowing them to blossom on their own. This is particularly true at the beginning of the novel, when we are given a laudry list of crimes committed by Adrena against her foster parents, including two arsons, and attempts to poison her foster family members.

Because of this, Adrena comes across more as a sociopath than a sympathetic character. Instead of slowly descending into a madness that culminates in a final act of aggression, Adrena's pattern of behavior makes the ending almost anticlimactic. After seeing the troubled youth commit so many atrocities, the ending doesn't carry the punch it otherwise could.

Overall, however, the book is well worth the read. Connor writes with an exciting energy that delivers a moving psychological drama that is sure to captivate the reader.

The Truth Seeker as CD audio book I received as a present. Due to ill health I now can't read very much for very long. For someone who has been a bookworm all her life this was very difficult, but audio books have come to my rescue. Mum listens to them while she is doing housework, and my sister has them on in the car during her 40 minute commute to work, & back.
Dee Henderson is a favourite author in our house & we particularly like her O'Malley Series, of which this is number 3.
It has been abridged fairly well & Matilda Novak is a good narrator - a big plus for me where audio books are concerned! Also there is music in lots of places to give atmosphere; & sound effects - fire blazing, sirens, airport tannoy, doorbell tone, phone ringing to name a few - which help to bring the story alive. Enjoyable to listen to over & over again!

Book three in Henderson's O'Malley series. Lisa O'Malley is a forensic pathologist. Quinn Diamond is a U.S. Marshal. They find their lives intersecting both personally and professionally as they investigate related murder cases. The mystery element is juxtaposed against the real-life touches of humor and family. Lisa's journey to Christ and her romance with Quinn form intriguing supblots.

Lisa O'Malley is a forensic pathologist who has a difficult time with Jesus' resurrection. Quinn Diamond is Marcus O'Malley's partner in the U.S. Marshal's Service. He's been trying to get Lisa to go out with him. Unfortunately, pursuing Lisa is going to be almost impossible because he's already asked out her other sisters!

Their paths cross when the cases they are investigating become intertwined. I love how we get to continue to follow the O'Malleys we already know and how we are able to get to know the others before we read their stories. I wish my family was as close as theirs is.

The other O'Malley novels are: The Negotiator, The Guardian, The Truth Seeker, The Protector, The Healer, The Rescuer. Each is a wonderful read!

I loved this series! I wasn't sure about reading a Christian Romance but this is so much more. Dee Henderson has a way of making you feel as though they are the real deal and you are right there with the O'Malley's. You'll laugh, cry, and everything in between. Enjoy!!

Women are missing.

Amy Ireland disappeared twenty years ago without a trace. For U.S. Marshal Quinn Diamond, it's a case that has never closed. He's still searching--determined to learn the truth.

They are turning up dead.

Lisa O'Malley is a forensic pathologist; mysteries are her domain. She has worked crime scenes in Chicago for years. Examining a sea of evidence, the connections between victims are so faint they they fade into ill-defined wisps as she searchs for a pattern.

Lisa O'Malley is running out of time.

The threads are pulling Lisa's and Quinn's cases together. And where they intersect there's a killer who will stop at nothing to see his secret remain buried.

And now she's missing, too...

Quinn wanted Lisa's help. He never planned to put her in danger. She didn't expect him to invade her heart...or his God to change her life. And while Lisa understands death and darkness all too well, she's about to discover love and the Resurrection.

Action, suspense, history, and spiritual warfare are combined here to make this a very enjoyable read.

Expiration Date features Clay Ryker who is experiencing major difficulties in all areas of his life: his marriage, business, parents, friends, and spirituality. The author does a good job of weaving together a story containing lots of twists and turns along with some spiritual truths.

This novel contains some characters from Eric Wilson's previous novel, 'Dark To Mortal Eyes'. It will keep the readers interested from start to finish.

A well-written and fascinating blend of supernatural, historical and gritty reality.

Clay Ryker is struggling with the baggage of lies believed and sin-scorched failures. I ached for him as he continued in his downward spiral of confusion.

But what is at the root of his confusion? And what would he do with this cursed gift he's been given?

Expiration Date blends intriguing history, life-like characters and a tight plot into a compelling read.

I liked Dark to Mortal Eyes; I loved Expiration Date. I am officially hooked on Eric Wilson's writing after reading this novel.

Expiration Date draws on the history of the Romanov family and the Bolshevik Revolution in a thrilling story about fate, free will, and divine intervention. The book tackles the question that everyone asks at some point: is the future written in stone, or is it determined by our choices - or is it perhaps a mixture of both?

When Clay Ryker discovers that he is suddenly able to foresee the day a person will die, he takes it upon himself to use his newfound knowledge to save lives - if that's possible. Unwittingly, he becomes mixed up in a battle for an ancient relic that may be a clue to the fabled treasure of Rasputin. In order to protect this relic and save the life of its finder, a young boy named Kenny, Clay must face the demons of his past that he has tried to hide for years.

Expiration Date is masterfully written, whether you're looking for philosophical insight or just a good read. May cause spinning thoughts, sleep loss, and shortage of breath.

Expiration Date is the second book in the senses series and explores the sense of touch. It has an interesting premise, and is quite enjoyable to read. It extends some of the loose ends left from Dark to Mortal Eyes, but does not completely answer all the questions. The use of Russian history as the back drop to many of the character's motivations is quite intriguing. At times I felt like I was getting a very enjoyable history lesson about the Czars and Rasputin. My only complaint was the lead character Clay Ryker was written too well. He behaved and acted exactly as someone in his position should and does. However, for someone, like me, who has little patience for self-pity, he began to grate on my nerves just a little. Once Clay starts acting and thinking rather than sulking, he is very likable. This is a compliment to the author for writing a believable, human character. The issues that Clay faces are some that many people today deal with--divorce, failure, their past, poor decisions, family tension, etc. He's someone we can all relate too and sympathize with. The supernatural elements in the book are vivid and remind me a bit of This Present Darkness. I look forward to the third sense book and hope it is published soon.

Eric Wilson has to be one of the best authors around today. This book is the second in a planned 5 part series. It is about Clay Rykker a man going through a divorce who moves back home and is given the ability to foresee the day someone will die. Clay tries to find out if this is a blessing or a curse while trying to save those whose expiration date he knows. It deals with the struggles that he is going through. This book has great character devolopment and you can so relate to what they are dealing with. It also has a great ending that leaves you wanting more of this series. It does bring back a couple of characters from Dark to Mortal Eyes which I would recommend reading first. Eric Wilson just keeps getting better with every book that he writes.

Rick R.Reed has confected a mystery/horror/suspense tale as only an artist could do. Not only is the story a major page-turner, but the reader comes to know the characters as three dimensional human beings -- and one tends to care about them.

I read at least one book of mystery fiction per month. I tend to enjoy the most those works which shed light on a certain culture or role: being Amish, being a guidance counselor, being a maid, being an Irish inn-keeper, being a journalist, etc. In recent years writers such as john Morgan Wilson, Mark Richard Zubro, and RD Zimmerman have invited readers into the gay community with all of its wonderful and intersting attributes, as well as it demonic dimensions. I believe Reed has done the finest work, however, in the cause and effect within human relationships. Also, the reader cares about the characters, and flinches at some of the events which have formed their experiences. Definitely, this is not a "cozy."

A reader does not have to be gay, however, to share in this story, any more than one needs to be Catholic to understand THE DI VINCI CODE. The author develops the meaning of psychosis, displays the technology which is such a great influence in our current culture, and empathetically focuses on the effect of life minus loving relationships. As well he develops a budding relationship which adds an element of hope to the story, as well as an invitation to further stories flowing from this love.

As a Chicagoan I was excited about the use of so many places in the story which are only blocks from my home. He so well describes these settings, however, that one could live in Newcomerstown, Ohio or Rim-of-the-World, California and still share in the adventure with the same high interest. Again, this is an artist who has developed this tome.

I have already recommended this story to my friends. I want to encourage any mystery buff to explore this novel.

Thomas P. Hull, Chicago

IM is one of those rare books that scared the bejeezus out of me, to the point that I had to put the book down. A few days later, I was drawn back to the book "like a moth to a flame."

The story moves quickly, switching seamlessly between several points of view - Ed Comparetto the detective, the victims, the bystanders and the killer. The third person narrative, switching to first person narrative with the murderer was intensely effective. Downright creepy! The mystery unfolds in many layers, shifting in time, twisting and turning to the heart-pounding end. Once everything is revealed, Reed isn't done with us yet; the story continuing through one final confrontation between Comparetto and the killer. At first, when I read the "blurb" on the back of the book I was slightly disappointed that so much was given away, but I soon realized that was only the beginning of something so much more. The blurb was like a plot device in itself. I also felt the ending left something unresolved, but once my heart rate returned to normal, the ending made perfect sense - Comparetto was where he wanted to be.

Detective Ed Comparetto is an appealing character, a dedicated cop that still feels compassion and remorse for the victims. He isn't one of those wise-cracking police detectives, spewing out one-liners like some "has been" stand-up comedian. When Comparetto enters the first murder scene, he's feeling unsettled and apprehensive, oppressed with "what's behind door number one" type of feeling. He hides his true emotions well, slipping into that professional cop-mode, feeling the need to prove himself to those out there that are just waiting for him to "slip-up." His professional life is already threatened after a recent "public" outing. Ed's a humanly portrayed character, with all his human flaws and human weaknesses. In other words, he's not an arrogantly perfect macho man. And this is not meant to be a negative reflection on Ed's sexual orientation. It is wholeheartedly meant as a compliment. I really got into Ed's character, his motivations and toward the end -- his fear.

I loved Ed's lover, Peter. The two meet for the first time in a library where Peter worked, when Ed was researching a lead. Peter's like a breath of fresh air in the story, pursuing Ed with an amusing single-minded determination. He's a lot like Nick's Nora (The Thin Man Series), helping Ed investigate and sort out the conflicting clues. A real partner in and out of bed. I would have loved to see more of Peter. Peter begins to have second doubts about their relationship, when Ed starts to become obsessive about the case. For Ed it's more than just finding the killer, it has become something personal. And that's something Peter needs to figure out.

The book should have Nightmare Warnings, because I sure as heck had 'em! I liked Reed's use of descriptive phrases to set the proper mood like, "the gallery of ghouls," to described the assembled investigation team at the first murder. I thought the plot became a little "out there" with certain elements, but I realized that was just the type of book I was reading. I just suspended my mundane imagination a little and enjoyed the nightmare ... I mean the story.

According to Reed's Amazon Blog, he has signed a contract for a film option. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! And my toes. *grins*

When it rains, it pours...just ask Ed Comparetto...

The Chicago police detective's life is losing its luster: his lover has just left him, and, blamed for his failure to solve a rash of gruesome killings, he is suddenly run off the force. The reason for his dismissal: falsifying a witness at a crime scene. Ed may be losing his touch, but he knows he's not losing his mind, so this reasoning doesn't fly with him. He knows what he saw, and he knows who he talked to...slowly but surely, he gets the feeling that someone, somehow is playing him - little does he know...

Before long, Ed finds himself inextricably caught in the middle of a deadly game being waged by a sadistic killer with a malevolent axe to grind. More bodies are found, more questions go unanswered. As the clues begin to pile up, so does the danger, which Ed can handle as long as he's the only one involved; however, when his newfound love, Peter, gets entangled in the mess, the stakes are raised to a much more urgent level, and Ed knows it's imperative that he solve the case before more innocent blood is shed...

What he doesn't know, though, is that nothing can prepare him for discovering who is truly responsible for the murders - especially considering the fact that all roads actually lead to someone who died in similar fashion just two years before...

The action of IM is unmatched. Reed deftly weaves intriguing characters throughout an intricate plotline of misdirection and manipulative sleight-of-hand. The resulting mosaic is a masterpiece of suspense and nail-biting drama. Many make noble attempts at crafting whodunits, but few pull it off with such convincing realism as Reed.

The backdrop of IM lends much to the enjoyment you experience in putting all the different pieces together along the way, as you truly don't know just who/what the big picture will ultimately reveal. With equal parts action and mystery, Reed's tale is an enjoyable, fast-paced read entertaining to the fullest. Highly recommended for all readers, whether you're fans of the genre or not.

Rick Reed is a conundrum; on the outside,he is a really sweet, unassuming man,easy to talk to and be around. On the inside, he is a true master of terror as is evidenced by his new novel, IM. As many mystery books as I read, I consider myself fairly erudite in my reading of gay fiction, especially mystery and horror, but after reading Reed's new horror thriller, he delivered something to me I had not seen in a while: goose bumps!

There is something about Reed's writing that draws you in instantly;he is a master of the written word, knowing just what words and phrases to use to pull you into his world so deep that it is impossible to leave. You find yourself turning page after page as you unknowingly go around the room turning on lamps and pulling the blinds to make sure no one from the outside is looking in on you; that you really are alone as Reed takes you on a roller coaster ride of suspense and horror that leaves you breathless until you finish the last page and last word. It has been a long time since I wanted to sleep with the lights on but Reed can scare the daylights out of you, then sit back and grin as you wonder just what else he has plotting in that mind of his.

Since almost everyone has a computer and communicates with the world via cyberspace, we think of it as a wonderful thing. But after reading Reed's novel, you begin to think twice before hitting the "send" button for fear of what just might happen to you.

I have known Rick Reed since his first book was published and he has always come through on his promise to elicit thrills, chills and even terror as he spreads his words on his screen like a painter paints a fine masterpiece.

If you are bold enough to read IM, don't make the mistake I did; don't read it at night alone with only one light on. Make sure the room is well lit so you can see all the hidden crevices and see that the windows and doors are locked. Only then should you proceed to read one of the best thrillers I have read in a long while.

If there were a "six star" rating for this book, he would get it hands down!

Timothy Bright, a handsome young character in this horror thriller, hides a past full of sexual abuse and rage. He takes out his grief and anger upon gay men by instant messaging at Men4HookUpNow.com and killing the guys who meet up with him for sexual encounters.

Ed Comparetto, a gay Chicago police detective, catches the cases and is put through a nightmarish investigation which culminates in his suspension from the job when doubt is cast on his findings. He's sure that Timothy Bright is the murderer, but he can't figure out how to prove it. Once he's suspended, the cases become Ed's personal crusade. He'll have to put his own life on the line - and that of someone else he loves - in order to stop this killer. Will he risk it all?

Reed has created an engrossing story - albeit brutally violent and sometimes gory. The writing is crisp and carries the reader along on a wave of suspense and horror. Reed expertly uses third person for Comparetto's investigation, first person for the murderer, and diary entries about Bright to bring this novel to life. He has capitalized on the phenomenon of people meeting via the Internet and dating services, and IM ends up being quite the scary cautionary tale.

The book is not for the faint-hearted, but is highly recommended for all those who enjoy horror a la "Silence of the Lambs." If you enjoy a bit of gore, a tense thriller, and well-crafted characters, you'll be utterly captivated by this book. ~Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

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.

Daughters of Juarez takes you through the journey of this sad, despoiled human landscape. Women by the hundreds have disappeared, been taken away. Rather than offer a single neat solution, the book goes through the hope and agony of the search for answers. Mysterious and shadowing figures flit away, then are confronted, only to slip away again. Government officials are hopelessly corrupt if not actively blocking any real investigation. Investigators themselves have turned up dead. Right along our border.

This book is not a tome or a treatise...it simply tells the story with raw and soul-felt power. It came out several years ago, but I think it is still the best book covering this horrific type of femicide.

Daughters of Juarez is a disturbing story, but it is a true account of the unsolved mysteries of these young women's lost lives. It is an insight into the poverty and injustice that occurs daily in this border town and surrounding areas.

I would have to agree with the previous reviewer who said that the story was compelling and important, but the overlong purple prose descriptions of what the families went through and the overly dramatic descriptions of the situations, with speculations on what everyone was thinking mar an important and compelling book.

Some straight crime reporting, an analysis of the facts and maybe some more social analysis (for instance, how do the drug culture, the male dominated hispanic culture, the pervasive corruption of the border towns, etc. contribute to this holocaust against women) would have helped a lot.

Still, there is not much written about this problem, which if it were happening here or in any first world country, would be page one news everyday, so the book is valuable.

So, good subject and investigative reporting marred by overly dramatic writing.

I would recommend it, you can skip over the long emotional descriptions of background, thoughts and other contrived elements.

I live in El Paso and have followed much of this in the newspaper including the two Bus drivers, The FBI coming to help, etc. Now I know it was all lies.

Mexico has been called the most corrupt nation on earth and I've heard the stories and now I see it in action. I have too many chilling stories direct from American victims of the Juarez Police to share here.

This corruption has spread to El Paso with corruption in the Border Patrol, the government, the police and I'm not just saying this, I've talked to people and have examples both from the Newspaper and people in the know. The FBI has been conducting an investigation into the El Paso government for several months and people are going to jail. Halleluiah!

Personally I've been afraid to go across the Border for years based on these stories and now I'll be spreading the word. Do not go into Mexico!

This book hits hard with details that would make a strong man cry. The horrible end to young lives, the Police laughing at parents asking for help and the intimidating of helpless mothers who might "know too much", the framing of innocents, The corruption of "investigations" run by incompetents.

This book is an indictment, a denunciation of a government and society gone terribly wrong. Bribes are necessary just to get your TV cable hooked up and this pattern of behavior climbs to the very top.

I hope this book helps but in a society that accepts incompetence and corruption as a given I have my doubts. If Mexico is to change it must come from the bottom and it is so instilled in the poverty stricken common people to not make waves how can we expect them to effectively rise up. But enough publicity might send the rats scurrying, we need more books and TV exposes like this.

The Daughters of Juarez, by Teresa Rodriguez (with Diana Montané and Lisa Pulitzer), chronicles a series of horrific murders of young women (and teens) in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, over the last fourteen years, the law enforcement/governmental response to them, and the myriad theories as to the perpetrator(s). Over this period, a good part of 400 poor women were raped, tortured and killed, then dumped in desert areas and vacant lots around the city. The book details a rich tapestry of police and governmental brutality, corruption, blatant sexual discrimination, disregard for public safety, and just plain incompetence.

Although many suspects have been charged and held, it is doubtful that any of the murders can ever be considered legitimately solved because of this pervasive and persistent institutional dysfunction. In fact, one can say that this is a glaring example of how not to run a criminal justice system. It's heartbreaking to consider that the families of these slain women will never see justice done. Additionally, it must have been so frustrating for those in law enforcement and government who made efforts to run effective investigations, only to be stymied at every turn by the very system they should have been able to trust, forced out of their jobs because they wouldn't falsify results or analyses, or even physically threatened.

Daughters is definitely a compelling, true tale and Rodriguez does a service to those affected by these horrors by airing them for everyone to examine. The book, however, suffers from a lack of organization: Rodriguez bounces around dates, people and events so much so that it's hard to keep them all straight. Also, she makes a point of maudlin over-description of the women and their families so as to make them more sympathetic. This in my mind is unnecessary; most people will find the thought of someone (not to mention hundreds) being subjected to the extreme violence that these women experienced and the grief (on multiple levels) that their loved ones were forced to endure to be inconceivably horrible - no matter who the reader is. I also think Rodriguez could have used some citations to support what must have been years of research and investigation. In the end, I would recommend this book as a real eye-opener, but with these reservations.

If you like a great read, this book will give it to you. Hope this author writes another!

While reading this book I felt I was back in the early 1930s Cincinnati Ohio. The facts are astounding. Diana Britt Franklin put me right on the streets to where all of the murders took place. Reading the book I could even smell the rooms where the victims took their last breaths. After the last page was turned I wanted to go to all of the places Diana factually wrote about. I think Diana should do a Anna Marie tour of the places of interest in Ohio. The efforts and facts Diana had to research made this story a page turner.
Very interesting how the story is over 70 years old, but Franklin made you feel like it happen yesterday.
I sure hope she is researching another killer!

Few true crime writers I have read can match Diana Franklin's inpressive ability to re-create an incredibe story such as this and place the reader right in the middle of it. This is not a bloody tale of an ax murderer who ran amuk, but it is just as shocking today as it was 80 years ago. I was astounded that this woman, Anna Marie Hahn-of whom I had never heard-could ingratiate herself to so many elderly men and women, then snuff out their lives so callously. She must have had super powers of persuasian to get them to trust her, giving her hundreds of dollars in "loans". I did have sympathy for her husband as he maintained his dignity throughout the ordeal. Her son, however, although young, came across to me as a willing pawn to his mother's activities with lies and subterfuge. However, any child that would have to endure a mother's trial, incarceration, and death in the electric chair deserves some sympathy from the reader, I suppose. This story is absolutely fascinating merely because if it were not true crime, it hardly would be believeable. The author's skillful dedicationto details makes it so.

I happened to meet the author, Diana Britt Franklin, at a conference and she was so enthusiastic about her book that I immediately went home and ordered it. I usually read historical fiction and haven't had much interest in books about crime, so I was skeptical. I found the book to be extremely well researched, documented and fascinating. It is not gory or violent in any way. Rather, it is a detailed description and account of a very sick and evil mind and the heinous crimes she committed. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in human nature and the many paths and turns the human mind follows. By the time you finish the book, you feel like you were at the trial yourself. That is quite an achievement for crimes that were committed 70 years ago.

"The Good-bye Door" is a masterful recreation of a heinous crime that took place almost 80 years ago. The manuscript is so vividly crafted that I felt like a voyeur, watching every move made by this serial killer, Anna Marie Hahn. When she finally was arrested, I was there when police questioned her. When her trial began in a crowded Cincinnati courtroom, I was sitting in the first row. When she stood rigidly before the bar, I felt the judge's pain at having to pronounce the death sentence. And when she went to the electric chair after a year in the Ohio penitentiary, I was swept up by the emotional scene in front of me. Readers will be amazed, as I was, at the author's skill in bringing this story to life. A wonderful book.

What to make of this book? I went into it knowing what the author was trying to do and thinking, "He'll never pull it off." Well, he does. It works because of the time spent building the character of Jimmy Blackburn, a kid growing up abused out in the sticks and trying to make sense of a cruel world. He is so decent he cannot abide the deliberate infliction of pain on helpless victims, be they humans or dogs. So he kills them -- a mean cop, crooked mechanics, a wifebeater, etc.

A masterpiece of black humor, it's also surprisingly touching. Imagine Holden Caulfield as the protagonist of a serial killer novel and you have some idea. This is the ideal novel for the fans of serial killer books, American humor aficinados and dog lovers on your gift list.

BTW, if you are interested in the polar opposite of "Blackburn," check out Shane Stevens "By Reason of Insanity."

...people will wonder what the hell is wrong with you as you literally blurt out roaring, uncontrollable laughter. VERY few other books have ever made me do this, NONE on such a *continuous* basis.
Lest you forget, this is about a serial killer:
"what's so funny?"
(incoherently *try* to quit laughing, regain your composure, and explain why that murder WAS SO FUNNY)...
I read this book a year ago, and it still impacts me as one of the best ever. I read a fair amount, yet most books are so unmemorable to me.
if you want a book that questions the whole polemic issue of "good and evil" i recommend this book. if you want to laugh, ditto.
i'm here searching for it to buy my own copy, because it was that eff-in good (one in a thousand books -- that's how many books i want to re-read, let alone what fraction of that i would buy AFTER I have read it already, if i hadn't bought it in the first place).
I HEART THIS BOOK

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

if he didn't know he had a moral code?
if thoughts could kill, so many of us would be serial murderers.
we'd take out a lot of people having a bad day too

but blackburns victims were all deaths we could root for, especially given our knowledge of Blackburn's inner monologue
poor blackburn, his mission ended too soon.

Generally, when a serious book set in modern America features a person who murders twenty people, that person is not the star, you don't find yourself cheering him on, and you aren't sad when the killing spree comes to an end. In Blackburn, Bradley Denton makes all of that happen.

Blackburn follows the life of Jimmy Blackburn, told through a series of nineteen stories spanning his life. The book has an intriguing structure, alternating stories called things like "Victim Number Two" (which is the tantalizing first one) with numbered and named chapters (the second chapter is actually called "One: Blackburn and the Blind Man"). The chapters alternate between "Victim" and "numbered and named" chapters for the rest of the book. I found this structure terribly interesting, especially beginning with "Victim Number Two". For a long time we are left wondering who victim number one was. His father? The bully? Who?

In the book, young Jimmy Blackburn is tormented by his father and various other thugs and shysters. While this formula could be used to make Blackburn into a victim, carrying out his violent deeds because of lingering pain of his childhood, Denton doesn't take it that direction. Instead, the events of Jimmy Blackburn's childhood lead him to an inexorable decision. He will not be a victim, he will be a perpetrator, a righter of wrong, a sticker-up for the downtrodden, an anti-hero. And we are along for the ride, holding on and hoping for the best and knowing it can't end well.

From beginning to end, the book is excellent, compelling, and surprisingly funny. The chapter with the encyclopedia salesman is hilarious, and the chapter with the car repair scam artists is wicked fun. There are lots of dogs along the way. You could make a case that without the dogs there wouldn't have been a story at all. It's hard not to like a guy who likes dogs as much as Blackburn does. Denton even takes some fun shots at himself, inserting an author of a book very much like this one into the narrative. It is, to say the least, interesting when Blackburn confronts him. The most compelling part of the story, though, is when Blackburn runs into another serial killer, only the evil kind. Perhaps it's meaningful that this encounter is the beginning of the end for Blackburn.

Toward the end of the book there is, to me, the most satisfying exchange, so cool that I have to share it here at the risk of spoiling something for someone. It should come as no surprise that Blackburn finds himself in the custody of the police. Here, Blackburn has decided to be forthright with them, but his honesty is not appreciated. There are no good cops in this book. The jerky DPS troopers are escorting him in shackles and handcuffs back to the jail after his preliminary hearing when Blackburn tells them he has killed men, but never a woman. "How many men?" the first trooper asks. "Just so we know how scared we should be," the second says. "Eighteen," Blackburn says. "So far." It helps the excitement of the moment that the exchange takes place in the chapter called "Victim Number Nineteen". Wicked fun.

Blackburn is a great book, funny and exciting and sad. If it doesn't make you cheer for the killer and wail at the unjust world when he doesn't get to kill more people, there's something wrong with you.

I read this book in less than eight hours, impossible to put down and hard to forget!

Of the many, many books I have read on this topic (which is one of my areas of interests) this is book is by far the best one I have read. This would be, in my opinion the most complete, informative and unbiased work on the subject.
The book covers just about everything most readers would like covered on Serial Murder. It covers fact, fiction, history, definitions, in fact everything you could imagine. I could not believe just how much is packed into the 380 odd pages.
Not only is the book a wealth of knowledge on the subject (and many related areas eg Stalking, Insanity Defences) but is also loaded with 'Profiles' of many individuals (and teams) to illustrate the area under discussion. Many tables also provide interesting reading.
The book also looks at the phenomina of Serial Murder in countries other than the USA.
Another thing I really like is the way Hickey presents various aspects and theories. Hickey discusses all the theories, views etc along with their apparent strenghts and weaknesses. For example, other authors I have read flatly dump the FBI Psychological Profiling Model. Hickly presents all the pros and cons on the topic in a very unbiased manner.
This book is not just a good book, it is a great book. It is a 'must have' in your collection, if this is your area of interest or you really want to learn about it. If someone asked me for just one book to read on Serial Murder, this would be the one. It covers so many topics within a topic, yet it is concise and very readable. The average person with no knowledge on this topic would walk away with a good 'working knowledge'.
I have read the book twice and have now been drawn back to a third read.
I will now be searching for other works by this author and congratulate him on a 'classic'.

This is an excellent reference book, but what really makes it stand out is the "Mind of a Killer" CD-ROM included with it.

The videos and searchable information on the CD-ROM really bring the subject vividly to life. There documentaries on about a dozen famous cases with footage I'd never seen before including confessions made to police, interviews and courtroom scenes.

I was also impressed with the mapping system that plots the locations of different cases or types of cases with all kinds of search options.

After reviewing and studying the material within this cover, you will see life in a different way. We all want to see the good in people; As any physical realm, there is the duality from good to evil. What exactly happens when what we see the destructive nature of man? What makes the destructive destructive? Who are they? What do they think? Where do they come from? and What will they do next?
This book helped me to breeze through my serial and mass murder class ... AND actually lock onto possible perpetrators in real world scenarios.
After reading this book and studying the nature of homocide, you'll be analyzing everything through rational choice. When you walk down the street, youll look at everyone as you notice their demeanor and watch their subtle actions. You'll look at the small and obscure nuacnes in nature as you enhance your deductive reasoning. Most of all, you will build a base in whch to combat becoming a victim.
I highly recommend the first piece you read in this book to be (pg 278) "An Interview with a Male Serial Murderer". This passage will restrain you to read and study this work to its end if not for learning, but to possibly stop a tragedy such as this from happening to someone you love.
You should supplement this book with TV: A&E, Biography, and History Channels will suffice.

Being one of the lucky people in this world to study from Dr. Hickey at Fresno State, I consider this book and the Dr. to be two of the most amaizing sources of knowledge in this dark field. If you begin reading this book knowing nothing about the topic, you walk away being a sudo-expert in the field and study of Serial Killers

I am a graduate student of Dr. Hickey's at California State University, Fresno. I came to this institution specifically as a matter of curricula, and I must say that after a review of the literature both broad and exhaustive Dr. Hickey's book is the closest thing we have to the reality of our special killers' doctrine. What is most compelling about this piece of literature is the open mentality that is greatly lacking in nearly every other book out there. We have relied to a great extent on the works of the FBI and, in a much more aniquated way, the works of Freud and the general positivists.

This text is certainly a sociological treatise, but even more so it underlines the issues inherent in both criminology and a general study of human nature. What should be garnered from this read is what we DON'T know as compared to what we do. One must applaud Dr. Hickey for his ability to admit that the evaporative quality of this field of study is prevalent and must be dealt with.

Of particular interest is the discussion of the mythology surrounding "serial killers" and the true affect with which they operate. Take these things for what they are worth and you are left with many questions. I have no doubt in my mind that this was the objective of Dr. Hickey, and is ideally the objective of any social scientist. Those who wish to comprehend the nature of serial killers will not find all their answers here, but they may find some questions that our humanity dearly needs to be addressed; the most important part.

I just finished reading this book and it had me hooked until the very end. The characters were true to life and the situations they found themselves in were very plausible.

This, in my opinion, is one of the better police procedural books as it was set in a time period when DNA was not yet discovered. Thus, murders were solved by honest to God police work. Clues were followed instead of just matching DNA to a person.

A very well written book.

First thing first it astounds me that A: one of these books haven't been made into a movie yet. And B: that these books aren't published in hardcover.

Back to back I read Micheal Connelly's Echo Park and then P.J. Parrish's A Thousand Bones. And I be honest with you A Thousand Bones was every bit just as good if not better.
Every novel these two author's write get nominated for a Thousand awards in the mystery field and every year. And every year I sit there in disbelief when they don't win at least one.
And yet every novel they write is better then the last.
Possibly the best mystery novel of 2007.
I give it a 10 out of 10.

I have only recently discovered this author, but I'm loving everything I've read so far and this is no exception. Compelling story well told.

If you were hoping that the new P.J. Parrish book would be another installment in the Louis Kincaid series, you only get half your wish. Kincaid takes a minor role in this tale that stars his girlfriend, Miami homicide detective Joette Frye. Joe has grown significantly from the young rookie who worked for the Echo Bay Police Department, where even most of the veteran cops had never drawn their weapons in the line of duty. As the story of her rookie year unfolds, so does the character of this determined, capable and unique woman --- a welcome addition to this popular series.

Most of the book takes place as Joe recalls the horrific events that shattered the serenity of Echo Bay and left a town devastated. The woods around this quiet little village held not only the bones of countless victims but also the dark secrets of the monsters who buried them. It was in these woods that two boys found a human bone and triggered an investigation that would still haunt Joe 13 years later.

As we have come to expect from skilled writers, their characters draw us into the story and create a sense of urgency so vital to good police work. While Joe tends to be impulsive, her mentor seems to be overly cautious and the relationship between Joe and Detective Rafsky develops in a most satisfying way as they form a solid bond and strong partnership.

The poignancy with which Parrish (sisters Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols) deal with the parents of the girls who have gone missing over the years is another example of how the authors blend poetry with prose. On the other hand, one is overwhelmed when the mind of the perpetrator is revealed and victims are seen through the eyes of evil. Delving into the psyches of predators can be disturbing, but it definitely adds to the texture of the story. And, regardless of their disappointments and rejections, I want to see them pay for what they have done! And so do the cops who cannot rest until justice is done.

A THOUSAND BONES will hold your attention and run you through a gamut of emotions as the small-town cops work to solve the crimes and bring some resolution to those who have suffered. We look forward to more of Joe Frye and Louis Kincaid as they work through their own histories to bring new freedom into their relationship.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding, a substance abuse counselor in Phoenix, AZ who wanted to be Brenda Starr before life intervened. She reviews for www.bookreporter.com and www.faithfulreader.com To contact Maggie, e-mail Magster2@cox.net.

A Thousand Bones
This book hooked me from the beginning. A first time reader of PJ Parrish this novel has hooked me and I have since ordered all the previous novels of this author. Murder, mystery and the workings of an investigative team.
Set in northern MI you can feel the cold with the descriptions. The story is told in flashback so there is the need to finish so you can see what happens with Joe and her lover in current times.
This story has a resolution that that makes sense and leaves the opening for more adventures.