Serial Killers Books

Although this wasn't the worst book I've ever read, I thought it was pretty boring. The characters in this book are dull & boring and it has a slow-moving plot. If you must read it, either get it at the library or a used book store. I'm sorry I paid full price for it.

"The Night Caller felt the need."
*****
"The Night Caller had read all the available material on the subject, how law enforcement defined serial killers, how they divided them into `organized' and `disorganized' types by analyzing crime scenes, how they worked up psychological and physical profiles that usually turned out to be amazingly accurate." John Lutz's novel, The Night Caller is all about tracking down a serial killer. His purpose is to make you wonder and make you think. Lutz does his job well. The plot starts off and stays thick throughout the story, so that the reader's attention is kept. This was a great novel and the characters were fantastic! The author really takes time to describe the characters. Lutz explains the settings in depth; no one could have done it better. Setting is also very important to the story especially when portraying murder scenes. The whole purpose of this novel is to solve the mystery, in other words to identify the killer.
The book starts out with a murder, and has various ones throughout. Ezekiel Cooper finds his daughter's corpse in a deserted beach house, devastated, he vows to find her murderer. Although, what the ex-cop does not know is that there have been other victims. He teams up with a writer to find the unthinkable clever stranger. Determined to fine the killer, Coop soon crosses paths with Cara Callahan, who's bent on luring in her sister's killer. Just as Coop feared, her plan may be working a little too well. The evasive serial killer known as the Night Caller prepares to pounce again.
The novel is effective. The setting and the characters fit in excellent together. In this story, every character counts. The characters are also placed carefully in the settings. "Her painted nails drummed on the steering wheel as she drove her red Sebring convertible toward the Siesta Key drawbridge in Sarasota." It is so interesting that Lutz can add everything he needs to without having a run-on-sentence. Knowing what character is where at certain times is important, "Coop sat at an outdoor table at the restaurant Seconds..." John Lutz makes every setting so realistic. "It was the kind of unseasonably warm October afternoon that made everyone wish at least for the moment that there were no winters to come." The author does a great job tying in the characters with the settings, although it is not essential. It is helpful.
Lutz is very informal throughout his novel. He cusses a lot and is very blunt. There are a lot of twists to the story; after all it is a murder mystery. He is sarcastic at times. "She would enter confidently, locking the door and thinking she was separating herself from the perilous outside world." Lutz's sentences go into great detail to help you better understand the novel. The characters often think out loud. "'Cheap at the price,' Deni thought." Lutz lets you know what the characters are thinking. He asks a lot of questions and leaves the reader to answer them. "Was she an angel of vengeance, or a death wish walking?" The author's style pulls you into the book.
The author puts a lot of spin on his story. His plot outline is very different. He starts out with a murder that happened in the past, and then flashes ahead. He'll be talking about something then will completely stop and start in with another subject. One of the characters, Coops, tells the story. It's told from third person point of view.
The Night Caller basically stalks his victims and "gets to know them," before he kills them. An ex-cop and a writer are on his case. Cooper (the cop) gets involved romantically with another character. Lutz throws in a lot of different themes. The mysteries behind the murders are the dominant subjects of the book. Lutz does a respectable job of dramatizing the story.
Overall, The Night Caller is a great novel that deserves five stars! The characters, settings, language/style, and the plot are all extravagant! John Lutz keeps the audience entertained with every aspect of the story. He is an amazing author and deserves as much credit as can be give to him. He really speaks to the reader. The Night Caller is perfect for those who like mystery and suspense. "He sucked in his breath in disbelief," that is the effect this book has on the reader. Reading this novel would be an excellent choice!

When former NYPD detective Cooper finds his strangled daughter in his summer beach house, he is determined to put his prior skills to use in tracking her killer. He must also continue to fight the threat of his cancer that is now in remission, as well as an ex-wife whom he barely recognizes as the woman he once married. Once he is contacted by an overly-aggressive mystery writer who is convinced his daughter's killing is linked to others across the country, the search intensifies. Battling an uninterested FBI and local police force who disbelieve the idea of a serial killer, the two set out to prove them wrong. Along the way, Cara, a women whose sister may have also been struck by the killer, joins the hunt posing as a woman much like those being hunted and killed. While the pace is incredibly swift, there are a few holes in the plot that led to minor dissatisfaction. In this day and age of sophisticated technology and the sharing of information amongst crime forces, it is very hard to swallow the premise that these crimes would go unconnected for so long, especially with the killer's propensity for leaving behind certain clues. All in all, however, I was able to read this book in one sitting while enjoying it most of the way.

Living alone in Manhattan, Ezekiah "Coop" Cooper feels lonely. He retired from the NYPD due to cancer, which is currently in remission. His wife divorced him and has become an environmental activist. His daughter lives and works in New Jersey, but though they love one another they rarely share anything personal. That is why Coop is happy to be seeing his child Bette in the family bungalow in Breezy Point.

When he arrives, he finds the most horrid scene. Someone murdered his daughter. A few days later, Coop talks to his former partner on the force, Art Billard to learn what the police know. Next he travels to New Jersey to talk to Bette's associates and friends. Ultimately, he meets mystery writer Deni Greene who believes a serial killer has murdered Bette. Coop reluctantly accepts a partnership with the unfeeling author, who will use anyone including a wrongfully locked up convict in Florida to attain her goals. However, neither one knows how dangerous THE NIGHT CALLER actually is, but they will soon find out.

Though readers will need a humongous leap of faith as to how Deni put together her belief in a serial killer, THE NIGHT CALLER remains a powerful thriller. The story line is loaded with action, but it is Coop who makes the tale sing, as the audience will empathize with his plight. John Lutz has written a powerful novel that grabs reader attention from the beginning and keeps readers wondering whether the hero or the villain will triumph.

Harriet Klausner

I must admit that I'm a sucker for a serial killer thriller. No matter how many of them I read, I still find myself reaching for more. (I'm not sure what that says about my own psyche.)

Lutz introduces us to Ezekial "Coop" Cooper, a former NYPD detective who is now trying to figure out his life after a divorce, cancer survival, and retirement. Unfortunately, Coop finds his adult daugter dead on display in the family's beach bungalow. He puts on his detective shoes again and sets out to solve this murder despite warnings from the cops and from his friend, Arthur Billard--full-time cop, part-time restauranteur. From there, he hooks up with Deni Green, a most unpleasant writer of cat mysteries (I kept hoping for something bad to happen to Deni). He also finds new love with a younger woman, and the whole darn bunch ends up peeking around corners trying to lure out a serial killer.

For the genre, this is a pretty decent book. Coop is a well-drawn character, and the serial killer is rather creative in his craft. However, don't expect anything vastly unique about this novel. The serial killer, once named, is nothing new, and you'll probably be able to figure out the mystery well before the end. Like I said above, Deni Green is one of the most unpleasant characters I've ever read; she definitely had me rooting for the killer! However, this is a pretty good vacation book because it's a quick read that will hold your interest. It kept me busy for a boring train ride while I was on vacation, and that's enough for me to give it 3 stars. Happy reading!

I thought this book was really interesting. The cases that she used were great. You can definitely tell that the writer is British but it's still not a bad read. I really enjoyed it.

It's a good book, don't get me wrong, it just doesn't going into the depths I would have liked of these women's pasts. It routinely portrays them as victims of their situations and a pawn for their husband/boyfriend/lovers plans instead of a willing participant. Surely not all of these women are as frail as they are made out to be

This book is good only for the 13 cases the author profiles. Each case is given its own separate chapter. The author does an excellent job in describing childhoods, important relationships and events that lead these women to kill. She also details these womens crimes. Keep in mind this is not for the faint at heart. She doesn't go into heavy graphic details of the crimes like other authors, but none the less what is written is still disturbing. The last three chapters of the book cover things like classifying female serial killers and why women kill. I was disappointed with the last three chapters. I felt the author could of done a better job. She references other books on these subjects which might be worth checking out.

The subject of female serial killers is utterly fascinating but unfortunately this author cannot write well. Even the editing of this book is atrocious! I counted over 200 typos, spelling errors, and inaccurate punctuation in the first 4 chapters. It is a very difficult book to read due to the sloppy, even crude writing style. I give her two stars for her effort and her research but I think this author needs to polish her writing skills.

Please note: The previous reviewer is mistaken about the typos and poor writing in this book. The book was originally published in the UK, has not been "Americanized" in grammar or punctuation. This may cause some confusion to those not familiar with the writing style of the author.

I thought this book was very informative and well researched. The book has cases from Europe, Australia, and the USA. The part that scared me is that some of the women are up for parole and will be out roaming the streets again, one as early as this year! When she gets out she will only be 50 years old and free to kill again...

this is a very good book filled with many interesting tid bits. i must have read it about 5 times. it's well illestrated, and really gets you thinking about one of the worlds biggest monsters as a person who only wanted to be loved.

Engulfed by Joel's words more than any other psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist etc ever before, even including Park Dietz and his honest humanity; I can read his book in the minimal of time, because I cannot put the book down. 'Accurate' is an understatement to his definition, understanding and forthrigheousness. Morris' almost matter-of-fact like observancy is obvious of his qualification to talk on such matter - his account of Dahmer is supurlative, the ONLY one. If I may, I could ask you to check the review below........Quotes as such "I was drawn into his evil acts and shocked by his actions" and "He wanted to be loved so badly but he went about it in the sickest way" Copyright permitting from this person's review - this should really be the point of view from anyone, I think; and eventhough a negative and a poitive still equal a negative; I really STRONGLY agree; I do say that Dahmer could have been happy, but recognising anything 'different' in the age of a 6 year old is a nightmare for anyone, if not impossible. Whichever way, Joel Norris make this even more apparent than ANYONE could have thought before. I reccomend this book to anyone interested in Jeff, and serial killers in general - or more to the point.....EVERYBODY.

I could not put this book down. I was drawn into his evil acts and shocked by his actions. How could someone be that demented? I know that he wouldn't have stopped. But he was tired of playing his games. He was his own God and he created his own world in which his fantasy would become real. I believe he couldn't have been a happy person. He wanted to be loved so badly but he went about it in the sickest way possible. His fantasy world took over him. As dark as it was but in his mind it wasn't bad. To him he loved to people he murdered. They would live forever inside him.

I presume this book was written very soon after the Dahmer trial, as the gaping holes in research are most apparent.
There is no mention of Dahmer's childhood double hernia operation, which according to his father, changed him from a happy bubbly child to a withdrawn loner.
However, it was interesting to read quotes from former classmates etc.
I would recommend Brian Master's book for accuracy, although I found at times he was too sympathetic to Dahmer, which made me cringe to say the least.
There are some major untruths in the book. Dahmer was not an animal abuser, as stated, and his love of his pets was ignored.
Too much experts ponitificating on their own theories,yawn.
I would look to other books for a more truthful account.

As a fan of the PBS series about Dalziel and Pascoe, I thoroughly enjoyed the narration of Colin Buchanan, who plays Pascoe, in this audio version of the novel. Actually, this one should be entitled Pascoe and Dalziel, as Peter plays the major role in this investigation of a series of stranglings. Witty, humane, and entertaining, Reginald Hill does his usual admirable job tackling such issues as racism and prejudice. Gypsies, divorce, and adolescent mistakes all figure prominently in this mystery. Buchanan's dialects and voices make differentiating among characters easy for the listener. Very enjoyable.

this is the first of his books that i've tried, and i did so based on some of the glowing reviews of his other books, but for a thriller, i would say that it's sadly lacking in momentum and suspense. it's supposed to be a whodunit, but i lost interest in the murders halfway thru the book, because the red herrings thrown in really detracts from the mystery, and doesn't do much to get the story going for me. the focus appears to be more on the characters, which granted are very interesting and the chief inspiration for me to read on. strictly for hill fans.

Reginald Hill is an author to be reckonned with in the British procedural genre, and his long-running Dalziel and Pascoe series is a winner. Any of the many books is a fine example of intelligent writing. This book is not a disappointment. It is a book where Pascoe figures a bit more prominently than Dalziel, but we do have Andy there in key spots. It gives us lots of examples of his blustery non-sequitors. Dalziel and his crew are trying to unmask the Yorkshire choker who has a taste for the Elizabethan bard (in particular the play "Hamlet"). We also have a clan of gypsies to help make things interesting. This is intelligent writing that keeps you guessing until the end. Hill has an uncanny ability to set his novels so realistically, and his very human characters help to reel us in. Don't pass up this series.

To teh readers familiar with the Pascoe/DAnziel series, A Killing Kindness will not be a surprise--it is as good as most of the other novels in the series. Pascoe and Danziel are trying to catch a serial killer, who stnragnels young girls. Only there are a couple of exceptions. The plot is good and believable. The conclusion, although not very surprising, is satisfying.

As usual, Hill's strength is in giving the secondary characters opportunities to develop throughout the series. THey are not just props for the two detectives to excahnge clever lines, and this is what makes the book more than a simple mystery.

I recommend Afinidad, particularly those who enjoy this genre. This novel is a good mix of fiction with reference to current events. I enjoyed the inculsion of relevant news events such as the reaction of the characters to the tension between Iraq and the United States.

The part of the book I enjoyed the most was watching Petra's understanding of human nature grow. Her experience at a refuge strengthened her ability to understand why people behave differently in certain situations, and enabled her to look ahead to her own future.

Overall I liked the use of a variety of language and how the pace and tone changed fluidly. One such example was Petra's negative experience with her friend Cherie. As a reader I felt as deflated as she did, but in the same moment I laughed out loud when I read of Cherie literally "spinning on her heels".

This is a great read - you'll be hooked from the first chapter.

I read this book here in New Zealand not long after getting back from a holiday in Savannah,Georgia,(part of the reason I picked it up)and Kerri Thomas has done a great job with the setting.By the end of the second chapter you have gotten to know the two main characters reasonably well and through the course of the story I found myself feeling quite sorry for David the killer.It moves along at a good pace but also takes the time to give the reader a feel for the locations.No shortage of suspense throughout the novel. The ending is a real surprise but very beleivable, I'm sure it has been left open for a sequel.I hope so!!
Without giving any of the story away,I feel the reader will understand how a killer such as David can have an influence on Petra in assisting him in his killings such is the way Kerri Thomas builds her story to this point.A rewarding read.

Kerri Thomas's novel AFINIDAD begins and ends with Petra, the product of a loveless childhood and a rotten boss. She is the almost-victim of David, the Savannah serial killer who's feeding his dementia by killing, raping, and de-feminizing young ladies. We follow Petra through the violent beginning and ending of her abusive love relationship with David. The books is told mostly from the points of view of Petra, David, and Frank, the detective out to catch David.

AFINIDAD combines a 19th century character-study of David and Petra with a 21st century graphic rendering of David's killings. Both Petra and David are portrayed with good and evil sides. Thomas provides detailed descriptions about gardens, the publishing business, and she drops bits of trivia of Savannah and New Zealand, and tossed in some of her political views as well.

I enjoyed seeing how Thomas, a New Zealander, viewed American culture. The dialog has a distinct southern-hemisphere ring to it, and although this jars with my own experiences in the south, it was pleasing in its approach.

I had been waiting to read this book for quite some time and finally got the chance this past week. While I won't go into a lengthy critique of the story and analyze the characters I will say that this is definitely a page-turning read. At certain times it is preferable that the reader not have a weak stomach however I don't imagine one who would be drawn to a book about a supposed serial killer if they did not have a high tolerance for disturbing situations. All in all this book was definitely worth my time and effort. Granted it plays off as more of a quick summary but it does get the point across, though I can't help feeling short changed somehow. Perhaps as a reader I wanted more closure. I'm sure others feel the same way. Regardless though, I recommend it.

I read Earle's previous "Final Truth" about Donald Gaskins. That book, like this one, was an interesting read, but I have the same problem with both: are we really reading true "confessions" of serial killers here, or just the jumbled fantasies of a couple of psychopaths. Gaskins claimed to have killed over 100 people, but there was little proof, just Gaskins' word, and his over-riding ambition was to make a name for himself before his execution. With this book there is less of a record than Gaskins'. Young Wager is raped and abused by her father, falls in with another abused girl who practices some sort of country bumpkin witchcraft, her gay brother and a local boy. They use drugs heavily, roll and sometimes kill randy old men and in general seem like characters out of a Dennis Cooper book. Wager personally kills several people before the end of the story, and witnesses some rather horrific torture-killing perpetrated by others (shades of Donald Gaskins' "coastal kills"?). If Earle was disgusted by Gaskins, he seems to admire Wager, despite it being obvious she is a sadist who could very well be killing to this day (the book seem to slyly suggest this possibility). But is it true? There's no public record of anything dealing with this case, and some of the incidents are rather far-fetched (a tiny 13 year old girl weilding a shotgun?). The book seems more concerned with describing underaged lesbian sex, bowel movements (or lack thereof) and torture than anything else. It has its moments: the whole "Evil Holding" motif is pretty bizarre and fascinating, but the overall effect is dubious.

This was a pretty disturbing read. I was of course glad to see the ending, with who died in the end. I felt they deserved it quite frankly. But I was still very shocked to see how she openly admitted the other stuff which she should've been punished for. Of course at her age, I don't think she would've done anymore than three years extra.

What this girl and her friend endured was one of the worst stories I've ever heard, and I feel very sorry for them both. Seeing how young they are though which couldn't be more than 25 or 26 give or take a few years I can't but believe they'll kill again sooner or later. I can't see how she didn't do what she did. I would've been very interested to know her grandparents complete background on both sides even though it wouldn't be possible.

The world is a cruel place, sooner or later someone will push the right buttons and people like this will kill again. There's just too much show of violence at such an early age, some unprovoked. The activities that she's involved in now will just help speed up this. (Witchcraft and other nonsense, sorry just my opinion. I'm don't mean to judge) I think her friend is much more dangerous and disturbed, and she's more guilty in many ways too with her age and her whacked out views on reality.

I'm sorry to not show sympathy if that's how it seems. I know she went through ALOT. I would've even liked to have seen her grandfather get his as well for his attitude. But that doesn't make it right. Charles Manson, and many others were treated like animals at a very early age, you still can't release them in public like that.

Like I said, I just can't help but think she won't kill again. There's far too much time for her to act out. She's beat the system too often and it probably made her feel more superior. It'll be interesting to see if anything ever happens again from this case, if we get know about it that is. Since everything is totally confidential I don't know what we'd hear but that's very bizarre with the other murders she committed with the other friends of hers. Maybe there will be a sequel. I hope she'll do ok, but I doubt it.

Jeremy Bryan Jones wants to be remembered as the Red Neck Ted Bundy, he was well on his way until he got caught after the brutal, rape, murder, and arson of Lisa Nichols, a forty something attractive divorced mother and grandmother. It was after he obtained a false identity as John David Chapman by befriending the man's mother. Chapman is in prison for lesser crimes. Jones was up on charges of sexual assault. His life and background was all in preparation to be a career criminal. After Hurricane Ivan occurred in 2004, Lisa Nichols' murder was discovered in a trailer park. Sadly, we don't hear much about people who live in mobile homes except on Jerry Springer. Anyway, they are decent and normal people like everybody else. Mobile homes provide a better alternative to renting anyway. Jones is psychopath or sociopath or both but he is got a lot of the characteristics. He used people without a conscience like garbage when he was done. He left a trail of murder along the way in several states. Once he was arrested, he confessed to crimes that some he committed including killing the Freeman family of three and a childhood friend of their daughters. He killed without conscience or guilt or remorse. His drug use is not an excuse for his crimes. There are several drug addicts who commit crime but don't rape and murder women and kill men, women and children. They rob to get drugs. I can't stand Jones using his drug usage as an excuse for his crimes. I think he did it without the drugs but uses excuses. Jones has a broken home but that's no excuse. His supporters like his girlfriend and mother are your typical deniers.

In this latest release from Sheila Johnson, readers are introduced to Jeremy Bryan Jones: a young, southern drifter who claims to have killed numerous people all across the southern states. Yet, as of today, he remains convicted of only one murder and charged with two others. Many of the crimes he confessed to just couldn't be linked to him for a variety of reasons.

This is a well written account of Jones' crimes. Unfortunately, Johnson provided hardly any detail about his childhood, which, to true crime readers, can be a very important part of the book. Johnson plainly states that she didn't intend to make this a story of his life and therefore didn't go back to Jones' roots and ask the all important questions. For me, this was a major disappointment.

And, as journalist turned book writers are prone to do, Johnson repeats many of the details over and over. I found myself skimming through the repeats as well as lesson on Meth found later in the book.

Overall, it is a good read. I would recommend it to those who enjoy the true crime genre.

Let's face it, Ned Snelgrove, aspired to be his hero, Ted Bundy, but he never got that famous like his hero. He was already in prison in New Jersey for murder and got off on good behavior after nearly killing a second woman. The author does an excellent job in explaining and detailing the lives of his victims, Mary Ellen, Karen, and Carmen as well as their families who suffered needlessly through the trauma of Ned's terror. For a young man who had a solid education and graduated from Rutgers University (my alma mater), he became a killer and rapist in New Jersey and his home state of Connecticut. Unfortunately, his last victim, Carmen, would catch him in his notorious lies. Of course, he did it. Carmen was seen leaving with him and nobody bought his story that he just dropped her off in the opposite direction of her apartment. Still, I am only three quarters through and it's an easy read with about 100 short chapters broken down into parts. There is no question that Ned is guilty of the murders of his college girlfriend, Karen Osmun, or Carmen, a beloved sister, mother, daughter, and grandmother. Her granddaughter died after her murder. Ned never amounted to be the serial killer with the likes of Ted Bundy, JEffrey Dahmer, or JOhn Wayne Gacy. Unlike them, he was much more sloppy, inefficient, and incompetent. He probably did not realize that Bundy was also a necrophiliac. He dumped Carmen's body in Rhode Island where she was found by Mr. Mareck, who knows personally what it is like to lose a loved one. His sister was murdered in the terrorist explosion of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. He knows personally what it is like to lose a family member and not be able to find her. He found Carmen much to his own horror. The author paints a solid portrait of a crazed, brilliant sociopath criminal as well as the victims whose lives he claimed. Mary Ellen, the divorced mother and grandmother, survived but barely from her attack in 1987 while Carmen and Karen did not. Ned's crimes also took Karen's mother prematurely while Carmen's estranged husband in Puerto Rico died of a broken heart over her disappearance only two weeks after she was missing. Carmen would have never missed her daughter's baby shower or her birthday. Carmen was a fun loving woman who was vibrant and tried to overcome her hardship like her weakness for alcoholism. Karen had a promising future with a new boyfriend who treated her much better than Ned. She was killed right before Christmas in 1983. Her sister, Barbara, was pregnant and she would never get the chance to Aunt Karen. Phelps points these facts out about the loss of the victims. I thought the trial part was the least interesting part of the book because it becomes as always redundant and repetitive about Ned's lies and the facts about his guilt.

I AM OVER HALFWAY THROUGH THE BOOK AND THE MORE I READ THE BETTER IT GETS. THIS BOOK IS SO HARD TO PUT DOWN. MR. PHELPS DOES IT AGAIN!

Ex-Sheriff Spiller does it again with this second book in his Murder in the Heartland series. The stories are carefully researched and fascinating. I can't wait for the third book in the series. I hope it's coming soon.

Former Williamson County Sheriff (1982-89), Harry Spiller, draws heavily from his experience during his tenure as a law enforcement officer to write his latest book titled Murder In The Heartland-Book 2. Although this book doesn't come close to that of the late Darcy O'Brien's Murder In Little Egypt, Spiller still has to be commended for his efforts.
One half of this non-fiction book covers the apprehension and murder trial of Dr. Allen Azevedo, accused and charged with the murder of his ex-wife four (4) years after Marie Azevedo's bullet-riddled body was discovered in her ditched vehicle by a farmer in rural southern Illinois.
Dr. Azevedo, a dentist, had an iron-clad alibi for his whereabouts at the estimated time of Marie's death. He also passed a polygraph test that he had nothing to do with the killing of his ex-wife.
As this case file progresses, it becomes quite clear that Marie and Allen Azevedo have gone through a bitter divorce and child custody battle. Marie wanted to take the children out of the country for a visit and Dr. Azevedo feared she wouldn't bring them back.
But this case has so many ends and outs and twists and turns that makes it seem almost unreal, but keeps the reader wondering what in the world is NEXT.
Dr. Azevedo was employed by the State of Illinois as dentist for prisoners held at the Menard Penitentiary in Illinois. When he makes a deal with inmates Joe Hatchett and Derrick Cook for a contract to have Marie killed, he becomes a victim of a scam. He's told the deal is set to go, pays $2000 front money, which the two inmates keep with no intention of having Marie's murder contracted out.
Hatchett was released from prison and returned to Chicago only to be arrested again and returned to Menard, where he later learned that Marie Azevedo had been murdered. He assumed Dr. Azevedo had hired someone else to kill Marie and thought the dentist should be reported to the police.
Cook later agreed to wear a recorder and make contact with the dentist, calling Dr. Azevedo to tell him the police had been questioning Cook about Marie's murder. After being bilked out of $2000, the dentist told Cook to get lost. Later on, Dr. Azevedo was contacted again by a person identifying himself as "R" in what Azevedo thinks is a blackmail attempt. He goes to the authorities and informs them about this. From here, the phone conversations that later transpired between "R" and Sheriff, Bill Kilquest (disguising his voice as Dr. Azevedo in a telephone sting) makes this case file almost boring.
Finally, the case turns interesting again when authorities felt they had enough evidence to charge Dr. Azevedo with his wife's murder.
Enter defense attorney, Brocton Lockwood. The trial was set for June 3, 1985, but was delayed because the police had received further information. One of the suspected killers had been arrested in Chicago and was returned to Jackson County on July 17th. Jury selection began on the 19th. States Attorney John Clemmons gave a 1-1/2 hour opening statement before introducing Derrick Cook as the state's first witness. Cook told the jury about being wired and on camera, and about the telephone sting involving Sheriff Kilquist.
Defense Atty Lockwood began his opening statement by telling the jury to "take note of the evidence that is NOT included in the 6,000 page report prepared by the state." Lockwood went on to say, "Don't assume the defendant is guilty just because he has been charged and it is in the press. Set aside your natural feelings that if a defendant did not do something wrong then he would not be here."
As this case unfolds in court, Lockwood's competence as a superb defense attorney shines through. After 11 days of trial, 48 witnesses, and 71 exhibits, SA Clemmons rested the state's case.
To the SA's surprise, Lockwood stood up and asked the judge for a directed verdict and that the case against Dr. Azevedo be dismissed.
From here, I don't intend to tell what happened. This case file is well worth reading. Allen Azevedo later met with an ill-fated death. And what happened to the killer that was found in Chicago and charged with Marie's murder? Yeah, read the book.
I might add one other tidbit about this case that makes it even more interesting. Azevedo's defense attorney, Brocton Lockwood, taught law courses from 1972-78 before accepting an appointment as Associate Circuit Judge in Williamson County, serving on the bench from 1978 until 1983, during which time he became the main player in the FBI sting "Operation Greylord". After his work was finished with Operation Greylord, Lockwood returned to southern Illinois, stepped down from the bench, and re-entered private law practice, which was truly a stroke of luck for Dr. Allen Azevedo.
Lockwood has since left his private practice to accept another Associate Circuit Judge position for Saline County, Illinois either sometime in 1999 or 2000. He has written a book about his experience while on assignment to assist with the case overload in Chicago, a very interesting story indeed. Operation Greylord is another book well worth reading.
As for the rest of the case files in Murder In The Heartland-Book 2, they were shorter and didn't come up in comparison. This book could have used a good editor as some of the words were misspelled and changed the entire context of a sentence. Another reason for the 3-Star rating.

This book explains how and why serial killers became famous. Thanks to gory pulp magazines at the start of the 20th century and movies everybody wanted to learn more about these villains.

David Schmid's book is well researched and his knowledge of American television, cinema and culture is impressive, but it takes way too long untill you get interested. Chance missed.

I havent read the book yet, but shipment came in good timing ( I used the $$ saver shipment) and in excellent condition