True Crime Books

This ranks among Professor Schechter's best books. Though less gory than his books on Fish and Gein, it is just as terrifying. He brings his sterling insight to bear on the psychological workings of the mind of a female serial killer, and shatters the myth that such creatures are less depraved and evil than their male counterparts. As is often the case, he is willing to feel a certain degree of sympathy for the killer in relation to the environmental and/or congenital forces that contributed to her psychopathy, while remaining careful to never exculpate the killer of her crimes (he remains neutral as to whether insanity is an exculpating factor) or mitigate the degree of evil and pain caused to the victims. Schechtermakes it clear he views Jane Toppan as a monster driven by depraved urges and longings.

His usual approach towards describing his subject via historical and cultural context as well as a meticulously researched recreation of the killer's career is adhered to fully. You will learn about the appallingly meagre salaries available to most women in the 19th century; the brutally draining workload experienced by most nurses, within both institutions and private homes; the terrible state of medical care available to the public; and the shocking fact that substances such as arsenic were not only sold over-the-counter in huge amounts for household purposes (killing rats, etc.), but appeared as well within patent compounds that claimed to have salubrious cosmetic benefits (young women ingested a beauty compound made with arsenic that promised to remove blackheads, pimples, and all other such facial blemishes).

Everyone has their favorite Schechter books. I cannot guarantee that this will rank with your own personal favorites, but I think I can assume with a fair degree of confidence that, if you have enjoyed other books by the author, you will enjoy this one. The intelligent formula for success you associate with Deranged and Deviant and Bestial, et. al., can be found intact in Fatal.

Harold Schechter brings to our attention the fact that there are more female serial killers in history than we actually suspect. In this case, Jane Toppan is revealed to the world in what would otherwise have been nothing more than a footnote in New England history. Schechter presents the history of this murderous poisoner who used morphine and atropine to extinguish upwards of three dozen people, many of the latter were 'dear friends' of hers. She is finally caught and avoids prison on an insanity charge where she spends the next 30+ years of her life. After reading this morbid story, I'm not so sure she was insane by our terms today as much as just off-kilter. I think she truly went insane once her freedom was taken away and her paranoia at being poisoned herself by the asylum staff drove her to quit eating. Schechter shows us the transgressions of Nurse Toppan and how she got away with it for so long. It's truly an interesting story but there were two or three parts where Schechter goes off on a sidenote (history of the asylum for one) where I lost some focus. Otherwise, it's another true crime story that we never would have known about and Schechter does another great job of weaving the events into something nearly unbelievable.

I'm a psychologist by training. Schechter is the first person I know of to explain a female serial killer's experience during the act of murder. I wanted to gag! Then I spoke to a few female associates, who confirmed what Schechter revealed. OMG! I had no idea women have the capacity to be so....reptilian. 'Reptilian' may be flattering, now that I think about it.

The book features other female serial killers besides Jane Toppan. Theyre bad enough, but Jane is the arch-snake.

The subject is fascinating, the writing is excellent, and it's a wake-up call about the fair sex. Be afraid. be very afraid!

"Fatal" tells the story of Jane Toppan, a psychopathic nurse living in the 1890's. Her childhood was a difficult one, and though little is really known about it, what the author tells is points to one filled with abuse and turmoil. At a young age, she was put in an orphange and "adopted" by the Toppan family. Her part in the family was that of a servant, though it seems that the Toppans treated her well.

After she became a nurse, she began poisoning some of her patients as they lay in their hospital beds, with a mixture of morphine and atropine. She did this for pleasure, because she enjoyed it. She murdered her family members and friends, preferring people she knew over strangers. This went on for decades before the police finally caught on. Some estimate the number of people she killed being close to 100.

The author does a good job telling the story. It's amazing that more people haven't heard of her - this was the first time for me. There were some parts that were a little too gory for my taste, and I feel that the author occasionally pontificates. Of course, it's not enough to stop me from reading another one of his books. Those who enjoy true crime and history should enjoy this.

After an informative introduction, Schechter sets the mood for Jane Toppan by briefly covering serial murderesses Lydia Sherman and Sarah Jane Robinson, two predecessors to Toppan with affiliations for arsenic. Then along came Jane Toppan with her morphia and atropia cocktails.

Born into the world as Honora Kelley, Jane was indentured to, and adopted by, Mrs. Ann C. Toppan and thus became Jane Toppan. Jane resented growing up as a servant to her family, and especially resented her sister Elizabeth, who would later fall victim to Jane's careful ministrations.

Jane took nursing school, a rigorous training in its day, but never graduated with a certificate before taking herself out of hospital care and into family home care, where her poisonous ways became more noticeable. Still, it was years before Jane was ever suspected and brought to trial, leaving a wake of corpses behind her.

'Fatal' is very well written, although drawn out at times. The prose enchants you back to the era of the murders, specifically pointing out many differences in both medical and courtroom procedures between 1901 and our modern day world. Schechter rounds out the case with Jane's life as a child and the unsavory circumstances of her childhood, to her early years, on through her active killing spree and ending with court proceedings and what happened to Jane afterward. There's a lot of detail on Jane's life, and while there is no bibliography there's an Acknowledgements section that lists Schechter's resources. If you like true crime, you'll like this unique account of one of the first female serial killers ever documented. Enjoy!

*** & 1/2*
While this book does a fine job of chronicling the many horrors this little boy endured, it could have been a bit more `in depth' where his (so-called) parents were concerned. Particularly Jessica Schwarz, whose background is hardly mentioned, not that it would have incited any sympathy in me toward her.

Another thing I found disappointing (apart from the cruelty and indifference A. J. suffered in and of itself) is prosecutor Scott H. Cupp's self-satisfied smugness that seems to suggest he should've won a medal or something because of Jessica's 30-plus years sentence. He would have deserved one (and I might've handcrafted the damn thing myself) had he not let Jessica's
co-conspirator-by-dereliction-of-duty, David Schwarz, escape justice. He witnessed Jessica's violent behavior and did nothing to stop it.

I was also amazed at how so many people knew that this child was in a dire situation and no one took any significant action to save his life. I guess they all feel they've made up for being so useless to A. J. in his life by testifying at his murder trial.

R.I.P A. J. S.

This is a very emotional book as the reality of A.J's short life is revealed. There were so many witnesses to A.J's abuse, and the step mother barly took means to hide her hatred towards A.J. And this happened in 1993....shocking. All I can say is that I wish A.J was my beautiful son.

I don't understand why he had to die? Why couldn't someone get involved. The step mother was a monster and the boys biological father wasn't any better. He let his son die over a woman who only cared about herself. What a b@tch

read this book and it is so sad and I hope this little boy can rest in peace

People need to read this book. It raises awareness about things that should be looked out for when a child is being abused. Too many people are afraid to report or, according to their traditional views, think that it is taboo to remove a child from his family and that the family has the right to "discipline".

What is amazing about this situation is that it was obvious that A.J.'s stepmother had long crossed the line of discipline, yet nobody intervened. His biological parents turned a blind eye, followed by neighbors and those at his school. Perhaps they would have thought differently had they known that their ignorance would result in his death.

It's the forensic side of the investigation. There are parts that are difficult to read; I have been reading true crime for years and the author is very descriptive. It's very interesting though. I would recommend it if you follow this crime story.

If this is perhaps the first book you've read on the Laci Peterson case, you may find tidbits of information here. But, as someone who's read up on the case, this book offers only detached, article-type data and the prose cannot quite reach the heart of the reader. It's dry and dull, in other words. Dialogue in the book is limited mostly to "hard quotes", the prose is flat, and many details are skipped over in an effort to keep the book short.

Details skipped include the blood in the truck and Scott's excuse for it, details about concrete evidence in the warehouse where he kept his boat, the phone call to Amber Frey on New Year's Eve when he told her he was in Paris when in actuality he was at a candlelight vigil for Laci, and left out completely is all testimony from Scott's half sister Anne Bird. There are no private words with either family, only media observations. The overall context of the book has the same feel as reading articles rather than interviews, and was written with a profound sense of distance from the investigation.

Being honest, this is a flat and monochromic view of a true crime that stirred the hearts of an entire nation. I highly recommend reading Catherine Crier's 'A Deadly Game' to obtain the missing details, and reading this book only as a filler after you've read all other accounts.

I bought this book at Barnes and Noble last year, and I couldn't even finish it. I had read Sharon Rocha's book a year prior, and, comparing the two books, there are a lot of inconsistancies with this one. For one, the author told us Laci's wedding dress was stolen, but in Sharon Rocha's book, she mentions that she has her daughter's dress. That's one of many inconsistancies in this book, and when it comes to believing a "true crime" author, or believing the victim's mother who was actually THERE front and center for this whole horrible ordeal, I consider Sharon Rocha more reliable. Aside from the overall sloppiness and inconsistance of this book, it was horribly written. I spotted many typos, mispellings, et cetera, that should have been checked over before being published. And where did he get these crappy half-truths (or, in some cases, flat out lies)? The back of a cereal box? In my opinion, the only reason for this book is so some sleazy, ex-CosmoGirl journalist could make a quick buck. It's truly an insult to a person's intelligence, and an insult to the memories of Laci and Conner Peterson.

A gifted mother named Laci was married to a really charming romantic guy named Scott. They were happily married and than out of now where Laci went missing. Scott claimed he had nothing to do about what happened to Laic. The bad thing was that Laci had a child on the way. She was 7months pregnant. Once the town found out what happened they all jumped in and started a seach for her and the baby. While the town was searching for Laci and the baby Scott didn't really seem to care about his missing wife and soon to be baby. When they had a funeral service Scott was kind of laughing. But the police found a way to take Scott in. It was a good and addicting book to read.

So much of this book just wasn't accurate. The author it seems was in such a hurry to get this book out that it wasn't all correct. After studying this case for a college project, this book was a waste of money.

As I read this book, I felt like the author was talking down to his readers, as if they were too stupid (or such huge fans of CSI) that they couldn't fully comprehend what he was doing throughout. Granted, not everyone picking up this book is going to have a background in police work or forensic sciences, but the individuals seeking out and reading this type of fare are above being treated like simpletons. I am a forensic anthropologist and even I felt sneered at when reading this.

This is one of the better popular forensics books I've read. Zugibe doesn't display the egotism that you feel seeping into the recently published books of a number of other well-known medical examiners/coroners/forensics experts and that casts some doubt on their conclusions. You have a sense that Zugibe is allowing the facts to speak to him directly, without letting a screen of self-aggrandizement get between him and his subjects.

There are good sections analyzing bullet wounds. There is an interesting chapter summarizing the errors the investigators/prosecutors made in the O. J. Simpson case - errors that could rightfully have cast doubts in the jurors' minds about the validity of the evidence against O.J.

Then there is an interesting chapter refuting the factual basis of Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ." I was just thinking how relatively level-headed and normal Zugibe was in comparison with some of the prima donnas in the field, when he revealed that he had studied crucifixion for fifty-two years, and so was well-qualified to pronounce on the accuracy of Gibson's movie. Fifty-two years studying crucifixion? That gave me pause. Nevertheless, the information he presents is telling. He says that from a medical point of view, Jesus could not humanly have remained alive, much less conscious, during the punishment he's shown receiving in this movie. Zugibe also found other inaccuracies, some of which are more common in movies about Jesus. For example, he says that Roman crucifixion never entailed having the victim drag his entire cross through the streets. The weight of the actual crosses would have made that impossible. Rather the Romans just had the victims shoulder one partial beam. I didn't expect to find this bonus of history in a book of forensic case studies.

Zugibe also has a few things to say about the Jon Benet Ramsey case that I hadn't read before. However this chapter shows again how much of forensics is still an inexact science. There can be as many interpretations of the evidence as there are forensic scientists. So while each analysis here is enlightening and adds to the picture, the main lesson you'll probably learn from this book is - you can't take any one scientist's opinion as gospel.

Using eleven of his most challenging cases, Dr. Zugibe takes readers through the analytic process followed by good pathologists. He then concludes "Dissecting Death" with reflections on two major murder cases that did not result in conviction - Jon Benet Ramsey, and O.J. Simpson.

Zugibe also points out that until the early 1960's, most crime-solving bureaus in the U.S. worked under the old coroner system - staffed mainly by pharmacists, laymen, general practitioners, or even undertakers. Most of the high-tech equipment routinely used today had not yet been invented. Then major leaps were made in analyzing fingerprints, body fluids, tissues, and trace materials. My major "take-away" from "Dissecting Death" is that a competent pathologist is essential to good law enforcement, and that we are fortunate to have them.

As for the Jon Benet Ramsey case, the most important failing raised by Dr. Zugibe was the delay in allowing the medical examiner to enter the scene and examine the body. However, it is also doubtful that this would have made much, if any difference. The O.J. case, however, suffered from at least three major prosecutorial blunders: 1)Requesting that O.J. try the suspected murder glove on - despite the fact that moisture makes leather shrink and it was very unlikely to have fit. 2)Trying to educate the jury on DNA with too many details. 3)Failing to admit that there had been some evidence-handling errors and that there were problems with Fuhrman's racial beliefs - and then insisting that the key issue was the fact that DNA evidence was the key - it DOES NOT provide false positives!

I enjoyed this book. I havent decided if I want to keep it for the library, so that eliminates it as a contender for 5 Stars; but it satisfies all of my criteria for a good read. The subject is interesting, the writing is good and it holds your attention. Plus there is none of the implausible-improbable stuff nor any 'what in hell was THAT all about?" moments. Zugibe comes across as a yeoman medical examiner doing a consistently competent job.

If you have any interest at all in forensic investigations, like to watch CSI, Foresnsic Files, Cold Case Files or Law and Order, this book is a MUST BUY. I literally could not put it down until I was finished! Easy read, ten case files that will have you riveted page after page. Ends with blunders in investigations.

Tight focus on the subject, the place and the people makes this history/tour guide fascinating and hard to put down. But it, then visit St. Paul.

You don't have to be from St. Paul to enjoy this book. It is one of my favorite Prohibition-Depression era gangster books. You got your Dillinger, Nelson, Barkers and the rest of the marquee names but then you also have Verne Miller, Holden & Keating and a vast array of others including the home growns like Dapper Dan Hogan, Leon Gleckman, the Gleeman Bros. One generally thinks of Chicago and New York City as the gangster paradises but the system St. Paul had in place proves otherwise. The treasure trove of photos is worth the cover price alone.

This is a great read for anyone who lives or works in St. Paul or just loves history.

Loved this book, I found out a lot of family history by reading this book!! Well written.

The book is a snoozer. Makes me wonder if the author got carried away with his parasitical attachment to the characters he embellished upon enough to blackmail the above reviewers. Really, don't bother.

Unlike the other reviewers, I cringed when reading this book and had to put it down two or three times before I finished reading it. It is filled with such raw emotion and undeniable passion that scream off the page to anyone who has ever been idealistic or ambitious or both. A cautionary tale of the company we keep and (despite our precautions) the inevitability and randomness of fate. This book forces an understanding of how close we all come to the abyss in which Alex wound up. But above all, Sins of South Beach is a great dispassionate book of the economic development of South Beach, enjoyable regardless of anyone's political and moral views.

Can't wait for the movie. Daoud's story is a remarkable tale of sex and politics. An eye-opening experience into the steamy and seedy history of South Beach before it was South Beach. Until I read it, I thought I knew the story of South Beach. Amazing description of the true XXX nature of South Florida politics. This book proves that Alex Daoud is afraid of nobody.

Easy reading story of the rise and fall of the longest serving, best loved Commissioner and Mayor of Miami Beach, Florida. Incredible true story of service, power, stupidity, greed, corruption and self destruction. Surprisingly well written in the first person by the man himself. Would have been a hit novel - except that it really happened. A must read for anyone who has lived in South Florida or has any interest in any local political scene. Movie shouldn't be long in coming.

This book kept me engrossed from start to finish. Every spare minute I was page turning. For those that understand where Miami Beach was when Alex started his political career to its metamorphosis into a world class destination will certainly have to be blown away by his contribution despite his travails.

The account is gutsy because it shies away from being polite to protect the powerful (guys that screwed Alex anyway). He names names.

At any rate Alex was a good guy loved by all, business guys and the little guys got his attention. He acted like a secret superhero to advance their causes. And in the end he did advance their causes.

The many characters in this book are fleshed out with such vibrance you feel you know them.

Also, what is interesting is his literary use of Miami Beach as a character. Not too disimilar to how Greek playwrights used their Chorus as barometer and character.

Sure he got paid off; but the politics of the time were entirely different. Miami Beach was in the worst shape. Broken down, crime ridden, not a place you would want to set foot in. Under his tenure, this brokedown palace was transformed into one of the greatest turnaround stories.

Guilty under the law sure. He paid his debt to society but in the balance Alex is a hero.

Keep on trucking Big Fella. You rock!!

Buy this book.

DBJ

Alex Daoud paints a breathtaking expose' that is powerful, intriguing, and, the best part...honest! I think it took alot of guts to not only "tell all" regarding the secret lives of the elite of South Beach with their real names, but also expose himself! Knowing the cast of characters first hand, Alex did an amazing job of conjuring up old imprints from movies like the Godfather, and placing the image over real people that are still weaving a web of influence over Miami!
What a read! You must grab up copies as you can't miss this jaw dropper! Should be a movie!
Keep up the great work!
You're my hero!

I love reading about how mds and police officials try to determine time of death, manner of death, etc. This book was hard to put down, and i looked forward to come home from work to get back into it.

This book is, for the most part, as deep as a conversation - like what you'd hear over dinner or having a beer - more than it is a real examination of the coroner's role and duties.

Don't get me wrong, this is a really nice first effort, but I come away feeling like I have not learned much about Dr. Cataldie or his office.

We learn that he takes his work seriously, it's a tough job and you can't let it get to you.

Don't get me wrong, I personally know people with similar positions, and it is a tough, demanding job that takes a toll most people will never realize. I wish everyone could understand the sacrifices Dr. Cataldie and others like him make each and ever day.

However, I do a little professional writing myself, and the most important lesson: Show, don't tell. Take us with you, don't just describe the trip. You got real close, particularly in the Conclusion chapter when he talks about some of the regular people who have needed his professional services. I'd like to hear more about them.

So for that Katrina book I hope you're working on, dig deep, buddy. I know you can do it.

I was totally involved with reading this book. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.
Very in depth, very well written, really does show the steps a coroner goes thru in a death and crime situation.
I felt as if I were on the investigating team. It really is a very good book, including much about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area.

This is book that is hard to put down. Cataldie takes you with him to crime scenes. He is a very detailed writer. I would love to find more books like this.

This was an excellent forensic case book. Not only do you get excellent cases but you also get the author's down to earth personality, concern for life and true emotions. If you enjoy forensic novels and case books - This is a definite must read!!

A first glance you would think this book is about the Hells Angels in particular. However, it is more of a primer about several of the major outlaw clubs here in the US and internationally. I found it interesting to see how all of the clubs tear into each other in their expansion for "market" or territory. If the ATF accounts are true and the book is accurate, then you will be amazed at just how organized these clubs have become in the past 20 years. No longer are they just the rowdy "good ol' boys" tearing down the highway looking for some good times. They have basically become international corporations with trademarked branding only a lot more dangerous than Sam Palmisano and the IBM "blue crew". Although, sometimes I wonder...

Written as if it were being put together for the History channel. I would put this just above "Under and Alone".

good account of the Hells Angels activity, related in an entertaining manner.

This is a great book - -there are a lot of facts so it isn't an easy read but very interesting just the same!

The Angels of Death is riveting book about the Hells Angels quest for global domination. Reads like a thriller where the most exciting part is about ATF's undercover operation. Well recommended and hard to put down.

my friend showed me this guy on youtube.com and said he wanted his book, but didn't have the cash. so I gave it to him on his birthday and he said it was great.

Bought this book because I saw the author on a judge show.

Book sucks.

Lame: So much lame, so little time. Okay, for all his talk, he drives into Canada with a primo ho and empty pockets. He has to beg another player for money. Huh? Lamer: His buddy, a certified player, claims his ho and he can score a quarter of a mil, cash, like snapping their fingers, but he works out of a basement, living on Salvation Army furniture. Lamest: White Folks is sued by his daughter on a TV court show for a few hundred in back rent. How lame is that? A player? I don't think so. Talks a good game, though.

I had to write a review out of sheer respect and give propers where they're do. My collection of "pimp & player" books encompass just about every title released and this book by far has the most substance, bar none. I felt like I was sitting down in the presence of a true player being schooled about the in's and out's of a variety of game while reading this book. I hope the author writes more because this is one of the best books in the genre to date. I highly recommend this book, it's worth more than what they're selling it for.

We saw this Man on a Court Tv show and he caught our interest so we ordered the book....WOW.....very interesting, but tends to be a learning manual even though he says it's not. Brings light to the underworld big time. Somewhat scary but very interesting reading.