True Crime Books

This is a facinating book about what was essentially Philadelphia's Irish Mob. A tough as nails group of burglers, and stick up men, who were not only exceedingly clever, but could fight and kill with the best of them as well. Even the Philly Mob (The Bruno/Scarfo/Merlino Family) and the Philly Black Muslim Mob, were wary of crossing into these guys territory or messing with them in or out of prison.

This book shows their transformation from first class burglars in the 50's, 60's and mid 70's to a powerfull organized crime group in the 80's and 90's, who ran a multimillion dollar "meth" ring, and did contract murder for the Italians. Like the Westies in NY and the Winter Hill Mob in Boston, the K&A boys were the last of the old time Irish mob, who ruled their territory with utter ruthlessness and cunning.

This is a very accurate book. I knew most of the people in this book because I grew up with them. Some were my friends.Many years later, as a detective at East Detectives , in Philadelphia, I saw them frequently.
As luck would have it, they were under arrest at those times. I was probably most friendly with Donnie Abrahms, known as "Don the Dude".
I was sorry to see he was still in the old neighborhood. At least he isn't in prison or dead as most of the old crowd is. This was very nostalgic reading for me.

Excellent book!!!! My father was "Raybo". He would have really enjoyed reading this book. Just as your dad had changed, mine did too. The stories from back then were fun to listen to over the years, but it was his past. I remeber him telling me his stories, and the funny comments he would say. I always wondered if he just added that stuff to make the story amusing, but when the author talks about when my dad got shot in the leg and he told the bartender to leave his drink he'd be back by last call I couldn't help but laugh. He REALLY was like that! He was always a funny guy:-)

I thought I was gonna die when I saw my fathers picture in this book as I stood in Barnes and Noble. I couldn't believe it!!!!!

P.S. EVERYTHING they did was against the law.....DUH

I grew up in Kensington and know several of the people referenced in the book. Therefore; the book probably had more impact on me than it would on others, but it is an interesting book much in the same vain as the movie Good Fellows. If you like stories about wise guys and crooks it is a great read

I am a philadelphian interested in the city's history. I have found that this book has provided insight into a section of philadelphia that i have traveled through but had no in depth knowledge of. The characters described in the narrative were colorful and resourceful,yet in the end met the end that was inevitable. A few of the main characters found some redemption,others did not. There is no fantasy in this book,it is hard realism. Mr. Hornblum is a competent chronicler

This is the rare true crime book that actually improves with a second reading; things that seem innocuous or commonplace the first time through will reveal their true nature and secrets on a reread. Thankfully, this book avoids the "victim beatification" too often found in other true crime books; here, the deceased is shown as she was, with both virtues and flaws. My only real complaints are that the end of the book feels a bit rushed, and that the author starts treating the suspect as guilty before the sentence is passed; it's well-established tradition in these books for the author to at least feign neutrality until the jury returns a verdict, at which time he or she is then free to let loose.

I read this book several years ago. Although it was well written, I would only recommend this book if there aren't any other true crime books to read. By the time I finished the book I knew more about the murderer than I did the victim.

Thomas French in his book UNANSWERED CRIES tells the story of Karen Gregory, a young woman who had just moved into her boyfriend's home when she brutually murdered by her neighor George Lewis: an all American boy next door with good looks and a career as a firefighter.

The main viewpoint stressed in UNANSWERED CRIES, and hence the title, is that many of Gregory's neighbors reported hearing a blood-curdling scream but did nothing that may have assisted Gregory. Most of her neighbors would live with the regret of having minded their own business as a young woman lay dying at the hands someone they all knew and trusted.

The one disappointing aspect of this book is that, despite the many references to victims' rights, there was no photograph included of Gregory; leaving readers to have to conjure their own image from the detailed writing.

This is an excellent piece of true crime writing. UNANSWERED CRIES is attention catching and thought provoking. As I finished, I found myself asking: "The next time I hear a scream resound through my neighborhood, what will I do?"

"Unanswered Cries" is first rate true crime. It is the story of Karen Gregory, a young Gulfport, FL woman murdered in her home in 1984. UC is most noteworthy because author French maintains suspense well into the text, much further than most murder tales. When the purp is finally collared, many readers will be surprised. Furthermore, the trial portion of UC is definitely more topsy- turvy than is normal. An aggressive, bullying defense team, at least one callow judge, and a seemingly plodding prosecution extend the mystery. Even the initial trial verdict fails to close the case right away. Throw into the mix questions of admissibility, endless trial motions and "jury quirks". We certainly can see the imperfections of the justice system. The OJs of the world can walk away. The result is some very satisfying reading for the true crime aficionado. A complete review must cite the fact that Karen did indeed scream at least once for help that fateful night, but her neighbors failed to respond. What happens? A good review doesn't divulge resolutions. Amazoners will just have to read for themselves but are certain to enjoy themselves doing so. There is also interesting local color provided, not all of it complimentary to the Gulfport/St Petersburg region. As my friend, Tundra has mentioned, UC provides no photo of the victim, a unique omission for the true crime field. The "Ann Rule rule" is waived for AC. Those pesky centerfold pictures don't reveal the ending but the back cover includes a huge clue as to the perp. Forewarned is forearmed. The nicest a reviewer can state about UC is to cite the printing history: 12 paperback printings since 1992. That is silent testimony to a superior true crime novel.

I read this book because a neighbor recommended it to me and Karen Gregory was murdered two blocks from my house. Although I did not move to Gulfport until 2005, this quaint little town will forever be in my heart.

While reading this book, I was saddened, sickened, surprised, and ultimately relieved in the end. As the title suggests Karen Gregory's cries were unanswered on the horrible night of her murder. Many neighbors heard the scream but no one called for help. Living in this caring little neighborhood, I was shocked.

Thank you Mr. French for your dedication to this book, I hope that it has knocked a little sense into this little community.

I recommend this book to anyone that wants a real, but certainly frightening, account of "A True Story of Friends, Neighbors, and Murder in a Small Town."

I am an organized crime buff and have read virtually every book on the subject that i can find. This book is one stop shopping! It provides a comprehensive history of all organized crime groups currently operating in the United States. I would recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the subject.

My Organized Crimes class in college used this book and I found it very helpful. It is not the kind of book you just sit down and read for fun, but one that you can gain a vast amount of knowledge from. It is very detailed and well researched. I was also lucky enough to have Dr. Britz teaching my class. The combination of her lectures and the information in the textbook was outstanding.

Although this book may give insight to every single gang and organized crime unit in the world, it is the most boring read ever. It is so detailed that if you're trying to get an overall view of organized crime, then you'll just be left frustrated. After reading this book I am overwhelmed and all the information is running together.

I have really enjoyed this book. I like true stories, and am especially interested in speed boat racing, and stories about how the Mafia infiltrates businesses, and eventually takes them over! It certainly is an interesting read.

If you have an interest in offshore racing, take the time and read this compelling book about the father of the the industry. Ever heard of Thunderboat row? Find out the impact he had on some of the largest manufacturers in the country, and their attempts to to keep him out of the boat building business. You will learn about the rise and murder of Don Aronow and how state law enforcement of Florida(at the time led by the infamous Janet Reno) either bungled the investigation, or for whatever reason, let his death go unsolved. You will learn of the allegation that Don Aronow had ties to the mob, South American drug smugglers, and to the DEA. At the end you can surmise what you will of what his life was about, but you can't take away what he meant to the sport of offshore racing. Read it and pay homage.

This book has to be the best summary of politics, drug running, the offshore powerboat industry, the Mafia, crime, corruption and intrigue that I have ever read!! Aronow was an old friend of my family's in New Jersey and when he got murdered we all waited for the book to come out, sure enough it did and was excellent. If you love the mob, fast boats, fast cars, fast horses and beautiful women, BLUE THUNDER is a MUST READ!! Enjoy . . . . . H.L., Florida

This book made me re-examine my opinion as to the death of the great Marilyn Monroe. The book was so well researched (by so many), debated and documented. I actually changed my opinion as to the mode of her tragic demise because of it...I still don't believe that MM intended to commit suicide, which correlates to BOTH of the author's final speculations as to how she died, but I am swayed by the opinion that others were (innocently) responsible for her death, due to gross negligence. This negligence made it absolutely necessary to hide the real way MM died. (it saved careers)...Her Dr.'s. had an unknowing hand in her death, and even Mrs. Murray, which would fit in to why she said, "Why, oh why, after all these years, do I have to keep hiding this..." Marilyn did not intentionally commit suicide...That is my opinion after reading this excellent book. Your opinion may be different...That is what is so great about this novel...It leaves room for the reader to formulate their own opinion based upon the facts presented...Read and enjoy!

Just finished the book this morning. Couldn't put it down since I purchased it a couple of days ago! I believe it has demystified so much here about Marilyn that it has to be very close to the last word on the subject. I took an interest in MM a few years ago and read many books on her. I was so impressed with her life that I wrote a three-act play called "Bye Bye Baby" about her last thee days. It hasn't been staged yet but one lives in hope! It was heavily biased by the Slatzer, Wolfe angle [murder] but since I read this book I'll have to re-write it removing this bias. After I read it I immediately went to Matthew Smith's Last Words to see if the DD Group's versions matched in any way. I believe, with a little bit of editing, it has second-guessed the Marilyn's tapes which weren't published at the time! It all makes sense now!!! However, although I really believed all along that she had been murdered, I now believe she did kill herself and that she made her mind up after RFK'S visit. It would seem that her whole world caved in then. When she asked Dr. Greenson "Did you take my Nembutal?" I think she was calling his bluff. She probably told him earlier that she only had one or two left and hid the 24 or 25. He may well have given her a shot of a small, controlled amount of Nembutal, with this knowledge in mind, when he returned, advising her to go to bed immediately. [I think most psychiatrists can and do give shots]. Remember that her total well-being depended almost entirely the esteem in which the Kennedys held her. If that was lost irretrievably, MM was lost. And it looked pretty final at 4.00 that Saturday. Dr. Greenson alone couldn't keep her from ending her life, even though he was indispensable to her in many ways. She was too intelligent for them all but must have made up her mind that afternoon.
MM must have felt lonelier that evening than any other time in her life and in that lonely bed in Brentwood she must have sobbed herself into that deep, deep sleep. I do believe now that she did say "Say goodbye to Jack..." to Peter Lawford. It's so, so tragic.
This book is a wonderful, intelligent and compassionate insight!!! I am forever in their debt.


Seoirse O Dochartaigh, Donegal, Ireland

David Marshall's "The DD Group: An Online Investigation Into the Death of Marilyn Monroe" is a must-read for anyone interested in learning the truth about the premature demise of Hollywood's most enduring star. The book examines all aspects of Miss Monroe's death by carefully reconstructing her final hours and analyzing the facts in a logical, detailed, and organized manner. Medical and forensics evidence is carefully dissected, and the possible agendas and questionable credibility of several key associates of Miss Monroe's {as well as a number of contemporary biographers} is presented for consideration. The book contains numerous startling new facts never revealed in any other Monroe biography, information which is compelling, ground-breaking and startling in the extreme. The intense research conducted by the participants of the group is impressive and unprecedented, and Mr. Marshall did an admirable job condensing what must have been an intimidatingly vast amount of information into a concise, well-written and thoroughly gripping investigative report. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for the truth about what happened to Marilyn Monroe on the night she died. Fact and fantasy will become very easy to discern, and readers will arrive at a possible conclusion which is credible, realistic, and devoid of sensationalism. This book is a tremendous accomplishment, and you will never look at the death of Marilyn Monroe the same way again.

I liked the format of this book, researcher sharing comments and formulating their opinions. Perhaps a better way of looking at what happened than individual writers have done. Worth a look see.

What a remarkable detailed account of Marilyn's last days. The book focuses mostly on the last day however gives detailed information from other times that relate to the events on Aug.4, 1962. This would be a good book for someone just beginning to research MM or for someone who has read all before it and has their own conclusions about her death, since this book references other popular biographies written about Marilyn. This book is great becuase it's only purpose is to provide detailed information both before and after death so as to help the reader decide on their own conclusion. Although the author has his own beliefs which he shares with the reader, there is absolutely no intention of pursuasion to try and promote any one idea or theory. A personal thanks goes out to David Marshall and all who helped make this book possible, as it the best read on Marilyn Monroe I have come across yet. I have read many biographies and documentaries on Marilyn, and absolutely could not put this book down. I hope all others will enjoy it as much as I have.

This book was recommended to me by a few people and I read it long before I saw the movie "Owning Mahoney". You follow the footsteps of an "everyday Joe" and the overwhelming compulsion that can drive a man who is very honest and moral into committing acts that he would have never dreamed possible. The book also shows firsthand how it is not only the gambler's life who is decimated, but that of his family, friends, and employer. The book is a true story of a life that spiraled out of control, but shows that redemption is possible. If this subject interests you, I highly recommend reading the book and skipping the movie. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives a five star performance, but the movie doesn't begin to capture the depth of pain that Brian Molony caused those around him. Truly a fascinating read.

Even though I knew what happened in the end, I found this book fascinating and compelling. I chose it as a 'before bed' book because I thought it would be easy to put down. It wasn't, and I lost a nights sleep, but gained a great read!

Wow. This book jumps you. I read it out of curiosity, having seen the film version "Owning Mahowney" (sic).

I was unprepared for what a hard-working journalist can do to ignite your feel for the main character. Magnificently well researched, and woven with the artistic sensibility of a Truman Capote (I'm thinking "In Cold Blood").

I'm quite disappointed not to see anything else available by this writer. Of course, I have no idea if he's even alive. But my hat's off to him in any event.

I'm curious re Mr. Molony as well. I hope his life's proved as worthwhile as he would wish.

You cannot regret buying this one. No way.

"Easy read" one reviewer stated earlier. Well, I guess if shallow drivel is easily read this is a fair assessment. This book both simultaniously infuriated and bored me. This is a poorly composed (and proofread) account of a mother's experience when her daughter is abducted and murdered by a former friend. The mother, a self-centered, fly-by-night sort who flits in and out of marriages and relationships all through her daughter's life, blames her daughter's college, her ex-husband and anyone else who she can point at for the decisions her daughter made leading up to this tragic event. Sadly, she has neither the insight nor maturity to examine anything in herself, or to question whether the roller coaster ride of good times she dragged her daughter along on since she was born might not have been one of the contributing factors.

The author is intent on convincing us that she is a "friend" to her daughter who "knows everything about her", and then spends the entire book commenting that she "never knew" about such details as her daughter losing her virginity, sneaking boys into her home while she was gone, drug use, etc. By trying to be her daughter's friend first, she managed to raise someone who was completely unprepared for the world and decent adult relationships. She is amazed when she discovers that her 17 year-old "baby" has had sex with mostly men who are far older than she, although she outlined in detail early on the many ways in which she deprived her daughter of any stable male influence. No onder the daughter was hopping into bed looking for "daddy". Mommy wasn't doing much good at home.

Aside from those items I've listed above, the writing itself is incredibly poor, and things of importance are never delved into half as deeply as descriptions of outfits someone is wearing or what was shopped for before a party. We never actually learn who anyone in this book is, not the victim and certainly not the murderer himself, as the mother spends the entire book giving lackluster daily diary entries as to what she said to CourtTV or what she gave the Marriott staff as a thank you for how well they treated her.

Save your money and your time and wait until someone who can write covers this story someday.

I just finished reading this book and was surprised by a few things. First of all the mother, Janet, writes about knowing everything about her daughter, Taylor, and that they were friends. Being the Mother of two daughters, I know that I do not know everything about them, and I am not their friend in the true sense of the word, I am their Mother. Also, Janet goes on to describe the food at the hotel, how much she slept, and that she did NOT attend the vigil that people had for her daughter while she was missing. What Mom, knowing that her daughter is missing, writes about eating, sleeping, and NOT going to a vigil for your daughter? If my daughter was missing, I would be all over the place looking for her and doing what I could to find her. It almost seems like she was relying on other people to find her daughter. As for telling her dauther's killer, who happened to be 20 years older than her, 'take care of her'. NO! I am sorry but I would definitely have expressed my concern to my daughter about hanging out with a man 20 years older than her. Her daughter was only 17. Although I feel so bad for Taylor and Taylor's family, I was left with so many questions regarding the behavior of Taylor's mother. I think she seems selfish and she should have left well enough alone and just be content with Taylor's memory. Very disturbed by the book and would not recommend it, especially if you have daughters of your own.

If You Have a Teenage Daughter, Or Know someone who does, this is a MUST Read. Even If You have No children, this Book will Touch Your heart! It is Not written to be some "Must Have Library addition" ..rather a story written in plain simple english about the mothers feelings, and it follows thru the Taylors Birth to her horrible death. I read this Book in two Days. It is a Good read I Reccomend it to all. If Your Looking for books with More "depth" to them.. this isnt it. I Cant beleive People critizied the book for Spelling or grammmar errors.. who cares? Its about the story! And this is a SAD ONE! Its a Good easy read, If You Like true Crimes, This is Perfect for you.

I have read the book and read these reviews of this book. I think this book brings to reader into the life of the family. You understand how they live their lives and how much love was shown between the mother and daughter. You can feel the love. As others have stated they seemed extreme close for a mother and daughter at that age. I wish I my daughter was more like Taylor. My heart goes out to both Matt and Janet. I just can't imagine what you went through. This book seems to be a theraby or type of closure for Janet. I hope it helped.
Brad, you Airport Friend

Like it's been said before, this is a very sloppily put together book, withe numerous proofreading and typesetting errors. Obviously it was a quickie job.

This should have been a very interesting story. Seventeen year old girl disappears within days of coming to an urban university; eventually it is determined that she was murdered by an incredibly strange 38 year old man who had been her lover. It should have made for a great crime novel. One day maybe one will be written about this case. But this book was written by Taylor Behl's mother (with help, of course) and it is anything but objective and informative.

Janet Pelasara was obviously a troubled woman even before she lost her only child. Self-absorbed and immature, she goes from marriage to marriage, from America to Europe and back again, restless, never satisfied. She is distainful of Taylor's father, and disparages him in her book. She dotes on her "achingly beautiful" daughter Taylor, who she believes is close to perfection. Pelasara is of the "anything your little heart desires" school of parenting, and gives her daughter pretty much anything she wants, if it's within her power to give it and praises her to the skies. As a result, Taylor is of the belief that life is going to be a bowl of cherries, and that there will be nothing but smooth sailing in her future. But obviously there is something missing emotionally in this girl's life, because she tended to gravitate towards "damaged" people in hopes of "fixing" them. Pelasara attibutes this to her daughter's loving, sweet nature, but in reality it was co-dependence. After her daughter's death, Pelasara finally had to admit her daughter's weakness.

Taylor Behl obviously had a dark side that she no doubt tried to keep secret from her mother. She recklessly embarked on questionable sexual relationships (sex with four men before age 18, one of them a bizarre 38 year old man, and a possible lesbian experience), and rebelled by getting a pierced nose (she also was planning on getting a tatto; Pelasara was all for that, since she knew it would anger Taylor's father) and dabbling in witchcraft. In fact, she was so into witchcraft that she wanted to host a coven! Pelasara didn't go along with that one, at least.

And then there is Ben Fawley. This very weird man is barely touched upon in this book. His story would probably constitute a book in itself. A good true crime writer would have delved much deeper into the personality and behavior of this truly odd killer who managed to pass himself off as a kid for so long.

This book can be summed up in a sentence or two: "beautiful, wonderful, darling, sweet, loving girl killed by awful monster. The end." There is much more to this story and these two people, Taylor Behl and Ben Fawley, than that.

I hope a good true crime writer writes a book about this case. "Love Your More" does nothing but tell the world what a wonderful, special, darling, loving, beautiful, etc. girl Taylor Behl was.

This is the first book I have ever read about Lizzie Borden. I was aware of the basic facts when starting this book, and I was pleased to find that it presented a fairly comprehensive overview of the case. However, the accusation of a secret son of Andrew Borden's just doesn't make sense. The entire theory of his guilt is based on the testimony of one or two people and their vague recollections of years long past. It seems that Brown found a new theory that hadn't been played out before, and then manipulated the facts AROUND that theory, instead of letting the facts speak for themselves. There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that William Borden had anything to do with the crime, and the entire last chapter consists of pages and pages of pure speculation.

I was extremely disappointed with this book. Mr. Brown does have a gift for writing, and the first several chapters were nicely arranged to pique one's interest in the final explanation promised at the end. Having put my nose to the grindstone to get quickly to this explanation of what really happened that day, I was very upset when I reached it. The author fails to wrap up many (even most?) of the loose ends he creates. Worse, his ability to creatively excite the imagination in the eariler chapters becomes a handicap in this flop of a finale.

I have read many books about this case and I say without any hesitation that this book is very enjoyable, very concise and elaborates on points that many other books just say....Lizzie did it. We all know she was accused of murder, not found guilty. I personally don't think that she did. Think about it? I woman of small stature killing 2 people with a hatchet? And not just a couple of blows.....19 for her stepmother (over 200 pounds) and 11 for her father. She may have been guilty of greed which the author also elaborates on. I am afraid to say that many people take the easy way out, jump on the bandwagon and say...oh, Lizzie did it! Explore some other possibilities. This author has researched two full years....uncovered some material that has been overlooked and spent some genuine time preparing thoughts and tying all the ends together in a book that is both engaging and believable.

Yet,it still is not the best reading.Nowhere does it mention about the enemies of Andrew Borden.The dour Andrew Borden had acquired a small list of angry business partners,that may have sought revenge.Borden's parsimonious lifestyle crimped the social moblity of his daughters.There is a strong possiblity that John Morris committed the crimes.Morris knowing the weight of suspecion would fall on the Borden Sisters.Why would the charwoman Bridget Sullivan kill her employers off?Perhaps to receive a portion of the inheritence from the Borden sisters?Would Billy Borden resort to parricide to avenge his misbegotten birth?Billy Borden was disowned by Andrew and his second wife,Abby.In 1901,Billy was found hanging from a tree.Was it a staged suicide,a murder perhaps?Helen Egan added the Billy Borden story years later,around the hamlet of Fall River.Is it not strange that John Morris could resite the names of all nine Irish catholic priests on the trolley-car that humid day of the murders?Was he and later Henry Hawthorne coached by Helen Egan? And was it not strange that stage-actress Nance O'Neill moved into the new Maplecroft house,six months after the trial vindicated Lizzie of the murders?Bridget Sullivan died in 1941,at a Wyoming hospital,still admiring Lizzie.Nance O'Neill died at Englewood,New Jersey,in 1965,never speaking about her past 'Boston Marriage' with Lizzie. This book raises some of the best questions about the never-ending Lizzie subject.And i think a better one can be written still. Above average reading.(N.B.-Lizzie's second street bedroom goes for 250 dollars per night,and 350 during the peak season.So,book well in advance.)

Brown claims that he has an anonymous, now deceased source who knew Andrew Borden's here-to-fore unknown illegitimate son, William. This William, who is described as being very fond of his axe, is supposed to have claimed to have murdered his father & stepmother. Lizzie was supposed to have been an accessory, keeping quiet, risking the trial, in return for an early inheritance. Naturally, we cannot read the source for ourselves, and I must wonder if William Borden's story, recounted years later (he was talking to his hatchet at the time) is entirely to be trusted even if Brown's witness has been absolutely accurate about everything that he heard.

The problem is, there is little proof. Even supposing that Brown's research into William Borden's birth is correct, and that he has drawn the proper conclusion about his real paternity, even supposing that his informant is absolutely correct, there is no evidence for the details of the killing or Lizzie's involvement. Brown starts by talking about political corruption; no doubt it exists, but that doesn't prove that it was operative in this case.

Possible, but no compelling evidence. I'd recommend David Kent's Forty Whacks: New Evidence in the Life and Legend of Lizzie Borden as the best book on the subject