True Crime Books

Jerry Layne Rogers, Sr. -- wrongfully convicted and innocent. From 1989 - 1992, I was his investigator at CCR.

Mr. Rogers' case consisted in 1992 of at least 80 boxes of documents, from court files, prosecutor and law enforcement files, trial and evidentiary hearing transcripts, etc. Mr. Rogers's case was the largest and most complicated that CCR [The Office of Capital Collateral Representative -- a state agency in the judicial branch of Florida government] has ever represented that I am aware of.

The second largest and most complicated was that of Mr. Gerald Stano, whose lead attorney during most of the development of his case was Mark E. Olive.

In 1995, Mr. Rogers began receiving pro bono representation from the Washington, D.C. law firm Covington and Burling. The result was an unanimous Florida Supreme Court (FSC) 26 page opinion ordering a new trial in Mr. Rogers' case due primarily to prosecutorial misconduct, in particular Brady v. Maryland violations.

To read the opinion, go to the FSC website, then at "Public Information", to the recent opinions, to the year 2001, then toward the bottom at February 15, 2001, one will find the FSC opinion.

During the summer of 2002, Mr. Rogers was re-convicted, however sentenced to life upon the jury recommendation. Now twice Mr. Rogers has been wrongfully convicted.

In 2004, the Florida 5th District Court of Appeal denied relief. The FSC declined to accept jurisdiction and thus denied the petition for review.

Mr. Rogers' case is pending Federal review.




For those interested in reading the narrowly decided by four to three vote Florida Supreme Court opinions regarding two more death sentenced persons whose innocence is an authentic issue, please go to the FSC website, then go to the recent opinions, then chose the correct year and scroll down to the following two cases:

Roy Swafford: April 18, 2002

Peter Ventura: May 24, 2001


Additionally, the issue in the below cases is DNA testing that proves that Roy Swafford did not rape Brenda Rucker:

Roy Swafford: March 26, 2004 Case Nos. SC03.931 and SC03.1153

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is about persons sent to death row to await execution, but who were later set free due to mistakes in our judicial systems.

The book includes several examples of public servants who serve their own interests by lying and sending innocent people to death row. One story that stands out for me: Earl Charles was convicted for a double murder that took place in 1974 in Savannah, Georgia while he was living and working in Tampa, Florida. According to evidence described in the book, it is apparent that Detective F.W.Wade used perjury and coercion to get the conviction. The thing that saved Charles was that his boss, the manager of a gasoline service station, did not trust him. The boss had asked a deputy sheriff to look in on him from time to time which he did. The sheriff also kept a log which showed that Charles was at work on the day of the murders. When Charles was convicted and sentenced to the electric chair, his former employer and the deputy sheriff came to his rescue at the request of Charles' mother. His conviction was vacated and he was set free after spending 3 years awaiting execution.

The book also contains examples of people who were set free who probably were guilty in reality. Consequently, additional light is shed on how and why our legal system fails. When guilty criminals go free on technicalities, police are motivated to try harder the next time - even to the point of fabricating evidence so as to win instead of lose. The book also concludes that while many innocent people have been freed from death row it is mathematically probable that a high number of innocent people have been executed.

At times I found it depressing. Mitigating my depression was the fact that woven throughout are heroes who stood up for the truth.

The book was sketchy in places. 101 people are freed from death row in 290 pages. That's about 3 pages per person. I would have liked to see a little more depth to rate it 5 stars. Still, there are so many cases, the book has value a reference. It also serves well the notion that these occurrences are not extraordinary, made-for-TV, examples. They happen repeatedly in many states. You have to read it to believe it. The book also demonstrates that our system for capital punishment in the U.S. is still broken as of this writing.

I live in Indiana, very close to the border with Illinois. Our local news comes out of Chicago, Illinois, and since a large portion of the stories included in this non-fiction novel took place in the "Land of Lincoln" I was very familiar with a lot of the cases.

As I state in my title of this review, I am pro-death penalty. But I believe this book proves that our judicial system needs to improve greatly. The stories in this book are proof that there are flaws in the system - as I believe there will always be, in any system. The problem is that in many of these cases common sense should have stopped a wrongful conviction. It didn't, and Stanley Cohen does a fantastic job of pointing that out.

Now, why am I still pro-death penalty. Because I believe, as long as America allows the murder of the most innocent human life (a child in the womb), our justice system should be allowed to dole out the most harshest punishment available for the act of murder on those outside the womb. Elaborating on this - in Cohen's book he uses a quote from Clarence Darrow: "There isn't, I submit, a single admissible argument in favor of capital punishment. Nature loves life. We believe that life should be protected and preserved. The thing which keeps one from killing is the emotion they have against it; and the greater sanctity that the state pays to life, the greater the feeling of sanctity the individual has for life."

I couldn't agree more. And I look forward to the day when anti-death penalty activists line up outside abortion clinics with their message of supporting the sanctity of life. The day I see this happening, I will join the Stanley Cohen's of the world and march with them outside a scheduled execution, protesting the extreme punishment. Cohen, feel free to take me up on this, if you dare.

All that aside, Stanley Cohen's book is packed with a lot of great reading. I can't imagine the pain and suffering a person wrongly convicted must endure, and of course, reading this book is not going to make me understand how it feels. But I can say it has opened my eyes to how blatantly wrong many of these prosecutions have been handled. This book is also written in a rapid-fire manner, that you almost have to take a break from every so often. I tried to remind myself that most of time, the death penalty is not given to innocent men. But then I had to remind myself, just once, and the horror for that one is enough.

I plan on reading this book through again. I find most non-fiction books to be a boring read, but Cohen is a great writer - he manages to never bore the reader, and makes a brilliant presentation in this book.

It amazes me that there are not hundreds of reviews posted here. This book should be a TOP TEN BESTSELLER! Just another example of how hype and timing play into that list.

Buy this book no matter what side of the aisle you're on. It is a MUST READ. Have I mentioned that yet?

See ya next review.

I was actually disapointed in this book. Given the authors background I was hoping for a book that went into some detail into his methods, beliefs and techniques of crisis negotiation. What I got was a very light but enjoyable read that covered his career in the FBI (including his battles with the beaucracy which I felt did not add to the story) and four incidents of crisis negotiating, which had some good basic tips. Waco got a mention - but only to say he will leave it to the next book - rather frustrating.

My recommendation is, if you want a book on techniques, buy one of the others on the market (for example Van Zandt's fellow ex-agent Fred Lanceley's "On Scene Guide for Crisis Negotiators", or even Frank Bolz 'Hostage Cop"), but if you want a good read and an interesting story then this would be a good book to get.

I recommend this book to any one who enjoys a true-to-life FBI drama.
Each chapter told a different edge-of-your seat story about this author's fascinating life as a negotiator/profiler for the FBI.
Exceptional book and a great read!

I really enjoyed this book and it had many interesting thoughts and details for someone looking to get into the FBI, like myself. However, I felt it layed a little too heavily on his family issues and Christian background. Not that I'm opposed to either, but I had assumed, by the synopsis of the book that the author would go into more detail about high profile cases he had worked on but did the exact opposite. He talked about cases that were probably least known to anyone reading the book. Still, it was a good read but don't pick it up if you expect to read about cases like the Oklahoma City bombing or the Unabomber.

I enjoyed this book. I have great respect for the author's insight and experiences. His views into hostage psychology were enlightening for me and should be an eye opener for those interested in hostage negotiations. I found this book to be a very fast read and very interesting and while I found parts to be somewhat glib, it is recommended for those interested in the workings of the FBI and those with an interest in what the FBI does and the human feelings experienced in the performance of their difficult duties as FBI Agents.

"Facing Down Evil" is a legitimate, keenly observed look at the FBI and Hostage Negotiations by one of it's key players. Van Zandt brings a unique perspective of the Bureau to the page. He is real in his emotion and attitude and doesn't play the glory card so many others do in their memoirs. You actually feel as if you walk a mile in his shoes and it is a tough, yet gratifying path. Van Zandt succesfully intertwines stories of his personal life with his carreer and in doing so draws his audience in and keeps them wanting more untill the last page is turned.

Skeletons in the Closet: Stories from the County Morgue covers puzzling forensic mysteries culled from a range of co-author Stephen Cohle's cases as medical examiner for Kent County, Michigan: his accounts will appeal to a broad audience, from health and criminal justice studies college-level libraries to public lending libraries. Over twenty riveting, real-life stories offers a forensic mystery and twist, making for a striking collection.

Officer Cronin's story is, by turns, inspriational and horrifying. The writing is surely supra-saline. The descriptions of conditions and life on Chicago's West Side are so realistic, one wishes this were a work of fiction. Alas, it is all too true, God help us.
Recommendation: Buy it if you can. Read it if you dare.

What a Book! It shows the seamy underbelly of the City. Reading This book made me wonder how we can ever break the cycle of drugs and the lifestyle that goes with that that is perpetuated from generation to generation. I think of the little kids sitting on a urine soaked mattress in a "smoke house" watching their parents smoke and/or sell crack and the bigger kids being lookouts for $100.00 a day. No wonder they don't want to go to school. I don't know what the answer is and there is no answer in the book. This is a social workers nightmare. It reminds me of Dante's Inferno where at the entrance into Hell it says "Abandon Hope All ye Who Enter Here". How do they break out? I don't think they want to break out. They are captives of their habit.
Policemen like Cronin can only keep the problem from spilling over into other communities but can never stop what is going on in this community.
It is a picture of a subculture that most of us will never visit. It makes me feel there is no solution for this problem.

I enjoy the writing style of Diane Fanning. I feel as though I know the people involved by the time I finish the book. I feel their anguish and pain of losing a loved one in such a horrendous way. The crime is what most true crime readers want to read about. With this case, anyone can probably guess the outcome of the trial. In my opinion there is obviously mental issues as with Andrea Yates in cases like this. I had no idea there were so many caesarian abductions so that information was a plus.

It was obvious the author went to great lengths to conduct interviews and put a great deal of research into this book. I had no idea there were so many c-section abductions which was a plus through the research Ms. Fanning included in the back of the book. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a well researched book.

I've been a fan of true crime books for many years and have several favorites that I read. However, in March of 2006, I met Diane Fanning when I moderated a panel she was on at the Festival of the Book. To prepare for our panel discussion, I read two of her books and I was hooked. She takes the true crime book to a new level that I appreciate.

She doesn't just give the well publicized facts of the case, but she digs deeper. In Baby Be Mine, she gave a lot of information which some may consider to be unnecessary and I was a little confused at first. However, as I continued to read, I realized she was giving us information about the collateral damage that was caused by this act of violence. The repercussions were felt by many people in many areas and not just the immediate family of the victim.

I found the information she wove into the book about similar crimes to be very enlightening and it gave more depth to the Bobbie Jo Stinnett murder. For this case, murder does not seem like a sufficient description of the crime perpetrated on her. I appreciated the additional information that was included in the book and feel it made the content even more compelling. I have two other books of Diane's in my to be read pile and hope to read them soon.

I can't stand these ambulance chaser true crime books. Way too soon with no trial and very little information. The author barely squeaks out enough pages for this to be called a book and instead pads it with all sorts of filler from other unrelated cases. Poor writing and worst of all it's boring. Stay far away from this terrible stinker.

Diane Fanning, in my opinion, should either return to penning novels or enter the news or magazine writing arena.

Most of her books appear to be written too soon and be woefully lacking in detail. I see people writing about her 'research' for this particular book; but I don't see the results in the book itself, at least with regard to this specific case.

The book includes more research on this 'type' of crime; which appears to be prevalent, but the seemingly endless detours into other cases, coupled with the lack of information about this specific tragedy, are very distracting to the reader trying to glean information about the crime committed by Lisa Montgomery against Bobbie Jo Stinnett and her family.

'Baby Be Mine' is an example of another incident becoming much too prevalent; rush-to-the-press, poorly-written, underdeveloped true-crime books that do not do justice to the victim's lives or to the genre.

Thankfully the outcome of the crime was completely just, even if this book was not. Montgomery was found guilty and given the death sentence by the jury. At least there will be legal justice for Bobbie Jo's memory and family. A better-written book would have included the trial and its outcome.

I would not recommend the purchase of this book as it leaves the reader entirely unsatisfied and feeling as though the entire exercise of the writing and reading was a waste of time. Bobbie Jo's story is not justly told in 'Baby Be Mine'.

I am interested in Forensics and Criminology. A friend of mine told me about this book. It was written by the Allegheny County Coroner in Pennsylvania. It was neat to know that a far-local had written this book. The beginning of the book is very interesting and keeps you reading. However, after about the middle of the book it goes to before the murder of Jon Benet and talks about the history of the Ramsey family and neighbors. If you are interested in Criminology this would be a good book to read and learn how the evidence and case was destroyed.

I am a true crime fan and the two books i recently read made me return to the JonBenet Ramsey case since they 'explain' in theory what may have happened and 'what may have happened' is simply not for everyone. but if you are open-minded enough the books i mention are Trance-formation of America by Cathy O'Brien and The Biggest Secrets by David Icke. The latter is a conspiracy theorist and the former a self-described victim of MK-ULTRA mind control. None of the books are on the JonBenet case but it all comes together if you read them. Here's an excerpt from Icke's book:

...JonBenet was murdered on Christmas Eve and Josef Mengele created a sacrificial ritual for this date called "The Last Bulb of the Christmas Tree". Mengele's pseudonym, Greenbaum, means green tree and relates to the Cabalistic Tree of Life. A Brotherhood term for the devil is JonBet and the coincidence is so amazing that, given the other circumstances, I cannot believe this was not the true inspiration for her name.

this book wasnt up to my expectations so im not even going to waste my time writing much in this review.basically this book is titled"who killed jonbenet ramsey?"but all it really talks about is the autopsy report and the anuthors views on who killed jonbenet and why.
basically if youve read the newspaper articles youve read all that this book contains.dont waste your money on this book-its all been said before

I believe that this book contains very well written information of facts gathered from the Ramsey's investigation. This book can not tell us who killed JonBenet, it can really only leave us to believe who we think may have killed her. I believe that this book has a great aspect on the slaying of JonBenet and I would strongly recommend this book.

This book really kept me turning the pages. It was a very fast reader if you enjoy true crime novels. The book is basically about a forensic expert reading over JonBenet's autopsy and coming to shocking conclusions that could lead to justice for JonBenet! I would definately reccommend this terrific book. One of the best on the JonBenet Ramsey case.

I say, a 'frustratingly' good read because that is how most of it m ade me feel: Frustrated.
Readingt his book, I can't tell you how many times aloud I would say, WTF? or Oh my gosh, or Wow, or Why? and was left asking many more questions.
Steve Thomas did a great job writing this book and showing a side of the police department and the crooked D.A. that nobody would have ever known about had it not been put into words.
I still believe the Ramsey family had something to do with this child's MURDER. I think they somehow paid off the DA. And I really believe that Alex Hunter needs to have his arse handed to him some day for all the criminal stuff he pulled. The Ramseys' actions were so strange and it seems they avoided the police from the beginning, even leaving the crime scene soon after JB's body was "found." I still can't get over the fact that they never gave up their phone or credit card records or the clothes they wore the night/morning of.
I wanted to read this to get a better understanding of the case since I didn't know too much about it. It really left a bitter taste in my mouth. It became such a media circus and seems that somewhere in that circus, this was lost: a little girl was murdered and someone got away with it.
The touch DNA, in my opinion, doesn't prove jack. SO many people touched this little girl and the evidence after the crime so it could have come from anywhere.
Great read but I can guarantee you will be really upset after reading it.

These authors, one a detective--which is stunning--presumed Patsy Ramsey was guilty until proven innocent.

That concept, from a so-called detective, is unbelievable, yet true.

The recent program where Lou Smit revealed that Hunter tried to block him (Smit) from testifying before the grand jury and where Hunter tried to obtain Smit's evidence--legally tried, not merely asked, etc.--makes this book an embarrassment to the authors.

The recent DNA evidence just adds to their embarrassment.

Have these authors no shame? You decide.

CNN) -- Recently developed "touch DNA" technology has cleared all members of JonBenet Ramsey's family of her slaying, authorities said Wednesday.

Boulder County District Attorney Mary Lacy said no one in the Ramsey family is considered a suspect and formally apologized in a letter to John Ramsey for the cloud of suspicion his family has lived under for nearly 12 years.

"To the extent that we may have contributed in any way to the public perception that you might have been involved in this crime, I am deeply sorry," Lacy wrote. Read the letter from the District Attorney »

Instead, DNA tests conducted earlier this year point to an "unknown male," in the 6-year-old child beauty pageant contestant's December 1996 slaying.

Wonder if ole super sleuth Steve will write another book about where he went so wrong? Will he apologize publicly to the Ramsey's? Will he say the DNA is wrong (LOL) or another conspiracy/cover up by the DA's office, will he simply admit he was wrong?

Talk about a big ole plate of crow to eat...............

I believe Steve Thomas had JonBenet's interests at heart but he was quick to judge and his hypothetical theory has been proven incorrect. She was not pushed into an object with rage over a bedwetting incident. The handwriting expert he based his opinion on regarding the ransom note was discredited and this was before this book was published. Every forensic expert agrees that she was hit in the head by a direct blow to the skull with either a flashlight or a bat with enough force to kill a 3001b man yet he will not admit his mistakes. None of the experts agree as to which came first, the head blow or strangulation but whichever it was they were done within seconds of each other. Although parents can and do kill their children, this child was tortured before she was killed. In addition to that Steve Thomas' deposition was released to the public after a lawsuit brought by the Ramseys in which him and his publisher had to settle and pay the Ramseys. The deposition clearly shows that he embellished the facts to fit his twisted theory. His ego just got the better of him.

This book is THE must read in regards to cutting beyond (and behind) the politics of the Denver DA's department and into what the investigative team found, concluded, and trusts as the real story here. While JonBenet most likely will never get justice in this world, this book stands as testimony to truth, written by a man consumed by nothing more than truth and justice. Suspend the notion that an attractive, wealthy American family could do something so evil-murder happens. The crime in this story was the cover-up known only to those in that house on that night in the deepest, darkest corners of a celler. Steve-thanks for your passion and dedication in searching for the truth and putting the real investigation down in words. Read this book to understand this tragedy.

In regards to the absurd news via Mary Lacy that new DNA testing totally exonerates the Ramsey family; total bias and far over-reaching by a public official. Simply astounding after the fiasco that Lacy put the nation through just a few years ago with the phony kooky supposed Jon-Benet killer extradited to Colorado. She was totally and thouroughly embarrassed, and this is yet another instance of her trying to prove she's right. I smell a personal agenda here. This serves to further substantiate Steve Thomas's point about how corrupt the Denver DA department is in terms of the politics of this case and protecting their own legacy.

Lacy wrote a personal note to John Ramsey with personal gusto born of bias. The DNA they feel excludes the Ramsey's is probably contamination; what it doesn't do is answer any of the questions already on the table. What does she say about that ransom note written with insider knowledge and in Patty's Ramsey's handwriting? (albeit lefthanded to throw-off analysis-definitely a females writing).
I could go on.........nothing new here and certainly nothing to mitigate all of the circumstantial evidence that this crime and scene was staged. Stupendous.

Read this book, study the ransom note, understand what circumstantial evidence is, set emotion aside.

This is an important title if one can believe organized crime figures. Did the Mafia plan Casto's murder? Or, did it BS the federal government? There's some pretty good arguments for Castro wanting to get even with Kennedy and the Bay of Pigs fiasco. And, with Kennedy's initial statements that he would free Cuba. Highly recommended for Mafia fans as well as JFK assassination students.

A outstanding naration of Frank Ragano's life and career, and of the nature of one Santo Trafficante Jr..A perfect example of getting too comfy with the wrong crowd. A tale about how connections can give you incredible power or crush and reduce you to nothing. I couldn't put this book down. This book will have you rooting for an underdog lawyer at first. By the middle of the book you'll seriously question his morals and judgement. But by the end of the book you'll began to understand how vulnerable we all are to power . Hell, being honest I probably would've fallen into Santo's trap as well. He seemed honorable. But Frank Ragano, being Sicilian, should have known better. Cuba, Bay of Pigs, JFK, and Hoffa........need I say more?

I was overwhelmed by the reviews, both positive and negative. The book only reveals some of the highlights of my
father's career. It captures the essence of what really transpired between Hoffa, Trafficante, and Marcello. He was in an unusual position to be able to represent all three of these men at once. According to my father, it was "tantamount to being counsel for General Motors." The book explores the uneasiness of trying to represent your clients zealously, yet ethically. In the end, though, he crossed the line of objectivity: Your never socialize with your clients, he would warn. When he was fighting Bobby Kennedy ("The General") in court, all too often he would refer to it as: "Their enemies became my enemies." The book reveals the inter-workings of a truly brilliant criminal defense attorney. It also shows how insightful these mafia chieftains were to the american public being exposed to drugs, particularly cocaine. This is later demostrated in John Gotti's interactions with the mob. I am very proud of him and I think he would be very proud of me, although I concentrate my practice in family law, where the clients are less difficult.

I read the book years ago and in my opinion the most compelling "insider" account of mafia mores...It is true that most true crime mafia tales are written by or with the help of mob members, hence the dubious veracity of some facts.(I was reminded of this book, as I just finished For the sins of my Father, written poignantly by Al Demeo, the son of a murderous mobster. We get to see another avenue in this certain world of horror.)
Mob Lawyer provides this same kind of insight, as Ragano was invited in to the mob world for a function, but he was not involved in the criminal activities.Extremely insightful.

A Straight-Forward and seemingly reliable Mob-insider's account by one of the LCN's top lawyers. Ragano is no name dropper, nor is he full of it. He was a top Lawyer for both Hoffa and Santo Trafficante from the late 50s through the 80s.

The books explores the life of Tampa lawyer Ragano and his close relationship to Santo Trafficante. This is one of the few, if not only books, that examines the life of this shadowy, but important mobster who by his own and others' admission, was involved in planned or real assassinations of Castro and JFK.

Ragano's account of his dealings with Hoffa and Trafficante and his association with a who's-who of Organized Crime personalities- Carlos Marcello, Luchesse, Gooodfellow's mobsters Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke, Sinatra, Alan Dorfman (who milked the Central States Pesnion fund for all it was worth) and others -- is told without nonsenes and in a fully credible way.

Ragano is not a conspiracy nut, nor does he come across as one who makes up stories. Neither was Trafficante. So that is why when Ragano reveals what was told him by Trafficante about Hoffa's and JFK's murders, accounts which jive with other and most prevelant thoughts about those killings, I think he can be taken at his word. Clearly, it should come as no suprise that the Mafia was involved in those murders. And while not much is added to details of JFK's assassination, the death of Hoffa is clearly related, including the names of the triggermen and who ordered the hit.

Unlike some mob-insider accounts I have read, where the subject's integrity is of little worth and the story sometimes hard to swallow, 'Mob Lawyer' is both profound, soul searching and entertaining.

A true story of a crime gone awry, "Gallery of Fools: The True Story of a Celebrated Manhattan Art Theft" is author Jerome Tuccille's story of being dragged into the crime by his family as they lift paintings worth millions out of Manhattan art galleries, barely escaping intact. Trying to escape the misdeeds, he runs for Governor of New York, as life falls to shambles - the campaign fails, his family gets arrested for their actions and he begins to fall into financial ruin. He turns to redeem himself in any way he can. "Gallery of Fools: The True Story of a Celebrated Manhattan Art Theft" is highly recommended for community library true crime collections.

This book is a real paqe turner. It is all the more astounding since it is a true story that reads like an Elmore Leonard novel. It has all the elements of Get Shorty, Pulp Fiction, and The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight rolled into a single book. I finished it in two sittings. It is the kind of book you can't put down, and then you're sorry when you get to the end because it is so entertaining and enjoyable.

Paul Marano

It's been more than a month since I devoured The Goodbye-Door but I can't stop thinking about it! The true story of this serial murderer is interwoven with the familiar threads of the yin rejection by family and friends counterbalanced with the yang of revenge in the form of seduction: charisma is used as the tool of killing. Diana Franklin's masterful research and brilliant reporting traces the short, tragic life of Anna Marie Hahn, a pretty young German woman who arrives penniless in the U.S. Somewhere along the way she must have heard "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." She cooks familiar comfort foods for her victims and cunningly provides a digestive in the form of fast-acting poison. The author unravels a tale of consequences as one financial crisis for Anna Marie leads to the death of one unsuspecting old gentleman, and then another and another and yet more. With heartless lack of remorse, the "heroine" leaves her victims to suffer, never believing for a moment that the tables will turn. In the end the reader is forced to confront and analyze every side of the debate about capital punishment as the author forces us to witness the horror of the execution chamber. You may read a thousand true crime thrillers. You'll never forget this one! *****five stars.

The Good Bye Door by former journalist Diana Britt Franklin is an unusual--to me--true crime story inasmuch as it deals with the relatively rare female serial killer, and the first in the US to die in the electric chair.
It reads like a novel. It is sharply written, yet successfully portrays each character's humanity, including that of the murderous woman.
I loved the sense and texture of the time in which these events happened. It was easy to picture the places and lives of the people who lived in the book. Also easy to understand why it has won several awards.
Even though the outcome is known, The Good Bye Door is stil an exciting read.

To those of us who are naïve enough to think that serial killers are a product of our generation, one only needs to remember the oft quoted philosophy of George Santayana: "Those who can not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." The words were penned prior to 1906.

In "The Good-bye Door," author Diana Britt Franklin reweaves the story of Anna Marie Hahn, a prolific killer in Cincinnati. Though the terminology had yet to be coined -- the term used in her day was "mass murderer" -- surely Anna fits the bill of "serial killer". As Franklin transports us back to the 1930's, we are mesmerized by a tale of avarice, lies, and murder.

Except that the verdict is revealed in the prologue, we follow Anna's life as silent onlookers, wondering what the outcome of her actions will bring. As death follows upon death, then arrest and trial arrive, we still are unsure whether she is capable and guilty as charged. Lies are ever present, but part of us wants to believe her.

Just as we accept the evil that has been done and the verdict, we are confronted by Anna Hahn's time spent on death row and our own conflict between justice and mercy.

If this were fiction it would be remarkable, but as a true story it is sensational, thanks to the exhaustive research Ms. Franklin has done to bring alive this disturbing tale.

A very interesting subject. Was very surprised I had never heard of this killer before. The only problem I had was towards the middle and end the story really started to drag for me. The author tried her best and wrote in an entertaining way, but just failed to keep my interest.I think a lot of the reason it dragged was the author mainly wrote the book by going by newspaper stories from that period,and just couldn't maintain my interest in a book this length. I did finish the book, and still think it was an interesting subject and fairly entertaining book. Anna ( the killer) was one of the worst sociopaths I have read about in some time. Even used her small son as a defense and co-hort in her crimes.

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