The Last To Die

Customer Reviews:

Okay Book.......2006-09-25

The econd in a series of books located in Cherokee, TN was okay. It was not quite as good as the first. Caleb and Jazzy's tale started off with likable but rather combustible characters in an interesting situation. I was somewhat disappointed with Caleb at the end. He goes off, leaving the woman he loves, when she is in considerable danger. Even though he swore to stay with her, he did not. He has not been honest with her. It made her very angry as she should have been. He leavces with his rich grandfather instead of staying and protecting her. Jazzy should consider selling out and seeing something of the rest of the world. This particular part of it has not been particularly good for her. The end of the book just sort of petered out with Jazzy appearing to lose some of her confidence in herself. I guess the author is going to tie things up in the final book, but she has to make us want to go there. Right now, I am not sure I do.

Good sequel to Fifth Victim.......2006-03-10

Another killer is on the loose in Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee. Town bad boy Jamie Upton is found brutally murdered, and all hands are pointing to his former lover, Jazzy Talbot.

Jazzy and Jamie's lives have been intertwined since they were teens, and their illicit romance resulted in a teen pregnancy. Finding herself dumped, since Jamie would face disinheritance, Jazzy has always been Jamie's fall back gal when he is in town.

With new man Caleb McCord suddenly playing an important role in her life, she works to exonerate herself from accusation. When another murder occurs, Jazzy has an alibi - Caleb - but when she finds out the secret of his past, will she be able to continue the relationship? Further complicating her life is the emergence of a woman bearing a striking resemblance to her - one that wants nothing to do with her.

But there is a host of possible suspects including Jamie's latest fiance, her sister, any one of his other conquests in town, and Jazzy's "twin". Once again, psychic Genny steps in to help the police solve the mystery. What would the sheriff do without her?

Not quite what I was expecting..........2004-08-23

I didn't realize until I'd finished the book that it was a part of a series. With that in mind, I had real trouble connecting to any of the characters. And I found the violence a little more graphic than I was expecting from a suspenseful romance. The murderer's calling card is to cut off a man's genitalia and stuff it in their mouths. Yuk!

Jazzy Talbot, owner of Cherokee Point, Tennessee's diner and bar, has spent her life longing for ladies man and member of the upper crest, Jamie Upton. Though they were high school sweethearts and he impregnated her at sixteen, he refused to marry her because he would lose his inheritance. But that hasn't kept him from hound-dogging her door even while he's engaged to be married to another woman. Jazzy's reputation as a loose woman and the fact that she'd publicly threatened Jamie's life makes her the prime suspect when Jamie's dead body is found.

Caleb McCord is hiding from his past while living just outside his future. He's the only one aware that he is the lost Upton grandson and Jamie Upton's cousin. He works as a bouncer in Jazzy's club and finds himself drawn to her more and more everyday, but she can't seem to see him past Jamie's larger than life presence. When Jamie is murdered, Caleb is one of the only people who believe Jazzy's innocence. Struggling to keep her safe while fighting his own inner demons and his insecurities about becoming part of the Upton family, Caleb learns what it means to be part of a small town and the sacrifices one must make in the name of love.

With enough characters milling about to keep you guessing just `who done it', Beverly Barton weaves a good mystery. Though most of the characters reach no real resolution by the end of the book, and two serial killers coming to one small town in less than three months is highly unlikely, "The Last to Die" was still an interesting read. I'm definitely going to have to go back and read the first book "The Fifth Victim", and we'll all just have to wait to see what happens next.

Excellent sequel!.......2004-02-14

I think I like this one even better than The Fifth Victim. While Jamie was a complete jerk, he didn't deserve to die like that! Jazzy & Caleb's relationship was great and I enjoyed catching up on Genny & Dallas. I can't wait for the third and final book of the trilogy!

The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the return of Reve. What a shallow, arogant creature she is! She believes she's better than everyone else who wasn't raised in money! Which is ironic considering she wasn't born into privilege but found in a dumpster! She was a complete snob, insulting, bigoted and downright cruel and those were her best qualities! I hate to see her involved with Jacob (the neanderthal savage, as she thinks of him) since he deserves so much better! But regardless I'm still looking forward to seeing more of Jazzy and the rest of the folks in Cherokee Pointe!

You gotta wait and see!.......2004-02-05

I trully enjoy Beverly Barton's books and this was no exception but I was a little disappointed with the ending because in my opinion there was none--it's actually a cliffhanger type ending with a set up for the third and final book ( although we do get the answer to who killed jaime and why). I guess I wanted all the questions answered and the hero and his lady to ride off into the sunset. Never the less it was a excellent book and I can not wait to buy the third and final book in this saga!

The Last Victim: A True-Life Journey into the Mind of the Serial Killer

Average customer rating:

Mediocre - At Best
Terrible Book!
Simply Awful
The Last Victim Revisited
A HUGE disapointment

The Last Victim: A True-Life Journey into the Mind of the Serial Killer
Jason Moss , and Jeffrey Kottler
Manufacturer: Vision
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446608270

Amazon.com

The Last Victim challenges the reader to understand not only the twisted psychology of serial killers who kill for pleasure but why and how a young, seemingly bright and healthy young man such as Jason Moss could create such elaborate schemes to ingratiate himself with them. Moss puts his own safety and well-being on the line time and time again, simply to gain these men's trust, to coerce from them some understanding of what makes them do the things they do. And the book gives readers the opportunity to gain this insight without providing serial killers their home addresses--not a bad deal, overall. --Lisa Higgins

Book Description

Jason Moss was a very strange boy: an overachiever, always looking for some challenge, some new way to excel. In his studies, in sports, and, for some reason that he can never explain comprehensibly, seducing serial killers into telling him their secrets. His first "project" was John Wayne Gacy. Moss sent carefully crafted letters to Gacy in which he portrayed himself as a young, naive, insecure gay man who could be easily manipulated. Gacy was suspicious and put Moss through harrowing emotional tests before surrendering his trust, but Moss came out ahead. Gacy fell head over heels for Moss, replying with graphic and disturbing letters instructing him to commit depraved acts for Gacy's vicarious thrills. Moss led him on, convincing Gacy that he was doing these things, but somehow this victory wasn't sufficient. So he extended his efforts to include other jailed killers. Although he experienced some success, amassing a disturbing collection of documents--including detailed sexual prose from Jeffrey Dahmer, disjointed ramblings from Charles Manson, and awkward, violent illustrations from "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez--his closest relationship was always with Gacy, whom he eventually visited in prison, where even the unflappable Moss learned fear. The Last Victim challenges the reader to understand not only the twisted psychology of serial killers who kill for pleasure but why and how a young, seemingly bright and healthy young man such as Jason Moss could create such elaborate schemes to ingratiate himself with them. Moss puts his own safety and well-being on the line time and time again, simply to gain these men's trust, to coerce from them some understanding of what makes them do the things they do. And the book gives readers the opportunity to gain this insight without providing serial killers their home addresses--not a bad deal, overall. --Lisa Higgins

Customer Reviews:

Mediocre - At Best.......2007-05-06

This book is certainly not the worst True Crime book I have ever read. However, it presents with some obvious problems. It is NOT a journey into the mind of serial killer as much as a journey into the mind of the author. Much of the book is about the author himself and his own thoughts. While the book is organized and understandable, the style of writing is rather juvenile and lacking in depth. That said, the prison visits Mr. Moss had with Gacy were interesting and somewhat frightening; it is difficult to believe that prison guards were willing to leave the author alone with Gacy for periods of time long enough to constitue danger for the author. However, this is what happened. The last scheduled visit with Gacy truly scared the author and he never returned.

I knew the author of this book, having met him when he applied to be a Big Brother in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a True Crime fan, I did not find his interest in serial killers disturbing or exceptional. However, it is a bit odd that he found it necessary to correspond with so many of the high profile serial killers. During a routine "home visit" to his apartment as part of the Big Brother screening and application process, Mr. Moss showed me his album of response letters from many other serial killers, includig Charles Manson and Richard Ramirez. (I enjoy True Crime, but this was a bit too close for comfort for me.) If my recollections are correct, he did serve as a good Big Brother to a little boy who needed a male mentor. He did not present as narcissistic... although the tone of his book is self aggrandizing. However, perhaps Mr. Moss was less stable than he appeared at times. Another reviewer states the author took his own life. Somehow, this does not completely surprise me.

Terrible Book!.......2007-04-21

The author apparently had alot of spare time to mess with serial killers. All poor Jeff Dahmer needed was to be loved.

Too bad John Wayne Gacy didn't make soup out of the author.

The worst of all the books on serial killers I've read.

I wanted to use no stars, but, I had to choose one :(

Simply Awful.......2006-10-24

Don't waste your time. This book is more about Jason Moss and his egomania then it is about serial killers. It did not offer any new insight or information at all.

The Last Victim Revisited.......2006-07-17

I read this book when it was originally published. I knew the author and his family quite well so my mind was probably more receptive to it being a "great" book. Alas, upon re-reading it, I realize that it is not a "great" book at all but a fairly mediocre one. It is obviously written by a "first time" author and has an almost child-like narrative form. To give credit where it is due, however, it is nonetheless, disturbing and the guy had guts. I am sad to report that the author took his own life in early June of this year. That is the reason that I decided to read this book again to see if I could find any insight into why he would do this tragic thing...I think I did.

A HUGE disapointment.......2005-09-26

This book and the person who wrote it. Ok so he crossed the line of writting and face-to-face with some of life's most horrible people. But that was about the excitment end for me. Not only does he like himself alot by doing this book the way he did, it is porely written and has nothing to do with real investigative journalism. sorry I spent money for the book and contacting him.

Giving Up: The Last Days of Sylvia Plath

Average customer rating:

A sympathetic friend tells of Sylvia Plath's last days
Excellent Excellent Book!
The last days of Sylvia Plath
Unfullfilling
Calling all Plath Lovers.......

Giving Up: The Last Days of Sylvia Plath
Jillian Becker
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312315988

Book Description

Sylvia Plath and her two young children spent a weekend with friends Jillian and Gerry Becker in their north London home just before Plath returned to her apartment and com-mitted suicide. Giving Up is Jillian Becker's intimate account of that brief but extraordinary time with Sylvia during the winter of 1963. It is an unsparing, clear-eyed document of the events sur-rounding Sylvia's final days and suicide: her physical and emo-tional state, her grief over Hughes' infidelity, her myster-ious meeting with an unknown companion the night before her suicide, and the bleak, harsh aftermath of her small funeral. But alongside the tragic conclusion is a beauti-fully rendered portrait of a friendship between two very different women.

Customer Reviews:

A sympathetic friend tells of Sylvia Plath's last days.......2007-08-20

Becker helped Plath during the last days of her life. She provided a place to stay and helped with the care of her children. She tells the story of Plath's last few days from the point- of- view of a sympathetic friend. She is critical of Ted Hughes who she blames for the abandonment of Plath. According to Becker Plath was totally broken by this abandonment and could not get herself together.
This is a very sad tale.

Excellent Excellent Book!.......2006-12-28

While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I do find most reviewers glean the wrong thing from this book. Jillian Becker KNEW Sylvia Plath, knew her personally-- went to her home, gathered her belongings, allowed Plath to stay in her home, she even took care of Plath's children when Sylvia could not find the will to do so herself.

Another thing people misunderstand is the notion of suicide. If you are looking for the answer to WHY..the big WHY she "did it" then you have very little understanding of Sylvia herself, depression, and suicide. This book is not going to tie up any loose ends or give anyone anything they didn't have before--that's not what it's supposed to do...
It's a way of filling in the gaps; where the previous biographers, journalists, reporters, only knew the Plath they saw, spoke to, -- that which was reflected in her poetry -- no one really knew her like a good old friend, a friend that Jillian Becker was.

Beware: Becker is very honest, which is a good thing but some may not view it as such.

The book is very short, and rightfully so. Only a small amount of time (I believe it's 3 days or so) is covered here, and that's perfect. The back cover of the book contains a review from "The Independent" (London) which puts it perfectly: "Jillian Becker fits in more good sense and compassion on the subject of Sylvia Plath than books ten times as long."

The last days of Sylvia Plath.......2006-12-27

Best line: "Just as kindness is inadequate, and beauty hard to bear, happiness itself can be intolerable."

In Jillian Becker's Giving Up, she revisits the last moments she spent with her friend, Sylvia Plath. Her memories are solid at times and shaky at others, but she is quick to note when she doesn't recall an event in detail. Giving Up is only 73 pages and I read it in under an hour. Still, Becker's words resonate with the time and thought it took her to get to a point where she can write about her friend from the perspective of someone who shared her last moments. Becker mentions other Plath biographers who asked her to tell them her story, but apparently none did it to her satisfaction or with the degree of accuracy she felt was necessary, causing her to write this little book. As someone who is fascinated with the legend that Sylvia Plath's life and death has become, this book was fulfilling and full of useful information. However, it's not a novel, and Becker's views are definitely skewed to paint Ted Hughes as the bad guy in their marriage as well as the ultimate cause of Plath's untimely death (not a new notion, by any means, but I haven't seen it written before with such malice). That being said, I did think this book was worthwhile for anyone who likes Sylvia Plath and is fascinated by the mystery surrounding her life and death.

Unfullfilling .......2006-09-19

Thank goodness Jillian Becker was there for Sylvia Plath the last days of her life--because it appears nobody else was. Becker was a true friend and I appreciate that.

But...

"Giving Up" really had no substance or depth. I was wondering why Becker wrote a book about her experience with Plath-rather than a short essay or college paper. This would have been quite acceptable--but paying $14.95 for a book that makes Plath out to be the victim of her adulteress husband is absurd and shallow. Plath was far from shallow and had her demons long before Ted Hughes entered in.

"Giving Up" is only 73 pages--and I am thankful for that. Although some parts were interesting, a short essay would have been sufficient and way enough information for one to handle.

Calling all Plath Lovers..............2006-07-02

This little book helps put Sylvia Plath's final days into more perspective.

No matter what the author's motive, I still find any information about Plath to be helpful in understanding both her depression and more importantly, her work.

Since I dislike wordy reviews fraught with naught, I shall only say, it's a great read and adds depth to the complicated person who was Sylvia Plath.

Average customer rating:

Leave it to Kevin to blow you away!!!
Okay
Mixed Feelings
Great read!!!
What is going on with O'Brien?

The Last Victim
Kevin O'Brien
Manufacturer: Pinnacle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786016620

Customer Reviews:

Leave it to Kevin to blow you away!!!.......2006-04-12

I truly enjoyed this book, as I have with every one of his novels. I spent the first half of the book reading like mad to find out what happened at Gorman Creek. Then I spent the last half trying to put all the pieces together to come up with the wrong bad guy yet again. I thought the best part of the book was characters. Some might say that a character that is rich would be hard to get to know and sympathize with. I thought that Kevin showed the right amount of tenderness with the main character to achieve this. Especially in scenes with her children, her mothering nature made her more touchable. I always enjoy Kevin's page turning writing ability. Many sleepless hours have been lost on Kevin's books. And I must say I wouldn't want any of them back! Buy This Book (and all the others you will be wishing you had)!

Okay.......2005-12-22

This is my first Kevin O'Brien novel and while it was an exciting read, it had a rather predictable ending. Alpha male, Brad Corrigan, is running for state Senate in Oregon with the help of his twin sister Bridget who works as his campaign manager. However, the twins have a deep dark secret from high school that they share with a few other students that will doom his campaign if it is ever made public. However, a few of their friends involved in this secret are suddenly getting killed. Characters in this one are somewhat shallow and a typical reader cannot identify with any of them. I'll give one of his other novels a try before I judge Mr. O'Brien too harshly.

Mixed Feelings.......2005-09-21

I have mixed feelings about this new Kevin O'Brien novel. I read all his work, so I think I'm a good and fair judge. As always, his writing is technically very well done and it flows nicely, but the story this time was lacking in many departments. Much of the dialogue felt melodramatic and at times -- gulp! -- it seemed like a tv-movie-of-the-week. The dialogue for Janice's character seemed way over the top, as did the Senatorial candidate Jim Foley.

I've read way too many stories about the cliched plot where a childhood secret comes back to haunt the protagonist. I didn't feel the killer in this was very credible, intelligent, or scary at all. He was just a crazy painter with a strange obsession that's never explained. In conclusion, I just didn't feel that Kevin was very inspired in writing this book. It felt like a paycheck. I want the dark, edgy author that gave us "Make Them Cry" back. That book dripped with evil and was a much better read.

SPOILER: When Siegel steps in a puddle of paint thinner, I highly doubt that his entire body would be engulfed in wild flames because his sock was wet.

Great read!!!.......2005-09-15

I loved this book! It was NOT at all boring to say the least. This is a must read if you are a fan of Kevin's. I also thought the ending was cool. Keep up the great work Kevin and I am looking forward to your next book.

If it is anything like this one it will be another hit. Thank you!

What is going on with O'Brien?.......2005-09-13

I am a big fan of Kevin O'Brien's books. He has a way of writing that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

However, the Last Victim just did not hit the mark at all. The storyline itself (twins - one running for office - the other going around trying to make things all better) is boring. Yep, O'Brien has committed the ultimate sin. He wrote a BORING thriller.

Last Victim just does not feel as though it gets off the ground at all. There are just pages and pages of pointless dialogue and I just could not get into liking any of the main characters. The sister was supposed to be "strong female" lead and really her role ended up being more that of "house cleaner and making sure all is perfect" for her almost famous brother.

O'Brien's previous book left me cold also. I am worried that this is becoming his new writing style. Bring back the old style please.

Average customer rating:

Ok- reasonable beach read
A good read.
An Excellent Mystery Novel !!
a moody, sexy cop
Too Easy to Figure Out

The Last Victim in Glen Ross
M.G. Kincaid
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743467566

Book Description

THE FIRST NOVEL IN A GRIPPING NEW MYSTERY SERIES

In the suspenseful tradition of Ian Rankin comes a pulse-quickening debut novel set in the Scottish countryside -- from a compelling new voice in mystery fiction.

Seth Mornay, an ex-Royal Marine, returned home two years ago to start a new life working for the Grampian Police Force. Now a detective sergeant with the Criminal Investigation Division, Mornay is more interested in seducing women than clearing his open cases -- much to the disgust of his partner, Constable Claire Gillespie, the one woman Mornay has put off limits.

Early one misty morning, the body of a woman is found brutally stabbed in an old church graveyard, a broken garden stake lying nearby. Charged with solving the bizarre crime, Mornay struggles to break a case that seems to have no pattern. But as he discovers unexpected ties to an unsolved case from the past, the attacks accelerate.

With a jealous and vindictive supervisor undermining him at every turn, and complications from his personal life threatening to destroy his career, Mornay finds himself racing against time to stop the killer from striking again....

Customer Reviews:

Ok- reasonable beach read.......2006-08-09

This book could have been better. The lead character and his partner are interesting enough but essentially stock characters-- the damaged but brilliant cop and his sexy sidekick. It would be interesting to see if they're better developed in future books. The story could be set anywhere- Scotland could be Cleveland or South Florida for all the part it plays. And the mystery itself is overly complicated and not difficult to figure out. The real challenge is trying to keep the subplots and characters sorted out-- too many minor players have too much time in the book. Rather than allowing them to be introduced and then developed over several books, the author seems to want to introduce and flesh out everyone right from the beginning.
That all said, I've read much worse and if you read quickly and don't mind a few glitches, it's worth an afternoon.

A good read........2005-04-10

The main reason this did not rate more highly was my constant irritation of the author referring to previous cases and history yet knowing this is the first book in the series. However, the character of Mornay is interesting; dimensional and imperfect, along with his partner Constable Claire Gillespie. Even though I did suspect the identity of the killer fairly soon, there was enough going on to make me turn the pages and keep me involved. I shall probably follow this series to the next book, more for the characters than the plot.

An Excellent Mystery Novel !!.......2004-02-08

The Last Victim in Glen Ross, by M.G. Kincaid, is a must read for anyone looking for a suspenseful and riveting mystery novel. The author takes you through a spellbinding ride then blows you away with a breathtaking ending. I recommend this novel to anyone who is ready to read a great mystery. After reading this novel I had a hard time finding a book, that I haven't read, to match this one.
Being that I am Scottish, I was very anxious to get my hands on this book!! I can't wait for the next!

a moody, sexy cop.......2004-02-05

I picked this up for a change of pace from my usual reads, and found myself intrigued from page one. Liked the characters, particularly the main character, DS Mornay - very real and not so perfect - and I really liked the setting, makes me want to read more books set in Britain and I'll certainly be reading Ms. Kincaid's second book as soon as it comes out. Well done.

Too Easy to Figure Out.......2004-01-14

I have read many mystery books, and I am from a Scottish family and I must say I was very disapointed by this book. I had the mystery solved from the time a body was discovered. I kept hoping for a twist but it ended with no such luck. If you are hoping for a good mystery and many twists, this is not the book for you. It read much like a "Nancy Drew" book rather than an adult mystery. It was much too easy to figure out!

Average customer rating:

excellent character development
You Can Go Home Again (But Beware the Consequences)!
If you liked Mystic River.....
Characters who Really Live and Breathe
The Uncomfortable Truth

The Last Good Day
Peter Blauner
Manufacturer: Little, Brown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316098736

Amazon.com

Lynn Schulman brings her husband and children back to the peaceful New York suburb she escaped after high school to get away from the post 9/11 dangers of city life. But when the headless body of her oldest friend turns up in the river and the cop who investigates turns out to be an old boyfriend still seething at her betrayal of their adolescent romance, her safe haven turns out to be as sinister and threatening as the mean streets she left behind. Mike Fallon hasn't forgotten her--as his own life spirals down into personal failure and professional ruin, he focuses his attention on recapturing the girl who got away and the dreams that went with her. Blauner is a skillful writer who manages with a few quick brushstrokes to capture both the placidly calm exterior of a small suburban town and the dark secrets that seethe beneath it. Good plotting, nicely drawn characters, and a deft hand with the narrative drive this solid thriller to the last page.--Jane Adams

Book Description

Lynn and Barry Schulman moved their family to the leafy suburb of Riverside, New York, to be surrounded by family and old friends and escape the danger of city life. But when a headless body-which turns out to belong to Lynn's oldest friend-floats to the surface of the river, they realize Riverside may not be the sanctuary they were seeking. Instead, it's a town fraught with tension and simmering with sexual intrigue. Amid the McMansions bought with boom-economy bonuses and SUVs driven by soccer moms lurks a creepier sense of paranoia and a more sinister web of violent crimes than city dwellers could ever dream of.Stalked by Lynn's old boyfriend and terrorized by a menace that seethes beneath the seemingly placid routine of commuting, play dates, and white-wine evenings, Lynn and Barry engage in a primal fight for their lives and their future together. In this vivid and powerfully imagined thriller, Peter Blauner taps into the darkest fears of contemporary America. This bone-chilling story is further proof of what James Patterson has said of Peter Blauner: 'Nobody writing suspense novels does it as well.'

Customer Reviews:

excellent character development.......2004-12-04

The cast of characters in this book was outstanding. The story line itself had adequate suspense but it was the character portrayals that made it of interest. It was also a smooth , fast read.

You Can Go Home Again (But Beware the Consequences)!.......2004-10-26

Lynn Schulman moves with her family back to her hometown of Riverside, NY and finds herself wrapped up in the murder of a friend. The lead detective turns out to be a former boyfriend and as the case unfolds, Lynn finds herself more involved than she would like. With more depth than the average murder mystery, this book illustrates how past history affects the present.

If you liked Mystic River............2004-09-16

I thought this was better, in that it was not quite as dark. Without giving away any of the plot, who wants to have a book that ends on such a downer. There may or may not stil be some down in this one, but it wrapped up as nicely as possible. And it was not so frustrating....the plot was not cliche. You know, like just when someone is on to a discovery, they are killed, or when a bad guy is doing something bad and you say- why can't anyone figure him out, etc. This was intelligently written, light years more that this review.

Characters who Really Live and Breathe.......2004-09-09

By far Peter Brauner's best, the book compares favorably to something like Updike's RABBIT REDUX.

On every page I had to pause to remind myself that I don't actually live in Riverside, the New York suburb where the action is largely set, but far away in California. That's how convincingly he draws you into the story.

Most writers have no idea how to integrate the working lives of their characters into the give and take of a thriller. Here I was totally taken in by Barry Schulman's working world in the high concept life of a biotech company, by Lynn's photography and the way a reader could actually visualize many of her best pictures, by Mike's life as a small town detective with a big city style crime to solve.

There was a lot of class stuff too, which again most American novelists can't handle. And most of all, the suspense which got to be so overpowering I didn't want to do anything but finish the book. The 9/11 material was handled with distinction; I liked Barry falling all over the commuter who, because he wasn't seen on the train for some time, was believed to have perished at the World Trade Center.

The Uncomfortable Truth.......2004-02-28

With Slow Motion Riot, Blauner reinvented the urban crime novel back when the so-called New Realists were still trying to cop a puff on Elmore Leonard's cigarettes. With his newest book, he stretches into new territory and takes on suburban life in the new century with the same unsparing eye. Unlike some other readers, I felt the 9/11 references were skillfully done and heartfelt, without stooping to sentimentality. And the writing is carefully wrought and richly textured from line to line. Readers looking for phony tough guy heroes and breathless escapism should look elsewhere. This is a fine American crime writer telling uncomfortable truths.

The Last Deposit: Swiss Banks and Holocaust Victims' Accounts

Average customer rating:

The Last Deposit: Swiss Banks and Holocaust Victims' Accounts
Itamar Levin
Manufacturer: Praeger Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Hitler's Silent Partners: Swiss Banks, Nazi Gold, And The Pursuit Of Justice

ASIN: 0275965201

Book Description

The injustices committed against millions of Europe's Jews did not end with the fall of the Third Reich. Long after the Nazis had seized the belongings of Holocaust victims, Swiss banks concealed and appropriated their assets, demanding that their survivors produce the death certificates or banking records of the depositors in order to claim their family's property--demands that were usually impossible for the petitioners to meet. Now the full account of the Holocaust deposits affair is revealed by the journalist who first broke the story in 1995. Relying on archival and contemporary sources, Itamar Levin describes the Jewish people's decades-long effort to return death camp victims' assets to their rightful heirs. Levin also uncovers the truth about the behavior of Swiss banking institutions, their complicity with the Nazis, and their formidable power over even their own "neutral" government. From the first attempt to settle the fate of German property in neutral countries at the Potsdam Conference in 1945, through the heated negotiations following publication of Levin's investigative article in 1995, to the Swiss banks' ultimate agreement to a $1.25 billion payment in 1997, the pursuit of restitution is a story of delaying tactics and legal complications of almost unimaginable dimensions. Terrified that the traditional and highly marketable wall of secrecy surrounding the Swiss banks would tumble and destroy the industry, the banks' managements were dismissive and uncooperative in determining the location and extent of the assets in question, forcing the United States, other European countries, and Jewish organizations worldwide to apply tremendous pressure for a just resolution. The details and the central characters involved in this struggle, as well as new information about Switzerland's controversial policies during World War II, are fascinating reading for anyone concerned with the Holocaust and its aftermath.

The Nazis' Last Victims: The Holocaust in Hungary

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The Nazis' Last Victims: The Holocaust in Hungary

Manufacturer: Wayne State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Hungary | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0814330959

Book Description

A study of the Holocaust in the last country to be invaded by the Nazis.

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A little too much Florence and not enough Maybrick
Last Victim

Last Victim
Anne E. Graham , and Carol Emmas
Manufacturer: Headline Book Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0747223351

Book Description

August, 1889. Twenty-seven-year-old Florence Maybrick is sentenced to death for poisoning her husband, Liverpool cotton broker James Maybrick, in one of the most infamous trials in British legal history. But what was the truth behind Maybrick¹s death? And how was it connected to a spate of terrible murders in London¹s East End? Florence¹s turbulent life ‹ her marriage to a man widely believed to be the most notorious serial killer of all time, her sensational trial and imprisonment ‹ is the stuff of high drama. Revealing startling new evidence that puts a dramatic twist on Maybrick¹s death, The Last Victim is a fascinating historical re-evaluation of one of the most extraordinary true crime puzzles of all time.

Customer Reviews:

A little too much Florence and not enough Maybrick.......2001-08-03

There's no doubt that the story of Florence Maybrick and her trial and travails is a fascinating one, and the author, who is believed to be an indirect descendant of "Florrie's", has done a very good job of recounting it.

The trial of Florence Maybrick for the murder of her husband James and her life afterwards was already one of the most famous sagas in the history of "true crime" and, as such, has already been the subject of other books.

But another more recent treatment is appropriate in light of the recent finding of the diary that identifies James Maybrick as "Jack the Ripper", the notorious East End serial killer of prostitutes.

The diary's authenticity and the identification of Maybrick as the "Ripper" have been hotly disputed since the diary was first made public. Shirley Harrison's publication of the diary, complete with commentary, and Paul Feldman's investigative work are excellent treatments of the subject, which strongly suggest that the diary is indeed genuine and that the most famous unsolved serial killings are no longer unsolved.

But this particular book will disappoint those who are primarily interested in the Maybrick/Ripper angle. As Ms. Graham candidly states in her forward, she did not write the book with the intention of providing any more proof that James Maybrick was the Ripper; she has left that task to others. Therefore, this book does not add any information to that produced by Harrison and Feldman.

Instead, this is principally "Florrie's" story, and the author has simply incorporated the Maybrick/Ripper information produced by the others and woven it into the fabric of Florrie's story. And that story stands on its own, but it leaves the reader even more puzzled about how Florrie and her associates, to an individual, managed to keep their amazing knowledge secret even BEYOND their deaths. The book disappoints in that it makes the Maybrick/Ripper connection a little MORE speculative, not less so.

Last Victim.......2000-03-25

Wonderful, and very informative. Graham obviously knows a lot about the Maybrick case and Jack the Ripper, and she skillfully weaves a convincing and interesting argument that they were connected. One of the best books I've read lately!

Body 115: The mystery of the last Victim of the King's Cross Fire

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An incredible story of investigative techniques...

Body 115: The mystery of the last Victim of the King's Cross Fire
Paul Chambers
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0470018089

Book Description

In 1987 a tragic fire swept through London’s King’s Cross underground station claiming 31 lives after a dropped match set fire to escalator machinery. The charred remains of the victims were painstakingly identified from a list of reported missing persons and their dental and medical records, but twelve months later, one body remained unidentified.

The last victim acquired the name it had been given at the morgue, Body 115, and that was where it appeared the investigation would end late in 1988, when all leads had run dry. But Inspector Ian Wilkinson could not let the case rest. Despite much unwarranted and very public criticism over his handling of the search and rescue mission, he vowed that he would not leave the British Transport Police until the nameless 5 foot 2 inch smoker had been identified.

The 17 years which followed were filled with more dashed hopes, false leads, forensic anomalies and dead ends than a murder mystery novel – would the unclaimed sailor’s suitcase in lost property hold the key? Or the Japanese surgeon’s clip? Could new forensic technology provide the answer? The solution eventually came to rest with two families, both desperately hoping to solve the mystery of their father’s disappearance and both anxiously needing to end their suffering by burying their relative, but always knowing that only one could be the victim’s true family.

The truth was only uncovered at last by the diligent and exhaustive detective work of Inspector Wilkinson, who wouldn’t let the case rest and astonishing forensic evidence that finally proved the true identity of Body 115.

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An incredible story of investigative techniques..........2007-01-01

Body 115: The mystery of the last victim of the King's Cross Fire by Paul Chambers is a fascinating story of London's 1987 King's Cross Underground station fire. 31 people died in the horrible blaze, but one individual remained unidentified for over 15 years. Chambers looks at the fire and the endless efforts of England's authorities to give a name to the final victim.

Contents: Flashover; Rescue and Recovery; Identifying Characteristics; Dr. West's Examinations; The Search for Names; Inquest; The Unidentified Body; Sugita No. 5; A Lone Fingerprint; Do You Know This Man?; The Public Hearing; Vagrancy; Dentures; Accusations and Recriminations; Missing Persons; The Itinerant Seaman; The Mystery of Mr Brown; The Perfect Candidate?; Unconvential Detectives; New Leads; "Some Sort of Closure"; Epilogue; Notes and Sources; Biblography; Index

The story begins with a random (though stupid) act that occurred numerous times each day... Someone lit up their cigarette on the wooden escalators and dropped the match off to the side. Normally the match would go out, but this time it slipped through a crack, landed in a grease/fluff trough, and started to burn. 20 minutes later, the fire had reached the flashover point and anyone left in the area was doomed to die. Once the fire was extinquished, the search for bodies began. 31 victims were found, and the gruesome task of identification started. Due to the intense heat of the fire, many of the bodies were charred beyond recognition, and personal items were nothing but ashes. Incredibly, officials were able to put names to all but one body in relatively short order. But it was that one body, referred to as "body 115", that led to a 15 year mystery.

Rather than just a narrative about body 115, Chambers takes the reader through the different forensic techniques and their history. Rather than just talk about matching fingerprints, you learn how fingerprinting was born and developed as a crime investigation technique. You learn about how DNA profiling evolved and figured into this case. There was also an attempt to recreate facial construction using individuals who broke ground in that area. Again, you'll learn about how that all came to be.

Body 115 is not overly dramatic, nor does it seem to suffer from 20-20 hindsight. It's a well-written story of a horrible event in London's history, and I really couldn't put it down.

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