What is the greatest TC book ever written?

[XanaDUer]

I think it's "Fatal Vision."

Other favorites:

Echoes in the Darkness-Wambaugh
Small Sacrifices-Ann Rule
Anything about Zodiac

[livetohike]

1. I've read everything Ann Rule has written

and I agree on Small Sacrifices. Also, The Stranger Beside Me (about Ted Bundy)was good.

Another old favorite: Helter Skelter

[Bunny]

3. The Stranger Beside Me scared the crap out of me.

I had doors and windows bolted for months after I read that. I was a college student in the mid-late 70's, when Ted was in his killing mode. I remember being so carefree and trusting - it's so easy to see how the young women were taken in by him.

[MountainLaurel]

4. Oh yeah

I read it at a time when I was living in a basement apartment that backed onto a wooded area. At least one or two of his vics in WA were living in basements. The sliding glass door was located underneath the deck, which meant that anyone could break in unnoticed, since we didn't use the deck much because of mosquitoes and the screaming heathens two doors down. I slept on the couch upstairs for weeks after reading TSBM.

:scared:

[flamingyouth]

5. For Bundy books, I also like "The Deliberate Stranger"

by Seattle Times reporter Richard Larsen. It's the one the two TV movies were based on. Good reading, in conjunction with Ann's book. :hi:

I'm a huge fan of Ann Rule's, myself. I just got her new book on Gary Ridgway but haven't read it yet.

[livetohike]

7. I have to go pick up Ann's new book!

Have you been to her website?

www.annrules.com

[Zuni]

46. It is real good

best of the 3 books I have read on the GRK

[livetohike]

8. Me too

Especially with all his fake injuries.....I could see myself as a 22 year old being taken in by him.

[Zuni]

47. Have you ever read "the Night Stalker" by Philip Carlo

that was the only TC book that really scared the shit out of me. I still check to make sure all my windows are secured at night.

[Blue Gardener]

19. Me too

I read all of her books, but usually wait until they come out in paperback. I try to remember to visit her website occasionally to get updates on people she has written about.

[johnnie]

2. I don't know if this would be considered T.C. but,

Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner
By Michael Baden
It is written by a forensic pathologist and it's a great book on forensics. I bought it years ago before the shows on forensics came out all over. I have read it at least 10 times, but it's been a while now.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0804105995/002-1185445-0876864

[montana_hazeleyes]

6. There's no way I could

pick one. There are just so many.
For me, I'm partial to "The Stranger Beside Me" because it was the book that introduced me to true crime reading and as are others I am a huge Ann Rule fan.

[Lady President]

9. Anything by John Douglas

I know that some people are annoyed by his obviously huge ego when they read his books, but I like John Douglas' books. If anyone isn't familiar with him, he's a retired FBI profiler. His books tend to be about various cases-- 50 pages or so, per case. They are quick and interesting reads.

[Bunny]

10. Did you read the one where he gave his opinion on numerous

unsolved cases, including Jack the Ripper, JonBenet, the Zodiac, etc? I can't remember the name but it was very interesting.

[Lady President]

18. "Cases That Haunt Us"

Wow, good memory of the cases they profiled. All the ones you mentioned, plus Lizzie Borden and the Lindberg Kidnapping.

I agree, it's very interesting. I don't always agree with him, (i.e. he believes an intruder killed JonBenet)his take on unsolved crimes is fascinating.

[XanaDUer]

21. I read that!

Has anyone here ever accidentally re-read the same TC books because you read so many?

[Bunny]

22. That's interesting. Up until I read his book, I thought that one of

JonBenet's parents had to be involved in her death. But after reading it, I can see why they may not have had anything to do with it. I guess his reasoning convinced me that there is a strong chance that they are both, indeed, innocent.

[johnnie]

13. I've read John's books

They are great to read, but I am beginning to have doubts on their abilities. If you ever read his opinion on what the Green river killer was like and then read what he was really like... it isn't too close.
I have noticed this more and more from the forensic profilers.

[montana_hazeleyes]

24. I agree.

Thay take credit for the ones they come close on but the ones they miss badly never get mentioned.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

11. Three by

Steven Naifeh & Gregory White Smith. The Mormon Murders, A Stranger in the Family & Final Justice. The authors are lawyers who write really in depth true crime.

There was also a terrific book by an author whose name I can't remember about the woman in La Jolla who murdered her ex. Ex dumped her (after she put him through law school) for the younger model. The woman's name was Betty & it was a really famous case & this is gonna drive me nuts.

I was never that wild about Anne Rule, but I'm just about the only one. She's always on the best seller list & most of my friends who like true crime adore her. I like Anne just fine, I just don't get into her writing.

[XanaDUer]

12. Betty Broderick , "Until the 12th of Never"

TV movie, "Betty Broderick: Her Final Fury".

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

16. Thank you!

I thought that was a terrific book. I always was tempted to dig up her husband & shoot him again, & then slap Betty for being such a dimwit.

[montana_hazeleyes]

25. That is a very good book.I've read it twice.

I have it in my true crime book collection and this has gotten me thinking about reading it again!

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

26. could you please tell me the name of the author?

I would love to read it again. I've searched at the library & no luck.

best

[montana_hazeleyes]

27. Hi wakemeupwhenitsover!

I had to look it up because my true crime books are in boxes at the bottom of a closet that has "somehow" become stacked with stuff.lol Now I have something to give me the "oomph" to get in there and clean out that closet,lol.

The author's name is Bella Stumbo. I don't know if you patronize Amazon.com or not but they have the book offered starting at $4.15 for used. I've done business with them and you usually get your book from their sellers very soon after ordering and in good condition.

montana

[OKNancy]

14. In Cold Blood

I know it's not true-true crime, but it was my first.
Also leaving an impression on me were: The Nutcracker , by Shana Alexander, A Gathering of Saints ( can't remember the author)
also one of the best written of all is Murder in Little Egypt, by Darcy O'Brien.
( I love Ann Rule, but sometimes I think she is just corny )

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

15. The Nutracker & Murder in Little Egypt were great!

I'll have to look for A Gathering of Saints.

[OKNancy]

17. I found this

http://www.irr.org/mit/gathering.html

As you can tell, I like Mormon murder and intrigue.

[XanaDUer]

20. Aren't there other books on this bizarre crime?

The Salamander Letters (?)

"Confessions of a White Salamander"

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

23. According to Nancy's link there are 4.

[calico1]

28. I think the scariest true crime book

I read was Helter Skelter. I was also very young when I read it so probably more impresionable. I also like Ann Rule's books. "The Stranger Beside Me" was very good. Its really amazing that being such a bright woman as she was (and is), she was friends with Bundy and they worked together and she never suspected anything then. Goes to show how serial killers can fool people.

[onager]

29. "Masquerade" by Lowell Cauffel

If you see this one in the used-book store, don't miss it!!!

Story of a respected Detroit psychologist, Dr. Al Miller, who Had It All. Beautiful wife, fancy home, collection of antique cars...

...and Blew It All when he became infatuated with a street hooker and started living a double life as a wanna-be Pimp Daddy.

An incredible story.

I'd also recommend any of the several books about Gerald Gallego and Charlene Williams, a team of California serial killers who don't get nearly as much publicity as they should.

Gallego was a complete waste of oxygen who was first arrested at age 13 for raping a 6-yr-old girl. Williams was a spoiled brat from a wealthy Northern California family.

The two of them slaughtered at least 10 females over a two-year stretch, and maybe more.

[XanaDUer]

30. I read the Gallelgo/Williams case

There are not many mixed gender serial killers-these two were scum.

Anyone read the book "Invisible Darkness"?

It is about the Karla Holmolka (cannot remember the husband's name).

One of the most upsetting serial murder books I have ever read, and I have read them all.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

31. could you give me the name of a book on them?

I tried searching at the library & didn't have any luck. I'm thinking williams was the gal in my sister's class. If she's the same one it happened several years after college & sent my sister about over the edge.

best

[XanaDUer]

34. The Sex Slave Murders by Flowers

there seems to be more than one book. :hi:

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

35. dang,

the library doesn't seem to have that one. I'll have to check amazon or used book stores. Thanks for the info! I'm dying to know if this was the one my sister knew.

best.

[XanaDUer]

36. Have you read "Invisible Darkness"?

that one is great.

[onager]

37. Here's another good book on Gallego-Williams...

"A Venom in the Blood" by Eric van Hoffman

Looks like it may still be in print. That's the one I have, and it's incredibly creepy:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0517092352/qid=1111029468/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-6226088-5876706

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

38. well dang again.

the cooking & baking forum has gotten expensive for me & true crime has too. Who would a thought true crime would cost money? I ordered both the books you & XanaDUer recommended. I am almost positive Williams was in my sister's high school class.

Thanks you two!

best.

[XanaDUer]

41. You're welcome.

:hi:

[southlandshari]

39. Another book by Cauffell scared me silly

Ohhh, what was it? About a sadistic father who terrorized his whole family, sexually abused all the girls, encouraged physical abuse among siblings, and directed his daughter and son to murder the daughter's husband and her infant child (I think the child was killed first to make it stop crying; the son-in-law was murdered later). Several kids were taken out of the home, then the father and some older children took off in a camper cross country - I think he was finally apprehended in Florida, maybe?

Anyone know the case? Creepy.

[onager]

40. "House Of Secrets"

The book about Eddie Lee Sexton. Yep, in Florida...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1575662213/qid=1111130949/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/104-6226088-5876706

And it would probably help if I spelled the author's name right. It's CauffIel.

Duh!

[Blue_In_AK]

32. I liked the Executioner's Song...

...although I don't know if it qualifies exactly as true crime. I just found it very moving and mysterious.

Hello, True Crime group. I didn't know you guys were here. I'll have to pop in once in a while.

[johnnie]

33. Hi and welcome

Yeah, we're here..lol. Please do stop in and do some posting. It's good to see you here.

[mitchum]

42. Besides In Cold Blood?

Darcy O' Brien's "Murder in Little Egypt" and "Two of a Kind: The Hillside Stranglers"
Ed Sanders' "The Family"
Donald Gaskins and Wilton Earles "Final Truth"
Sally Denton's "The Bluegrass Conspiracy"
Ann Rule's "Lust Killer"

[XanaDUer]

43. I never read "The Final Truth"

Will look for that one.

I looked all over for "The Bluegrass Conspiracy" and finally found an OLD copy at a local used bookstore.

Good book.

[Zuni]

44. My list

In Cold Blood
Fatal Vision
The Stranger Beside Me
Green River, Running Red
pretty much anything else by Anne Rule
The Riverman
Signature Killers by Bob Keppel
Mindhunter, Journey into Darkness, The Cases that Haunt Us by John Douglas


there are so many.......

[Zuni]

45. Echoes in the Darkness by Wambaugh was incredible

Col. Jay Smith was one of the strangest villians I have ever read about. ever.

[XanaDUer]

48. Yes, and he is free now.

Bradfield died in prison, Graterford.

[Zuni]

49. I wonder what he is up to

Man that must have been embarrassing for the younger General Eisenhower. I actually have two books written by John D Eisenhower, who carpooled with Smith

[BigMcLargehuge]

50. virtually anything by Harold Schecter

Depraved - about HH Holmes
Fiend - About Jesse Pomeroy

I haven't read his book about Albert Fish yet, but it's on my library list.

I also really liked the original Zodiac by Robert Graysmith. I didn't like the follow up, Zodiac Unmasked though, it was too long and tedious.

[shrike]

51. The Onion Field, by Wambaugh

And In Cold Blood, which approaches ground-breaking art.