The Killer Angels

Amazon.com

This novel reveals more about the Battle of Gettysburg than any piece of learned nonfiction on the same subject. Michael Shaara's account of the three most important days of the Civil War features deft characterizations of all of the main actors, including Lee, Longstreet, Pickett, Buford, and Hancock. The most inspiring figure in the book, however, is Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, whose 20th Maine regiment of volunteers held the Union's left flank on the second day of the battle. This unit's bravery at Little Round Top helped turned the tide of the war against the rebels. There are also plenty of maps, which convey a complete sense of what happened July 1-3, 1863. Reading about the past is rarely so much fun as on these pages.

Book Description

"My favorite historical novel...A superb re-creation of the Battle of Gettysburg, but its real importance is its insight into what the war was about, and what it meant."
JAMES M. McPHERSON
Author of BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM
Winner of the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for fiction
In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation's history, two armies fought for two dreams. One dreamed of freedom, the other of a way of life. Far more than rifles and bullets were carried into battle. There were memories. There were promises. There was love. And far more than men fell on those Pennsylvania fields. Shattered futures, forgotten innocence, and crippled beauty were also the casualties of war. Unique, sweeping, an unforgettable, THE KILLER ANGELS is a dramatic re-creation of the battleground for America's destiny.

Customer Reviews:

If you have the slightest interest in the Civil War, don't fail to read the late Michael Shaara's book "The Killer Angels".......2007-10-04

If you have the slightest interest in the Civil War, don't fail to read the late Michael Shaara's book "The Killer Angels". It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1974.

For some reason this book had never crossed my path. It wasn't until Father's Day this year that I was even aware of its existence. My 27 year old son gave me a DVD that had both Gods and Generals and Gettysburg on it. In reading the jacket of the DVD I saw the movie was based on this book. After watching the movie, I headed off to the library. I was not disappointed.

This volume shows both the courage and determination of the Union and Confederate soldiers. It examines the story from both viewpoints. You are told the story through the key leadership of the battle. You will read about Robert E. Lee. You will learn what his decisions were based on. You will see why he was so beloved by his army. The book allows you to be present as Lee struggles with decision after decision from his headquarters. You can feel the frustration of Longstreet as he tries to convince Lee that defense is a better choice. You will get a picture of the flamboyant Pickett. You will feel Lee's and Longstreet's frustration with J.E.B. Stuart. I met a new hero in the book - Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin as I read about the 20th Maine Regiment and Chamberlain who with a bayonet charge on Little Big Top held the end of the Union line. Another new hero I encountered was General John Buford. You will experience his anguish as he decides to engage Rebel forces. He knows that he was seriously outnumbered. He is determined to save the only high ground in the area.

I was emotionally involved in the book from the beginning to the end. This is the book that blurs the line between historical fiction and creative non-fiction. It is simply great reading. While the movie was good, the book is great. Michael Shaara had the vision, did the research, and wrote one of the best books ever. Thank you!

Glorifies Battle, but Does So Compellingly. . . .......2007-10-01

I am not a civil war buff, but I enjoy historical fiction, and I decided to read this book for its Pulitzer Prize and what it might teach me about the Battle of Gettysburg. On these fronts it delivered as advertised. Although the book is about 90% brooding and waiting for battle and only 10% battle, the writing is compelling enough to hold one's interest through the brooding and to teach me more than I ever knew about the strategies, generals, turning points, blunders and significance of Gettysburg --- or at least the author's views on these points.

Nonetheless, I found myself consistently detatched from the characters and the action. The story is told exclusively from the perspective of the officers in the battle and, for the most part, from that of the southern officers. This is not to say it has a southern bias; indeed blame is placed on Southern hero Lee and the book elevates Southern "scoundrel" Longstreet. It is just that, ultimately, I was not capable of sympathy or admiration for their bravery, honor and nobility, in which the book invests heavily. My own views about slavery and the south are just too strong. Its like reading about the qualms and struggles of German aristocrats in the Nazi army. Interesting, but they are so fundamentally on the wrong side that neither admirable traits nor understanding of their perspective can produce empathy, redemption or even forgiveness. And, as to the horrors of war and soldiering, the gritty, more soldier oriented view of, say, a Cold Mountain, remained foremost in my mind.

excellent book, even if you are not a buff.......2007-08-12

I remember seeing the movie "Gettysburg" when it first opened
in the early nineties. It magnificently brought to life the "glory"
and tragedy of thousands of men in a napoleonic charge. The
book matches the movie in that respect, but it also provides
insights into the motives of several of the main participants in
a way that a movie cannot (mostly generals Lee and Longstreet
on one side and Colonel Chamberlain on the other). My understanding
is that the book is as true to history as a novelization can be.
However, it is also extremely readable - I wish somebody pointed
me to it when I was reading about the civil war in highschool.
I am looking forward to reading Jeff Shaara's two books that
complete the trilogy.

Historical Fiction at it's Best.......2007-07-28

Ever wonder what it was really like those 3 days in July at the Battle of Gettysburg? Was it hot, what did the men wear, what did they eat, how did they pass the time, who were the leaders of the regiments? Good historical fiction brings characters to life. Great historical fiction like that of Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Shaara makes you believe you are there.
You've learned about the battle in school, now read Killer Angels and feel what is was like to be part of the battle. Read about Robert E. Lee, what his decisions were based on and why he was so beloved by his army. Be present as he struggles with decision after decision from his headquarters. Feel the frustration of Longstreet as he tries to convince Lee of another course. Learn about the flamboyant Pickett and the egocentric J.E.B. Stuart. Go to the Union camp and read about the 20th Maine Regiment and Chamberlain who with sheer determination hold the precious ground on Little Big Top with a bayonet charge. Imagine and feel Buford's decision to engage Rebel forces, knowing that he was seriously outnumbered but determined to save the only high ground in the area.
I was mesmerized and emotionally involved in the book from the beginning to the end. It isn't just a story of a battle, it's the story of our nation and the men who fought and died for what they believed in. A great novel!

Great book!.......2007-07-03

THe Killer Angels makes the battle of Gettysburg come alive for the reader. Shaara takes historical facts and injects the human dimension which makes the novel both educational and a page turner. Highly recommend that people of all ages read this masterpiece and immerse themselves in the most turbulent period of our nation's history.

Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer

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Schecter's best
Cant Put This Book Down
Deranged: The shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer
The Gray Man
Deranged: The shocking true story of America's most fiendish killer

Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer
Harold Schechter
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0671678752

Amazon.com

Harold Schechter is a professor of American culture at Queens College (CUNY) who takes an academic interest in the history of violent folklore: "Our pop entertainments aren't necessarily more brutal than those of the past," he writes. "They are simply ... more state of the art." In this book Schechter turns his keen historian's gaze on real-life serial killer Albert Fish, who killed--and ate--as many as 15 children in New York City in the 20s. Fish resembled a meek, kindly, white-haired grandfather, but was actually an intense sadomasochist whose sexual fetishes included almost everything known to psychiatry. For example, he stuck 29 needles into his pelvic region. Apparently Schechter, while writing his book Deviant about Ed Gein, asked Robert Bloch (author of Psycho), "Why are people so fascinated by Ed Gein?" Bloch answered, "Because they haven't heard about Albert Fish."
Also recommended: Depraved, Schechter's book about Herman Mudgett a.k.a. Dr. H. H. Holmes.

Book Description

LURED FROM THE SAFETY OF HOME -- INTO THE JAWS OF HELL

"America's principal chronicler of its greatest psychopathic killers" (The Boston Book Review), Harold Schechter shatters the myth that violent crime is a modern phenomenon -- with this seamless true account of unvarnished horror from the early twentieth century. Journey inside the demented mind of Albert Fish -- pedophile, sadist, and cannibal killer -- and discover that bloodlust knows no time or place....

On a warm spring day in 1928, a kindly, white-haired man appeared at the Budd family home in New York City, and soon persuaded Mr. and Mrs. Budd to let him take their adorable little girl, Grace, on an outing. The Budds never guessed that they had entrusted their child to a monster. After a relentless six-year search and nationwide press coverage, the mystery of Grace Budd's disappearance was solved -- and a crime of unparalleled gore and revulsion was revealed to a stunned American public. What Albert Fish did to Grace Budd, and perhaps fifteen other young children, caused experts to pronounce him the most deranged human being they had ever seen.

Customer Reviews:

Schecter's best.......2007-08-28

I have read all of Schecter's books and this is the best. He captures the psychological and historical portrait of one of the most fearsome killers in history. This bone chilling story will stick with you.

Cant Put This Book Down.......2007-07-04

wow
at first i was wary of buying this but this book is like an E! True Hollywood Story and Stephen King book all rolled into one...i had to keep reminding myself that it was real not fiction
amazing!!!1

Deranged: The shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer.......2007-06-29

Overall a very well written book. Once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down! It was very informative, yet chilling in the details of the horrible acts committed by Albert Fish.

The Gray Man.......2007-06-27

Identified by witnesses as the "Gray Man" because of his color and withered appearance, Albert Fish left an impression on criminologists for generations to come. His bizarre sadistic, cannabalistic, pedophiliac and coprophagic behaviors were shocking even in the tabloid driven media of his time. This is not to suggest that Fish's behaviors would not be equally shocking today.

At a minimum, Albert Fish killed three children and was convicted and sent to electric chair for one of those murders. The aspects of those murders, particularly the gruesome murder of Grace Budd seem to make Fish more menacing. The pleasure and climax Fish received from causing pain to others and himself goes to bizarre levels. Fish claims to have butchered and ate his victims for a strange internal urge that he later felt remorse for. Some of the other stories about Fish may be fabricated, such as his desire to eat raw meat, yet they are still documented in the book. Yet nothing about Fish seems as bizarre about Fish as his tendency to insert needles into himself and where he inserted the needles.

Harold Schechter's research is spotless though his story may occasionally get bogged down in semantics. I have enjoyed some of his other works and plan to enjoy more in the future. This grizzly tale is certain to find a warm reception in the library of true crime fans.

Deranged: The shocking true story of America's most fiendish killer.......2007-05-19

Written really well with a lot of good research. Harold Schechter knows how to keep you interested from beginning to end. Very, very good book.

K Is for Killer (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Generally intriguing and entertaining detective story until the solution is revealed
Despite the hurried ending, I enjoyed this one
A Guilty Delight
K is for Killer
K is for Komatose and yes, I mean you, dear reader!

K Is for Killer (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0449221504
Release Date: 1995-04-01

Book Description

When Kinsey Millhone answers her office door late one night, she lets in more darkness than she realizes. Janice Kepler is a grieving mother who can't let the death of her beautiful daughter Lorna alone. The police agree that Lorna was murdered, but a suspect was never apprehended and the trail is now ten months cold. Kinsey pieces together Lorna's young life: a dull day job a the local water treatment plant spiced by sidelines in prostitution and pornography. She tangles with Lorna's friends: a local late-night DJ; a sweet, funny teenaged hooker; Lorna's sloppy landlord and his exotic wife. But to find out which one, if any, turned killer, Kinsey will have to inhabit a netherworld from which she may never return.

Customer Reviews:

Generally intriguing and entertaining detective story until the solution is revealed.......2007-07-11

As soon as I read her earliest books, Sue Grafton became one of my favorite writers of light, straight, credible detective fiction. She can be a terrific storyteller. After being badly disappointed by the skimpy, disorganized "G" and "H" stories, and buoyed by the more substantial "I" and (to a lesser extent) "J" book, I was looking forward to "K." When picking up "K," you have to wonder where the story can go, as Millhone herself admits: how in the world after all of this time is she going to be able to get to the bottom of a 10-month-old death with no clues?

I found much of the book fast-paced and engaging, with diligent, believable legwork. Certain characters and descriptions are interesting. Grafton creates two memorable and likable victims. She gives them characteristics and a lifestyle that make them intriguing and make the reader want to know more. The book avoids the pitfall of venturing into out-of-its-depth "social commentary"; aside from a few scattered acerbic or snide remarks about pornography, the book is remarkably matter-of-fact and clinical, unlike Melodie Johnson-Howe's regrettably amateurish, ludicrous treatment of the subject in "Beauty Dies." There is thus a lot of interest in the interrogations of people who knew the victims. The interviews are matter-of-fact and believable, but they are not terribly informative, and show how much the suspense and interest of the book is driven by making the main victim a girl-next-door-high-class hooker and would-be porn queen.

The twists in the plot that Millhone's investigation brings to light are generally believable (for example, one character's tampering with a crime scene and a jealous wife planting an item in a home). The "new" evidence she turns up is generally well-finessed to avoid the obvious question why the detailed police investigation fell flat.

But the book grows increasingly frustrating when it becomes clear that the routine interviews are all the book had to offer and that they are not adding up to much. By contrast to the victims, the suspects are poorly explored characters with no motives. A land developer is not introduced until late in the book, as a result of a fortuitous tape recording. The "community meeting" about the development is one of the sketchiest, lamest, most exaggerated, least believable descriptions in the book (Millhone supposedly "falling asleep" is a lame excuse for skimping on details). The crucial link between suspects is an awful, improbable gift clue of a photo (why would a killer choose to attack a victim when it would be impossible to thoroughly search the apartment for such items, much less let it be shot in the first place? What good did it do to "kill all the witnesses," a throwaway line explanation, if possibly and glaringly incriminating evidence was left behind?).

The payoff is a superficially (if at all) described land development scam with a pool electrocution killing on the side. Because the crime lacks intricacy and cleverness, the detection merely had to be, and is, serviceable and routine, if diligent, to uncover it. And, of course, it is assisted by plot contrivances like a hidden tape recorder, Berlyn's intervention, the photo, and the killer's attempt on Millhone's life. The last two of these are the most disappointing, but the story has too little payoff to offset any of them. The story also includes a regrettable and pointless coincidence (a "kinky sex" relationship between two victims) and depends on unexplained, implausible behavior (the killer blabbing supposedly ingenious murder plans to one of the victims). The melodramatic end scene where Millhone confronts the killer and is blasted with a stun gun, before the intercession of a "man in an overcoat," undermines her professionalism and is an abrupt, anticlimactic conclusion. The last-minute theme-type allusion to "returning from the darkness" of vengeance, tied to the book's leitmotif of "living in the darkness, in the night," is mere atmospherics, not meaningful substance.

The bottom line is that the highly charged premise and interesting, entertaining elements along the way come to precious little in the end. This holds the book's rating down to between three and four stars, which, among the later books up to "O" that are closest to it in quality, is better than "J," "O," and probably "M," but not as good as "N."

Despite the hurried ending, I enjoyed this one.......2007-06-08

I am an off and on again reader of Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries. Eventually, I will get around to reading them all, but it is not on my priority list of author's or series.

That being said, I enjoyed this one. I thought the plot line led Kinsey to interesting people and places. As others have already noted, the ending is a bit forced. I understand why (Kinsey makes an ethical compromise that she would rather just gloss over) but it does not do much service to the reader.

I give this one a B+ and I would say that this one makes me more likely rather than less likely to pick up another one in this series.

A Guilty Delight.......2007-03-13

Ahh, Sue Grafton. My guilty pleasure of choice, because with her (usually) firm grip on characterization and plotting she crafts the best mystery series out there with her alphabet mysteries -- and one could scarcely call them a 'guilty' pleasure at all. Having just read three heavy, depressing novels in a row I found that I needed an escape. So what did I do? I picked up the next installment of P.I. Kinsey Millhone's adventures and found solace in her hometown of Santa Teresa, California in the 1980s. "K is for Killer" is a step up from the clunking "J is for Judgment", but unfortunately suffers from some problems of its own. While I am imminently satisfied with "K", I am a little nervous. "H" was a flat-out stinker, "J" was pretty flawed, and now "K" shows visible signs of strain in Grafton's usually tight grip on pacing and plotting -- with only the sterling "I is for Innocent" remaining on par with the earlier books in the series. You see, while Grafton's style usually has the plot delving right into the mystery at hand (she is not an author who likes to waste time -- which is one of the things I love about her), in "K" it feels forced and unrealistic. Kinsey is approached by a client, Janice Kepler, who wants her to investigate her daughter Lorna's mysterious death ten months earlier, late on a Sunday evening. By Monday morning Kinsey has not only plowed through the background information that Janice supplied her with, but spoken to not one but TWO of the people involved in the case. Kinsey's investigation moves at such a rapid clip that it becomes completely implausible. And in all of her questioning, only one potential suspect in the entire book seems reluctant to talk to her. One suspect is even willing to squeeze her in at a moment's notice even though he has an important annual meeting in a mere fifteen minutes. Now come on -- guilty or innocent, wouldn't he rather prep for the meeting than re-hash the details of a case he's been talking to the police about for ten months?

A lot of criticism has been lobbed at this book in recent reviews that Kinsey gets too unrealistically involved in the life of a young prostitute character, and I think this is only half true. She doesn't seem to get any more involved with this character than she does with other characters in other books, but her crazed devotion to the case is startlingly out of place, and makes it appear that way. And here lies the defining flaw of "K is for Killer": its plot is remarkably contrived for a Grafton novel. Kinsey even develops a curious -- and unexplained -- case of insomnia that allows her to keep working on the case at all hours and keep the plot moving (and how lucky for her that most of the suspects also work nights, so they are always available no matter how ridiculous the hour). Another all-too-convenient set-up has her randomly showing up at a suspect's house in the middle of the night for no apparent reason other than to stumble upon someone beating them half to death with a pipe. It might have been shocking if it hadn't been so predictable -- and there's a word I NEVER thought that I would associate with Grafton. The ending is also, frankly, ridiculous, and not because of who the killer turns out to be but because of how the final confrontation plays out and where it takes place. Ludicrous -- ANOTHER word I never thought I would associate with Grafton.

So, with all of that griping why am I giving "K" four stars instead of three? Perhaps a degree of it is loyalty to Grafton, but not much. Truth is that as flawed as "K" is it's still an enjoyable ride, and it was just what the doctor ordered. I wanted a guilty pleasure and I got one, and the only troubling factor here is that "H", "J", and "K" have amplified the 'guilty' half of that equation a little too much. I look forward to continuing through the series with "L is for Lawless", but I hope that Grafton manages to bring the pleasurable aspect of her books back to the forefront.
Grade: B-

K is for Killer.......2007-01-11

By far the worst of the Sue Grafton series to date. The ending of the book was rushed, as if the author decided she had 2 pages in which to finish this book, sensibly or not. No plausible motive was given, too many loose ends not tied up, and as one reviewer said earlier, Kinsey's relationship with Danielle is just not plausible. When at her best, Grafton is an amazing writer, her ability to set a scene with vivid descriptions a joy, but it just wasn't in evidence at the end of this book.

K is for Komatose and yes, I mean you, dear reader!.......2006-07-15

This book was a huge disappointment. Sue Grafton and Kinsey meander all over California but come up with nothing of substance. The author spent more time describing the decor of a hospital room than explaining the murder motive. The characters and their actions are bogus and contrived. For example, Kinsey becomes emotionally attached to a young prostitute she met two days before. It doesn't work because it isn't real. It is Sue Grafton bending her characters into grotesque positions as she tries to force a plot into this dull mess. The story makes little sense as we try to follow the seemingly interminable clues and innumerable side characters. When it was all over, I still didn't know why the murders had been committed.
Save your eyesight! Do not bother picking up this book.

Cirque Du Freak #9: Killers of the Dawn: Book 9 in the Saga of Darren Shan (Cirque Du Freak: the Saga of Darren Shan (Mass Market))

Average customer rating:

Review by BIG D
Shan, you...
death sucks
The War Begins
Wait.... that was really unfair....

Cirque Du Freak #9: Killers of the Dawn: Book 9 in the Saga of Darren Shan (Cirque Du Freak: the Saga of Darren Shan (Mass Market))
Darren Shan
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0316016667

Book Description

Outnumbered, outsmarted and desperate, the hunters are on the run, pursued by the vampaneze, the police, and an angry mob. With their enemies clamoring for blood, the vampires prepare for a deadly battle. Is this the end for Darren and his allies?

Customer Reviews:

Review by BIG D.......2007-04-23

Darren Shan is a half-vampire. His friends, Mr.Crepsley, Vancha March, Debbie Hemlock, and the police chief inspector, Alice Burgess,(and sort of Steve Leanard) are all helping Darren find the Vampaneze Lord. Something tragic and very unneeded happens to Mr. Crepsley and they find out who the real Vampaneze Lord is. Over all I think Cirque du Freak: Killers of the Dawn was the most exiting, gory,and sad book of Cirque du Freak yet.

Shan, you..........2007-03-26

A LOT happened in this li'l bookadoodle. Darren went to...JAIL! Along with Mr. Crepsley, Harkat, Vancha, and Steve. But that's only a few hours of this dark book. A great battle against the Vampaneze awaits. I liked this book, it was written well, and at one chapter, I actually believed it! (You'll see...) But there was one thing I didn't like...

***WARNING!!!! MAJOR, MASSIVE SPOILER AHEAD!!!! DO NOT, I REPEAT, !DO!!NOT! READ THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY READ THE BOOK. IF YOU DO READ THIS, YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF FOR A LONG TIME!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!***

I didn't like how he killed of ister-may epsley-cray. I liked him, and without him, the Darren we know would not exist. He was a good, important character. I also thought he was a cool vampire, who laughed, was angry, loved someone, and held Darren up, unlike all the other vampires, such as Seba Nile, Gavner Purl, and even Vancha March who all seemed to act and talk the same to me. He really cared about Darren. Fortunately, Darren seems to be strong enought to go on without him. Still, it kinda sucks that he died there.

***OKAY, END OF MAJOR, MASSIVE SPOILER. IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE THE BOOK, WHOOPSIE!!!! TOLD YA NOT TO DO THAT, NAUGHTY PEOPLE. *wags finger* BACK TO THE REVIEW!!!!!!!***

That aside, it was good. I look foreward to the next book, and based on the exerpt I read (it was in the back of this book) we may find out a bit more about Harkat, which is cool, 'cause I like him. I hope things look up...

death sucks.......2007-02-20

I like it a bit because it was violent and dramatic for example, in the scene where Mr. Crepsley died trying to save the entire vampire race. He died because there was a threat to the vampire race called, The Vampaneze Lord. This guy was going to lead the vampaneze in a war against the vampires. The difference between them is that the vampires drink as munch as they need and they hardly drink on humans, vampaneze are the ones that we think about from the movies and so on, they drink all of an animals blood because they think their superior.
I think if he put less drama added more plot and violence, it might have been better. I liked the scene where the random vampaneze attacked Darren Shan because it was very bloody and it reunited Darren w/ his best freind since elementary, Steve. If it had more scenes like that it might have been way better.
I gave it this much because he was reunited w/ his old girlfriend and his old best friend (pissed at him for being a ½ vampire this guy is the vampaneze lord). It didn't have as much violence as the others did like in the first one, he jacked Mr. Crepsley's spider and got bit. I liked some of the drama for example, when he made out w/ his old girlfriend (who is like 25 now and his only 19 or 15 and she's a high school teacher). I recommend you guys to read it and everything before and after this! =]

The War Begins.......2007-02-17

This story is about Darren Shan a Half vampire Larten Crepsley, and Vancha March. Crepsley and March are full vampires who are on the hunt for the lord of the vampaneze. When all else fails one of them has to lose his life so they can kill the lord of the vampanese. The only thing is that the one they kill isn't the real lord of the vampenese.
The author captured my interest by beginning the story with a battle with the police. Children under the age of 13 should not read this book because of all the blood and violence.

Wait.... that was really unfair...........2006-10-13

This series was great. I've followed all the books up until now. The setting is totally unique, and the characters are likeable. When this book started, there were three characters that really made me enjoy the books. Darren, Vancha, and Mr. Crepsley. Vancha's awesome just because he's so cool. Mr. Crepsley is great because he's the one who made Darren, and he's really loyal to Darren. His sense of humor is gruesome but awesome, and he's kind of the backbone of the story. He helps Darren through stuff that seem impossible. When he dies, though, the book kind of loses its atmosphere of lightheartedness. It was a serious book series to start, just because of the subject matter, but by killing off a character who I felt was one of the main driving forces of the story, Darren Shan's stories feel like they have lost momentum. The book series becomes too melancholy and sad.

Also, there was absolutely no reason for Mr. Crepsley to die. I know that in the book, it actually says that they didn't kill the vampaneze lord, which is another reason why his death was pointless, but it seemed like Mr. Crepsley's death was forced. I think the writer, Darren Shan, felt like he needed to make a character death , which is really unfair to the reader, especially if there is no reason at all. There WAS no reason for him to die his "honorific" death, which was sudden and uncalled for. I really miss Mr. Crepsley, and although I'll still keep reading the series after this book, I am only going to do it to find out what happens. The only way, in my mind, that Darren Shan can redeem himself, is by bringing Mr. Crepsley back from the dead. There just aren't enough satisfying things left in the book series to make them good anymore.

Lust Killer: Updated Edition (Signet True Crime)

Average customer rating:

Not as great as later books
Lust Killer
lust killer
Early Rule Work Gives Detailed Account Sexual Deviant
Oregon - - Where Killers are Born?

Lust Killer: Updated Edition (Signet True Crime)
Ann Rule , and Andy Stack
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0451166876

Customer Reviews:

Not as great as later books.......2007-09-11

I enjoyed this book but didn't find it as interesting as Ms. Rule's later works (e.g. Small Sacrifices, Stranger Beside Me). Perhaps it is because the investigative/legal aspects of the case were relatively trivial. It could also be that Ann's writing has improved but who am I to judge?

In any case, if you have read her later books first, you'll still like this one, but lower your expectations a bit.

Joel

Lust Killer.......2007-06-27

I am a huge fan of Ann Rule's work and this is another good read....I couldn't put this book down. Rule does not disappoint with this book or any other of her books for that matter.

lust killer.......2006-11-14

The book was good. Just read it. If you know Ann's writting then you won't be disappointed at all. If this is your first time reading Ann, then hang on. Ann is able to take you to where horror lives. Her descriptions of the killings and killers are intriguing. The worse part is this is all true crime. Ann having the back ground in law enforcement is how this author is able to get so detailed. I won't write about what's in this book because you just need to read all of Ann's books. This may not be helpful but, you know what. I got started on Ann because I picked the book up and just started to read it. Now, go out there and read !!!

Early Rule Work Gives Detailed Account Sexual Deviant.......2006-09-08

Before serial killers were even "serial" (generically referred to as "mass murderers"), Jerome Brudos was collection women's shoes and undergarments. And when that wasn't enough, he collected the women themselves!

Ann Rule does a great job of detailing the crimes of sexual deviant Brudos as he escalates from stealing women's undergarments off clotheslines to raping his victims' lifeless bodies repeatedly. His crimes are so demented that even seasoned detectives (and true crime readers!) blanched at the things Brudos had done to his victims and his lack of remorse when confessing to them.

Rule also gives readers a glimpse into the effects of a perverts crimes on his family; specifically, Brudos wife, Darcie. This young lady was tried and convicted by neighbors and others simply on the grounds of "guilt by association." Despite suffering the humiliation of her husband's crimes, coping with the stress of knowing these things occurred within feet of her backdoor where her children played, and figuring out how to start over as a single women with no income and two small children, she was charged as an accessory based on blantant lies of gossipy old bitty who's sister lived next door to the Brudos'. Fortunately, a jury did not convict and Darcie was reunited with her children to begin their lives again.

A very interesting read. A bit tedious in places, but overall an excellent piece of true crime.

Oregon - - Where Killers are Born?.......2006-05-29

Kind of makes you wonder, huh? This book, in my opinion, is the best Ann Rule book I have read so far. I've read about 5, I believe. Wow! Talk about horrific! Jerome Brudos was one sick puppy! Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgeway were absolutely terrifying in their own right, but Jerry Brudos was horrific! I won't give away the story but I would never want to meet him in a dark alley, that's for sure. By seeing his picture, he doesn't look like a killer, he just seems like the guy next door.

Ann Rule does a fantastic job in her writing of this book.
I have grown up in the area, Oregon, where Ann writes about and she is very accurate in describing the surroundings. The details she writes about are gruesome, yet true, and kept me spellbound till the very end of the book.

I'm sure people are starting to wonder if Oregon is where killers are born. I know, of course, it isn't but it sure seems like a lot of them come from this area. Makes one kind of scared who live here.

Ann Rule, you did a tremendous work on this one!

Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

Average customer rating:

A chilling, concise skeleton key to understanding serial murder
Whoever Fights Monsters
Awesome
Robert Ressler Book
Looking into an abyss

Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI (St. Martin's True Crime Library)
Robert K. Ressler , and Thomas Schachtman
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0312950446

Amazon.com

This book is an overview of the career of the FBI man who nearly single-handedly created the system for personality profiling of violent offenders. If there's a big-time multiple murderer from about 1950 until now who hasn't been interviewed by Robert Ressler, he probably refused the honor. Indispensable reading for serial killer mavens, and better written than John Douglas and Mark Olshaker's Mindhunter, this book is packed with fascinating details from dozens of cases: The killer John Joubert, for example, started his life of cruelty as a kid one day when he was riding his bike with a sharpened pencil in his hand. He rode up next to a little girl who was walking, and stabbed her in the back with the pencil. Ouch!

Book Description

Face-to-face with some of America's most terrifying killers, FBI veteran and ex-Army CID colonel Robert Ressler learned form then how to identify the unknown monsters who walk among us--and put them behind bars. Now the man who coined the phrase "serial killer" and advised Thomas Harris on The Silence of the Lambs shows how is able to track down some of today's most brutal murderers.Just as it happened in The Silence of the Lambs, Ressler used the evidence at a crime scene to put together a psychological profile of the killers. From the victims they choose, to the way they kill, to the often grotesque souvenirs they take with them--Ressler unlocks the identities of these vicious killers of the police to capture.And with his discovery that serial killers share certain violent behaviors, Ressler's gone behind prison walls to hear the bizarre first-hand stories countless convicted murderers. Getting inside the mind of a killer to understand how and why he kills, is one of the FBI's most effective ways of helping police bring in killers who are still at large.Join Ressler as he takes you on the hunt for toady's most dangerous psychopaths. It is a terrifying journey you will not forget.

Customer Reviews:

A chilling, concise skeleton key to understanding serial murder.......2007-07-12

In response to Michael J. Tresca's review, wherein he states:

"Alas, truth is stranger than fiction, and the tales Ressler tells are positively awful. There' just one problem: we've heard all of this before.

Where? That'd be "Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit," by John E. Douglas, a man I can only assume was Ressler's protégé. It's a bit murky as to their relationship (the two reference each other, but not often)."

...it should be noted that Mindhunter came out AFTER Ressler's book, not before.

Otherwise, much of his review is fine. I would note, though, that Ressler's book is far superior, and he is far more modest and measured than Douglas. Douglas makes himself the center of every story, often quite lovingly, and does an unsettling amount of grandstanding about his contributions. Ressler lets the stories speak for themselves and doesn't try to outshine his subjects in importance. I've also read that one of the killers Douglas claims to have interviewed angrily denied he ever spoke to him. Douglas's vanity makes him almost unbearable at times, and with the subject at hand, that can smack of being a bit mercenary and out of touch.

The stories Ressler tells about himself tend to be more interesting, too. For instance, he speaks of people mysteriously losing weight while working on cases, without seeming to change their diets or other habits. Frankly, the stories in this book are so distressing that I, too, experienced a sudden inexplicable weight loss after reading it. This is the kind of thing that is very hard to take.

Ressler dispenses this disturbing material very well. I've read more than a dozen books of this type, and Ressler's towers over the rest. I'd recommend anyone interested in the fascinating subjects of abnormal psychology and psychological profiling read this book first if they'd like a skeleton key to understanding aspects of human behavior so dark they can seem all but forever unfathomable.

Whoever Fights Monsters.......2007-06-27

Although written in 1992 this work outlines the evolution of the VICAP program from concept through to implementation. It provides a hands-on insight into law enforcement's commitment to track and categorise violent criminal behavior. An interesting read.

Awesome.......2006-05-20

This is a great book for understanding how criminal profiling works and the depth of depravity of compassion in a psychopath!

Robert Ressler Book.......2006-03-06

The book was fascinating. It gave a good insight into the origins of criminal profiling and leads the reader through a number of cases from Robert's career. A must read for people interested in abnormal psychology, forensics and profiling.

Looking into an abyss.......2006-02-23

I initially read this book when I was 19yrs old. For years I had read everything I could get my hands on regarding serial killers but none came close to this book. Now ten years later, I have yet to find a book on the subject that I thought did a more thorough job than this one. I was terrified reading it and found myself looking behind every corner and at every neighbor thinking he may be a serial killer!

Average customer rating:

Fun book to read
Killer in High Heels
Just a Dumb Blonde
A sinful sequel!
Murders in Vegas

Killer in High Heels
Gemma Halliday
Manufacturer: Making It
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 050552712X

Customer Reviews:

Fun book to read.......2007-08-12

Very entertaining... I love Las Vegas and enjoyed reading all the latest escapades of Maddie and 'the gang'. too funny!

Killer in High Heels.......2007-07-08

This is a quick read, perfect for the beach. I loved the characters and the fast moving story line. It kept me laughing too.

Just a Dumb Blonde.......2007-04-07

This book was definitely not as good as the first in the series. Although Maddie is a fun character, she is written as a compete ditz. She doesn't know the first thing about investigating crimes, she makes some really unintelligent choices, and her best friend is a borderline hooker. I'm not sure that writing about a ditzy blonde female is the way to win over readers. The plot was very loose - Maddie discovers her father is a cross dresser in Vegas and seems to have some connection to a crime she heard over the phone. The relationship between Maddie and her estranged father could have been developed furter, but Maddie really only has a few conversations with a father she hasn't known or seen her entire life. The only interesting part about the book is the cop - Jack Ramirez. I enjoyed the first book in the series, but after getting to know Maddie better I'm less inclinedto read any more of this fluffy mystery series.

A sinful sequel!.......2007-03-26

Since her brush with death last summer, when she got caught up in a scandal involving a slightly bizarre stabbing incident involving a breast implant and a sexy stiletto - not to mention a hunky detective named Ramirez - twenty-six-year-old Maddie Springer has wanted nothing more than to get back to her old life as an L.A. shoe designer, creating sketches of Spiderman flip-flops and Rainbow Brite jellies for her employer, Tot Trots Children's Shoes; avoid the hundreds of sit-ups that her health-obsessed best friend, Dana, has in store for her; and attempt to forget about Ramirez and the fact that he hasn't called her in over six weeks. Unfortunately, the constant calls from various tabloid reporters - namely Felix Dunn with the L.A. Informer - have made it quite impossible for her to forget her days as an amateur sleuth. And now, as she receives a crazy phone call from her estranged father, Larry, Maddie feels herself being dragged back in to the world of solving crimes. Maddie hasn't seen Larry since the day he took off for Las Vegas with a smoking redhead named Lola, and knows him only by his overly-hairy arms. However, when she gets the call, she grabs Dana and her "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"-wannabe pal, Marco, and heads for Sin City to search for her MIA dad. Within days, Maddie feels accomplished, for she has actually managed to locate her father. Unfortunately, accompanying her estranged dad is an organized crime ring working to smuggle fake Prada shoes into the country, along with a group of fashion forward drag queens looking to make some extra money on the side, and a killer obsessed with one very important thing...seeking revenge. As if that weren't enough, Maddie has just stumbled upon a dirty little secret involving her lover-to-be, Ramirez, and a little undercover moonlighting in Las Vegas. Now, as Maddie begins investigating the various crimes taking place around her, she begins to suspect whether or not she'll be able to keep her title of "Lady Luck," or kiss it goodbye along with one extremely substantial factor...her life.

I'll admit it, I'm not easily taken with chick lit novels that dabble in the crime world. However, Gemma Halliday reeled me in with her debut SPYING IN HIGH HEELS, and has managed to do the same thing with the sequel KILLER IN HIGH HEELS. As with the previous installment, Halliday has presented Maddie as a fun-loving struggling artist looking to make ends meat in a dead-end job that has her creating children's designs for Payless as opposed to styling stillettos for Prada. Her whiny personality, complaints about doing anything physical - namely sit-ups - and penchant for stopping at every drive-thru within a five-mile radius of her apartment for high-calorie shakes, fries, and burgers are entertaining, and make her stand out from the crowd. However, it's the slew of supporting characters who easily make Halliday's efforts memorable. From the 300-pound psychic, Mrs. Rosenblatt, who appears to accompany Maddie's aging mother everywhere; to the over-the-top femininity displayed by the flamboyant Marco; all the way to Maddie's best friend, and resident heat-packing tough girl, Dana; to her matronly-dressed mother who loves to nag. And, of course, we can't forget the irresistible Ramirez whose five o'clock shadow, and ability to swear non-stop in Spanish makes him humorous, as well as eye candy - or, rather, page candy - for the reader, as well as Maddie. Fans of Halliday's debut will love seeing these characters brought to life once more, and will undoubtedly enjoy the introduction of new quirky characters, from Maddie's estranged father, to a handful of his slightly strange Vegas friends. Once more, Halliday has created a can't-put-down tale that will have readers itching for the next installment. A sinful sequel!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Murders in Vegas.......2007-03-20

I really loved Spying in High Heels so I was so excited to read this book. I was a bit disappointed in it. It was a fun read, but not nearly as great as the first book. The characters are still fun to read about, but this mystery seemed to drag on a bit for me. Hopefully, if there is one, the next book will be better.

Without Pity: Ann Rule's Most Dangerous Killers

Average customer rating:

One of Ann's Best!!
Selected True Crime Stories
Something old, something new
Excellent Collection of True Crime
The Ultimate Collection Of Danger

Without Pity: Ann Rule's Most Dangerous Killers
Ann Rule
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743448677
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Book Description

THEY KILL WITHOUT CONSCIENCE.
ANN RULE PORTRAYS THEIR SHATTERING CRIMES WITHOUT PITY.

In eight stunning Case Files volumes, from A Rose for Her Grave to the #1 blockbuster Last Dance, Last Chance, Ann Rule reigns as "America's best true-crime writer" (Kirkus Reviews). Now, she updates the most astonishing cases from that acclaimed series -- and presents shocking, all-new true-crime accounts -- in one riveting anthology. In every explosive chapter of Without Pity, Ann Rule deepens her unrelenting exploration of the evil that lies behind the perfect facades of heartless killers...and the deadly compulsions of greed and power that shatter their outward trappings of material success.

They are the admired, trusted neighbor; the affable family man; the sexy, charismatic lover; the high-achieving professional. Perhaps most frightening of all is that they are heroes in their own minds. But when someone gets in the way of their deluded dreams, they are capable of deadly acts of violence with no remorse. Analyzing the true nature of the sociopathic mind in chilling detail, Ann Rule traces the murderous crimes of seemingly ordinary men -- killers who drew their unsuspecting victims into their twisted worlds with devastating consequences.

Download Description

" THEY KILL WITHOUT CONSCIENCE. ANN RULE PORTRAYS THEIR SHATTERING CRIMES WITHOUT PITY. In eight stunning Case Files volumes, from A Rose for Her Grave to the #1 blockbuster Last Dance, Last Chance, Ann Rule reigns as ""America's best true-crime writer"" (Kirkus Reviews). Now, she updates the most astonishing cases from that acclaimed series -- and presents shocking, all-new true-crime accounts -- in one riveting anthology. In every explosive chapter of Without Pity, Ann Rule deepens her unrelenting exploration of the evil that lies behind the perfect facades of heartless killers...and the deadly compulsions of greed and power that shatter their outward trappings of material success. They are the admired, trusted neighbor; the affable family man; the sexy, charismatic lover; the high-achieving professional. Perhaps most frightening of all is that they are heroes in their own minds. But when someone gets in the way of their deluded dreams, they are capable of deadly acts of violence with no remorse. Analyzing the true nature of the sociopathic mind in chilling detail, Ann Rule traces the murderous crimes of seemingly ordinary men -- killers who drew their unsuspecting victims into their twisted worlds with devastating consequences. "

Customer Reviews:

One of Ann's Best!!.......2006-06-07

Ann is one of my favorite authors. I am pretty picky in how a book is written and Ann writes them so perfectly as she is there watching the situation Happen. This is of course Another one of Ann's books that you can't put down!

Selected True Crime Stories.......2006-04-25

Ann Rule chose a dozen cases of this book. In each case she was acquainted with some of the people mentioned: victim, survivors, detectives, or the prosecutors of defense attorneys. Sometimes the killer. The first three cases are all new; the last nine cases were taken from previously published books. This is a good introduction to her writings. Note how often economic factors are in the background. Ann Rule lives and works in the Seattle area.

"The Tumbledown Shack" tells of two girls who went hitchhiking to work in Washington state's apple orchards. Their bodies were found in an old abandoned shed. One suspect was found, knew facts about this 1975 case, but was never prosecuted. He died in jail. The case is still open.
"Dead and on Tape" discusses the case which made the biggest impression (the few where Rule knew the killer or victim before the crime occurred). There was a shooting in an alley. A credit card thief lay dead and a detective was wounded in his left hand and side. The police gathered the evidence and investigated. But complications arose from the hidden tape recorder on the victim. Eyewitnesses were found, and the shooter was convicted. Who killed Branko Ellich?
"Fatal Obsession" is the story closest to a horror tale. What happens when a "perfect citizen" turns into an insane killer? Who would slaughter the parents and a child? A torn-up letter revealed the clues that solved this tragedy.
"Campbell's Revenge" tell how no small town is safe from a psychopathic killer, even when they are smiling, handsome, and sincere. Some do look frightening, and are in trouble since childhood. Nature or nurture? What could be more horrible than finding your neighbors murdered?
"One Trick Pony" tells of an accidental death that was later found to be a murder, and solved. There are few trained forensic pathologists outside of the major metropolitan areas. Would a blanket on a body prevent the normal cooling after death?
"The Last Letter" tells of an obsessive possessive love. Is the love of an older married man for a young girl doomed? Bellevue Washington had some of the more bizarre murders over the years. Would financial disaster trigger a murder? Or steroids and Halcyon?
"I'll Love You Forever" tells about a wealthy middle-aged widow who found love with a confidence man. Her accidental death was found to be murder, and justice was served.
"Murder and the Proper Housewife" is a tale of a hired murderer who failed the proper housewife who hired him! It would be crazy if it wasn't all true.
"The Most Dangerous Game" tells about two teenage girls who fantasized about a better life away from their families. But not all strangers are friendly with good intentions. The scratching against the cabin could have been from a snow-laden low tree branch.
"The Killer Who Never Forgot" tells about a young wife and her baby found strangled. Could a husband kill them just for insurance money? Two juries said "yes" and he got a life term. He was paroled after 14 years and lived a good life afterwards.
"The Lost Lady" is about Marcia Moore; being rich, beautiful, and intelligent does not guarantee happiness. Did a belief in the occult foretell disaster? Does taking a drug lead to happiness? Marcia Moore disappeared suddenly, her skeletal remains were found years later.
"The Stockholm Syndrome" discusses "brainwashing" where a captive defends their captor. What if you met a stranger while alone in a wilderness? When "brainwashing" wore off, Robin recalled the true facts: it was a murder. The testimony about the brainwashing was sort of a precedent - furtive conduct to cover up a crime.

Something old, something new.......2006-04-22

I really, really love Ann Rule. "Without Pity" is a collection of 12 short cases, three new, the rest reruns from her earlier books. I personally like her long books that contain one story, such as "Small Sacrifices", or the True Crime Files volumes which contain one book-length story supplemented by a few shorter stories, such as "Last Dance, Last Chance". But if you have read her longer works, and can't get enough of Ann Rule, the three new stories in this book alone will be worth the price of admission. If you have not read Ann Rule's earlier books, the older stories are all very interesting ones too.

Excellent Collection of True Crime.......2005-06-20

"Without Pity" is a collection of short true crime stories by Ann Rule. Ann Rule is the premier true crime author and treats the stories she writes about with careful sensitivity, not sensationalism. The majority of the cases collected in this volume were older crimes from the late 1960s/early 1970s.

I love Ann Rule. I have read quite a few of her novels and her writing style is very friendly and she treats the subject matter with respect. "Without Pity" was chilling. Quite a few of the cases gave me the chills. If you are a fan of true crime, you will definitely want to read this volume.

The Ultimate Collection Of Danger.......2005-01-15

I can understand why some reviewers are disappointed in this book; especially since they are avid Ann Rule readers and perhaps felt the book was merely a collection of stories they already read. So for the big Ann Rule readers, this book may not be the one to get.

That said, I have to give "Without Pity" 4 stars simply because although I am a huge true crime buff, I have never read any of Ann Rule's books and I found this collection of her works to be a very enjoyable and interesting read. The book contains updates plus three new stories. I can see why Ann Rule is one of the best true crime authors around, and these stories really chilled my bones. They hit very close to home, as all of them took place in Washington State and Oregon; and especially around the Seattle area where I have friends and family. Rule writes and crafts these stories exceptionally well, and they definitely stick in your mind for a long time after reading them.

Rule starts off this book with the three new cases. The first is called "The Tumbledown Shack" which takes place in Chelan County. A man found two deceased girls in a shack; their throats slit. They had traveled from Oregon to do some extra work by apple picking, and had been hitch hiking. But who killed them? Was it a boyfriend? Was it Jack Stolle who confessed to meeting up with two girls and killing them? Or was it Rudy Snell, who supposedly suggested getting rid of the girls after they found out that they supposedly took their money?

The second story is called "Dead And On Tape" which takes place in Seattle. It is basically about a guy with a past record named Nick Kyreacos and a police officer named Stan Tappan. Tappan claims he feared Kyreacos when he saw him in an ally because of a past confrontation with him. But Kyreacos felt he had to prove to the world who Tappan really was. And a tape recorder could help a man speak from beyond the grave.

The final new case is called "Fatal Obsession." This is the sad story of a happy marriage that went down the tube under the worst of circumstances. It takes place on an island called Bainbridge which is close to Seattle. Lori Rennsler had been killed by a near decapitation of her head and her son Stevie had been stabbed in the neck. Their dachshund puppy had been stabbed too. All roads lead to the husband, Kip Rennsler, who worked at a bank and hadn't been himself lately and seemingly went off the deep end. You'll read about some of the most far-fetched and bizarre behavior there is in this story.

The next story; the first of the chronicles, is the one that sticks in my mind the most and still leaves me with a disturbed and eerie feeling. It is called "Campbell's Revenge" (from "A Rose For Her Grave") Imagine being a single mother alone at home and being raped by a huge red-haired man. Now imagine having years of nightmares about this incident after the guy is captured, only to have authorities fail to inform you that he has been released. In the end, you have nothing left to imagine because he has come back to finish the job and you and your daughter are dead. Something as horrific as this is just plain unimaginable. This is the tragic story of Renae Wicklund and her daughter Shannah, and the big red-haired monster named Charles Campbell who killed them. I must say, I was completely angry, disturbed and sad after reading this story.

The other chronicles from Ann Rule's previous stories are intense as well. You'll read "One Trick Pony" where a horse seemingly kicked Donna Bennett and killed her. At least that what her husband Russ claims. You'll read the tale of "The Last Letter" where an overly possessive and obsessive husband with irrational thoughts named Bill Brand makes his lovely wife Jackie disappear forever. Then comes the story of Ruth Logg in "I'll Love You Forever," who thought she found perfect love with a successful businessman named Anthony Fernandez. But after a crashed Winnebago is found with Ruth's body nearby, it seems that she had found the perfect killer. Next is "Murder And The Proper Housewife," which is about Nancy Brooks and the son of her best friend, the strange Bennett LeClerk. With Bennett, Nancy may have gone too far to help her friend seemingly in need in a bad marriage. After that you will read "The Most Dangerous Game" about two rebellious teens who think camping up in the mountains and hitch hiking is great. Along the way they meet a man named Al who takes them under his wing. But their new found friend is into big game hunting and he does not hunt animals or fish. Then comes the tale of "The Killer Who Never Forgot Or Forgave" which is about Arne Kaarsten and his wife that he "found" strangled in the living room and his baby strangled in her crib. He claims that there was a mysterious man lurking around their house. But he himself could be the mystery man taking care of an unhappy marriage. Next you'll read into the world of astrology and psychics with "The Lonely Lady," about a psychic and yoga guru named Marcia Moore who lived to find answers to a past life and another world; even going so far as to try drug use. Marcia's bizarre disappearance is completely baffling. Finally, the last story is "The Stockholm Syndrome" where a young couple come upon a hitman named Tom while on a camping trip. It is about murder, and the art of brainwashing.

I found all these stories to be very interesting. If you have not read Ann Rule before, or if you want to try your first true crime novel, "Without Pity" is definitely the book for you. It keeps you reading, you are put into each story, and you can feel what the victims are going through. Chilling, compelling, well-written and disturbing, Ann Rule gives us a collection of crime to remember.

Average customer rating:

Highly absorbing psychological thriller--a definite must!
Great
Poster Child for the Evils of the US Constitution
early ann rule
Want Ad Killer

The Want-Ad Killer (True Crime)
Ann Rule , and Andy Stack
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0451166884

Book Description

After his first grisly crime, Harvey Louis Carignan beat a death sentence and continued to manipulate, rape, and bludgeon women to death--using want ads to lure his young female victims.

And time after time, justice was thwarted by a killer whose twisted legal genius was matched only by his sick savagery.

Here, complete with the testimony of women who suffered his unspeakable sexual abuses and barely escaped with their lives, and of the police who at last put him behind bars, is one of the most shattering and thought-provoking true-crime stories of our time.

* Includes 8 pages of photographs
* From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Small Sacrifices, Lust Killer, The Stranger Beside Me, and The I-5 Killer

* "Rule has an instinct for suspense."--Washington Post Book World

* "Rule springs surprises and revelations with a novelist's skill."--Seattle Times

Customer Reviews:

Highly absorbing psychological thriller--a definite must!.......2007-07-06

I've read other books by Ann Rule, especially NO REGRETS and GREEN RIVER RUNNING RED, so I was intrigued by this title. I had previously heard about scams involving "help wanted" ads, where unwitting people are lured into danger by scam artists looking to take advantage of people who genuinely need work, so this book seemed worthwhile reading.

THE WANT-AD KILLER describes the disappearance and murder of Kathy Sue Miller, the victim who finally was responsible for bringing Harvey Carignan, a longtime "career criminal" to justice. Carignan had hit upon the idea of luring women to his gas station on the pretext of applying for a job. He placed ads in the local paper. When the job applicants refused his sexual advances, he killed them, usually with blows to the head, in a homicidal rage.

Kathy Sue Miller, aged 15, was one of those girls who applied for the job she saw in the paper. Despite her mother's warning that she should not go off in a car with an unknown man for a job interview, Kathy Sue Miller got into Harvey Carignan's car, ostensibly to go to his gas station to apply for the job, and was never seen again. She had originally called the number in the paper for a job for her boyfriend, Mark, but Carignan convinced her that she could get the job herself, and she was excited at the idea of having some money of her own. Rule points out that Carignan's idea of putting a "want ad" in the paper gave him a steady supply of victims who walked right into his hands.

Rule's book is skillfully written, with good insights not only into the emotional effects of this crime on the victim's family, but also on the detectives in charge of solving the crime. It serves as a well-written cautionary tale to anyone who is looking for a job, but also wants to make sure that he or she remains safe in the process.

Great.......2007-05-17

If you like true crime at it's best you have just met the master.

Poster Child for the Evils of the US Constitution.......2006-08-08

Harvey Carignan is a prime example of why the US Constitution so frequently works against victims while offering loopholes for perpetrators; often setting them free to repeat their crimes as is this case with Carignan. On the side of the fence, readers develop sympathy for Mary Miller, whose daughter was the first known victim of Carignan after most recent prison release.

Ann Rule, despite this being one of her early works, does an outstanding job of providing an in-depth look into the childhood, teenage years and adulthood of Carignan. Much of what we learn is based on Carignan's "accusations" and Rule does a superb job of noting that, most likely, this are just what they are...only accusations.

While the title is a bit deceptive (Carignan only murdered one young girl, that is known, from a classified ad), the overall content of the book is intense and intriguing; so much so that I completed the book within 24 hours.

This is the last of the Ann Rule books I had not read to date. This early work is proof that Rule has a natural talent for writing about America's worst citizens....rapist and/or murderers.

early ann rule.......2006-05-17

"The Want Ad Killer" is one on Ann Rule's older books. She used to write for true detective magazines, and her earlier works show a no-nonsense writing style which has evolved over the years. In her more recent stories, Ann Rule delves into the past of the killer, doing her best to answer the curious reader's question: WHY? The quality that makes Ann Rule the very best true crime writer is her in-depth research and psychological insight in exploring what makes the killer tick. I feel that she did this to a greater extent in "The Want Ad Killer" than she did in her other early books "Lust Killer" and "The I-5 Killer". Harvey Carignan was always the unwanted, troublesome child. Still, I think if Ann were writing this today, there would be more in-depth character development, and that is what I miss here. I love the detail present in Rule's more recent books. If you are interested in true crime, this is worthwhile reading. Even Ann Rule's earliest books are better than 99% of the true crime writing out there today.

Want Ad Killer.......2006-03-15

This is the usual Ann Rule thriller. It is fast reading and hard to put down. Rule's writing is gripping. I'm addicted to it.

Killer Insight: A Psychic Eye Mystery (Psychic Eye Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

I loved it !
Killer Insight: A Psychic Eye Mystery (Psychic Eye Mysteries
Great Characters and Story
Laurie rocks!!
Abby does it again...

Killer Insight: A Psychic Eye Mystery (Psychic Eye Mysteries)
Victoria Laurie
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0451219333

Book Description

When a childhood friend of Abby's from Denver, Colorado, finds herself short one bridesmaid, it doesn't take a professional psychic to see the opportunity for a much-needed getaway. But one bridesmaid after the next is mysteriously flying the coop, and Abby's intuition tells her their final destination isn't pretty. With the wedding party falling apart and her gift of sight never quite so foggy, Abby has to save the date-and herself from becoming the next taffeta-clad target.

Customer Reviews:

I loved it !.......2007-10-11

This book has been in my backpack for almost a year. After my sister read the novel and told me some of the storyline I just could bring myself to read novel. Today I picked up this book and devoured this novel. It has a great mix of heartache, romance, mystery and of course a psychic. Pick up this book and Enjoy! Moral of the story - don't listen to older sister!

Check out the whole series;Abby Cooper #1: Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye, Abby Cooper #2: Better Read Than Dead, Abby Cooper #3: A Vision Of Murder, Abby Cooper #4: Killer Insight, Abby Cooper #5: Crime Seen, Abby Cooper #6: Death Perception (Coming out: September 2008).

Killer Insight: A Psychic Eye Mystery (Psychic Eye Mysteries.......2007-07-29

This series is wonderful. Very funny, and very romantic.

Victoria Laurie is my new favorite author. She's up there with Charline Harris and etc...

Love her, can't wait until her next book.

Great Characters and Story.......2007-07-26

These stories in the series just get better and better. I cannot think of way in which they could be improved.

Laurie rocks!!.......2007-07-10

Laurie does it again with Killer Insight! All the Abby Cooper books have an edge!

Abby is off to Colorado with a broken heart to attend her best friend's wedding. What a way to mend a broken heart, huh? But there is always the ever handesome Duffy that is there to help put the pieces back together.

But then things start to go bad, as the bridesmaid that Abby is to replace turns up missing and than dead. Then slowly one by one the other bridesmaids start turning up dead and their deaths lead to a surpirsing murderer. The evidence points to someone that Abby and everyone else knows, but Abby isn't convinced, her intution tells her the murderer is someone else. But the murderer is targeting the bridesmaids and Abby is a bridesmaid, so can Abby solve this mystery before the murderer targets her next?

An entincing read that is simply devourable!! Cannot wait until Crime Seen in September.

Abby does it again..........2007-05-20

Abby Cooper is very upset when on Valentine's Day, she breaks up with her boyfriend, FBI agent Dutch Rivers. However, she has committed to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of her long time childhood friend Ellie, who lives in Colorado. After all, change is good for a broken heart, so Abby leaves her darling doggie, Eggie, with Dave, the handyman, and goes to Colorado. Soon she is embroiled in Ellie's wedding crisis, and when her psychic intuition tells her that one of the bridesmaid, Gina, is dead, Abby soon finds herself working with Ellie's sheriff brother Duffy to find out what happened to Gina. Abby's psychic "crew" soon lets her know that the chief suspect seems to be Ellie's fiancé Eddie, even though the signs and signals from the "crew" are confusing to Abbey. When Gina's body is found, and when 2 more bridesmaids turn up missing, Abby and Duffy realize that someone is committing murder to stop Ellie's wedding. Abby continues to help Duffy investigate the case, but she begins to have disturbing visions about her own death.
Abby is a strong heroine, brave and compassionate and secure in her psychic abilitites. Even though her relationship with both Dutch and her cold, uncaring parents hurt her, it doesn't stop her from trying to do the right thing and help Ellie. The other characters in "Killer Insight" are well rounded and believeable, especially Ellie's aunt Viv, a very old, very funny character who seems to think nothing of filling her large purse with forks, knives, soaps and food from restaurants. Abby and her sister Cat, further cement their sisterly relationship in this book and some funny sisterly dialog is cleverly handled. Author Victoria Laurie does a great job of explaining the processes of a psychic mind, from decribing Abby's preparation for a reading, to describing how Abby can tell if someone is dead by looking at their picture, or how Abby can pick up someone's energy by touching jewelry and other inanimate objects. The mystery moves along briskly and there are plenty of suspects and I had a hard time figuring out who the murder really was.
I have become a fan of Ms. Laurie's Abby Cooper, and hope to read many more of her psychic mystery adventure. All in all a very entertaining read.

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