Favorite True Crime Book?
I want to say I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum. I found it odd there wasn't just a books section but then I read the description of this forum. If I somehow misconstrued the description, I am sorry. I respect the site and it's policies.
So, ANYWAY, getting passed that...I am a HUGE true crime buff. I have read a lot of true crime books. I was curious to know, to those of you that are into true crime or even if you're not and have just happened to read a really good one; what is your favourite true crime book? Are you reading one right now or did you read one recently?
My answers, which I would like to recommend to everyone who are into things like this:
Right now I am reading Columbine by Dave Cullen. It is an interesting read.
My all-time favorite thusfar is Invisible Darkness by Stephen Williams (I also enjoyed his follow-up, Karla: A Pact With The Devil but not as much). They are both fascinating reads. I would recommend them to both anyone who is not familiar with the case of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka or to anyone who has been interested in the case. I think this is the most factual book written about them as well, it doesn't sugar-coat and paint Karla as a victim. Their story is twisted and unreal and Williams tells it in great detail with information not included in some of the other books out there.
"Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. And it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. And when it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, I'm already better than them."-Marilyn Monroe
"You see things and say 'Why?', I dream things that never were and say 'Why not?'"-Bobby Kennedy
Thanks. I am not looking to add any books to my list right now. I was just curious. I'm not as into the occult stuff anymore, but it sounds like it could be an interesting book. Although I am not looking to read more right now, I am going to save this forum's responses for when I run out of true crime books. I was mentioning to you about reading different genres and reading too much in the other thread; and my true cime list alone of what I have waiting to read has quite a few.
Also, I feel blasphemous saying this, but I haven't even read all of Chuck's books yet. I had to order some by mail after I couldn't find them here and had become more than just a casual fan. I own all of his books (except Fugitives and Refugees and obviously Damned). I have both ordered. I know Damned won't come for I think 6 months or so...but I had to pre-order it. By the time it's out I will be long finished all of Chuck's books and just itching for more.
"Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. And it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. And when it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, I'm already better than them."-Marilyn Monroe
"You see things and say 'Why?', I dream things that never were and say 'Why not?'"-Bobby Kennedy
I think anybody looking to read any true crime should read Helter Skelter. That book was just fascinating to me on so many levels.
Other than that I pretty much have liked anything I've read by John Douglas.
I have actually moved The Ice Man by Philip Carlo into my "to read" pile recently. So hopefully I will be getting to that soon.
Also, one of my favorite books that I read last year, Columbine by Dave Cullen. I recommend this to everybody I know.
Other than that I pretty much have liked anything I've read by John Douglas.
I have actually moved The Ice Man by Philip Carlo into my "to read" pile recently. So hopefully I will be getting to that soon.
Also, one of my favorite books that I read last year, Columbine by Dave Cullen. I recommend this to everybody I know.
Thanks for the suggestions. We obviously have some similar interests. I have read Helter Skelter, actually two times. I have a book called Charles Manson Today in my "to read" pile and I am looking forward to reading it. Like I mentioned, I am reading Columbine right now. Really enjoying it. It is quite captivating. I'm glad to know that as a whole it remains a good book. I am not even finished it yet and I am reommeding it to people too.
"Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. And it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. And when it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, I'm already better than them."-Marilyn Monroe
"You see things and say 'Why?', I dream things that never were and say 'Why not?'"-Bobby Kennedy
The Stranger Beside Me - Anne Rule (iirc)
"Tuffy, you're a Dalek, but only because you're only being kept alive by metal, science and hatred." - ScubaSteve1729
Tuff, for some reason I could never get into that one. I think I started reading it two or three times now.
Alan Moore's From Hell.
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi. The book is divided in two parts, the first told by journalist Spezi, who has been 'investigating' the murders of the killer since they first hit the city of Florence. The second part is told by Preston who along with Spezi try to find the identity of the killer.
I think anybody looking to read any true crime should read Helter Skelter. That book was just fascinating to me on so many levels.
Totally agree. This book was scary as hell. That Bugliosi chap is a decent enough writer too, he tells the story well.
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Fo sho. She started the book and knew the Bundy before the case began to unfold. You couldn't plan out such circumstances.
"They sold you hippies grunge, hip hop, now liberty activism."
Agreed! The sex scenes were a bit weird though.
I don't have just one....
I just finished Columbine recently and it's my most recent favorite, for sure.
Helter Skelter
I have one that I find morbidly fascinating, and it's lame, but I re-read it every few years:
Mother's Day - Dennis McDougal
It's about that crazy bitch who killed a couple of her kids and was just batshit crazy, Theresa Knorr.
I really like this book called The Killer Book of True Crime. It has a lot of stories about different types of crimes. I think they also wrote The Killer Book of Serial Killers or something like that. I may pick it up someday. It has everytime of crime from terrorism to robbery to mass murder. Plus it also has different interesting facts about the type of killers and their jargon.
No one has said In Cold Blood??? Hello! industry standard.
I thought Helter Skelter was over-rated insofar as the writing which I felt was less than great. But he's a lawyer not a writer so I feel kinda lame faulting him for that.
Columbine I loved and the way Cullen wrote it moving back and forth in time and through different perspectives.
Currently I'm reading Homicide by David Simon (big Wire fan). Probably not 'technically' a true crime book but after 200 pages it's climbing quickly to the top of the list.
"I thought I had mono once for an entire year. Turns out I was just really bored."
Wayne Campbell
I read Homicide a couple weeks ago. Simply great.
The Executioner's Song- Norman Mailer. Both because the story is fascinating, and because Mailer wrote it like he was gunning for Great American Novel.
Agreed, it's a masterpiece.
I can't remember if Helter Skelter is the version written from Manson's perspective or not, but that was certainly amusing.
Helter Skelter is written from Vincent Bugliosi's POV. He was the prosecuting attorney.
What book was written from Manson's perspective? I think besides Helter Skelter, I've only read The Family by Ed Sanders (who sang for The Fugs), but I'm pretty sure it wasn't that one. I just randomly searched for "Manson Speaks!" on Amazon without the exclamation mark considering it seems like it would be an appropriate title for a book of this kind and the search results came up with a pricey out of print CD. Sounds like it might be a recording of him reading his poetry or something.
Actually, the book from his POV may be this one: http://www.amazon.com/Manson-His-Own-Words-Confessions/dp/0802130240
Agreed, it's a masterpiece.
I can't remember if Helter Skelter is the version written from Manson's perspective or not, but that was certainly amusing.
Totally overrated. That book just bored me.
"Someone must have slandered Josef K., for one morning, without having done anything truly wrong, he was arrested."
"Jemand musste Josef K. verleumdet haben, denn ohne dass er etwas Böses getan hätte, wurde er eines Morgens verhaftet"
depraved
(ed guine)
british ones would have to be
Killing for Company- Brian Masters
Somebody's Husband Somebody's Son and also Happy like Murdrers both by Gordon Burn
men plan. Fate laughs
It's probably complete bullshit, but I really enjoyed Maury Terry's The Ultimate Evil when I read it like a decade ago. It involves a lot of occult and conspiracy stuff, which appealed to me at the time.