Does anyone read true crime stories?

R

red_mct

Cathlete
I'm on a true crime kick recently, anyone else? I am tired of fiction, don't feel like reading any heavy drama or bios at the moment (too difficult at the pool), and since I really enjoy people watching, I guess this is sort of a safe way to do that from a distance. LOL Anyway, I just finished Fatal Vision by Joe McGuiness. It's an old book but the story was just riveting - it's about Dr. Jeff McDonald, the Green Beret accused of murdering his pregnant wife and two small children in a rage.

Anyone have any author or story recommendations? I've read two of McGuiness's books and pretty much everything Ann Rule has written...

Marie
 
Any book by Ann Rule.. "The Stranger Beside Me" was the Ted Bundy story where she ( Ann Rule) actually worked side by side with him at a crises prevention hot line... then found out after who he was! all of hers are about true crimes and are riviting! I live in Buffalo and she did one about a local doctor that murdered his wife..
 
Ditto the recommendation on Ann Rule. In addition to "The Stranger Beside Me", there are "Bitter Harvest", "Heart Full Of Lies" (you won't be able to put that one down), and "Small Sacrifices" (another one you'll go through in one sitting). Many, many others. Her one fiction novel isn't so good.

Also, Joe McGinnis has written at least two other true-crime books, neither of which are the same calibre as "Fatal Vision" but both good reads. And can I think of the titles? NOT! Google him and you'll get the title list.

And, of course you have to read the book that got the journalistic novel its place in American letters: "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote.

A-Jock
 
I've read every book that Ann Rule has written. They are fantastic. I used to go to ebay and bid on the paperbacks in bulk to save money. If I hadn't given them all away already I would offer them to you.

By the way, she has a website.

Second, "In Cold Blood". Truly a chilling story.
 
It's been a while since I read it, but I recall "Echoes in the Darkness" by Joseph Wambaugh being a pretty good read.
 
I agree on Ann Rule; like I said, I've already read everything she's written. I was hoping to find someone similar. I will definitely try Capote and check out Wambaugh... thanks!!

Marie
 
OMG Marie!! I read that book and have seen the movie everytime it's aired I think! Freaks me right out everytime, worse than any horror movie!

I know I've read a few others, but can't remember who they were written by. I'll let you know if I figure it out tho.

Kali

www.PictureTrail.com/kkali
 
I've read a few true crime books by Jack Olsen. Not quite Ann Rule (but who is?) yet they are much, much better than your run of the mill, seemingly thrown together, selection of true crime stories.
 
I just finished an excellent book- "Whoever Fights Monsters." It's co-written by Robert Ressler, who is the guy who coined the term "profiling." It's a SUPER read.

"Careless Whispers" and "Helter Skelter" are also great reads.

Nancy Grace's book, "Objection," is pretty good. It's about her experience as a prosecutor and her involvement/work now in crimes.

"A Deadly Game: The Untold Story of the Scott Peterson Investigation" by Catherine Crier is one you won't be able to put down. A different angle on why he was so messed up.

There's also a book called "Stiff" that is about human cadavers. It's a couple of years old. It's very interesting and funny, if you can believe that. Very tasteful though. I learned so much from reading that book. There's a great part where the author describes the killing fields (I think that's what it's called), where they take human cadavers and submit them to nature, fire, etc. to see what happens. Of course this type of info. is very helpful for murders.

Hope these suggestions help.

:)
 
I love true crime books and one of the best I've read is Blind Faith. I can't think of the author, but it was actually made into a made-for-TV movie years back. It was actually tried in the county I live in, and my cousin was the court reporter during the trial! It's an excellent read!

I'm a court reporter, too, and recently took depositions in a case that I'm sure will be turned into a book somewhere down the road. If it ever does, I'll let everyone know!
 
Michele S, "Blind Faith" is written by Joe McGinnis! That was one of the books I was trying to remember the title of when I posted earlier! The other one by McGinnis I remember is "Cruel Doubt". Again, not as good as "Fatal Vision" (which IMHO is in the same league as "In Cold Blood") but still worth the trip to the bookstore or library.

I also second the recommendation of "Helter Skelter". That one had a different authorial point of view because it was written by the lead prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi (who, by the way, is seriously in love with himself). The Tate / La Bianca murders by the Manson family are a grisly episode I still remember, even though I was all of 8 years old when they were committed, and it was that mass murder that Jeffrey MacDonald tried to "copycat" when he murdered his wife and children as told in "Fatal Vision".

Another one, Original Poster, is (if you can find it) "Mrs. Harris" by Diana Trilling. It's Trilling's description of the murder of Dr. Herman Tarnower of "The Scarsdale Diet" fame, by his lover Jean Harris, and of Harris's subsequent trial and conviction. Much of interest in these post-feminist times to chew over in that book, as well as a good procedural on high profile homicide prosecution.

A-Jock
 
I read Blind Faith before Fatal Vision and thought that was also really well done. Frightening stories, though, you know? I mean, do people really actually think they are going to get away with this?

I think I read Helter Skelter years ago, but I will definitely look that one up.

Did anyone have any doubts about Dr. Macdonald's guilt after reading this book? Part of the reason I was interested in it was I saw one of those A&E specials on the case and he was in it, strenuously maintaining his innocence. Personally after reading the book there was no doubt in my mind at all as to his guilt. But you have to wonder, was he just a really good actor or did he convince himself of his innocence?

Marie
 
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