Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable read. While John Douglas' personality was a little abrasive and he discussed a lot of personal informatioOverall, I found this to be a very enjoyable read. While John Douglas' personality was a little abrasive and he discussed a lot of personal information that I wish had been left out, there was an extensive history of the behavioral science unit in the FBI and some of the many cases he had worked on. ...more
This is the first true crime book I have read by Ann Rule, and while I didn't like it as much as I expected, I'll definitely pick up anothe3.5 stars.
This is the first true crime book I have read by Ann Rule, and while I didn't like it as much as I expected, I'll definitely pick up another one at some point.
The story was fairly interesting, although I think I may just be a little worn out from the genre in general, especially when it comes to killer men hating women and raping/killing them. None of this has to do with the author or my rating, however.
The writing was fine, I was engaged throughout most of the story, and it was more descriptive than I expected a true crime book from the 80s to be. There was definitely some dated language and writing in the book, but that is to be expected. ...more
While I definitely found the subject matter interesting, I feel like there was very little information regarding the actual investigation. I understanWhile I definitely found the subject matter interesting, I feel like there was very little information regarding the actual investigation. I understand that it's ongoing, but I felt like the book was filled with a lot of fluff regarding the families, weird social media feuds, etc. Honestly I would have enjoyed it more if it had just talked more about how the internet changed prostitution, even if there wasn't any more specific information regarding the murders....more
This was...ok. Definitely an interesting story for sure, I just felt like the writing was off and the wrong details were being focused on. 2.5 stars.
This was...ok. Definitely an interesting story for sure, I just felt like the writing was off and the wrong details were being focused on.
I felt that about 90% of the book was defending and downplaying the murders - the focus was more on his loneliness, how good he was at certain things, depression, etc. It really did nothing for the plot or my understanding of the guy.
Also, I found it odd how literally nothing about what was wrong with this man psychologically was discussed at all. He obviously had some serious, deep-seeded issues that were only brought up briefly. On top of that, there were no experts to weigh in on the issues throughout the story, which seemed like a mistake.
Overall, it was mildly entertaining, I was just disappointed with what was missing....more
My opinion on this book has literally nothing to do with the Maura Murray case. In fact, that was the only part of the book I found engagin2.5 stars.
My opinion on this book has literally nothing to do with the Maura Murray case. In fact, that was the only part of the book I found engaging to read. However, while I did find the parts about her interesting, I didn't receive any new information from this book or Renner's blog that isn't available elsewhere.
My qualms with this book can basically be boiled down to the author and his writing. While he kept everything short, fairly engaging, and easy to read, I found a lot that made me cringe.
For one thing, the initial scene where he goes to a strip club and talks to a stripper about her sister's murder made me almost want to stop reading the book before I basically even got started. The way he describes characters (mostly the women he meets along the way) is poorly written, and it focuses on odd characteristics (maybe in the hopes of not appearing shallow?), and I just found it distasteful to be quite honest.
The scene with the stripper reminded me of an "edgy" movie that some 14-year-old boys would really get into, but that most of the adult world would laugh at. Honestly, a lot of the writing did that for me. A lot of the scenarios, whether they were true or not, seemed to be placed in a way to make the author into a gritty antihero who will stop at nothing to solve a mystery. While this would probably work for some books, the subpar writing just made these attempts additionally hard to read.
James Renner, while I don't doubt that he is wholeheartedly invested in these cases and the work that he does, really likes to include a lot of his own biases and personal stories in the book. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that, it's not what I came to read and a lot of it felt extremely misplaced.
Lastly, the attitude that the author had towards family members that didn't want to speak to him about Maura struck me as odd and a little entitled. He was always shocked when he showed up, unannounced and uninvited, to speak to Maura's family and was then turned away by grieving individuals. He makes it a point to mention how weird it is that they don't want to solve Maura's case, when in fact, all they don't want to do is talk to him. The family, of course, has an investigation going with law enforcement, he just took it as a personal affront that they didn't want to discuss every horrible detail with him, a random reporter.
While I didn't care too much for the writing or all of the personal information about James Renner, it is a quick read without any slow stretches. While the author definitely lacks self-awareness, he can at least make his content entertaining....more
If you are going to read one book about Manson, the family, the crimes, and the trial, let this be the one. Incredibly detailed and full of important If you are going to read one book about Manson, the family, the crimes, and the trial, let this be the one. Incredibly detailed and full of important information without having any dull moments at all....more
This book was very hard to read at times, and I know it will be even harder to give a personal rating to.
This book encompasses the grief and horror oThis book was very hard to read at times, and I know it will be even harder to give a personal rating to.
This book encompasses the grief and horror of a mother who had no idea what was going on in her son's head. Not only is her son dead, but others are dead because of him. This makes her grieving process and her book complicated and utterly heartbreaking.
I was truly amazed by Sue Klebold's hope and desire to change the way we look at mental health, and her resilience as she battles her own grief as well as other's judgement of her in the media and in her personal life.
While the book was focused on her son Dylan and somewhat on his friend Eric, Sue Klebold also makes sure to talk about the victims of the Columbine shooting and how deeply she feels for them too.
I came across a lot of reviews that seemed angry about how she'd written the book, and that have accused her of making excuses for her son. I couldn't see it that way. Yes, she has a deep love for her son, and a lot of the book was describing how different he was at home compared to what he was feeling inside. However, that was a vitally important part of the book, and as horrifically sad as it was I believe it could do parents some good to see that they may not know everything about their kids....more
I absolutely loved this book and have so much to say, however this review is going to be brief because I'm doing a whole video on it.
Michelle McNamarI absolutely loved this book and have so much to say, however this review is going to be brief because I'm doing a whole video on it.
Michelle McNamara's writing is beautiful, clean, and clear. She writes with emotion and passion, but never sensationalizes the crimes in her book as a lot of true crime authors do. By the end of the book I was ready to go out and find the killer myself.
I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who loves true crime or even just a story of passion and perseverance....more