Book Review: Murder in the Neighborhood by Ellen J. Green

I really enjoyed this book. Having more insights on the Howard Unruh mass slayings in 1949 was really interesting. It is the first known mass murder event in the USA, and getting past the basic parts made it more noteworthy to me. A lot of things I did not know, too. Hearing from a person who was a child at the time really did give me more insight and empathy towards those involved. They all seemed to remember so much, like it was yesterday. So vivid. I thought the book was put together. The writing style was really good. I would read this again. So, I highly recommend this!

I have posted on Howard Unruh: Mass Murder: Howard Barton Unruh’s “Walk of Death” *13 victims, several wounded; Sent to State Hospital*

Book Review: The Serial Killer’s Daughter by Lesley Welsh

This book is dark and somewhat intense. The main character, Suzanne, has been estranged from her father, Don, for just about her whole life. She saw him just a few times over her life time. But after he dies, his partner, Rose, contacts her to give her some of his belongings. This starts a journey that no one wants to do. It appeared that her father may have been a serial killer. How do you process that? Suzanne had lots of issues with this. It was especially unsettling when she finds a photo of her friend, Sophie, in his belongings. This starts her journey to find out more about her father and what he did and who he was. There were so many questions and twists, it makes for a great mystery! It is not a cute, jovial story, but rather dark and at time intense. But I enjoyed it.

The Serial Killer’s Daughter by Lesley Welsh
File Size: 1383 KB
Print Length: 343 pages
Publisher: Bookouture (June 14, 2017)
Publication Date: June 14, 2017
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B06Y1M6196

Book Review: Flesh Collectors by Fred Rosen

What an intense book! The crimes of Jeremiah Rodgers and Jonathan Lawrence are beyond belief. This book includes sex, violence, necrophilia, mutilation and more. But no one was surprised at what they did together. After all, they met in a facility for the criminally insane. They should have never been released. They both had morbid fantasies before they met, and expanded them when they met and became friends. Their first victim was Jonathan’s cousin Justin Livingston. And they did torture him until he died. Then the second murder was even worse. Jeremiah Rodgers got Jennifer Robinson to go out on a date with him. They went, with Jonathan, to a remote area where they had sex in his truck and afterwards he shot her in the head. What happened after that is horrific and was hard to read. These two did get what they deserved. This book was well written and well researched. I really liked it, even with the stuff that was hard to read. I hope their loved ones will get the justice they deserve. The victims certainly did not deserve what happened to them.

Flesh Collectors by Fred Rosen
File Size: 5129 KB
Print Length: 228 pages
Publisher: Open Road Media; Reprint edition (July 1, 2015)
Publication Date: July 1, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B010N002CC

Book Review: Shank by Roy Harper

This book was written by Roy Harper, an inmate in a Mississippi prison. I was not sure if I would even like it (not because of the author, but because of the subject), but I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked this book. I had a hard time putting it down. His writing is excellent, very descriptive and sharp. The characters were clear cut and I could envision them, and the events that were happening in this book. The storyline was interesting and exciting.

If Roy Harper writes another book, and I hope he does, I would read it. This was a great first book.

Shank by Roy Harper
File Size: 3080 KB
Print Length: 232 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Crime Wave Press (May 24, 2016)
Publication Date: May 24, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01DTCF280

Book Review: Blood Crimes by Fred Rosen

This book is about the murders of Dennis and Brenda Freeman along with their son Eric. They were murdered by their 2 other sons, David and Bryan, and their nephew Ben Birdwell. The book gave a well described past leading up to the murders and all that surrounded them. I found it very interesting. It was well-written and well researched. The three teenage killers were neo-nazis, a group that is unpleasant to read about, to say the least, but here, it was interesting and easy to follow. I found it interesting when one of the witnesses in the cases testified against them saying that yes, they believed in white power, but you don’t kill your family. I liked the book and do recommend it. It does not dwell on the gory parts of the murder, but rather, the facts and sometimes the emotions.

Blood Crimes by Fred Rosen
File Size: 2321 KB
Print Length: 252 pages
Publisher: Open Road Media (July 1, 2015)
Publication Date: July 1, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English

Book Review: The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich

Such an excellent book! Both a true crime book and a memoir, the author has truly written a book that encapsulates more than one genre. It is the journey of the case of Ricky Langley and the road to justice for a 6-year-old boy that Langley raped and murdered. His 2 trials were intense and then came the second sentencing. In his first one, he was sentenced to death. In the second one, after much emotions and work, he was sentenced to life in prison. This book is the story of this journey. It is very well written and I highly recommend this book.

The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
File Size: 1494 KB
Print Length: 337 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1250080541
Publisher: Flatiron Books (May 16, 2017)
Publication Date: May 16, 2017
Sold by: Macmillan
Language: English
ASIN: B01M3TZGCL

Book Review: Unnatural Causes by Gregg Olsen and Kevin Sullivan

This is a set of smaller books that are from the Notorious USA series. There are several stories included such as Donald Harvey (serial killer) , Sarah Hansen murder, Heather Teague disappearance. etc. There are quite a few more as well. It is well written and well researched. I found it to be interesting, and included stories I was not aware of, which made it even better for me! I really liked this book, as I like anthologies a lot. The stories are short and sweet, without the extra fluff. I do recommend this book!

Unnatural Causes
File Size: 6566 KB
Print Length: 267 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Notorious USA (July 30, 2014)
Publication Date: July 30, 2014
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00MAFMHF4

Book Review: Pure Murder by Corey Mitchell

This is an excellent book written about one of the most horrific crimes ever. The rapes and murders of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena is one of the worst I have ever read about. This book was very well researched. Very detailed about the victims, killers, and the murders – enough that you felt you were watching all of it. The group of gang members that raped and murdered these two innocent girls were all sociopaths who enjoyed inflicting pain on others. In fact, some got in trouble while in prison serving their sentences or awaiting execution, attacking guards or other inmates. Thankfully, 3 of them were executed, 2 others have life with no parole and 1 has 40 years. This book is excellent – well-written and well-researched. He gave depth to each character, making you love them or hate them. You feel such empathy for the victims’ family and the pain they had to endure throughout their journey to justice. Corey Mitchell, the author, makes sure you always know who the victims are and that they are and should be the center of attention. I, personally, will never forget these two young ladies. I recommend this book. It is great!

Pure Murder by Corey Mitchell
File Size: 2272 KB
Print Length: 385 pages
Publisher: Pinnacle (June 1, 2008)
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Sold by: Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Language: English
ASIN: B00VEG219M

Book Review: Mother’s Day by Dennis McDougal

Wow, what a story. OK, I will say it, Theresa Knorr Cross is a horrible, horrible person. She treated everyone who loved her like her own personal slaves, that everyone should always be at her beck and call and do her bidding. She screams at you if you did anything wrong. She had to always make herself look good. She even did this to her own children, or rather, especially to her own children. And husbands. This book is about the murders of 2 of her daughters, caused by her in so many ways. These girls deserved so much more. The book itself is well-written and well-researched, not an easy feat either with all of the details needed. I really liked this book and do recommend it.

Mother’s Day by Dennis McDougal
File Size: 2249 KB
Print Length: 294 pages
Publisher: Open Road Media (July 1, 2015)
Publication Date: July 1, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English

Book Review: Terror in Ypsilanti: John Norman Collins Unmasked by Gregory A. Fournier

What an excellent book! This book talks about the serial murders committed by John Norman Collins (Chapman). It is very detailed, about the victims and the killer. It gave the story of the girls who were murdered by Collins and their hopes for a future. The girls were students at the University, looking forward to their futures, hopes and dreams. Then there is the killer, John Norman Collins, also a college student. There was nothing really special about him, nothing that stuck out. He seemed to be a “normal” student. He rarely showed any ambition, or anger issues. He was very charming and charismatic. That is what made it all so easy. This book was well-written, well researched and easy to read. I had previously read the other book on this case, but this one is far superior, in my opinion. It even has really nice photos of the victims, including Roxie Phillips in California. Read this book! You will not regret it.

Terror in Ypsilanti: John Norman Collins Unmasked by Gregory A. Fournier
File Size: 2679 KB
Print Length: 301 pages
Publisher: Wheatmark, Inc. (September 5, 2016)
Publication Date: September 5, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01LO78EAU