Books offer tales of true crime
By NewsPress Now
If true crime is what you like, the St. Joseph Public Library has plenty of books to choose from. Here are five options sure to suit those who enjoy true crime. The books are available at the St. Joseph Public Library, at other Missouri Evergreen libraries, or from one of the SJPL eContent vendors. Visit the library’s catalog at sjpl.missourievergreen.org to find these or other great books to enjoy.
“I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer” by Michelle McNamara. More than just a retelling of two crimes, this book follows the author’s progression from interest to obsession in solving cold and active cases. The Golden State Killer is the focus of McNamara’s search. She is determined enough to look through every detail and intelligent enough to fit the pieces together. Half true crime and half autobiography, this book will captivate readers interested in reading the true crime genre and those wanting a look into a dedicated life.
“The Atlas of True Crime: A Worldwide Guide to Murderers & Thieves, Kidnappers & Con Men” by Nancy J. Hajeski. Opening with a brief history of law enforcement and forensic science, the book moves to 18 different “types” of crimes and criminals around the world. Heavily populated with photos and maps, most crimes have information on the crime and its subsequent investigations. Included are the changes in laws and law enforcement resulting from these cases. Readers who follow the true crime genre and those with a passing interest will find this book enjoyable.
“When a Killer Calls: A Haunting Story of Murder, Criminal Profiling, and Justice in a Small Town” by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker. If you are interested in how profiling really works, this is the book for you. Written by John Douglas, a former top FBI agent who worked in the development of the science of profiling, you are immersed in the details of two cases. Events are presented in strict chronological order. Included are what happened, the family’s reaction and the agents’ discussions of meaning and strategies for dealing with each event. This book is both fascinating and deeply disturbing.
“The Shooter at Midnight: Murder Corruption and a Farming Town Divided” by Sean Patrick Cooper. Taking place in Chillicothe Missouri, this is a convoluted story weaving together murder, sloppy investigation, politics and divisions in a small city. The sheriff’s deputy involves a private eye from Kansas City to work on the investigation. The bullet removed from a victim was not photographed for four days and did not match the written description given by the surgeon removing the bullet. These are just the beginning of the strange paths taken by this investigation.
“Fingerprint: The Origins of Crime Detection and the Murder Case That Launched Forensic Science” by Colin Beavan. Dr. Henry Faulds spent years trying to have fingerprints recognized by Scotland Yard as the means of identifying both the guilty and the innocent. It was not until a member of the social elite Francis Galton, also a scientist, pushed this method that it became accepted. For years, Francis Galton was given credit for the use of fingerprints as proof of identification. Beginning with “Chronology of Fingerprints” the book follows their introduction and refinement as evidence.
