Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Stephanie Scott was a 26-year-old teacher who moved to Leeton, New South Wales. A few days before marrying Aaron Leeson-Woolley, tragedy strikes when this bride-to-be goes missing. In Monique Patterson’s crime non-fiction book, United in Grief: The Tragic Story of Stephanie Scott’s Murder and the Effect it had on the Small Town of Leeton NSW, the author gives an account of what transpired behind Scott’s disappearance and the harrowing confession from the man responsible for her death that left an entire community shocked and devastated. The culprit, school cleaner Vincent Stanford, was known for many wonderful things, but psychometric tests revealed that he manifested deeply entrenched faults in his personality. As for the small town of Leeton, the developments of the investigation will continue to leave them in horror and at a loss for words, as their community gets into the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

United in Grief is a moving and heartbreaking story, and Monique Patterson succeeds in reminding readers that evil can lurk in any corner and assume different forms. The narrative moves in a direct line, taking you step-by-step through the events that led to Scott’s rape and murder. It also provides generous information on the profile of Stanford. Patterson motivates readers to ask: what type of human being would do something so heinous to another person? United in Grief is a gruesome real-life tale of murder with a considerable emotional impact, honoring the memory of a promising life that was snuffed out like a candle flame. True crime is more horrifying than its fictional counterpart, and this story proves it.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Zodiac Revisited, Volume 1: The Facts of the Case is a nonfiction, true crime book written by Michael F. Cole. The story of the Zodiac Killer is an exceptional one in the pantheon of serial killers. His saga is a mystery that remains unsolved five decades after he first appeared and continued to slaughter innocents, taunt the authorities, and share personal details with the press and the public alike. He first appeared on the scene in December 1968, and, in the ten months following, had launched attacks four times, leaving five victims dead and two others, who were left for dead, surviving grievous injuries. He continued to dominate the news cycles; however, through 1974, and, while authorities considered his death toll to be those five victims, the Zodiac claimed that he had dispatched 37 unlucky souls who had met him under unfortunate circumstances. Cole’s work focuses on what he terms “Pillars of Principal Importance” in his investigation into the Zodiac Killer: the crimes committed; the letters sent by the Zodiac killer to the press and the authorities, over 20 letters in all; and the journalistic efforts of the Chronicle, the Examiner and the Vallejo Times-Herald in reporting the crimes and their interactions with the Zodiac.

Michael F. Cole’s The Zodiac Revisited is a compelling and well-written story charting the odyssey of one of America’s most enduring mysteries -- the Zodiac killer and the hold he had on the Bay Area for years. Cole brings the reader in close focus to each of the attacks, making them privy to details made public as well as those kept quiet to help the authorities discount fakes and copy cats during their investigations. His accounts of eye-witnesses and the surviving victims are fascinating and helped me understand more about this shadowy killer who terrorized the country and seemed oddly dependent upon the authorities and the press as he continued his rampages. Likewise, Cole’s coverage of the ciphers the Zodiac sent and the efforts made by authorities and cryptologists alike to decipher them is fascinating. I appreciated the endnotes and images of victims, locations and the notes the Zodiac sent, which all provide the reader with the opportunity to consider the evidence and perhaps do a bit of armchair sleuthing. The Zodiac Revisited is a well-organized and brilliantly presented work. It’s highly recommended.

Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

The subtitle to Chris Riedel’s book Blood Money is ‘One Man’s Bare-Knuckle Fight to Protect Tax Payers from Medical Fraud,’ which is a very accurate description of the contents. He opens the door to give us a peep into the deep level of corruption, illegal practices, and the blindsiding of the general public, probably at their lowest point, when they are seeking help for failing health. He documents how he became a Whistle Blower in his fight initially in California to bring the two biggest laboratory testing companies to account for flagrantly breaking the law. The book covers almost eight years, spanning the west to the east coast of the US, as each state’s laws differed slightly and even those appointed by government prosecutors to uphold the law failed in their duty. It’s a long and dangerous walk to make, and the last section explains ways to protect both the informant, his family, and his livelihood. There are stories of how big business will lie, steal, cheat and, indeed, laugh at the law while in some cases paying ludicrously small amounts in reparation and carrying on as before. They use every trick to defeat and destroy anyone who has the courage to take them on in the legal system.

Blood Money by Chris Riedel is not an easy read and the reason I say this is that I stopped every few pages in total shock at the level of fraud that is occurring in the United States medical system. It is so blatant, so ingrained, all brought into the spotlight in this book. It has everything from offshore accounts to death threats. You have to admire the tenacity, the hours of work, the desire to protect the taxpayers who are defrauded by corporate companies and the author is to be applauded for his courage. However, the failures and the extent of the corruption are heartbreaking. CEOs found in breach of the law still received their bonuses, golden parachutes and only one has been imprisoned as a result of dozens of successful court cases. The lawyers’ fees mount up, the small companies who play by the rules go bankrupt and everyone carries on as before. An in-depth book that leaves no stone unturned, that names names and follows cases from beginning to end in detail, Blood Money should be required reading not only for legal students but members of the public whose hard-earned tax dollars are going to line the pockets of the few. A book that opened my eyes and left me in a mild state of shock.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

A Stranger Killed Katy by William D. LaRue is the True Story of Katherine Hawelka, Her Murder on a New York Campus, and How Her Family Fought Back. On August 29, 1986, a stranger arrived in town. Just hours later Katy Hawelka, a pretty sophomore, was heading back to campus after a night out when she was brutally raped, strangled, and left for dead. A man, covered in blood, was found hiding nearby but he claimed he found her like that and tried to help. Three days after the attack, Katy died and so the nightmare started. When Katy’s mother, Terry Connelly, learned that the murder could have been stopped, her blood begins to boil. From campus guards to those who allowed the murderer to be free on the streets, Katy’s family is determined to ensure that their daughter’s death would be avenged, that the murderer would pay for his crimes. For more than 30 years, they fight for justice for Katy, not justice for the criminals.

A Stranger Killed Katy by William D. LaRue is a story that will reach deep into you, the story of an innocent woman’s life taken from her by a complete stranger. The story is told in a straightforward, respectful manner, keeping Katy’s family and friends firmly in mind all the while. At times, it is horrific but most true crime stories are and this one recounts everything as it happened. This is more than just the story of a life cut short; it also brings home the fact that justice doesn’t always serve the right people and it's about time things changed to make sure that the victims and not the criminals are looked after. You will be hooked by this book, you will feel true compassion for the family and it will make your blood boil at times too. Fantastically written, a great insight into the legal justice (or injustice, as some people call it) system, and a story that will never leave you.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Liv to Tell by Ann Heathman is based on the true story of Olivia Carson. Liv Carson is on a caving expedition when disaster strikes. Saved by Gary Preston, Liv thinks she is the luckiest woman alive and is reeled in by his kind, loving nature. They marry and have children and Liv believes she has the perfect marriage until Gary’s evil side appears and her life becomes a living nightmare. Subjected to abuse and isolation, Liv is under Gary’s control but she hasn’t seen anything yet. When she asks for a divorce, the full weight of the nightmare is forced onto her. And when the mob is involved, things turn truly deadly for Liv. Can she escape with her sanity and life intact? How far will Gary go to exert control over her life?

Liv to Tell by Ann Heathman tells the story of how Liv Carson escaped from a sociopathic husband and is based on a true story, although names have been changed. It’s a terrifying tale of how easy it is to be taken in by charm, to be reeled in and hooked until it's too late to get out. It’s easy to wonder why women stay trapped in marriages to people like Gary but unless you’ve been in that position, you can’t possibly understand just how hard it is to escape. Liv tells us why she stayed, why she couldn’t get out, and why she ignored the obvious red flags. This is compelling reading, a book that will draw you in, hold you until the end, and haunt you for a long time when it's all over. It may even have you studying everyone you meet, trying to spot the signs of abused or abuser. A well-written story, Ann Heathman has developed characters you won’t forget in a hurry, with real-life experiences wound through the plot to unveil the horror the real-life ‘Liv’ went through at ‘Gary's' hands. A must-read book that everyone can learn something from.

Reviewed by Shannon Winings for Readers' Favorite

On March 1, 1932, Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr. was abducted from his crib in his parents' New Jersey home. His nanny, Betty Gow, was the first to notice his disappearance. This stirred a massive hunt for baby Charles and the kidnapper(s). The Lindbergh Kidnapping Suspect No. 1: The Man Who Got Away by Lise Pearlman starts by introducing the Lindbergh family and their history before describing the now-infamous kidnapping. Following the disappearance, readers are then taken on a journey to search for the suspect(s). Ten weeks later, this turns into a manhunt for the killer(s). Lise Pearlman takes readers on an adventure behind the scenes and delves into what the evidence says to reveal a shocking conclusion. Was Bruno Richard Hauptmann's execution for this crime a mistake?

The Lindbergh Kidnapping Suspect No. 1: The Man Who Got Away by Lise Pearlman is a must-read for any true crime aficionado and those fascinated with this highly publicized case. I was thrilled to read this book and am sure others will like it as well. The book is meticulously organized and filled with information. Clearly, the author did an extensive amount of research. The author even provides a cast of characters, photographs, end-notes, sources, appendices, and an index. In addition to this wealth of information, I enjoyed the author's writing style. I felt like I could truly get into the story and picture what was happening. I'm excited to see what other books the author has written and what they are up to next.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Playing Dead: A Memoir of Terror and Survival by Monique Faison Ross and Gary M. Krebs is a memoir that chronicles the author’s abusive relationship with her childhood sweetheart, an abuse that escalated from verbal and physical hurt to an attempt at murder. Monique married Chris after she discovered she was pregnant with his child. But it didn’t turn out to be a happily-ever-after experience for her as Chris started abusing her verbally and physically. And when she couldn’t take it any longer, she escaped with her children. Chris didn’t let her be. He started stalking her and no warnings from the police could stop him. Then one morning, he kidnapped her in front of their children and drove off with her on a dangerous ride involving a car crash and rape. He beat her on the head with a shovel and left her alone in the woods, believing her dead.

Playing Dead is poignant and compelling, arousing the anger of the reader and their sense of compassion for the victim. It is bold and told with unwavering honesty. It is easy to applaud the courage and intelligence of Monique Faison Ross, especially at the moment when she feigns death to escape the cruelty of her husband. She is wise and she makes decisions to protect herself, something that is rare in people who suffer from a cycle of abuse. The writing is beautiful and the chapters are well-crafted, each chapter ending with a curious note that pushes the reader to turn to the next page. Playing Dead: A Memoir of Terror and Survival is a gripping real-life story that gives readers chills and has them rooting for the author. A powerful indictment of domestic and spousal violence!

Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

Warning: Reading Steffen Hou's The Deprived: Innocents on Death Row might destroy any trust you have in the justice system. It might destroy your confidence in the integrity of those who purport to work toward making our society a safer and better place for all. It might destroy any faith you have in the fundamental goodness and decency of mankind. You will find The Deprived shocking and confronting. It will likely make you weep. In parts, you might struggle to find the strength to read on. If you support the death penalty, no matter what your reasons and no matter how strong your convictions, I guarantee reading The Deprived will make you question and doubt. It may even convert you to support campaigns against it.

Steffen Hou tells us that, in Texas, it costs three times more to put a convicted criminal to death than to house one in prison for forty years. And then he reminds us, through heart-wrenching true stories, that we can release a prisoner wrongly convicted and imprisoned, but we can never release the wrongly condemned from their grave. Nor can we ever repair the harm done to the families of the condemned, much less to the witnesses, jurors, judges, guards and executioners. We cannot repair or compensate for the damage caused to those who are finally exonerated and released from death row. They leave bars and orange jumpsuits behind, but they can never again be truly free. Steffen Hou relates the horrific yet inspiring stories of nine who were wrongly convicted and sentenced to death, but later set free.

But what of the victims of horrific crime? What of our need to keep citizens safe? Steffen Hou exposes disturbing statistics not only of erroneous convictions, but of the causes of error: causes that include false eyewitness testimony, shoddy defences of the poor and minority races, and even corruption and deliberate manipulation or suppression of evidence by those charged with protecting us all. And then he relates the inspiring story of Marietta Jaeger, who, following the brutal kidnapping and murder of her seven-year-old daughter by a serial killer, fights for forgiveness and mercy. Marietta co-founded 'Journey of Hope', helping people move from violence to healing. Her compassion for, and forgiveness of, the man who ended her daughter's life assisted his capture and conviction. We can never know how many lives her bravery and strength saved.

Steffen Hou does not offer a literary masterpiece. There are no vivid descriptions. There is no poetic prose. There is no word magic. The Deprived is a frank, direct, and quite brutal journalistic report of the terrible consequences of judgments we would like to see as tragic mistakes, but are more accurately portrayed as acts of horrific injustice that destroyed the lives of innocents and raise questions about the fundamental decency of what we pretend is an advanced and humane society. Hou does not appear to consciously strive for evocative copy, but the facts he exposes will tear at your heart. Reading The Deprived should be compulsory for everyone involved in any manner in law enforcement or the justice system.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Are you a true crime fan? As someone who has always clung to the adage that truth is stranger than fiction, I certainly am. And when it comes to the content and characters in Out Here in the Darkness by Abra Stevens, I know that for some readers the truth in this book will not only be stranger than fiction but a lot harder to stomach. You can’t just close this book and tell yourself “Good thing that never happened!” With that warning in mind, prepare to be shocked and even somewhat nauseous when you read how on one summer night, five teens brutally murdered one of their peers in a field near a cemetery. Stevens does not spare the gory details. Not only is what these teens did abhorrent, but the events leading up to it and the group’s justification of the act are repulsive.

Out Here in the Darkness is a well-researched book that combines actual details of police efforts to find those responsible with specific court transcripts once they face the justice system for sentencing. But what elevates this true crime story above becoming a dry recording of facts is Stevens’ ability to make these young criminals real people who have gone astray. Through the exchange of dialogue between the teens, and their likely personal reflections before and after the act, readers recognize that several of these teens were once just kids raised in anything but ideal circumstances. Though their crime was monstrous, Stevens doesn’t leave readers thinking of them as monsters. Abra Stevens’ interest in the psychology of these murderers is shown most toward the end where the author devotes several chapters to exploring one of them, Mike Cravey, as he serves his 33-year prison sentence. This section is most enlightening, and readers who care more about the whys than the whats behind violent acts like the one depicted will think about those whys long after they close the book.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

His Garden: Conversations with a Serial Killer by Anne K. Howard takes us inside the mind of a serial killer. In just a few short months in small-town Connecticut, seven people went missing and one man, William Devin Howell, better known as Bill, knew exactly what had happened to them. Howard struck up a relationship with Howell for the purposes of this book whilst he was already serving time for the murder of one of the seven victims. Initially treated with suspicion by Howell, Howard was eventually able to win over the killer’s trust to the point where Howell thought of her as a friend. He had promised Howard he would “tell all” once his trial was completed. When he decided to plead guilty to the remaining six murders, he openly confessed everything to the author and attempted to describe and justify his reasons for killing the six women and one man, most of whom were drug-addicted prostitutes at the time of their murders. In a series of letters, telephone calls and face-to-face meetings (through prison plexi-glass), Howard has managed to capture the essence of this man’s/monster’s need and desire to kill and yet, like us readers, she remains perplexed.

This is the first “True-Life” murder story I have read and Anne K. Howard has painted a picture of a complex and strangely normal person who somehow managed to turn into a monster killer who would become Connecticut’s most prolific serial killer. Particularly fascinating for me was that Howell didn’t really seem to fit the profile of a serial killer. He certainly wasn’t a loner and was both gregarious and well-liked outside of his predilection for picking up prostitutes for sex and then sometime raping and murdering them. In many ways Howell portrayed himself as a loveable rogue, which the author seemed to reinforce. Yes, he was a drifter and a drinker, but everyone who knew him appeared to have a few good words to say about him. This story was no doubt the author’s attempt to reconcile William Howell the happy-go-lucky drifter with William Howell the raping, murdering monster, he clearly was. At times the story is hard to read, especially the effects of Howell’s crimes on the families of the victims, something Howell still fails to realize, but it is riveting stuff and helps us to answer, in some small way, the question of what makes a monster? This is an excellent read and one I highly recommend.