"Till Murder Do Us Part" & "Ramp Up to Murder" by James Patterson

Till Murder Do Us Part by James Patterson actually is two good stories with the other being Ramp up to Murder.  In the first story, Katie has been married for 12 years and one day finds out that she really does not know her husband at all.  

The second story is about Brandi who moves to Tucson and soon makes a new best friend and a boyfriend.  However, things go from bad to worse.

I liked both stories.  I flew through this book!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Unclaimed Victim" by D. M. Pulley

The Unclaimed Victim by D. M. Pulley is historical fiction based on true crime.  In 1938, a madman is going through the hobo jungles of Cleveland killing people and chopping them up!  Ethel needs to take refuge but winds up in a situation that she never thought she would be.  Sixty years later, Kris learns that her father was possibly killed and chopped up!  Can it really be her dad?  Can this killer still be alive?

This book had some really good parts, but about a quarter of it dragged along for me.  Ethel and Kris were good characters, but the others not so much with a so-so ending.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars) 

Teaser from page 9:  "I don't know," she whispered and pressed her forehead to her knees.  A severed arm floated through a dark stream of thought.  A tattoo blurred in the water.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Little Deaths" by Emma Flint is Based on a True Story

Little Deaths by Emma Flint is based on a true story. Ruth Malone lives a loose life, and that is putting it mildly. She has two kids and an on-again-off-again relationship with her husband. One night her kids are missing and in the days that follow, both are found dead. Did Ruth do it? The police and public opinion have her guilty. This book played out pretty good and kept my interest for the most part. It is worth reading for sure!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Shot All To Hell" by Mark Lee Gardner

Shot All To Hell--Jesse James, the Northfield Raid, and the Wild West's Greatest Escape by Mark Lee Gardner is a non-fiction book that tells the story of Frank and Jesse James and their brothers in arms, the younger gang. It covers their last bank robbery job and the chase for them afterward. The part about the bank robbery was really good and interesting. Some of the other meetings they had with people were good and even funny at times. However, I thought there would be a lot more action in this book so was disappointed.
(Gerard's review, 3.5 stars)

I liked Sutton by J. R. Moehringer much better, also a bank robber! It was fantastic!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

A Very Scary Read: "The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder" by Charles Graeber

The Good Nurse—A True Story of Medicine, Madness, Murder by Charles Graeber is a great book! I would class it as a thriller, but it’s non-fiction! Charles Cullen is a male nurse at a hospital where strange events happen on his shift. As you read this book, remember that this is not a novel, but a true story! That’s what makes it so scary! This kept my interest all the way through and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! I’ll never think of hospitals the same way again—very scary!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"A Case For Solomon--Bobby Dunbar and The Kidnapping That Haunted a Nation"

A True Crime Book from 1912

A Case For Solomon--Bobby Dunbar and the Kidnapping That Haunted A Nation by Tal McThenia and Margaret Dunbar is a true story about a kidnapping that took place in 1912. Two boys are missing, one boy is found nine months later and two families claim him as their son. There is that trial and also the trial of the kidnapper which makes for a good read and at times, a page turner well worth your time! I enjoyed it!
(Gerard's review, rating 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Sutton" by J.R. Moehringer--Fantastic!

Sutton by J. R. Moehringer is a fantastic book! Don't let the word "novel" fool you, Willie Sutton was an actual person. He made the first FBI Most Wanted list. He robbed banks but never hurt anyone or shot a gun. When asked why he robbed banks, he responded, "Because that's where the money is." This page turner will for sure make my top ten books of 2012. I loved it!
(Gerard's review, rating 5+++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

We are adding this one to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop in response to this prompt:  Book Review time! Recommend a great book, perfect for these stormy fall days! Hope you will subscribe to our blog so you get all of our reviews!

"The Fatal Gift of Beauty--the Trials of Amanda Knox"

I must confess that I did not read The Fatal Gift of Beauty--the Trials of Amanda Knox by Nina Burleigh cover to cover. The first 179 pages or so were background stuff, which is necessary, I know; but I found it rather boring and uninteresting after awhile. I just skimmed most of that. When I finally got up to the murder, the investigation and the trial, it was very, very good and I was caught up in it. Can't say this is a must read, but sort of good overall.  If you are interested in this case, I recommend it.
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?  

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"A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard

Thanks to the Best of 2011 Blog Hop over at "A Pause on the Path," I discovered that this is our most viewed post of 2011 with 106.

As I read A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a novel but it actually happened. It's a remarkable story of how Jaycee was kidnapped and lived in a backyard shack for 18 years. It will have you turning pages quickly because it is riveting. Thanks for telling your story so well, Jaycee! Hope your daughters and you can enjoy a normal life. I'm glad you finally have a dog too!
(Gerard's review)

After seeing the news story about Jaycee Dugard being kidnapped at age 11 and held captive for 18 years, I wasn't sure I wanted to read her book, A Stolen Life, because the abductor was such a slimeball but I am glad I did.  This is a fascinating book. I was pleasantly surprised that although she did not have freedom, she was not tortured too much. She cooperated so he would not get mad and so she could survive. It did surprise me though that she didn’t even think about ways to escape. I was so happy that she had kittens and a bird to keep her company. Phillip raped her and she became a 14-yr.-old mother of a healthy baby girl and had another later too. These girls brightened her life. This is a heartbreaking story while she was in captivity, but fortunately it has a happy ending.
(Karen's Review)

Here is a video that summarizes what she went through.  After we saw the show, we wanted to read her book!





Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"The Central Park Five" by Srah Burns

Spunky Doodle Likes the tree on the cover!

The Central Park Five by Sarah Burns tells the true story of a woman brutally attacked while jogging in Central Park in New York and the five people accused of the crime. This is the type of book I love, one that brings me up to speed on a subject I heard about but don't know all the details. This book filled in the missing pieces for me. Great investigating reporting makes this a good book, a quick read with only 200 pages that kept my interest all the way.
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"Finding Chandra" by Scott Highman and Sari Horwitz

Finding Chandra--A True Washington Murder Mystery by Scott Highman and Sari Horwitz is interesting. When this story broke it was major news. Then 9/11 happened and it was sort of forgotten. This reads like a novel but it is a true story. As always, I enjoyed learning more about this than I knew before which is the major reason I liked this book. I wouldn't call it compelling reading, but if you want to know the whole story about the missing girl, this book gives it to you.
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"Scoreboard Baby" by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry

Wow! Oh wow! I decided to read Scoreboard Baby Scoreboard Baby by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry because of what is going on at Ohio State and the trouble they are in. This book is about the year 2000 football season at the University of Washington.

I didn't think it was going to be this good, but it is!! The stuff these guys got away with because they were football players made the Ohio State stuff look like kid's play. Rape, shooting, drugs, DUI all looked at the other way not only by the school, but the law as well--UNBELIEVABLE! Sad but true. The reporters did an outstanding job of investigating.

This was a real eye opener for me--loved it! If you want to find out the story beyond Saturday college game days, this book is for you.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"The Mary Surratt Lincoln Assassination Trial" by Bryna J. Fireside

Let me see a show of hands please for all those people who know the name Mary Surratt and her place in history. My hand would not have been raised before I read The Mary Surratt Lincoln Assassination Trial by Bryna J. Fireside. I enjoyed learning about history that I know nothing about. She was the only woman hanged in the U.S. This book covers the trial, the plot, and the killing of President Lincoln. It is only 109 pages so I finished it in one day. It left me wondering if Mary was innocent or guilty. I believe it's well worth your time to read!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"Seven Days Of Rage: The Deadly Crime Spree Of The Craigslist Killer"

Seven Days of Rage by Paul Larosa and Maria Cramer is from the excellent TV shows “48 Hours Mystery” the story of the “Craigslist Killer” is an excellent read of how a young medical student who “had it all” went so bad.  Reading this was just like watching the show.  I really enjoyed the in-depth reporting and getting all sides of the story.  The show is on Saturdays which I tape and look forward to watching.  It's a great show about true crime.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"No Daddy, Don't" by Irene Pence

No Daddy Don’t by Irene Pence is a shocking non-fiction story about how John Battaglia killed two of his children and the trial afterward.  It gives all the background that led up to the day he did it.  It’s a good read!  I especially enjoyed the trial part of the book!
(Gerard's Review)

We discovered this book over at Reading, Reading & LIfe.  Check out that review too!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?