This collection of cases features one particularly interesting one. I wish the whole book was focused only on that one. I really prefer non-anthologies, but I got this whole collection for pretty cheap at the used book store, so here we are. This would be a good introductory series into true crime.

 This book is about a family in Connecticut who was targeted by two men, who violently beat and murdered the members of the family, save for one. There are a lot of negative reviews about this book, mostly because it delves into the psychological aspects of one of the killers and not the other. A lot of people seem to feel like this book was giving the one killer a say, but they are not understanding the interview was meant to show the thought process of the killer, like many other true crime books do. The surviving family member was unavailable for interview. It wasn't a bias favoring one over the other like some people state. The other issue I have seen in some of the negative reviews is that it was written before the case went to trial, though plenty of books are written before trial. I am not here to say that this was a five star book, because it wasn't for me. It wasn't the worst true crime book I have ever read. I would give it a middle score. 

 This book has untold sentimental value to me, but it is also a good book. I always thought the story of Moby Dick was fictional, but it had some truth behind it. I had no idea. This book gives a great description of what life on a whaling ship was like a long time ago. It was certainly not an easy career to have. I love Nathaniel Philbrick and his other works. This was great. 

 I love, love, love Erik Larson. He is one of my favorite historians and writers in general. In this book, he covers the goings on of William E Dodd in prewar Berlin. I had never even heard of William Dodd until I read this book, so I learned a lot about him. Ambassador Dodd brought his family with him to this posting, and his daughter wound up having affairs with lots of people, including the head of the Gestapo. This was a really good book, and I hope that he writes more from the World War II era. 

 This is the personal account of Yeonmi Park, who was born in North Korea. She told a heartbreaking story of what life was like in North Korea, with the lack of facilities, education, running water, and medical services. It is hard to imagine living like that. She managed to escape from North Korea, but was involved in sex trafficking throughout China. It is horrendous to think of anyone going through that kind of stuff, but to imagine a 13/14 year old girl enduring it, and then thinking about all of the children and people from all over the world who are essentially abducted and forced into sex slave labor. I just get revolted by the thought. I was relived that she was able to finally make it to South Korea and some stability and freedom. This was a tragic, brutal story, but it was very good. I wish that I would have read the physical copy instead of listening to the Audible version, but it was good. 

 This is the personal account of the author, Irene Gut Opdyke. She was seventeen at the outset of World War II, and transformed from a student nurse to a resistance fighter. Her story of what being a resistance fighter and living through the war was very inspiring and moving. This was a very good book, and I would definitely recommend it. 

 This book was absolutely horrific. This book went into great detail about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, which was horrific enough. Those who made it off the ship were subjected to burns from the fuel that was on fire. Not to mention the last of water, the lack of food, and the sharks who were picking them off one by one. It was just a truly horrible thing to read, however it was a good book and I think a necessary book about the war. 

 This book covers the murders of the Clutter Family. Herb Clutter was a farmer in Kansas. He was married to Bonnie, and they had four children. Two of his daughters, Beverly and Eveanna, had reached adulthood and moved out by the time the murders occured. Two children, Nancy and Kenyon, remained in the home. In the wee hours of November 15, 1959, the entire family was murdered in their home. The murders were pinned onto two escaped convicts, and this book outlines what their motive was and how they found this family.

I thought the book was really quite good, and I can see why it is considered a true crime classic. I thought it was interesting that Truman Capote was friends with Harper Lee and they took a trip to Kansas together to do research about these murders. It was well written, and you can tell he did a decent amount of research on this crime. I can't remember who suggested this book to me, but whoever it was, thanks. 

 This book is available on Kindle Unlimited, though I got it on Audible Plus. If you are interested, check both locations. I have seen several reviews complaining about the content of the book, how terrible and sick the descriptions were....apparently, they have no idea that they picked up a true crime book from a known true crime author. If this type of content is more that someone can bear, probably they should pick a different subject to read about. Dime store romance novels may be their best bet.

It is amazing to me how people treat their children. I cannot imagine treating my daughters the way that this Shelly woman did. The beginning of the book details her actions as a child and teenager, which was basically a parade of red flags. She had severe behavioral issues, went through several schools, and put her family through a lot of shenanagins and misery. Eventually, she grew up to be an abusive mother, a true terror to her daughters. Her husbands were supposedly once great men, yet helped her abuse the children and put up with her abuse as well. I cannot imagine allowing someone to harm my child. People have a terrible habit of turning their heads when they know something wrong is happening, because they do not want to get involved and have any hassle. It's obnoxious. 

 David Brown, a successful businessman, suffered an "unfortunate" stroke of luck when his fifth wife, Linda, was found shot to death in bed. To make matters worse for him, his fourteen year old daughter, Cinnamon, confessed to murdering her stepmother. Brown happily took possession of the life insurance, worth about a million dollars. Police did not quite believe her story, and though she was sentenced to twenty seven years to life in prison, she eventually told police the truth. The truth was that her father was an absolute cad. David Brown bought a new house with the life insurance money, and married a sixth young wife. This man had a history of manipulation and various forms of abuse and vile behavior. Cinnamon had visits with her father, in which she wore a wire. It turns out that he manipulated her into killing Linda Brown as a way to prove her love and loyalty.

This was a crazy story. It was full of twists that I was not expecting. I liked the research and presentation of the facts of the case. Ann Rule always does a really good job in that respect. I do think this book went on a little long. I think that it could have been edited a little bit more to take it down from six hundred pages. Other than the long windedness of the book, I enjoyed it.