Robert D. Keppell

Advantages: Teaches something new, fascinating
Disadvantages: Gory(though not gratuitously), some bits might need reading over a few times

...This book is fascinating, offering an insight into the human mind and some of its darker areas. The author (with assistance from William J. Birnes), Robert D. Keppel, is generally regarded as a superb detective; he’s investigated or consulted on more than 2,000 murder cases and 50 serial murder investigations. As well as a great detective, he is also a respected writer, and in this book he goes into great detail about some of the cases he’s investigated. As non-fiction it has a powerful effect, and is definitely not for the squeamish. The book explains the crimes, why and how they were committed and how they were solved, with particular focus on the “signatures” of the title (for those who don’t know, a signature in these terms refers to, as Keppel himself puts it: the killer’s “psychological... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: 4 great short stories
Disadvantages: not being more

...Together with 3 other great writers, N.Roberts weaves a spellbounding book full of magic, love, curses and spells. According to the book, all you have to do is wish upon a star for everything to change for the better. When I first read it, I was enthralled! I couldn't put the book down. Unfortunately, here in Portugal we don't have that many books by N.Roberts in English or in Portuguese, but with my aunt's help (she lives in the USA and when she comes to visit she usually brings me a few books that I ask) I was able to read them. My parents always argue because I can't seem to put those books about love and fairytales and romances down, I read and read and read and have to finish them quickly, because I feel incomplete. All this to say that this book, along with all the Once Upon series and several others by N.Roberts are great... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Gripping Police procedural with loner Harry Bosch
Disadvantages: None - apart from ridiculous internet thread

...Riots in LA are imminent. Prominent black lawyer Howard Elias has been brutally murdered. He forecast a LA cop would kill him, and everyone believes a cop did it, including the police chief. They'd they’d rather the investigation doesn't lay the blame on LAPD or LA will go up in flames, but investigation has to be seen to be thorough. Elias was on the eve of a high profile court case alleging the LAPD tortured a suspect in custody to make him confess to a nasty child rape-murder. Harry Bosch is given the thankless task of making the investigation, and the department hamstrings him by teaming him with the internal affairs officer that previously investigated Harry. No one seriously doubts the child killer is guilty – the evidence is cast iron, but why kill Elias? At first Harry seems to have a hopeless case. An investigating team... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful