Philip Gourevitch penned hands down the most harrowing non-fiction book I've ever perused: We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families. This book haunted my dreams, and even though I read it nearly half a decade ago, certain parts still linger in my mind. Gourevitch's attempts to'respect the dead' by not stepping on bones in a killing field, only to realize the place is literally paved with them, are deeply disturbing. The throwaway detail about all the dogs in Rwanda being culled because they'd been feasting on human flesh, along with page after page of anecdotes and incidents, mostly shatters one's faith in humanity. I don't know if anything can top this, and I'm not sure I'd want to read it. Naturally, I became curious about the rest of his bibliography and picked up Kindle versions of pretty much everything he's written so far.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Cold Case is far less ambitious and thus less impactful. It plays out more like a real-life noir/detective story. A stubborn cop decides to reopen the investigation into the death of one of his friends, nearly two decades after the fact. Through painstaking deduction and an absolute lack of serendipity and lucky breaks, he manages to bring the culprit to justice.

The murderer, Frank Koehler, turns out to be an enigmatic character spouting lines that wouldn't seem out of place in a Jim Thompson novel as he tries to come to terms with his choices and their consequences. At times, Koehler seems almost too perfectly enigmatic. Had I lived anywhere other than Bombay, where casually poetic characters who speak 'in dialogue' are not hard to find, I might have wondered about the credibility of the book.

It's a great evocation of the New York of the 50s and 60s, populated with characters that the author acknowledges are a dying breed even as he writes about them: "scumbags" with a vaguely defined and, in my opinion, highly convenient code of honor.

Frankie Koehler committed a heinous act in 1970 when he shot two men dead and then vanished without a trace.

Almost three decades passed, and a cop who was on the verge of retirement decided to re-open the case, hoping to uncover any new information that might have emerged.

Unlike a lesser writer, Gourevitch manages to pack a powerful punch in under 200 pages. His narrative is incredibly tight and clean, leaving no room for unnecessary fluff.

The characters in the story come alive through their vivid speech, making them feel like real people. Gourevitch adheres to Elmore Leonard's dictum of omitting the details that other writers laboriously include.

This book is an excellent character study of a minor crime and the man who committed it. If it were ever made into a movie, it's easy to imagine Cagney in the role of Koehler, and Koehler himself would no doubt have been thrilled at the prospect.

Top-notch True Crime

True crime has always been a captivating genre, and when it's top-notch, it becomes an absolute page-turner. These stories delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche, exploring the motives and actions of criminals. The details are often so vivid and disturbing that they leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Top-notch true crime not only provides a thrilling read but also offers insights into the criminal justice system. It shows how investigators work tirelessly to solve cases, sometimes facing numerous obstacles along the way. The stories also highlight the impact that crime has on the victims and their families.

Whether it's a well-known case or a lesser-known one, top-notch true crime has the power to engage and educate. It allows readers to step into the shoes of the investigators and experience the hunt for the truth. So, if you're a fan of mystery and suspense, then top-notch true crime is definitely for you.

This started out SO good.

It had all the elements to draw me in and keep my attention. But, by the middle, it had reached the climax, and that's when things started to take a bit of a turn.

By the end, I'd wished it had ended 50 pages earlier.

Basically, this is a true story about a double homicide that had been solved, but the person wasn't found for 27 years.

The reason being, the suspect was presumed dead after a few years of trying to find him, so it was just filed away.

Until a cop who had been friends with one of the victims started to wonder if the guy had ever been caught.

So, he goes through the file and, lo and behold, he finds the guy.

Pretty awesome story, and it's well written.

Also, it tells a story of the insane, tough guy New York that I love.

The author does a great job of描绘 the gritty and complex city, along with the characters who inhabit it.

It's a fascinating read that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good true crime story.

The book is rather slight, and I wasn't in the least bit surprised to discover that it originated from a couple of New Yorker articles. What truly astonished me, however, is that Gourevitch didn't seem to have made an attempt to expand it into something less significant.

It's a relatively straightforward tale about a NYC cop who began to think about an old case and resolved to work on it. Through considerable old-fashioned policing methods (that is, posing numerous questions to people), the cops were able to apprehend a killer who had eluded them for over twenty years.

There aren't any notable twists or turns to mention. Nevertheless, it is captivating to learn about a person who managed to remain in hiding for such a long time to evade prosecution for crimes that were so uncomplicated. In fiction, there is often a purpose to murder; in real life, it's not quite the same.

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I very much enjoyed this book.

The author's story-telling skills are truly remarkable.

From the very beginning, the story grabs your attention and keeps you hooked until the very end.

The characters are well-developed and you really care about what happens to them.

The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

It's not just a simple story, but one that makes you think and feel.

The book also has beautiful descriptions that paint a vivid picture in your mind.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great story.

It's a must-read that will leave you satisfied and wanting more.

I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

A short book, which initially started as a piece in the New Yorker magazine and consists of only 100 pages, tells an enthralling story. It is about a detective who, against all odds, manages to locate a missing murder suspect after a staggering 27 years. By this time, everyone else had long since given up on the case, deeming it a lost cause. However, our determined detective refuses to let go and continues his arduous search.

Once the perpetrator is finally caught, unfortunately, the book seems to run out of steam. The pacing slows down, and the excitement that had been building up throughout the story dissipates to some extent. Nevertheless, despite this minor drawback, the book remains a worthwhile read. It offers a captivating look into the mind of a dedicated detective and the lengths he will go to in order to solve a case. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat, making it a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.

Overall, this short book may not be perfect, but it still has enough charm and substance to make it a memorable and enjoyable read.

This is a review that simply states "A good, and quick, read."

It implies that the book or text being referred to is enjoyable and can be finished relatively fast.

Perhaps it has an engaging plot, interesting characters, or a writing style that keeps the reader hooked.

The brevity of the review makes it seem like the person didn't want to give away too much, but still wanted to recommend it.

It leaves the potential reader with a sense of curiosity, wondering what makes this particular read so good and quick.

Maybe it's a light-hearted mystery, a short story collection, or a self-help book with practical advice presented in an accessible way.

Whatever it is, this review suggests that it's worth taking the time to pick up and give it a try.

After all, who doesn't love a good, quick read that can provide entertainment or enlightenment in a short amount of time?

At the tender age of 15, Frankie Koehler committed a heinous act of killing two men in cold blood. This young and ruthless mobster later added another victim to his list by taking the life of one of Andy Rosenzweig's best friends.

Thirty years have passed, and yet this case remains unsolved. Andy, driven by a sense of justice and loyalty, refuses to retire without bringing the perpetrator of his friend's crime to justice.

This book is not just a simple account of the events but rather a deep case study into the mind of Frankie Koehler and an exploration of why this mod-style mentality exists. I had thoroughly enjoyed Gourevitch's previous work about the Rwanda genocide, and thus, I eagerly anticipated reading his account of this real-life drama.

The book was indeed interesting, and his insights into the criminal mind were captivating. However, it was a bit of a let-down as I felt that he could have delved deeper into the details of the crime itself.

Overall, it is an interesting read for those who have a passion for the New York style mob genre. It is a relatively quick read, so it would be a great find at a used book store or library.

Here is an expanded version of the article:

An interesting story unfolds, taking us back to the year 1970. It is a tale of a murder that occurred during that time. At first glance, it might not seem overly exciting, but as you delve deeper into the narrative, you'll find that it is well-written and highly entertaining.

The details of the murder are carefully crafted, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The author skillfully weaves together the events leading up to the crime and the subsequent investigation. Despite the passage of 28 years, the story manages to maintain its grip on the reader's attention.

As the mystery slowly unravels, we are drawn into the lives of the characters involved. We witness their emotions, their struggles, and their determination to solve the case. The resolution, when it finally comes, is both satisfying and unexpected, leaving us with a sense of closure and a newfound appreciation for the power of a well-told story.

A very quick read full of big personalities

This is a description that immediately grabs one's attention. It implies that the content within is not only engaging but also filled with characters who have distinct and memorable traits.

Such a read can be highly entertaining, as it allows the reader to be immersed in a world populated by larger-than-life individuals.

The brevity of the description also suggests that the story or text is concise yet impactful, making it accessible even to those with limited time.

Whether it's a novel, a short story, or an article, being full of big personalities adds an extra layer of interest and excitement.

It makes the reader eager to discover more about these characters and how their personalities drive the narrative forward.

In conclusion, a very quick read full of big personalities is a promising combination that has the potential to captivate and delight readers.

Short and to the point - that's the ideal for all true crime stories, but unfortunately, it's a rarity.

True crime has the power to captivate our attention, to send shivers down our spines, and to make us question the very nature of humanity. But often, it gets bogged down in unnecessary details, convoluted narratives, and excessive speculation.

We want to know the facts, the who, what, when, where, and why. We want a clear and concise account of the crime, without all the fluff. Because in the end, it's the truth that matters.

A short and to the point true crime story can have a far greater impact than a long and drawn-out one. It can cut to the chase, leaving us with a lasting impression and a sense of unease.

So let's hope that more true crime writers and journalists take note and start presenting their stories in a more concise and engaging way. Because that's how all true crime should be.