This book wasn't precisely what I had anticipated. However, it is indeed a remarkable piece of reportage.

It essentially amounts to a character analysis of a career criminal and his chaser. From start to finish, it makes for a truly excellent read.

Gourevitch earns additional points due to his vivid portrayal of street life in 1960's New York. The details he provides bring that era and its urban environment to life, allowing the reader to almost step into the shoes of the characters and experience the hustle and bustle of the city streets.

Despite not meeting my initial expectations, the book's engaging narrative and well-developed characters more than make up for it. It offers a unique perspective on the criminal underworld and the people who inhabit it, as well as those who are dedicated to bringing them to justice.

Overall, it is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in true crime or a captivating story set in a bygone era.

True crime is a genre that I seldom, if ever, engage with in my reading.

Consequently, I'm not entirely sure how prevalent this particular feature is. However, the way the events are retold, complete with quotations from the individuals involved, strongly reminded me of those 'dramatised documentary' shows on television.

In such programmes, actors bring to life the scenarios described by 'talking head' experts or the like. It's quite an interesting parallel.

The best quote, without a doubt, comes from lawyer Murray Richman.

He states, "Murder's my favorite. I love murder. Always one less witness to worry about."

This rather bold and perhaps controversial statement adds an extra layer of intrigue to the whole narrative. It makes one wonder about the mindset of those involved in such complex and often dark legal cases.

Overall, while true crime may not be my usual reading choice, this particular aspect of it has certainly piqued my interest.

Quick Read, Interesting "Chase"

Philip G can obviously write. His works offer a unique and engaging reading experience.

The stories he creates are filled with excitement and adventure, taking the reader on a thrilling "chase" through various landscapes and scenarios.

Whether it's a mystery that needs to be solved or a race against time, Philip G's writing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

His characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their journey.

With his quick-paced writing style and interesting plotlines, Philip G's books are a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good adventure or mystery.

So, if you're looking for a quick and interesting read, be sure to check out Philip G's work.

The author of the book switched tenses throughout, and this really annoyed me. It made the reading experience quite disrupted. One moment, it would be in the past tense, vividly describing events that had already happened. And then, suddenly, it would shift to the present tense, as if the events were unfolding right at that moment. This inconsistent use of tenses made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story and understand the sequence of events. I found myself constantly having to reorient my thoughts and figure out which time frame the author was referring to. It was a distraction that took away from the overall enjoyment of the book. I hope that in future works, the author will pay more attention to maintaining a consistent tense to create a more seamless and engaging reading experience.

A Riveting True Crime Tale

True crime stories have always had a certain allure, captivating audiences with their real-life dramas and mysteries. This particular true crime tale is no exception. It unfolds with a series of events that are both shocking and engrossing.

The story begins with a seemingly ordinary day that takes a dark turn. A crime is committed, leaving the community in a state of shock and fear. The details of the crime are gradually revealed, painting a picture of a complex and disturbing situation.

As the investigation unfolds, detectives work tirelessly to piece together the evidence and identify the culprit. Their efforts are met with numerous challenges and setbacks, but they refuse to give up. Along the way, they encounter a cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets.

The true crime tale builds to a thrilling climax as the detectives close in on the suspect. The final moments are filled with tension and anticipation, as the reader wonders if justice will be served. In the end, the truth is revealed, and the story comes to a satisfying conclusion.

This riveting true crime tale is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, and leave you with a sense of awe and admiration for the detectives who dedicated their lives to solving the case.

It's truly arduous to pen a "literary" true crime narrative.

I do have an appreciation for this author's endeavor not to sensationalize or descend into vulgarity. However, the story is recounted in such a restrained manner that it began to strike me as rather lackluster.

It gave me the impression that perhaps there wasn't quite an ample amount of content to justify an entire book.

The author's choice of a more subdued approach might have been intended to add a certain sophistication, but it seems to have had the unintended consequence of making the story feel a bit flat.

Maybe a bit more vivid description or a more engaging narrative style could have brought this true crime story to life and made it more captivating for the reader.

As it stands, while I respect the author's attempt to do something different, the overall result leaves something to be desired.

If all true crime was written the way Gourevitch does it, reading true crime would be all pleasure and no guilt.

Gourevitch has a unique writing style that makes the often dark and disturbing subject matter of true crime not only bearable but also engaging.

His ability to tell a story with such precision and detail, while also maintaining a sense of humanity and empathy for the victims and their families, is truly remarkable.

When reading his work, one doesn't feel like they are simply consuming sensationalized accounts of violence and crime. Instead, one is drawn into a complex and nuanced exploration of the human condition.

Gourevitch's writing forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths about our society and ourselves, while also offering a glimmer of hope and redemption.

If only all true crime writers could follow his lead, perhaps we could all enjoy reading about these tragedies without the accompanying feelings of guilt and discomfort.

A concise and crisp account unfolds of a dedicated cop who achieves the remarkable feat of closing a long-standing cold case, specifically a double homicide. The perpetrator in this case appears to be a true psychopath, lacking any genuine sense of remorse for his heinous crime. Instead, his only emotion seems to be one of regret that he has finally been caught. This account, which has the distinct feel of a New Yorker article, may not be considered great, but it is undeniably good. It offers a glimpse into the world of law enforcement and the tenacity required to solve even the most challenging of cases. The story leaves the reader with a sense of both satisfaction at the resolution of the case and a chilling reminder of the nature of true evil.

My mate Dan McMullan is truly one of a kind. He's a Berkeley shit-kicker, which might seem improbable considering he's missing a leg. Back in the 1980s, when we were good friends, I saw him shove a cop who was hassling a fellow homeless man while they were having a beer on Telegraph Avenue. That sort of behavior landed Danny in jail quite often. We kept in touch through letters, and it turned out he was a brilliant jailhouse writer. Now, he's not only a playwright but also a major activist for the Bay Area homeless.

Recently, he mentioned an uncle named Frank Koehler. Dan wrote, "These mob guys are full of stories but they neglect to mention how much work it is to bury a guy (unless of course something funny happens like leaving a body part in the trunk or hitting a water main...)."

Gourevitch tracks the cop who finally catches Koehler after decades in the cold case files. Dan claims the book is full of inaccuracies in its portrayal of his uncle, but then again, Dan probably has a soft spot for thugs.

One more interesting thing about Danny. When I was shipping used pianos to Cuba as a sort of protest against the Clinton administration's blocked-up Cuba policies, we came up with a plan. We decided to collect discarded prostheses from his fellow amputees and fill a container to send to the Cuban medical system. We called it "Arms for Cuba." It was a unique and rather remarkable idea that showed Danny's creativity and his willingness to take action for a cause.

A Different Cold Case

The story begins with a rather unusual cold case. Here, the identity of the killer is actually known from the start. However, what makes this case truly remarkable is that 27 years pass by.

During these long years, many things could have changed. The witnesses might have grown older, their memories fading. The evidence could have been lost or deteriorated. But still, the case remains unresolved.

The plot development is truly fantastic. It keeps the readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. Will the authorities finally be able to bring the killer to justice after all these years? Or will the passage of time prove to be an insurmountable obstacle?

As the story unfolds, new details emerge, adding more complexity to the case. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motives and secrets. It's a thrilling ride that takes the readers through a web of mystery and suspense.

Fast read.

Read like an extended magazine article. This approach allows for a quicker consumption of information, similar to flipping through the pages of a magazine. However, there is a sense that more depth could have been added to the search for Koehler.

Perhaps a more in-depth exploration of Koehler's background, motives, and actions would have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

It is important to note that while a fast read can be useful for getting a general overview, it may not always provide the full picture.

In this case, a more detailed examination of the search for Koehler might have revealed additional insights and perspectives.

Nevertheless, the fast read still offers a valuable starting point for further investigation and discussion.

It allows readers to quickly familiarize themselves with the topic and form initial opinions.

From there, they can choose to delve deeper and explore the subject matter in more detail.

Overall, while the fast read may not satisfy those seeking a highly detailed and in-depth analysis, it does serve a purpose in providing a quick and accessible introduction to the search for Koehler.

My husband discovered this book on a $2 shelf at a charming Indy bookstore.

He initially put it down, but then I picked it up.

It is a captivating true crime story that delves into a cold murder case and the detective who becomes completely fixated on it.

Since I have worked in criminal law for a period of time, I was able to empathize with all of the characters, both those in law enforcement and the criminal.

This is an extremely well-written book that focuses on an interesting murderer. He is intelligent, shrewd, and yet feels a great deal of self-pity.

The cop who is in pursuit of him is honest and has a good moral character.

Overall, it is a great read that keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

It offers a fascinating look into the minds of both the criminal and the detective, and provides a thrilling account of the investigation.

If you are a fan of true crime stories, this book is definitely worth checking out.