This is a truly engaging piece that offers a fun, interesting, and quick read.

From the moment you start, you are drawn into a world filled with captivating details and a narrative that flows smoothly.

The author has done a great job of presenting the story in a way that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Although it may not be a perfect 5-star masterpiece, it definitely has its charm and merits.

If possible, I would rate it 3.5 stars.

It's the kind of article that you can enjoy in a short amount of time and still walk away with a sense of satisfaction.

Whether you're looking for a bit of entertainment or just a light read to pass the time, this article is definitely worth checking out.

So, go ahead and give it a try. You won't be disappointed!

This may be the book that I have re-read the most.

It is not only because of the beautiful prose and the engaging content, but also because of the vivid picture of NYC it presents, which dates back to before I was born.

Contrary to what many might think, drugs, crime, and thuggery were not just inventions of the 60s and 70s.

Yes, I am aware that this view might seem naive, but it is still beneficial to be reminded that the world did not start from the moment of our earliest memories.

This book serves as a powerful reminder that there is a rich and complex history that precedes our own personal experiences.

It makes us realize that the problems and challenges that society faces today have deep roots and have been evolving over time.

By reading this book, we can gain a better understanding of the past and perhaps use that knowledge to make a positive impact on the future.

It is a valuable lesson that we should all take to heart.

A quick read that I embarked upon just to get back on track with my book-reading goal. It is a simply written, yet captivating true tale.

The story revolves around an old-time NY gangster who, after thirty long years, finally paid his dues for a double murder.

What makes this book truly remarkable is the very eloquent way in which it describes both the NYPD and the type of criminals that plagued New York City in the 1960s.

The author's vivid descriptions bring to life the gritty and dangerous streets of that era, allowing the reader to gain a fascinating insight into the world of crime and law enforcement.

Despite its simplicity, the book manages to hold the reader's attention from start to finish, making it a highly enjoyable and engaging read.

Overall, it is a great addition to any bookshelf and a must-read for anyone interested in true crime or the history of New York City.

Quick Read: A Truly Fascinating True Crime Story

This is not just any ordinary read. It's a quick read that packs a punch with a really interesting true crime story. The details are presented in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of the crime, trying to piece together the events as they unfold. The story is full of twists and turns that will surprise you at every step. It's a captivating account that showcases the darker side of human nature. Whether you're a fan of true crime or just looking for an engaging read, this story is sure to satisfy. So, grab a copy and get ready to be hooked on this thrilling true crime adventure.

Future chronicles on my blog. Those who follow me know that I love investigative journalists and my discovery of Philip Gourevitch has been an excellent thing!

Philip Gourevitch is a remarkable journalist whose work has had a profound impact. His in-depth investigations and powerful storytelling have shone a light on important issues around the world.

On my blog, I will be sharing more about his work and the lessons we can learn from it. I believe that his approach to journalism can inspire us all to be more informed and engaged citizens.

Stay tuned for more exciting chronicles on my blog!

Quick read - true story of a resurrected 20 year old murder case.

This is a captivating true story that takes us back 20 years. A murder case that seemed to have been long forgotten suddenly resurfaces.

The details of the original case were hazy, but new evidence has come to light, breathing new life into the investigation.

The police are now faced with the challenge of piecing together the events that led to the tragic crime.

As they dig deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and lies that could change the course of the case.

Will they be able to solve the mystery and bring justice to the victim and their family?

Stay tuned as we follow the twists and turns of this remarkable true story.

I truly have a penchant for true crime. However, this particular work disappointingly lacked the customary suspense and story-telling finesse that superior books within the same genre possess.

It comes as no shock that this originated as magazine articles. In fact, there simply wasn't sufficient substance to the narrative to transform it into a full-fledged book, not even a concise one like this.

The writing quality was inconsistent, perhaps a consequence of its inception as individual articles. At times, I found myself confounded by the shifting perspectives - that of the author versus the police detective and so on.

Nonetheless, the redeeming feature of this book was the brief segment dedicated to the defense attorney. He was a truly captivating character, armed with some memorable quotes that added a touch of sparkle to the otherwise lackluster text.

Overall, while it had its moments, this book failed to live up to the standards set by other true crime offerings.

The author delves into the arduous efforts of law enforcement in their pursuit of an extremely despicable individual. This person is not only a cold-blooded murderer but also a ruthless robber and a womanizer.

The book that details this pursuit is an interesting read, to be sure. It provides a vivid account of the challenges faced by the authorities as they try to bring this criminal to justice.

However, it cannot be said that the book is truly great. While it has its moments of excitement and suspense, it also lacks a certain depth and complexity that would have elevated it to a higher level.

Overall, it is a decent read for those interested in true crime stories, but it may not leave a lasting impression on the reader.

I have a passion for true crime, but unfortunately, the crime depicted in "A Cold Case" didn't possess any truly spectacular elements.

I understand that this might sound apathetic and perhaps even cruel, considering that innocent lives were brutally taken in cold-blooded murders. However, within the pages of this book, I simply didn't encounter a climax that would have made the story more engaging.

The narrative read more like a police report, presenting the facts in a straightforward and unembellished manner. While this made it a super easy read, it also lacked the excitement and tension that I typically expect from a true crime account.

Overall, "A Cold Case" was just okay. It didn't manage to captivate me or leave a lasting impression, despite the gravity of the crimes it described.

I had the opportunity to attend a reading by the author for his latest book, "The Paris Review Interviews, Vol. III", at Powell's Books. It was an engaging event that left me eager to pick up the book and start reading.

And I must say, it was a great read. The writing was not only quick-paced but also more straightforward than I had anticipated from Gourevitch.

"A Cold Case" is a captivating true story that follows Andy Rosenzweig, the chief investigator of the Manhattan DA's office, as he attempts to solve an unsolved murder case dating back to 1970 in NYC.

The book takes the reader on a deep dive into the mind of the killer and his life on the run. It's a thrilling and thought-provoking account that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys true crime stories or is interested in the inner workings of the criminal justice system.

A Quick Read with Some Depth

This is about a small-time hood, Frank G. Koehler. In 1970, he got angry at a couple of guys and shot them both dead in cold blood, while wounding a third party. He then escaped and was never brought to justice. Eventually, the case was closed as someone (Gourevitch doesn't tell us who) was of the "opinion" that Koehler had to be dead since, according to others, it was "virtually inconceivable that a man with such a violent disposition and criminal history could have remained alive and out of trouble" for so long. (p. 26)

Then, in 1997, 27 years after the crime, Andy Rosenzweig, the chief investigator for Manhattan's district attorney, reopened the case. But this isn't really about Rosenzweig's pursuit of Koehler. There wasn't much of a pursuit. They found him living in Benicia, California and picked him up when he arrived at Penn Station in New York on July 30, 1997, "a pathetic old man" 67 years old. A photo taken that day makes him look like a rummy with a bad dye job.

So what's this book about, and why is it considered so good that Scott Turow and Elmore Leonard, among others, have touted it? Quite simply, this is a textbook example of how to write a modest crime story with an underlying emphasis on our criminal justice system, how it works, and how it fails. Besides the two chief characters, Koehler and Rosenzweig, there is a revealing portrait of defense attorney "Don't Worry Murray" Murray Richman. He has made a nice living defending some of New York City's sleazier crooks. The aptly named Richman believes that there's a difference between the authorities and gangsters: "the gangsters are more compassionate." (p. 128) He adds (p. 132): "If I defended only innocent people, I'd go hungry." He says he believes in the system, but his bottom line philosophy is "The truth is there is no truth." (p. 132).

There's a certain nostalgic gangster color to the characters in this book. Koehler is a particularly good study. He first killed when he was fifteen years old, but somehow, while on the lam for twenty-seven years, he managed to become so beloved that he was thought of by some of the people in Benicia, California as "their unofficial mayor" and they supported him with t-shirts reading "free New York Frankie." (p. 161) Rosenzweig is the hero, an honest cop who never gives up, working methodically until he gets his man. He's a born bloodhound, and the kind of guy we ought to have more of in law enforcement.

Much of this true crime story first appeared in The New Yorker where Gourevitch's crisp, clean prose was much ballyhooed. This book expands on what was read there. It's an attractive book and a quick read.

--Dennis Littrell, author of the mystery novel, “Teddy and Teri”

The author of this book was a staff writer with The New Yorker. This true crime book is written in the journalistic style that is characteristic of an article in that renowned publication.

It delves into a 20-year-old unsolved murder that is not widely known to the general public. The prose employed in the book is rather dry and encyclopedic in nature.

It presents the facts and details of the case in a matter-of-fact manner, without much embellishment or emotional flourishes.

Readers who are interested in true crime and prefer a more straightforward, informational approach may find this book to be of value. However, those who are looking for a more engaging and thrilling read may be disappointed by the lack of drama and excitement in the writing.

Overall, this book offers a unique perspective on an overlooked murder case and provides a detailed account of the investigation and its various aspects.