I truly loved this.

It presents a wonderful mix of the meditative, philosophical, and abstract, which is beautifully contrasted with the concrete and details firmly rooted in reality.

Moreover, it is one of those perfect Joan Didion-esque book lengths that allows you to devour the entire thing in a single day.

The writing is really inspiring, crystal clear, and deceptively simple.

It has a charm that draws you in and keeps you engaged from start to finish.

The author has managed to create a work that is both thought-provoking and accessible, making it a joy to read.

Whether you are in the mood for deep reflection or simply looking for an engaging read, this book has something to offer.

It is a literary gem that I would highly recommend to anyone with an appreciation for good writing.

A quick, easy read. I have a great passion for true crime, and even though I had never before heard of this particular case, I was immediately intrigued. The details presented in the story were both fascinating and disturbing. It made me realize just how complex and often unpredictable human behavior can be. As I delved deeper into the account, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the mystery and the search for justice. The author did a great job of presenting the facts in a clear and engaging manner, making it accessible to readers like me who may not have a background in law enforcement or criminal justice. Overall, it was a captivating read that left me with a lot to think about.

You can clearly tell that this work initially began as an article and then transformed into a book.

Frank Koehler is indeed an interesting individual. He self-describes as being one part priest and one part hoodlum. Since he never went to trial, he blames the investigator, stating, "He went to the priest... The hoodlum would've never gone for it."

For something that I purchased for just 50 cents at a book sale, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I'm always drawn to murder stories on Dateline or similar shows. My husband, on the other hand, always changes the channel within under a minute because if he waits any longer, he knows he will have to endure the entire show.

So, if you're like me and get hooked into such shows, and you come across this book, be sure to pick it up and enjoy! It offers an engaging and unique perspective that is sure to captivate your attention.

A true crime story that attempts, yet unfortunately fails, to refrain from idolizing the murderer.

It is a tale that starts with a heinous crime, one that shocks the community and leaves everyone searching for answers. The details of the crime are presented in a straightforward manner, without any unnecessary embellishments or glorification. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that there are certain aspects that seem to give the murderer an almost heroic status.

This is a common pitfall in true crime stories, where the focus on the criminal can sometimes overshadow the victim and the real impact of the crime. Despite the author's best efforts to avoid idolizing the murderer, the narrative still manages to create a sense of fascination and intrigue around the perpetrator.

In the end, this true crime story serves as a reminder of the importance of presenting such stories in a way that respects the victim and does not glorify the criminal.

The fictional nature of the police procedural truly dawned on me a summer or two ago. My neighborhood was hit by a spate of break-ins. The thieves were carefully casing houses, noting habits and routines, and striking in broad daylight with astonishing coordinated efficiency. Anxiety skyrocketed, and paranoia wasn't far behind.

One of the recent robbery victims organized a brief seminar with two local patrolmen. It was a sunset talk that even these experienced officers were surprised to see so well-attended. The standard precautionary measures were shared (fences, dogs, alarm systems, increased awareness of strangers), and then the floor was opened for discussion.

There were many silly questions. Frightened people tend to quickly shift from rational inquiry to emotional redress. One nervous family man thought it would be a great idea to have the cops come to his house regularly and have a cup of coffee with him. (The theory being that if they knew him better, they could protect him better.) One woman believed her next-door neighbors should be responsible for closely monitoring her home while she was at work during the day. However, she offered no quid pro quo and saw no entitlement in the request. This went on for some time. Eventually, the conversation turned to how best to respond to suspicious behavior and the witnessing of a criminal act. You might think calling 911 was an obvious choice, but many people thought taking pictures with their phones was an equally proactive option. The now visibly tired officers had to firmly tell them that facial recognition software was not standard equipment at the precinct, and this wasn't at all like Law & Order or CSI. It was far more important to get an officer on-site as quickly as possible than to gather photographic evidence for trial.

This is precisely why Philip Gourevitch's book is a significant addition to the true crime genre.

A Cold Case is the story of Andy Rosenzweig, the chief investigator for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, and his revival of a murder case abandoned decades ago by the NYPD. The bodies of the victims were available and had been autopsied. The facts of the case were clear. The identity of the murderer was known. There were eyewitnesses. But the killer was on the run, and the reality of urban policing is about priority and manpower. A few years passed, and the file sank lower and lower in the stack. If it weren't for Rosenzweig's tenacious character and his acquaintance with one of the deceased, there's every reason to believe this case would have remained unresolved. Gourevitch, in his telling, presents no bells and whistles; no melodramatic twists, no clinching truth, or brilliant last-minute revelations. His is the平淡 and very ordinary tale of diligent detective work - written, it must be said, with fierce directness and a talent for capturing personality that is compelling.

As an account of modern-day detection, I found it truly fascinating and a refreshing return to police work as it is actually practiced by experts in the field.

I was completely enthralled and fascinated. It wasn't just because of the clear, concise, and vividly descriptive story of the detective who pursued an old, archived police file. No, it was also for the story of Frank Koehler/O'Grady himself. I had the misfortune of being his next-door neighbor for over ten years in Benica, CA.

Life doesn't often present us with such clear confirmations of our vague suspicions about a person's dark past, especially with such thorough detail. I briefly mention this story in my memoir, 'The Incompetent Psychic', and I credit Philip Gourevitch and this book in a footnote.

The experience of living next to Frank was truly a strange one. There were always little things that made me wonder about his past. But it wasn't until I read this book that all the pieces started to fit together.

It's amazing how a single story can have such a profound impact on our understanding of someone. And in this case, it has forever changed my perception of Frank Koehler/O'Grady.

From what I can vividly recall, this remarkable book initially began its journey as an engaging article in the prestigious New Yorker magazine.

Subsequently, it evolved and expanded into a full-fledged book.

It is not an overly long tome, yet it meticulously details the tenacious investigation into a cold murder case.

This work is a superb example of a police procedural, truly brought to life by Gourevitch's masterful writing.

The way he weaves the story, presenting the facts and the emotions of the investigators, makes it a captivating read from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of true crime or simply enjoy a well-written narrative, this book is highly recommended.

It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of law enforcement and the determination required to solve a complex and long-forgotten mystery.

Don't miss out on this captivating literary gem.

A quality, if simplistic, story of the reopening of a cold case.

It all began with a detective's unwavering curiosity. Years had passed since the initial investigation, but something niggled at his mind. The details of the case, once thought to be long forgotten, resurfaced in his thoughts.

With newfound determination, he delved back into the files. Piece by piece, he pieced together the puzzle. Witnesses were re-interviewed, evidence was reexamined.

As the investigation progressed, new leads emerged. The detective followed them with vigor, not willing to let this cold case remain unsolved.

Finally, after months of hard work, a breakthrough was made. The truth was uncovered, and justice was served. It was a story of perseverance and the power of not giving up on a case, no matter how cold it may seem.

I can't remember much of this apart from that I am sure I was pretty disappointed in it.

Looking back, it seems like a blur in my memory. Maybe it was an event, a product, or an experience that didn't meet my expectations.

The disappointment might have stemmed from various reasons. Perhaps it didn't live up to the hype or the promises that were made. Or maybe it simply didn't suit my tastes or needs.

Despite not being able to recall the specific details, the feeling of disappointment still lingers. It serves as a reminder that not everything will turn out the way we hope it will.

However, I also realize that disappointment is a part of life. It can teach us valuable lessons and make us more resilient.

Maybe in the future, I will approach things with a more realistic mindset and be better prepared for any potential disappointments.

But for now, this particular disappointment remains a mystery, lost in the recesses of my memory.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to read the New Yorker article upon which this book is based.

As I delved into it, I couldn't help but think that there was so much more to the story that it could potentially be expanded into a full-fledged book.

I suspect that some editor had the same thought because they provided Gourevitch with a substantial advance to flesh out the narrative.

Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the bigger story remains incomplete.

It seems that they experimented with several different angles in an attempt to bring the story to life, but none of them quite worked out.

Nevertheless, the book is still an interesting read, especially if you're looking for something to pass the time during a round trip on the train.

It offers some insights and perspectives that are worth exploring, even if it doesn't fully deliver on the promise of a comprehensive and satisfying account.

Fans of the Wire should definitely read this!

It shares the same essence of attempting to showcase every aspect of a person - everyone's personal morality and how that impacts the world.

Moreover, it features good old-fashioned detective work, which adds to its allure.

What's more, it's a quick read, making it accessible and engaging for those with busy schedules.

In fact, this is one book that I might even consider listening to on audio if they could find someone who could accurately capture Frank Koehler's heavy NY accent. The right audio performance could enhance the overall experience and bring the story to life in a whole new way.

At the end of the 1990s, a police officer in New York reopened a case that had nagged at him for many years. Nearly thirty years earlier, a friend of Andy Rosenzweig was shot in his apartment after an argument. There was a suspect, but the police couldn't catch him. A few years later, Frank Koehler, the suspected killer, was declared dead and the case was closed. However, Rosenzweig couldn't let it go. Not only because one of the two victims was his friend. But also because in his opinion, not enough was done to put the killer behind bars.

Frank Koehler's criminal career is typical. Even as a teenager, he constantly got into trouble with the law and ended up in juvenile detention centers. His only chance at a regular life was the army, from which he deserted. Shortly after that, he killed a man who, in his opinion, had cheated him. Despite this and other crimes, he was never in prison for long. The double murder is the tragic climax. After that, he disappeared and it was quiet around him. Therefore, and perhaps also because a solved case looks better in the statistics, he was declared dead and the case was closed.

Frank is a bad person. I can't think of another term for him. He takes what he wants and has his own sense of justice. He has no guilty feelings about his first murder. Yet he doesn't consider himself a bad person because he has never hit his wife or children or done other immoral things. Murder is an honor for him. Moreover, he takes no responsibility. For him, his actions can be explained by the respective circumstances and if he thinks of any of his victims at all, it is only as something annoying.

Completely different is the man who is hot on his heels. Andy Rosenzweig was not popular at the beginning of his career as a police officer. He didn't sleep in the patrol car when he was on duty or accept bribes. He never took the easy way in his work. Therefore, it also hurt him that the case of his friend was closed so early.

The investigations in the case of Frank Koehler are painstaking puzzle work. Some of what Rosenzweig has uncovered casts a very bad light on the New York police and their work. I'm not sure if they were isolated cases or unfortunately the sad standard. What surprised me is that Rosenzweig took so long with his investigations. If the case really bothered him so much, he could have dealt with it earlier.

For me, it was the second time that I had read "A Cold Case". The first time was almost ten years ago. Maybe that's why I couldn't remember it when I found the book in a public bookshelf. Maybe it's also because the book was neither stylistically nor content-wise interesting enough to have a long-lasting effect on me.