The Poisoner

The Poisoner
The Life and Crimes of Victorian England's Most Notorius Doctor

Stephen Bates

Mass murdering madman or desperate debtor? This is one of the questions surrounding the crimes of Dr. William Palmer of Rugeley, England. This interesting book takes a look at the life and crimes of Palmer, along with the developing technology, science, and laws that were occurring in the rapidly changing world of Victorian England. It takes us into the world of horse racing, infidelity, illegitimate children, and the then-new life insurance industry. Through all this is the question - did Palmer kill dozens of people for unknown reasons? or did he "only" commit a few due to his desperate financial status caused by a gambling and racing addiction?

Bates even goes so far as to engage modern forensic specialists to review the data (such as it is) that we have from the case. While agreeing that the forensic examination was slipshod, even by the standards of the time, there is enough recorded to give them enough evidence to speculate upon.

I would recommend this to aficianados of true crime, as well as those who may be interested in a look at the life and burgeoning scientific knowledge of the time.

Blood & Ivy

Blood & Ivy
The 1849 Murder that Scandalized Harvard

Paul Collins

Although it seems a bit macabre to classify a true crime book about a murder as enjoyable, I must say this book fits that description. From the repercussions of a stratified society that allowed a murder defense of "but someone of his status couldn't be a murderer" (a prejudice that sadly still exists to this day), to the then groundbreaking use of forensic identification, and a judicial definition of reasonable doubt that was in use as recently as 5 years ago, this book takes you on a whirlwind tour of the early days of Harvard, body snatching for medical study, and the Boston and Cambridge elite "Brahmin" families.

It is somewhat difficult to provide details of this story without falling into spoilers; although one could argue that a case over 170 years old is outside the timeframe to qualify as a spoiler. This book provides atmosphere and a sense of time and place through ties to literary giants Dickens and Longfellow, as well as notable families whose names will be familiar (one person involved is a Putnam - a name made infamous through the Salem witch trials), to notable contemporary events such as the death of President Zachary Taylor, and traveling exhibitions by P.T. Barnum. Also, it provides a glimpse into the early days of scientific investigation as part of police work. All of these lead to an atmosphere that many people will find almost familiar, if they have studied and read any of a dozen different types of history and science. I also found this, whether through the author's engaging writing style, or the fascination of the topic to be a fairly quick and easy read. This is definitely one I would recommend to any aficianado of true crime, or of the history of crime and punishment.

The Murderer Next Door

The Murderer Next Door
WHy the Mind is Designed to Kill

David M. Buss

I would be very interested to find out if the research in this book was properly peer reviewed, as in many places there seems to be contradiction, a lack of rigor, and questionable methodlogy as it is presented. I am fully aware that many times research details fall victim to ease of reading and communication for a mass marketed book, but many places in this book are problematic, although the underlying hypothesis is interesting.

Some examples of these concerns are: including centuries old accounts and information as to the habits and lives of tribal and indigenous peoples, as told by colonizing rulers, with equal credence as modern studies, and a failure to look at them as possibly prejudiced by the social beliefs of the time. Buss also does not distinguish between premeditated murders, those commited in the heat of passion, and those committed in self defense, viewing them instead as all sub-genres of the same thing; while this might technically be true, as they all result in the taking of lives, it could be argued that they come from a vastly different place. In addition, he presents everything as a result of evolutionary psychology, dismissing and ignoring the issues presented by societal forces. While he does attempt to support this via several anthropological and ethnic studies of non-Western people, he fails to account for potential observer and cultural biases in these observations.

While I do find the premise interesting, and indeed would like to see further research and study into the theories contained within this book, judging by the presentation of these theories, I would encourage a reader to look at this book with a dose of scepticism.

Haunted St. Augustine and St. Johns County

Haunted St. Augustine and St. Johns County

Elizabeth Randall

This book perhaps more accurately could be called "Haunted and Haunting St. Augustine", as parts of it do not include actual haunted places, but places that by virtue of history are haunting in their abandonment. From explorers to soldiers to the ever present Henry Flagler, all phases and classes of history are represented here. I would recommend this as a book to purchase, if you are in the vicinity of St. Augustne, or frequently travel there. I think it would make for an enjoyable self-guided tour to use this book and visit the sites that are on historic and ghost tours, as well as those that are not included on most tours, whether from lack of interest, or due to distance.

Especially interesting is the inclusion of a short history of each place as well as the obligatory ghost stories. One is also reminded in this book how often we are walking on ground that conceals the bodies of the historic dead.

The Grim Sleeper

The Grim Sleeper
The Lost Women of South Central

Christine Pelisek

It is an often stated truth that serial killers who prey on "forgotten" members of society - drug addicts, sex workers, homeless - are not investigated or captured with the frequency or diligence that is afforded to the wealthy and those privileged by birth. Sadly, the events of the Grim Sleeper serial killings seem to bear this out.

Lonnie Franklin Jr. was the perpetrator of a reign of terror in South Central LA lasting from the mid 80's to his arrest in 2010, although his list of crimes goes back as far as the 70's. Unfortunately the killings, and even word that there was a serial killer active were withheld from the community they were occurring in. Press attention was scarce to non-existent. Even a current Google search turns up mostly articles on his death in early 2020, lacking the volume of sites, books, and other media that cover other serial killers (for example, a search on Ted Bundy, who has been dead for decades, turns up a wealth of current blogs, pages, infopedias, and media). The families and community itself spent years protesting and trying in vain to get attention, all in the face of an apathy from the police who were supposed to protect citizens. Such apathy and lack of communication from authorities in turn lead to a distrust and suspicion of police - could the killer be a member of the police force? a well placed politician? or could it simply be that police viewed the murder of addicts and sex workers as "just a thing that happens"?

This book chronicles the lives lost to The Grim Sleeper, as well as the effects on the families left behind. It continues through the taskforce that finally located and tested DNA evidence that tied multiple murders together, and led them to the killer. Finally we see the sentencing and the impact of the trial on the families of these forgotten women. I would definitely recommend this book, although I would advise that one should approach it with a willingness to consider and be open to the disproportionate impact some crimes seem to have in minority and less privileged communities. s