Edited by R. Barri Flowers
Prometheus Books, $19.00, 302 pages
Masters of True Crime, edited by R. Barri Flowers, is a compilation of short stories that depict true crimes. Some of the cases included are high profile, such as the murder of Marcia Trimble, a Nashville Girl Scout. Other cases are more obscure. One case included is about a British serial killer who was a 12-year-old arsonist. Each story has a different author and a distinctive tone. All of the stories are well written; they either follow a chronological timeline of events, or break down key persons involved in the crimes. This reviewer enjoyed the book and felt that the amount of crime scene description was just right. One thing this reviewer found interesting is that victims of the crimes were not always wholesome people; one of the victims was a mobster. There are also a couple of cases that makes the reader question the authorities’ actions or inaction regarding certain murders and victims.
If you are a true crime fan, then there is something for you in this book, but it is not for the faint of heart. It is full of stories that will not only make you think, but will make you question whether you really know the people around you. It is a book to read with the light on.
Reviewed by Jina Oravetz
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