Though it should, the name Charles Cullen would probably not come to mind if one thought of the most infamous serial killers in history. Cullen, the subject of this book, is suspected of causing upward of 300 deaths while working as a nurse over the course of 16 years and in 10 different health care facilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The author does not condone or excuse the crimes, but simply provides a picture of the killer`s horrendously horrific childhood and a murderous journey that began with animal cruelty. This book will definitely make your blood run cold.

Reviewed by Barbara C., Morrison Regional

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Anthony Ciaglia was a typical teenager at camp near Dallas, Texas. He was swimming with friends and then he woke up in the hospital. He had been run over by a waverunner. The resulting brain injury caused uncontrolled fits of rage. Anthony finally found a group of people he could relate to, serial killers. He started writing to them and became their friend. They opened up to him sharing their horrible tales. His parents helped him manage his medications and also helped him see he wasn`t going to become a serial killer. The information he received from those letters became the `Serial Killer 101` for law enforcement and this book. This book is very graphic as the subject matter would indicate.

Reviewed by Thea J., South County Regional

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My Friend Dahmer is a graphic novel non-fiction narrative that was twenty years in the making. Backderf first began a series of short story narratives after Dahmer`s arrest in 1991. The news of his old high school chum hit the artist/writer very hard, and so he decided to write as a cathartic exercise. Backderf finished a comic book version in 1997 that garnered much acclaim, but as for a way to write a more comprehensive narrative he was stumped. Backderf went on to other projects but picked the project up off and on for years. Finally late last year the project was completed, and what the reader has now is a comprehensive third person perspective of a geeky high school classmate turned fiendish serial killer.

Reviewed by Joseph D., Morrison Regional

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As always, Ann Rule shows full support of and respect for victims and their families. As a former cop herself, she has an innate understanding of the job and those who investigate these heinous crimes. Particularly chilling is that these cases deal with victims and perpetrators who lived near each other or were familiar with each other. Most of us would tend to trust our neighbors, but this book clearly shows how misplaced our trust can be. Good parents teach their children to be wary of strangers, but sadly most children are abused or hurt by someone they know. The cases are interesting and teach valuable lessons. We should always be aware of potential danger and make our children aware as well. This is a great true-crime read.

Reviewed by Barbara C., Morrison Regional

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`The Butcher` covers the life and crimes of mob hitman Tommy `Karate` Pitera. A man so ruthless and brutal that other assassins feared him. Tommy grew up in Gravesend, Brooklyn; one of the toughest neighborhoods and was relentlessly bullied because of his high feminine voice. He turned to karate, studied religiously in Japan and became a killing machine with no conscience. He would murder, dismember and scatter body parts without a second thought. This book also introduces DEA Agent, Jim Hunt. Hunt led a team of agents `Group 33` who investigated, pursued and arrested Pitera. This activity culminated in his conviction for murder in 1992. His crimes are vividly described and a great true crime read, but not for the faint-of-heart!

Reviewed by Barbara C., Morrison Regional

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After reading this biography, I gained insight into this hate crime, which helped to spark the civil rights movement. Emmett Till, a black teenager, was murdered in 1955 in Mississippi. In the book, his mother discusses the murder, the trial’s outcome, the acquittal of the accused killers, and her grief. I was really moved by her decision to leave her son’s casket open at the funeral so that the world could see the severity of the crime. This story shows how as a mother she was affected, but then allowing her voice to be an activist and helping educate others about hate crimes. I would recommend this book as it provides magnificent insight into this particular time of American history.

Reviewed by Candy H., Beatties Ford Road Branch

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On May 11, 1970 Henry Marrow, a black Vietnam vet, was gunned down in the middle of Oxford, NC for allegedly flirting with a white woman. Thus began once of the worst acts of violence during the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina. There were plenty of witnesses to the event; none of whom would come forward. After an all white jury found the defendants not guilty the African American community rose up and burned all the tobacco warehouses in the town, causing millions of dollars in damage. This event left an indelible mark on 10 year-old Tim Tyson, so much so that as a college student he decided to investigate the matter for his dissertation. This book should be required reading for all who did not live through this time.

Reviewed by Gina D., Main Library

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Reader's comments about this book

This was a WONDERFUL book club pick! Such great stories of the time were offered during the discussions. I highly recommend this title for a book club.
-VJ, Charlotte, NC

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This is the story of what happens after crime and forensic teams leave a crime scene. One can only imagine the horrific and bloody scene that remains for loved ones or the government to clean up. Aftermath, Inc. is the bioremediation outfit in suburban Chicago you would hire to rid the space of all blood, flesh and bone left behind. This book is not for the faint of heart; Reavil, a veteran crime reporter, does not hold back any of the gruesome details. If you are a CSI fan, I highly recommend you turn off the TV and pick up this book.

Reviewed by Aubri M., Morrison Regional

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Readers who are interested in art, history, true crime, or any combination of the three will like what Museum of the Missing has to offer. Simon Houpt chronicles the history and different types of art theft throughout the years. The book also provides a background of recovery efforts of stolen art and advancements that are being made in crime prevention. The best part of this book is that the pages are interspersed with excellent color photos of the actual paintings, in order to truly appreciate what you are reading about. This book is a great find for art buffs, yet is also readable enough to be enjoyed by beginners hoping to learn about the world of art.

Reviewed by Sandra S., North County Regional

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Bessie Goldberg hired Roy Smith, an African American man from an employment service, to help with cleaning her home. This was in 1963 in Belmont, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Also working in the area as a carpenter was Albert DeSalvo, who would later be convicted as the Boston Strangler. It was unusual to see a black man in Belmont so Smith was remembered by many people as he left the area. He was convicted of Bessie’s murder. Junger, of Belmont, does an interesting job of researching and questioning whether Smith or DeSalvo was the actual murderer. This has a lot of historical detail of everyday life in the 1960s. A very interesting book.

Reviewed by Gloria J., North County Regional

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