75 True Crime Short Stories
Review by Kim Cantrell
It’s a little dated. 17 years old, to be exact. And it’s a bit difficult to find anymore.
What am I talking about?
Murder and Mayhem, with an introduction by James Ellroy, author of The Black Dahalia and highly respected for his knowledge of serial killers.
In alphabetical order, this book is, essentially, an encyclopedia of killers; not all serial, but most.
With each story averaging two to six pages, with a total of 288 pages for the entire book, Murder and Mayhem makes an excellent choice for air travel, road trips, or other occasions where you’re not looking to get deeply involved in a book.
Readers will find there is no fluff or filler in these stories.
Just the way I like my short stories. How about you?
Where you can buy this book:
Updates From This Book:
MARY FLORA BELL: Released in 1980, having served 12 years, Mary Flora was granted a new identity in which to use after her release. In 1984, she gave birth to a daughter; who was also granted anonymity. In May 2003, both she and her daughter were granted anonymity for life. Two books have been published about Bell, they are: Cries Unheard: The Story of Mary Bell (controversial biography because Bell received compensation), published in 1999 and The Case of Mary Bell, published in 1972; both written by Gritta Sereny.
JOE HUNT: Although he remains incarcerated with the California Department of Corrections, Hunt has still managed to publish a book titled Blue Dharma.
REZA ESLAMINIA: In 1998, Eslaminia’s conviction and sentence of life without possibility of parole was overturned due to a technical error. In 2000, all charges were dismissed.
* NOTE: The Billionaires Boys Club was the basis for a mini-series by the same title. A book also bearing the club’s name was written and published by Sue Horton in 1991.
LAWRENCE BITTAKER: Bittaker waits execution on California’s death row.
ROY NORRIS: In 2009, Norris appeared before the parole board but was denied the opportunity for release because he failed to have a plan prepared for where he would live, how he would earn a living, etc. He will not be eligible for parole for another ten years.
IAN BRADY: In 1999, he began a hunger strike and was ordered to be force fed. Today he remains incarcerated at Ashworth.
MYRA HINDLEY: On November 15, 2002, at the age of 60, Hindley died as a result of bronchial pneumonia caused by heart disease.
* NOTE: See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors_murders for more (very) detailed information on Brady and Hindley.
ROBERT CHAMBERS: Chambers was released from prison on February 14, 2003. In 2004, he plead guilty on drug charges and was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail. In 2007, he was again arrested on drug related charges and subsequently plead guilty, allowing him to avoid a life sentence; being sentenced to only 19 years instead.
ALTON COLEMAN: Coleman was executed by the state of Ohio on April 26, 2002.
DEBRA BROWN: Brown still awaits execution at the Indiana’s Women Prison in Indianapolis, Indiana.
KEVIN COOPER: Cooper awaits execution at California’s San Quinten prison. To follow details of the case, visit http://lang.dailybulletin.com/projects/cooperwatch/ or www.savekevincooper.org.
DAVID OWEN BROOKS: Brooks is presently incarcerated at the Ramsey prison in Rosharon, Texas.
ELMER WAYNE HENLEY, JR.: Although his sentence overturned in 1978, he was retried and again sentenced in 1979 to life in prison. He is incarcerated at Michael prison in Huntsville, Texas.
* NOTE: A book was written about the case involving Brooks and Henley by Jack Olsen titled The Man With the Candy.
LARRY EYLER: On March 6, 1994, Eyler died of AIDS while awaiting execution. His deathbed confession of 20 murders claimed that an accomplice to some of the killings is still at large. A book about Eyler was published in 1992 by Gera-Lind Kolarik titled Freed to Kill.
JOHN WAYNE GACY: Find information about a book written on this case and updates.
GERALD GALLEGO: Find information about a book written on this case and updates.
ROBIN GECHT: Incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois. Should he live that long, which is unlikely, he is expected to be released in December 2045.
EDWARD SPREITZER: His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by Governor George H. Ryan in 2003. He is presently housed at the Pontiac Correctional Center in Illinois.
ANDREW and THOMAS “TOM” KOKORALEIS: On March 16, 1999, Andrew was executed by lethal injection. His brother, Tom, is presently incarcerated at Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton, Illinois with an anticipated release date of September 30, 2020. Tom will be 60 years old.
GREEN RIVER KILLER: Since the publication of this book, the Green River Killer has been identified as Gary Leon Ridgway. A host of books and movies about this case are available.
JEAN HARRIS: She was released from New York’s Bedford Hills prison on January 22, 1993. Harris’ trial was made into a movie, available on DVD under the title People vs. Jean Harris. A book by author Shana Alexander was published in 2006 about the Harris case under the title Very Much A Lady: The Untold Story of Jean Harris and Dr. Herman Tarnower.
GARY HEIDNIK: See review on Cellar of Horrors by Ken Englade for more information.
RICHARD HICKOCK AND PERRY SMITH: See review on In Cold Blood by Truman Capote for more information.
ANGELO BUONO: Buono died of a heart attack on at the age of 67 on September 21, 2002.
KENNETH BIANCHI: Bianchi is presently housed at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington.
*NOTE: Darcy O’Brien wrote a book about this case titled Two of a Kind: The Hillside Stranglers that I strongly recommend.
PATRICK KEARNEY: Kearney is currently incarcerated in the California State Prison in Mule Creek, California.
EDMUND KEMPER: Kemper is currently incarcerated at the California Medical Facility among the general prison population in Vacaville, California. A movie was produced in 2008 based on this case titled Kemper.
JOHN LIST: List was eventually convicted and sentenced to five consecutive life terms. He died on March 21, 2008, of pneumonia at the New Jersey State Prison hospital. A book by Timothy Benford was published in 2000, about the List murders, titled Righteous Carnage.
HENRY LEE LUCAS: Lucas died on March 13, 2001. Cause of death: heart failure.
JEFFREY MACDONALD: MacDonald remains in prison, still protesting his innocence. A number of books have been written about this case, including: Fatal Vision by Joe McGinnis (1984); Fatal Justice: Reinvestigating the Macdonald Murders by Jerry Allen Potter (1997); and Scales of Justice: The Murders of Colette, Kimberley & Kristen MacDonald by Christina Masewicz (2007).
CHARLES MANSON: Having now been denied parole eleven times, Manson will be eligible to re-apply in 2012. Presently he is housed at Corcoran State Prison in California. While there is an vast number of books about Charles Manson, the most highly acclaimed is that written by Vincent Bugliosi titled Helter Skelter.
ALVIN AND JUDITH ANN NEELLEY: Alvin died at the age of 52 in 2005. Judith’s death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment by Alabama’s governor. She is presently imprisoned at Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka, Alabama. For more information about this case and updates, see the review on Early Graves by Thomas Cook.
RICHARD RAMIREZ: See review on Philip Carlo’s Night Stalker for more information and updates.
DENNIS NILSEN: As of 2006, Nilsen was denied any further request for parole. He will spend the rest of his natural life in prison. He is presently 64 years old.
JOHN PAUL PHILLIPS: Phillips died in 1993 while awaiting execution.
DAVID BERKOWITZ: The Son of Sam is currently incarcerated at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York. Although having been denied parole in the past, he will be eligible for another hearing in May 2012. There is a vast selection of books and documentaries available on the Berkowitz murders.
RICHARD SPECK: Speck died of a heart attack on December 5, 1991; one day before his 50th birthday. Several books have been written about Speck and his crimes have the been the basis for several documentaries and fictionalized movies.
CARIL ANN FUGATE: Since being paroled in 1977, Fugate has never married and currently lives in Lansing, Michigan; having worked as a medical janitor, although now retired. In 1976, an unauthorized biography was written by Ninette Beaver titled Caril.
JOEL STEINBERG: Released on parole in June 2004, Steinberg moved to Harlem. At last report, he was working in the construction industry. Author Sam Ehrlich wrote a book about the case (1989) titled Lisa, Hedda, and Joel.
HEDDA NUSSBAUM: In September 2005, she published her book Surviving Intimate Terrorism.
*NOTE: The biological mother of Lisa Steinberg published a book in 1990 titled I Wish You Didn’t Know My Name.
PETER SUTCLIFFE: Choose from an array of books, movies and documentaries about The Yorkshire Ripper case.
WILLIAM DESMOND TAYLOR: For the complete story, read Sidney Kirkpatrick’s A Cast of Killers (1997).
HOWARD UNRUH: Never deemed fit to stand trial, Unruh spent his life institutionalized. On Monday, October 19, 2009, he died in a Trenton, New Jersery nursing home. He was 88 years old.
CHRISTOPHER WILDER: See review for The Beauty Queen Killer by Bruce Gibney for more information.
WAYNE BERTRAM WILLIAMS: Williams remains behind bars in Georgia. Jack Mallard wrote a book about this case titled The Atlanta Child Murders. Those with a strong interest may also be interested in the CD containing the FBI Files accumulated on this case.
AILEEN CAROL WUORNOS: One of America’s few female serial killers, Wuornos was executed by lethal injection on October 9, 2002. There is a rather large collection of books, documentaries, and case-based movies about Wuornos.
ZODIAC: See review of Zodiac by Robert Graysmith for more information.
Pingback: Join in the J. Kaye Book Blog 100+ Challenge for 2010 | True Crime Book Reviews