Books written about UM cases

[fabgourmet]

Hey, I am an avid reader and am very interested in reading any books written about cases profiled on UM. I once saw a book about the murder of Teresita Bassa (sp?) but didn't pick it up, kind of regret that now. Has anybody read this one? Also, I think at least one book has been written about the Cindy James case.

Also, although it was not profiled by UM (unfortunately), the new book about the notorious Amy Mihaljevic murder looks good.

Also, I read in an old post about the book The Shadow of Death in which the CT valley serial killer is profiled. As an aside, I saw elsewhere that "Jane B." (although she is widely named in other media I decline to use her full name- she herself has indeed posted on this forum) is certain that she knows who attacked her and IIRC he is now dead. Travesty that he will never be brought to justice for her attack or any of the other murders.

Has anybody read any of these books or read any other books about cases profiled on UM?

[crystaldawn]

Here is an old thread that lists several:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...books+UM+cases

I have read both books about Cindy James but prefer the one by Neal Hall (interviewed in the segment). There is also a book about the "Boys On The Tracks" and I recently finished the one written by Sue Billig about the disappearance of her daughter Amy Billig and it was good. There is one written by Lisa Kimmell's mother Sheila that is very good and I highly recommend that one. I also found a book about the claims of Pat Mealbach that she is a Dodge heir (featured on the Pre-Stack Specials) that was very interesting.

[greatgarrett2]

Here are a few more to add:

The Unicorn's Secret by Steven Levy

About the life of counter-culture hero Ira Einhorn and the slaying of his then-girlfriend and covering up the crime.

The Ultimate Evil: The Truth About the Cult Murders, Son of Sam and Beyond by Maury Terry

Another favorite of mine.....chronicles the apparent 'cult' connection coast to coast from the Manson killings to Son of Sam.

Son of Sam: The .44 Caliber Killer by George Carpozi

A nice, light read.....doesen't mention the alledged 'cult' but nonetheless chronicles his life (David Berkowitz).

If I think of more, I'll post.....

[greatgarrett2]

Here's more:

The Boston Stranglers by Susan Kelly

Explores the theory that some of the 'Boston Strangler' murders were committed by different perpetrators.

Search for the Strangler by Casey Sherman and Dick Lehr

Explores Sherman's investigation into the case and into who murdered his aunt, Mary Sullivan.

Torso: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run by Steven Nickel

The title is self-explanitory.

Stalemate by John Philpin

The facts of the East Bay child abductions in California and Tim Binder's relation to them.

We Only Kill Each Other by Dean Jennings

Book on 'Bugsy' Segal and his connections in organized crime.

There are numerous books on the Unabomber and the Black Dahlia, of course.

One could probably search on line.....

[Composite Sketch]

I recently came across a book about Kenneth McDuff that goes into graphic detail about Colleen Reed's abduction and murder. Kane mentioned it last year in the thread crystaldawn mentions.

UM is mentioned in the book, but I would advise this for any UM fan who doesn't like AMW, the book states that the UM segment drew a disappointing number of leads while the AMW segment a few weeks later was more successful and was related to McDuff's eventual capture.

[omg65]

The Ultimate Evil by Maury Terry is a chilling and frightening book.This book has pretty convincing evidence that the Son of Sam murders were carried out by several members of a satanic cult and not Berkowitz alone.A great great read.

[crystaldawn]

I wanted to mention in case it hasn't been listed on here that there is a book by Cyril Wecht and he talks about the UM cases Jeffrey Digman, Chandra Levy and the military crash at Gander among other cases he's investigated. In case anyone is interested the book is titled "Tales From The Morgue".

[Kane]

I recently came across a book about Kenneth McDuff that goes into graphic detail about Colleen Reed's abduction and murder. Kane mentioned it last year in the thread crystaldawn mentions.

I'm currently reading that book. I have it in paperback, under the name Bad Boy. Written by Gary Lavergne, it was sold in hardcover as Bad Boy From Rosebud.


There is also a book on Boston fugitive James 'Whitey' Bulger. It is titled The Brothers Bulger, by Howie Carr. I haven't really read it, but my father has a copy of it.

Additionally, I've heard there's a book about the 1935 murder of Spokane police officer George Conniff. The name of the book is Breaking Blue, by Timothy Egan. It was released in 1992, and reissued in 2004.

[leafygreens]

there is "The Veil" which is about Heidi Wyrick (that i mentioned in another thread) and there are 3 books with 3 different theories about DB Cooper, but i can't remember titles off the top of my head.

[DP1]

Speaking of Son of Sam, that's one of the storylines portrayed in the new ESPN series "The Bronx is Burning" about the 77 Yankees and all the stuff happening in NYC that summer. It was based on a book.

[James T]

There is a book that was made into a TV film called A Death In California about G. Daniel Walker who was on the Diabolical Minds segment, is this guy still in prison? there seems to be nothing aside from a quick he shot a marketing executive, raped his partner then she went along with his plans to either save herself or because she had Stockholm Syndrome. I would have thought there would have been a lot more on him especially the poison stuff he mentioned.

[Corky Kneivel]

I came into the post to recommend a FANTASTIC book written by Boston Globe reporters Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill titled "Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob". Its about James "Whitey Bulger & Steve "The Rifleman" Flemmi, the number 1 & 2 men in the Irish-American organized crime conglomerate known as the Winter-Hill Gang, and John Connelly & John Condon, their FBI "handlers" and contacts. The book tells the truly shocking and shockingly true tale of how the Boston office of the FBI was so thoroughly corrupted and influenced by Bulger & Flemmi that they were basically allowed to run rampant, with no fear of repercussion, for close to 30 years. One of the main reasons I consider this book so special is becuase the two listed authors, along with their staff and assistants, sussed this story out in real time. Through a series of articles that came out in the Boston Globe over the span of a dozen years or so in the mid 80s - early 90s, they puzzled out the mystery of just how and why the Winter Hill Gang was able to remain strong and solid while the entire landscape of American Organized Crime crumbled around them. They were only needing some sort of official acknowledgement, some source to confirm their assertions. When Flemmi got arrested and decided to spill his guts about everything, and then when Condon did the same, the authors were proved correct and this twisted saga of absolute power corrupting absolutely, this real-life "Departed", was revealed to all.

Originally Posted by Kane

There is also a book on Boston fugitive James 'Whitey' Bulger. It is titled The Brothers Bulger, by Howie Carr. I haven't really read it, but my father has a copy of it.

The actual full title is: The Brothers Bulger: How They Terrorized and Corrupted Boston For a Quarter Century

From what I understand, that book is about the dichotomy existing between Whitey and his brother, former Massachuesetts State Senate President William "Billy" Bulger. I have yet to read the book but after reading about the scandals that followed Billy around during his political career as well as his post-political appointment as president of the University of Maryland, its easy to see that both brothers tended to do business in the same way. One of them did it in a world where its generally accepted that there are no laws, no rules, and no ethics to govern men's actions...and the other did it in Organized Crime. **rimshot**

[wiseguy182]

I've been trying to find the Dave Bocks book online, but I haven't been able to find it at all. Not even on ebay, or several online bookstores that sell rare and out-of-print books. I joked with a co-worker that perhaps the reason I can't find it is because it's part of the cover-up

Anyone have any ideas?

[crystaldawn]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

I've been trying to find the Dave Bocks book online, but I haven't been able to find it at all. Not even on ebay, or several online bookstores that sell rare and out-of-print books. I joked with a co-worker that perhaps the reason I can't find it is because it's part of the cover-up

Anyone have any ideas?

I didn't know there was a book about him. Do you know the title or the author?

[wiseguy182]

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

I didn't know there was a book about him. Do you know the title or the author?

Yes, the author is D.C. Cole, who was interviewed in the segment, and strongly believes Bocks was murdered. I'll have to get back to you on the title, it's like 100 words long and I can't remember it all off the top of my head.