The True Crime Thread

[Nezquick]

Every now and again, I dip back into the world of "True Crime" and read another book in this genre. There are some great reads out there depending on what you like.

Personally, some stand out books for me have been:

The Iceman - Philip Carlo
Essex Boys - Bernard O'Mahoney
Bloggs 19 - Tony Thompson
Donnie Brasco - Joseph D Pistone

I'm fascinated by the Essex Range Rover Murders and have read a good few books on the subject. I also love anything to do with the old school gangster era (as in The Iceman and Donnie Brasco).

I'm currently reading Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon, which is so far shaping up to be a very interesting read (and is supposedly what The Wire is based on).

So....what true crime books have you read and what do you recommend?

[maxxy5]

Judas Pig, it's slightly insane.

[soad]

Valerio Viccei - Live by the Gun, Die by the Gun.

[entropy]

Nezquick said:

I'm currently reading Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon, which is so far shaping up to be a very interesting read (and is supposedly what The Wire is based on).

David Simon did the flipside: 'The Corner' where he wrote about life in an inner-city neighbourhood of Baltimore that featured drug dealers, users, as well those trying to get by on the right side of the law.


Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden - which is about Pablo Escobar

Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein - American journalist working for Japanese newspaper who delves into the intricacies Japanese underworld as a crime reporter. Was involved in the Lucie Blackman investigation and features a chilling end. Big problem when I read this was the weak prose which was too much much like a diary entry/journal and lacking colour.

[leginigel]

Living and working in Rettendon Common I too have a interest,try reading Essex Boy Last man Standing also try reading Kenny Noye Most Wanted,There is a link in the book to Rettendon and to the unsolved murder of John Marshall,being in the car game myself I knew John very well and never had a clue to what was going on.

[billzeebub]

Mr Nice

[dudleybloke]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wannabe-Gang-From-Krays-Es...

[Silent1]

maxxy5 said:

Judas Pig, it's slightly insane.

Not quite true crime though!

[dumfriesdave]

Read a few by Bernard O'Mahoney, mainly Essex Boy murder related.
Paul Ferris books are pretty decent reads too.

[Nezquick]

Silent1 said:

maxxy5 said:

Judas Pig, it's slightly insane.

Not quite true crime though!

I thought all of the stories in the book were supposed to have happened though but with names changed to avoid recognition (albeit those in the know would know who the book was on about)? Anyway, I have now read this and enjoyed it.

Also read a lot of the others people have suggested but thanks for updating.

I'm currently trying to get through the second Game of Thrones book but it's a bit hard going to be honest.

[BlackST]

Some of the GoT books are hard to keep interested in. FFC was mind numbing.
Coming from Liverpool 8 I've read Curtis Warren 'Cocky' and enjoyed it.

[AndyT77]

The Jigsaw Man by Paul Britton is very good.

[downthepub]

In Cold Blood. Know it's a bit obvious, but it had me captivated. Loved it from start to finish.

[RDMcG]

Treason of course, which is a crime, but the biography of Kim Philly " A Spy Among Friends" is as gripping as any spy novel I have read. Brilliantly written and kept me engaged throughout....

http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Among-Friends-Philby-Bet...