Rating:  Summary: Nobody's Perfect Review: I'm about three quarters of the way through this book. It's of special interest to me as I went to high school with John Ramsey. IMHO, there's not a whole lot new in the book that I haven't already seen, heard or read about. It's an interesting read, but not the kind of book you can't put down. Perhaps the sequel, "Not a Perfect Murder, Not a Perfect City," will be better.
Rating:  Summary: A book of trivia about Boulder with side-glances at the crim Review: The major value of this book is to uncover the jealousy and in-fighting of the authorities of Boulder. It could best be described as an expose of how investigation of a major crime was almost totally botched from the beginning. The book is laced with trivia about the town and its citzens but does little to enlighten the reader as to the culprit. For those who like gossip, this is a winner.
Rating:  Summary: Fantastic, suspense, much detail. Review: Keep your mind open and sharp. There are 5 pages of characters plus others who were quoted, so one must remember who's who. If you forget, refer to the list in the back of the book.The one thing I want to tell you is something I cannot for it will spoil the ending of the book. DO NOT read the appendices nor the final pages. Go from page one to the end. I did 640 pages in two sittings because I could not put it down. It is thought provoking. Many details, facts, scenarios, and the reader is as much a detective as anyone of those working in Boulder. It is a fantastic journey. You will enjoy it if you enjoy suspense.
Rating:  Summary: Boring, Boring,Boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review: I usually love true crime, This book shed no light on who may or may not have murdered this precious child. I could have taken every newspaper clipping on the crime and written it myself. Wasted my money BIGTIME!!!!
Rating:  Summary: Not Such A Perfect Aftermath Review: ..Not perfect but an excellent read. Schiller is a newspaperman and has made friends with tabloid newspapermen too. This book is a tapestry of short edited vinettes by just about everyone and anyone Schiller could find who knew anything at all about the murder and subsequent investigation of JonBenet. Even JAMESON is featured in this book. The focus here is in fact on the investigation and the bumpus-ruckus between the Boulder police and the District Attorney (whom Schiller dubs the Hadleys and McCoys). Much of this has been reported elsewhere but Schiller more or less lets his sources speak for themselves and adds enormously to our understanding of WHY THIS FRICKIN CASE IS SO FRICKIN CRAZY. No matter what theory of the murder you buy into, there are real evidentiary and factual problems - and every possible scenario concoted sofar is fundamentally frickin flawed and crazy. But who ever said that murder made any sense? Schiller's sources flesh out the images of keystone cops and a leftover leftwinger District Attorney. Schiller has a way of telling the incredible story of this most awful and gruesome crime that makes all of the characters seem human - even "almost" likable. Even Patsy, who most certainly is the prime suspect (and most probably is the guilty party), evokes poignant sympathy. Much of what is here is to be taken with a grain of salt - this is not the definitive book on the Ramsey murder or investigation. The definitive book has yet to be written. In fact, the Grand Jury is still in session and no one knows what will happen next in this rollercoaster case. But Pefect Murder Perfect Town is the best book that has been written so far - at least the best book that I have read.
Rating:  Summary: Schiller Is a Sloppy Writer and Not Factually Accurate Review: Although a reasonably well-written book, Schiller's work is sloppy, and not as factually comprehensive as he would have the reader believe. For example, Schiller is strangely silent about the lawsuit brought against Alex Hunter by New York attorney Darnay Hoffman in November 1997. It was front page news nationally for weeks. A shocking oversight for a "careful" researcher, who should know better. It ruined the book for me, knowing he had missed this incident. What else has he left out?
Rating:  Summary: too many names and law, not enough about JonBenet! Review: This book is too focused on law and names. I couldnt keep the names straight, however there is a name index in the back, as well as the Ramseys Boulder home floor plans. Only one chapter is "devoted" to JonBenet.If you really want to read about JonBenet's life and death, read JonBenet by steve thomas.This book doesn't tell anything about JonBenet's life, and it definately doesn't keep her precious memory alive! Although the movie/dvd was excellent, this book wasnt very good. I would not reccommend this book!
Rating:  Summary: It clears up a lot of mis-conceptions. Review: I have paid little attention to the media hype related to Jon-Benet's death. I initially thought because of the "public's reaction" to her murder, that there must be substantial evidence pointing to the parents' involvement in her death. It is because of this reaction that I decided to read Mr. Schiller's book. Yes, there is a lot of information to read in this book. A lot of background has been done on persons involved in the case: witnesses, suspects, law enforcement, journalists, etc. But all this background plays an important part in understanding why this is such a difficult case. What surprised me is all the supposed "overwhelming" evidence doesn't really point to anyone at this time. I feel the Boulder City Police Dept., media and general public rushed to a conclusion they are now unwilling to give up on, despite what the actual evidence is. This case may never bring about an arrest. I don't have any "gut feelings" about who may have did this horrible thing, but it is clear by Mr. Schiller's book that many facts about the case do not satisfactorily explain the scenarios concocted. We should be careful about ruining people's lives and reputations on supposition. It would be better to have this case unresolved than to ruin someone who may be innocent.
Rating:  Summary: Perfect Murder Perfect Town Review: I think the author wrote this book while in a white hot fury. There's nothing wrong with righteous indignation and this case cries out for that but he's so angry that he fails to present his case in a concise, linear way for his readers.
Rating:  Summary: too many names and law, not enough about JonBenet! Review: This review is written for people coming 'cold' to this issue - from a place (as I am) where it barely rated a mention and received very little coverage. If you want to know EVERY detail, EVERY nuance, EVERY theory, in fact everything other than who did it (because no-one does), about the Jon Bennett Ramsay murder, then this encyclopedic tome is for you. However, I found it got very, very tedious and repetitive. I rarely don't finish a book once started, but this one defeated me around page 500! Much of the material is repeated. A 250 page synthesis would perhaps be more relevant to the reader coming new to the subject. I appreciate others with a background in hearing about it may gain more from this book.
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