Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!!! :)
Review: Based on a true story about the 1984 rape and murder of Karen Gregory. The warm Florida evening, when she is murdered, people around the neighborhood hear a scream that came from Karen. Detectives are sifting throught the evidence that is surrounded by questions: What did the strangely worded note from a friend mean? Why was the house so orderly, when it had been the scene of a frenzied struggle? Why were the bloody footprints on the carpet barefoot? Det. Larry Tosi soon searches for Karen's killer, but the maniac he was hunting for was....someone he called a friend.
Rating:
Summary: The "justice" system--for the killer, not the victim
Review: I found this book doing a search for Kitty Genovese, a young woman murdered over several hours as many heard and watched--and did nothing. (...) He lived across the street with his girlfriend. The murderer,(...) used his "kindness" and "helpfulness" to ingratiate himself with the neighbors, and to explain why, at times, he appeared in places he had no business to be. His best friends were the local law enforcement. "Georgie couldn't do a thing like that," his family and friends insisted, though it appeared, after all, that none of them knew him very well.I refer college students to this book as a resource for discussions about ethics, crime, and sexual assault. The book provides an excellent description of the criminal justice system. The defense used the flashy attack-the-victim and diminish-the-victim techniques we came to know so well in the OJ Simpson case. Ms. Gregory's sister, Kim, was barred by the defense from entering the courtroom because she might emotionally sway the jury if she wept--under the pretext, of course, that she "might" be called as a witness. Yet the murderer was let out on bail and allowed to parade his toddler daughter and by-then wife in front of the jurors. During sentencing, dozens were allowed to talk about what a great guy the murderer was. No one was allowed to talk about the murdered woman (I believe this is not the case in Washington State, where I live; family members are allowed to state the effects of the crime on their lives). Unlike many crime books, this is extremely well-written. The language is straight-forward and simple, and therefore manages to convey a pathos that penetrates deeply. This title should be listed under "ethics" and "US courtroom practices" rather than simply "true crime." If you had heard Karen Gregory scream, would you have called the police?
Rating:
Summary: The "justice" system--for the killer, not the victim
Review: I found this book doing a search for Kitty Genovese, a young woman murdered over several hours as many heard and watched--and did nothing. (...) He lived across the street with his girlfriend. The murderer,(...) used his "kindness" and "helpfulness" to ingratiate himself with the neighbors, and to explain why, at times, he appeared in places he had no business to be. His best friends were the local law enforcement. "Georgie couldn't do a thing like that," his family and friends insisted, though it appeared, after all, that none of them knew him very well. I refer college students to this book as a resource for discussions about ethics, crime, and sexual assault. The book provides an excellent description of the criminal justice system. The defense used the flashy attack-the-victim and diminish-the-victim techniques we came to know so well in the OJ Simpson case. Ms. Gregory's sister, Kim, was barred by the defense from entering the courtroom because she might emotionally sway the jury if she wept--under the pretext, of course, that she "might" be called as a witness. Yet the murderer was let out on bail and allowed to parade his toddler daughter and by-then wife in front of the jurors. During sentencing, dozens were allowed to talk about what a great guy the murderer was. No one was allowed to talk about the murdered woman (I believe this is not the case in Washington State, where I live; family members are allowed to state the effects of the crime on their lives). Unlike many crime books, this is extremely well-written. The language is straight-forward and simple, and therefore manages to convey a pathos that penetrates deeply. This title should be listed under "ethics" and "US courtroom practices" rather than simply "true crime." If you had heard Karen Gregory scream, would you have called the police?
Rating:
Summary: How Well Do You Know Your Neighbor???
Review: I loved this book, I couldn't wite to find out who the killer was. When I did find out I was shocked! Not only was he the neighbor, but he was a fire fighter, someone you'de would think to be a trust worthy person. Wrong again! Even with all the mistakes made, like George getting out on bail, he was dumb enough not to run and they still got their man. I hope he will always be in jail, because I think he will do it again. It must have been really had for detective Tosi to descover that the murder who he has been surching for so long was always right there under his nose, a friend of his.
Rating:
Summary: How Well Do You Know Your Neighbor???
Review: I loved this book, I couldn't wite to find out who the killer was. When I did find out I was shocked! Not only was he the neighbor, but he was a fire fighter, someone you'de would think to be a trust worthy person. Wrong again! Even with all the mistakes made, like George getting out on bail, he was dumb enough not to run and they still got their man. I hope he will always be in jail, because I think he will do it again. It must have been really had for detective Tosi to descover that the murder who he has been surching for so long was always right there under his nose, a friend of his.
Rating: 
Summary: WONDERFUL FOR THE SECOND TIME
Review: I OPENED MY DELIVERY FROM AMAZON.COM AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAD ALREADY THIS BOOK BUT I DECIDED TO READ IT AGAIN AND IT WAS WODNERFUL. I AM AMAZED AT HOW THIS BOOK ENDS AND THAT THE KILLER HAS NEVER ADMITTED HE MURDERED HIS NEIGHBOR. THIS IS A GREAT TRUE CRIME BOOK, IT COVERS EVERYTHING, BACKGROUND ON ALL CHARACTERS, THE MURDER, THE YEARS AFTER AND THE TRIAL. AN EXCELLENT EASY TO READ BOOK.
Rating: 
Summary: People Actually Liked This? *shivers*
Review: I tried reading this book a few years ago because I grew up in the town where it took place (mere blocks away.) I had always heard of the famous Gulfport Murder, but didn't really know a whole lot about it. I now live in Orlando. I got about a half an hour into the book--cringing of the poor writing all the way--and finally couldn't take it any more. The prose is extremely over-wrought and flowry; a true example of a journalist turning to fiction at its worse (no Dickens, Hiassen, or Wolfe here). The man aparently has no knowledge of the craft of writing whatsoever. Yes, I know what you are thinking--"But this is not fiction"--but it still resides under the same rules because it is presented in a chronological and fictionalized account even if the events are true. Anyway, if you have a much stronger stomach than I do for terrible writing, you might find the story worth reading; though I must admit, even what I was able to pick up from the story was pretty typical in its type. I would NOT advise this book.
Rating:
Summary: A student of Mr. Harper's at Troy State many years ago...
Review: I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Harper's review of this book - I took Criminal Justice at Troy State under Mr. Harper and the reading of this book was probably the highlight of his class. I picked up another copy about a year ago at a bookstore and it brought back some fond memories of school. Excellent book to read and it makes you think about the horrific crimes that could be committed just right next door without your knowledge or someone just ignoring that cry for help. I think a picture of the victim in this book would have cheapened the effect - the picture in your mind is set from the very beginning of the scene, the people in the story, and it would not be as a great read if everyone was pictured in the book.
Rating:
Summary: A student of Mr. Harper's at Troy State many years ago...
Review: I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Harper's review of this book - I took Criminal Justice at Troy State under Mr. Harper and the reading of this book was probably the highlight of his class. I picked up another copy about a year ago at a bookstore and it brought back some fond memories of school. Excellent book to read and it makes you think about the horrific crimes that could be committed just right next door without your knowledge or someone just ignoring that cry for help. I think a picture of the victim in this book would have cheapened the effect - the picture in your mind is set from the very beginning of the scene, the people in the story, and it would not be as a great read if everyone was pictured in the book.
Rating:
Summary: One word - Awesome!
Review: Kinda makes you wonder if you know your friends as well as you'd like to think. Great book - read it. When you're done - go get reacquainted with your friends - you'll see...
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