Bad Boy from Rosebud: The Murderous Life of Kenneth Allen McDuff

Rating:
Summary: A FASCINATING TRUE CRIME BOOK
Review: Gary Lavergne did an outstanding job in the research and presentation of "The Bad Boy From Rosebud." This book is of the same caliber as Lavergne's previous book, "A Sniper in the Tower." "Rosebud" was well done, with facts well explained and thorough research. If you like true crime, I reccomend this book without reservation.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing
Review: Gary Lavergne graphically details the account of the murderous monster, Kenneth McDuff. The book is a page turner. The writer brings takes the reader so into the mind of McDuff, it is almost scary to read the next page. The book is excellent. If you read true crime, you must read "A Bad Boy from Rosebud".

Rating:
Summary: True Crime...at its best
Review: Gary Lavergne graphically details the account of the murderous monster, Kenneth McDuff. The book is a page turner. The writer brings takes the reader so into the mind of McDuff, it is almost scary to read the next page. The book is excellent. If you read true crime, you must read "A Bad Boy from Rosebud".

Rating:
Summary: Bad Boy from Rosebud is an exceptional work of non-fiction.
Review: Gary Lavergne presents a horrific account of Kenneth Allen McDuff with expertise and compassion for the victims that likens to the best works of non-fiction. After reading his book I gained an appreciation for this author because of his careful consideration to the research regarding this work. The book contains extensive research and is well documented.

The book held my interest with intriguing details of a dark world that this serial killer lived in. I enjoyed the book in spite of the horror because readers are given the opportunity to develop a connection with the victims and the law enforcement officials who brought McDuff to justice. Bad Boy is a book that professionals can learn from and that any admirer of true crime will treasure.

I highly recommend this book and I anxiously await the next book from Mr. Lavergne.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing
Review: I love to read true-crime stories and books. I've read many. None have disturbed me or un-nerved me the way this book did. It got to be where the book almost seemed evil to me.

Kenneth McDuff was a cruel, sadistic, evil person. The abduction and torture of Colleen Reed was especially horrible. She was a smart girl. What was a smart girl doing at a car wash by herself at 9 p.m. in the dead of winter?? The author does too good of a job making us feel like we are there.

Kenneth McDuff is the reason Texas became so intolerant of killers, what some in this world see as Texas being too death-penalty happy.

This book is not for the faint of heart.

Rating:
Summary: Poor Stereotypes
Review: In _Bad Boy From Rosebud_, well acclaimed book from the bookfair in Austin Texas, there are some all too typical examples of otherwise well researched, good writing, failing to get a good grade due to the use of poor stereotypes. At one point the author is describing a run down neighborhood of dilapidated trailers: "... a Harley Davidson motorcycle and a bright shiny pickup truck..."

I cried Foul! Not fair to pick on Harley Davidson and then fail to identify the brand name of the pickup.

In another paragraph he is writing of the "menial jobs [such people] have as burger flippers in fast food joints and cashiers at convenience stores."

Likewise--Foul! As long as respected authors characterise such work as "menial" then those who do that work will continue to think little of themselves.

--ajo

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding account of a vicious killer.
Review: The author has researched and produced a story that is incredable to apprehend. He has enabled the reader to relive the escapades of sadistic killer and have it backed up by outstanding law enforcement personel. An activity that changed the criminal system of Texas.

Rating:
Summary: A FASCINATING TRUE CRIME BOOK
Review: This book about one of the country's worst serial killers is very well written and exceptionally well documented. The middle part of the book reminded me of Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song, which is no small compliment! Author Gary Lavergne's other book, The Sniper in the Tower, is an all-time great book in the true crime genre. I eagerly look forward to his next book. (This book has lots of photos throughout the pages of the book as ALL works of non-fiction should have, but so many don't.)