Rating: 
Summary: Average true crime book
Review: I've read better true crime novels. The book just didn't keep my interest...even though the crime took place near the very area I vacation in every year. The accused man obviously had some deep-rooted issues from his childhood as described in the book. It sounded like he was a "Mama's boy" to me. I find it very odd for a man in his early 20's to have a 14-year old girlfriend. Although she wasn't the victim, I can't believe her parents would let her out of the house with him. The DNA evidence was damning, however I can't believe that a person could commit such a grusome crime and not have blood on them or ripped clothing from the struggle. I think someone isn't coming clean, mainly his mother who supposedly saw him come in the family home that night.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written story about a crime that rocked our community
Review: I found this book capitvating. As the Director of the Rape Crisis center in Horry County at the time of this murder, I followed the case closly as did most residents. I know or have met all the players involved. I have worked closely with law enforcement and other victim advocates from all the departments in our county. This gave me an interesting perspective while reading the story. It was told in a manner that illuminated the details of the murder and the struggle by Horry County Police to solve the case. This book included details of the crime that were not always printed in the paper. While reading the book, at times I found myself horrified by these details. The story flowed in an exciting manner which kept me anxious to read on. I have already lent my copy of this book out to several friends, all of whom really enjoyed reading it. I would also like to point out that while Police are constantly critized all over this country, they are rarely thanked for the great services they provide. They deserve our appreciation. Victims of all crimes need community support and understanding. I have deep respect for our former prosecuting attorney, Ralph Wilson as well. I can't wait to begin the new book that has just come out!
Rating:
Summary: Accurate and Informative
Review: I thought AN HOUR TO KILL was an excellent account of the tragic death of Crystal Todd. I was amused that some reviewers criticized the authors for not giving more information as to what motivated Ken Register and if his Mother was trying to furnish an alibi for him. I have been in law enforcement in the Myrtle Beach area for sixteen years and spent eight years as an investigator. It is not common for someone who pleads "not guilty" to give details as to why they murdered someone or what motivated them. As to whether his Mother was trying to cover for him, who can say. What would most parents do to help their child. If they are lying, I don't feel they would later give that information in an interview, especially if they are trying to appeal the verdict. The book was about the incident, what was known to law enforcement and what transpired. This was a brutal murder and one of the first cases to use DNA in South Carolina. I found the book to be a well written story of the actual crime and certainly not a run of the mill crime novel. I personally enjoyed the book.
Rating:
Summary: An Hour To Kill
Review: This is an excellent read. I read it in two days. For every girl who has a boy for a friend or an exboyfriend that is still a friend you should read this book. How could Ken rape, kill and mulitate his bestfriend, Crystal? He was supose to protect her not betray her. There is no doubt in my mind that he had an hour to kill and that he was the one who raped and killed Crystal Todd. I hope he stays in jail for the rest of his live here on earth. Ken went to church and was the all-american boy, this book will show you that you can't "judge a book by it's cover", people are never what they seem to be. You always have to keep your guard up even when you think it is safe enough to let it down.
Rating:
Summary: A Thought Provoking Page Turner
Review: i loved this book. it was so well-written, easy to read, and thought provoking. i am normally a slow reader but this one was so interesting i read it in two nights. it is hard for me to believe someone could be so heartless and cruel as johnnie kenneth register. he would have to have no conscience at all to do the things he did, like comfort crystal's mother and cousin, try and console her friends, and then, beyond belief, serve as a pallbearer at her funeral. that just sent chills up and down my spine. how ruthless and cold can one human being be? did he at any time during the funeral consider all the hurt and misery he had caused? did he not realize he was the author of all this tragedy? after reading all the things register did to poor crystal todd, he should have received the death penalty. it's a good thing there was dna testing to point him out, otherwise if he would have gotten away with it I think he would have killed again. hudson and hills did a good job investigating and bringing out the facts of this case. i like the way the book was written because they didn't spend a lot of time on unnecessary information. too many true crime books ramble on and on about unimportant information that isn't relevant to the case, like including the opinion of a neighbor or family member, who don't know anymore than we do, about as to why this crime could have occurred. all this filler is unnecesary. this book gave us what we wanted to hear-the evidence of the case, the testimony of the police and expert witness. I look forward to reading hudson & hills next book, and hope it is as good as an hour to kill.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Good True Crime Book
Review: I was looking for something to read while on vacation and a friend recommended AN HOUR TO KILL. This book was very well written and the story moved me greatly. I tried to put myself in the place of both mothers and wondered which position would be worse. It was a nightmare for the Registers and Todds. I liked the way the authors wrote the story, providing just the right information at the right time to peak an interest yet move forward. The book was so good I took my time and stretched it out so it would last through the week, which was hard to do considering it was so exciting. I am watching for Hudson and Hills next book and will be sure to purchase it for my next vacation.
Rating: 
Summary: an hour to kill: a true story of love,murder, and justice in
Review: This book did not develop as I had hoped. There was very little background information on Ken Register,his family life,or what could have contributed to his hatred of women. Crystal Todd's life story was almost nil; other than she was a very loved daughter. I was a little offended that Ken's lawyers could not seem to use proper English in the court room. Why was it necessary to constantly use "ain't"? Was that a reflection on the jury or the spectators? The book jacket claims 8 pages of photographs. My book had 8 pages, but only 4 pages of pictures. Four of my pages were blank! This was not an Ann Rule book. She is the master of true crime.
Rating:
Summary: A book you just can't put down
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is truly well written. It covers the events of the murder and trial so in depth. It made me cry, angry, and just simply gave me chill bumps. My heart goes out to that young girl's mother and family.
Rating:
Summary: How much better can it get than this?
Review: I don't want to put a jinx on these two guys and their writing, but if they continue to write these kinds of books then they will develope a new style for this genre. As of recent, most of the true crime books I have read (big names in authors but I won't mention them) are boring, repetitive, and poorly written. It wasn't so with this book. I can see why An Hour To Kill has been such a big seller and received such good reviews. Hudson and Hills write with such entertaining and exciting style that I felt like I was there every step of the way with Bill Knowles and the Horry County Police, as they searched for Crystal's killer. And when they arrested, Register, man, the scene was described so well that I thought I heard the cuffs snap as they locked him down. The whole book was like this: chapter after chapter, page after page....In my opinion, this is the way true crime should read. I am grateful to these two guys for bringing some creativity and life (pardon the pun) back into a once dead and boring genre. Good luck on your next one fellows. I'll be there to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Hudson and Hills are the best.
Review: An Hour To Kill is the first book I have read by Hudson and Hills, and let me tell you these two guys are a good team of writers. This book grabbed me from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down until I had finished every single page. I didn't decide until the last chapter as to where I thought Ken Register was innocent or guilty. I liked that about this book: it wasn't written in a way to prejudice you against either the victim or the criminal, but let me make up my own mind based on the evidence. I hurt for Bonnie Todd, as she must feel like the biggest mistake she ever made was in believing Ken was innocent and wouldn't hurt her daughter. Every town needs a Bill Knowles. If it wasn't for his determination, or if he would have arrested the wrong person, Ken Register would have probably killed again. I would recommend An Hour To Kill to anybody who likes reading true crime. These guys are two great writers.
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