Customer Reviews

The Best American Crime Reporting 2008

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This year's Best is simply the BEST in the whole series. I have read every book in the series and anxiously wait for each release in September. All the books have been very well put together. But 2008's just blows this out of the park. The selection of stories are reverting. I could not put the book down. I hope this has raised the bar and next year's is even better.

A good synopsis of some the bad guys/gals that got covered in 2008. Some of the criminals include improbable imposters, sideshow hustles, unlucky victims (like always), and a crazy collection of snitches, impossible neighbors and weird,vain terrorists. This edition is edited by Jonathan Kellerman, and overall series editing by Otto Penzler and Thomas H. Cook. Not all my fvaorite crime reporters are here, but there are several stories that shine forth, like Malcolm Gladwell's "Dangerous Minds' and James Renner's "The Serial Killer's Disciple" and also Nick Schou's "Just a Random Female." Being involved in the law enforcement business, I found the stories right on, accurate and fair in narration. I intend to pick up some past years for entertaining, informative reading. There will never be a shortage of criminals...that 1-2% of society will us all busy and on alert. Reporters will always have work...as will the emergency personnel.

Whether you're an avid reader, an aspiring writer or just looking for something to read on the plane, this is the finest of the Crime Reporting series to date. The entries from Malcolm Gladwell's "Dangerous Minds" and Tom Junod's "Mercenary" are as well-crafted and informative as they are entertaining.

This is a good collection with good pieces. These types of books are wonderful for those of us who do not have time to read multiple newspapers or magazines daily or weekly. Kellerman's collection is particularly sharp.