Darkness Descending - the Murder of Meredith Kercher [Paperback]

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847398626
• ISBN-13: 978-1847398628
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.6 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #962,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reasonably balanced, May 10, 2010

By 

M. McDonald - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Darkness Descending - the Murder of Meredith Kercher (Paperback)

Not knowing much about this case other than what I have seen in some headlines, I went into the book with an open mind. I do feel the authors presented a reasonably balanced recount of the facts and evidence, both for and against the defendents. At times, the authors did write in a "novelistic" form, slipping in descriptions, and emotions I doubt they would have known about. But, if you filter that out, they do present a puzzling case indeed. Some of the evidence appears against the defendents, but other evidence seems to indicate they are innocent. I do believe, based on the authors' descriptions of the police investigations, that much bungling occurred and evidence may have been lost, mishandled, contaminated, or entirely missed.

I was amazed at the number of officers/investigators who appeared at the crime scene shortly after it was reported and no record seems to have been kept of who was where, both inside and outside the house. I am truely puzzled by the conflicting statements made by both Knox and Sollecito, and, unlike some, can not attribute it to police pressure or brutal tactics/abuse. I was left with the feeling that whatever happened that night, both Knox and Sollecito knew or were involved, even if in a peripheral way - perhaps they came upon the murder and panicked, fearing they would be blamed or caught up in it in some way. I do think Knox knew Guede and perhaps she saw him that night, and knew what happened. There are relationships between all these people, including the other two female roommates that I do not think have been brought to proper light, as it seems as if, after the fact, everyone was covering his/her own butt.

Based on some of the comments written about other reviews of this book, it appears that emotion rules the day in judging this book. However, I don't have a dog in this fight - just an interested reader looking for information. I will also be reading the several other books about this case and may come away with a clearer idea of what did, indeed, happen that night.

30 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars relief from FOA, March 2, 2010

By 

K. Ketner (Harrisburg, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Darkness Descending - the Murder of Meredith Kercher (Paperback)

Over-all an interesting and quick read. Unlike the previous reviewer I found some of the technical explanations on DNA testing not exactly user friendly.
There are some interesting biographies on the background and behaviors of the killers. Interesting to hear the details of their lies to police. I was very confused over the ending of the book. The majority of the book discusses the vast amount of evidence against Amanda Knox- her mixed blood with the victim in the house, her bloody footprints at the crime scene, her DNA on the murder weapon, lies to police, phone records, computer records, eye witnesses, video camera footage proving she lied about her alibi, her accusing an innocent man of the crime, her written confession of being at the house, her incredibly bizarre behavior, etc. etc. etc. Then, the last few pages seem to cast doubt that justice was served... A strange ending, as the case is far beyond reasonable doubt. Still, a welcome relief from the ridiculous BS from the FOA camp. I'm hoping for an even better read from Barbie Nadeau.

9 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Amateurishly Written, January 7, 2011

By 

Norma Desmond (San Clemente, California) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Darkness Descending - the Murder of Meredith Kercher (Paperback)

I had a difficult time with this book due to the writing style of the author.

The book is written largely using British slang which is difficult for an American to comprehend. Since this story has international appeal, it would have been helpful if the author had used vocabulary which is more universally understandable. For example, "He may have scuppered himself by his own petty fiddling." That sounds like a foreign language to me. Also, the author repeatedly uses the term "throw up" which I presume means "to put forth" or "bring to light," but in America, it has a very different meaning.

I was able to follow this book, with difficulty. I know that other English authors do not write like this.

This was just sloppy, in my opinion.