Who Killed Jonbenet Ramsey? (Onyx True Crime) [Paperback]

Charles Bosworth (Author), Cyril H. Wecht (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1998 | Series: Onyx True Crime (Book 871)

Bestselling author Charles Bosworth, Jr. collaborates with nationally renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht to reveal the startling truth behind the JonBenet murder in riveting detail. Includes a reproduction of the ransom note, the full text of the autopsy report, and eight pages of photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451408713
• ISBN-13: 978-0451408716
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD, one of the world's leading forensic pathologists/lawyers, is the author or co-author of A Question of Murder, Tales from the Morgue, Mortal Evidence, Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?, Grave Secrets, Cause of Death, and hundreds of professional publications. He has served as president of both the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and has appeared on numerous nationally syndicated television programs, including Dateline NBC, 48 Hours Mystery, 20/20, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo at Large, Issues with Jane Velez- Mitchell, and many others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid, March 1, 2001

By 

Douglas Doepke (Claremont, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Who Killed Jonbenet Ramsey? (Onyx True Crime) (Paperback)

There are many books on the Ramsey case. I chose Wecht's because of his solid work on the Kennedy assasination, his outstanding experience as a medical examiner, and his reputation for hard-nosed independence. On the whole, I was not disappointed, though the book does not work well as an introduction to the case. As could be expected, Wecht concentrates on his specialty - what JonBenet's autopsy reveals about the crime. His findings in this regard are very emphatic, and are underscored by a refusal to speculate about the case as a whole. Those readers looking for revealing scenarios will be disappointed; the book sticks closely to the facts without indicting anyone, though the no nonsense conclusion states that the crime was almost certainly a family affair. Neither does the author dwell on the notorious infighting inside Boulder city government, nor the contaminated crime scene itself. For a book that concentrates on physical facts, this latter seems a curious omission, since the surroundings in which the body awas found should reveal a lot about the crime itself. I suppose the scene was too disturbed by the father's movements and inept police procedure to provide the type of scientific cerainty Wecht prefers. Anyway, I think those surroundings deserved more discussion than they got. On the whole, Wecht's book is not the last word on this fascinating case and genuine tragedy, but neither can it be ignored.

I've been accused over the years of having a morbid streak because of the true crime books I read. It's probably true. Still, I'm old enough to remember when true crime was solely the subject of pulp magazines with formula writing, whose provocative covers I would sneak when my mother wasn't looking. But a curious thing has happened to crime coverage in the last thirty-five years (starting with In Cold Blood). It's become not only a respectable literary genre for those who care, but a real source of insight for readers in general. Murder is no longer just murder. A well-researched and well-written true crime book can provide rare glimpse into how lives are lived, how communities are run, and ultimately, into what we as a society value. For example, in the Ramsey case, we glimpse: the tacky world of beauty contests among little girls hardly old enough to walk, the private lives and dark psychology of a millionaire family, an ineptly run Boulder justice system failing in its primary duty, and a media that would probably pay this crime no mind were the parents of average income. In short, murder has become a type of sociology, made meaningful by people who are names, not just numbers. For writer and reader alike, a well-done crime book is like a knife cutting through a community : layers of day-to-day life are suddenly exposed that would otherwise remain hidden. Such unrehearsed revelations can provide real insight. Maybe morbid psychology got me started as a boy, but as an adult, I don't apologize to anyone for my true crime library.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Analysis, August 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Who Killed Jonbenet Ramsey? (Onyx True Crime) (Paperback)

I don't understand why other people have trashed this book. Cyril Wecht's analysis of the crime scene and autopsy report is the best description of the murder out yet. He is methodical, logical, and draws on years of experience. And, his scenario matches the available evidence. I think this is the best book on the JonBenet Ramsey case available now.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?, May 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Who Killed Jonbenet Ramsey? (Onyx True Crime) (Paperback)

I believe that this book contains very well written information of facts gathered from the Ramsey's investigation. This book can not tell us who killed JonBenet, it can really only leave us to believe who we think may have killed her. I believe that this book has a great aspect on the slaying of JonBenet and I would strongly recommend this book.