Unsolved Crimes »

Amateur sleuths, mystery lovers, and reality show buffs will find much to contemplate in this encyclopedia of unsolved crimes committed around the world in the 19th and 20th centuries. Each of the 500-plus cross-referenced entries includes a detailed description of the crime, all known evidence, and leading theories about the perpetrators. Newton, who has written several references about crime and specializes in books about serial murders, briefly mentions in his introduction some of the intriguing cases that were solved during preparation of this volume, and so were deleted. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Heather Pittman - VOYA

This worthy addition to any collection is presented alphabetically, each entry describing the known facts surrounding an unsolved mystery. From Jimmy Hoffa to Jack the Ripper to the Lindbergh kidnapping, the book is full of the details surrounding the most famous unsolved crimes in history. Newton discusses the 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey in detail, chronicling the order of events, the contents of the ransom note, and the conflicting investigations by the police and the parents of the murdered child. The facts are presented without judgment, describing the suspicious behavior of the Ramseys and the professional lapses of the police department with equal emphasis. Newton also describes the assassination of John F. Kennedy, a mystery that continues to captivate each generation. He puts forth the known facts of the case and then details the ten most prominent theories surrounding the presidential murder. The writing here is crisp and clean, offering plenty of detail without melodrama. The titillating subject matter will appeal to teen readers. Although Newton is descriptive, he is not gruesome, managing to create intense interest without being objectionable. Young readers will enjoy this book. The format is easy to use, the writing is solid and interesting, and the topic is enticingly taboo. 2004, Facts on File, 340p.; Index. Photos. Biblio., PLB Ages 11 to Adult.

Foreword     7
Introduction     11
Red Jack     15
Forty Whacks     25
The Black Dahlia     35
A Civil Wrong     43
The Boy in the Box     51
JFK: Case Closed?     59
Where's Jimmy?     69
Deadly Medicine     79
The Art of Crime     87
Little Girl Lost     97
Chronology     107
Endnotes     110
Bibliography     111
Further Resources     112
Index     113
About the Author     119
About the Consulting Editor     120