A Gallery of Rogues: Protraits in True Crime Book

Intrigue, espionage, peculiar clues, lucky breaks, misguided police work, desperate lawmen, and calculating criminals - all these can be found in A Gallery of Rogues. This major new compendium is a compelling compilation of court testimony, autobiographical accounts, and official documents. Written by two-time Edgar scroll-award winner Michael Kurland, A Gallery of Rogues profiles more than 500 lawmen, con men, and criminals of American legend from Lizzle Borden to "Son of Sam." Readers will find lesser-known criminals, such as Winnie Ruth Judd, the "Trunk Murderess," and Chicago's Bluebeard, Herman Mudgett, along with the legendary Bonnie and Clyde, the evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, and the infamous serial killer Ed Gein, whose notorious crimes and behavior were the inspiration for the fictional killers in Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs. This comprehensive reference is organized in an easily accessible A-to-Z format for ready reference. Biographical portraits can be found next to thematic entries on topics such as kidnapping, RICO, the Ku Klux Klan, the Miranda ruling, and capital punishment. The book also contains dozens of telling black-and-white photographs, a glossary of criminal argot, and a chronology of American crime. A Gallery of Rogues provides a glimpse into the criminal mind and the criminal justice system as it re-creates the blood-chilling horror of the original crimes, the lingering doubts about the guilt of individuals who were sentenced to death on insubstantial evidence, and the fascination of unsolved mysteries. Michael Kurland's thought-provoking analysis of the gruesome crimes, which he describes in unforgettable detail, makes A Gallery of Rogues a fascinating read and an indispensable reference guide for all true-crime buffs.