Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, a Little Offbeat
Review: A solid book for Olsen, and something of a departure in its tone, which seems influenced by perhaps Carl Hiassen. The idea of a funny true crime book about serial killers sounds a little strange, but Olsen pulls it off.The light it shines into the subculture of American Gypsies is truly disturbing. As is the portrait of authorities unable and unwilling to deal with Gypsy crimes.
Rating: 
Summary: What was the point?
Review: Do not be misled by the hype on the cover! "Jack Olsen's particular gift is his ability to illuminate the souls of his characters."?? I feel bad for author Mr. Olsen. I couldn't find any illumination. There is no real emotion. Eight pages of chilling photos?? The most chilling photo is of private investigator Fay Faron in a cheesy Sam Spade get-up. This book is amateurishly written. Maybe the point was to bring to our attention the problem of scams targeting the elderly. In this it has barely succeeded.
Rating:
Summary: Jack Olsen Delivers Again
Review: Hastened to the Grave only confirms what thousands and thousands of us have always known about Jack Olsen -- he's the tops! The prose this time is especially vivid, the characters (including a car) all wonderful, and the true-life plot worthy of Dashiell Hammett on his best days. Now that it is available in paper, you have no excuse for not reading this fine book.
Rating:
Summary: Hastened to the gave:the Gypsy murders
Review: I can't believe someone had the courage to write this book. I am sad to say that it is more serious than this book could ever expose. It is hard to fathom that people could be so vicious and sick and to do such crimes. My grandmother was a victim of some of these sick, twisted people. I am so glad that Jack Olsen had the guts to write this book. I could not put it down. I wish there were more books on Gypsy scams, crime and murder.
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of Olsen's best
Review: I have read all of Jack Olsen's true crime novels and consider myself a huge fan of his work. However, I was very disappointed in this book because of its focus on Fay Faron, who I found annoying. The story was a good one and Faron was an integral part of the story, but Olsen's intense focus on her took away from what could have been an outstanding book, like all his others.
Rating:
Summary: Could NOT put it down!
Review: I read ALL of Jack Olsen's books and this one was one of the best! So great, that I visited Fay Faron's website and e-mailed her to tell her how much I admire what she did. SO WHAT that he wrote so much about Fay's personal life. It's a true-crime story, and Fay's true life was part of it for over four years. This book should be read by anyone vulnerable to any type of con game, Gypsy or not. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Rating:
Summary: hard to put down
Review: I was curious when i saw this book.... I was living in sf when the story broke... i had alwasy wondered what had happendd ot the gypsies in question.... i had eaten at the deli lived in the sunset and even knew a few gypsies where i worked.I have finsihed the book and i want to pick it up and read it again....jack olsen writes like he is the main charactor... he feels so much compassion for fay he makes her almost a close friend or relitive.i wanted to put the book down and call fay up and say way to go...... then i need to shake jacks hand for coming forward and finally setting it all straight...this book is a must read for any person with an elderly family memeber if not to scare them but to educate them....i recomend it highly
Rating:
Summary: reads like a novel
Review: Jack Olsen is the grand master of True Crime reporting...be prepared to forget everything else once you open one of his books...you won't be able to put it down! Jack's words caress you with their poetic prose...yet, they have the power to cause the hair on the back of your neck to stand up...tingles run up and down your spine. Jack's mastery of creating suspense is unmatched. His latest effort, Hastened to the Grave, was born out of an article he wrote for Vanity Fair; May 1998, titled "Gone With the Gypsies." His fascination with the PI on the case, Fay Faron, head of the Rat Dog Dick Detective Agency, and the string of Arsenic and Old Lace-style murders, led to the creation of the book. Don't be misled by Jack's literary style of writing that is as fascinating and entertaining as any work of fiction. He is a supreme investigative reporter, and every word is true. Fay Faron is as captivating as the best Mystery novel herione...well, just look at what she named her detective agency-- Rat Dog Dick! When the police won't pay attention to her suspitions that a beautiful Gypsy and her family have broken with tradition and are systematically poisoning elderly victims in order to inherit their wealth, the 'Rat Dog Dick' works pro bono to gather the evidence that forces them to listen.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating Book, Incredible Subject
Review: My first Jack Olsen book and definitely not my last. Read it straight through the night. Although I found the focus on Fay Faron a bit much and would have prefered more pictures of the victims and especially the perps (the better to watch out for them), this book was an excellent read. The outcome is absolutely amazing--proving once again that police politics win rather than justice. Thank goodness that people like Fay Faron exist. Taking into consideration that we all will grow old, this book should be read by everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Book, Incredible Subject
Review: My first Jack Olsen book and definitely not my last. Read it straight through the night. Although I found the focus on Fay Faron a bit much and would have prefered more pictures of the victims and especially the perps (the better to watch out for them), this book was an excellent read. The outcome is absolutely amazing--proving once again that police politics win rather than justice. Thank goodness that people like Fay Faron exist. Taking into consideration that we all will grow old, this book should be read by everyone.
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