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Rating: 
Summary: It's amazing how clueless and idealistic you can be at 17...
Review: As a graduate of Upper Merion--with Jay Smith's signature on my diploma and Bill Bradfield's loopy enthusiasm whenever I successfully translated Catullus still ringing in my head--this book was a "must-read." I CAN say that Wambaugh does his usual good job of capturing certain facets of the main characters and presenting the case, particularly from the viewpoint of the investigators, whom he lionizes. (Unfortunately, the intervening years have led to revelations about their mishandling of evidence and own character failings...which tarnishes their victory somewhat.) He also succeeds in pointing out the inverse relationship between intelligence and common sense that often exists among academics, and definitely existed here. I found his description of sociopathic behavior and how it forged the bizarro bond between these two men especially illuminating. However, it's what I usually like best about Wambaugh's books that forms the basis for my only criticism: there's no mistaking the fact he's an ex-cop. That means he forms his judgments about the perpetrators, followers, and even the victim early on and sticks to them. These people weren't quite so black and white. That being said, it's a good read that captures the gothic feel it strives for, and makes me extremely sad for the mother and children who were lost...and angry at people I respected who had so much potential.
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Summary: PART 1 OF TWO PART SAGA
Review: I cannot be too critical of Mr. Wambaugh's book because the movie based on the book drew my attention to the murder mystery. The case is interesting because so many questions are still unanswered and there is no clearcut version of what really happened to Reinhart and her children. The real failing of the book is not telling the whole story, which is not Mr. Wambaugh's fault because it took another ten years after the trials of Smith and Bradford for the final act to hit the stage. If you become interested in the story, read Echoes, watch the TV-movie which appears on Lifetime several times a year. Finally, you must read the final chapter of the story: Principal Suspect. Both books and the movie are worth the time spent on them.
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Summary: Great Book, Says UM Alum
Review: I remember the Susan Reinert case as it happened and went to Upper Merion High School myself, and even I was so entranced by this book it was like hearing it all for the first time.
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Summary: Truth is stranger than fiction...
Review: I tore through this book and was totally blown away by this story. All that's left to say is "How Bizzare!"
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Summary: May be his best book;
Review: many reviewers have said so. The book is about two sociopathic mass murderers interacting with each other. The first third is about what they do and think. Just when I thought the top of my head was going to come off, focus shifts to detectives who are trying to put the crazies behind bars--good instinct on Wambaugh's part. The book reads like a "Dragnet" script--"just the facts, Ma'am,just the facts"--but in a curious style: "Dragnet" scripted by Phillip Roth or Terry Southern. The eye for detail that Waumbaugh ascribes to one character is his own, and a sharp eye it is, too. References to literature show he's done his reading. Reading this book is like sliding down a razorblade; there's blood all over, but you don't feel a thing.
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Summary: A wonderful thriller!!!!
Review: The other reviews are pretty right on regarding the contents of the book. The only criticism I have of Wambaugh's writing is that he intersperses quaint/trite little comparitives like "more complicated than Lebanese politics" so much in the story that often it distracts from the intensity of the story, and leaves you wondering just how much more of the compelling story was written with tongue in cheek.
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Summary: Great Read!
Review: This book will largely stand as the testimonial to Wambaugh's abilities as a true-crime author. You need not watch carefully to see how the book is overwhelmingly written in the eyes of the detectives and the police, rather than from a kaleidoscope of impressions. A murder occurs; a parade of ridiculous associates, colleagues, neighbors and suspects appears before the viewer. The natural disgust of the detectives over such warped psyches provides the bulk of the reading, and the reader starts to forget that a murder has occurred, almost including Wambaugh, who chuckles with his heroes the police as we all laugh at the insanity of the victim's circle of friends and co-workers. Suddenly, Wambaugh remembers himself, and recalls his readership to the murder, by getting a lucky break on a clue. This true case became one of the longest and most documented murder cases in the Northeast, yet Wambaugh instead rather enjoys the chaos, and obviously relishes being a part (as the author) of the detectives' sorting through the mish-mush. In short, to disdain and mock the weak individuals in the story seems more impressive to the writer's eye, than to find the actual perpetrator among such a vast parade of dreary suspects. Human, Wambaugh is not; policeman, Wambaugh is.
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Summary: Masterpiece
Review: This is a true story of a mother and her children. My biggest interest, was that they came from here where I grew up. I have
seen a book, with the same name once a long while ago, that contained thier pictures. This is not that one, but it is still
the same story. Women should consider reading this book, it can
teach you many things.
Rating:
Summary: Trust me--this is the greatest true crime book.
Review: Yes, I've read those other customer comments, but trust me, this is the best true crime book ever. First of all, Wambaugh has incredible access to all of the participants, which I believe is the most important ingredient of great true crime. (Haven't you ever read any of those cheapie true crime paperbacks and had the feeling that the author relied soley on the newspaper accounts and the trial transcript--there is a complete dearth of detail and character development? This book is the polar opposite--it's teeming with detail and fully realized characters.) Wambaugh tells you exactly what the characters were thinking and feeling, which allows you to understand how such educated people could get involved in such a horrific crime. Instead of feeling scorn for their gullibility you end up having great empathy for them. Secondly, the villians are FABULOUS--Dr. Smith in particular is so fiendishly sardonic I almost found myself cheering him on, despite the fact that he's (probably) done so many evil things. It's almost a Hannibal Lecter-ish effect--you know he's bad, yet there's something almost charming about his combination of intelligence and darkness. Finally, and most importantly, this book is laugh-out-loud funny. The author's metaphors comparing Dr. Smith to the Prince of Darkness make me howl, and his use of irony is truly sublime. I know it's incongruous to find such humour in a book about a terrible murder; please read it, and you'll understand.
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