You never know how much a man can’t remember until he is called as a witness.
-- Alexander Woollcott
Barb of the Week If they don't know which members of the James Gang actually robbed the bank in Northfield, they ought not represent themselves as qualified to tell the story. But over the weekend I noticed the documentarians have been phoning it in again. Why are cable TV crime shows on historic crime so lousy in general? Why do they portray myths as truth when those myths were discounted decades ago? I put that question to a true crime author recently in private email, and his answer: "I think some of the folks who do these things for cable TV must be slumming between making dog food commercials."
Stephen King: Don't Be Guarded and Self-Conscious His advice was aimed at the short story set, but Stephen King's New York Times essay applies to the true crime genre with equal force in this fan's opinion.
Sherlock Holmes in Boston Edgar-award winning author E.J. Wagner wrote a book that summarized the development of forensic science in the 19th century with case studies, real and fictional - it is The Science of Sherlock Holmes and one of my favorite books. The real cases in her book came from years of intensive study; the fictional ones were supplied by Conan Doyle. E.J. is giving a lecture in Boston at the Museum of Science on Oct. 17. Her site has details. Word has it that she will soon be on TV as well.
Understanding Female Serial Killers An academic put together a really interesting essay on female serial killers, complete with historic examples, statistics, links, and a new typology specifically for the female serial killer. Some of the stories are a little fuzzy on the details, but it might teach you something you didn't know about certain females of the species in general. Meanwhile, he recommends the best book ever written about female serial killers: it's Murder Most Rare by Michael D. Kelleher and C.L. Kelleher.
And some "just because" links... You never know what you'll find at a library book sale.
You never know when life is going to imitate a true crime show.
But don't take your hobbies too seriously.
Nice! Thanks for all those links! That will provide plenty-o-reading material for tonight!
Posted by: Shannon | October 02, 2007 at 03:29 PM