Never Solved: The True Stories of America's Most Notorious Unsolved Murders

by John Summit

Cold case murders are those defined that for one reason or another, have not been solved. Cold case crimes are among the most difficult to solve for many reasons and the longer the case goes unsolved, the less likely they are to ever come to closure.

Despite increasing advances in scientific and forensic technology, it's not always the physical evidence that determines the resolution of a homicide. In most trials today, it’s also vitally important to tie the suspect to that physical evidence.

In his 5th book in the True Crime Series, John Summit profiles 7 true stories of the most notorious unsolved murders in American history. These cases will leave you flabbergasted at the bungled police stories, leave you wondering how likely suspects were never prosecuted and leave you sympathizing with the families of the victims who never saw closure.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2013

Reviews

[Rick Verde · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had some interesting tales of unsolved crimes. Some I even covered in my "American Psychos: 28 Uncaught Serial Killers", and in "50 States, 50 Mysteries" novels.

Unlike John, in my books I actually attempted to name some people who made good suspects for the murders. Even though this is a short audiobook, it felt lazy, and not well researched enough to even attempt to name a suspect.

My next gripe is that this book is supposed to be about unsolved cases. Why is Adam Walsh in here? That case was solved a long time ago, with a death bed confession. Did he just put it in here just so he could add another big name to his book? He already has Jack the Ripper, JonBenet Ramsey, and now Adam Walsh. Seems thirsty to me.

If your book is called Never Solved, make sure the cases were never solved.

[Rosalinda Sepeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so sad to hear the last four stories. Makes me wonder what kinda of lives they would have had, if they had lived. I have seen this on TV, though it is better reading it a gruesome details and in-depth factual explanations about some of the most interesting unsolved crimes ever.

[Michael Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great non-fiction book, like a good documentary film, must achieve the goals it states in the opening. John Summit accomplishes everything he says he will, and more. I got gruesome details and in-depth factual explanations about some of the most interesting unsolved crimes ever. I liked the emphasis on American crimes and appreciated that Jack the Ripper was featured, even though it was not an American crime, because of the Ripper’s importance, being the first, in the development of ‘profiling’ of serial killers.
My interest in this subject was piqued by a character I am developing in my latest novel. My protagonist may evolve into a detective and I needed to have facts about serial killers. Facts I got and then some. For a straight forward revelation of factual information, this series of stories was surprisingly engrossing. The book seems to be laying the ground work for a series. Coming from an writer who researches so deeply, I might have liked to hear some of the author’s reflections or intuitions. I will follow this writer.

[Edward Wolfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you didn't already know about these famous cold cases, then you'd get a decent overview of them. But if you already know, you won't learn anything knew. I knew very little about the Adam Walsh case, so I learned who killed the child - which made me wonder why that case was featured in a book about unsolved cases.

The book doesn't appear to contain anything you wouldn't read on Wikipedia and the author adds nothing significant in the way of narrative. In fact, the narrative is simplistic, and at times repetitive.

If you'd like to read about Jack the Ripper, the Black Dahlia, Jon-Benet Ramsey, etc. all in one place without browsing the web, you'll find this book convenient.