Atlas of True Crime: A Worldwide Guide to Murderers and Thieves, Kidnappers and Con Men

by Nancy J. Hajeski

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

224 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

Nancy J. Hajeski is the real name of author Nancy Butler.

Nancy Butler had been—more or less—living in the 19th century since the publication of her first Signet Regency romance in 1998. Twelve novels and three novellas later, she found herself rudely back in the 21st century when the Regency romance genre faded (yet not, oddly, Austen-mania). Fortunately, in 2009 Marvel offered her a chance to adapt Pride and Prejudice for their illustrated classics line, putting her firmly back in the era she adored. The hardcover compilation became a New York Times bestseller in the graphic novel category, and when it reached No. 2 on the list there was great rejoicing.

Butler also writes nonfiction for middle-schoolers under her real name, Nancy J. Hajeski, and is the author of The Hammond Book of Presidents and of three Hammond Undercover titles: Rocks & Minerals, Princesses, and Sharks.

She has won two RITAs from the Romance Writers of America, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from Romantic Times magazine, and was retired to their Hall of Fame by the New Jersey Romance Writers. Butler lives in the Catskills with two mellow cats and a temperamental Jackabee.

Reviews

[Emily Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, interesting read that any true crime fan would enjoy! I already knew a lot of the information, but I believe it would be especially good for someone who doesn’t know a lot about true crime, as it is well organized and divided into small, easily digested section’s. I love how this book covers such a wide array of information on true crime, such as prevention and investigation, con-artists, kidnapping, political violence, robbery, etc. not just well known serial killers.

Overall, it passed the time quickly and had so many interesting stories and facts! You can also tell the author has a sense of humor which I always appreciate considering how heavy the material can be. 🧠🚔🔬🔫🩸🕵🏻‍♀️💸

[Eric Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The library where I work counts this as a "new" book, but from what I can tell it's a reprint of a book that's a few years old -- not a big deal, but there are a few instances where the stories contained in the volume have events that happened after the book was initially published.

First, the good: This book is well-organized and divided into small, easily-digested pieces. Most of the sections are two pages, with a few four-page spreads thrown in. But for those looking for a book that can be consumed a little bit at a time, this one is great. If you have an hour or two to read, you can chomp through a good chunk of it; likewise, if you have only a few minutes, you can flip through a section or two and then go back to what you were doing before, or move on to your next thing.

Also, this book covers a wide array of information related to true crime. It's not just serial murder and kidnapping. The author starts out with the history, methods, and people/organizations associated with crime prevention and investigation, then moves on to cover not only the well-trod themes mentioned earlier in this paragraph, but also to political violence, financial crimes, swindles and con artists, and much more. Much of the book is focused on the western world, especially the United States, but those looking for true crime tales from Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, Central and South America, etc., there's plenty of that as well.

Now the bad: For a book that was written a few years ago and is apparently now being reprinted, it could use a good editor. There are places where unnecessary commas pop up (things like "John Smith, was a good child growing up" -- a voice may pause a little after his name, but that doesn't mean a comma should be dropped there), and others where a comma or other punctuation, or even a rewrite of the sentence, would greatly enhance its readability. And even if I could look past the punctuation, there are also factual errors (in the section about drug cartels, the author actually makes the claim that heroin is a STIMULANT) that could easily lead one to wonder how much of the other research is truly reliable. Enough of the information contained in this book seemed legitimate that I don't truly question its veracity, but then there are those bits that DO indicate that better research or editing would be a great idea.

[Paul Sutter]

The world of crime is certainly fascinating, the manner in which people who walk among us, often seeming harmless, can turn into menacing creatures. True crime stories have been with us for centuries, and no matter how many we read or listen to, they never fail to be both entertaining and frightening.
THE ATLAS OF TRUE CRIME, is a most comprehensive look at some of the most diabolical human beings in the world. The fact that the crimes have an international flavor, not simply looking at North American mass killers, makes the book all the more of note. Many of those who are listed in the book we know about, but there are also a good range of people from countries around the world we are likely unfamiliar with.
The book delves as well deeply into history, with the Wild West, including the beginning of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency and a quote from outlaw Jesse James. The Mafia and crime families are also featured, along with the origin of the Mafia, the Cosa Nostra, the Irish and Russian Mobs, and the top crime bosses of the past century. The bosses include the notorious, like Lucky Luciano, Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, John Gotti, Carlo Gambino, and others. Every page has something or someone of interest, along with bootleggers, bank robbers, prohibition, and of course Eliot Ness and the FBI.
The most notorious murder cases are mentioned, along with unsolved murder cases such as the one involving the Black Dahlia. The killings of John Lennon and Selena, probe into the mind of those who killed them. Perhaps the most chilling chapter is the one involving “The mind of the serial killer.” The most notorious inhabit this chapter, people we have come to know thanks to movies and television shows. There is Ted Bundy, Albert DeSalvo, Jack the Ripper, David Berkowitz, John Wayne Gacy, Aileen Wuoronos, and more.
We also read about those who poisoned, plus rampage killers from various countries. The book is chilling and haunting in so many ways, a reminder of the world we not only live in today, but dealt with for centuries. If true crime is your passion, then your will definitely get more than your fill of the most heinous crimes ever recorded.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read. Hajeski doesn't just include the greatest hits of true crime (serial killers) she covers all the bases, serial killers, spree killers, kidnappers, embezzlers, con-people, but she also puts a lot of her subjects into context of how their crimes may have affected culture, or laws, or policies. It was "comforting" to know that the heinous crimes committed here in the US were/are committed across the globe, unfortunately, a lot of those international crimes can be laid at the doorstep of the US due to it's policies abroad-but I digress.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and informative book about crimes, laws, and related topics. I really enjoyed the layout of the book. I gave it 4 stars because it has quite a handful of typos and grammatical errors, and also because the book just ended without at least a basic conclusion page or chapter. Otherwise, I really enjoyed it!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what it is, an atlas of worldwide crime which is different than many that focus occasionally on international crime and more on those occurring in the United States.

This one features plenty of pictures, facts, and stories around crimes as sensational as Jon Benet and as unknown as Russian serial killers. It's something to skim and sift through at leisure.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written and informative book and I have nothing bad to say about it. I didn't give it five stars because this just really isn't my thing you know? I did learn from this book but I'm hoping the scarier stories won't stick around to haunt me.

[kit★°•○ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5,, knowledge in my brain :3

[Wendy Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short synopses of different true crimes.