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Reel to Real: The Video Store Murders
No one was supposed to get hurt. But in March 1996, the robbery of a Hollywood Video store went horribly wrong, ending in a hail of gunfire and the worst mass murder in the history of Albuquerque, New Mexico.This book is based on the true story of three ex-cons who met through the New Mexico Community Corrections early release program. One was obsessed with movies and guns, another was hopelessly in love, and the third double-crossed them both.Initially, all hoped for a new and better life, but in this modern tragedy, the ex-cons' self-destructive impulses ultimately led to their doom and that of their innocent victims. An entire city was left to mourn.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
38 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 27, 2015
The only thing keeping this book from four stars is the lack of pictures. I would have liked to see what Shane and Esther looked like then and now, some photos of the video store with employees and some crime scene photos. I am assuming all of these are available because other true crime books have them. That being said, this is still a good book. Joyce Nance writes quick and to the point. There are no extra words or thoughts included, she just tells the story as it happened. This is probably one of the better true crime books I've read and the only thing keeping it from four stars or higher is the lack of photos.
May 29, 2015
I am fascinated by true-crime and can usually devour a 400+ page book in less than three days, but I found this book so boring, it was a chore to finish.
February 23, 2016
Just as disturbing as I thought it would be. I was living in Albuquerque when these horrific murders happened & I remember the fear & disbelief that gripped the city. The thing that always amazes me about true crimes is the stupidity of the criminals & how most are caught because of their stupidity. How a woman could allow herself to become involved in something this horrible is beyond me. Too bad that Shane Harrison wasn't convicted for the murders of the three young employees & that he wasn't given the death penalty..the killing of the McDougalls definitely earned him that punishment!
July 20, 2015
It was a Bookbub .99 book about a crime in my home state. I think it was more interesting to me because I could recognize some of the named places.
It was engaging enough to keep your interest, and the writing was kept somewhat simplistic. Clearly there's a bias - or so I felt - toward one viewpoint, which opens the question of "what's the other side of the story".
It was engaging enough to keep your interest, and the writing was kept somewhat simplistic. Clearly there's a bias - or so I felt - toward one viewpoint, which opens the question of "what's the other side of the story".
September 23, 2014
I received this through Goodreads First Reads.
Reel to Real is a story based on the robbery/murders at a Hollywood Video store in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996. The author got her information for the book from trial transcripts and interviewing Esther Beckley, one of the people involved.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was quick paced and very detailed. It also made me wonder what would have happened if the people involved would have changed one thing about their routine that day. Would the outcome have been the same? Could this unnecessary crime been prevented?
I feel horrible for the victims and their families and the trauma and heartache they had to endure. I also feel pity for Esther as well. To me it seemed like she was a pawn in this whole ordeal.
I did not care for Shane and feel like he deserved more than he got. I didn't care for John either. I feel like he had more to do with this than what is shown. What I mean by this is the fact that he manipulated both Esther and Shane. He kept demanding money because he was too lazy to go out and earn it on his own. If he would have quit stringing Esther along earlier, maybe this crime and the one previous to it would have not even been committed.
I would recommend this book to people who are interested in true crime stories or to people who are interested in wondering how people tick. This book shows just that.
Reel to Real is a story based on the robbery/murders at a Hollywood Video store in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996. The author got her information for the book from trial transcripts and interviewing Esther Beckley, one of the people involved.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was quick paced and very detailed. It also made me wonder what would have happened if the people involved would have changed one thing about their routine that day. Would the outcome have been the same? Could this unnecessary crime been prevented?
I feel horrible for the victims and their families and the trauma and heartache they had to endure. I also feel pity for Esther as well. To me it seemed like she was a pawn in this whole ordeal.
I did not care for Shane and feel like he deserved more than he got. I didn't care for John either. I feel like he had more to do with this than what is shown. What I mean by this is the fact that he manipulated both Esther and Shane. He kept demanding money because he was too lazy to go out and earn it on his own. If he would have quit stringing Esther along earlier, maybe this crime and the one previous to it would have not even been committed.
I would recommend this book to people who are interested in true crime stories or to people who are interested in wondering how people tick. This book shows just that.
November 20, 2014
** Received free copy through Goodreads First Reads giveaway **
I gave this book 3 stars not because it is a mediocre story but because it is told in a mediocre way. "This book is based on the true story ..." It is based on the true story as told by one ex-con. Not that the story is less legitimate because it is an ex-con's story but because it is very hard to imagine it being true when only one story/viewpoint is reflected. Just because the author believes this version to be true does not make it so.
I liked the story but would have liked it more if more research was done. I was disappointed by the fact the author chose to only interview one of the subjects in questions.
Also, the use of commas should be reviewed. The writing style could have been cleaned up a bit more.
Overall, a decent story but not something at the top of my recommend to others list.
I gave this book 3 stars not because it is a mediocre story but because it is told in a mediocre way. "This book is based on the true story ..." It is based on the true story as told by one ex-con. Not that the story is less legitimate because it is an ex-con's story but because it is very hard to imagine it being true when only one story/viewpoint is reflected. Just because the author believes this version to be true does not make it so.
I liked the story but would have liked it more if more research was done. I was disappointed by the fact the author chose to only interview one of the subjects in questions.
Also, the use of commas should be reviewed. The writing style could have been cleaned up a bit more.
Overall, a decent story but not something at the top of my recommend to others list.
August 24, 2017
In March 1996, Shane Harrison and Esther Beckley set out to rob a Hollywood Video store in Albuquerque New Mexico. It went terribly wrong and resulted in the deaths of five innocent people. Reel to Real: The Video Store Murders is the story of how it happened and the aftermath. As with many true crime books, the timeline can occasionally be difficult to follow and the number of characters hard to keep straight. It is well-written, however, and attempts to make the timeline as easy to follow as possible. I recommend this book to true crime fans.
November 5, 2015
Finished reading: May 5th 2015
“It is always the best policy to speak the truth — unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.”
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
February 19, 2017
Fast-Paced
This book grabs you from the beginning and is hard to put down. It is a page turner and the development of the characters is excellent. A must read for true crime lovers.
This book grabs you from the beginning and is hard to put down. It is a page turner and the development of the characters is excellent. A must read for true crime lovers.
January 30, 2015
I received this book for free through goodreads first reads.
I'm a bit of a true crime fan so I was excited to read this book since it's based on a real crime. I thought it was well written in terms of story. I really liked the way the the characters were written. I know she only talked to one of the criminals involved, however she did read transcripts and such. If the transcripts conveyed what is in her book, I feel bad for Esther, in a sense of she got pushed in way over her head and was involved in murders she hadn't planned. That being said, she still planned and executed a horrible crime and wanted people convinced they were gonna die. That is truly awful.
I really enjoyed this book and the story it told.
Also written on my copy was a note from the author apologizing for taking so long to send it, she had been in a car accident and I really hope she is okay and recovered/covering nicely.
I'm a bit of a true crime fan so I was excited to read this book since it's based on a real crime. I thought it was well written in terms of story. I really liked the way the the characters were written. I know she only talked to one of the criminals involved, however she did read transcripts and such. If the transcripts conveyed what is in her book, I feel bad for Esther, in a sense of she got pushed in way over her head and was involved in murders she hadn't planned. That being said, she still planned and executed a horrible crime and wanted people convinced they were gonna die. That is truly awful.
I really enjoyed this book and the story it told.
Also written on my copy was a note from the author apologizing for taking so long to send it, she had been in a car accident and I really hope she is okay and recovered/covering nicely.
August 25, 2016
High-profile case in Albuquerque
The story begins with the perpetrators in prison and brings you forward to the present. The focus is the robbery of the Hollywood Video store in Albuquerque which resulted in the murder of five people.
The story is well-written, well-researched and well-presented. It is as easy to read as a good novel. However, if I had proofread this book, I would have made 52 corrections.
The story begins with the perpetrators in prison and brings you forward to the present. The focus is the robbery of the Hollywood Video store in Albuquerque which resulted in the murder of five people.
The story is well-written, well-researched and well-presented. It is as easy to read as a good novel. However, if I had proofread this book, I would have made 52 corrections.
March 29, 2016
The novelization of this true crime kept the story of petty criminals committing a major crime moving along smartly — and by smartly, I mean the narration, not the criminals. The most disturbing aspect of the story is that these characters were real and that folks like them walk among us, though there is not much that would surprise even a casual viewer of any of the iterations of Law & Order.
April 20, 2015
A different true crime story
I don't usually enjoy true crime stories. This one was written as a novel. You'll end up, like I did, and stay up very late to finish this book. A very eerie, disturbing and interesting story.
I don't usually enjoy true crime stories. This one was written as a novel. You'll end up, like I did, and stay up very late to finish this book. A very eerie, disturbing and interesting story.
February 17, 2016
Intriguing Story
The book is very enjoyable and seems to present a fairly balanced view of the crime. I would have liked some more follow up on what happened to some of the other characters involved such as John Lausell (assuming he is a real person).
The book is very enjoyable and seems to present a fairly balanced view of the crime. I would have liked some more follow up on what happened to some of the other characters involved such as John Lausell (assuming he is a real person).
January 16, 2017
Four star
Succinctly, the ending preamble was simply redundant...and the Finale, a bit contrived... the beginning and middle, quite an enthralling build.... Initial captivation rating would be five-star!
Succinctly, the ending preamble was simply redundant...and the Finale, a bit contrived... the beginning and middle, quite an enthralling build.... Initial captivation rating would be five-star!
April 17, 2015
Hard to Put Down
I read it on my breaks and was addicted. Great ability to describe events in a clear concise manner. Read it!
I read it on my breaks and was addicted. Great ability to describe events in a clear concise manner. Read it!
January 28, 2016
Profanity
An other book that is unreadable due to profanity. Removed from device. No more Joyce Nance over use of profanity for me.
An other book that is unreadable due to profanity. Removed from device. No more Joyce Nance over use of profanity for me.
January 30, 2016
Excellent
Excellent read. The author did a great job bringing me into the minds and the actions of these killers. Love this book.
Excellent read. The author did a great job bringing me into the minds and the actions of these killers. Love this book.
February 17, 2016
Heinous Crime
Very good story about this heinous crime and what led up to it. Mr Harrison got lucky, if you can 258 years is lucky. Better than the Death Penalty
Very good story about this heinous crime and what led up to it. Mr Harrison got lucky, if you can 258 years is lucky. Better than the Death Penalty
March 7, 2016
Interesting case but I do not like this author's writing style at all. Seemed very juvenile to me.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews