Chronicles of a Rochester Major Crimes Detect: Confronting Evil & Pursuing Truth

by Patrick Crough

Patrick Crough served more than twenty years as a Monroe County Major Crimes detective, where he investigated some of the region's most tragic crimes. They include horrifying acts, like that of a Valentine's Day killing rampage that left four people dead, as well as the case against Ed Laraby, the serial rapist who terrorized women in Rochester and Monroe County. But they are also stories of heroism and bravery--strangers coming to the aid of those in peril, parents who laid down their lives to save their children and the team of people who put violent criminals behind bars. In these pages, Crough details four of his most memorable cases in which he was forced to confront evil and chose to pursue truth.

Genres: True Crime

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2011

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really a great read.
Very concise and to the point. No flowery language or melodramatic descriptions. Just a factual summary of a handful of cases.
By the ending you wish there were more chapters. Maybe there will be a sequel??
Some of the cases were particularly disturbing, however. The Glatz one especially was almost unimaginable. Great to see justice served at least.
In a world where police don't get the most respect, this guy really did things the right way.

[Trebor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have given this book a fourth star, but it wasn't quite there, almost though. I liked it enough and it was very informative. It illustrated how very careful an arresting officer has to be even if he receives a confession to the crime. A slick attorney or a liberal judge could easily return a murderer back on the streets. The crimes he narrated weren't very difficult to solve but completing justice all the way to conviction is a path carefully taken. A fast and interesting read.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil Everywhere

I was particularly interested in this book because I live here. I read alot and don't really watch the news so I was only familiar with one of these stories. Each story is concise and contains just the right amount of information without becoming dull. Has great photos as well.

[Tyler Rosso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting case files and descriptions. one of which took place in the town I grew up it. It was also pretty neat to hear mention of an officer/old family friend that lived across the street from my grandparents old house. I just wish there were more stores. It's a quick book and leaves you wanting more. Great narration.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written. You enjoy the narration & believe if you knew Crough in real life that you'd like him. The book is a quick read that I would recommend. Especially if you live in Rochester NY/Monroe County or surrounding areas or if you enjoy true crime coming first hand from the investigating detective.

[Shannon Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read this, but it wasn't as interesting as I was hoping it would be.

[Heather Buckley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of audio books. It's too easy to multitask and not pay attention. This book chronicles 4 cases in Rochester, NY, told by one of the investigators. It just didn't hold my interest.

[Sarah Peppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Very interesting about where I grew up but didn't know all of these crimes or the details. Enjoyed the book very much

[Carly Vinciquerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very “police procedural”, but it was short and only went over 4 very interesting cases from WNY/Greater Rochester area

[Sara Milligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such an odd experience to plunk the true crime genre onto the streets you drive every day. Three stars bc the storytelling felt a liiiiil ego-driven

[Chloe · Rating 1 out of 5]

What I learned: this guy can’t write, has a huge ego, and believes him and his buddies are really “fighting evil” by being cops. You can find him eating wings at Jeremiah’s tavern after a long day of not solving crimes

[Lee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. It was just a bit too dry in describing the cases he worked on. Although I suppose, he is a major crimes detective, so his emotional connection to the cases was of a professional distance. It would have been better with more detail about the people and emotional impact of the crimes, not just the testimony of how the crimes were solved.

[Erincbrooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read scary the one in Pittsford was right down street. Trust no one!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting explanation of how a crime detective works.