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True Crime Stories Volume 4: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases

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WARNING! The following true crime book may shock and frighten the faint hearted. In the pages of this book are assembled twelve of the strangest true crime stories in human history. There is no doubt that some of these cases will disturb you, but it is equally assured that you will not be able to put this book down! Follow along in various criminal investigations as astute investigators race to solve cold murder cases. Some of the cases in this true crime anthology will boggle your mind as much as the police were when they investigated them. You will read about the abduction of girls from safe neighborhoods during broad daylight and how the dogged detectives eventually caught their killers through a combination of advances in science, some lucky breaks, and excellent police work. There are also some true crime murder cases profiled where killers have yet to be brought to justice and unfortunately, probably never will be. You may have already heard about some of these cases, while it will be the first time you read about others, but make no mistake, you will keep turning the pages for more. So open the pages and read about bizarre abductions, true murder cases, and other strange crimes that have intrigued people around the world. Once you do, you will want to read more.

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2016

222 people are currently reading
247 people want to read

About the author

Jack Rosewood

91 books146 followers
I live in one of the most beautiful places in Florida, Jupiter, with my wife, two kids and our golden retriever, Vincent. I've been a full time author for the last 15 years and I wouldn't trade it against anything in the world!

My father was a journalist and wrote about some of the worst crimes you could ever imagine, and that's where my big interest from serial killers and other horrible crimes comes from. Just to hear my father talk about the evil acts of Ted Bundy as we were out fishing as a kid are some of my best memories.

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5 stars
88 (32%)
4 stars
88 (32%)
3 stars
67 (24%)
2 stars
21 (7%)
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9 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Jammin Jenny.
1,535 reviews218 followers
August 16, 2017
The book reviewed 12 true cases of murder dating back as far as the early 1800s and as recent as this decade. It was kind of like reading an episode (or 12) of cold case files on tv. While I didn't "enjoy" the material some of the crimes were disturbingly fascinating. I also remembered hearing about a lot of the more recent crimes like the murder of a young girl in Italy.
Profile Image for Shelby.
Author 1 book44 followers
February 6, 2017
TRUE CRIME STORIES, by Jack Rosewood is a twelve chapter book about murder crimes and how they were finally laid to rest. Some were cold cases and got solved with the modern adjunct of DNA and technological advances. Unfortunately, Jack Kevorkian was included in this book, because he flagrantly assisted with suicides. The state of Michigan ultimately charged him with murder and imprisoned him for a decade. Only history will tell if he should be included in a crime anthology.

Jack Rosewood is a good writer. He instills his writing with a sense of time and place that his killers emerge from. He also gives well-honed psychological backgrounds of the murderers in his book. He shares legal backdrops of their cases, revealing evidence gathered, and the how’s and why’s of follow-up prosecutions.

Rosewood’s knowledge of murder investigations makes this book compelling. It is obvious he has a strong background exploring profiles of murderers moving through a normally productive society, and the legal guideposts leading to their captures and arrests.

Sometimes, as this author reveals, there are no murder motivations beyond boredom and a sense of entitlement. Rosewood’s murder studies reveal how raising spoiled children can sometimes bring brutal mayhem back to the nest.

Rosewood’s writing is succinct and organized. However, more depth could be brought to his writing by paralleling victims’ psychology with the murderers’ psychological profiles. This would lend a greater tension to the story lines, as fates became intertwined.

Overall, this book is an interesting, well-researched educational book for readers.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Profile Image for Píaras Cíonnaoíth.
Author 143 books205 followers
October 25, 2016
This is yet another biopic read that’s really hard to put down. In the pages of this book the author assembles twelve of the strangest true crime stories in human history. It's an insightful and graphically detailed account of some of the most horrific serial killers and crimes. In fact, while reading yet another of Jack Rosewoods books, I just had to keep turning the pages yet again. Not necessarily because it's all that enjoyable in any way, shape or form, to delve a little too deeply into the malefic minds of such murderous men, but because I sincerely believe that most people are fascinated in one way or another by serial killers. Perhaps it’s the human morbid fascination with death. I’m not exactly sure. However, maybe it just astounds the average person as to how depraved another individual can be.

Even if you are a seasoned campaigner of true crime, True Crime Stories Volume 4: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases will surely raise more than a few hairs on the back of your neck. It was a good read and the author gave a perspective to these horrific crimes that was both fascinating and intriguing. This was one of the better true crime books that I have read recently.

I would highly recommend this read to all fans of the crime genre. I’m also a big fan of Jack Rosewood so it’s another 5 Stars from me. Well done again!
549 reviews6 followers
December 23, 2016
Twelve cases in 2.5 hours means these are just brief summaries. Most of them are older cases, although a few were solved more recently. I didn't find this particular collection of cases to be all that interesting or unusual.

Thomas Stone reads this true crime book with competence.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews58 followers
July 19, 2017
Kindle Unlimited

WARNING! The following true crime book may shock and frighten the faint hearted. In the pages of this book are assembled twelve of the strangest true crime stories in human history. There is no doubt that some of these cases will disturb you, but it is equally assured that you will not be able to put this book down!Follow along in various criminal investigations as astute investigators race to solve cold murder cases. Some of the cases in this true crime anthology will boggle your mind as much as the police were when they investigated them. You will read about the abduction of girls from safe neighborhoods during broad daylight and how the dogged detectives eventually caught their killers through a combination of advances in science, some lucky breaks, and excellent police work. There are also some true crime murder cases profiled where killers have yet to be brought to justice and unfortunately, probably never will be. You may have already heard about some of these cases, while it will be the first time you read about others, but make no mistake, you will keep turning the pages for more.So open the pages and read about bizarre abductions, true murder cases, and other strange crimes that have intrigued people around the world. Once you do, you will want to read more.*

*Yes much the same as other books I have reviewed, not for faint of heart, those not near barf bag or recepticle. Shrink bills not covered.

True Crime Stories: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)
True Crime Stories Volume 2: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)
True Crime Stories Volume 3: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)
True Crime Stories Volume 4: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)
True Crime Stories Volume 5: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)
True Crime Stories Volume 6: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)
True Crime Stories Volume 7: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)

Check amazon for comprehensive list of books
Profile Image for Emily.
63 reviews3 followers
April 2, 2020
Meh. Sunt o mare fană a poveștilor True Crime, însă cartea asta e o mare pierdere de timp. Știu că există mii de cazuri care nu au fost încă rezolvate, dar de ce alegi să le pui într-o care? Avem cazuri destul de variate, însă destul de banale, cel puțin asta cred eu.
Există cazuri mult mai interesante care merită studiate, iar acestea nu s-au ridicat la nivelul lor.
În opinia mea, oricine poate reproduce scriitura acestui domn care este si ea destul de proastă. Ai nevoie doar de două ingrediente magice: Internet pentru a te informa despre niște cazuri mai puțin cunoscute și puțin timp pentru a scrie 10 pagini despre fiecare caz. 😉
Sper să am mai mult noroc pe viitor cu acest tip de povești, până atunci rămân la podcast-urile Serial Killers care m-au cucerit.
Profile Image for Emilija.
1,902 reviews31 followers
October 1, 2018
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This book covers 12 true crime murder cases, many of which are older, some of which are more recent. This wasn't my favourite of the True Crimes series as it felt a bit stilted, but it was still interesting.
Profile Image for Elisabeth Brookshire.
528 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2018
A fair group

This quick read true crime anthology has a fair mix of cases but none that particularly stand out or are retold in any notable full length books that I can think of. Just so so with this author's totally liberal use of exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Ashley Hedden.
5,259 reviews43 followers
August 15, 2018
True Crime Stories Volume 4: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology) by Jack Rosewood was a well written book. Jack always writes very intriguing tales of some of the worlds worst true crime cases. I can't wait to read more by Jack Rosewood.
Profile Image for Tanis  Fillion.
4 reviews
October 28, 2025
Too Much Nonsense

I love reading about true crime but this book honestly felt more like a history lesson at the beginning of each chapter and it would take a couple pages to get into the actual crime the chapter was about
35 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2017
Interesting

I enjoyed this book. It has some interesting cases in. I would recommend this book if you like true crime
Profile Image for Sherrie.
1,732 reviews
March 17, 2018
Interesting true crime cases some with which I was already familiar but some were new to me. I enjoy this true crime series and recommend it to other true crime buffs.
17 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2019
Worth reading

I liked reading this True Crime book because the author didn't go into the Gorey details . It's hard to read that.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,822 followers
October 16, 2016
‘Violence begets violence’

Florida author Jack Rosewood inherited his fascination for heinous crimes from his father, a journalist covering major grim crimes such as Ted Bundy. He is fascinated with serial killers – their development psychologically, their preparation for their life of crime, and the details of how they made their bloody black marks on the world. Jack moves away from his intensive studies of serial killers to explore strange crimes most of which are discoveries for the reader – even the Jack Rosewood reader! In addition to his books on individual serial killers he has published three collections. He calls these collections TRUE CRIME STORIES: TRUE CRIME ANTHOLOGY and in this FOURTH volume he shares twelve very shocking and strange crimes that have eluded the widespread press.

As usual Jack opens with an introduction explaining the decision to place these gruesome stories before us: ‘Unfortunately, crime is a part of life in the modern world. That is not to say that crime is a purely modern phenomenon, but with the advent of modern technology, criminals have become more mobile. Criminals are able to easily traverse through countries and from one country to another to commit their nefarious deeds. Because of that, it has become increasingly difficult to run away from crime. Modern technology has also allowed international audiences to learn about high-profile crimes and in some cases for fan followings of criminals to develop. In the pages of this book, you will learn about twelve high-profile crime cases from around the world. Some of these cases, such as the Hinterkaifeck murders and the murder of Kelly Anne Bates, attained notoriety due to their brutal and bizarre nature, while others were solved by DNA profiling after several twists and turns. Many of the cases in this book received considerable media attention while they were ongoing, sometimes earning the often overused moniker “the trial of the century.” The first true “trial of the century,” the Helen Jewett murder case, is profiled here and compared with another notorious case from the 1990s. Some of these cases looked like they would never be solved, but through a combination of scientific advances and good police work, the killers were eventually caught and justice was served. Unfortunately, some cases, such as the murder of Chandra Levy and the assassination of William Stewart, remain open and unsolved.’

Twelve stories here that will terrify: The Mysterious Death of Rakhat Aliyev, The Murder of Meredith Kercher, Francis “Frankie” Stewart Silver, a Nineteenth Century Black Widow, The Hinterkaifeck Murders, The Murder of Kelly Anne Bates, The Assassination of William Stewart,
The Cold Case Murder of Ralph Smith, The Disappearance and Murder of Chandra Levy, The Abduction of Colette Aram, The Murder of Manhattan Prostitute Helen Jewett, The Cold Case Murder of Linda Strait, and The Strange Case of the Joan Harrison Murder.


After delving into these fascinating cases with inordinate dexterity of thought and writing Jack reflects on the state of the media today – murders and terror killings have become far too frequent. Perhaps reading stories like these will make us more alert to possible crimes that may be prevented. Another highly recommended book by the master crime journalist/investigator/historian – Jack Rosewood.

Profile Image for Julie Haigh.
790 reviews1,005 followers
October 20, 2016
A great collection, strangely addictive!

These books are strangely addictive. Being in bite-sized pieces, they are just the thing for a quick read between longer books. This book features 12 true crime cases. Most are solved and it also contains some cases which remain unsolved. I got my copy whilst it had an additional fantastic offer-7 of Jack Rosewood’s previous true crime books were included-some of these I already have but some I didn’t already have as well so this was a fantastic bumper set.

I find these sorts of books fascinating, for example, how the perpetrators can be found years later and the crimes solved. I had heard about the case in chapter two but didn't really know any info so it’s great it's included here. And my goodness the victim had gone to University in Leeds-a case with roots so close to home for me. There are modern-day cases and earlier ones too-eg. one was dating back to 1831. I was surprised to find that forensic evidence dates back earlier than you would think.

No matter how many of these I read there are still so many surprising and intriguing things. It’s a very interesting mix as usual, especially the background on the emergence of DNA technology. A great collection.
Profile Image for Lisa Millett.
298 reviews10 followers
October 16, 2016
Another winner by Jack Rosewood

I was provided this book for free for a honest review. I love true crime and found these true crime stories fascinating. I especially enjoyed the cold cases that were solved many years later by modern forensics which are amazing. I was also very interested in the Chandra Levy Case as I remember following it closely in 2001 when it happened. It was so sad for the family to go thru and even worse when they thought the killer was caught and convicted to have it overturned. He also covered the ever intriguing Amanda Knox case which was another fascinating case. Overall Jack Rosewood has put together a good set of true crime stories that will enthrall the lovers of true crime books. Good read and we'll balanced older and newer cases. Another winner by Jack Rosewood.
Profile Image for Angie.
81 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2017
Jack Rosewood has delivered another series of truly bizarre and heinous true crime stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. These particular 12 terrifying stories are from around the world and include the Murder of Meredith Kercher – think Amanda Knox, and The Disappearance and Murder of Chandra Levy. Some of the crimes that are told in this volume take many twist and turns before they are ultimately solved and some of these crimes remain unsolved even today. With the changes in technology, hopefully even these cold cases will see resolution in the future.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for April.
2,201 reviews58 followers
December 23, 2016
True Crime Stories Vol. 4
: Jack Rosewood


These are some very interesting cases that are highlighted in this volume. A good assortment from around the globe. I've heard of some of these cases, but some were new to me. I did learn a few new things about the more familiar cases that I was unaware of.


The narration was well done by Thomas Stone. His voice goes well with the subject matter.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."
Profile Image for Bettye McKee.
2,190 reviews157 followers
October 27, 2016
Lots of stories in this volume

It's difficult to determine how many stories are included in this volume. There are so many that the book could serve as a reference for your true crime bookshelf.

There are a great many errors in the book, but there are also a great many hours of reading for true crime fans.
66 reviews3 followers
December 19, 2016
ANOTHER GREAT READ from ROSEWOOD

Indian wars, and more...difficult times in OHIO and Indian wars are
covered. As always you get a Super Read from this fine author.
Don't delay, get your book today.....
Profile Image for Michelle Campbell.
22 reviews4 followers
December 30, 2016
Jack Rosewood at his best

Depending on whether you have an interesting true crime, this book is a must read. Each case explored gives you an insight into the mindset of the serial killer.
Profile Image for Pam.
17 reviews
November 4, 2016
Very easy to read and engrossing. Recommended for those that like the true crime genre.
Profile Image for sharlanemoore.
13 reviews
November 30, 2016
Chilling

I could not stop until I read every page. I will be buying the other books. If you enjoy true crime stories this is the book you must read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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