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Homicide: The View from Inside the Yellow Tape
"One of the Top True Crime Books" - True Crime Guide
"One of the Top Ten True Crime Books to Quietly Obsess Over" - The Manual.com
"One of Top 100 Bestselling Memoirs" - Book Authority
You don't get any closer than this. Cloyd Steiger worked the streets of Seattle as a Homicide Detective for 22 years of his 36 year career. During that time he worked some of the most notorious murders in Seattle, from serial murderers, domestic terrorists, and psychotic killers. In his true crime memoir, The View from Inside the Yellow Tape, he describes some of the most interesting murders he's worked on. Often shocking, often inane, and even funny, it's a view you won't see on the evening news. A look inside the yellow tape; inside the interrogation room, where you come face to face with pure evil, and see what it's like to investigate murder.
"One of the Top Ten True Crime Books to Quietly Obsess Over" - The Manual.com
"One of Top 100 Bestselling Memoirs" - Book Authority
You don't get any closer than this. Cloyd Steiger worked the streets of Seattle as a Homicide Detective for 22 years of his 36 year career. During that time he worked some of the most notorious murders in Seattle, from serial murderers, domestic terrorists, and psychotic killers. In his true crime memoir, The View from Inside the Yellow Tape, he describes some of the most interesting murders he's worked on. Often shocking, often inane, and even funny, it's a view you won't see on the evening news. A look inside the yellow tape; inside the interrogation room, where you come face to face with pure evil, and see what it's like to investigate murder.
380 pages, Paperback
Published February 16, 2018
334 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Cloyd Steiger
3 books16 followersCloyd Steiger worked for the Seattle Police Department for 36 years. He spent his last 22 years as a Homicide Detective.
He investigated many of the most notorious murders that occurred in Seattle during that time, including serial murders, mass murders, domestic terrorism and other types of homicide.
He was the Chief Criminal Investigator with the WA. Atty General Homicide Investigation Tracking System.
He has been a contributor on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and has appeared on many True Crime TV shows on Investigation Discovery, Oxygen and other networks.
He speaks nationally and internationally about homicide investigation and forensic science.
He lives in the Seattle area with his wife, Doreen. They have three adult sons, (two of which are Seattle Police Officers) and six grandchildren.
He investigated many of the most notorious murders that occurred in Seattle during that time, including serial murders, mass murders, domestic terrorism and other types of homicide.
He was the Chief Criminal Investigator with the WA. Atty General Homicide Investigation Tracking System.
He has been a contributor on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and has appeared on many True Crime TV shows on Investigation Discovery, Oxygen and other networks.
He speaks nationally and internationally about homicide investigation and forensic science.
He lives in the Seattle area with his wife, Doreen. They have three adult sons, (two of which are Seattle Police Officers) and six grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 30, 2018
I found this to be an eminently interesting book of murder cases put together by a veteran homicide detective from the state of Washington who shares many of his more strange and fascinating cases during his time on the job. Told with a panache that brings to mind Joe Kenda, a favorite of many readers for his droll delivery style and witty way of telling a horror story that's all too true. This was hard to put down just like any good crime book, as you want to find out what’s coming next, or 'who done it.' All of the good stuff in true crime reading from real case files all over Seattle and surrounding areas of Washington.
It shows the real dedication that detectives have when they are putting in their years on the job, all of the time spent away from family, missed sleep, dogged determination when on a hot case. They mainly work for the victims, which includes the family members who are left behind and they are ever mindful that they are waiting to find out who was responsible for their loved one's death, whether it takes days or decades. It's pretty incredible stuff they do, dealing with death all the time and chasing killers. Figuring out how to get them to talk. There are some pretty interesting cases in this book and I found it a good read that I would recommend. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Cloyd Steiger, and the publisher for my fair review.
BooksGoSocial
Pub: Feb. 16th, 2018
My BookZone blog at Wordpress.com: https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
It shows the real dedication that detectives have when they are putting in their years on the job, all of the time spent away from family, missed sleep, dogged determination when on a hot case. They mainly work for the victims, which includes the family members who are left behind and they are ever mindful that they are waiting to find out who was responsible for their loved one's death, whether it takes days or decades. It's pretty incredible stuff they do, dealing with death all the time and chasing killers. Figuring out how to get them to talk. There are some pretty interesting cases in this book and I found it a good read that I would recommend. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Cloyd Steiger, and the publisher for my fair review.
BooksGoSocial
Pub: Feb. 16th, 2018
My BookZone blog at Wordpress.com: https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
October 24, 2018
A look at a Seattle Police homicide detective's amazing career. Steiger seems to have been involved with every significant murder investigation in the past twenty years. The death of firefighters at the Chinese Food warehouse fire, the Cafe Racer murders, the police officer murder by Christopher Montfort, the Gypsy murders, the author was at all of them. Plus many, many more.
Steiger relates the murders in a manner that I recognized from growing up in a law enforcement family myself. Playing down the emotions, giving the facts, sometimes adding in a little gallows humor. It felt like he was talking to me personally, sitting at a bar having a beer.
For those of you who are really into the "CSI" stuff, Steiger includes some of that. He explains about Inquiry Judges, the signs of strangulation, and blood splatter patterns, to name a few.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. And I tip my hat to the service of Officer Steiger. In my own law enforcement career, I have been involved in a few murder investigations. They still haunt me. I pray that the author finds peace and happiness in his retirement.
If you are interested in the criminal history of Seattle, you cannot go wrong with this book!
Steiger relates the murders in a manner that I recognized from growing up in a law enforcement family myself. Playing down the emotions, giving the facts, sometimes adding in a little gallows humor. It felt like he was talking to me personally, sitting at a bar having a beer.
For those of you who are really into the "CSI" stuff, Steiger includes some of that. He explains about Inquiry Judges, the signs of strangulation, and blood splatter patterns, to name a few.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. And I tip my hat to the service of Officer Steiger. In my own law enforcement career, I have been involved in a few murder investigations. They still haunt me. I pray that the author finds peace and happiness in his retirement.
If you are interested in the criminal history of Seattle, you cannot go wrong with this book!
December 10, 2018
True crime is another genre I love to read and it's good to read a memoir from someone who's actually on the front line and in the streets chasing down the people responsible for the myriad of crimes we see in the world.
Cloyd Steiger is a former Homicide Detective who worked in Seattle and this is his story, he tells us about some of the cases he worked on from arriving at the crime scene to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect, it's fascinating to read and gives you a better insight into what their jobs entail and how each case effects them when they're not 'on the job'.
I would've liked to hear more about him off the job and if/how he managed to keep the job separate from his home life as I think that is an important part of a memoir of this type. I did still enjoy it though, it kept me engaged and interested throughout.
*Huge thanks to Cloyd Steiger, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
Cloyd Steiger is a former Homicide Detective who worked in Seattle and this is his story, he tells us about some of the cases he worked on from arriving at the crime scene to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect, it's fascinating to read and gives you a better insight into what their jobs entail and how each case effects them when they're not 'on the job'.
I would've liked to hear more about him off the job and if/how he managed to keep the job separate from his home life as I think that is an important part of a memoir of this type. I did still enjoy it though, it kept me engaged and interested throughout.
*Huge thanks to Cloyd Steiger, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
February 8, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall this was an interesting book but I honestly had a hard time getting through it. I think because it kind of got boring to me since these were short vignettes of homicides. While I liked the author's sense of humor and honesty, he did seem like he was trying to hard to be macho. That, to me, got in the way of the stories.
Overall this was an interesting book but I honestly had a hard time getting through it. I think because it kind of got boring to me since these were short vignettes of homicides. While I liked the author's sense of humor and honesty, he did seem like he was trying to hard to be macho. That, to me, got in the way of the stories.
July 30, 2021
"Homicide: The View from Inside the Yellow Tape" is a surprisingly interesting book from retired Seattle homicide detective Cloyd Steiger. His writing style is very efficient and sparse, befitting a man who is a straight shooter with no time for games. It took me a while to get into this book because at first it appears to be basically a brief description of various homicide cases, but as the book progresses, you see the man behind the Detective - a man who cares deeply about justice and bringing families a resolution to what is often the worst day of their lives.
Also, Steiger has a very dry sense of humor -- in discovering a body at a construction site: "I noticed right away: He was dressed in a Batman suit (I'm a trained observer.") 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my new blog "I Love True Crime Books"
Also, Steiger has a very dry sense of humor -- in discovering a body at a construction site: "I noticed right away: He was dressed in a Batman suit (I'm a trained observer.") 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my new blog "I Love True Crime Books"
January 3, 2019
I usually love true crime, but this one disappointed me. I really could not get into it. Just the writing style wasn't to my liking.
January 8, 2021
Read it. You won't be disappointed.
These types of books I like reading. First hand, no BS tales told by an actual homicide detective. Definitely a book I'd recommend. I hope detective Steiger made great family memories after his retirement.
These types of books I like reading. First hand, no BS tales told by an actual homicide detective. Definitely a book I'd recommend. I hope detective Steiger made great family memories after his retirement.
September 7, 2018
SInce I am from Seattle, I like to read about the town, as I thought it was many years ago when I was there, to the city it is now. Familiar names and places with unfamiliar kinds of people and things going on.
The author's voice is a pleasure to read. I have no idea what this guy looks or sounds like, but I can almost hear him with some of the comments he makes. In real life he must be some kind of comedian as his timing is excellent.
There is a gritty ugliness to murder the fiction stories gloss over. Their purpose is to use murder as part of a plot, not a banal and often senseless act that sends ripples through families. As unpleasant as it must be to confront this every day as a job, it is helpful to see what a real murder looks like.
I like this book and believe it will make me a better watcher of current events to really understand this crime.
Converstational and accessible, a good read about a bad -but inevitable, it seems- subject.
The author's voice is a pleasure to read. I have no idea what this guy looks or sounds like, but I can almost hear him with some of the comments he makes. In real life he must be some kind of comedian as his timing is excellent.
There is a gritty ugliness to murder the fiction stories gloss over. Their purpose is to use murder as part of a plot, not a banal and often senseless act that sends ripples through families. As unpleasant as it must be to confront this every day as a job, it is helpful to see what a real murder looks like.
I like this book and believe it will make me a better watcher of current events to really understand this crime.
Converstational and accessible, a good read about a bad -but inevitable, it seems- subject.
October 18, 2018
The dedication of this book drew me in: "To the secondary victims of homicide; the loved ones left behind." That sentence gave me a glimpse of the man who wrote this book. A lot of men and woman who have worked in Homicide and in smaller agencies for that length of time don't have a lot of compassion left. They have suffered from personal issues; divorce and addiction, plus much worse. When you are faced with evil every day it starts to erode your very core.
I've worked with men like Steiger who would buck the bureaucratic BS to get his job done, they always had the highest clearance rate. Their supervisors finally learned that this man knows what he's doing, we'll leave him alone and for the most part they did. He had to carry a full load of several cases but he was the first in line to help his fellow detectives who caught a big whodunit.
There is another reason I personally liked his book, it's the timeline of this career in homicide. They didn't have all these special forensic teams, cell phones and it wasn't anything like it is portrayed on television. When you get called out in the middle of the night, standing in the pouring rain with your cup of Seven-11 coffee with a young dead man sprawled out in the middle of the road in front of several apartment complexes, you know someone saw something. There was no way they couldn't have. Steiger was the type that would flush his witnesses out, that's what you had to then and it was hard because of the street adage: " Snitches will need Stitches.' This book will show you how much law enforcement has evolved since then, the detectives had their gut instincts and for the most part, criminals aren't the smartest book on the shelf.
Mr. Steiger was what is called a Cop's cop meaning that he was well respected by his peers and he was an excellent mentor. He held his marriage down and his sons have followed in his footsteps and are also working for SPD. He's not doing a reality tv show he's still investigating cold cases since his retirement. I think that it's safe to say when you join the police force and you don't want to rank, all you want to do is solve murders than it's a true calling.
Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of the galley from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The opinions I expressed above are my own.
I've worked with men like Steiger who would buck the bureaucratic BS to get his job done, they always had the highest clearance rate. Their supervisors finally learned that this man knows what he's doing, we'll leave him alone and for the most part they did. He had to carry a full load of several cases but he was the first in line to help his fellow detectives who caught a big whodunit.
There is another reason I personally liked his book, it's the timeline of this career in homicide. They didn't have all these special forensic teams, cell phones and it wasn't anything like it is portrayed on television. When you get called out in the middle of the night, standing in the pouring rain with your cup of Seven-11 coffee with a young dead man sprawled out in the middle of the road in front of several apartment complexes, you know someone saw something. There was no way they couldn't have. Steiger was the type that would flush his witnesses out, that's what you had to then and it was hard because of the street adage: " Snitches will need Stitches.' This book will show you how much law enforcement has evolved since then, the detectives had their gut instincts and for the most part, criminals aren't the smartest book on the shelf.
Mr. Steiger was what is called a Cop's cop meaning that he was well respected by his peers and he was an excellent mentor. He held his marriage down and his sons have followed in his footsteps and are also working for SPD. He's not doing a reality tv show he's still investigating cold cases since his retirement. I think that it's safe to say when you join the police force and you don't want to rank, all you want to do is solve murders than it's a true calling.
Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of the galley from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The opinions I expressed above are my own.
January 11, 2021
I lost my only sister to homicide in 2014 and I checked this book out to cope with the anniversary of her murder. Her case is not yet closed.
I needed Cloyd Steiger’s book to get through Thanksgiving without my sister, knowing that there are good cops out there who care about catching the bad guys.
Steiger is not sorry when karma hits those guilty of homicide like a ton of bricks. I appreciate this so much about him. He’s hardened by the many investigations he’s done over the years and it carries through in his tone. It brings you closer to the reality of how others, not just the family, have to deal with homicide too. It’s not just families that feel the effects. The investigators have to wrestle with it as well. It can also take its toll.
To families of homicide victims, you may also wish that Steiger was there for you. This book may even help you cope.
I needed Cloyd Steiger’s book to get through Thanksgiving without my sister, knowing that there are good cops out there who care about catching the bad guys.
Steiger is not sorry when karma hits those guilty of homicide like a ton of bricks. I appreciate this so much about him. He’s hardened by the many investigations he’s done over the years and it carries through in his tone. It brings you closer to the reality of how others, not just the family, have to deal with homicide too. It’s not just families that feel the effects. The investigators have to wrestle with it as well. It can also take its toll.
To families of homicide victims, you may also wish that Steiger was there for you. This book may even help you cope.
May 16, 2018
Cloyd Steiger
Homicide: The View from Inside the Yellow Tape
The real truth of the life of a Homicide Detective in Seattle, USA. Witty, fast paced and undeniably American, this book almost reads like the narration of an old black and white television cop show of the 1940's. A little grammatically lacking at times, it is generally well written and maintains its pace throughout, with injections of humour and wonderfully colourful use of analogy and self-deprecation. Thoroughly entertaining.
Homicide: The View from Inside the Yellow Tape
The real truth of the life of a Homicide Detective in Seattle, USA. Witty, fast paced and undeniably American, this book almost reads like the narration of an old black and white television cop show of the 1940's. A little grammatically lacking at times, it is generally well written and maintains its pace throughout, with injections of humour and wonderfully colourful use of analogy and self-deprecation. Thoroughly entertaining.
June 2, 2018
Great read!
This really gives you a birds eye view of crimes. How the Homicide Dept. works, and some gallows humor. Humor, being a defense mechanism.
This really gives you a birds eye view of crimes. How the Homicide Dept. works, and some gallows humor. Humor, being a defense mechanism.
October 22, 2018
Actually really enjoyed
I must admit I didn't know what to expect with this book. I mean it seemed interesting coming from a detective or police officer point of view. But I really didn't know how I would like him as an author and if it would just seem a little over board. But I sure was wrong. I found out that I actually enjoyed his type of writing and story telling maybe it's because he's always had to use his skills in the worst that we have to offer. I mean after all he was literally speaking for the dead. But I also found I enjoyed his over all attitude. While he didn't seem to take any crap he also wasn't arrogant about it either. So if you have or had any doubts please don't!!! I'm pretty dang sure that you will enjoy this book and also maybe just like me it's another type of book or topic you may want to look into. I know I will!!!! And for Det. Steiger I am sure you helped many many families and cause of all your hard work Seattle is a little bit safer....
I must admit I didn't know what to expect with this book. I mean it seemed interesting coming from a detective or police officer point of view. But I really didn't know how I would like him as an author and if it would just seem a little over board. But I sure was wrong. I found out that I actually enjoyed his type of writing and story telling maybe it's because he's always had to use his skills in the worst that we have to offer. I mean after all he was literally speaking for the dead. But I also found I enjoyed his over all attitude. While he didn't seem to take any crap he also wasn't arrogant about it either. So if you have or had any doubts please don't!!! I'm pretty dang sure that you will enjoy this book and also maybe just like me it's another type of book or topic you may want to look into. I know I will!!!! And for Det. Steiger I am sure you helped many many families and cause of all your hard work Seattle is a little bit safer....
April 6, 2020
Cloyd Steiger's Homicide: The View From Inside The Yellow Tape is Steiger's memoir of a 36 year policing career in the city of Seattle, Washington, with 22 years spent investigating homicides.
By Steiger's accounting, he has investigated hundreds of homicides and through the book, he details his investigations and observations. The book recounts these tales in a frank and graphic nature that will be familiar to those in the criminal justice system, though some may find his writing offsetting. His storytelling is similar to a glass of cold water to the face, which I found to be refreshing and devoid of phrases and wording meant to placate the weak of heart when it comes to death and mayhem.
His detailing these stories is in a "just the facts" manner, including his blunt comments on his observations, may lead some to find his writing too harsh, but for the nature of this memoir, his style allows the reader to partially view crime in the street from the front lines.
Though some may also desire a more refined writing style, Steiger's writing style actually compliments his subject matter quite well.
Cloyd Steiger can also be heard on true crime podcasts.
By Steiger's accounting, he has investigated hundreds of homicides and through the book, he details his investigations and observations. The book recounts these tales in a frank and graphic nature that will be familiar to those in the criminal justice system, though some may find his writing offsetting. His storytelling is similar to a glass of cold water to the face, which I found to be refreshing and devoid of phrases and wording meant to placate the weak of heart when it comes to death and mayhem.
His detailing these stories is in a "just the facts" manner, including his blunt comments on his observations, may lead some to find his writing too harsh, but for the nature of this memoir, his style allows the reader to partially view crime in the street from the front lines.
Though some may also desire a more refined writing style, Steiger's writing style actually compliments his subject matter quite well.
Cloyd Steiger can also be heard on true crime podcasts.
April 6, 2020
Cloyd Steiger's Homicide: The View From Inside The Yellow Tape is Steiger's memoir of a 36 year policing career in the city of Seattle, Washington, with 22 years spent investigating homicides.
By Steiger's accounting, he has investigated hundreds of homicides and through the book, he details his investigations and observations. The book recounts these tales in a frank and graphic nature that will be familiar to those in the criminal justice system, though some may find his writing offsetting. His storytelling is similar to a glass of cold water to the face, which I found to be refreshing and devoid of phrases and wording meant to placate the weak of heart when it comes to death and mayhem.
His detailing these stories is in a "just the facts" manner, including his blunt comments on his observations, may lead some to find his writing too harsh, but for the nature of this memoir, his style allows the reader to partially view crime in the street from the front lines.
Though some may also desire a more refined writing style, Steiger's writing style actually compliments his subject matter quite well.
Cloyd Steiger can also be heard on true crime podcasts.
By Steiger's accounting, he has investigated hundreds of homicides and through the book, he details his investigations and observations. The book recounts these tales in a frank and graphic nature that will be familiar to those in the criminal justice system, though some may find his writing offsetting. His storytelling is similar to a glass of cold water to the face, which I found to be refreshing and devoid of phrases and wording meant to placate the weak of heart when it comes to death and mayhem.
His detailing these stories is in a "just the facts" manner, including his blunt comments on his observations, may lead some to find his writing too harsh, but for the nature of this memoir, his style allows the reader to partially view crime in the street from the front lines.
Though some may also desire a more refined writing style, Steiger's writing style actually compliments his subject matter quite well.
Cloyd Steiger can also be heard on true crime podcasts.
October 1, 2018
Homicide: The View from Inside the Yellow Tape by Cloyd Steiger is a vey interesting book about certain homicides that took place in Washington during Steiger’s time as a Detective. As citizens we usually are not privy to certain information that the police deal with unless it is on the news usually. I love true crime so I am probably going to be more biased in that I can handle more of the blood and gore than some others that read this book. It is told in a very professional way and actually had me researching some of them just because of the background. Some were funny and some pretty bad but I really like how Steiger kept his personal feelings to a minimum so that the reader could come to their own conclusion. I certainly enjoyed reading this novel and if you like true crime I urge you to give it a read.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
5 stars ⭐️ out of 5
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
5 stars ⭐️ out of 5
September 30, 2018
I love true crime because it is strange than fiction. This book had me giggling, frowning, and quite often on the edge of the chair.
Mr Steiger is a lot like my favourite real detective, Joe Kenda - if I was murdered I would want these two gentlemen to find the killer. They will. They will come for you and you cannot run and you cannot hide....
Really loved reading this and I strongly recommend this book to lovers of true crime. And also especially if you think you might want to kill your ex, your boss, your best friend, read this first. And just walk away.
Hoping for another book Mr Steiger!
Mr Steiger is a lot like my favourite real detective, Joe Kenda - if I was murdered I would want these two gentlemen to find the killer. They will. They will come for you and you cannot run and you cannot hide....
Really loved reading this and I strongly recommend this book to lovers of true crime. And also especially if you think you might want to kill your ex, your boss, your best friend, read this first. And just walk away.
Hoping for another book Mr Steiger!
October 1, 2018
Great and engaging stories about police cases that the author encountered. A few grapic pictures, but the pictures to me, shows the brutality one person will do against another. Very well written and holds your interest from page one. A must read for any true crime/or police work fan. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not affect my opinion of this book nor my review.
January 6, 2020
WOW! Sit down with a big old water and be prepared to delve deep into the workings of a Homicide Detective. This book blew me away with the investigations, the interrogations, and the ways in which the detective would go about solving the case.
There was a lot of cases covered and I appreciated the unique insight.
The only thing that could have made this book better would have been to have more personal information known about the detective...did any case haunt him? What cases frustrated him the most? Was there any issues with other police departments.
Also more about how his wife and kids thought of his career.
OVerall, the author did a great job writing the book and it was a hard book to put down.
There was a lot of cases covered and I appreciated the unique insight.
The only thing that could have made this book better would have been to have more personal information known about the detective...did any case haunt him? What cases frustrated him the most? Was there any issues with other police departments.
Also more about how his wife and kids thought of his career.
OVerall, the author did a great job writing the book and it was a hard book to put down.
August 26, 2020
This book is a hard boiled collection of war stories about his career from a veteran Seattle Police homicide detective, seasoned with plenty of profanity and black humor. There are a few gruesome (but mercifully difficult to see) photos included. Interestingly, the book includes an account from a slightly different angle of the Jungle Killer, about whom this detective’s then-partner also recently wrote a book. Hovering in the air is the author’s burnout as his career reached its conclusion, and a very detectable whiff of us versus them mentality. What you won’t find are any tales of failure or much information about Steiger’s coworkers, colleagues or friends. Another interesting omission is that it was because of Steiger’s disclosures to a prosecutor that a (different) ex partner was charged with theft and twice tried for it. But however much was left out, the book is overall a good and intriguing read.
September 17, 2018
Like many police memoirs Steiger follows the common trope of writing bite size vignettes of cases he has dealt with. Some of the murders in themselves would be worthy of an entire book but, as he has a lot of years of homicide work to cover, he condenses these down into very summarised tales.
The book can be ripped through quite quickly and his writing style is straightforward and skilful, it certainly keeps you gripped and makes you want to read more.
Steiger only covers solved murders in this book but I would have liked to read about some of his unsolved cases.
An interesting read with the right mixture of world-weary-seen-it-all cop talk, forensics, intuition, fickle human behaviour and the inexplicabe to make you want to stick this until the end.
A decent read, dont expect deep insight if you have read this type of book before but the cases covered are interesting in themselves.
The book can be ripped through quite quickly and his writing style is straightforward and skilful, it certainly keeps you gripped and makes you want to read more.
Steiger only covers solved murders in this book but I would have liked to read about some of his unsolved cases.
An interesting read with the right mixture of world-weary-seen-it-all cop talk, forensics, intuition, fickle human behaviour and the inexplicabe to make you want to stick this until the end.
A decent read, dont expect deep insight if you have read this type of book before but the cases covered are interesting in themselves.
November 19, 2018
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great read. It still amazes me how cruel humanity can be and the author showed how it can and has happened. Very well written and holds your interest from page one. A must read for any true crime/or police work fan.
This was a great read. It still amazes me how cruel humanity can be and the author showed how it can and has happened. Very well written and holds your interest from page one. A must read for any true crime/or police work fan.
June 2, 2024
A book that grows on you
I wasn’t sold by this book in the first few chapters. The author seemed a bit arrogant. Later I began to really like the author and realized he is a bit arrogant but with good reason. I enjoyed reading about his career and I wish him the best wherever he is now.
I wasn’t sold by this book in the first few chapters. The author seemed a bit arrogant. Later I began to really like the author and realized he is a bit arrogant but with good reason. I enjoyed reading about his career and I wish him the best wherever he is now.
December 12, 2021
Great Read
Immensely entertaining and decently written. Fans of procedural dramas like Law & Order will find wit, savvy and passion in its pages.
Immensely entertaining and decently written. Fans of procedural dramas like Law & Order will find wit, savvy and passion in its pages.
September 13, 2018
Cloyd Steiger shares his 36 years being a police officer and detective in Seattle, Washington. He's had a long career in homicide and this stories are mind blowing. Mr. Steiger solves cases from people killing for drugs etc. People who kill their loved ones, strangers and some killers have no remorse. I love true crime, Mr. Steiger has a great writing style that reminds me of Anne Rule and Corey Mitchell but in a shorter version. I also like his ego as he should have a giant one the way he solved these cases. I felt bad for the times he had been woken up in the wee hours of the morning to go investigate a new murder and then not let sleep get in the way of trying to solve the case and then go after the bad guy. It's a shame he retired we really need more detectives like him. He is very good at what he does. He links things together and really cares about the victim.
I would read more by Mr. Steiger.
The pictures are a nice touch so we know who he is talking about.
thank you Net Galley and BooksgoSocial for a copy of the kindle version.
#Homicide #BooksgoSocial
Cherie'
I would read more by Mr. Steiger.
The pictures are a nice touch so we know who he is talking about.
thank you Net Galley and BooksgoSocial for a copy of the kindle version.
#Homicide #BooksgoSocial
Cherie'
April 15, 2019
Book received from NetGalley
Review to Come
Review to Come
March 6, 2018
We were at the scene a short time when we got the call from an officer at the hospital telling us that he’d been pronounced dead.
A short while later, we received another call. The reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.
Still later, another call. He was dead.
“I know it’s Easter and all,” I said, “but is he dead or not?”
3 1/2 stars, rounded up, of course, because that's how rounding works.
Homicide: The View From Inside the Yellow Tape is the true crime memoir of a recently retired, hard-boiled homicide detective from Seattle. Taken in whole, the memoir is a fast-paced recollection of the interesting stories and cases that the author worked on over the years. And there are many, many cases described here, almost to where I had to wonder if people killing people in Seattle was an everyday occurrence. It sure seemed like it.
As a memoir, the book is straight forward and almost clinical in its storytelling. This style of writing isn't exactly unexpected given the author's profession. The book could have used a final proofread, as there were some common errors that slipped through into my edition. Also, I wanted something more than just a recounting of case after case after case. I supposed I wanted some sort of story ark or character development or something. Rather, Steiger begins, and remains, the same stoical, cynical, yet devoted detective throughout the book.
However, there are times when the author gives us a peek into his sense of humor - sometimes dark, and often dry - when dealing with suspects and witnesses. One of my favorites of this use of humor was his interview technique with a suspect's sister using a set of rosary beads.
Despite moments of wit and fun scattered throughout the book, the memoir deals with death, and lots of it. It's a tough book to read if you have to think about the bigger picture of human idiocy when it comes to the value of another person's life. Overall, I'm glad there's someone like this author out there looking out for the rest of us.
A short while later, we received another call. The reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.
Still later, another call. He was dead.
“I know it’s Easter and all,” I said, “but is he dead or not?”
3 1/2 stars, rounded up, of course, because that's how rounding works.
Homicide: The View From Inside the Yellow Tape is the true crime memoir of a recently retired, hard-boiled homicide detective from Seattle. Taken in whole, the memoir is a fast-paced recollection of the interesting stories and cases that the author worked on over the years. And there are many, many cases described here, almost to where I had to wonder if people killing people in Seattle was an everyday occurrence. It sure seemed like it.
As a memoir, the book is straight forward and almost clinical in its storytelling. This style of writing isn't exactly unexpected given the author's profession. The book could have used a final proofread, as there were some common errors that slipped through into my edition. Also, I wanted something more than just a recounting of case after case after case. I supposed I wanted some sort of story ark or character development or something. Rather, Steiger begins, and remains, the same stoical, cynical, yet devoted detective throughout the book.
However, there are times when the author gives us a peek into his sense of humor - sometimes dark, and often dry - when dealing with suspects and witnesses. One of my favorites of this use of humor was his interview technique with a suspect's sister using a set of rosary beads.
Despite moments of wit and fun scattered throughout the book, the memoir deals with death, and lots of it. It's a tough book to read if you have to think about the bigger picture of human idiocy when it comes to the value of another person's life. Overall, I'm glad there's someone like this author out there looking out for the rest of us.
January 22, 2020
It is not very often, when I have nothing positive to say about a book, but sadly, this is the case.. Author pictures himself as a cool 'I know everything' guy and obviously he is doing the right thing..
Cases are pretty much much ordinary, without any interesting details. I think it's most boring true crime book I have ever read. I didn't like unnecessary swearing and did find very irritating that referring to body temperatures he sometimes used words and other times numbers. Obviously it doesn't affect content, but I did find it very annoying.
Whenever I read true crime or forensics related literature I normally find interesting facts and learn something new. This one seemed as just another work diary. I think some ordinary people have more fascinating stories to tell about their everyday jobs.
Moreover there were no details or interesting facts, just short and dry description on what happened and the outcome.. feels like he just couldn't wait to put a book together and be done with it.
Cases are pretty much much ordinary, without any interesting details. I think it's most boring true crime book I have ever read. I didn't like unnecessary swearing and did find very irritating that referring to body temperatures he sometimes used words and other times numbers. Obviously it doesn't affect content, but I did find it very annoying.
Whenever I read true crime or forensics related literature I normally find interesting facts and learn something new. This one seemed as just another work diary. I think some ordinary people have more fascinating stories to tell about their everyday jobs.
Moreover there were no details or interesting facts, just short and dry description on what happened and the outcome.. feels like he just couldn't wait to put a book together and be done with it.
March 8, 2018
Great read! A real page turner. I had trouble putting it down and carried it with me to get a chapter in whenever I could. It felt like he was sitting and telling me the stories. I recognised most of the murders from the news, but got the information from someone who was there. I hope he writes more - fast!
June 22, 2018
Seattle memories...🐋🐳🐡
I'm retired on the Oregon coast...raised my family in South Seattle.....it's fun to read a book and can picture where you are....finished the book in one read...I lived there though the Green River killer time... Lived near all the crime scenes and knew Ann Rule..miss her. It was a great book. Thanks
I'm retired on the Oregon coast...raised my family in South Seattle.....it's fun to read a book and can picture where you are....finished the book in one read...I lived there though the Green River killer time... Lived near all the crime scenes and knew Ann Rule..miss her. It was a great book. Thanks
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