Case Files of the NYPD: More than 175 Years of Solved and Unsolved Crimes

by Bernard Whalen, Philip Messing, Robert Mladinich

"Characters galore, both good guys and gangsters, leap from the pages" (The New York Times) in this irresistible, authentic look at 175 years of true crime cases from the NYPD archives, packed with photos, artifacts and expert revelations. From atrocities that occurred before the establishment of New York's police force in 1845 through the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 to the present day, this chronological visual history is an insider's look at more than 80 real-life crimes that shocked the nation, from arson to gangland murders, robberies, serial killers, bombings, and kidnappings, Architect Stanford White's fatal shooting at Madison Square Garden over his deflowering of a teenage chorus girl. The anarchist bombing of Wall Street in 1920, which killed 39 people and injured hundreds more with flying shrapnel. Kitty Genovese's 1964 senseless stabbing, famously witnessed by dozen of bystanders who did not intervene. Robert Chambers, the handsome, wealthy ex-Choate student, who murdered Jennifer Levin in Central Park, called "The Preppy Murder Case."Son of Sam, a serial killer who eluded police for months while terrorizing the city, was finally apprehended through a simple parking ticket. Perfect for crime buffs, urban historians, and fans of American Crime Story, this riveting collection details New York's most startling and unsettling crimes through behind-the-scenes analysis of investigations and more than 250 revealing photographs.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, History

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2018

Reviews

[Mkittysamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing bios of crime in NY from 19th century to now! I was surprised at all the different terrorist attacks that I didn’t know about before 9/11 and linked to Osama Bin Laden. I remember being in high school and watching the news in art class as the second plane dove into the towers and I forgot that there were 3 other planes too. It seemed so surreal because I’d never been to NY and I was watching this from Wisconsin and felt so removed since I didn’t know anyone personally who died. I was throughly confused about the wars in the middle east and even knowing many of my dearest friends who went and died or committed suicided after but the case was so unknown and I was wrapped up in my own drama too. It’s not until now how I can connect the dots and understand much more. There was also many other crimes like Alice Crimmins (just read the book Ordeal by Trial: The Alice Crimmins Case), Son of Sam, and even some mention on Ppl from Wisconsin.. gang related I think. There were many killers and it was a very interesting read, I read it front to back!

[Lawrence Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my ongoing quest to read more of the various coffee table books I've picked up over the years, I decided to continue with Case Files of the NYPD since I have a large academic and scholarly background in criminal justice. This book is a fast-paced journey through the evolution of the New York Police Department and New York City culture, life, and public safety. Each crime examined is only three pages long at most, so it's a very digestible book, and I would say a very good introduction to the history of policing, New York City, criminal justice, and a myriad other related topics.

The crimes themselves are the most notable in the long history of countless crimes (reported and unreported) that have occurred in the city. So you may find cases that you are familiar with but many of these will not be familiar to anyone who hasn't been a New Yorker for decades. Some notable cases do seem to be left out as well, and the latest case only goes to 2010 (the book was initially published in 2016, my edition was published in 2018) so modern cases in the 2010s and 2020s will be absent.

As such, it's a high recommend from me if you need a true crime piece for your coffee table, but if you do actually read it cover to cover it will give you a pretty good overview of the history of crime in New York.

[Bill reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neighbor loaned me this book today and I am so used to ebooks that it felt strange to hold an actual physical large paperback with photographs.
The book spans from the middle 1800s with the draft riots to the 911 attack and about one hundred cases in between.
Some of the crimes are notorious in the history of NYC and I had previously read books about many of them. The Alice Crimmins trial referenced has me seeking the book by George Carpozi. It was published in 1972 and is for sale on EBay for $130.
The Career Girls Murders, Kitty Genovese, Willie Sutton, John Lennon, Robert Chambers and the basis for the film "Dog Day Afternoon" all make the cut.
Case Files of the NYPD is a very good read.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

No

[Ronni Lamirata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native NYer couldn't put it down.

[Gabriella Muniz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super interesting and learned a lot about what PD looks for in cases

[Clau · Rating 3 out of 5]

De novo os señoros cishetero blancos sendo casposos 😐