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The Darkest Glare: A True Story of Murder, Blackmail, and Real Estate Greed in 1979 Los Angeles
Late-seventies Los Angeles was rampant with killers and shady characters, but all the go-getters at Space Matters saw was possibility. Richard Kasparov was handsome and charismatic; his younger associate, Jerry Schneiderman, brilliant and nerdy. When the pair hired a veteran contractor to oversee construction, the space planning firm they operated out of a hip mansion in LA's Miracle Mile district appeared poised to transform the boundless skyline into their jackpot. After the promising team imploded, however, the orderly lines on their blueprints succumbed to treachery and secrets. To get even, one of the ex-partners launched a murder-for-profit corporation using, among other peculiar sorts, a bantam-sized epileptic with a deadeye shot. The hapless criminals required a number of attempts to execute their first target. Once they did, on a rainy night in the San Fernando Valley, the surviving founder of Space Matters was thrown into a pressure cooker existence out of a Coen Brothers movie. Threatened for money he didn't have, he donned a disguise, survived a heart-pounding encounter at the La Brea Tar Pits, and relied on an ex-Israeli mercenary for protection. In the end, he had to outfox a glowering murderer, while asking if you can ever really know anyone in a town where dirty deals send men to their graves.
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First published March 9, 2021
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About the author
Chip Jacobs
14 books48 followersChip Jacobs is an acclaimed author and prize-winning journalist, praised by Publisher Weekly as "an exceptional storyteller." His forthcoming novel, "Later Days," the follow-up to his Los Angeles Times bestselling "Arroyo," will be published in 2025. On the narrative, nonfiction side, Jacobs wrote the riveting, true-crime book, "The Darkest Glare," and the biography "Strange As It Seems," an Indies Book of the Year finalist. He is also the co-author, with William J. Kelly, of two environmental social histories: the international bestselling "Smogtown" and its sequel, "The People's Republic of Chemicals." He has contributed pieces to anthologies, as well, among them "Los Angeles in the 1970s: Weird Scenes Inside the Goldmine." Jacobs' reporting, meantime, has appeared in the L.A. Times, the L.A. Daily News, CNN, The New York Times, the Southern California News Group, L.A Weekly, and elsewhere. He has won seven Los Angeles Press Club Awards and multiple literary honors, including from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, The Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, Booklist and Foreword magazine's best books in genre, and the Shanghai Book Awards. He is currently at work on the story of the Long Beach Freeway (710) fight, the longest, fiercest highway battle in US history, and several Hollywood projects. Jacobs, a graduate of the University of Southern California, garage-band guitarist, and Beatles fanatic, lives in the L.A. area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 21, 2021
This was kind of a mixed bag for me, and not the easiest to review. I found the writing to be very good in a different way. It does grab you and pull you in, and makes you keep reading to see what happens next. I did feel it got rather weird/draggy during the killing attempts. Throughout I see lots of effort in research and plenty of eye-catching descriptions and sentences.
The story is about a unique niche in construction that two men, Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman partnered up to kick butt in. They hired a third man to handle the construction sites, juggling all the details, supplies, and people necessary to keep things moving forward and on time. Things start off wonderfully and then are followed by many twists and turns. Bizarre true crime you’ll wonder about long after its over. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Chip Jacobs, and the publisher.
The story is about a unique niche in construction that two men, Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman partnered up to kick butt in. They hired a third man to handle the construction sites, juggling all the details, supplies, and people necessary to keep things moving forward and on time. Things start off wonderfully and then are followed by many twists and turns. Bizarre true crime you’ll wonder about long after its over. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Chip Jacobs, and the publisher.
June 24, 2021
Chip Jacob’s did a remarkable job researching this true crime story about a real estate company’s owners about the unethical and dark crimes that were committed. This was set in the late 70’s in the Las Angeles are and I really enjoyed reading about pop culture stars during this time period and beyond.
If you are looking for a true crime book filled with murder, dark mischief and historical inferences, look no further, you will thoroughly enjoy this one!
If you are looking for a true crime book filled with murder, dark mischief and historical inferences, look no further, you will thoroughly enjoy this one!
March 4, 2021
I like true crime and the premise of this one definitely caught my interest, but the rest of the book did not. I love reading but this one felt more like a chore to finish. I don’t know exactly why it didn’t grab me more because the writing was good (although different than most true crime I’ve read) and it was clearly well researched. I think part of what I struggled with is that it felt like nothing happened. I feel like it could have made a decent movie if it went for the comedy angle. Because this book wasn’t so much about grisly crime as badly attempted grisly crime. There were more attempts and failures than anything else. I felt like the crimes themselves felt exaggerated. A murder for hire business sounds a lot worse than saying some guy conned some already shady individuals to kill the man who screwed him over financially. None of the characters invoked any empathy from me and there was a lot of unnecessary and not helpful to the story details about them or random side characters.
December 28, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
You can tell that Chip Jacobs did an insane amount of research for this book. From page one you’re entirely gripped into the story. The prologue gets your mind racing and heart beating- because you know this is a book based off murder.
The cover of this book is what caught my eye. The reds and black with the TRUE STORY is eye catching. It reads like a true crime podcast to me, which are absolutely my favorite. I enjoyed how the book told the “aftermath” of the surviving peoples’ lives. I can only imagine how much time and effort Mr Jacobs had to spend to learn every detail. This is an outstanding read !! I also think in this day and age people are aware of the things that go on in cities, even if they don’t want to believe them. It makes this book relatable. I feel like a lot of people will enjoy this !
You can tell that Chip Jacobs did an insane amount of research for this book. From page one you’re entirely gripped into the story. The prologue gets your mind racing and heart beating- because you know this is a book based off murder.
The cover of this book is what caught my eye. The reds and black with the TRUE STORY is eye catching. It reads like a true crime podcast to me, which are absolutely my favorite. I enjoyed how the book told the “aftermath” of the surviving peoples’ lives. I can only imagine how much time and effort Mr Jacobs had to spend to learn every detail. This is an outstanding read !! I also think in this day and age people are aware of the things that go on in cities, even if they don’t want to believe them. It makes this book relatable. I feel like a lot of people will enjoy this !
January 3, 2021
I'm not normally a fan of true crime, so I honestly don't know why I picked up this book. So, please do disregard my review if true crime is your jam. (I am writing this solely from the perspective of a novice).
I've never read anything written by Chip Jones, so it was a new experience for me. And after reading the whole thing, I can immediately tell the immense amount of research that went into writing this book. The book did a good job of setting the scene and describing the characters' motivations. Plotwise, there were also a lot of twists and turns which made the book more engaging and kept you reading. But overall, I couldn't get as immersed into it as I normally do other books. Perhaps it's because of my preexisting opinion/dislike of true crime. I don't want to deter anyone from reading because it is a good book, just not my particular cup of tea.
I've never read anything written by Chip Jones, so it was a new experience for me. And after reading the whole thing, I can immediately tell the immense amount of research that went into writing this book. The book did a good job of setting the scene and describing the characters' motivations. Plotwise, there were also a lot of twists and turns which made the book more engaging and kept you reading. But overall, I couldn't get as immersed into it as I normally do other books. Perhaps it's because of my preexisting opinion/dislike of true crime. I don't want to deter anyone from reading because it is a good book, just not my particular cup of tea.
June 12, 2021
The Darkest Glare is well researched dark crime novel with comical moments that make you laugh. Really enjoyed this one, it sucks you in because you just want to keep knowing more.
January 10, 2021
Picture the 1970s in Los Angeles and what do you remember? Times were flying. Well, they usually fly in LA. It's a place where you can reinvent yourself. Money can be made if you find the right angle or know the right people.
During this time three people got together in real estate. Two of them were partners in a business they called Space Matters. These two, Jerry Schneiderman and Richard Kasparov, designed the office interiors for large and small firms in whatever building they were in. The partners were very successful in this work. So successful that Richard suggested they expand into home renovation. For this they needed a construction supervisor with a construction license. They found Howard Garrett.
With the start of the new business Richard started stealing from his partner, Jerry. He offered a partnership to Howard, and then started stealing from him. Howard was a little more knowledgeable or a little less trusting than Jerry because he found out about the theft quickly. He threatened Richard and demanded half of the illegal funds, which Richard was happy to promise. When he didn't pay up, Howard left the companies and sued. Howard put liens on all the houses Richard had deals with so work had to stop.
About this time Jerry learned that Richard was stealing from him. The partnership was dissolved. Howard sued both Richard and Jerry. Jerry tried to come to a settlement with Howard, but that went nowhere.
Howard had a very violent nature. He generally kept it under covers. But when he felt that he was being disrespected, he wanted bloody revenge. His solution was to kill anyone he had a beef with. He acquired a sloppy group of minions, drug addicts and assorted low-lifes.
This is a true crime book. As with many true crime, we know who did what to whom. We know about the investigation and trial, if there was one. There isn't a lot of suspense. I like true crime stories. Reading them helps me judge how well the fiction writers come to reality. This book keeps the characters within the realm of understanding. We see what they did and how they acted, so we can believe we know why they acted as they did.
I received the copy of this e-book OI read for this review from BookishFirst.
During this time three people got together in real estate. Two of them were partners in a business they called Space Matters. These two, Jerry Schneiderman and Richard Kasparov, designed the office interiors for large and small firms in whatever building they were in. The partners were very successful in this work. So successful that Richard suggested they expand into home renovation. For this they needed a construction supervisor with a construction license. They found Howard Garrett.
With the start of the new business Richard started stealing from his partner, Jerry. He offered a partnership to Howard, and then started stealing from him. Howard was a little more knowledgeable or a little less trusting than Jerry because he found out about the theft quickly. He threatened Richard and demanded half of the illegal funds, which Richard was happy to promise. When he didn't pay up, Howard left the companies and sued. Howard put liens on all the houses Richard had deals with so work had to stop.
About this time Jerry learned that Richard was stealing from him. The partnership was dissolved. Howard sued both Richard and Jerry. Jerry tried to come to a settlement with Howard, but that went nowhere.
Howard had a very violent nature. He generally kept it under covers. But when he felt that he was being disrespected, he wanted bloody revenge. His solution was to kill anyone he had a beef with. He acquired a sloppy group of minions, drug addicts and assorted low-lifes.
This is a true crime book. As with many true crime, we know who did what to whom. We know about the investigation and trial, if there was one. There isn't a lot of suspense. I like true crime stories. Reading them helps me judge how well the fiction writers come to reality. This book keeps the characters within the realm of understanding. We see what they did and how they acted, so we can believe we know why they acted as they did.
I received the copy of this e-book OI read for this review from BookishFirst.
dnf
February 14, 2021DNF
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Uncorrected Copy
This book just wasn't for me, everything sounded so interesting and the first pages were amazing but then... I just couldn't read more, I didn't click with the story which is a shame because this sounded like a book I could really like and enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Uncorrected Copy
This book just wasn't for me, everything sounded so interesting and the first pages were amazing but then... I just couldn't read more, I didn't click with the story which is a shame because this sounded like a book I could really like and enjoy.
June 21, 2021
A very well researched true crime story.
Richard and Jerry are business partners who hire Howard to shore up their venture. Soon, one is stealing from the other and while expecting the third to keep quiet. Then comes the revelations, blackmail and after many humorous attempts, a murder.
Although the story is rather dark and scandalous the writing is sometimes funny and dry. None of the characters are very appealing but that's not to say they aren't interesting. While living in SoCal at the time these events occurred I was oblivious to them so learning of them now was an eye opener.
I really enjoyed the author's attention to detail and respect the effort and time it took to research and pull it all together in a cohesive story. If you enjoy true crime stories with unsavory characters and a murder for hire subplot, I highly recommend you spend some time with this one.
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Thank you to the author, Rare Bird Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
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Richard and Jerry are business partners who hire Howard to shore up their venture. Soon, one is stealing from the other and while expecting the third to keep quiet. Then comes the revelations, blackmail and after many humorous attempts, a murder.
Although the story is rather dark and scandalous the writing is sometimes funny and dry. None of the characters are very appealing but that's not to say they aren't interesting. While living in SoCal at the time these events occurred I was oblivious to them so learning of them now was an eye opener.
I really enjoyed the author's attention to detail and respect the effort and time it took to research and pull it all together in a cohesive story. If you enjoy true crime stories with unsavory characters and a murder for hire subplot, I highly recommend you spend some time with this one.
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Thank you to the author, Rare Bird Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
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March 8, 2021
I received a copy of The Darkest Glare in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Darkest Glare, written by Chip Jacobs is a true crime novel, one that, as the title promises, is full of murder, blackmail, and so much more.
Set in 1979 Los Angeles, this novel dives into a very real series of crimes. It follows Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman. Two construction workers, by most appearances. But anybody who has spent time reading a crime novel, true or not, knows how deceptive looks can be.
Before I dive into my review, I want to be upfront about something. I don't typically read true crime novels. It's not my cup of tea, and in general, I have no problem with violence or gore, but when I know it really happened? Then it tends to be too much for me.
Yet there was something about The Darkest Glare that caught my attention. Maybe it was simply because I was able to actually read a sample on BookishFirst – not something I generally get to do with books outside of my preferred genres.
Whatever it was, I wanted to give The Darkest Glare a proper chance, and read it all the way through. Overall, I found it to be a fascinating (yet dark – naturally) read. It wasn't what I expected, but I consider that to be a positive thing.
One thing that impressed me (but might prove how little true crime I read) is just how much research went into this novel. You can really tell how much work Chip Jacobs put into getting it all together, and it all seems to flow pretty smoothly. There's no sense of info-dumping, for lack of a better description.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The Darkest Glare, written by Chip Jacobs is a true crime novel, one that, as the title promises, is full of murder, blackmail, and so much more.
Set in 1979 Los Angeles, this novel dives into a very real series of crimes. It follows Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman. Two construction workers, by most appearances. But anybody who has spent time reading a crime novel, true or not, knows how deceptive looks can be.
Before I dive into my review, I want to be upfront about something. I don't typically read true crime novels. It's not my cup of tea, and in general, I have no problem with violence or gore, but when I know it really happened? Then it tends to be too much for me.
Yet there was something about The Darkest Glare that caught my attention. Maybe it was simply because I was able to actually read a sample on BookishFirst – not something I generally get to do with books outside of my preferred genres.
Whatever it was, I wanted to give The Darkest Glare a proper chance, and read it all the way through. Overall, I found it to be a fascinating (yet dark – naturally) read. It wasn't what I expected, but I consider that to be a positive thing.
One thing that impressed me (but might prove how little true crime I read) is just how much research went into this novel. You can really tell how much work Chip Jacobs put into getting it all together, and it all seems to flow pretty smoothly. There's no sense of info-dumping, for lack of a better description.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
January 5, 2021
Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman want to be a part of the construction boom, specifically space planning, in 1970s Los Angeles, and go so far as to hire a contractor to oversee construction for their company: Construction Management, Too (CM-2). Soon greed and money causes the company to implode, and one person, hell-bent on revenge, has the other two in his crosshairs. A true story about murder, blackmail, and the effects of greed, The Darkest Glare examines a murder-for-profit corporation that left absolute devastation and death in its wake.
The Darkest Glare was truly an enjoyable true crime novel. It is well written and as I read it I felt as though Jacobs had done a thorough job of researching the events surrounding Richard, Jerry and the murder-for-profit corporation, and the way in which he came across the information--revealed at the end and in, I felt, just the right way--strengthened my opinion. Jacobs inserts the backstories of the main individuals at just the right time, adding pertinent background information without going into too much detail and without giving too much away. It reads more like a story and less like a simple covering of the facts and events, which makes it a very enjoyable page-turner.
Also included was a short story called ‘Paul & Chuck’ about Paul Morantz, a lawyer who successfully prosecuted Synanon, and Chuck Dederich, its leader. Ultimately an attempt was made on his life through the use of a rattlesnake. This story was a great surprise, especially since I have an interest in cults and, after reading Hollywood Park, written by Synanon survivor Mikel Jollett, I have wanted to read more about the group and the events surrounding them. The connection to “Tex” Watson was an interesting little fact! I greatly enjoyed this bonus short story.
I highly recommend The Darkest Glare, even if you aren’t a big reader of non-fiction. It is a quick-paced novel that any fan of true crime novels will enjoy. Thank you to BookishFirst and Rare Bird Books for gifting me an electronic copy of The Darkest Glare in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
The Darkest Glare was truly an enjoyable true crime novel. It is well written and as I read it I felt as though Jacobs had done a thorough job of researching the events surrounding Richard, Jerry and the murder-for-profit corporation, and the way in which he came across the information--revealed at the end and in, I felt, just the right way--strengthened my opinion. Jacobs inserts the backstories of the main individuals at just the right time, adding pertinent background information without going into too much detail and without giving too much away. It reads more like a story and less like a simple covering of the facts and events, which makes it a very enjoyable page-turner.
Also included was a short story called ‘Paul & Chuck’ about Paul Morantz, a lawyer who successfully prosecuted Synanon, and Chuck Dederich, its leader. Ultimately an attempt was made on his life through the use of a rattlesnake. This story was a great surprise, especially since I have an interest in cults and, after reading Hollywood Park, written by Synanon survivor Mikel Jollett, I have wanted to read more about the group and the events surrounding them. The connection to “Tex” Watson was an interesting little fact! I greatly enjoyed this bonus short story.
I highly recommend The Darkest Glare, even if you aren’t a big reader of non-fiction. It is a quick-paced novel that any fan of true crime novels will enjoy. Thank you to BookishFirst and Rare Bird Books for gifting me an electronic copy of The Darkest Glare in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
March 7, 2021
Im not sure what i exactly expected. Maybe a really dark, uber serious, bleak, trying retelling? Instead I got all that plus some dark humor and honestly? I LOVED IT. This was done so well thst none of the humorous parts take away from the very cruel, dark, inhuman subject matter. I am so impressed with how perfectly the author mixed the two. It made me really stop and realize that yes they are victims and yes what happened to them is absolutely atrocious but they had lives prior to being known as a victim, they laughed, they cried, they lived just like we all do. It also made me realize that the people investigating these horrendous crimes are just like us and the only way they can stay sane is to mix humor in where they can. Looking back through all my crime buff knowledge the best detectives are the ones who take their job role serious but take everything else with humor. I was worried i would read a lot of reviews harping on the humor so im pleased most everyone feels the same as i do. Bottom line, get this, read this, cry, laugh, cry a little more and walk away a better person because of it.
did-not-finish
March 9, 2021Thanks to the publisher and BookishFirst for a free e-galley for honest review.
Truthfully, this one ended up being a DNF (did not finish) at about the 50% mark, which is unusual as I don't set aside many books. However, after spending a lot of time working through the first half, I knew I just didn't have enough interest in this to keep going through the back half. I did skim through some of the rest, and I get the sense that it continued to be as meandering as the first half, so I'm not exactly feeling like this was a bad decision.
This is clearly a very well researched story, and the author's passion for it comes through clearly. What this story does do very well is draw a complete, detailed picture of LA in the 1970s. The sense of place is very well done, and readers can really get a feel for how the environment allowed for this work and crime to happen. While this wasn't for me, it may work well for others, particularly if you have an interest in that specific time and place.
Truthfully, this one ended up being a DNF (did not finish) at about the 50% mark, which is unusual as I don't set aside many books. However, after spending a lot of time working through the first half, I knew I just didn't have enough interest in this to keep going through the back half. I did skim through some of the rest, and I get the sense that it continued to be as meandering as the first half, so I'm not exactly feeling like this was a bad decision.
This is clearly a very well researched story, and the author's passion for it comes through clearly. What this story does do very well is draw a complete, detailed picture of LA in the 1970s. The sense of place is very well done, and readers can really get a feel for how the environment allowed for this work and crime to happen. While this wasn't for me, it may work well for others, particularly if you have an interest in that specific time and place.
March 10, 2021
I love true crime podcasts, but admittedly this is one of my first true crime books. The author, Chip Jacobs, is very detailed in his retelling of this story. If it wasn't for this extraordinary inclusion of details, I wouldn't believe this crazy story. Murder-for-hire business derived from a space planning business? Who has even heard of space planning anyway? It truly seems so wild no one could ever fabricate such a crazy tale.
My favorite thing about this book is the detailed account of the repercussions of the events on the surviving characters' lives. I feel like often we don't realize that for many, it is not as simple as resuming your life. I feel like that is the most horrifying part of this book. The very hope of going back to normal life is all that many cling to during these surreal events, and yet there is no normal happily ever after. There is only Before and After.
My favorite thing about this book is the detailed account of the repercussions of the events on the surviving characters' lives. I feel like often we don't realize that for many, it is not as simple as resuming your life. I feel like that is the most horrifying part of this book. The very hope of going back to normal life is all that many cling to during these surreal events, and yet there is no normal happily ever after. There is only Before and After.
February 26, 2021
Chip Jacobs' The darkest glare is a bizarre tale of greed, paranoia, double dealings and murder based on a true story and set in Los Angeles at the end of the 70s. It involves a business, a space planning firm called Space Matters and it's peopled with an incredible cast of shady weirdos that keep behaving more and erratically until the situation gets out of hand and everbody goes really bonkers...
I don't really want to get too much into the plot and spoil the pleasure you will probably get from reading this twisty and darkly funny romp but suffice to say that it's tensly written and that it definitely reads like a good crime novel.
Finally it's also the incredible presence of LA in the background at the tale end of the 70s that makes this captivating book a winner. It's noirish, it's fun and it definitely heralds the closing of a strange decade in the city's history. To be enjoyed without moderation before someone grabs this really unsettling story and turns it into a movie.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Rare Birds Books for giving me the opportunity to read this great book prior to its release date
I don't really want to get too much into the plot and spoil the pleasure you will probably get from reading this twisty and darkly funny romp but suffice to say that it's tensly written and that it definitely reads like a good crime novel.
Finally it's also the incredible presence of LA in the background at the tale end of the 70s that makes this captivating book a winner. It's noirish, it's fun and it definitely heralds the closing of a strange decade in the city's history. To be enjoyed without moderation before someone grabs this really unsettling story and turns it into a movie.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Rare Birds Books for giving me the opportunity to read this great book prior to its release date
to-be-read-books-from-publisher
March 9, 2021Happy Pub Day! 3/9/21
I am immensely grateful to the publisher and BookishFirst for my review copy.
I am immensely grateful to the publisher and BookishFirst for my review copy.
January 3, 2021
This book is a great pick for true crime junkies or lovers of thrills! This book seemed to be very detailed with research and had great writing ability applied to it. This is like a true crime podcast written out instead of listened to and did not disappoint! I read some true crime I prefer listening to the podcasts, and initially I thought this sounded good but didn't fully grab me... that is until reading it and Chip Jacobs has great narrative! Great story teller and real good at being descriptive and make you feel like you are involved in the crime!! I like when you can find that diamond in the rough gem and it turns out to be more than you anticipated! The mystery with the twist and turns really kept the momentum to the book going! It may be based off true crime, but not everyone can take something and be able to tell the story that keeps it compelling, enthralling, and edge of your seat exciting! Thank you for the contest BookishFirst to be able to get a chance to read this and review with my honest feedback!
December 29, 2020
True crime stories need two things to be successful: interesting cases and good writing. One without the other is a recipe for disappointment. Fortunately, Chip Jacobs’ latest work does more than fulfill both. The Darkest Glare: A True Story of Murder, Blackmail, and Real Estate Greed in 1979 Los Angeles is a tightly written and meticulously researched piece of journalism. Jacobs has a remarkable talent for descriptions; the way the author balances facts with dialogue to create a nonfiction novel reminds me of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood and Erik Larson’s Devil in the White City. Additionally, Jacobs does a fantastic job of constructing the narrative in a way that builds suspense without loss of momentum. A real page-turner and recommended for fans of of Dave Cullen, Michelle McNamara, David Grann, and the aforementioned Capote and Larson. Many thanks to Rare Bird Books for sending me a digital galley of The Darkest Glare, which will be available on March 9, 2021.
January 4, 2021
As a crime-junkie myself this is a book that I was immediately interested in. The author does a great job writing up a narrative that does not disappoint. I was engaged and followed the story the whole time. You can tell right away the level of research in this book is on point and done well. This is my first Chip Jones book and certainly won't be my last. Based in 1979 Los Angeles the book gripped me from the start and I didn't let go until the end. This is definitely not a book for the weak-minded. These stories are shocking and makes the reader feel as if they were truly there. This can for some be a little too much but I found it to help bring an understanding to the victims and how the story plays out. The main criminal in the book is dark and scary and it's even worse how easily he can persuade others to join in his madness. That alone makes this book more frightening than I expected. Definitely recommend.
March 12, 2021
Well this story was totally crazy! Especially since all that happened in it was real, though pretty long ago! The author did a good job of adding all the details (though he did mention in the afterword that he did change some names and descriptions to protect those who had been affected by that crazy year) while still making it a very interesting read.
It is amazing what lengths a person like Howard will go to when he thinks he has been wronged (not to mention his prior history of what he did to people who got on his bad side). Howard was definitely a poison that hurt many people when he set his revenge/murder plans into action. I would most definitely not want a guy like him after me! I must admit though, it was kind of funny to read about the foiled attempts at killing Richard. And I really felt sorry for Jerry, who was duped/blackmailed by both Richard and Howard and how that changed the rest of his life.
Good story.
It is amazing what lengths a person like Howard will go to when he thinks he has been wronged (not to mention his prior history of what he did to people who got on his bad side). Howard was definitely a poison that hurt many people when he set his revenge/murder plans into action. I would most definitely not want a guy like him after me! I must admit though, it was kind of funny to read about the foiled attempts at killing Richard. And I really felt sorry for Jerry, who was duped/blackmailed by both Richard and Howard and how that changed the rest of his life.
Good story.
December 29, 2020
The Darkest Glare: A True Story of Murder, Blackmail, and Real Estate Greed in 1979 Los Angeles by Chip Jacobs grabs readers with edge-of-your-seat storytelling on the first page and never lets go. The crimes described in this book are shocking, the close-up examination of the people involved compelling, and the author's writing creates for the reader a feeling of actually being there and knowing each person encompassed in the scene. While the backgrounds, motives, and thinking of the criminals is fascinating, the ease with which other people, innocents and minor criminals alike, are easily swept up into the madness of one man's evil is frightening. Readers can't put down this page-turner that lays out the crimes and scrutinizes the individuals involved with clarity and insight, reminding readers that the life-destroying evil of this world is closer than you think.
January 5, 2021
This book was absolutely phenomenal. Great character development, intriguing plot, and the world-building is quite literally out of this world. Not to mention, of course, that the cover is gorgeous. I have raved about this book to both friends and family. This book is not really the genre or type of novel that I usually go for (I'm more of a classic literature kinda person) but boy am I glad that I decided to make an exception for this book. This book was absolutely phenomenal. Great character development, intriguing plot, and the world-building is quite literally out of this world. Not to mention, of course, that the cover is gorgeous. I have raved about this book to both friends and family. This book is not really the genre or type of novel that I usually go for (I'm more of a classic literature kinda person) but boy am I glad that I decided to make an exception for this book.
January 7, 2021
This was a really good true crime novel. I enjoy reading about true crime stories like this though I hate that a crime took place at all. Im glad though that majority of the time a book like this means that the crime was solved and the family got closure. This is the story of men who got way in over their heads and ended up doing things they probably normally wouldnt have done like commit murder.
I love the fact that the author did his research and produced a great story with a lot of details. I love books like this when events are thoroughly researched then written down in as much detail as possible. The case was told chronologically and I felt as though I was actually there when the events were taking place.
No spoilers but I was surprised by the killer and the motive. The investigation was interesting and I liked the extra short story included.
I love the fact that the author did his research and produced a great story with a lot of details. I love books like this when events are thoroughly researched then written down in as much detail as possible. The case was told chronologically and I felt as though I was actually there when the events were taking place.
No spoilers but I was surprised by the killer and the motive. The investigation was interesting and I liked the extra short story included.
January 20, 2021
Was a good book to read. Couldn't put down it was really instering book to read. Five star book. I'm not sure who would like this book. Kept me pulled into it. Took about a week to read it. Not sure who to recommend this book to. Cover seems to fit to what the book is about. I'm not sure if I'm gonna reread this book or not. Not sure what book groups would like this book. Would be a good book to use for a readathon.
Not sure if it will be a series of not.
Blurb is what caught my eye for this book. I told my husband about it but he wasn't into it . I'm really confused to who I would recommend this to. It's a good book for sure and I couldn't put it down but that's just my thoughts . It ended like their could be more of it.
Wasn't a bad book to read.
Five star read. Wish their was a little bit more to give for this book but it was good to what it was about.
Didn't take long to read.
Not sure if it will be a series of not.
Blurb is what caught my eye for this book. I told my husband about it but he wasn't into it . I'm really confused to who I would recommend this to. It's a good book for sure and I couldn't put it down but that's just my thoughts . It ended like their could be more of it.
Wasn't a bad book to read.
Five star read. Wish their was a little bit more to give for this book but it was good to what it was about.
Didn't take long to read.
January 15, 2021
The Darkest Glare is an intelligently written, obviously well researched bizarre story involving a real estate partnership that goes haywire. Mostly set in 70-80’s LA, you’d think this book was a work of fiction, with all the crazy characters, outlandish, bumbling murder plots, and family drama that you’d see in most thriller novels. But no, this is the real deal. The writing can get a little melodramatic at times, and I would have like to have seen an update on the main characters at book’s end, but overall it’s a compelling read. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2021
This true crime drama is beyond bizarre! It takes place in 1970s Los Angeles involving a real estate partnership (main characters Richard, Jerry, and Howard) that goes wrong, horribly wrong. There are plenty of plot twists, foiled murder attempts, and outlandish drama, but the writing does bog at times. The author did a great job researching and including little known details, which kept me engaged. Good book for those who like true crime. Thank you, Netgalley, author Chip Jacobs, and publisher Rare Birds Books, for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2021
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“The Darkest Glare” is not the kind of book I usually read, but it still held my interest, and I liked reading it. It is a gripping crime novel that takes you to the 1970s of power, betrayal, and revenge.
I did not have any knowledge of the events before reading the story. The author did a lot of research while writing the book. Moreover, I liked his writing style. He paces the story very nicely. At times, the pace is insanely fast, where if you blink, you probably miss something important. A lot happens in each paragraph, and the story gets better in the second half. The courtroom scenes were intense, and I enjoyed reading the events that transpired. There are also suspenseful moments, like when they raid Luis’s house or what happens to Richard. Reading this book gave me chills at times, and I am glad I did not grow up in L.A. during this era. On a side note, I also liked how the author included transcripts of the district attorney records to make this book more authentic.
Similarly, the author builds the characters nicely. Jerry Schneiderman is a complex character, and it was interesting to see how the events in the story changed his life. Howard creeped me out because of how he conducted his activities. At the same time, I could relate to some of the things he did because of what Richard had done. Moreover, I liked the background the author provided to the characters and their families. For instance, we get to see what transpired in Paige and Tammy’s lives towards the end of the book.
Overall, “The Darkest Glare” is an exciting crime novel, and I enjoyed reading it.
May 18, 2021
“The engrossingly bizarre tale of a murder plot within Los Angeles real estate circles… An entertaining true-crime period piece built around a chillingly odd sociopathic villain.” —Kirkus Reviews.
_______
The Darkest Glare: A True Story of Murder, Blackmail, and Real Estate Greed in 1979 Los Angeles
by Chip Jacobs. (Chip Jacobs is an award-winning author and journalist.)
350 pgs, 23 chapters.
Rare Bird Books
9th March. 2021
🩸“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”
—William Shakespeare.
Have you ever been chased to your wit's end by some bully while driving?
or
Do you pop up with some strange words while writing & wonder where it came from & then remember, reading it earlier in some book?
✌The prologue, itself gave me an almost anxiety attack, such is the impact of the boisterous writing style!
In 1979 the City of Angels had its fair share of devils.
Howard Garrett was one of them. His contractor’s license bought him an entrée into a Space Matters, a real estate development company run out of a hip mansion on the edge of LA’s Miracle Mile district. The company’s owners, debonair, slick-talking Richard Kasparov and self-conscious, nerdy Jerry Schneiderman, were L.A.’s Young Turks of interior architecture.
When Richard interviewed the quiet, buzzard-faced Howard, he figured he’d found the perfect supervisor to oversee construction for a firm hungry to expand. What neither he nor his partner Jerry knew was that by hiring Howard, they’d unloosed a monster into their midst.
Whether its stumblebum killers or a mass murder averted by a kid watching Laverne & Shirley, you’ll never read about bloodlust like this. Or see Southern California the same way.
Chip Jacobs conducted hundreds of hours of interviews and reviewed thousands of pages in Howard Garrett’s case to connect the dots.
The resulting book is a feast for true crime lovers as well as for lovers of Los Angeles noir. The Darkest Glare is vintage true crime at its finest.
P.s.
The Darkest Glare was previously released in significantly different form as
"The Ascension of Jerry", March 2012.
________
“This is not just another Hollywood Whodunit. In the end we find it is really about one man's search and struggle to find his own personal truths and redemption. Well written and highly recommended.”--
_______
The Darkest Glare: A True Story of Murder, Blackmail, and Real Estate Greed in 1979 Los Angeles
by Chip Jacobs. (Chip Jacobs is an award-winning author and journalist.)
350 pgs, 23 chapters.
Rare Bird Books
9th March. 2021
🩸“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”
—William Shakespeare.
Have you ever been chased to your wit's end by some bully while driving?
or
Do you pop up with some strange words while writing & wonder where it came from & then remember, reading it earlier in some book?
✌The prologue, itself gave me an almost anxiety attack, such is the impact of the boisterous writing style!
In 1979 the City of Angels had its fair share of devils.
Howard Garrett was one of them. His contractor’s license bought him an entrée into a Space Matters, a real estate development company run out of a hip mansion on the edge of LA’s Miracle Mile district. The company’s owners, debonair, slick-talking Richard Kasparov and self-conscious, nerdy Jerry Schneiderman, were L.A.’s Young Turks of interior architecture.
When Richard interviewed the quiet, buzzard-faced Howard, he figured he’d found the perfect supervisor to oversee construction for a firm hungry to expand. What neither he nor his partner Jerry knew was that by hiring Howard, they’d unloosed a monster into their midst.
Whether its stumblebum killers or a mass murder averted by a kid watching Laverne & Shirley, you’ll never read about bloodlust like this. Or see Southern California the same way.
Chip Jacobs conducted hundreds of hours of interviews and reviewed thousands of pages in Howard Garrett’s case to connect the dots.
The resulting book is a feast for true crime lovers as well as for lovers of Los Angeles noir. The Darkest Glare is vintage true crime at its finest.
P.s.
The Darkest Glare was previously released in significantly different form as
"The Ascension of Jerry", March 2012.
________
“This is not just another Hollywood Whodunit. In the end we find it is really about one man's search and struggle to find his own personal truths and redemption. Well written and highly recommended.”--
May 20, 2021
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Darkest Glare” “A True Story of Murder, Blackmail, and Real Estate Greed” in 1979 Los Angeles” by Chip Jacobs, Rare Bird Books, March 9, 2021. On Tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours
For those readers that enjoy the “True Crime Genre”, Chip Jacobs, the author of “The Darkest Glare” has written a unique and intriguing novel. Although the novel’s genre is stated to be “true crime”, it has the feel of fiction, satire, and dark humor. The timeline for this novel is set in 1979 in Los Angeles. The author describes 1979 as “Among the ingenious new products of 1979 blitzing into the American marketplace were some cultural-shifters, the Sony Walkman…” “the McDonald’s Happy Meal, and Atari’s “Asteroid” video game. On deck were voicemail and personal computers.” (page 69). Also the author discusses the betrayals, greed, blackmail, threats, danger, and murder during this time. This was a time of drug sales and drug use.
The author describes his dramatic characters as complex, complicated, greedy, mean-spirited, and dysfunctional. Some are possibly psychotic or sociopaths. There are also some quirky and inept characters. The story is set in 1979 and goes to the past or future when it pertains to the characters or events.
I appreciate Chip Jacobs doing so much research for this novel. The author vividly describes in detail some gruesome crimes. Also mentioned are some crimes that really went wrong. An original partnership is left with only one of the “partners” who really has to run to save his life. I would recommend this unusual crime drama to other readers.
For those readers that enjoy the “True Crime Genre”, Chip Jacobs, the author of “The Darkest Glare” has written a unique and intriguing novel. Although the novel’s genre is stated to be “true crime”, it has the feel of fiction, satire, and dark humor. The timeline for this novel is set in 1979 in Los Angeles. The author describes 1979 as “Among the ingenious new products of 1979 blitzing into the American marketplace were some cultural-shifters, the Sony Walkman…” “the McDonald’s Happy Meal, and Atari’s “Asteroid” video game. On deck were voicemail and personal computers.” (page 69). Also the author discusses the betrayals, greed, blackmail, threats, danger, and murder during this time. This was a time of drug sales and drug use.
The author describes his dramatic characters as complex, complicated, greedy, mean-spirited, and dysfunctional. Some are possibly psychotic or sociopaths. There are also some quirky and inept characters. The story is set in 1979 and goes to the past or future when it pertains to the characters or events.
I appreciate Chip Jacobs doing so much research for this novel. The author vividly describes in detail some gruesome crimes. Also mentioned are some crimes that really went wrong. An original partnership is left with only one of the “partners” who really has to run to save his life. I would recommend this unusual crime drama to other readers.
May 17, 2021
It’s the 1970s in Los Angeles three people go into a business venture together, real estate and they name their business Space Matters. Jerry Schneiderman and Richard Kasparov design office interiors for small and large firms. These two partner become extremely successful, so they decide to expand their business and dive into home renovations and become part of the construction boom that’s happening . They hire a construction supervisor who has a construction license and in walks in Howard Garrett. Richard begins to steal from Jerry unbeknownst to him and soon begins to steal from Howard after he’s offered partnership. Howard who wasn’t as trusting as Jerry discovers the theft pretty quickly. Soon Howard is threatening and demanding half of the illegal funds and when Richard doesn’t pay he becomes angry. Soon Howard sues the company and this is where Jerry becomes aware of the theft. Soon Howard puts liens on the houses and work has stopped. Jerry stops the partnership with Richard. Howard is not happy he doesn’t have any money coming in and on top of everything he feels used and disrespected and wants revenge. How does Howard get revenge you ask? MURDER! He gathers a group of drug addicts and other low life’s and takes matters in his own hands! We watch as there are hits taken out on his former partners and just how far a man will go for revenge and greed! This is a true crime book but going in you can gather whats going to happen. You can tell the author did their research and I enjoyed it four stars!
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