Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Washington, DC


Book Description

Washington D.C. isn't known as the "District of Crime" or "Murder Capital of America" for nothing. Though the capital city's motto is "justice for all," D.C. has a darker side, including an extensive history of crimes and misdemeanors, some political and some not. The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Washington D.C. is the ultimate guidebook to the criminal and seedy history of the nation's capital -- plus Maryland, Northern Virginia and (ironically) Arlington National Cemetery. It also contains an entire chapter pinpointing key and little-known sites in the Lincoln Assassination. With photographs, maps, directions, and precise GPS coordinates, this collection of outlaw tales serves as both a travel guide and an entertaining and enlightening read. It is a one-of-a-kind exploration into well-known and more obscure sites in D.C. that retain memories of bandits, corpse-snatchers, murderers, snipers, bootleggers, assassins, rogue scientists, spies, mobsters and corrupt politicians -- even a legendary serial killer dressed in a bunny suit -- and their scandalous deeds.




Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Pennsylvania


Book Description

The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Pennsylvania is the ultimate guidebook to the crime, injustice, and seedy history of the Keystone State. With photographs, maps, directions, and sites to visit, this collection of outlaw tales serves as both a travel guide and an entertaining and informational read. It is a one-of-a-kind exploration into well-known and more obsure sites in Pennsylvania that retain memories of bandits and their scandalous deeds. The Crime Buff series offers indispensable guidebooks for criminal-history enthusiasts and travelers. Each site description includes a brief summary of the spot’s significance, historical context, maps, directions, and photos. Appealing to both residents and visitors, the books reveal the exploits of famous and less famous outlaws in an irresistable and informational manner. Readers will be shocked, unsettled, and captivated by the true stories and secrets illuminated in the Outlaw collection.




Crime Buff's Guide to the Outlaw Rockies


Book Description

A fascinating journey through the Rockies’ unruly past—with maps, photos, and more.




Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Southwest


Book Description

A rollicking ride through the true crime history of the American Southwest from the USA Today–bestselling author of The Darkest Night. The line between history and mythology is razor thin—and the American Southwest often erases the line altogether. We might never disentangle crime-fact from fiction, but this book will transport you to Billy the Kid’s real-life stomping grounds, legendary Tombstone, the childhood home of one of the worst al Qaeda terrorists, and the scenes of dozens of crimes throughout Arizona and New Mexico’s history. Dozens of fascinating stories in Outlaw Southwest are told in the same fast-paced, enthralling voice that’s made Ron Franscell one of America’s most beloved crime writers…and the Crime Buff’s Guides a three-time winner of the TrueCrimeZine.com Book of the Year! Includes GPS COORDINATES, PHOTOS AND MORE! “Well researched … Armchair detectives will enjoy the tales, but the book’s purpose is to take the reader to the scene of the crime.”—Albuquerque Journal “The ultimate guilty pleasure book.”—San Antonio (TX)Express-News “Perfect for summer vacations because you can put it down and pick it up without losing your place (but you won’t want to put it down). For those of who week true-crime stories, it’s a fascinating look at the dark side.”—Tucson (AZ) Sentinel




Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Texas


Book Description

A fascinating journey through the Lone Star State’s unruly past— with maps, photos, and more Texas rightfully claims a celebrated place in the “wildest” West of both myth and reality—which makes it truly stranger than fiction that The Crime Buff’s Guide to Outlaw Texas is the first-ever travel guide to the many sites related to the Lone Star State’s renowned rambunctious past, complete with GPS coordinates that put you at the scene of the action. From outlaws like Sam Bass and John Wesley Hardin to Bonnie & Clyde and Houston’s notorious Candy Man killer, Texas has dozens of places where true-crime buffs can actually stand close to history. For many readers, the attraction to these sites—some well-known, some obscured by time—is irresistible. Written with the same fast-paced, gripping style that marked the author’s widely praised earlier work, The Crime Buff’s Guide to Outlaw Texasis an indispensable resource for both criminal-history enthusiasts and travelers. Each site description includes a concise summary of the location’s significance, historical context, maps, directions, and photos. Praise for a previous book by the same author, The Darkest Night “Heartbreaking . . . Not unlike Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.” —Chicago Sun-Times “This uncommon story has every chilling component of human terror, drama, and suspense that readers of true crime look for.” —Vincent Bugliosi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Helter Skelter “A very, very, good book . . . written by a very, very, good writer.” —Ann Rule, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Beside Me




Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Los Angeles


Book Description

“[A] meticulously researched guide book into the baddest of the bad in LaLa Land.”—Steve Hodel, New York Times-bestselling author of Black Dahlia Avenger Los Angeles is where America’s dreams and nightmares got all tangled up. In this otherworldly place of seemingly everlasting life, death could have an otherworldly quality, too. In a city where anything was possible, even the ghastly could happen. Where else does a list of a city’s top five most recognized citizens include a mass murderer? Stand in the footsteps of Manson, the Hillside Strangler, the Night Stalker, the Black Dahlia’s killer, and the Onion Field slayers. Visit crime scenes where Hollywood’s weird history took fatal turns for O.J. Simpson, John Belushi, Ramon Novarro, Phil Hartman, Dorothy Stratten, Sal Mineo, and so many others. This book provides a sunset cruise through a place where ordinary inhumanities are entertainment—with GPS coordinates, photos and more. It continues the series that critics, true-crime fans, historians, and travelers have hailed as “thorough and unflinching” and “the best damn crime travel series ever published!” Dozens of fascinating stories are told in the same fast-paced, enthralling voice that’s made Ron Franscell one of America’s most beloved crime writers—and the Crime Buff’s Guides a three-time winner of TrueCrimeZine.com’s Book of the Year.




Deaf Row


Book Description

A retired detective investigates a cold case of child murder in Colorado in this “darkly engrossing” mystery thriller (New York Times–bestselling author Anne Hillerman). Former detective Woodrow Bell left his big-city homicide beat for a quiet life in a small Colorado mountain town. Having failed in so many ways—as a father, husband, friend, and cop—all he wants out of retirement is to fade away. But when he stumbles across a long-forgotten child murder, he can’t just let it go. Suspecting that the killer may still be near, Woodrow is drawn into the macabre cold case. With local cops taking no interest, Bell must rely on the end-of-the-road codgers he meets for coffee every morning—a club of old guys with unique skills who call themselves Deaf Row. Soon, this motley crew finds itself on a collision course with a serial butcher.




Empire of Mud


Book Description

Washington, DC, gleams with stately columns and neoclassical temples, a pulsing hub of political power and prowess. But for decades it was one of the worst excuses for a capital city the world had ever seen. Before America became a world power in the twentieth century, Washington City was an eyesore at best and a disgrace at worst. Unfilled swamps, filthy canals, and rutted horse trails littered its landscape. Political bosses hired hooligans and thugs to conduct the nation's affairs. Legendary madams entertained clients from all stations of society and politicians of every party. The police served and protected with the aid of bribes and protection money. Beneath pestilential air, the city’s muddy roads led to a stumpy, half-finished obelisk to Washington here, a domeless Capitol Building there. Lining the streets stood boarding houses, tanneries, and slums. Deadly horse races gouged dusty streets, and opposing factions of volunteer firefighters battled one another like violent gangs rather than life-saving heroes. The city’s turbulent history set a precedent for the dishonesty, corruption, and mismanagement that have led generations to look suspiciously on the various sin--both real and imagined--of Washington politicians. Empire of Mud unearths and untangles the roots of our capital’s story and explores how the city was tainted from the outset, nearly stifled from becoming the proud citadel of the republic that George Washington and Pierre L'Enfant envisioned more than two centuries ago.




Massacre at Duffy’s Cut: Tragedy & Conspiracy on the Pennsylvania Railroad


Book Description

Fifty-seven Irish immigrant laborers arrived in the port of Philadelphia in June 1832 to work on Pennsylvania's Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad. They all perished within six weeks. Contractor Philip Duffy hired them to work a stretch of track in rural Chester County known as Duffy's Cut. For more than 180 years, the railroad maintained that cholera was to blame and kept the historical record under lock and key. In a harrowing modern-day excavation of their mass grave, a group of academics and volunteers found evidence some of the laborers were murdered. Authors and research leaders Dr. William E. Watson and Dr. J. Francis Watson reveal the tragedy, mystery and discovery of what really happened at Duffy's Cut.




Forgotten Maryland Cocktails


Book Description

The Southside, Diamondback and the Preakness--Marylanders imbibe history in their native cocktails, from local favorites to little-known classics. Early residents favored fruit brandies and potent punches until the Civil War, when rye whiskey laid claim to local palates. During the golden age of the cocktail, grand hotels like Baltimore's Belvedere created smooth concoctions such as the Frozen Rye, but the dry days of Prohibition interrupted the good times. Using historic recipes with modern twists from renowned mixologists, Greg and Nicole Priebe mix up one part practical guide and three parts Maryland history and top it off with a tour of the current craft cocktail and distilling scenes.