Humphrey Bogart said of Confidential: “Everybody reads it but they say the cook brought it into the house” . . . Tom Wolfe called it “the most scandalous scandal magazine in the history of the world” . . . Time defined it as “a cheesecake of innuendo, detraction, and plain smut . . . dig up one sensational ‘fact,’ embroider it for 1,500 to 2,000 words. If the subject thinks of suing, he may quickly realize that the fact is true, even if the embroidery is not.” Here is the never-before-told tale of Confidential magazine, America’s first tabloid, which forever changed our notion of privacy, our image of ourselves, and the practice of journalism in America. The magazine came out every two months, was printed on pulp paper, and cost a quarter. Its pages were filled with racy stories, sex scandals, and political exposés. It offered advice about the dangers of cigarettes and advocated various medical remedies. Its circulation, at the height of its popularity, was three million. It was first published in 1952 and took the country by storm. Readers loved its lurid red-and-yellow covers; its sensational stories filled with innuendo and titillating details; its articles that went far beyond most movie magazines, like Photoplay and Modern Screen, and told the real stories such trade publications as Variety and the Hollywood Reporter couldn’t, since they, and the movie magazines, were financially dependent on—or controlled by—the Hollywood studios. In Confidential’s pages, homespun America was revealed as it really was: our most sacrosanct movie stars and heroes were exposed as wife beaters (Bing Crosby), homosexuals (Rock Hudson and Liberace), neglectful mothers (Rita Hayworth), sex obsessives (June Allyson, the cutie with the page boy and Peter Pan collar), mistresses of the rich and dangerous (Kim Novak, lover of Ramfis Trujillo, playboy son of the Dominican Republic dictator). Confidential’s alliterative headlines told of tawny temptresses (black women passing for white), pinko partisans (liberals), lisping lads (homosexuals) . . . and promised its readers what the newspapers wouldn’t reveal: “The Real Reason for Marilyn Monroe’s Divorce” . . . How “James Dean Knew He Had a Date with Death” . . . The magazine’s style, success, and methods ultimately gave birth to the National Enquirer, Star, People, E!, Access Hollywood, and TMZ . . . We see the two men at the magazine’s center: its founder and owner, Robert Harrison, a Lithuanian Jew from New York’s Lower East Side who wrote for The New York Graphic and published a string of girlie magazines, including Titter, Wink, and Flirt (Bogart called the magazine’s founder and owner the King of Leer) . . . and Confidential ’s most important editor: Howard Rushmore, small-town boy from a Wyoming homestead; passionate ideologue; former member of the Communist Party who wrote for the Daily Worker, renounced his party affiliation, and became a virulent Red-hunter; close pal of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and expert witness before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, naming the names of actors and writers Rushmore claimed had been Communists and fellow travelers. Henry Scott writes the story of two men, who out of their radically different pasts and conflicting obsessions, combined to make the magazine the perfect confluence of explosive ingredients that reflected the America of its time, as the country struggled to reconcile Hollywood’s blissful fantasy of American life with the daunting nightmare of the nuclear age . . .

Kevin Ryan is a writer in the much-maligned genre of true crime who desperately needs a devious, over-the-top story for the subject of his next book. How else can he keep his wife Valerie's roots dyed and keep himself from handing out taco samples at the local supermarket? When Kevin isn't Googling himself or spot checking his books' stock at stores around the country or online, he's bringing the hazards (i.e., criminals and other crazies) of his job home to wife Val and twin daughters Taylor and Hayley. Kevin is on the hunt for the big one, the story that could break him out of the mid-list and onto the bestseller lists. And then there's a knock at the door--a story finds him...A distraught 20-year old Jett Carter shows up at the Ryan house because her mother and sister are imprisoned-perhaps if Kevin writes their story and reveals the truth, he might help exonerate them. The Carters' tale is the perfect white-trash-attempted-murder-love-triangle that Kevin's editor will love and his fans will devour. He begins to write "Love You to Death." Then on a beautiful summer day, the wheels of homicide are set in motion and Kevin's own story begins to eclipse the crime he is chronicling. When his #1 fan is murdered and another body turns up, the Ryans' life in Port Gamble and all that Kevin holds dear is in jeopardy. Somewhere in "Love You to Death" and within the "bunch of low rent losers" he's interviewing is the killer.

Theodore Robert Bundy, popularly known as Ted Bundy was America's most notorious serial killer, a necrophilia, rapist, and kidnapper of 1970's who murdered and assaulted many girls and young women. Shortly before his execution, via electrocution, after over a decade of crime denials, he already confessed to his 30 committed homicides in seven different states between the years of 1974 and 1978. The real count of victim was left unknown, and this could possibly be much higher. Ted Bundy was viewed as charismatic and handsome by his female victims, which are the traits he exploited in order to completely win their trusts. Bundy, typically approached the victims in public places, pretending to have disability or injury, or personating an authority figure, before assaulting and overpowering them at secluded locations. Ted Bundy even revisits his crime scenes, grooming and performing some sexual acts with decomposing corpses of the victim until the destruction and putrefaction of wild animals made further the interaction impossible. He beheaded 12 known victims and even kept some of the head in his own apartment as mementos for a time period. Sometimes, he just simply broke into the dwelling at night and strikes to death his victims as they are as sleep. Ted was initially incarcerated in 1975 in Utah for attempted criminal assault and aggravated kidnapping. He became a suspect in progressively longer unsolved list of homicide in different multiple states. When facing his criminal charges in the state of Colorado, he planned 2 dramatic escapes and was able to commit more assaults, including 3 more murders before his 1978 ultimate recapture. Ted Bundy received 3 death sentences in 2 different trials for his Florida homicides. Ted died via electrocution at the Raidford Prison on the 24th of January 1989. He was described as the very sadistic sociopath who receives pleasure from other people's pain and suffering as well as the control he had over the victims, until death, and even after. As a matter of fact, Ted called himself as the most cold-hearted son of a bitch you will ever meet. Even his attorney called Ted as the very definition of a heartless evil.

So much to read, so little time? This brief overview of Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original “Psycho” tells you what you need to know—before or after you read Harold Schechter’s book. Crafted and edited with care, Worth Books set the standard for quality and give you the tools you need to be a well-informed reader. This short summary and analysis of Deviant includes: Historical context Chapter-by-chapter overviews Profiles of the main characters Detailed timeline of key events Important quotes and analysis Fascinating trivia Glossary of terms Supporting material to enhance your understanding of the original work About Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original “Psycho” by Harold Schechter: This true-crime classic profiles Ed Gein, the murderer and grave robber whose crimes inspired the films Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Ed Gein was a mildmannered midwestern farmhand—until his horrific crimes were uncovered. After a failed attempt to dig up the grave of his dead mother, Gein became a grave robber and then a murderer. What he did with the bodies of his victims was disturbing and gory beyond all imagination, and it leaves no doubt about what Ed Gein really was: the original psycho. The summary and analysis in this ebook are intended to complement your reading experience and bring you closer to a great work of nonfiction.

"Two Sisters Vanish, Seven Men Convicted: The Shocking Truth Behind the Philippines' Most Controversial Murder Case" In the balmy evening of July 16, 1997, sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong left their home in Cebu City, Philippines, for a routine trip to the mall. They never returned. What followed was a case that would captivate a nation, challenge its justice system, and leave lingering questions that persist to this day. This meticulously researched book delves deep into the infamous Chiong sisters case, offering readers an unprecedented look at one of the most controversial criminal investigations in Philippine history. From the frantic initial search to the sensational trial and its far-reaching aftermath, no stone is left unturned in this gripping exploration of crime, justice, and societal upheaval. Key elements that make this book a must-read: 1. Exclusive Interviews: Gain insights from key figures involved in the case, including investigators, lawyers, and family members of both the victims and the accused. 2. Forensic Deep Dive: Uncover the details of the shocking autopsy findings and forensic evidence that shaped the investigation. 3. Media Frenzy Examined: Explore how intense media coverage influenced public opinion and potentially the course of justice. 4. Class and Privilege: Delve into the socio-economic dynamics that played a crucial role in the case, as the accused came from influential families. 5. International Intrigue: Follow the case's unexpected turn into an international incident with the transfer of one convicted man to a Spanish prison. 6. Lingering Mysteries: Grapple with the unanswered questions that continue to haunt the case, including the fate of the still-missing Jacqueline Chiong. 7. Legal System on Trial: Witness how the case exposed flaws in the Philippine justice system and sparked significant reforms. 8. Cultural Impact: Discover how the Chiong sisters case has permeated Philippine popular culture, inspiring documentaries, films, and literature. 9. Voices of Dissent: Hear from those who question the convictions and continue to fight for what they believe is justice. 10. Lasting Legacy: Reflect on how this case continues to shape discussions about crime, justice, and societal values in the Philippines. This book goes beyond the headlines to provide a nuanced, 360-degree view of a case that defies simple explanations. It challenges readers to question their assumptions about truth, justice, and the complex interplay between media, public opinion, and the legal system. Whether you're a true crime aficionado, a student of Philippine society, or simply someone fascinated by the complexities of human nature, this book offers a compelling journey into one of the most perplexing criminal cases of our time. It's a story of tragedy, controversy, and enduring mystery that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. As you navigate the twists and turns of the Chiong sisters case, you'll be confronted with uncomfortable truths about privilege, media influence, and the elusive nature of justice. This isn't just the story of a crime; it's a mirror held up to society, reflecting our deepest fears, our highest aspirations, and the often murky territory in between. Prepare to be shocked, moved, and challenged. This is not just another true crime story – it's a journey into the heart of a case that changed a nation and continues to provoke debate and soul-searching to this day. Are you ready to uncover the truth behind the Philippines' most controversial murder case?

The bond between parent and child is the strongest natural connection imaginable. But in rare and shocking cases, that bond can be brutally broken. The Philpott family, 'baby P' and jasmine Beckford are just three cases that have made a nation's blood run cold. But what could possibly drive a parent to commit the cruellest crime of all - the killing of their own child.In Parents Who Kill, renowned crime expert Carol Anne Davis explores the motives behind an act which flies in the face of all reason and instinct. This timely study examines some of the most harrowing cases documented in recent legal history, ranging from tragic negligence to more culturally specific instances of religious honour killings for 'sexual deviancy'.Update to include analysis of the most recent case of Mick and Mairead Philpott, who killed six of their children after setting fire to their own home, Davis casts a forensically objective eye over powerful themes encompassing jealousy, insanity, greed and everything in between. But this is more than just a study in the macabre. David shows great compassion and insight to reveal the psychology behind disability, mercy killings and post-natal depression, whilst in a final conclusion she proposes solutions to these issues and potentially life-saving avenues of help.Parents Who Kill is the compendium for anyone seeking to answer the hardest queston: 'What could possibly turn a parent into a killer?.'Carol Anne Davis writes with dangerous authority about the deadly everyday...You've got to read her.' - IAN RANKIN

AN EYE FOR AN EYE They are battered women, grieving parents, and burglarized homeowners who responded to criminal violence by taking the law into their own hands. Their cases have struck a deep chord in American society. Are they victims of a failing judicial system or criminals themselves? True crime writer Gary Provost examines the stories of ordinary citizens who have taken on the roles of judge, jury and — sometimes — executioner. Are their acts a higher form of justice...or merely revenge? You decide: * Bernhard Goetz, who shot four teenagers when they approached him on a subway train and demanded money * The young man who gunned down his own friend for killing his teenaged sister in a drunk-driving accident * The mother who risked her life to track down and apprehend her daughter's rapist * "Grambo," the Dallas grandmother who held a burglar at gunpoint for forty-five minutes while waiting for the police * The battered wife who hired a hit man to murder her husband after seventeen years of abuse Fascinating, penetrating, and chilling, Into Their Own Hands is a controversial and thought-provoking look at what's wrong with crime and punishment in America today and what happens when victims don't just get mad — they get even.

The harrowing true story of the young boy who captured the heart of the nation when he testified in court, to find justice against those responsible for his brother’s death.

A family with a dark secret. A child who refuses to speak. Rosie must help her before it’s too late.

‘Each time my mother laid a finger on me... it was another step into the jaws of hell. Her abuse, more so than any other, destroyed me. It was the ultimate betrayal.’