Justice: Crimes, Trials, and Punishments

A truly enjoyable read. If you like true crime I think you will enjoy this book. The author keeps you riveted and is unapologetically opinionated in many cases but I really loved the book

I have never written a review like this before, and feel compelled to share my thoughts, honest and forward, to anyone considering reading this book. I picked it up and could not put it down. I wish I had never read it. It is a book that is so terribly sad, especially with the story of the author's daughter's murder, and it is written with a skill that is not often seen: a combination of honesty, pithy expressions, pain, joy, and a constellation of emotions that all masterfully come together. Why do I wish I had never read it? If you have any connection to the court system, you already know that lying is so common place that it is frightening. People swear an oath and lie with impunity, but reading of the injustice, for instance, that this man suffered in his daughter's murder, or all the spin that OJ's "dream team" used, in short clips to reporters, feeding the public red herrings; deliberate lies, knowing that public influence will reach even a sequested jury, is just horrible to read. The glam of hollywood is sickening and reading about how terribly hated white people were by blacks supporting OJ...knowing that this woman, who was brutally murdered along with an innocent bystander, only to hear that a male black juror could say, "she got what she deserved" is sickening. It brought back all those terrible emotions as race relations in 1994 revealed a black on white hatred that I was, quite frankly, ignorant of its depth. Reading of wealthy scoundrels like Johnnie Cochrin and others is very difficult. You wonder whether or not these talented men possessed a conscience. The only comforting thought it that in the afterlife, Providence will decree justice. The man with the long record of violence against women, of which record the judge (wink, wink to the defense attorney he was buddies with) would not allow to be admitted, served 2 1/2 years for the murder of a bright and wonderful young woman is almost more than the reader can bear. Dunne brings you into this pain; perhaps as close as a stranger can come to feeling the maddening frustration that he and his family felt during this trial. How Dunne was able to do this, is beyond me, but he did it. Don't read the book if you cannot bear to be that close to pain. It reminds me of the story of Bob Dylan, giving an interview in 1974, after many years of not talking to the press. The woman interviewing him starts off with, "I just want to say that I really enjoy your new album, Blood on the Tracks". Dylan says, "I can't understand anyone enjoying that much pain" and gets up and walks out. I wanted to stop reading, quite often, but continued. Reader: proceed with caution. It is not about race, as people of decency, no matter what race, will be terribly upset by what they read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Dunne wrote about stories we've read, reread, and thought we'd never want to read again (O.J. Simpson and the Menedez Brothers, to name two), and made them fresh and interesting! He also has included in this book, stories I wasn't familiar with (Edmund Safra, Marvin Pancoast, etc.), and a very poignant story with regard to his own daughter's murder.

Dominick Dunne's latest book is a collection of essays written during the the most celebrated crimes of the last few decades. These are essays and do not tell the whole stories, but give gripping accounts and compelling descriptions of various events. You will want more if are not familar with the cases. Check out his other writings including the monthly Vanity Fair submissions and "Another City Not My Own" (more OJ) for more enthralling nonfiction. His best work, in my opinion, remains "A Season in Purgatory" which is based on the Martha Moxley murder and is timely reading with Skakel's pending trial for the murder.

This is a fascinating book told from an insider's perspective about some of the most high-profile cases ever. At times, Dunne is scathing in his criticism of the so-called justice handed out for some of the crimes committed. It opens with the poignant, at times heart-rending account of his own daughter's murder and my attention was absolutely rivetted.This book reads like the ultimate murder mystery short-story collection. All the more disturbing because they actually happened. Dunne has a compelling style that drew me in and urged me to read on, and on, and on.

I have to say I was wishing for fiction but after reading the introduction I knew I was hooked. I love Dominick Dunne! I have read everything he's written including his Vanity Fair articles and once again I am not disappointed. He tells these stories as if he were talking to you. His honesty and openess related to his daughter's murder gave me goosebumps. It's a quick read. I bought it yesterday and could not put it down. I finished it early this morning. Now I'm disappointed that it's over. What am I going to do until he writes the next one? Keep up the good work Mr. Dunne! And I hope you are feeling better.