From Aconite To The Zodiac Killer A Dictionary Of Crime

An extraordinary A-to-Z reference of killers, poisons, police jargon, prison slang, forensics terms, and much more. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of criminology with the one and only True Crime Dictionary. Containing everything from famous crimes, cold cases, and serial killers to deadly weapons, spy lingo, and legal language, this book is sure to enthrall true crime lovers. Get an in-depth look at familiar terms and learn new ones, with entries including: Air America, the dummy corporation for the CIA used for secret military operations Grandma’s House, prison slang for gang headquarters Amphetamine, the second most popular illegal drug in the world Novichok, the lethal nerve agent developed by Soviet Russia The Golden State Killer (and the DNA evidence that finally caught him), and more It’s compelling reading for murderinos, true crime junkies, and connoisseurs of macabre trivia, as well as a useful reference for writers, podcasters, or anyone whose work revolves around crime.

''I found myself rolling around in it for hours, like a gangster''s moll on a bed full of money. Sheer delight!'' Catriona McPherson ''Where was this book when I started writing? From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer is the essential companion for any serious reader or writer of crime'' Leye Adenle, author of When Trouble Sleeps ''A fascinating compendium of crime facts which should be on the shelves of every crime writer - and every crime reader'' Simon Brett ''This is a dangerous book in so many ways, chock full of ways of killing people, from undetectable poisons to various types of guns. It contains riveting accounts of notorious murderers, is crammed with fascinating details of slang, and precise particulars of police procedures. The perfect gift for any true crime enthusiast and an indispensable guide for all crime fiction writers.'' S. W. Williams, author of Small Deaths and How to Write Crime Fiction ''A remarkable achievement. At once elucidating and compelling, indispensable and unputdownable. It reads like a page-turning thriller. Whether a crime writer who needs to distinguish a blood agent from a bum beef or a reader with an interest in queer coal makers, this lexicon will keep you hooked, and leave you sublimely informed.'' Gary Donnelly, author of Killing in Your Name and Blood Will Be Born ''Fascinating, insightful and taking up permanent residency on my desk. Amanda Lees'' Dictionary of Crime is my new bible!'' Chris Whitaker, award-winning author of Tall Oaks, All The Wicked Girls and We Begin at the End ''What a little gem this is - such a great idea and a valuable resource for writers. I found myself dipping into it at intervals and marvelling at the extent of the research that''s gone into it, as well as chuckling over some of the more unusual entries. My personal favourites? BINGO seat, nicker, moll buzzer and lully-prigger. Wouldn''t have had a clue what they meant . . . but I''m determined to work them in somewhere in a future novel!'' G. J. Minett, author of The Syndicate ''A fascinating journey through the dark side of the human psyche. Highly recommended for anyone interested in criminals and crime'' Patrick Redmond, bestselling author of The Wishing Game An essential popular A-Z reference guide for fans of crime fiction and true crime, in books, TV and film, helping to make sense of everything from asphyxiation to VX nerve agent. This is an indispensable guide for fans of true crime and crime fiction, whether in books, film or on TV, who want to look behind the crime, to understand the mechanics of an investigation, to walk in their favourite detectives'' shoes and, most importantly, to solve the clues. To do that, one needs to be fluent in the language of the world of crime. We need to know what that world-weary DI is talking about when she refers to another MISPER. We have to immediately grasp the significance of the presence of paraquat, and precisely why it is still a poison of choice. If you want to know how many murders it takes for a killer to be defined as a serial killer, what Philip Marlowe means when he talks about being ''on a confidential lay'' and why the ''fruit of a poisonous tree'' is a legal term rather than something you should avoid on a country walk, this is the reference book you''ve been waiting for. It covers police and procedural terms and jargon of many different countries; acronyms; murder methods; criminal definitions, including different types of killers; infamous killers and famous detectives; notorious cases often referred to in crime fiction and true crime; gangster slang, including that of the Eastern European mafia; definitions of illegal drugs; weapons; forensic terminology; types of poisons; words and phrases used in major crime genres, including detective fiction, legal thrillers, courtroom dramas, hardboiled crime, Scandi and Tartan Noir, cosy crime and psychological thrillers; criminology terms; and the language of the courts and the legal systems of British, American, French, Nordic and other countries. From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer is an essential, go-to resource for readers and even for writers of crime fiction. More than simply a glossary, this is a guide that provides a doorway into a supergenre, and one that is not just for readers, but also for the many fans of film and TV dramas, of podcasts, and crime blogs. It is also an indispensable resource for writers or would-be writers of crime fiction.

Contains everything from police jargon and forensics terms to deadly poisons and even deadlier killers

The twisted copycat who looked to the stars... He slipped like a sinister shadow in the night, stalking, then savagely attacking. Most of his unsuspecting targets were shot at close range and one woman was stabbed over one hundred times. After dispatching his victims, police allege he left their bloodstained bodies and crept back to the neatly kept room in his mother's apartment. Sleep my little dead... The taunting, bizarre letters alleged killer Heriberto Seda sent to the police and the New York Post were full of strange symbols and mysterious references to the Zodiac. For six terror-filled years, the Zodiac killer ruled the night, claiming nine victims in his homicidal rage. One of the biggest manhunts in New York City's history was unleashed...and still the body count rose. When would the terror end? Police claim his lethal fury finally exploded one summer afternoon. After shooting his own sister, he held her boyfriend hostage and kept scores of heavily armed police pinned down in a ferocious firefight that finally ended with his surrender. But it was only when an alert detective recognized a symbol drawn on Seda's confession as similar to the personal signature used by the Zodiac Killer in his letters, that investigators concluded that the madman they had arrested was in fact the notorious Zodiac Killer. Author Kieran Crowley, an award-winning New York Post reporter who covered the case from the first grisly shooting and cracked the psychopath's secret code, reveals the exclusive inside story and finally solves the biggest remaining mystery of the case.

From the author of Behind Her Eyes, now a Netflix Original Series hit “‘Big Little Lies’ meets ‘Rebecca’ in Sarah Pinborough’s ‘Dead to Her,’ a saucy novel about insecure second wives dragged down by secrets [and] jealousies…” —Washington Post “Roils with passion, rancor, and greed wrapped in Southern politesse... Pinbrough’s intricately woven mystery will please fans of B.A. Paris and Paula Hawkins.” — Publishers Weekly For fans of Liane Moriarty, Liv Constantine and Lisa Jewell, a twisty psychological thriller about a savvy second wife who will do almost anything to come out on top from the New York Times bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes. Marriage can be murder… SOMETHING OLD Marcie’s affair with Jason Maddox catapulted her into the world of the Savannah, GA elite. Old money, old ties, old secrets. Marcie may have married into this world— but she’ll never be part of it. SOMETHING NEW Then Jason’s boss brings back a new wife from his trip to London. Young, attractive, reckless—nobody can take their eyes off Keisha. Including Marcie’s husband. SOMETHING YOU CAN NEVER, EVER UNDO… Some people would kill for the life Marcie has—what will she do to keep it?

The Demon of the Southwest Wind is a true story. Combining true crime and memoir, it describes one man's quest to find the truth to one of crime's most enduring mysteries: who was the Zodiac Killer, what crimes did he commit, and why did he do what he did? In the course of the investigation, the author finds startling new facts about the case, the killer, and himself. The motive for the crimes seems drawn from fantasy, but it was the Zodiac's fantasy that was drawn from reality. The Demon of the Southwest Wind is highly readable and solidly researched, full of new information and insights. You may think you know about the Zodiac crimes, but you do not. No one has really understood the Zodiac Killer, until now. Read it like a novel, but know it is the truth.

"As a good encyclopedia does, the Encyclopedia of Murder and Violent Crime brings together articles that offer diverse insights into the topic, while at the same time giving the reader a feel for its overall scope." --AGAINST THE GRAIN This comprehensive single-volume encyclopedia contains a wealth of material on killing and other violent behavior, as well as detailed information on a host of criminal cases from local decisions to Supreme Court rulings. The Encyclopedia of Murder and Violent Crime includes nearly 500 entries that range from Antisocial Personality Disorder and the Beltway Snipers to the infamous Zodiac Murders. Entries take several formats, including: substantial essays on criminal terms, pathologies, and criminal justice concise case studies of serial murderers, infamous crimes, and their investigations relatively brief definitions of relevant legal and criminological terms. The Encyclopedia is written by an impressive group of contributors, many leading experts in their fields of criminology, criminal justice, and more. Extra features such as a handy, easy-to-use Reader's Guide, a lavish art program of approximately 50 photographs, and several appendixes enhance and complete the volume. This valuable reference is designed for academic, school, public, and special/private libraries as well as criminal justice agencies.

The Zodiac Killer: The Mystery Behind America's Most Feared Serial KillerIf not for the ominous shadow of Jack the Ripper, the case of the Zodiac Killer would perhaps be the greatest mystery the world has ever known. The Zodiac Killer was the self-given name to a murderer who took responsibility for the deaths of at least five people in the San Francisco area of California throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Over the decades, the case has become synonymous with mystery and injustice. The Zodiac Killer's murders were brutal, bizarre and without remorse. He began by targeting young couples in lovers' lanes and executing them with close-range gunshots. His murders then progressed, indicating a highly-unstable frame of mind yet one intelligent enough to evade capture. He would go on to taunt the police and the media with strange ciphers and messages which would take significant time to decode - some of which remain untranslated to this day. Despite extensive searching, analysing and profiling, no conclusive evidence of the Zodiac Killer's identity has ever been put forward. Of course, many theories exist, some of which appear to answer all of the questions one would have regarded the identity of a notorious serial killer. However, none are concrete enough to serve as solid confirmation of who he really was. This book looks at all the evidence, and tries to piece together the clues that point to the true identity of this murderer.

Who was the Zodiac Killer who terrorized residents of California during the 1960s and 1970s? The answer is still unknown. Readers take an in-depth look at the investigation that continues to fascinate Americans, discovering the details of the crimes and the search for the person who committed them. Additional information is presented through engaging sidebars and eye-catching fact boxes. Historical and contemporary photographs, including primary source images, help readers place themselves in the middle of one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in American history.

Now updated with new information! December 20, 2019, marked the 51st anniversary of the first canonical Zodiac crime, and for decades, police and amateur detectives have been searching for clues to the identity of the man whose reign of terror began the year after the "Summer of Love." After 50 years is it possible for anyone to discover anything new, anything that will unmask the infamous killer? Drew Hurst Beeson says, "Yes," and in Sighting In on The Zodiac Killer, he reveals the newly-discovered clues, fascinating connections, and compelling evidence that point to the man, hiding in plain sight, who just might be the Zodiac Killer. Drew Hurst Beeson has been exploring the unknown all his life. Inspired by Coast to Coast AM and Unsolved Mysteries, Mr. Beeson is on a mission to understand our mysterious world. Drew's first foray into true crime writing is his latest book, Sighting In on The Zodiac Killer: Unmasking America's Most Puzzling Unsolved Murders. He is also the author of The Cloak of the Brethren and Asleep in Hell and hosts a true-crime/conspiracy YouTube channel. Drew has recently been featured on a number of podcasts: Paranormal Dimensions with David Young of Paranormal U.K. Radio, Conspiracy Unlimited with Richard Syrett, The Cooper Vortex with Darren Schaeffer, and Zodiac: the Most Dangerous Game with Herschel Norman. In addition, he has appeared on radio as a storyteller on Coast to Coast AM's annual Ghost to Ghost episode and as a featured guest on Midnight in the Desert with Dave Schrader. He is currently working on a book about the Riverside murder of Cheri Jo Bates, a book on D.B. Cooper, and a novel about missing persons.