Masters of True Crime

Chilling Stories of Murder and the Macabre

By: R. Barri Flowers - editor

Narrated by: Tara Ochs, James Edward Thomas

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Spanning murder cases from the beginning of the 20th century to today, this is a must-hear for fans of true crime and will also be compelling to mystery and thriller listeners. The contributors include Harold Schechter, Katherine Ramsland, Carol Anne Davis, Burl Barer, and other leading writers in this genre.

In February 1975, nine-year-old Marcia Trimble left her house in Nashville to deliver Girl Scout cookies in the neighborhood. She never returned. After a massive but fruitless search, her body was discovered on Easter Sunday. Outrage and horror gripped the community of Nashville, but the murder investigation was frustrated at every turn. The case went cold for three decades until it was finally solved.

In January 1997, Herbert Blitzstein was found murdered in the living room of his Las Vegas townhouse. A notorious mob insider, "Fat Herbie" had pursued loan sharking and other rackets for decades. Now, Blitzstein had been dispatched gangland style - by three bullets to the back of the head - in what appeared to be a classic contract killing. But the details of who killed him and why turned out to be much more complicated, and the real motives and circumstances remain murky to this day.

These are just two examples of the riveting stories assembled in this unparalleled collection of some of the top true crime writers in the world. Each of the 17 contributors draws on his or her own strengths, backgrounds, interests, and research skills to describe, in a vivid narrative, not only the facts of each notorious case but also the terrible emotions and macabre circumstances surrounding the crimes.

©2012 R. Barri Flowers (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

interesting and great variety of stories

I liked this book. it kept me interested and had a variety of stories. would recommend.

nice short stories

nice voices. would listen again. enjoy the book and have a good day . bye

Really interesting crimes

This was a really interesting book with a variety of different stories. The only story I didn’t care for was chapter 4 (I believe) as I don’t think “came at them like a pitbull” is an appropriate saying in 2021. Let’s break down that stigma about pit bulls. Other than that, it was really interesting. Great for true crime fans.

Another interesting one

There are some very interesting stories here, some are very shocking, some just make you want to pull within your self. I thought is was a well put together but with this type of stories I think maybe it would be best to read and not listen to it. I found my mind wondering a lot.

Mr Thomas seems like he is reading to children, I really had a hard time getting into his narration. Both narrators do give a few character voices but no emotions when they are in them. Ms. Ochs does a good job, I enjoyed her narration. There are no repeating of words, no background noise. I do think it is the type of book but I had a hard time with my mind wondering.

Listened to it from start to finish!

Awesome stories that I have never heard of (even as a true crime addict). Love the diversity of age, gender, modus operandi, time periods, etc. that this book covers

'Acceptable'didn't disappoint or blow my socks off

I liked it. Most stories I haddent heard off. Made it a nice change from the retelling of common cases we've all heard twenty different ways

Bad robo-voice...

Just an unpleasant robo-voice reading these unlabelled chapters. Content is good, but the audio book could be much better produced.

great stories

lots of crime stories that are more unknown
definitely great for a true crime person

What?

Nothing new. Just old stuff retold from the original authors view of an infamous true crime done so long ago that no longer a mystery or whodunit. Nor do narrators raise many novel questions for today's listeners to ponder.

Interesting True Stories

Great, short true crime stories. Great for listening to in the car or at night to fall asleep to.