Homicide by David Simon Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Homicide
Book Review: This book deserves more than 5 stars
Summary: 5 Stars
In this amazing true account, David Simon follows one shift of Baltimore's homicide detectives for one year. As a passive observer, he followed them from the crime scene to the emergency rooms, to the medical examiner's office, to the victims' homes and the courtroom. He has a real eye for details and he has an incredible knack for picking up dialogue and personality of individuals. I didn't notice till almost the end of the book that he wrote the entire book in present tense. This well-thought out move made the book that much more real and intense.I had real misconceptions about this book before I read it. I thought it was all about killing and the gore of killing. As a female in my 20's, this was not a book I would have reached for on my own. Had my husband not insisted, I would not have read it and now I can't praise it enough and I would recommend it to everyone who cares about their society, everyone who wants to experience the amazing lives of people they would otherwise never know.
Read it for the writing, the superb organization, the accessible language, the incredible details. David Simon is an excellent writer and journalist. This book was long, but it was never boring because David Simon experimented with it. Sometimes he wrote from the detectives' point of perspective, sometimes the victims', sometimes the criminals themselves and sometimes from his own. He really captured Baltimore in the late 80s with his keen observation and perception of what is relevant. Some of the stories he covered are crazy, if it didn't say in large print that this was all true, I would not believe it. Some of the stories are funny, some are incredibly sad, but they are all interesting and are all a part of the regular lives of the Baltimore detectives and for that matter, probably detectives in every major city in the country. I cannot praise this book enough. After reading this book, I cannot ever watch CSI or Law and Order again with the same enthusiasm. You realize how much more complex real crimes are and you just end up laughing at those TV shows. You begin to understand police work and you have a new respect for those who have devoted their lives to solving crimes. David Simon was very fair in his book, he kept it real by telling you the good and the bad. You begin to see everyone involved as real people, the police, the criminals, and the victims.
Book Review: This book is a real killer!
Summary: 5 Stars
The streets of Baltimore Maryland are mean, and dangerous. In the wrong place on thosestreets you can end up dead, or worse-- in the box with a large homicidedetective staring, shouting at you to stop lying, and start telling them what really happened. The book is a chronicle of a year, 1988 in particular that David Simon; reporter for the Baltimore Sun spent with the Homicide unit of that city's police force. It is a stark and real look into how a homicide is handled, and how not to handle it. The brass demanding a suspect, and your evidence points to no one. It will make you think, and make you apprecitate that a cop's salary is way too low and the stress is way too high. It is sometimes shocking, and sometimes amusing, but overall the book is one that should not be missed. You will have a tough time putting this book down.Book Review: Well worth a read.
Summary: 5 Stars
I did not read this book until becoming a fan of the show. I did not become a fan of the show until I saw it on Court TV. Needless to say I was late in coming to both the book and the tv show. Well, better late than never. This is an incredible book. It is the only book that I can say that I did not want it to end. I really liked the characters. What makes this even more impressive is that the characters are real. They are people that I can go to Baltimore and meet if I was motivated enough to do so (however I feel that if I did do that I would be met by some very unhappy murder cops, so for self preservation I will stay where I am.) This book actually made me think about becoming a cop. This is a great book.
Book Review: Wow!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the finest police procedural book you will ever read. A must have for fans of the show and a great read for those who have never seen it. Homicide is still the best damn show on television!Book Review: an absolute masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the most engrossing books I've ever read, more exciting and interesting than most novels. Also greatly enhances one's understanding of the fantastic TV series that grew out of this book. (I read the book after becoming a fan of the show). At the same time, it is somewhat depressing to have many illusions about the criminal justice system shattered. Specifically, it is scary to be told just how erraticaly juries can behave, and to learn how few murderers are actually caught and brought to justice.