[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars This is a fascinating book, well-written and thoroughly researched. It is about a real private detective, yet at times it reads like a novel. In addition to telling the story of Henry Slater, this book discusses identity in Victorian society including class and gender. Even the parts of the book that feel slower are interesting in painting a portrait of Slater and the society in which he lived. I was totally engrossed, even while I was appalled by some of the actions that were pertinent to the trial. Fans of historical true crime (that doesn't involve murder) and Sherlock Holmes will likely find this book interesting.
NetGalley, Katie A

As a kid in the 70's, I discovered this series with the fourth film, 1975's The Return of the Pink Panther and have been a fan since. Something about this style of comedy combined with the flair for international espionage is just such a joy. Books like this one pull back the curtain behind the film industry, providing a detailed glimpse into the making of the movies and the people involved in the process. I remembered this franchise being popular, but the details provided here point out how important it was to the United Artists studio and how rich it made both Peter Sellers and Blake Edwards (despite how contested their working relationship continued to become as each film was made). Even after Sellers' death in July of 1980, the film franchise continued on. The first (1982's Trail of the Pink Panther was a framework of a story built to utilize former footage of Sellers as Clouseau and to bring back former side characters to fill out the narrative. The storyline of this one led into.. Read more
NetGalley, Martin Maenza

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars The Royal Family vs 'The Crown': Separating Fact from Fiction by new to me historian author C. Curzon is a beautiful, enlightening, touching, very informative book that I read cover to cover in one sitting. Beautiful from start till the last page.
NetGalley, KD RBCK

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars This is a fascinating and forensic re-examination of the famous if not notorious Craig/Bentley trial and execution of perhaps a far more innocent party in Derek Bentley. Trow has gathered more evidence to update his previous book on the case and uncovers an horrific story of policemen changing and agreeing their evidence with each other, an appalling judge who became the prosecutions's best witness and the feelings of the time which were that perhaps retribution was required for the killing of a police officer and if the actual murderer was too young to hang then joint enterprise could ensure that his accomplice who probably never shouted those immortal if now made up words "let him have it, Chris" should be the sacrificial lamb. The feelings and nuances of the time are brilliantly captured by the author and this is an important, angry and opinionated book that is a difficult but essential read.
NetGalley, Greville Waterman

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars This is a must read for anyone who is interested in true crime! This goes from a-z on various true crime cases throughout history and is very informative and well researched. I would recommend this!
NetGalley, Victoria Thompson