Speaking Volumes

Shortly after Megan wrote her October 2nd blog about the controversial book, Tender Morsels, another book has caught media attention and is causing a stir.
In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood by Brian McDonald and published by St. Martin True Crime, seems to hit a bit too close to home for those of us living in Connecticut. McDonald is the attorney for Joshua Komisarjevsky, charged with the horrific murder of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and her two daughters, Hayley and Michaela, July 23, 2007 in their home in Cheshire. The book, released on September 29th is sold out in most book stores in the area. In it, Komisarjevsky blames his crime partner Steven Hayes for the murders and gives graphic details of the time leading to the Petit deaths. There have been many news articles in area papers and comments from the public, including area lawyers, voicing their outrage and shock that the book was allowed to be published before the two men are brought to trial. William Petit told Fox 61 on Tuesday that he was "too disgusted to comment" or to give the book "any further thought."

I've read true crime ever since I can remember. I hesitate to say I'm a fan of the genre as the word fan comes from the word fanatic, and I don't think that's a fair description. Still, I've read many true crime stories over the years, many by Ann Rule, regarded as the queen in this field. Rule comes to the subject with a degree in law enforcement, and the criminal justice system. According to her website, her books deal with three topics, "the victims' stories; the detectives and prosecutors and how they solve their cases with old fashioned police work and modern forensic science, and the killers’ lives". The part that is of most interest to me is the dedication and determination of the detectives and prosecutors to find and bring to justice the person who committed these brutal crimes.

Some librarian discussion lists have pondered the question whether or not to purchase the McDonald book. Some say they won't purchase it regardless of demand. If one of their patrons want the book, they can just go buy it. A search of the state catalog returns 0 results, meaning no one in the state has added it their collection as of yet. In Columbia, we've had enough interest in the book to add it to our purchases. At this time, it is back ordered but is expected to ship in the near future. I just don't feel it's my right to judge whether or not YOU should be reading the book. What do you think?