Obsessed with True Crime discussion

Do you think an author should publish a book before the final outcome of a crime or should they wait until after the trial to publish, even though it could be a long time, maybe even a year or two? Or would you prefer to read about it right away and then read a different book after everything is final?

I prefer to read a book after the trial, at least the first trial. However I know some authors have said their agent/publisher might push for book so they have to finish before the trial.

Koren wrote: "Do you think an author should publish a book before the final outcome of a crime or should they wait until after the trial to publish, even though it could be a long time, maybe even a year or two?..."

Koren, this is a good question although I have read books out before the trial started which I didn't appreciate plus then you have to read the whole thing over again. I think it would be more interesting to read it when all is said and done.

I agree with Bella; "instant paperbacks" are as unsatisfying as they are cheap to buy.

I'll tell you all why I asked that question. Where I live there is one unsolved murder- total- in our county. It goes back to 1975. I didnt know the victim but she was 2 years ahead of me in a small school so I knew who she was and her mother was a business person in our town so everyone pretty much knew her or a member of her family. Now all these years later a retired cop has been investigating the murder and thinks there is enough to bring charges but the local sheriff's department refuses to do anything. The retired investigator has started a Facebook page about the murder and will not name the suspect but has dropped enough hints that people have pretty much figured it out. There are lots of plot twists here as there seem to be members of the suspects family who think he did it. The suspect molested his sister's 6 year old daughter and it was never reported because their father was giving them money to keep their business afloat and the father blackmailed them by telling them he would not give them any more money if they reported the molestation. So during this guys investigation he is getting lots of women saying they were also molested by their fathers about this same time. Anyway, that's the short version of the story. I have a vested interest in the story because I worked with the girl that was molested when she was 6 and she told me several years ago that he was a suspect and I also worked with her mother, the sister of the suspect. Now the sister died a few months ago, the father and his wife have died, so after 43 years quite a few of the witnesses have passed away.

Anyway, the reason I asked the question is because this guy says he has been told he should write a book about the crime, but I'm thinking about suggesting to him that it would be better to wait until at least the guy has been charged, but I think better to wait until the case is over.

If anyone is interested in the facebook page, here is the link. I think it is an open group. Not sure. I dont know if you have to have facebook to see it.

https://www.facebook.com/Justice-for-...

Koren wrote: "Do you think an author should publish a book before the final outcome of a crime or should they wait until after the trial to publish, even though it could be a long time, maybe even a year or two?..."

Koren,
That's a good question. My thought is that if authors wait until there is a final outcome we would miss out on a lot of excellent books about cold crimes.

I would definitely read a book like the one you describe, Koren -- I thought you were talking instant paperbacks. Those are pretty meh, but a good cold-case investigation is an entirely different matter.

Unless Steve Hodel wrote it and it's ANOTHER book about his dad. :)

Say, has this investigator done an end run around the local sheriff to talk to the county prosecutor or the state police? They might be willing to move on an investigation if the sheriff won't budge.

Fishface wrote: "I would definitely read a book like the one you describe, Koren -- I thought you were talking instant paperbacks. Those are pretty meh, but a good cold-case investigation is an entirely different m..."

I know he has talked to the county prosecutor, and I am pretty sure I read he has talked to someone on the state level. I'd have to read through all the posts to be sure. There are a lot of layers to this investigation, but I tried to make the story as succinct as possible.

I will let you know if he gets that book written.

Koren wrote: "I'll tell you all why I asked that question. Where I live there is one unsolved murder- total- in our county. It goes back to 1975. I didnt know the victim but she was 2 years ahead of me in a smal..."

I would read that book.

IIRC Ann Rule wrote a book with unsolved cases, cases that had gone unsolved for years. It was pretty interesting. Frustrating to read, but interesting.

Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "IIRC Ann Rule wrote a book with unsolved cases, cases that had gone unsolved for years. It was pretty interesting. Frustrating to read, but interesting."

You all have convinced me that this would be an interesting book even if the case isn't solved. Maybe it will never be solved but if a book was written it should bring attention to it by the people that can make that happen. There are more twists and turns to this story but I tried to make it as brief as possible.

Fishface wrote: "I agree with Bella; "instant paperbacks" are as unsatisfying as they are cheap to buy."

I read paperbacks always but they sure aren't instant. I have to wait months before they come out, but certainly worth the wait.

Koren wrote: "I'll tell you all why I asked that question. Where I live there is one unsolved murder- total- in our county. It goes back to 1975. I didnt know the victim but she was 2 years ahead of me in a smal..."

Koren, I sure hope they can find justice for this beautiful young woman even though it has been so long unsolved.

I was a young newlywed at the time of the murder. We lived in a town that no one locked their doors at night but we did after that happened.

Koren wrote: "I was a young newlywed at the time of the murder. We lived in a town that no one locked their doors at night but we did after that happened."

Koren, my town was like that when I was growing up. I miss the innocence we had as a kid plus the excitement of playing hide & go seek and jumping for joy! How we all couldn't wait to start school and see everyone in September. That is gone in this new world and it will never come back. It is sad.

I prefer after the trial, anything before seems unfinished

Rita wrote: "Koren wrote: "I was a young newlywed at the time of the murder. We lived in a town that no one locked their doors at night but we did after that happened."

Koren, my town was like that when I was ..."

What I miss the most is sending kids out to play and not worrying about them until it was time to come in for the evening.

Koren wrote: "Rita wrote: "Koren wrote: "I was a young newlywed at the time of the murder. We lived in a town that no one locked their doors at night but we did after that happened."

Koren, my town was like tha..."

Yes, me too Koren. For myself growing up it was so exciting to play jacks, hopscotch and hide & seek especially after dinner in the summer. I love listening to the birds chirping in the morning and evening and still do. It was so peaceful. I also feel lucky my friends and I had the privilege of being children in our early years. It is almost like the future is going backwards now. I feel bad for these kids in this 21st century. I would be lost.

In answer to the original question: it depends. If the case is coming to trial or has the probability of coming to trial in the near future, then wait to publish until after the verdict. If it's a cold case, that's another story (ha ha).

K.A. wrote: "In answer to the original question: it depends. If the case is coming to trial or has the probability of coming to trial in the near future, then wait to publish until after the verdict. If it's a ..."

I guess we did get off topic. Also, I like your answer.