Two of the most popular reads in a library are the "364s" (librarian for true crime books) and crime fiction. People, including myself, seem to be fascinated with crime and criminals. This is not a new phenomenon. It goes all the way back to the popularity of nineteenth century dime novels about outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid. During the 1930s the Lindbergh baby’s kidnapping and John Dillinger kept people’s rapt attention. I too enjoy the "guilty" pleasure of reading about crimes, beginning with Truman Capote’s classic In Cold Blood. I won’t attempt to analyze the psychology of this, but something about other people’s bad behavior seems to entrap readers in their web of evil.

My latest foray into crime books has been A Deadly Game: The Untold Story of the Scott Peterson Investigation by Court TV's Catherine Crier and the novel Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs.

The Peterson case grabbed America’s attention in December 2002. Laci Peterson, a beautiful mother-to-be with a killer smile, disappeared from her home on Christmas Eve. What could be more tragic? Her handsome husband Scott was left without his dazzling wife and unborn son at the most family-oriented of all holidays. The nation was mesmerized—more so than anyone could have imagined—especially Scott Peterson. Crier believes that Scott never expected the kind of attention this case would draw. She sees Scott as a classic sociopath, concerned only about his needs and desires. Needless to say she testifies to his guilt, believing his motive was to eliminate the wife and unborn child who he believed were dragging him down. A pampered youngest child, Scott saw himself as a globetrotting playboy—witness his tales to Amber Frey. This was the life that he wanted not that of a husband, father, and fertilizer salesman. Crier transports the reader step-by-step though the evidence and reaffirms the guilty verdict. Whether this case deserved the attention it garnered is open for discussion, but Crier’s retelling of it is a riveting read.

Kathy Reichs is representative of writers who are actually experienced crime fighters. Reich’s day job is as a forensic anthropologist. (The television show "Bones" is based upon her novels.) Linda Fairstein and Patricia Cornwell are two other authors who likewise have worked in criminal investigation.

Reichs’ most recent novel, Cross Bones digs into a mystery about Biblical archeology. A Montreal antiquities dealer is murdered. Before the autopsy a furtive stranger hands forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan a photograph of a skeleton, saying this skeleton was the motive for murder. The artifact was discovered at Masada, site of the ancient Jewish mass suicide. Could the skeleton be the bones of Jesus Christ, or is it possible his bones are in an ancient crypt, also holding the remains of his mother, sisters, and brothers? More will die before this mystery is solved. Cross Bones takes a headline news story (the controversy surrounding the James’ ossuary) mixes it with archeology, a touch of mystery and murder to craft a fascinating brew. Where does fact end and fiction begin? If you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, you should like Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs.

If you are not all Scott "Peterson-ed" out, the library also has:

• For Laci by Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson’s mother.
• Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson by Keith Ablow, M.D.
• Blood Brother by Anne Bird, Scott’s half sister.

Other new crime fiction includes the following:

• Death Dance by Linda Fairstein.
• Predator by Patricia Cornwell.
• The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

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