Write a “book report” based on any “true crime” novel that describes a serious or violent crime (don’t choose a work of fiction). The only other restrictions on the novel are that it must be at least 150 pages in length, and it must give a detailed description not only of the crime(s), but also of the criminal(s). Provide enough detail about the background, actions, motivations and thoughts of the offender(s). Therefore, don’t use novels written from the perspective of the victim(s), or those that focus on the details of the police investigation. Also, don’t use a book where the offender is unknown (e.g. The Zodiac or the Jack the Ripper murders)! Should have a simple title page containing the title, your name, the course number, and the date. It should also have a bibliography describing the book you have read. If you use direct quotes or specific references in your book report they must be properly cited (ex. Capote (1976: 35) stated that Perry was a “cold blooded killer who murdered his victims without remorse”.) Book report should accomplish the following objectives: Describe the way the crime was committed (ex. The setting, the M.O., was it premeditated?) Describe who the victims were, and why they were targeted (ex. The gender of the victim, why were they at the crime scene, why might they have been chosen as opposed to other victims?) Describe who the perpetrator(s) were (ex. His/her physical characteristics, background, employment status etc.) Describe what the outcome of the case was (ex. Was the perpetrator caught, brought to trial, imprisoned, executed?)
