The Criminology Shelf

Cranks in a Bucket: A Portrait of the British Prison System
Chris Howell
Michael Terence Publishing
https://www.mtp.agency
9781800944497, $11.99, 124pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cranks-Bucket-Portrait-British-Prison/dp/1800944497

Synopsis: Have you ever been curious about what really happens behind the p= rison walls? With the publication of "Cranks in a Bucket: A Portrait of the=
British Prison System", author Chris Howell takes his readers on a journey=
down the rabbit hole -- and they will never look at prisons and justice in=
the same way again.

It really is not what you think or imagine. The British Penal System is an = artificial world packed to the brim with Cranks, gimps and the odd decent h= uman being. -- What could possibly go wrong?

Critique: Chris Howell was born and raised in Birmingham England, where he = picked up a knack for writing whilst serving a lengthy prison sentence. He = was sentenced to 14 years to life, and his time began in 2007 and ended whe=
n he was released in 2022. In writing "Cranks in a Bucket: A Portrait of th=
e British Prison System" he is trying to give back to the world after takin=
g so much from it. Exceptionally well written and presented, "Cranks in a B= ucket" provides thoughtful and thought-provoking insights into the undergro= und, the underworld, the criminal, and the marginalized in society -- how t= hey live and why they live like that. While also available for personal rea= ding lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.80), "Cranks in a Bucket" i=
s a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, communit=
y, and academic library Prison/Penology collections and supplemental Crimin= ology curriculum studies syllabus.

Golden Tongue
Richard Roland Bailey Jr., author
Annette Marie Hoffman, author
Dorrance Publishing Company
585 Alpha Drive, Suite 103, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.dorrancepublishing.com
9798603906232, $18.95, PB, 219pp

https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Tongue-Heiress-innocent-forever/dp/B084B1HT7Q

Synopsis: On January 1, 1977, Richard Bailey's life changed forever. He exp= erienced the enormity of emotional extremes ranging from spending New Year'=
s Eve, dancing with the 'Lady of his Dreams', to a wonderful night of roman=
ce at the Waldoff Astoria, to her 'no-show' on February 19, 1977, in Florid=
a, and finally, the devastation of her disappearance that 20 years later wo= uld find him being accused of the murder of Helen Voorhees Brach.

Brach was known as the "Candy Heiress", a woman who lived a life of Luxury = and prestige. Her mansion in the northern suburbs of Chicago was staffed wi=
th butlers and housekeepers, but all of that couldn't compete with her love=
of horses.

Brach was the wealthiest woman to ever disappear, vanished without a trace =
in 1977. Her disappearance sparked national attention and her male suitor R= ichard Bailey was swept into the limelight of this enduring murder mystery.

There were several suspects, but never a conviction, at least until federal=
prosecutors came after Richard Bailey, a Chicago area stable owner. "Golde=
n Tongue: Volume I" tells the story through the eyes of Dr. Annette Hoffman=
, a plastic surgeon who fell madly in love with a stranger, Richard Bailey.

Will Dr. Hoffman believe in Richard's innocence or guilt? Dr. Hoffman is sl= ung into the drama and sensationalism of who killed the "Candy Heiress" Hel=
en Brach. "Golden Tongue" is the story of a search for Truth involving love=
, lies, murder, the Mafia, a rogue prosecutor and a detective, and a justic=
e system that isn't just!

"Golden Tongue" is also a story is being told by the man that has been sent= enced to a death penalty by his age and his health -- a man that has proven=
the "facts" that should have released him.

Critique: "Golden Tongue" is a fascinating and compelling read that will be=
of profound interest to readers with an interest in true crime stories. Wh= ile highly recommended as an addition to personal, professional, community,=
college, and university library Criminology collections, it should also be=
noted that "Golden Tongue" is also available in a digital book format (Kin= dle, $9.95).

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