Perfect Murder, Perfect Town

Great book! I think it gives a very detailed and unbiased view of the case. This was the first book I read on the Jonbenet Ramsey case and I think this should be the first book everyone interested in the case should read. Then move on to Paula Woodward's book(s).

Some complain there are too many details in this book, but in real crime (as opposed to a Murder Mystery), the details (both present and missing) are part of the actual story. This book presents a lot of evidence. But at the same time this is the story of how the politics and clashing personalities has an effect on how a murder investigation proceeds. Reading this book is both a journey through the evidence and an insight into how the humanity of the police makes the results quite different then a collection of cyborg detectives might perform.

Schiller lays it all out for us. He clearly demonstrates why this case has for so long perplexed the FBI, the police, private detectives, friends and foe of the Ramsey's, and the American public. This is not in anyway an unsatisfying read for those of us that want to learn about every theory, every scenario, every detail, not out of morbid fascination but because this is a mind-boggling case. It is the firsthand accounts of people who new the Ramsey's and their family, those who witnessed the Ramsey's in those first hours in the aftermath of finding JonBenet's body, those who sifted through testimonies, and what remained of uncompromised evidence. It is not the author's intent to tell you "Who Dunit" but to provide (which he does, brilliantly) information and scenarios that proves a clear cut answer to this crime was and still seems to be up there in limbo. Remember the case of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain and baby Azaria? - that story certainly serves as a cautionary tale to those of us who would smugly rush to judgement about the Ramsey's guilt. To convict, especially in a case so "celebrated" as this, there has to be powerful, indisputable evidence that leaves no room for "reasonable doubt." A case plagued by monumental blunders; a couple tried and convicted in the media; and the diametrically opposed points of view passionately held by all manner of officials involved in this case can not produce the "killer" in a nice neat package - no matter how certain people are that "they're guilty" or "they're innocent!" Isn't that one of the points that Schiller makes clear? I read this book in two evenings and could not put it down.

This book gives an overview of the case thus far as well as a look at all of the childish bickering that has gone on between the police, the Ramsey attorneys and Hunter. The account within the pages has given me some insight as to why the public has charged the Ramseys with the murder. There is a wealth of information that leave me with questions as toward the parent's innocence. Why won't they take a polygraph? for example. Also the enhanced 911 call that reveals John talking to Burke. While the writer does not set out to accuse anybody of the murder, this book gives credance to the public suspicion of the Ramseys.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with *any* interest in the JonBenet Ramsey murder. If you've got any "reasonable doubt" of your own, it's my opinion that this book (by way of the evidence, and interviews presented) will make it quite clear "who dunnit". Unfortunately, the book still leaves at least one nagging question, but through no fault of the author. Only when justice is done, will this story have a satisfactory conclusion. This is the best six bucks and change I've spent in a long time.

If you're a reader of typical true-crime books and require a format with a beginning, middle, and end in order to be satisfied, you may be disappointed by PMPT. But if you are an armchair detective who loves to have access to tons of details that allow you to draw your own conclusions, you should love it as much as I did. Many complain that it is just a rehash of information that was already known. I don't agree. Tucked into these pages you'll meet characters who have not made the news and you'll discover new details about those who have. The book's format is primarily chronological which may, to some, appear to be poor organization. I think it's perfect organization. This volume is a collection of historical artifacts related to the crime and to the town (at least the part of the town that is connected to the investigation of the crime and/or its political makeup). Do not expect to be given a point of view of by the authors. That is not their purpose. They merely offer information and leave it to you to decide if it's pertinent. In that way, the book is like an investigation. Investigators must collect all manner of information and sort through it to get to what they believe has some bearing on the crime. Schiller and Brennan provide you with that opportunity -- via interviews with, and facts about, a vast array of characters and background information on the environment in which the Ramsey murder was committed. Some of the material may not be of interest to you (all of it interested me), but it's easy enough to skip ahead to what does interest you. The text is divided up into somewhat brief narrative nuggets, each of which deals with a specific interview or piece of information or event. As you begin each nugget you will quickly see if this is an area that excites your interest. My only complaints: no pictures, no index, and I wish I'd known that a floor plan of the house and a descriptive list of characters was waiting at the back of the book. I would have liked to have used the floor plan and character list as I read, but did not know either was there until I reached the end of the book. A list of errata and corrections created by the publisher and an index to the book created by readers are available online (visit Mrs. Brady's site to get the links). If you're just now starting the book, search out these valuable resources and keep them at your side as you read.