Week 24: Sum it up!. Between 1933 and 1945, millions of children were displaced as a result of persecution by the Nazis and their collaborators. After World War II, relief agencies photographed some of the children who survived to help find their families. Now, more than 65 years later, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is working to discover what became of these young survivors. Will you help find them? Please check out this website and see if you recognize any of these children.
And while we are at it finding people, you might want to check in with my PI friends over at “Guns, Gams, and Gumshoes” a blog by a couple of private investigators who also happen to be writers. Known as the Writing PIs, they are going on a virtual book blog tour to promote their new book “How to write a Dick” by Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman. “At each stop, we’ll be posting new articles on investigative tips and techniques (with the occasional true-crime PI story).”
So far, the touring schedule is:
Thursday, July 7: Jungle Red Writers
Thursday, July 14: Mystery Writing Is Murder
Tuesday, August 2: Mystery/Romance Writer Terry Odell’s Terry’s Place
Thursday, August 11: Defrosting Cold Cases
Thursday, August 25: Mystery writer Patria Stoltey’s blog
I am very excited about this virtual book blog tour and honoured to host the Writing PIs on August 11, 2011. Tune in then to DCC for a unique experience. The schedule will be updated on the Writing PIs own blog.
Steve Hodel, the author of “Black Dahlia Avenger” and “Most Evil” is working on a new book, he told Vidster. As you know, the Black Dahlia is scheduled for our #cclivechat on July 15, 2011. All the core participants are all reading up on the case. Hodel republished “Thicker ‘n Thieves” by Sgt. Charler Stoker. Sgt Stoker’s analysis gave Hodel the grounding he needed for the charges he makes in the book Black Dahlia Avenger.
“ The Stoker Story originally published in 1951 and written by a rank-and-file LAPD vice-cop, reveals 1940s Los Angeles as it was-“THE CITY OF ANGLES.” Inside these pages you will read how a Main Street street-walker, Marie Mitchell, zoomed to national fame as Brenda Allen-L.A.’s notorious vice queen-with the help and protection of the “city fathers” in cahoots with the underworld. You will “listen in” on the wire-tap recordings of Brenda getting her instructions from the high brass on the police force…you won’t believe the conniving, crime-full corruption, that cost Stoker his job when he finally trapped, call house madame, Brenda Allen.
Sgt. Stoker’s expose provides us with a real-time ride-along with LAPD as they secretly wire-tap gangster Mickey Cohen’s mansion, then demand $20,000 in extortion monies for the incriminating tapes. You are present in the jury-room as Sgt. Stoker presents his secret testimony to the 1949 Grand Jury, detailing police corruption and pay-offs. His whistle-blowing revelations resulted in a felony indictment and the forced retirement of LAPD Chief of Police, C.B. “Cowboy” Horrall as well as causing formal charges to be filed against four of Horrall’s top command officers.”
“The original 1951 hardback limited edition of T’NT by Sidereal Company, Los Angeles, is long out of print. (The few rare copies listed for sale on the Internet, are priced between $300-$500). This republished paperback edition makes “Thicker ‘N Thieves – The Stoker Story” available to the general public for the first time since its original limited printing some sixty-years ago. This 2011 edition is true to the original. None of the author’s words have been changed or edited. Additions to the 2011 edition include: A Foreword by Steve Hodel, NYT bestselling author and retired LAPD homicide detective; photographs and “Line-Up” of many of the original “players” named in the Stoker Story.”
Steve did a podcast with Lt. Raymond Foster a.k.a. @policeofficer on Twitter!
Derek Sherwood is busy getting his book about the Betsy Aardsma case out. More information about the book will be posted here on DCC soon.
The magazine “North & South” published in July 2010 an article about the Crewe Murders in which Vivien Harrison defended her ex-husband Arthur Allen Thomas. “What I did was end my marriage to Arthur. But I did not desert him. I know Arthur did not kill those people and I will declare his innocence until the day I die.” And she did. Vivien never stopped defending him. She passed away on April 8, 2011.
Chris Birt wrote a book about the Crewe murders, The Final Chapter, in 2001. His research led him to concentrate on Jeannette’s father Len Demler as the main suspect. In the June 2011 edition of the magazine “North & South” another article explores the Crewe Murders with particular focus on “Who fed the baby?” More about that later. Chris Birt’s book about the Crewe Murders is out of print. However, if anyone wants a PDF copy then email Chris at [email protected] for details about the book, costs, etc.
Enjoy!