Читать книгу Crimes That Shocked The World - The Most Chilling True-Life Stories From the Last 40 Years - Danny Collins - Страница 5

Despite its title, this book is not written to shock. It comprises the stories of crimes – some hideous and repellent, some breathtakingly audacious – that have caused the world to pause and take a breath. All were committed within the last 40 years. Some may be fresh in the reader’s memory, others may be less well-known, but somewhere, somehow, they made an impact.

In collecting material for this book I studied some unpleasant reports that caused me to seriously reflect on the depth of man’s inhumanity to man. The access to these documents, many of which are kept from the public eye in police and security department vaults, was given generously and I thank those authorities for their cooperation. Other sources include police officers, members of the public, colleagues, witnesses to crimes, and the victims themselves. I thank them all. And special thanks to Mrs Jackie Tipping of Hendersen, Nevada, USA, who supplied me with cuttings on the Manson ‘Family’ and the Sharon Tate and La Bianca murders which she thought might be of interest to me. They were.

As ever, my thanks are also extended to my friends at my publishers, John Blake of London, and the support and advice shown by my indefatigable book editor, John Wordsworth.

My final words of gratitude go to my beautiful wife, Nikki, who reads my manuscripts before tactfully pointing out my more obvious mistakes with a serious expression – although I’m sure she laughs when she leaves the room – and keeps me supplied with Earl Grey tea. The research and any interpretation of the facts are mine. With that said, I must accept all responsibility for any mistakes in the text. They are mine and mine alone, although with respect I would ask you not to shoot the messenger.

Danny Collins

November, 2009

Sierra de Aitana

Spain