Book Detective

In a contested, lawless region between Moldova and Ukraine known as Transnistria, a tightly knit group of "honest criminals"--exiled there by Stalin-live according to strict codes of ritualized respect and fierce loyalty. Here, tattoos tell the story of a man's life, "honest" weapons are separated from "sinful" ones, and authority is always to be distrusted. Beyond the control of any government and outside the bounds of "society" as we know it, these men uphold values including respect for elders and an unwavering adherence to the truth with passion-and often by brute force.

In a voice utterly compelling and unforgettable, Nicolai Lilin, born and raised within this exotic subculture, tells the story of his moral education among the Siberian Urkas. A bestseller in his home country of Italy, this unique tale of an extreme boyhood "will produce a thrill of pleasure that is hard to forget" (Roberto Saviano).

Pimp by Iceberg Slim

Monster by Sanyika Shakur

For Laci by Sharon Rocha

My Bloody Life by Reymundo Sanchez

Party Monster by James St. James

The Corpse Had a Familiar Face by Edna Buchanan

In the Place of Justice by Wilbert Rideau

A Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummins

Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jentz

3,096 Days by Natascha Kampusch

Gaspipe by Philip Carlo

The Birthday Party by Stanley N. Alpert

While They Slept by Kathryn Harrison

After Visiting Friends by Michael Hainey

Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein

Member of the Family by Dianne Lake

A Father's Story by Lionel Dahmer

The Job by Steve Osborne

Teasing Secrets from the Dead by Emily Craig

Assuming Names by Tanya Thompson