Reading “The Bike Path Killer,” it quickly becomes obvious — if it wasn’t before — that the book was written by two journalists.
The first few chapters of the book are filled with the meticulous details one would come to expect from a quality reporter — everything from a victim’s eating habits to the time her husband leaves for work to the political agenda of the county executive is revealed.
The only problem is that such details, as valuable as they are, get in the way sometimes when you’re telling a story.
“Killer” outlines the circumstances surrounding the rapes and murders committed by Altemio Sanchez across Erie County over a 30-year period. Written by Buffalo News reporters Maki Becker and Michael Beebe, the book offers a wealth of information culled from the newspaper’s coverage of the case as well as police reports and other information gleaned over the years.
It makes for a great collection of facts and is a must-read for anyone who’s ever had any questions about the case. But as a narrative, it could be better.
The book mainly follows the timeline from the slaying of Joan Diver in September 2006 to Sanchez’s sentencing in August 2007. Along the way, it follows the efforts of the task force that was put together to solve the crime, as well as the rapes and murders that were subsequently attributed to the same defendant.
Excellent is the information provided on Diver’s husband, who was initially a suspect, and the task force members who worked on holidays, broke family engagements and went without sleep in pursuit of the killer. The details the authors provide on the assaults and follow-up investigation tell everything that needs to be known and are as thorough as thorough gets (fascinatingly humorous, for example, is the tidbit that the Sanchez family initially called auto injury attorney William Mattar to defend Altemio; Mattar referred the family to Altemio’s eventual lawyer, Andrew C. LoTempio).
Also of particular interest are the facts conveyed by Sanchez after he was caught; he eventually confessed and pleaded guilty so as to not subject his family to hearing the details of his crimes, but he offered that information to investigators later on. As disturbing as the subject matter is, there’s something compelling about getting into a criminal’s mind and hearing why he did what he did.
But the book has a few flaws. Many details are repeated, with some points repeated six times or more (if this was for emphasis, the move was unnecessary). The authors did a good job of getting the reactions of victims and their families, but the way that information was woven into the story — as well as the frequent flashbacks that offered insight into past crimes — made for a choppy read.
This book is good, but it would have been great if it was tightened up. Cutting out repeated information and useless details could have trimmed 50 pages out of it, making for a far better final product.
Crime buffs will love this book, and due to its local interest it would be a worthwhile read for anyone here. As far as true-life criminal narratives go, however, “The Bike Path Killer” is a notch or two below the head of the pack.
Contact Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.
IF YOU READ
• WHAT: “The Bike Path Killer”
• BY: Maki Becker and Michael Beebe
• DETAILS: Published by Kensington Publishing Corp., 310 pages
• GRADE: B
Lifestyle
Related Photos
BOOK REVIEW: Journalists chronicle hunt for Bike Path Killer
- Lifestyle
-
-
Someone's gotta do it
Even though it's Christmas, emergency and health personnel still have to work
-
Celebrating another winter holiday, with lights
Jewish community observing fifth day of eight-day festival of Hanukkah.
-
FORGIONE: 'New Rick' is getting a little crazy
The “old Rick” would never have woken up at 4 a.m. Let’s face it, it wasn’t too many years ago that fun son of a gun would still be out at 4 a.m., probably devouring steak, eggs and homefries somewhere in Buffalo following an Elmwood Avenue bar crawl.
-
BOOK NOOK: “The Bestest, Specialist Christmas Ever”
• WHAT: “The Bestest, Specialist Christmas Ever”
• BY: Priscilla Y. Hill; illustrations by Anwar Morse
• GRADE: B+ -
DELUCA: Keeping Christmas ... all through the year
It was a holiday behavior my husband brought into our lives from his family. Santa always delivered his family Christmas tree. -
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Kids, Christmas presents and a certain wisdom
To quote John Lennon, “And so this is Christmas.”
-
HOMEWARD BOUND
Kenmore native’s note found on bottom of bunk canvas in Vietnam-era transport ship, included in traveling exhibit
-
BOOK NOOK: A complicated relationship with our hometown, in quotes
As we all remember from fourth grade, owning property out here goes back to the Holland Land Company. So does making remarks about the area.
-
HAYNES: Eliminating the Cheez Whiz from a favorite Christmas dish
Ah, it’s nearly time for round two of holiday dinners and as you read this, I’ll be sitting down to enjoy my annual family Christmas feast in Texas.
-
HAYNES: Patriotic streak showed on July 4 as child
I think the Fourth of July is probably one of my mother’s favorite holidays because it gives her an excuse to tell one of the more embarrassing — if a bit charming — stories from my childhood.
- More Lifestyle Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
