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bookwoman37's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
3.75
I liked reading this book. This true crime book has it all greed and murder and is set in 1970s Los Angeles. The author has done a lot of research and the book is well written and the story moves along at a brisk pace. Enjoy
jordangleaton's review against another edition
2.0
This book has an interesting plot and the writing does drawl the reader in and make them want to see what is happening and finish the story. However the book does slow down significantly and that makes completing the story all the way thru. Fair warning, one must have a pretty good attention span in order to not this a DNF.
cassies_books_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
It’s the 1970s in Los Angeles three people go into a business venture together, real estate and they name their business Space Matters. Jerry Schneiderman and Richard Kasparov design office interiors for small and large firms. These two partner become extremely successful, so they decide to expand their business and dive into home renovations and become part of the construction boom that’s happening . They hire a construction supervisor who has a construction license and in walks in Howard Garrett. Richard begins to steal from Jerry unbeknownst to him and soon begins to steal from Howard after he’s offered partnership. Howard who wasn’t as trusting as Jerry discovers the theft pretty quickly. Soon Howard is threatening and demanding half of the illegal funds and when Richard doesn’t pay he becomes angry. Soon Howard sues the company and this is where Jerry becomes aware of the theft. Soon Howard puts liens on the houses and work has stopped. Jerry stops the partnership with Richard. Howard is not happy he doesn’t have any money coming in and on top of everything he feels used and disrespected and wants revenge. How does Howard get revenge you ask? MURDER! He gathers a group of drug addicts and other low life’s and takes matters in his own hands! We watch as there are hits taken out on his former partners and just how far a man will go for revenge and greed! This is a true crime book but going in you can gather whats going to happen. You can tell the author did their research and I enjoyed it four stars!
crolovr's review against another edition
4.0
Chip Jacob's has written a well investigated true crime story that reads like a novel. This book had me at the prologue.
Charismatic Richard Kasparov and nerdy Jerry Schneiderman are partners in Space Matters, a real estate development company.
When Richard talks Jerry into expanding, they hire Howard Garrett as a site manager. Richard hired him for his contractors license and line of credit.
When Howard realizes that Richard is stealing from him and the company, he quits. With vengeance on his mind, Howard hires a band of misfits that bungle several assassination attempts. Will Howard succeed in murdering Richard and Jerry before he is caught?
This true story takes place in 1979 Los Angeles. A story of greed, blackmail and murder that True Crime fans will enjoy. Thank you @cjwriter and @suzyapprovedbooktours for including me on this tour.
Charismatic Richard Kasparov and nerdy Jerry Schneiderman are partners in Space Matters, a real estate development company.
When Richard talks Jerry into expanding, they hire Howard Garrett as a site manager. Richard hired him for his contractors license and line of credit.
When Howard realizes that Richard is stealing from him and the company, he quits. With vengeance on his mind, Howard hires a band of misfits that bungle several assassination attempts. Will Howard succeed in murdering Richard and Jerry before he is caught?
This true story takes place in 1979 Los Angeles. A story of greed, blackmail and murder that True Crime fans will enjoy. Thank you @cjwriter and @suzyapprovedbooktours for including me on this tour.
geauxgetlit's review against another edition
4.0
Chip Jacob’s did a remarkable job researching this true crime story about a real estate company’s owners about the unethical and dark crimes that were committed. This was set in the late 70’s in the Las Angeles are and I really enjoyed reading about pop culture stars during this time period and beyond.
If you are looking for a true crime book filled with murder, dark mischief and historical inferences, look no further, you will thoroughly enjoy this one!
If you are looking for a true crime book filled with murder, dark mischief and historical inferences, look no further, you will thoroughly enjoy this one!
bibliophilelair96's review against another edition
5.0
Was a good book to read. Couldn't put down it was really instering book to read. Five star book. I'm not sure who would like this book. Kept me pulled into it. Took about a week to read it. Not sure who to recommend this book to. Cover seems to fit to what the book is about. I'm not sure if I'm gonna reread this book or not. Not sure what book groups would like this book. Would be a good book to use for a readathon.
Not sure if it will be a series of not.
Blurb is what caught my eye for this book. I told my husband about it but he wasn't into it . I'm really confused to who I would recommend this to. It's a good book for sure and I couldn't put it down but that's just my thoughts . It ended like their could be more of it.
Wasn't a bad book to read.
Five star read. Wish their was a little bit more to give for this book but it was good to what it was about.
Didn't take long to read.
Not sure if it will be a series of not.
Blurb is what caught my eye for this book. I told my husband about it but he wasn't into it . I'm really confused to who I would recommend this to. It's a good book for sure and I couldn't put it down but that's just my thoughts . It ended like their could be more of it.
Wasn't a bad book to read.
Five star read. Wish their was a little bit more to give for this book but it was good to what it was about.
Didn't take long to read.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of The Darkest Glare in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Darkest Glare, written by Chip Jacobs is a true crime novel, one that, as the title promises, is full of murder, blackmail, and so much more.
Set in 1979 Los Angeles, this novel dives into a very real series of crimes. It follows Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman. Two construction workers, by most appearances. But anybody who has spent time reading a crime novel, true or not, knows how deceptive looks can be.
Before I dive into my review, I want to be upfront about something. I don't typically read true crime novels. It's not my cup of tea, and in general, I have no problem with violence or gore, but when I know it really happened? Then it tends to be too much for me.
Yet there was something about The Darkest Glare that caught my attention. Maybe it was simply because I was able to actually read a sample on BookishFirst – not something I generally get to do with books outside of my preferred genres.
Whatever it was, I wanted to give The Darkest Glare a proper chance, and read it all the way through. Overall, I found it to be a fascinating (yet dark – naturally) read. It wasn't what I expected, but I consider that to be a positive thing.
One thing that impressed me (but might prove how little true crime I read) is just how much research went into this novel. You can really tell how much work Chip Jacobs put into getting it all together, and it all seems to flow pretty smoothly. There's no sense of info-dumping, for lack of a better description.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The Darkest Glare, written by Chip Jacobs is a true crime novel, one that, as the title promises, is full of murder, blackmail, and so much more.
Set in 1979 Los Angeles, this novel dives into a very real series of crimes. It follows Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman. Two construction workers, by most appearances. But anybody who has spent time reading a crime novel, true or not, knows how deceptive looks can be.
Before I dive into my review, I want to be upfront about something. I don't typically read true crime novels. It's not my cup of tea, and in general, I have no problem with violence or gore, but when I know it really happened? Then it tends to be too much for me.
Yet there was something about The Darkest Glare that caught my attention. Maybe it was simply because I was able to actually read a sample on BookishFirst – not something I generally get to do with books outside of my preferred genres.
Whatever it was, I wanted to give The Darkest Glare a proper chance, and read it all the way through. Overall, I found it to be a fascinating (yet dark – naturally) read. It wasn't what I expected, but I consider that to be a positive thing.
One thing that impressed me (but might prove how little true crime I read) is just how much research went into this novel. You can really tell how much work Chip Jacobs put into getting it all together, and it all seems to flow pretty smoothly. There's no sense of info-dumping, for lack of a better description.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
bunny_herondale's review against another edition
DNF
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Uncorrected Copy
This book just wasn't for me, everything sounded so interesting and the first pages were amazing but then... I just couldn't read more, I didn't click with the story which is a shame because this sounded like a book I could really like and enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Uncorrected Copy
This book just wasn't for me, everything sounded so interesting and the first pages were amazing but then... I just couldn't read more, I didn't click with the story which is a shame because this sounded like a book I could really like and enjoy.
sashacarpenter's review against another edition
4.0
Richard Kasparov and Jerry Schneiderman want to be a part of the construction boom, specifically space planning, in 1970s Los Angeles, and go so far as to hire a contractor to oversee construction for their company: Construction Management, Too (CM-2). Soon greed and money causes the company to implode, and one person, hell-bent on revenge, has the other two in his crosshairs. A true story about murder, blackmail, and the effects of greed, The Darkest Glare examines a murder-for-profit corporation that left absolute devastation and death in its wake.
The Darkest Glare was truly an enjoyable true crime novel. It is well written and as I read it I felt as though Jacobs had done a thorough job of researching the events surrounding Richard, Jerry and the murder-for-profit corporation, and the way in which he came across the information--revealed at the end and in, I felt, just the right way--strengthened my opinion. Jacobs inserts the backstories of the main individuals at just the right time, adding pertinent background information without going into too much detail and without giving too much away. It reads more like a story and less like a simple covering of the facts and events, which makes it a very enjoyable page-turner.
Also included was a short story called ‘Paul & Chuck’ about Paul Morantz, a lawyer who successfully prosecuted Synanon, and Chuck Dederich, its leader. Ultimately an attempt was made on his life through the use of a rattlesnake. This story was a great surprise, especially since I have an interest in cults and, after reading Hollywood Park, written by Synanon survivor Mikel Jollett, I have wanted to read more about the group and the events surrounding them. The connection to “Tex” Watson was an interesting little fact! I greatly enjoyed this bonus short story.
I highly recommend The Darkest Glare, even if you aren’t a big reader of non-fiction. It is a quick-paced novel that any fan of true crime novels will enjoy. Thank you to BookishFirst and Rare Bird Books for gifting me an electronic copy of The Darkest Glare in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
The Darkest Glare was truly an enjoyable true crime novel. It is well written and as I read it I felt as though Jacobs had done a thorough job of researching the events surrounding Richard, Jerry and the murder-for-profit corporation, and the way in which he came across the information--revealed at the end and in, I felt, just the right way--strengthened my opinion. Jacobs inserts the backstories of the main individuals at just the right time, adding pertinent background information without going into too much detail and without giving too much away. It reads more like a story and less like a simple covering of the facts and events, which makes it a very enjoyable page-turner.
Also included was a short story called ‘Paul & Chuck’ about Paul Morantz, a lawyer who successfully prosecuted Synanon, and Chuck Dederich, its leader. Ultimately an attempt was made on his life through the use of a rattlesnake. This story was a great surprise, especially since I have an interest in cults and, after reading Hollywood Park, written by Synanon survivor Mikel Jollett, I have wanted to read more about the group and the events surrounding them. The connection to “Tex” Watson was an interesting little fact! I greatly enjoyed this bonus short story.
I highly recommend The Darkest Glare, even if you aren’t a big reader of non-fiction. It is a quick-paced novel that any fan of true crime novels will enjoy. Thank you to BookishFirst and Rare Bird Books for gifting me an electronic copy of The Darkest Glare in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
danireads1225's review against another edition
4.0
I love true crime books, and this did not disappoint! It’s one thing to hear about all the scams being pulled in construction, but to read this is an entirely different experience. I also enjoyed reading the aftermath and getting full closure. Great book!