I've never read a true crime book that never really reveals the crime.
Peter Braunstein apparently was given the nick names "Fire Fiend" and "Pervy Pete", but the author never tells us why. The first page of the book does tell us that he 'Waged an 18-month harassment campaign against his former girlfriend." Gell goes on to say: "he dressed up like a fireman on Halloween night and attacked another woman, one he barely knew. Before the armed robberies and the manhunt, he had planned to murder 'Vogue' editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour."
As most true crime aficionados know, the description of the crime should take at least two or three chapters. The crime should be described in detail. Those of us who read these book have enquiring minds, we want to know.
After the initial two or three paragraphs, Gell goes on to reveal that he was reluctant to write this book because he knew Braunstein and one of the victims.
Gell does write the book, but he shouldn't have bothered. "Speak of the Devil" is boring with supposed interviews that give Braunstein a chance to act like a sophisticated, educated man; however, he never talks about his crime. He talks about this person and that person, but never what he did to be in jail.
There are a few paragraphs that give the reader an insight into murders, molesters and robbers. Of course since we don't know exactly what his crimes were, it's wasted information. The little bit of information that is given to the reader is not enough to make this e-book even mildly interesting. Save your $1.99 for another day and another book.
Here is the Wiki piece on Braunstein. He does have some education, or at least the article says he does. The article does shine much more light on his crimes, which were sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary and robbery. He was acquitted on the charge of arson.
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