"The Skeleton Crew: How Amateur Sleuths are Solving America's Coldest Cases" by Deborah Halber

On July 1st, Deborah Halber is releasing an interesting book called "The Skeleton Crew: How Amateur Sleuths Are Solving America's Coldest Cases."

Deborah Halber delves into the taboo world of cold cases and their unidentified victims. With an approximated 40,000 nameless Does in America today, the task of solving cold cases is overwhelming and overtaxing to already inundated law enforcement agencies. Web sleuths, regular joes trying their hand at DIY-CSI, use the internet to troll for missing persons hoping to give identities back to the unidentified victims who have slipped through the cracks.

Though the topic of “The Skeleton Crew” is an interesting one, the technicality of the book was wanting. Halber does a good job identifying many cases and key players in the realm of web sleuthing, but the excessive names and jumping from case to case and back left me confused. The book, though well-researched, didn’t flow particularly well.

Overall, I enjoyed learning about those who work hard to bring home the unidentified. It’s a scary realization that thousands are lying unnamed in America’s morgues.

"Neighbors and Wise Men: Sacred Encounters in a Portland Pub and Other Unexpected Places" by Tony Kriz

Readers might recognize “Neighbors and Wise Men” author as Tony the Beat Poet from Donald Miller’s “Blue Like Jazz.” Tony Kriz has written his own story and, like “Blue Like Jazz,” it is special.

“Neighbors and Wise Men” is a book of thoughts. Each chapter is broken into sections based on Tony’s thoughts about living the Christian life and what it looks like sharing the Gospel. His thoughts range from his time as a broken missionary in Albania to living life at Reed College to learning Biblical truths from nonbelievers.

I loved this book. Even though it’s a book of musings, they challenge you to think about the strict guidelines Christians often impose on themselves and others- many times without thought or question. Even if you don’t agree with everything he talks about, it’s a good read to make you chew on some of the things he points out.

It’s a good read for anyone, whether you believe in God or not, because it focuses on relationships cross-culturally. I highly recommend it. It’ll end up on my Favorites shelf.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”