Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets

David Simon

Apr 2007 · Sold by Holt Paperbacks

About this ebook

From the creator of HBO's The Wire, the classic book about homicide investigation that became the basis for the hit television show

The scene is Baltimore. Twice every three days another citizen is shot, stabbed, or bludgeoned to death. At the center of this hurricane of crime is the city's homicide unit, a small brotherhood of hard men who fight for whatever justice is possible in a deadly world.

David Simon was the first reporter ever to gain unlimited access to a homicide unit, and this electrifying book tells the true story of a year on the violent streets of an American city. The narrative follows Donald Worden, a veteran investigator; Harry Edgerton, a black detective in a mostly white unit; and Tom Pellegrini, an earnest rookie who takes on the year's most difficult case, the brutal rape and murder of an eleven-year-old girl.

Originally published fifteen years ago, Homicide became the basis for the acclaimed television show of the same name. This new edition—which includes a new introduction, an afterword, and photographs—revives this classic, riveting tale about the men who work on the dark side of the American experience.

Ratings and reviews

True life depiction of the streets of West Baltimore. No fictionalized fabrication of the atmosphere of one of America's most crime ridden cities. Definitely a must read! If you like this book I would definitely have to recommend "The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood, if you know West Baltimore and are familiar with Fayette and Monroe this is another real life story without fabrication of the people, crimes, ect. Both David Simon books and must reads!

Simon's observations are at once shocking and deeply saddening. There are many reasons to murder. Only one reason to solve the crime: closure.

Grips you from the first page and holds on tight till the end. Truly like being a second skin to homicide detectives.

About the author

David Simon's Homicide won an Edgar Award and became the basis for the NBC award-winning drama. Simon's second book, The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood, co-authored with Edward Burns, was made into an HBO miniseries. Simon is currently the executive producer and writer for HBO's Peabody Award–winning series The Wire. He lives in Baltimore.