I received an advance copy of this title from Net galley, this has not influenced my review.

True crime cases, particularly murders, and particularly gruesome murders committed under odd circumstances, regularly tend to be exaggerated and become overblown with lurid and morbid retellings. The Leopold and Loeb case is a textbook example of this fact. A hundred years on and the events surrounding their shocking and brutal crime are still fixed, if somewhat vaguely, in the public imagination. This continued fascination has spawned movies, documentaries, and fiction and non-fiction titles alike, to this day.
In the crowded field that is historical true crime (to say nothing of the crowded field of Leopold & Loeb writings) the authors of this title distinguish themselves and achieve an engaging, deeply informative book. A volume, I think, that will become a requisite for anyone wanting to know the full history of this case. In addition to excellent pacing, a compelling writing style, and relevant historical context, the authors avoid veering into sensationalism. The murder of Bobby Franks is placed squarely in the center of the story as nothing less than a heinous and outrageous crime, all the background and context we get about the perpetrators never goes so far as to imply anything close to exoneration. The authors also treat the whole case with professionalism and rigor, background, the crime itself, and the trial and aftermath all have their allotted space and each is covered well.
This was a lively and compelling book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this particular case or in historical true crime in general.

Excellent book! Extremely well researched and written so it's never dry or boring as sometimes these stories can be. After you finish it you will find yourself wondering how different this would have played out in today's world. I liked how the author not only tells the story from the defendants and their families side but also of the victims. The author also provides a "what happened after" chapter as well. A must read for any True Crime buff. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read a decent amount about this case, but this book wins hands down as the best, most detailed work on the subject. You don't know Leopold and Loeb until you have read this book.