Book Review | Crime of the Century

Jessica Lasley
Apr 24
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

I recently read Angie Moon’s Crime of the Century: Classic Rock & True Crime, and it opened my eyes to the surprising connections between iconic Rock and Roll figures and notorious criminal cases. Like Moon, I grew up watching crime dramas with my family—Law & Order, Criminal Minds, and Monk were regulars in our rotation. On slow Saturdays, I’d sit in my grandmother’s cramped apartment watching dramatized versions of real-life crimes. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the most child-friendly content, but it sparked a lifelong interest in crime stories.

True crime taps into a deep part of human nature—our attraction to thrill, uncertainty, and risk. While these “dark and macabre stories” fascinate many of us, the real people involved are often overshadowed by the need for gripping entertainment. As I read Moon’s book, each story prompted me to reflect on my own relationship with crime media. Every mystery I tried to solve had a real victim behind it—someone who deserved justice. Every alleged perpetrator was a person entitled to a fair trial. Who are these people, really? And what about their families, caught not just in the crossfire of investigations, but also under the relentless gaze of the public?

Moon approaches each subject with care and humanity. She offers glimpses into their childhoods, career milestones, and pivotal life moments, focusing on the people behind the headlines. That’s what captivated me—not just the rock stars or the criminals, but the human beings navigating extraordinary circumstances. Moon doesn’t shy away from the aftermath of crime, revealing how both the guilty and the innocent often endure lasting consequences. She emphasizes how "prisoners are seen as an afterthought . . . forgotten people,” highlighting the emotional and social toll that often follows a fall from fame. The shift from public adoration to obscurity is heartbreaking, especially when contrasted with the heights these individuals once reached.

After reading, I found myself feeling a deeper compassion for the people involved in these stories. The sensationalism of the news and popular media often strips away their humanity—whether they’re stars, suspects, or victims. Moon’s work challenges us to look beyond dramatization and remember the individuals at the heart of these events.

Ultimately, Moon’s rock crime investigation turns the lens back on us. We spend so much time speculating about who other people are—but what about ourselves? Who are we?

Jessica is a junior at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English. In her free time, she enjoys binge-watching TV shows and movies—her favorites being Golden Girls and Rango. A passionate reader, she especially loves mystery and fantasy novels, which inspired her dream of becoming a novelist and screenwriter.During her childhood, she played the clarinet in elementary and middle school and once aspired to be an Olympic swimmer after taking lessons. Now, she’s excited to bring her voice to the Withitgirl platform. Her WITHITGIRL playlist is here 🕺🌟 Jessica is one of four withitgirl scholarship recipients for this winter’s 2025 Earth Charter Institute Youth Leadership Certification Course!

Crime of the Century: Classic Rock & True Crime is available to purchase on my website crazyonclassicrock.com and if you buy it directly through me, you can get a signed personalized copy, and you can even get the book signed by my cat, Bowie.

Angie Moon on Instagram: @angiemichellemoon