Book Log 2017 #35: The Man from the Train by Bill James

America's best-known baseball statistician dips back into his interest in crime with this outing, where he and his daughter try to figure out who was behind a string of early 20th century murders. And, using their advanced analytical and research skills, they actually come up with a highly credible suspect.

The recounting of the murders (which reminded me of In Cold Blood in some ways) and the process by which James and his daughter come up with the suspect are equally gripping. I was also fascinated by how they were able to find additional crimes that fit the pattern of more well-known killings, making me wonder how many other serial killers are out there waiting to be discovered?

This is a much more readable work than Popular Crime, as I think James is better suited to telling a particular story rather than trying to force his analytical approach to a wider array of issues.