Murder by the Book

The second season begins with author Sandra Brown recalling the 1980 killing of Texas resident Betty Gore, who was struck in the head with an ax some 40 times after confronting her friend Candace Montgomery about an affair Montgomery was having with Gore's husband.

Author David Baldacci recalls the case of Carl Derek Cooper, who confessed to killing three Starbucks employees in 1997 in Washington, D.C. Cooper received a life sentence.

Author Lisa Gardner recalls the 2001 murder of Maine resident Amy St. Laurent, whose body was found in a shallow ditch several weeks after she disappeared. Jeffery Gorman was convicted of the killing and he was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Author Joseph Wambaugh recalls the 2004 killing of San Diego golf-course manager William Overson during an attempted robbery. Montgomery “Fritz” Bruce was sentenced to life in prison for shooting Overson.

Author Lisa Scottoline recalls the 1996 murder of Illinois resident Karyn Hearn Slover, whose body was dismembered and dumped into a lake. The victim's ex-husband, Michael Slover Jr., and his parents were convicted of the murder.

Author Linda Fairstein examines the case of rapist and serial killer Arohn Kee, and how DNA evidence helped convict him of multiple crimes.

Author Harlan Coben recounts the case of Mark Winger, an Illinois man convicted in 2002 of murdering his wife and killing a man he tried to frame for her murder.

The 1985 murders of Gerald and Vera Woodman, who were killed in their condominium garage in Brentwood, Cal., are recalled by author Faye Kellerman. The victims were killed by a hit man hired by the Woodman's sons, Neil and Stewart.

The 1999 murders of Kenneth Stahl and his wife, Carolyn Oppy-Stahl, are recalled by author Elizabeth George. The victims were killed by gunman Dennis Earl Godley, who Kenneth Stahl had hired to kill his wife. Kenneth Stahl's mistress, Adriana Vasco, helped arrange Carolyn's murder, and she received a life sentence for her role in the killings.

The disappearance and murder of famous atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair in 1995 is recalled by author Kathy Reichs. O'Hair and her son and granddaughter were killed in a murder plot masterminded by David R. Waters, a former employee of O'Hair's. Waters confessed to his role in the killings and led authorities to a shallow grave in Texas where the remains of the victims were found.

The 2004 murder of Santa Barbara graduate student Jarrod Davidson is recalled by author Jonathan Kellerman. Davidson was shot and killed outside his apartment by his father-in-law, Philip Jones, who died in prison after his conviction. Davidson's ex-wife and his mother-in-law were also convicted for their roles in the killing.

The 2001 murder of Ohio resident Jeff Zack, who was shot and killed while sitting in a vehicle at a gas station, is recalled by author Lee Child. John Zaffino was convicted of killing the victim, who once dated Zaffino's girlfriend.

The 1988 murders of racing legend Mickey Thompson and his wife, Trudy, are examined by author Nick Santora. Michael Goodwin, a former business partner of Mickey's, was convicted of hiring two shooters to kill the couple, who were gunned down in front of their Bradbury, Cal., home.