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Closing Time
Closing Time: The True Story of the "Goodbar" Murder | LACEY FOSBURGH
9 posts | 7 read | 17 to read
The chilling true story of the Manhattan schoolteachers murder that would become one of the most sensationalized crimes of the century. Fact and fiction collide in this true crime retelling of the homicide of Roseann Quinn, an Irish-Catholic schoolteacher murdered in New York City after being picked up at an Upper West Side bar during the sexual revolution. Fictionalized in Judith Rossners novel Looking for Mr. Goodbar and adapted into the 1977 film of the same name, starring Diane Keaton, Richard Gere, and Tom Berenger, the murder of Roseann Quinn enthralled the nation while New Yorks Finest tracked leads and dead ends in search of the elusive Goodbar Killer. A beloved and dedicated Catholic schoolteacher at St. Josephs School for the Deaf in the Bronx, Roseanne Quinn was a well-educated and progressive feminist who taught school by day but often took men home at night. Known to read quietly by herself in bars and to keep a diverse and engaging social circle, Quinns life was snuffed out when she met a stranger in a neighborhood bar and invited him back to her apartment. After smoking and talking, the pair decided to have sex, which turned deadly when Quinns guest became enraged after a series of sexual dysfunctions. Closing Time dramatizes the events leading up to Quinns murder while covering the gritty details that would ultimately lead to the killers capture. Closing Times genre-bending meld of nonfiction and fiction set the tone for many true crime stories to follow. It was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and is a must-read for both fans of true crime and anyone interested in the sexual and cultural climate of 1970s New York City.
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Cinsarly
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Pickpick

Very loose biography (ex. the author invents "likely" dialogue) that follows the murderer and victim through time. Less time is spent with the victim's story (her friends and family didn't support the writing of the book), which does/could tilt sympathy toward the murderer. Still found it fascinating! Loved the timeline convergence and description of NYC in the 70s. #WinterGames #SlayBells #HolidayRead @MidnightBookGirl @Clwojick @StayCurious

MidnightBookGirl Me too! 21pts! 5y
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MidnightBookGirl
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Pickpick

Why, yes, I am wearing Christmas corgi leggings. #NoRegrets. Finished this for true crime book club- picked bc the murder takes place on New Year's Day. It's a bit dated bc the murder happened in the 70s, but still very interesting. The author calls it a “interpretive biography“ so she changes most of the names, which was weird. Inspired the book and movie Looking for Mr. Goodbar. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead (21pts)

kimmypete1 🎶Closing time
🎶One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer.
🎶Closing time
🎶You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.
5y
MidnightBookGirl @petersonks15 Every time I even think of the book's title, I start singing this song. 5y
guinsgirlreads I might have to try to fit this one in!! 👏 👏 5y
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KrisConstantReader
Pickpick

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did, due to the "interpretive biography" aspect of it, but the book won me over. Both the writing and the story just draw you in. 4 stars???? Thank you to Netgalley and Open Road Media for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Girl_Power Thanks, @KrisConstantReader! Officially on my TBR! What are some of your other true crime faves? 8y
KrisConstantReader @Girl_Power Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil; Justice by Dominick Dunne; In Cold Blood; The Mayor of Castro Street; The Executioners Song; The Dead Girl; Columbine; Shot in the Heart by Mikal Gilmore...man, there's so many. OH-Alligator Candy, high on the list for sure! Several are more memoirs 8y
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KrisConstantReader @Girl_Power more than straight up true crime. If you click on the link of the review above, I have a favorites section and also a true crime section; there's a lot more listed there. 8y
KrisConstantReader @Girl_Power do you have any favorites? 8y
Girl_Power @KrisConstantReader Awesome, thank you!! This is new territory for me. I read three true crimes that blew my mind this year, and now I am obsessed. This House of Grief, Lost Girls and The Yoga Store Murder (cheesy title, fab book). 8y
Girl_Power @KrisConstantReader Although I guess I am not a total newbie, as I have read and utterly love a few of your suggestions, like Columbine, Mailer, Capote and Dunne. Off to track down the rest! 8y
KrisConstantReader @Girl_Power wow, I've never heard of those and they all sound great! Now I definitely need to look them up. Hey, are you on Goodreads? If you are, add me there. 8y
Girl_Power @KrisConstantReader Sadly, I am not on GR. But I'm going to try to backlist some of my faves on Litsy. I'll tag you when I do. 8y
brendanmleonard @KrisConstantReader your true crime faves are almost identical to mine lol 8y
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KrisConstantReader
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"She drinks glasses of Tab and talks like someone lying on the beach who is too hot and drowsy to move." Gosh, I remember Tab!

BlueNoodleFritz I loved that stuff as a kid. I thought I was being so cool drinking it. 8y
KrisConstantReader @BlueNoodleFritz and Mr. Pibb! I loved that one. 8y
McFarchie Haha 8y
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KrisConstantReader
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I love this. It's the murder victim's friend describing what she was really like. As the family member of a murder victim myself, I know that you don't hear stories like this when the murder is covered in the media. The real person gets lost; what remains are lurid details of how they were killed.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Love the quote, so sorry to hear about your family member. 8y
KrisConstantReader @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks, I appreciate that. 8y
laurenm @KrisConstantReader So sorry for your loss.. 8y
KrisConstantReader @laurenm thank you! It was a long time ago, but, of course, it never leaves you. 8y
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KrisConstantReader
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And THIS is how your son becomes a murderer, lol.

razmanda Poor Joe Willie! 8y
KrisConstantReader @razmanda nah, he grew up and murdered a woman, and it's a true story. 8y
Laura317 That's horrible! Poor little boy. 8y
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razmanda Oh, wow! So maybe don't tease my kid about giving her away. Got it. Also, no double-names. 8y
KrisConstantReader @razmanda hahaha! She didn't use real names in the book, I think the guy's real name was John Wayne Johnson or something like that. John Wayne for sure. 8y
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KrisConstantReader
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I don't know what to think about this. First she says that "everything here is true," in the next paragraph says that she "created scenes or dialogue I think it reasonable and fair to assume COULD have taken place, perhaps even did." I think that makes it fiction. @brendanmleonard @Girl_Power

Reviewsbylola I feel like they all have to say something along those lines just to cover their asses. A lot of it probably has to do with lawsuits like the one with Augusten Burroughs and Running with Scissors. 8y
KrisConstantReader @Reviewsbylola I don't think so--I read a lot of nonfiction and true crime, I've never seen one that's claims to be "interpretive fiction"--(that was on the previous page) or that says they created things that "could have happened." It seems to be over the line in claiming to be the "true story." 8y
Reviewsbylola It's definitely more prevalent in memoirs, so that's interesting. 8y
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Carol Usually when I've seen things like this it's in fiction. Speculative fiction, biographical fiction, etc. Most people understand narrative nonfiction has to have some pieces filled in from the author's imagination. To come out and say it like this would concern me, too. 8y
KrisConstantReader The book still seems great, very well-written, interesting. Unfortunately, while reading it I find myself wondering if each scene is true. I think I need to just let it go, lol, and enjoy the book for what it is. 8y
KrisConstantReader @Carol you should see the cover, it says "The True Story of the Goodbar Murder." So it's very misleading. I saw it described somewhere as a blend of fiction and nonfiction, that just doesn't appeal to me. With that said, the book is excellent so far. 8y
Carol Any sources cited/bibliography? Reading something that could be more fiction than I realize would probably send me on a research mission when I finish the book. I'd want to find more facts & compare to the text. I can get neurotic about that. Good luck! 8y
KrisConstantReader I'm the same way. There's really nothing except where she said that she interviewed virtually everyone connected with the case. But this is an ARC, maybe the actual book has that info. I did a little research, it appears to be a relatively famous book first released just a few years after the murder 8y
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KrisConstantReader
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Latest arrival from Netgalley, it seems to be a re-release of a book originally published in 1976. Date of publication is listed as July 5, 2016--I need to read this fast! And I now have 8 others waiting...be careful what you wish for. This book does look great, though.

brendanmleonard Oooh! I am fascinated by this case. 8y
KrisConstantReader @brendanmleonard I was really excited about it until I read that the book is "interpretive non-fiction." Meaning that the author invented parts of it. That really turns me off, especially when the cover says it's the "True Story." Still, it seems pretty good, aside from that. 8y
brendanmleonard @KrisConstantReader that's really irritating but I also know there's still a lot that's unknown about certain elements of the Goodbar case...it seems like that's a common technique (see also: In Cold Blood)...but I agree, don't advertise as true. 8y
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Girl_Power Can't wait to hear your final verdict! I am fine with interpretive non-fic, as I think even the most objective writers cast a slight interpretation when describing events (see Hhhh by Laurent Binet). But I do agree, the ones purposely made up should be labeled as "fiction based on a true story." 8y
KrisConstantReader @Girl_Power although, I think what she mainly made up were thoughts and dialogue that, of course, nobody can possibly know. From what I gather, the events are all true but many scenes and dialogue are invented. 8y
KrisConstantReader @Girl_Power I just finished it and it was way better than I expected. Definitely worth a read. Solid 4 stars (out of 5). 8y
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