running gag / said by James
The Homicide book
What does "The Homicide book" mean on Small Town Murder?
James's shorthand for David Simon's Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, the non-fiction account of a year with Baltimore's homicide detectives. He cites it constantly as the authority on how real murder investigations work, often introducing a detail with "they talk about that in the homicide book".
- Kind
- running gag
- Usually said by
- James
- First heard
- Episode 5, 15 February 2017
The story behind the phrase
Where did "The Homicide book" come from?
James first brings it up in episode 5, while talking about polygraph tactics. He recommends "a great book out there called Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets" by David Simon, who made The Wire. He explains that Simon followed Baltimore's homicide department through 1988, and calls it one of his favourite books of all time. By episode 8 he says he has brought it up before.
James treats the book as the best guide to how real murder investigations and detectives work. He uses it to back up what he is saying about the case, with details such as the detectives hoping for an easy "dunker" of a case.
How is "The Homicide book" used now?
It became his regular reference. He drops in "in the homicide book" or "the David Simon book" for points about eyewitness identification, detectives' dark humour, lawyers and interviews, and Jimmie once asks him which book he means. It is still cited in 2026.
When was "The Homicide book" first said?
It was first heard in episode 5, "A Murder For Greed", on 15 February 2017, at about 0:33:17.
"Basically with the polygraph what they like to do police stations across the country, and this is a fact, but there's a great book out there called uh Homicide a Year on the Killing Streets."
While explaining polygraph tactics, James recommends "a great book out there called Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets", names David Simon as the creator of The Wire and the Homicide TV show, and says Simon spent every day with Baltimore's homicide department through 1988. He calls it one of his favourite books; it sounds like a first mention, and in 008 he says he has brought the book up before.
Heard in these episodes
Found by searching the transcripts; speech recognition can miss a use.
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