| Bill Jahnel |
This is an incredible value at $10. The Penumbra Line of three hardbacks that covered three thoughtful meta-themes in gaming -- Crime and Investigation being the theme highlighted in this text. (The other two covered Chivalry in Love and War and Intrigue & Political Systems in Dynasties and Demagogues.)
One of the most important values not emphasized in the review above was how well they crafted new uses for existing skills. One of the frustrations with many supplemental texts is their desire to simply ADD to a system -- which, of course, this tome does -- but it also creatively finds ways to incorporate new uses for systems already in place. Creative skill uses of Heal are outlined for everything from Forensic Examination to Torture make you look back to the basic skill sets and ask yourself if maybe Use Rope had even more uses before than you thought!
From Prison types to Bounty Hunters to Theocratic law systems and forensic science (skill based and magical),Crime and Punishmentwas an overlooked gem and remains a thoughtful resource for Dungeon Masters and gamers who might like a dash of Lord Darcy in their D&D.