A Criminal Made in Mbeere: The First Born who Failed is a candid account of John Ngari’s life in crime. Written with remorse while on death row, the author traces his journey from the beginnings that led to the many times he was imprisoned and the disastrous impact it had on his life. Often graphic, the book captures what typically goes wrong once a person has ‘tasted’ jail. For some, one could conclude that jail is a ‘college’ that hardens criminals.