Serial Killers Books

Rhiannon has no idea what she is talking about, she is taking her personal dislike of the author (due to her lack of having published herself) to reflect her supposed dislike of this book. I doubt she ever read the book. Rhiannon seems to only give good reviews to people who seem to be able to help her serve her own purpose. She is a very jealous person when it comes to someone else's talent. I would recommend any book that Rhiannon trashes.

This book is truelly one of a kind. It takes you into the mind of a serial killer and how his thought process works. I enjoyed the book tremendously and hope there are more to come like this one.

I am giving this book a 5-star review. It was a fairly easy read. Once you start this book, you just want to keep reading. I guess part of me wanted to know what was going happen next, and the other part of me just wanted to get to the end. This was a glance in to the twisted and perverted life of Tommy Sells, a convicted serial murderer. This attempt at giving the readers an inside peak of what goes on in the mind of a rapist and killer is successful. I do not think that the author is trying to glorify or give reason to Tommy Sells unimaginable acts - you must remember that this is in his words.

I absolutely LOVE true crime books. This one takes the cake. You will travel through the life of Tommy Lynn Sells from beginning til death row.
It is very well written and I wouldn't be suprised if it is made in to a movie. This book is so engrossing and so real that virtually any reader will find it hard to put down. You will lock your doors day and night after reading this book!

This book was pitched to a newsgroup that I belong to by the author. I was looking forward to reading this.

Big mistake. I should know better.

Turns out this book is nothing more than a pack of self-serving lies. The entire book is rife with passages designed to make you think that Tommy Lynn Sells is misunderstood. That he is the product of a horrific childhood. But you know what? All he is, is a cold blooded killer. Nothing he can say will ever explain away what he did, the young lives that he destroyed to appease his own bloodlust. Nothing that he or this author can say will ever illicit sympathy. He does not deserve it. She should know better.

And, as I said I should have known better than to read this book. I should have learned my lesson after reading the Making of a Serial Killer by Danny Rolling and Sondra London. I have yet to find a book that was written with the help of a serial killer that doesn't attempt to make the killer into something he is not. Or one that is not used by the serial killer to relive their crimes.

There is a reason that this book is self-published. It's poorly written, it lacks flow, and even the most basic verifiable fact is twisted and distorted.

Tori Rivers, did, however, manage to turn already disturbing material into gruesome, graphic filth that left me feeling dirty and violated. I can only imagine how the victim's family's must feel.


"Tori Rivers" should have left her appetite for 15 minutes of fame back with Arthur Shawcross. There are only so many times you can milk a dead cow.

I won't be using this book for anything other than to line my garbage can.

This is one of those books that reads so easily you lose track of time! I got so engrossed in it one night I stayed up 'til 2am!!

I found this book to be well-written and suspenseful, with a clever story line. The author is obviously brilliant, knows mental health issues well, and weaves a wonderful, action-packed story.

Well written, well paced, "Borderline" was an excellent read. The entertaining story is compelling and I was completely surprised by some of the plot twists. The characters were solid, believable and interesting. I will enjoy seeing who is cast in the movie when it's made- it would make a great film!

Portland, Oregon Psychologist Brian Hanson isn't surprised, but he is a bit upset when client Tammy LaFleur fails to show for her counseling session. But then he finds out she's got a very good reason for missing her appointment, she's dead.

The cops want to close the case quickly, calling it a suicide, but Hanson can't buy it, so he does a bit of investigating and finds out Tammy had some pretty close ties to some local law enforcement people. More snooping and more questions arises, then he's warned off, but it'll take more than warnings to stop Vietnam vet Hansen who brought his own share of problems back from that war, like his problems with the bottle. Pile on a shrew of a wife out only for money, who is screwing Hanson over even while she's screwing someone else, and you have a guy with some serious problems. But a guy who isn't about to give up.

Brian Hanson is a great character who isn't above dishing out justice his way in this sometimes painful, but very engrossing thriller. I've been to Portland more times that I can count and didn't know it had a seemy, seedy side. I know it now. Brrr, this is a good book.

Reviewed by Vesta Irene

Disturbed by the death of a client he treated brusquely a few days before, psychologist Brian Hanson tries to make sense of what the police have deemed a suicide. As he digs deeper into her activities preceding her demise, he becomes convinced that she's been murdered, and that someone is trying to cover it up. He also begins to suspect that the recent precipitous drop in his hometown's crime rate may be the result of extreme measures taken by the current city administration. Never absolutely sure of himself because of his sad history with drugs and alcohol, Hanson nevertheless persists, placing himself in the sights of powerful men who have everything to lose if the truth is revealed.

Although he deftly juggles a number of intriguing sub plots and characters, Schorr's primary focus is on troubled Vietnam vet Hanson, an addict who helps other addicts. Hanson in action is truly fascinating--kind and empathetic, he's also capable of great, sudden violence. He's also too introspective for his own good, constantly questioning whether his actions are motivated by his desire to learn the truth, simple guilt, or an alcoholic's pathetic need to control his environment.

One of the most involving mysteries to come along in some time, Borderline is an intimate, engaging thriller, a novel in which a troubled hero struggles against seemingly overwhelming odds to uncover the truth. Beautifully written, tightly plotted, and carefully crafted, this book deserves your immediate and complete attention.

It should be noted that Bernard O'Donnell was the original researcher into D'onston Stephenson,NOT Melvin Harris. Mr.Harris often gets the credit for O'Donnell's work........

I would rate this book up there with "the greats" on the Ripperology reference shelf. Mr. Edwards did an excellent job of organizing his thoughts along with the case facts, making this a very easy and pleasant read. It definitely changed my perspective on how I view certain pieces of evidence in the Ripper murders, (which I won't mention so as to not spoil this book). This is a must read for any person with a greater than normal interest in the case. While I personally don't agree with all of Mr. Edwards theories regarding the "rituals", I do feel that a strong case has been built to show that D'Onston was most likely the infamous Jack the Ripper.

As I read the other two reviews of the book, I can't help but add that although Melvin Harris also came upon this character ( with the invaluable aid of Andy Aliffe...), Harris was NOT the one to display the MOTIVE for these murders with the Vesica Pisces diagram (much like the Zodiac Killer with his (57 degree) radian diagram like the author,Ivor Edwards has. Edwards did an enormous amount of legwork on this great book...real legwork,actually getting out there and well....I don't want to ruin it for you ! I highly recommend this book by a world class criminologist, Ivor Edwards

This Ripper subject is a very unstable, divided, undecided subject,that of recent has become the ridicule of many a serious arguement.But what is cool about this whole thing is the Hitchcock Fans,and the Sherlock Fans get left behind.And may i say there are many books out there that will cater for those who have no real interest in who the Killer of Whitechapel in 1888 really was.But Ivor in his book shows that he clearly is a man on the right track,and i`m not sure that its anything to do with imagination. It`s about the evidence that is there. (You reading the right book mate?)

Mr Edwards clearly states his reasons for having Donston as a serious suspect and these reasons past the tests of what is known of the Ripper.
Unfortunately for the sheep and the diaryists the Ripper story was not solved years ago in between the script pages of a Hitchcock or any other directors movie. Or in the pages of a Sherlock Holmes story. this was an actual event that left serious researchers like Mr Edwards with the spirit to find the answers to this whole puzzle.

And you know what ? I think Ivor Edwards has done a fantastic job. The book is written well. The illustrations are great and anyone who passes this book by, MUST be related to P Cornwell.

Roslyn Donston is a very likely suspect in the Ripper story, and if you want an accurate detailed log on the documents and findings from that period i suggest you put your hands in your pockets for those nuggets and get this excellent publication.

"A keen Ripperologist`s must have book" Tee.
A keen Ripperologist. London

The theory about occult ritual is much better then the masonic ritual theory.I will recommend this book for those who seek occult rituals.The book shows us step by step how the murders ware planned by using a map.And it all will finally come up with a occult symbol where all the victims had been killed in.The suspect in this book is Robert Donston,one who study black magic.If you want to know moore about Donston i recommend The True Face Of Jack The Ripper by Melvin Harris.

This is well produced and it almost has every JTR letter of significance reproduced in colour. Unfortunately there isn't a photo of the important Lusk postcard, and the book was issued apparently before the discovery of the equally important "So now they say I'm a Yid" letter. Some of these JTR letters are obviously genuine and this was recognized at the time in (I think) The Times. The authentic letters include the Lusk Letter, the Dr Openshaw Letter, the Lusk Postcard, the Police Commissioner Frazer Postcard, the "So now they say I'm a Yid" Letter, the M Baynard Postcard. Like the Goulston Street writing, the killer often signatures his letters with parts of his victims (the Lusk Letter) or with drawings of such (the Frazer Postcard or M Baynard Postcard).

Evans and Skinner present an 8x11 sized 'coffee-table book' containing letters purportedly from Jack the Ripper. The letters included are designated ones that were signed some form of JtR. The authors don't tell you they are faked or real but present them to you so you can analyze them for your own determination. There's no real way of telling if any of them were actually written by the Whitechapel murderer. The biggest bonus of this book is the fantastic photos of the letters; they are simply marvellous (5 stars). The book is worth the price for the photos alone. I found the 'discussion' of the letters dry and lacking of an actual analysis by the authors (3 stars). Also included are sample handwritings from a few Ripper suspects. Looking and comparing these were fascinating and there is quite a resemblence between the first 'Dear Boss' letter signed Jack the Ripper and a sample letter from William Bury; based on these, I'd be pretty suspicious of Bury (although that's not who I believe was the Ripper). Evans does a very good couple of chapters regarding the McCormick book about the Ripper and Dr. Dutton.

Overall, the text is okay for the first 2/3 of the book but then gets better on the McCormick/Dutton, suspects chapters. However, the photos are the real seller of this Jack the Ripper text.

If there wasn't any writing or notes in this book it would still be worth it for the pictures by themselves. The fact that it has a masterful narration is the icing on the cake. There are up close COLOR pictures of the letters that you can read and analyze. It is printed on high quality glossy paper, (not photo paper, but very nice). I bought mine from the used section in new condition. This is a "must have" for any Ripperologist.

Jack the Ripper (Letters From Hell), by co-authors Stewart P. Evans and Keith Skinner, is exactly what it purports to be in the subtitle. It is a discussion of all the letters sent by people purporting to be Jack the Ripper to the newspapers, police and assorted individuals followed by a section printing all of the letters in the police files (there is little variety in the letters themselves showing the lack of imagination shown by most of the copy cat letter writers and this could prove a little dry for some). In addition, this volume is generously filled with photos of the letters themselves. This book is not for the beginner in the Ripper mythology as it focuses strictly on the letters and will be of most interest to those who have a basic understanding of the case already. This volume is a worthy addition to the Ripper books and will keep the legend alive for the next generation.

This book is a fascinating and invaluable tool for looking into the mindset of the London public while the JTR murders were taking place. While I personally believe none of the letters came from the killer (save the possible exception of the Lusk letter), the letters themselves remain fascinating some grotesque and some being very eloquent. At a time when I'm tired of the latest suspect theory being thrown about, this book is a welcome change.

i think to most people of the world..douglas clark is a normal looking man...no handsome gigalo or anything like that...so he must have had the gift of a silver tongue,he seemed to be able to charm the birds from the tree`s and woman to become obsessed with him,physically and mentally. within this book it talks of clark living with or just staying with a numerous amount of women,some he converted to just live with him,some to be sex objects for him and one to..help him fulfill his ultimate fantasy...murder.the author holds no punches as clark picks up and has his way with young girls,who had turned to prostitution...at times gruesome and shocking but rivetting stuff...if you like serial killing books.get this..

The Sunset Murders is an absolutely gripping story, very well written, and as far as I know the only book written about this case (to date).

At the center of the story is Carol Bundy, 37, on first glance appearing to be a typical Valley wife and mother of two small boys. Who leaves her abusive husband Grant, and moves into the seedy Valerio Gardens Complex. The manager, Jack Murray, a native Australian is also a lounge singer nicknamed the "Australian Cowboy" married with two children. His wife, Jeanette, is a beautiful, slim, leggy blond (and an ex-marine!). Carol on the other hand is rather plump & "matronly", with a large front, cropped mousy brown limp hair, and glasses with thick lenses, her doctor told her she's going blind.

Carol comes from a horrendous childhood, suffering abuse from both parents. The worst from her father. She has a very needy, clingy personality, and likes to be dominated by men.

After she moves into the complex, she latches onto Jack, saying she was sorry he was married, to which he responded "that's okay, I fool around."

Jack, according to his friends was "an *sshole..but a likeable *sshole." He's a womanizer and seems to have an insatiable sexual appetite, and often told tall tales, mostly to impress women.

The only good things he did for Carol, was to suggest she get another opinion about her eyes, the doctors revealed her sight could be restored with sugery. And he told her to contact a lawyer to get her share of the house where she lived with her husband (he was selling it), which she did, an amount of: $25,000. With which she bought gifts for Jack, that he happily accepted.

But another man would enter Carol's life, a man much more dangerous and sinister than Jack. His name was Doug Clark, 32, she met him at a club that Jack frequented in North Hollywood called "The Little Nashville Club" .

Doug was charming, slim and handsome with golden blond hair & blue eyes. And a hypnotic, soft voice. But he was also a cold blooded killer. He would introduce Carol to a world of sexual obsession and serial murder, where she would be his unlikely accomplice. And later she would commit murder of her own.

Later unable to fulfill Doug (and Jack), who by and by didn't want to sleep with Carol anymore, citing that she was "underwhelmingly attractive" she brought her 11 year old neighbor Theresa to meet him. Doug was enraptured with Theresa, a particulary spunky precocious little blond girl. Who neighbors would joke with by saying "You're 11 going on 40". Doug seemed to put her on a pedestal, lavishing her with gifts and they would often go cruising together! Later Carol actually went to a couselor with Theresa, to whom she revealed Theresa & Doug's relationship. The counselor asked Theresa if it bothered her, to which she replied "not really". So he told Carol if it didn't bother Theresa, then it wasn't his place to moralize!

And this is just a taste, there's so much more!
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The Sunset Murders is a facinating story, filled with some of the most oddest people and circumstances.
The book goes in depth into each person's history even some of the detectives on the case. Including some female detectives battling sexism in the workplace, from the males who think women are too inept to work homicide...Engrossing, never a dull moment!

I read this book a few years ago and I still wonder about Carol Bundy. She is the most pathetic person, she still wants to help Doug Clark even though he has tried to blame the murders on her. This book was very detailed, Farr did a very thourough job in describing all the details that true crime buffs love.

Great book, very easy read. Unlike most "true crime" novels the author includes interesting background information on the criminals, victims and the people who put them away. What a couple of wackos those two were (are). Best lines include: murderer Carol Bundy: "Your treating me like a criminal". Victim's wife to Geraldo:"she would like Doug to go to the electric chair with Carol Bundy on his lap."

The book "The Sunset Murders" is certainly well-detailed and fact based. I applaud Farr for her eyes and ears used to bring this twisted story to life, and yes, she does not glamorize the killers, instead displaying them obviously as what they are in real life - sick and disgusting losers. Clark a grandiose, overblown ass and Bundy his oversexed ignorant slave. I just wondered, after reading the book, if there was one single person involved in the story from witnesses to cosp, that was pleasant or had any redeeming qualities whatsoever. Not the killers, mind you, but there had to be someone in law enforcement and investigating worth applauding. I didn't care for some of the presentations of the investigators. Five stars for research though. And I wonder - what has become of Carol's sons? Crime fans - read this book.

Destiny's Damned, the first of a trilogy, is a page turner that journeys to the darker side. The intrigue was so gripping that I finished the book in one seating. The plot was well researched and believable (to the extent you enjoy in this darker side of religious history) and recommended to anyone who enjoys a thriller.

I recently had the opportunity to meet the author at the LA Times Festival of Books, and get a preview of the next book in the series, "Satan's Scat". Like the first book, it is fast paced, well researched and fascinating. Destiny's Damned is a dark, intellectual thriller and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

Evelyn

Author Shawna Ryan's DESTINY'S DAMNED is in the searing genre that has made best seller lists and was forged by Dan Brown with his THE DA VINCI CODE. Ryan, a Pacific Northwest attorney, has conducted extensive research on mythology that predates Christianity. Noted mythologist, Joseph Campbell, in his work, THE HERO OF A THOUSAND FACES, set Ryan on her own author's creative path of "What if . . .?"

What if there was a great conspiracy to control and spread an empire by creating, manipulating and promoting a religion as the way to do it?

DESTINY'S DAMNED is the first in a trilogy that will undoubtedly collect a very loyal following. The novel is structured so that each chapter covers a single day. The end result is that the novel has a kind of cinematic quality as the story unfolds, and the pacing is such, that readers will find the novel a quick page turner!

Literally couldn't put it down. Finished it at 2 am, after standing since midnight, reading "just one more page".

More twists than a hanged man's feet. If you liked the DaVinci Code, you're going to love this one.

Ms. Ryan develops a convoluted story. The pace is fast with enough clues to keep you trying to figure out the plot and the villians. I kept racing ahead looking for the next clue. A fascinating read. Excellent first book, I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

This is the 1st book of Taylor's Roth trilogy; it's set in a rural suburb of London in the 1990's--later than the following volumes which go in reverse chronological order. However, the Author's Note states that each can be read individually. The 2nd book is "The Judgment of Strangers" published in 1998 (a year after the 1st volume) but set in the 1970's. The 3rd book is "The Office of the Dead" published in 2000 & but set in the 1960's. The trilogy explores the relationships over time between the Appleyard & Byfield families. Some characters appear across the novels.

This book interleaves two related stories or happenings (though not simultaneously over time)--revolving around the kidnapping of a 4 year old girl. The stories are of the kidnappers/kidnapped & of the parents. The parents are a new female Anglican cleric (around whom the story essentially revolves) & her police sergeant husband. Both are stressed at work prior to the kidnapping. Resistance to the mother's clerical calling is a major theme throughout the book. The author does not show her in a very good light though she is severely tested by the kidnapping. She's a mother 1st & a cleric 2nd despite what others may think. I don't think the author treats her too kindly though he explores her thoughts & feelings extensively. The author presents a rather bleak view of religion. But, he does make some interesting statements: e.g. p. 11: "She lived in an age of faith. Faced with something she did not understand she would automatically assume that the failure was hers" & p. 158: "To those in fear, creation was nothing but a mass of portents."

Most of the characters are unappealing to me. Indeed, the perpetrator of the kidnapping is perhaps the most sympathetic character in the book. But not his confederate. Indeed, parts of the book are downright grisly. While the story begins slowly, it gradually accelerates, building up to its climactic ending. It's more a horror story or "thriller" than a mystery though I think it would make a good episode of "Law & Order--Special Victims Unit." I am not ecstatic about the book; it is well-written, but doesn't compare at all with his later, excellent "An Unpardonable Crime."

This book is not for the faint of heart, especially if you read the text closely. The villain in this work could easily be the Marques de Sade's sister. The characterizations in this work are unusually rich and complex for a suspense novel. Also, the writing easily surpasses almost everything I've read in the mystery/suspense genre. This book takes risks and succeeds magnificently. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed reading this novel. It is not really a police procedural as the police play a small role. Nor is it really a mystery as we know quite early on who has commited the crine . Some people might find the story disturbing as it deals with crimes against children. The author is a very good writer and there is an atmosphere of menace through the book. The story jumps back and forth between the phsycopaths who have kidnapped a child and the distraught parents.Frankly I thought the parents considering there child has been stolen seemed to decend into self pity and I found the criminals to be more interesting.Anyway the book was quite good and I would reccomend it.

Almost a horror story, this novel is highlighted by interesting characters and a plot that gradually tightens the pressure on the characters and the reader. Along with Breakheart Hill and Void Moon this is the finest mystery/suspense novel of the last decade. A must read.

The marriage between Sally and Michael Appleyard is going through difficult times. Sally, a reverend, in the Church of England and Michael, a police officer, seem to be drifting apart with their only connection being their beloved four year old daughter Lucy. However, their world spins further out of control when a pair of kidnappers (Eddie Grace and Angel Wharton -- ironic names for kidnappers of a child of a deacon) abduct Lucy.

Sally turns to her Church for salvation, but her godfather, a priest, loathes women in the clergy. Michael turns inward in a hope of finding answers through the police. Both fail to gain salvation as their institutions fail them. Meanwhile, the police are finding body parts at voarious hurches. They feel that these occurencesare somehow linked to the Lucy kidnapping, but this deduction leaves them no closer to finding the child. If Lucy is not freed soon, Eddie a pediophile and Angel a violent person will probably rape and kill the child.

THE FOUR LAST THINGS, the first novel in Andrew Taylor's serial killer trilogy, is an interesting thriller that successfully shifts perspective from one person to another so that the kidnapping shares the central theme with religious beliefs. The four major characters are all interesting players with the two relationships on the surface seemingly different, but inside very similar. However, with all this going for it and it being a thriller worth reading, the book seems a bit flat when compared to Mr. Taylor's classy AN AIR THAT KILLS.

Harriet Klausner

I very much enjoyed reading this book.I chose to read this book before reading "GREEN RIVER RUNNING RED" by ANN RULE.I wanted to get as much understanding of what he was like before reading about the things he did.

The first out of the gates (preceding Ann Rule's book and Smith and Guillen's updated edition of "Search for the Green River Killer") following Ridgway's confession and conviction. This is a tightly written book which explores Ridgway's youth and subsequent rise to the status of worst serial murderer in US history. It covers all the bases, Ridgway, his crimes, the victims and the policemen who doggedly pursued their suspect until DNA brought him down. I'd happily recommend this book to any true crime fan. It also has an altruistic motive, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of this book go to a YWCA charity to build shelters for young women down on their luck, the sort of women Ridgway preyed upon.

This book is totally scarey.Very well written..I have lived in gary ridgeways hunting grounds all my life..I frequent places mentioned in the book.I wonder why though they put the wrong street number on the picture of his parents house..he grew up on 174th not 175th..And there used to be a woods behind the house..that was cleared at some point and a fence put up closer to the house..The book doesnt mention anything about searching where the woods used to be..and there are 4 girls still missing..hhmmm...left me wondering.

Much more information in this book than in any other book I've read on the subject

good book very short read,alot of info unless you followed the case.if you heard about aoll the stories since i984 finally they got a seemingly normal looking animal.i couldnt believe in 87 they used all the science they had when they searched the house were 25 woman weree killed.thats unbelievable no trophies..the worst part of book is they arnt gonna kill the animal he gets 3 hots and a cot,the familys get closure fry him WE could lie im s ure he did lie that is..i would say buy book

A wonderful book as far as true crime goes.This book contains a detailed history of infamous serial killers such as "Son of Sam" David Berkowitz, as well as John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy.It contains detailed and shocking photos and provides more information than most books of its kind

The Time-Life editors who wrote these histories of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Dennis Nilsen, David Berkowitz, and other serial killers were not particularly interested in the victims' point-of-view. They tried to enter the minds of the beasts themselves, either through interviews or by examining the written output of the killers.

Some of the authors developed a disturbing empathy with their subjects, most especially David Berkowitz, who was truly beset by demons, and Dennis Nilsen, the necrophile who was Great Britain's most prolific serial killer until Dr. Harold Shipman bumped him out of the number one spot. It was an uncomfortable reading experience, which is an indication of how well these profiles were written. The only serial killer with a multi-page profile who elicited no sympathy at all was Ted Bundy. Perhaps it was because he was the only one in this book who led a relatively normal childhood, or perhaps it was because he was gifted with intelligence and good looks--he seemed to have everything he needed to succeed at a legitimate profession, and yet he was a monster; he 'chose' to be a monster--or at least that's how I interpreted his story.

This book also features a 'Gallery of Evil' portraying other serial killers such as the 'Night Stalker' and 'The Fiend of Whitechapel' in less depth than the major subjects. A standard feature of this Time-Life true crime series are the brooding black-and-white photographs and this book does not disappoint. The only color photo is a two-page fold of John Wayne Gacy in his clown costume. Ugh. I wonder if this photo inspired Stephen King's novel, "It."

This book was published in 1992, and the whole series provides a disturbing but fascinating read for true crime buffs.

I think you always know what you are going to get with a Time Life Book, a well put together, full off details, and highly illustrated book and this is no exception. The book acts as an overview of the major known serial killers in the past 250 years in he United States. He details out each person, the crimes they committed, how they were found out and captured and what happened to them. Overall an interesting book and a good broad outline on the topic. If this is what you are looking for then his is a good pick up.

I loved this book. It is a very broad view of a very intricate subject, but Time Life does a very good job with it and keeping it short. It is a very straight-forward read. It gives you a variety of killers but it only focuses on four. I found it very easy to read, very clear, not too much legal jargon for the lay man to handle. Most importantly, it was impossible to put down. I highly recommend this book.

I FOUND THE BOOK TO BE VERY INFORMATIVE OF HOW SERIAL KILLERS KILL, WHAT GOES ON THEIR MIND, AND WHAT GOES ON AROUND THEM. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO HAS A DESIRE TO LEARN ABOUT THE REAL SIDE OF A SERIAL KILLERS.

I was suprised that this book was so GREAT! If you want blood and guts and history on a pshyco man, this book isn't for you. If you are interested in the story of a girl that grew up in a large family and how that family reacted (to any family's worst nightmare) was so incredibly amazing, this is the book for you. I was so impressed with the authors ability to tell her story with great details and in the process make one think about thier own lives. The book made me laugh, cry, think, and wonder. After reading the book I wanted to know more about the people in my life and couldn't stop wondering what an impact I was having in my life of being a daughter, sister, wife and mother. This book inspired hours of great conversation between friends. A must read book. (A bonus if you've ever lived in Seattle or Mexico City because the locations are so easy to imagine).

I have just put down Thirty-Ninth Victim, having read the last 100 pages in a single sitting. Arleen Williams impresses me. She honors her sister Maureen with this memoir. She presents an emotional time-line. She paints complex portraits of her family members with details that make me feel as if I am alongside her. She accomplishes an amazing thing. She brings her baby sister to life again.

We all have family myths. Although our families were very different, the humaness of Arleen's family transcends to all families, to all kids. Feeling different, feeling unloved, feeling like an outsider. The Green River murders and Gary Ridgeway dominated the papers for months and years. Arleen's story of her sister, her family gives this newspaper headline a human story with real people. It touched me and will to all who read it. Please don't miss it!!!!!!!!

Ms. Williams has written a powerful memoir. Her courage and writing skill gain momentum like a freight train.

Oh, my, what a disturbing memoir this is. Not solely because of the murder of the author's sister by the infamous Green River Killer -- which would be plenty creepy enough for any true crime book, or even murder mystery -- but because Arleen Williams presents us with an achingly honest look at absence, longing, and denial within a family waiting years for what the media dismissively calls closure.

What struck me most about this story is that, unlike so many books about particularly horrific crimes, the victim here comes alive on the page. Not as yet another in an almost unimaginably long list of murdered women (so long, in fact, that it sparked the nationwide Take Back the Night rallies) or as merely an object to be acted upon with violence, but as a vibrant light abruptly, inconceivably snuffed. And as part of a family so deeply attached to its own self-image as normal that even a daughter's disappearance is allowed to disrupt it.

Powerful stuff. Chilling. (And yes, for you fans of close-up crime recreations, there was one scene that I'm quite positive is going to give me nightmares for years to come.)