This Is the Zodiac Speaking: Into the Mind of a Serial Killer

by Michael D. Kelleher, David Van Nuys

California was thrown into a paralysis of fear in 1969, distraught over the unsolved murders of the Zodiac killer. The Zodiac became the most elusive and frustrating adversary ever encountered by the law enforcement community in the San Francisco Bay Area. A series of letters, allegedly written by the murderer himself and published in local newspapers, only added to the mystery and panic. Over 30 years after he exploded onto the headlines of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Zodiac serial killer remains an enigma that is unparalleled in the history of crime in America, and the case remains unsolved. Violence expert Michael Kelleher and psychologist David Van Nuys attempt to provide a glimpse into the mind of this mysterious murderer.

Kelleher and Van Nuys reconstruct the crime scenes, delve into the records, and psychoanalyze the Zodiac's letters to newspapers and the law enforcement agencies. The facts of the case and the fragmentary glimpses of the Zodiac's psychodynamics that came through his letters forced the authors, reluctantly, to draw a conclusion that is sure to be controversial-namely, that the Zodiac suffered from multiple personality disorder. They also debunk many popular legends and myths about the case, laying out the limited facts that we do have on the notorious Zodiac.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction, Psychology, History

261 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2001

Reviews

[Jim Dooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been fascinated by David Fincher's ultra-intriguing 2007 movie, ZODIAC, this book immediately drew my attention. Writer Michael Kelleher teamed with psychotherapist, David Van Nuys, to take a look at the unsolved serial killer case from the late 1960's with fresh profiling techniques available in 2002. Initially, I was concerned that it might be overly dry and clinical. However, the writing is crisp and the speculation will please the armchair detective.

Rather than take a fresh look at the clues to identify a new (or previously identified) suspect, this writing team seeks to take the reader into the mind of one seriously disturbed individual. What do the outward facts and evidence have to say about what was going on in his mind? Actually, they say a great deal.

In exploring the most likely mental processes, the writers come up with a logical reason why The Zodiac was never caught ... aside from the blind luck of a near miss that should have had a different ending. It isn't genius or the working of a mastermind. Yet, the explanation makes so much sense.

As I write this, if the man who was The Zodiac is still alive, he would probably be nearing 70-years of age. Law enforcement doesn't have the resources ... and even less inclination ... to reopen a case that is beyond cold. So, there is a frustration in knowing that he got away with it. At the same time, if the analysis of the two writers is correct, The Zodiac did not go gentle into that good night and experienced significant torment.

I remember learning that the Clint Eastwood movie, DIRTY HARRY, was inspired by The Zodiac killings. (The Zodiac becomes Scorpio in the film.) Being released so soon after the rampage, moviegoers were primed and ready for a successful resolution, and the film gave it to them. I've often wondered if The Zodiac was in the audience and, if so, what he thought when movie audiences cheered his cinematic death.

[Michael X · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book puts Graysmith's Zodiac to shame. Meticulously researched and written, this book does not hastily point fingers at the usual suspects but revels in the enigma that is the Zodiac case. Best Zodiac book out there.

[Wesley Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very awesome read that dwells into the mindset behind the infamous serial killer. I feel that the authors make a very good attempt at a profile of the personality and character of the person that is the Zodiac. They don't just go off of pure speculation, but analyze the letters and crime scenes to come up with their conclusion on the matter. All in all, a very good read for anyone who is interested in the Zodiac's crimes and anyone who enjoys learning about the psychology behind human actions and motives.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graysmith's book is still probably the best starting point for anyone interested in the Zodiac killer, but this is a good companion. The focus here is the Zodiac's letters, and what they can reveal about the man and his mind. Of course, it's all just theory and conjecture, but it's still interesting, and doesn't get hung up on trying to figure out who the guy actually was, but what *kind" of guy he might have been in real life.

[ForenSeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better true crime books out there. Written by two total professionals in their respective fields. van Nuys' analysis of the Zodiac's letters is particularly interesting. Occasionally draws some pretty far-fetched conclusions from the evidence pertaining to the Zodiac murders of the late 60s, but this can be forgiven, as the book overall is an excellent, well-researched and argued addition to the true crime genre.

[Nickie Cleaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

He definitely had a split personality. But I thunk there could be a slight chance he was the killer of Cheri Jo Bates. Maybe the zodiac did kill Cheri Jo bates, and it was his first kill. But perhaps he hadn't become the persona of "the Zodiac" yet. And that's why he credits the Vallejo murders as being his first murder, but as the zodiac. He didn't count Cheri cause he was a different person then. Just a thought.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but a little too heavy on the psychoanalysis when all the authors had to go on was Zodiac's letters.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-written nonfiction.

Best critical analysis of the facts of the case I have yet to read.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading about murder especially serial murders, always gives me the creeps. This one did as well. The telling of the story will keep the reader up at night. The book is well written and researched.

[D Alan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Right off the bat, these dimwits described a wristwatch with a diameter of SEVEN INCHES. Credibility of zero and into the trash this book went.

[Richard Toronto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known about the career of Zodiac for many years, but never got into it in depth other than viewing the Zodiac film with Robert Downey Jr and the intrepid Paul Avery. So I decided to do so, and was glad I chose this book. It sticks with an analysis of Zodiac's letters to various newspapers, and chronicles the career of the killer from day 1. Mr Kelleher enlisted a psychologist to read each letter and extrapolate on the personality that wrote them. Then the author gives profiles his impressions of the letter writer.

It begins the story with letter #1 in 1968 through the final letter in 1978, at which point Zodiac vanishes forever in the mists of time. No trace, no solid clues to find him. Van Nuys gets into some interesting insights about possible multiple personalities the Zodiac may have had, and both men agree that the Riverside murder of Cheri Jo Bates was NOT the Zodiac.

An insightful book, although we will never know how correct the authors were with their profiling! We have no Zodiac to compare it to. Thus, it is placed on the shelf with so many other Zodiac books, with a "could it be thus?" ending. However, Kelleher doesn't have an ax to grind with a proposed "suspect" as do most Zodiac researchers. This gives their work a bit more credibility. They try to stick to the facts. A good and quick read.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I didn't know a lot about the Zodiac murders and thought it would offer an interesting insight. It was an interesting, if somewhat repetitive read. The concept behind it being a psychologist analyses the Zodiac letters, initially unaware of what he is looking at, and tries to deduce something of the personality behind the person responsible for the murders. Whilst this book does not make much if any headway into identifying who the Zodiac might be, it was interesting to read the interpretation of the letters. Having said that, it would not be too difficult for any trained analyst to draw similar conclusions. I think we are simply going over old ground here with a bit more of an intellectual spin. Nothing leaps off the page and the psychologist qualifies his conclusions in a 'just in case I'm wrong I don't want to look like a fool' kind of way. An interesting account of the history of the killings and look at the correspondence, but to me, does not deliver as soundly as it could.

[tori busse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always been interested in serial killers and stuff like that. Even fake ones like Hannibal Lecter from “Silence of the Lambs”. This entire book was just like watching an episode of Criminal Minds. It is very well written and I love the details, like how they added figures of actual letters sent by the Zodiac Killer. It was interesting to see the two authors compare their thoughts on the different parts of writing when analyzing his letter. They didn’t go off of what other people have said about the Zodiac, they had their own investigation and formed their claims off of that, and that it made this book so interesting to read. Overall it is a very good book for someone interested in a fresh perspective on Zodiacs crimes.

[Austin Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

After discovering that my local library did not carry a copy of Graysmith's 'Zodiac', I found this book instead. While the first portion of the book is informative and captivating, the overly repetitive structure of the book begins to feel dull in the latter half. The insights behind Zodiac letters start feel as if you're reading the same 5 pages on a loop.

All in all, it does provide some interesting insights and unique ideas on the Zodiac case. My only gripe was that it lost it's grip in the second half.

[Mauoijenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Very indepth.

[Readerrunner · Rating 2 out of 5]

better than yellow book.