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Camouflaged Killer: The Shocking Double Life of Canadian Air Force Colonel Russell Williams
He was a perfect man living a perfect life...which made him a perfect killer. Canadian Air Force Colonel Russell Williams commanded the largest Canadian Forces base in the country. He had personally piloted prime ministers, dignitaries, and members of the British royal family, and was one of the most respected and trusted soldiers in the military. He was also a rapist and a murderer. This is the disturbing true account of how one of Canada's highest- ranking military officers became one of Canada's most notorious criminals, including his ultimate capture, trial and conviction for a twisted spree of sexual deviancy and two brutal rapes and murders.
392 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 3, 2015
This was, for whatever reason, the most emotionally taxing true crime book I've ever read. Thanks to a lifelong interest in the macabre I'm quite desensitized and have a very high tolerance for gruesome details and content, but this book challenged me on that front; there were a couple of times I actually had to stop reading for a moment in order to adequately process what I had just read. I'm not sure if it was because the author was heavily referencing the video transcripts of Williams' crimes, but something about the vivid descriptions of the torture he inflicted upon his victims got to me in a way that I have not ever experienced with any other true crime book, and I was unprepared for how emotional it would be for me. Reading the exact words of two women begging for mercy and then begging for their lives as they are raped, humiliated, assaulted and eventually murdered is extremely upsetting, particularly when contrasted with Williams' smug stoicism.
As the book combs through Williams' life, interests, and activities there are a few revealing hints at his true nature, but they are greatly outnumbered by frustratingly mundane behavior and ordinary experiences. It's utterly mindboggling how well Russell Williams concealed his deviant urges behind a pathologically well-practiced mask of normality and propriety. Unfortunately the most valuable sources of information about his true self prior to getting caught - his wife and ex-girlfriends - cannot be consulted due to their refusal to discuss what they know about this man. That is no fault of the author's, of course, but the absence of that information still leaves a gaping hole in the story. In addition, the book recounts many attempts by both Canadian law enforcement and the military to cover up huge mistakes in the investigation, breaches and outright failures of protocol, attempts to deflect blame and responsibility, and even victim blaming. It left me with the certainty that the people in charge seemed to value their own professional safety over the personal safety of potential and even *actual* victims. Even though the cases are solved, when you take all of these shady factors into account it seems as though the entire story has still not been told, that there remains a mountain of evidence and information about this man and his crimes that is still waiting to be uncovered.
The most valuable parts of this book are the parts which expose weaknesses and failures in the investigation as well as in the police and military response to these crimes. I also appreciate that many different and highly experienced individuals working in various areas of criminology were consulted, instead of presenting one single unyielding view or opinion of the crimes. I hope that with time more people who were close to Russell Williams will choose to come forward and speak about what they knew of him, so that more of the gaps in the overall picture of how and why he became such a uniquely terrible rapist/killer can be filled in more accurately.
As the book combs through Williams' life, interests, and activities there are a few revealing hints at his true nature, but they are greatly outnumbered by frustratingly mundane behavior and ordinary experiences. It's utterly mindboggling how well Russell Williams concealed his deviant urges behind a pathologically well-practiced mask of normality and propriety. Unfortunately the most valuable sources of information about his true self prior to getting caught - his wife and ex-girlfriends - cannot be consulted due to their refusal to discuss what they know about this man. That is no fault of the author's, of course, but the absence of that information still leaves a gaping hole in the story. In addition, the book recounts many attempts by both Canadian law enforcement and the military to cover up huge mistakes in the investigation, breaches and outright failures of protocol, attempts to deflect blame and responsibility, and even victim blaming. It left me with the certainty that the people in charge seemed to value their own professional safety over the personal safety of potential and even *actual* victims. Even though the cases are solved, when you take all of these shady factors into account it seems as though the entire story has still not been told, that there remains a mountain of evidence and information about this man and his crimes that is still waiting to be uncovered.
The most valuable parts of this book are the parts which expose weaknesses and failures in the investigation as well as in the police and military response to these crimes. I also appreciate that many different and highly experienced individuals working in various areas of criminology were consulted, instead of presenting one single unyielding view or opinion of the crimes. I hope that with time more people who were close to Russell Williams will choose to come forward and speak about what they knew of him, so that more of the gaps in the overall picture of how and why he became such a uniquely terrible rapist/killer can be filled in more accurately.
October 13, 2011
Meh. I can see why this book has been optioned for a film.
This book was more comprehensive than the other book on Williams (A New Kind of Monster, Appleby), I'll give it that much. It also seems to have benefitted from the time that has passed since the hearing, as the other book felt a bit unfinished in comparison. It was a little heavy on the "storytelling" for me, however. At one point, the author fantasizes about what the victims were thinking the night they were murdered, which made me want to toss the book right there.
The section exploring Williams from a psychological perspective was interesting and somewhat informative. Unfortunately, it mixed in junk forensic science like the "Level of Evil" scale from the Most Evil tv series as if it has any relevance in actual Criminal Investigative Analysis. That kind of blew it for me and brought my highly subjective rating down to two stars.
This book was more comprehensive than the other book on Williams (A New Kind of Monster, Appleby), I'll give it that much. It also seems to have benefitted from the time that has passed since the hearing, as the other book felt a bit unfinished in comparison. It was a little heavy on the "storytelling" for me, however. At one point, the author fantasizes about what the victims were thinking the night they were murdered, which made me want to toss the book right there.
The section exploring Williams from a psychological perspective was interesting and somewhat informative. Unfortunately, it mixed in junk forensic science like the "Level of Evil" scale from the Most Evil tv series as if it has any relevance in actual Criminal Investigative Analysis. That kind of blew it for me and brought my highly subjective rating down to two stars.
February 5, 2018
Very terrifying book! However, this is a good reminder that one never really truly knows an acquaintance or co-worker.
July 3, 2020
Not much new revealed here but still a decent effort at describing the shocking tale of Russell Williams and his unspeakable reign of depravity.
March 28, 2014
very good read
March 30, 2017
Chapter 14, "Conduct Unbecoming," is a gold mine for armchair forensic behavioralists!
August 3, 2024
Mature audience only
Trigger warnings: stalking, rape, murder, feitshes, narrastic personalities, serial killer, graphic sexual items
I have to say this is the most terrifying, emotional, disgusting, true crime I have read in quite a while. Russell Williams was a star on the rise in the Canadian military, when in 2009, he went off the deep end. From breaking into homes to steal women's underwear to eventually committing sexual murders, he wasn't anything like people thought he was. I have to wonder if the Canadian police would have warned people if maybe he would have been caught before he was.
This was terrifying because you never really know who someone is or what they are capable of really. Too think he was a respected Colonel in the military, being groomed for higher ranks, and he was capable of these despicable crimes! I wonder just how much his wife knew. She has refused to speak in public about his crimes.
If you enjoy True Crime and have a strong stomach, I think you would enjoy this book. Took me a month to read because it was such a hard case and book.
🙂Happy Reading 😊
#readyourshelf2024 #readaway2024 #camoflagedkiller #davidagibb #truecrime #nonfiction
Trigger warnings: stalking, rape, murder, feitshes, narrastic personalities, serial killer, graphic sexual items
I have to say this is the most terrifying, emotional, disgusting, true crime I have read in quite a while. Russell Williams was a star on the rise in the Canadian military, when in 2009, he went off the deep end. From breaking into homes to steal women's underwear to eventually committing sexual murders, he wasn't anything like people thought he was. I have to wonder if the Canadian police would have warned people if maybe he would have been caught before he was.
This was terrifying because you never really know who someone is or what they are capable of really. Too think he was a respected Colonel in the military, being groomed for higher ranks, and he was capable of these despicable crimes! I wonder just how much his wife knew. She has refused to speak in public about his crimes.
If you enjoy True Crime and have a strong stomach, I think you would enjoy this book. Took me a month to read because it was such a hard case and book.
🙂Happy Reading 😊
#readyourshelf2024 #readaway2024 #camoflagedkiller #davidagibb #truecrime #nonfiction
September 10, 2018
Hmmmmm...
This is the first time I've read a book about this particular murderer. So the content about him and his crimes was certainly interesting. However, I found the authors style too dramatic and fictional for my liking. I wasn't a fan of the scene changes towards the beginning where the author was describing break in scenes.
And I disliked the last few chapters where the author talked about the FBI profiling techniques ect. While the FBi are certainly credited with starting the profiling phenomenon, the validity of there techniques and 'research'/'data' has been discredited by numerous empirical studies. I don't think that part was needed and took away from the book tone overall.
This is the first time I've read a book about this particular murderer. So the content about him and his crimes was certainly interesting. However, I found the authors style too dramatic and fictional for my liking. I wasn't a fan of the scene changes towards the beginning where the author was describing break in scenes.
And I disliked the last few chapters where the author talked about the FBI profiling techniques ect. While the FBi are certainly credited with starting the profiling phenomenon, the validity of there techniques and 'research'/'data' has been discredited by numerous empirical studies. I don't think that part was needed and took away from the book tone overall.
January 6, 2020
The first few chapters of this book were difficult to read. In the sense that I felt violated just reading it. I couldn't even begin to imagine what these women went through. Once the book gets to the trial part, it gets much easier to read. I also liked the armchair psychology diagnosis at the end of the book. Short of interviewing him, no one will really know and be able to diagnose Williams. I lived in Ottawa during university and frequently drove back and forth between there and Toronto... through Belleville and Tweed. I don't know how many times I drove through that area. This one hits close to home.
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March 21, 2022This isn't the kind of book I can give any amount of stars to. Nor will I comment on the writing style or format or such. Because I have ties to most of the places and a couple of the names are familiar to me, I can only say how eye-opening and disturbing this was. I lived in Belleville at the time and followed the story as it appeared in print or through the grapevine. There are so many details in this book though that I wasn't aware of. I feel for the family and friends of the women this one person victimized. I can't believe how he fooled everyone but I'm glad he was caught. I pray he never gets released.
June 12, 2024
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Russel Williams got to commander of of the largest bases in Canada but that power he craved was sexual in nature. Whether it was tweed(as the tweed creeper) or cozy cove as a cold blooded murderer he was never going to stop until it was a lucky break that someone matched tires and his car to it.
He is like the lust killer(good book if you haven’t done it) and BTK as they all had fetishes and are sexual sadists. Can’t believe that someone like him got to the top of the food chain. Ick. Makes you think.
Good book, worth the read.
He is like the lust killer(good book if you haven’t done it) and BTK as they all had fetishes and are sexual sadists. Can’t believe that someone like him got to the top of the food chain. Ick. Makes you think.
Good book, worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2021
A Sick and depraved human
While I understand the military wanting to go past this horrific event. The sexual rampage these women [and young girls who we exploited by him in his using their underware] must be further studied.
And psychological testing must in this porn inundated society ... must be used to avoid more needless deaths
While I understand the military wanting to go past this horrific event. The sexual rampage these women [and young girls who we exploited by him in his using their underware] must be further studied.
And psychological testing must in this porn inundated society ... must be used to avoid more needless deaths
September 18, 2019
Graphic and disturbing
Well researched and written. I got bogged down a little in excessive details of subject's youth, but same detail given to all crimes. This story will haunt you
Well researched and written. I got bogged down a little in excessive details of subject's youth, but same detail given to all crimes. This story will haunt you
April 2, 2024
This is the best true crime book I’ve ever read. I recommend it to all true crime consumers. The pictures are disturbing, the crimes are horrifying and it leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Cant recommend enough.
September 14, 2025
Didn't like it that much. Couple chapters was just reading bondage porn, too much minor detail relating, longer than needed to be, and the whole personality case study (compiled by several people). The man was certainly leading two lives (which was the interesting thing) and is terribly sick.
October 20, 2025
I picked this up after a Dateline that focused on this reign of terror.
He was a very sick man who could have done great things but chose the path of violence against women.
Death penalty would have been appropriate.
He was a very sick man who could have done great things but chose the path of violence against women.
Death penalty would have been appropriate.
July 3, 2020
Very scary, maybe because he was such a unicorn in the world of serial killers, maybe because he was Canadian, maybe because it was so recent - just bad news
April 18, 2021
Fascinating and upsetting.
Shocking story of this complex man and his abiltiy to be simultaneously two different people. Upsetting, but very interesting read.
Shocking story of this complex man and his abiltiy to be simultaneously two different people. Upsetting, but very interesting read.
September 4, 2023
Very difficult to read but worth it. The content is very heavy and I found I needed to take breaks and read something else frequently. Shocking story.
November 17, 2024
Unbelievable that this guy could have done these evil twisted things and been so under the radar.
July 16, 2012
I chose to read Gibb's version of the horrible and tragic events surrounding Williams and his heinous crimes mostly because of the local connection; I figured an investigative reporter who actually lived in the area where the crimes took place may be able to present the case in a unique light. I was not disappointed.
October 5, 2012
I enjoy true crime and have read a lot of it. This was the first time that I had to skip pages because I couldn't read anymore of the crime being committed. There is video of this crime and the victim's cries for help were a little too much to read about.
Overall the book was interesting. I was living in Canada when this was discovered.
Overall the book was interesting. I was living in Canada when this was discovered.
February 7, 2015
I thought the writing was okay - a bit graphic and hard to read in places. But the story is so fascinating, that I found the book quite interesting overall. Mostly I wanted to know how a person who seemed so trustworthy could have such a depraved other side to them. That's something I still can't understand, but reading the book provided some interesting insights.
February 16, 2012
This book was an eye opener to the fact that anyone can lead a shocking double life. As a decorated member of the Military it never occured to me that someone could be so sick and twisted as this former Colonel was.
September 25, 2012
Creepy good, scary to know that various branches of the military in different countries have NO IDEA what backgrounds really define their military members....GLAD I HAVE NEVER MET ANYONE LIKE THIS!!!!
September 15, 2012
True murder story, well written but too much analysis at the end. Lots of questions still not answered regarding the military's side and the wife's involvement.
March 3, 2013
Fascinating true story of this military Colonel/Serial killer Russell Williams.
January 22, 2013
A very interesting and enlightening read. Very well written. Still some unanswered questions but don't think it's through any fault of the author.
March 28, 2013
Kind of depressing book to read
July 17, 2013
Lost interest halfway through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews