To the Grave: Inside a Spectacular RCMP Sting

by Mike McIntyre

Finalist for the 2007 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Non-Fiction

It was a mystery destined for the Cold Case files. A pretty teenager from Brandon, Manitoba, named Erin Chorney steps out for coffee, tells her mom she’ll be back in an hour. . . and never returns. Rumours about Erin’s fate begin to fly. Psychics with bizarre theories and suggestions. Shocking accusations and denials. Cryptic diary entries. Disturbing anonymous letters. Search warrants and surveillance. But she doesn’t turn up. Nearly two years later, when all hope seems lost — a last—ditch plan straight out of Hollywood.The RCMP take aim at the prime suspect in Erin’s disappearance through a unique undercover sting operation, and the result is a wild, four—month ride into a dark criminal underworld filled with cunning mind games, shadowy figures, daring twists and Academy—award winning acting performances. And an explosive ending that nobody saw coming.

Genres: Canada, Nonfiction, True Crime

408 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 15, 2006

About the author

Mike McIntyre is a justice reporter with the Winnipeg Free Press and a national radio show host. His previous books — Nowhere To Run: The Killing of Constable Dennis Strongquill (2003), The Yuletide Bandit: A Seven—Year Search for a Serial Criminal (2004), and To the Grave: Inside a Spectacular RCMP Sting (2006) have spent time on Canada's bestseller lists.

Reviews

[Aidan Piche · Rating 2 out of 5]

The operation that this book covers is very interesting, unfortunately it’s held back by a few factors. It takes nearly half the book to start covering it, with lots of what feels like unneeded and uninteresting context before it (mostly summations of previous operations similar to this that don’t go into much detail). Many points of dialogue or sections are reiterated throughout the book, and is compromised of mainly dialogue leaving a lot of the atmosphere and setting to be more ambiguous. the sting operation is craaazy tho

[Victoria Borelli-Gingras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from Manitoba myself, I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this awful case.
I really enjoyed the way the author writes- it was really easy to follow.

[Lindsay Loree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was of interest to me since I moved to brandon in 2000 and am just a few years older than Erin. While I can recall the seriousness of the situation not being a daily reader of the newspaper and that being the main outlet of information I was basically unaware of the details. Reading the details on how the police were able to obtain the info they needed to make the case was so much better than any movie or crime novel.

[Tina Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down, I picked it up at a second hand shop. Once I started readingit it was very hard to put down, very good for being a true story. It does seem like it wasn't real and was just a fiction story. Loved this book.

[Dannymoxeyyahoo.Ca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. Very good book and nice to see justice served.

[Shelley Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time that I have read this book. I moved to Brandon a couple of years before this happened. It’s chilling to think that our paths probably crossed at some point. It’s a book that is impossible to set down but also so detailed that it leaves you feeling absolutely sick. Well written, factual. Absolutely amazing job by everyone involved.

[Eric]

Crazy to think this real case happened so close to home. I mean, I have family who live in Winnipeg (this happened in Brandon, MB, couple hour drive from Wpg) so that's nuts this whole thing went to the lengths it did.

[Jaycee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book written very factual. I liked how they didn't leave anything out about the reports or how they use the sting operation. It was cool to read a book about something that happened in the same community we live in.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book to read purely because it occurred so close to my home and in my city. However, the book itself was not well written. There were numerous grammatical and spelling errors and the events were recounted somewhat slowly in places.

[Kelly Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Erin as an acquaintance in the years before her disappearance. It was unfathomable to read what i did but provided some closure I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. I’d recommend to anyone.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down, but do have to note the editing leaves room for improvement.

[Tasha Whyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, great behind the scenes look at law enforcement.

[Heather(Gibby) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book gives a clear, factual account of the police investigation, and RCMP sting operation, leading up to the arrest and conviction of Michael Bridges for the 1st degree murder of Erin Chorney.

It is tough to separate the review of the book and writing, from the emotions of the story itself.
The author Mike McIntyre does let his personal emotions enter the story at times- but how could anyone have gotten that close to the story and not done so?

As a reader, my heart went out to the family, friends, and the community of Brandon. Having met Erin, it touched me deeply.

[Not_Your_Typical_Lannister (Leslie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

These events took place in my city. I remember it happening but not the full details. I chose to read the book. Wow!! I cannot believe all of this went down as we carried on our merry ways.

This book was written very well. Everything in the book was well explained but enough was left out to keep you guessing what would happen next. I don't think I will ever be able to drive by some of the places in this book and look at them the same way. RIP Erin.

[Adam Killingbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sad but almost unreal story of the Incredible under cover operation to get Michael Bridges for the murder of Erin Chorney. I give It five stars because I was unable to put it down, with this being a murder that happened in Brandon and a murder that would have gone unsolved without the RCMP, it was an exciting read.

[Lucille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the incredilby true story of the terrifying disappearance of an eighteen year old girl, Erin Chorney, and the spectacular lengths that the police and the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) went to to find her killer and bring him to justice.

[Rebecca Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cool because it is a true story of a murder that happened in Brandon. I recognized so many of the places and remember the story as it unfolded in the media, so it was pretty interesting to get the whole story.

[Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

- very stilted writing style, unfortunately
- the true story of the 2003 murder of Erin Chorney (in Brandon, Manitoba) and the interesting police sting that resulted in the arrest of the murderer

[Sandiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story about a Brandon girl gone missing and how the of her disappearance was solved approximately 2 years after the fact. Quick read.

[RileyV · Rating 3 out of 5]

The details of the operation where good. The editing of the book could have been better.

[Hailey R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbelievable story. Good flow and fair story telling. Looses a star for multiple editing errors though.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real page-turner! Very interesting how the police staged this 'criminal' world to catch a killer!