Unmasking Monsters

by Chook Henwood

A serial rapist is stalking South Auckland in 1980s New Zealand and police are stumped - they can't seem to find the man they call "The Ghost" before he strikes again.

In this incredible memoir of his nearly four decades as a police officer, David "Chook" Henwood tells the true story of how he and his fellow officers developed the system that would put The Ghost, Joseph Thompson, behind bars - and change the way policing was done in this country forever.

As a key player in the development of the nascent Criminal Profiling Unit, Henwood was at the heart of operations which locked up not just Thompson, but also the serial rapist Malcolm Rewa - and he would be an early and steadfast advocate for Teina Pora's innocence.

Henwood, one of the country's most decorated and respected police officers, started out as a wet-behind-the-ears police cadet in South Auckland, his lifelong patch and home, and would progress to become one of the country's finest detectives and a highly respected investigator.

From almost jovial relationships with small time criminals to dogged investigations to catch serious violent offenders, Henwood looks back at the nearly 40 years he spent as a sworn police officer and reflects on what's changed in this country - and what hasn't.

Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Cam Yaxley]

Fantastically interesting perspective focusing on pretty much the worst thing in the entire world. Well worth a read and surprisingly easy going given the subject.

[Sherralynne Smith]

Brilliant memoir

I really enjoyed reading this book, the insights into the NZ Police are superb. As a fellow Kiwi, the stories resonate with me. I highly recommend this book. Thanks for sharing this story Chook.

[Monique G]

Unmasking Monsters was a very interesting read. Like a lot of New Zealanders I was familiar with some of the cases Henwood recalled, it always adds an extra layer of interest when they are close to home. Well worth a read if you are interested in true crime, policing, or even media reporting vs other accounts of situations.

[Julie]

The was a great look at behind the scenes of the NZ Police and Chook's amazing careers and case. Well worth the read if you are interested in NZ crime and what it is like to be a cop on some big crimes.

[Lucy Hamilton]

Finally finished! This was so content heavy it was very difficult to read in long chunks but I feel very knowledgeable now about NZ’s criminal profiling and how it came to be what it is now, was such a great perspective from one of NZ’s great retired cops

[Anntonia Orchard]

Great read and how profiling was developed

[Bella London]

Less informative than Mindhunter, but still extremely interesting.

Safe to say I am glad I did not live in South Auckland in the 90's.

[Bailey King]

Great insight into criminal profiling.