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By the River's Edge: A True Story of Identity and Serial Murder
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The decades-long manhunt for a serial killer takes a stunning turn in a haunting and harrowing true crime shocker by Gregg Olsen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Tell .
In 1990 in Washington state, the bodies of Yolanda Sapp, Nickie Lowe, and Kathy Brisbois were found on the banks of the Spokane River. They were part of a close-knit alliance of sex workers whose oath to protect each other was, in the end, hopeless. For twenty-two years their brutal murders went unsolved.
In 2012, a DNA cold hit pointed to Douglas Perry. A repeat assault offender, Douglas was currently incarcerated in Carswell, Texas. But there was a The facility was for female prisoners. The man authorities hunted for decades was now Donna Perry. Her gender reassignment not only helped to mask the evil deeds of the past, it ended a life of childhood traumas and a pent-up rage unleashed on nearly thirty victims, according to Donna herself. Through total reinvention, she believed she’d finally slayed the monster within.
By the River’s Edge is the astonishing true story of an elusive serial killer, an escape plan like no other, and the women who lived and died on the fringes of the Lilac City for whom justice was at long last served.
The decades-long manhunt for a serial killer takes a stunning turn in a haunting and harrowing true crime shocker by Gregg Olsen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Tell .
In 1990 in Washington state, the bodies of Yolanda Sapp, Nickie Lowe, and Kathy Brisbois were found on the banks of the Spokane River. They were part of a close-knit alliance of sex workers whose oath to protect each other was, in the end, hopeless. For twenty-two years their brutal murders went unsolved.
In 2012, a DNA cold hit pointed to Douglas Perry. A repeat assault offender, Douglas was currently incarcerated in Carswell, Texas. But there was a The facility was for female prisoners. The man authorities hunted for decades was now Donna Perry. Her gender reassignment not only helped to mask the evil deeds of the past, it ended a life of childhood traumas and a pent-up rage unleashed on nearly thirty victims, according to Donna herself. Through total reinvention, she believed she’d finally slayed the monster within.
By the River’s Edge is the astonishing true story of an elusive serial killer, an escape plan like no other, and the women who lived and died on the fringes of the Lilac City for whom justice was at long last served.
Audible Audio
Published June 23, 2026
About the author
Gregg Olsen
122 books7,515 followersThroughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
July 1, 2026
Usually, I find Olsen's true crime books compulsively readable, but this one seemed booged down by minutia. It lacked the flow of a story told well.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t know much about this case before reading this book. I’m not from the U.S., and surprisingly, there isn’t a huge amount of easily accessible information about it online beyond a few articles and crime show mentions. So going in, I was learning a lot of details for the first time.
First of all, it’s clear that the author put serious effort into researching this case. The level of detail and care in presenting the timeline, the investigation and the people involved really stood out.
True crime is always difficult to "rate" in the same way as fiction. It’s not about twists or character arcs, it’s about facts, real victims and real consequences. In that sense, I think the book did what it set out to do. The pacing was mostly steady (I did felt sometimes was a bit slower, but it didn't bother me too much) and kept me engaged throughout, even though the subject matter is undeniably heavy.
There were moments where the narrative felt slightly repetitive and a few times I almost forgot I was reading nonfiction because it unfolded with the intensity of a thriller. But overall, it was informative, disturbing and thoughtfully told.
A solid 4★ for me.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
First of all, it’s clear that the author put serious effort into researching this case. The level of detail and care in presenting the timeline, the investigation and the people involved really stood out.
True crime is always difficult to "rate" in the same way as fiction. It’s not about twists or character arcs, it’s about facts, real victims and real consequences. In that sense, I think the book did what it set out to do. The pacing was mostly steady (I did felt sometimes was a bit slower, but it didn't bother me too much) and kept me engaged throughout, even though the subject matter is undeniably heavy.
There were moments where the narrative felt slightly repetitive and a few times I almost forgot I was reading nonfiction because it unfolded with the intensity of a thriller. But overall, it was informative, disturbing and thoughtfully told.
A solid 4★ for me.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
January 17, 2026
A true-crime story with a fascinating real case and solid research. While the subject matter is compelling, the pacing can feel slow and repetitive at times. A decent read for true-crime fans, but not my favorite by Gregg Olsen.
August 6, 2026
I had never heard of this killer nor about the victims until reading this book. It’s awful what the killer did. Devastating to know what those poor victims went through.
The writing style wasn’t my cup of tea but I was still interested in getting to learn about the events that took place. Repetitive and unnecessary excessive details.
I really enjoyed this authors other book If You Tell. I will continue to read his other books in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The writing style wasn’t my cup of tea but I was still interested in getting to learn about the events that took place. Repetitive and unnecessary excessive details.
I really enjoyed this authors other book If You Tell. I will continue to read his other books in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2026
A gripping true crime saga that blends the procedural intricacies of a cold case with the intimate narratives of the victims and the shocking unmasking of the killer.
In 1990, the Spokane River in Washington state became the grim discovery site of three sex workers’ bodies. These women were part of “the Circle,” a close knit group that looked out for one another while working on the fringes of Spokane, WA. Despite the tireless efforts of local investigators, their murders remained a haunting mystery for over two decades.
Fast forward to 2012, a groundbreaking DNA breakthrough in the cold case pinpointed the suspect as Douglas Perry. Yet, by the time authorities tracked him down, Perry had transitioned and was living as Donna Perry. This unexpected twist added profound layers to the case, sparking debates about identity, accountability, and whether the perpetrator believed their gender reassignment had “slayed the monster within.”
Gregg Olsen examines the victims’ lives with empathy, portraying them as more than just sex workers. They were cherished mothers, daughters, and sisters. The book chronicles the exhaustive investigation, the wider ramifications of the crimes, and Donna Perry’s alleged admissions of responsibility for additional victims over the years. It also explores themes of childhood trauma, rage, reinvention, and the formidable challenges faced by prosecutors in seeking justice in this remarkable case.
In 1990, the Spokane River in Washington state became the grim discovery site of three sex workers’ bodies. These women were part of “the Circle,” a close knit group that looked out for one another while working on the fringes of Spokane, WA. Despite the tireless efforts of local investigators, their murders remained a haunting mystery for over two decades.
Fast forward to 2012, a groundbreaking DNA breakthrough in the cold case pinpointed the suspect as Douglas Perry. Yet, by the time authorities tracked him down, Perry had transitioned and was living as Donna Perry. This unexpected twist added profound layers to the case, sparking debates about identity, accountability, and whether the perpetrator believed their gender reassignment had “slayed the monster within.”
Gregg Olsen examines the victims’ lives with empathy, portraying them as more than just sex workers. They were cherished mothers, daughters, and sisters. The book chronicles the exhaustive investigation, the wider ramifications of the crimes, and Donna Perry’s alleged admissions of responsibility for additional victims over the years. It also explores themes of childhood trauma, rage, reinvention, and the formidable challenges faced by prosecutors in seeking justice in this remarkable case.
June 23, 2026
By the River’s Edge by Gregg Olsen
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars
True crime and I have a complicated relationship. I always think I want dense investigative nonfiction and then five pages in I’m wondering why I assigned myself homework. 🤣 Lucky for me, this novel manages to avoid that trap. The author presents the case in a way that feels more like a gripping conversation than a stack of court documents, which is a miracle (for me) in the nonfiction world.
The book lays out a tragic and unsettling crime while keeping us focused on the people involved rather than drowning us in procedural details. Olsen has a knack for organizing complicated events into a story that flows smoothly, making it easy to keep track of timelines, suspects and evidence. I kept telling myself “Just one more chapter,” which is not something I usually say about nonfiction (unless there’s a quiz afterward.)
A solid 4-star read for me. It’s disturbing and fascinating without feeling dumbed down. If you’re someone who wants to read more nonfiction but get intimidated by books that read like legal paperwork, this book is a great place to start. Olsen makes learning horrifying facts feel effortless and honestly, I think that’s a talent.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Publish date: June 23, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars
True crime and I have a complicated relationship. I always think I want dense investigative nonfiction and then five pages in I’m wondering why I assigned myself homework. 🤣 Lucky for me, this novel manages to avoid that trap. The author presents the case in a way that feels more like a gripping conversation than a stack of court documents, which is a miracle (for me) in the nonfiction world.
The book lays out a tragic and unsettling crime while keeping us focused on the people involved rather than drowning us in procedural details. Olsen has a knack for organizing complicated events into a story that flows smoothly, making it easy to keep track of timelines, suspects and evidence. I kept telling myself “Just one more chapter,” which is not something I usually say about nonfiction (unless there’s a quiz afterward.)
A solid 4-star read for me. It’s disturbing and fascinating without feeling dumbed down. If you’re someone who wants to read more nonfiction but get intimidated by books that read like legal paperwork, this book is a great place to start. Olsen makes learning horrifying facts feel effortless and honestly, I think that’s a talent.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Publish date: June 23, 2026
June 12, 2026
Yolanda Sapp, Nickie Lowe, and Kathy Brisbois were found murdered near the Spokane River. The three women, all sex workers known as “The Circle,” looked out for one another while surviving life on the streets. Their murders remained unsolved for twenty-two years until DNA evidence collected from the crime scenes was matched to Douglas Perry in 2012. When U.S. Marshals finally made the arrest, however, they found themselves taking a woman into custody. Douglas Perry had undergone gender reassignment surgery in 2000 and was now living as Donna Perry.
According to investigators and prosecutors, becoming Donna Perry helped conceal a violent past marked by childhood trauma and the murders committed decades earlier. The case became notable as one of the first involving a transgender serial killer prosecuted by the FBI, and the evidence ultimately led to Perry’s conviction.
If you pick up this book, be prepared to clear your schedule because it’s incredibly difficult to put down. Gregg Olsen not only explores the murders linked to Donna Perry but also provides insight into the lives of the victims, ensuring they are remembered as more than just names in a case file. He also examines the crimes of the Spokane serial killer, Robert Lee Yates, whose murders overlapped with the investigation, creating additional challenges for law enforcement.
The book dives deep into Perry’s childhood, relationships, criminal history, and the events leading up to the murders, while also detailing the lengthy investigation and trial that culminated in a 2017 conviction. Olsen’s writing is compelling, thoroughly researched, and respectful of the victims whose stories deserved to be told.
I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about well-known serial killer cases, but Donna Perry was completely new to me. That’s one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, it shed light on a case I’d never heard of while delivering a fascinating and unforgettable true-crime story.
According to investigators and prosecutors, becoming Donna Perry helped conceal a violent past marked by childhood trauma and the murders committed decades earlier. The case became notable as one of the first involving a transgender serial killer prosecuted by the FBI, and the evidence ultimately led to Perry’s conviction.
If you pick up this book, be prepared to clear your schedule because it’s incredibly difficult to put down. Gregg Olsen not only explores the murders linked to Donna Perry but also provides insight into the lives of the victims, ensuring they are remembered as more than just names in a case file. He also examines the crimes of the Spokane serial killer, Robert Lee Yates, whose murders overlapped with the investigation, creating additional challenges for law enforcement.
The book dives deep into Perry’s childhood, relationships, criminal history, and the events leading up to the murders, while also detailing the lengthy investigation and trial that culminated in a 2017 conviction. Olsen’s writing is compelling, thoroughly researched, and respectful of the victims whose stories deserved to be told.
I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about well-known serial killer cases, but Donna Perry was completely new to me. That’s one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, it shed light on a case I’d never heard of while delivering a fascinating and unforgettable true-crime story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a very interesting true crime story about serial killer from Spokane in the 1990s. I went into this book expecting it to be written in a similar way to If You Tell (same author), but this novel is more like just reading a case file. Lots of facts, lots of regurgitated conversations, and lots of repetitiveness. The story itself is heartbreaking aa far as the victims and their families are concerned, and infuriating where Donna is concerned, but with all the details and conversations being repeated throughout the book, it was a little boring at times. If you like a true crime book that focuses on the facts instead of being told in a way that makes you forget you're not just reading another psychologica lthriller,, this book is for you. Like I said, the story is interesting for sure, I just do not care for this type of format in true crime.
This was a very interesting true crime story about serial killer from Spokane in the 1990s. I went into this book expecting it to be written in a similar way to If You Tell (same author), but this novel is more like just reading a case file. Lots of facts, lots of regurgitated conversations, and lots of repetitiveness. The story itself is heartbreaking aa far as the victims and their families are concerned, and infuriating where Donna is concerned, but with all the details and conversations being repeated throughout the book, it was a little boring at times. If you like a true crime book that focuses on the facts instead of being told in a way that makes you forget you're not just reading another psychologica lthriller,, this book is for you. Like I said, the story is interesting for sure, I just do not care for this type of format in true crime.
July 1, 2026
By the River's Edge is a compelling true crime story that kept me interested from beginning to end. Gregg Olsen does an excellent job unraveling a complex case involving identity, deception, and murder while keeping the narrative easy to follow. The investigative details were fascinating, and I appreciated how thoroughly the victims and the case were presented.
May 14, 2026
By the River’s Edge is the second true crime book I’ve read from Gregg Olsen, and this was a doozy of a case. I had heard of the story before, but never in so much detail. A large portion of the book is taken directly from police interrogations and court testimony, which made everything feel deeply immersive and harrowing. This was such a unique and unprecedented case, but as always with true crime, it was also tragic and heartbreaking for the victims and families involved in these senseless crimes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This being a true story is just crazy. I've never heard of a situation like in this book and I follow true crime a lot
. It was one crazy eye opening unbelievable book.
If you love true crime you must read this.
And if course the author is brilliant.
My heart goes out to the families
Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book.
. It was one crazy eye opening unbelievable book.
If you love true crime you must read this.
And if course the author is brilliant.
My heart goes out to the families
Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book.
Read
June 26, 2026Level 4/5 intensity for explicit and graphic imagery, violence, trauma, mental health crisis, and taboo themes.
Wow. This had to have been an incredibly difficult true crime story to write, given the nature of the crimes and narrative around identity and gender. I personally felt like the author did a great job of recounting what occurred during Perry’s life. Devastating on so many levels.
This was a hard recounting to stomach. It doesn’t feel right to give a star rating. My heart hurts for the families of Nickie, Yolanda, and Kathy. As impossible as it is, I hope they have found some sort of comfort in each other and the outcome of the case. I’m not sure that’s even possible.
The judge’s respectful and emotional conclusion before his sentencing brought me to tears.
“…During this trial, I really felt like for the first time I got to know these three women. And all three of these women, now victims, they were all human beings. They had lives. They had families. They had significant others. They had people that cared about them. They had aspirations. There were things they wanted to do with their lives. Most of all, they wanted to live their lives and, despite living lives that are so difficult that most of us probably can’t comprehend it, all three of these women managed to make the best of it. They managed to live their lives fully under the most extraordinary and difficult circumstances. So, make no mistake, all three of these women were courageous, they were caring, they were loving.”
🕊️
Wow. This had to have been an incredibly difficult true crime story to write, given the nature of the crimes and narrative around identity and gender. I personally felt like the author did a great job of recounting what occurred during Perry’s life. Devastating on so many levels.
This was a hard recounting to stomach. It doesn’t feel right to give a star rating. My heart hurts for the families of Nickie, Yolanda, and Kathy. As impossible as it is, I hope they have found some sort of comfort in each other and the outcome of the case. I’m not sure that’s even possible.
The judge’s respectful and emotional conclusion before his sentencing brought me to tears.
“…During this trial, I really felt like for the first time I got to know these three women. And all three of these women, now victims, they were all human beings. They had lives. They had families. They had significant others. They had people that cared about them. They had aspirations. There were things they wanted to do with their lives. Most of all, they wanted to live their lives and, despite living lives that are so difficult that most of us probably can’t comprehend it, all three of these women managed to make the best of it. They managed to live their lives fully under the most extraordinary and difficult circumstances. So, make no mistake, all three of these women were courageous, they were caring, they were loving.”
🕊️
July 7, 2026
How can a book about a transsexual intersex serial killer be SO BORING!?!
I don’t think I’ve given a book 1 star in a very, very long time and I feel horrible doing so.
If you’re thinking of reading this because you loved “If You Tell”, this ain’t that. 😬 🥱 ⭐️
I don’t think I’ve given a book 1 star in a very, very long time and I feel horrible doing so.
If you’re thinking of reading this because you loved “If You Tell”, this ain’t that. 😬 🥱 ⭐️
July 26, 2026
This was my first true-crime and I enjoyed it. I thought the case was super unique and interesting, based in Spokane and written by a local author. The pacing felt a bit slow and repetitive towards the end. Overall impressed by how much research must have gone into this, and interested in exploring more of his books.
July 17, 2026
3.5 rounded up - some parts were drawn out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having lived in the Seattle area for four years, I was eager to read this book as soon as I found it available for request!
The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, we meet Yolanda, Nickie, and Kathy; the second part focuses on Douglas; and the third part dives into Donna’s story. The horrifying murders began in 1990, but it wasn't until 2012 that DNA evidence finally pointed the police in the right direction—talk about a cold case! The sentence was carried out in 2014, with the trial commencing in 2017. In 2000, Douglas had gender surgery in Bangkok, which allowed him to transition and become Donna. These details form the backbone of the book, but what’s captivating is how we follow each individual's timeline to grasp the full story of what happened, when, and why.
As we delve deeper into Douglas's and then Donna’s lives, we start to notice the presence of mental illness. The 1990s were a different era, and Douglas’s actions likely weren’t fully understood then. He believed that undergoing surgery—or, as the book describes it, ‘gelding’ himself—would help curb his violent tendencies. It’s chilling to think that this individual was on the loose for so long!
The author does a fantastic job of keeping me engaged throughout the narrative, and I won’t lie—I found myself Googling several things along the way! I appreciate books that prompt further research because they often reveal details I wouldn’t have known otherwise. Since I lived near the locations mentioned in the book, it was easy for me to visualize everything in my mind. Honestly, I was completely unaware of this serial killer's story before reading this book. It unfolds like an investigative journey, complete with confessions, interrogations, and trial coverage. A lot is covered, including the fact that some witnesses had passed away, some were ill and couldn’t attend the trial, and others simply didn’t remember due to the passage of time.
Given that this was the first transgender serial killer, the book thoughtfully tackles some sensitive opinions surrounding this topic, addressing mental illness and gender-affirming surgery with care. If you enjoy podcasts, are a fan of true crime, or love stories based on real events, this is definitely a book you shouldn't miss! It was hard to put down, and the time I spent researching online was well worth it! I particularly enjoyed the author's note and afterword, which offer surprising insights from the defense's perspective and Donna Perry's thoughts. I’m now a big fan and can’t wait to explore more of this author’s work!
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, we meet Yolanda, Nickie, and Kathy; the second part focuses on Douglas; and the third part dives into Donna’s story. The horrifying murders began in 1990, but it wasn't until 2012 that DNA evidence finally pointed the police in the right direction—talk about a cold case! The sentence was carried out in 2014, with the trial commencing in 2017. In 2000, Douglas had gender surgery in Bangkok, which allowed him to transition and become Donna. These details form the backbone of the book, but what’s captivating is how we follow each individual's timeline to grasp the full story of what happened, when, and why.
As we delve deeper into Douglas's and then Donna’s lives, we start to notice the presence of mental illness. The 1990s were a different era, and Douglas’s actions likely weren’t fully understood then. He believed that undergoing surgery—or, as the book describes it, ‘gelding’ himself—would help curb his violent tendencies. It’s chilling to think that this individual was on the loose for so long!
The author does a fantastic job of keeping me engaged throughout the narrative, and I won’t lie—I found myself Googling several things along the way! I appreciate books that prompt further research because they often reveal details I wouldn’t have known otherwise. Since I lived near the locations mentioned in the book, it was easy for me to visualize everything in my mind. Honestly, I was completely unaware of this serial killer's story before reading this book. It unfolds like an investigative journey, complete with confessions, interrogations, and trial coverage. A lot is covered, including the fact that some witnesses had passed away, some were ill and couldn’t attend the trial, and others simply didn’t remember due to the passage of time.
Given that this was the first transgender serial killer, the book thoughtfully tackles some sensitive opinions surrounding this topic, addressing mental illness and gender-affirming surgery with care. If you enjoy podcasts, are a fan of true crime, or love stories based on real events, this is definitely a book you shouldn't miss! It was hard to put down, and the time I spent researching online was well worth it! I particularly enjoyed the author's note and afterword, which offer surprising insights from the defense's perspective and Donna Perry's thoughts. I’m now a big fan and can’t wait to explore more of this author’s work!
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 14, 2026
I do enjoy true crime books, but this was just all over the place for me with too much unnecessary information.
June 25, 2026
This is the true crime story of the first transgender serial killer and how three sex workers and their families finally got justice after over twenty years. Could Donna be charged with the crimes that Douglas committed before the operation? We're there even more victims out there? Detectives on the cases stuck with the investigation over the years even as they remained cold, until the discovery of DNA testing. And the suspect revealed was a shock to everyone on the case.
This was a case that I never heard of before this book and it raised serious questions about how the court case would be handled. I thought the book was well written and very well researched. The first part of the book read more like a thriller novel, but as it got into the suspect interviews and court case it got dry and a bit repetitive. Overall I did enjoy it and it was very informative.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
This was a case that I never heard of before this book and it raised serious questions about how the court case would be handled. I thought the book was well written and very well researched. The first part of the book read more like a thriller novel, but as it got into the suspect interviews and court case it got dry and a bit repetitive. Overall I did enjoy it and it was very informative.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
May 31, 2026
This true crime book covers the case of the first transgender serial killer in the USA. In 1990 in Spokane, Washington, the bodies of three sex workers were found by the river. Their murders went unsolved for more than two decades until DNA analysis led investigators to Douglas Perry, who they were surprised to learn was now Donna Perry.
I was a little worried how the topic of gender confirmation surgery would be handled, and was glad to see it discussed neutrally. In fact, the only complication regarding gender was a legal one: were Douglas and Donna considered to be the same person for the purpose of prosecuting these crimes? Overall, I found this book to be well researched but more reportorial than I prefer. Why did Douglas commit these crimes? How did his troubled upbringing and gender dysphoria contribute to his violence, if at all? I finished this book feeling as if the portrait of Douglas and Donna was incomplete.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read an ARC of this title.
I was a little worried how the topic of gender confirmation surgery would be handled, and was glad to see it discussed neutrally. In fact, the only complication regarding gender was a legal one: were Douglas and Donna considered to be the same person for the purpose of prosecuting these crimes? Overall, I found this book to be well researched but more reportorial than I prefer. Why did Douglas commit these crimes? How did his troubled upbringing and gender dysphoria contribute to his violence, if at all? I finished this book feeling as if the portrait of Douglas and Donna was incomplete.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read an ARC of this title.
May 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital ARC of this work in exchange for an honest review.
What a hammer blow of a book! This is a true gem of a true crime book. We are taken on a dark trip to the State of Washington where we meet Douglass Perry... Or should I say Donna Perry, a truly loathsome individual who took 3 lives and was able to evade capture by claiming gender dysphoria.
The true stars of this story are the victims, who are portrayed with reality and dignity. The writing is paced perfectly. 4 very enthusiastic stars!!!
What a hammer blow of a book! This is a true gem of a true crime book. We are taken on a dark trip to the State of Washington where we meet Douglass Perry... Or should I say Donna Perry, a truly loathsome individual who took 3 lives and was able to evade capture by claiming gender dysphoria.
The true stars of this story are the victims, who are portrayed with reality and dignity. The writing is paced perfectly. 4 very enthusiastic stars!!!
July 18, 2026
By the Water's Edge kept me turning the pages because I wanted to see whether justice would finally prevail. While the premise was compelling enough to hold my interest, I never felt fully invested in the story or its characters. The pacing was uneven, and although the ending provided some resolution, the journey there was fairly average.
July 2, 2026
This one’s tough to rate! I think I’m going with 3.5⭐️! The beginning was slow but it picked up like at the 40% mark and I couldn’t stop reading! I love a good Gregg Olsen true crime book so if you are into that this is a great read!
July 17, 2026
An interesting read, a little slow at times, but a lot of good information to tell the story. Glad they caught the guy, after all those years.
July 23, 2026
The topic is incredibly through provoking but the book (audio) felt long and a little too bland. I loved my first Olsen book and this one just seemed too procedural and lacked a bit of connection.
July 26, 2026
3.5 star rating
August 7, 2026
2.5 rounded up
June 30, 2026
Boring
I like Gregg Olsen and have read alot of his nonfiction. I read "If You Tell" in less than 24 hours, and thought "Starvation Heights" was amazing, but this one was a miss for me. It was repetitive (whats covered in the narrative is covered again in testimony) and sometimes the story relied solely on pages and pages of transcripts. Despite the potential for a really interesting story this was one just didn't pull me along.
I like Gregg Olsen and have read alot of his nonfiction. I read "If You Tell" in less than 24 hours, and thought "Starvation Heights" was amazing, but this one was a miss for me. It was repetitive (whats covered in the narrative is covered again in testimony) and sometimes the story relied solely on pages and pages of transcripts. Despite the potential for a really interesting story this was one just didn't pull me along.
July 1, 2026
I pretty much did not finish this book. I just could not get into it and I usually like my true crime books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve read a few other books written by Olsen, and this one sounded too intriguing and convoluted to pass. Olsen has a wonderful way of turning victims into people, and I was curious how this story would unfold, featuring three murdered sex workers and a transgender suspect. In this case, truth really does seem to be stranger than fiction.
Ever since reading The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, I have been so much more aware of the different ways that both killers and their victims have their stories told, and struggle a lot with stories that (for lack of a better word) seem to focus more on the killer, often barely even mentioning anything about the people who have been murdered. Think about what you know about Jack the Ripper, then think about his victims. Can you name a single one? Do you know anything about their lives? That’s what Rubenhold’s book was about, and I was thrilled to see Olsen offer the same respect to the women in this book. Despite the fact that they had limited options and turned to sex work, Olsen really dives into who each of these women were outside of their profession. They were wives, mothers, sisters, friends, and most importantly, they were human beings who deserved respect.
Yolanda, Nickie, and Kathy are the focus of the first section of the book. People who live on the fringes of society often have a lot of cards stacked against them, and it is no different for these three women. Climbing out of the hole of addiction and prostitution is a long, hard journey. These three formed a bond and promised to protect each other, unable to know that they would all be killed by the same person in 1990. It was so fascinating to learn about these women and who they actually were. So much of a person’s identity in America has to do with your profession—I noticed this when I became disabled and people asked what I did for work—having no answer prepared left a gap in the conversation, and I can only imagine how much worse the reaction is when you have a profession like sex work.
It isn’t until later parts of the book that we learn more about the suspected killer, Douglas/Donna Perry. After more than 20 years, the updated DNA technology and associated databases available were used on evidence that was part of a cold case. A DNA hit came back, and was linked to the name of a man who had been arrested for assault charges. But when law enforcement officers searched for him, they discovered that he had flown to Thailand and gotten gender reassignment surgery, and he was being held in a women’s federal facility in Texas, living his life as Donna Perry.
While I find myself with significantly less empathy for a person who kills innocent people, it wasn’t easy learning about Douglas’s early years. Born intersex, his parents chose his gender as male to match his external genitalia, and raised him as a son. He faced a lot of trauma, including sexual abuse from both his father and older brother. Even so, it’s clear that none of this makes his murders acceptable or even understandable.
The case got really interesting when Donna’s defense strategy was made clear: she was claiming that the murders had been committed by Douglas, and that becoming Donna basically gave her a clean slate as a completely different person. She made statements about how becoming a woman totally removed any aggression, which was challenged as mistaken since there is no scientific evidence to support this. I was really caught up and wanted to find out if justice was going to be served for these three women, and was glued to the book.
It is narrated by Karen Peakes, and she does a wonderful job with the voices. Different characters had different voices in her narration, and for such a potentially touchy topic, it was handled pretty sensitively for the most part. Sometimes language grows more rapidly than is recognized widely. Douglas was born when the term for his ambiguous genitalia was called hermaphroditism, although this is now viewed as a slur and has been replaced by intersex. Perry’s identity as both an intersex individual and a transgender woman was handled sensitively and her preferred pronouns were always used. If she was misgendered in the story, Peakes makes it clear that it was one of the characters using the terminology. However, I would have liked to see the words ‘sex worker’ to replace prostitute, but both are used about equally in the book, and referring to these women as hookers or prostitutes is an insult to them, since they’re so much more than sex workers.
What really made a huge impression on me was the huge impact that rippled out from the murder of three sex workers. Even more than 2 decades later, there were people who were around to make impact statements. These women left behind partners, husbands, children, and families, all of who had something taken from them. People are part of an interconnected web, and even targeting sex workers can have major consequences—these women left behind children who never got to know her, in some cases not remembering anything about her, while it was frequently said how much light these women had to offer the world, and losing them impacted their families in such a deep way.
Overall, this was a really interesting case, and honestly did justice to the victims, which is really what I look for in a good true crime book. I would have liked to see less harmful language surrounding the sex workers, rather than referring to them repeatedly throughout the book as prostitutes, which has a negative connotation. But I did like how much more attention was paid to the victims and how the killer’s upbringing and life was discussed but not given a free pass for what he did as Douglas, even if Donna viewed Douglas as a completely different individual than her female identity. I wasn’t aware of this case, but it was inspiring to see that this cold case was never ignored or forgotten about, using updated technology to identify the killer.
Bottom line: An outstanding discussion of the women who were murdered along the Spokane River and the long journey to find justice for them, along with the devoted detectives and family who never gave up on their search for answers.
I’ve read a few other books written by Olsen, and this one sounded too intriguing and convoluted to pass. Olsen has a wonderful way of turning victims into people, and I was curious how this story would unfold, featuring three murdered sex workers and a transgender suspect. In this case, truth really does seem to be stranger than fiction.
Ever since reading The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, I have been so much more aware of the different ways that both killers and their victims have their stories told, and struggle a lot with stories that (for lack of a better word) seem to focus more on the killer, often barely even mentioning anything about the people who have been murdered. Think about what you know about Jack the Ripper, then think about his victims. Can you name a single one? Do you know anything about their lives? That’s what Rubenhold’s book was about, and I was thrilled to see Olsen offer the same respect to the women in this book. Despite the fact that they had limited options and turned to sex work, Olsen really dives into who each of these women were outside of their profession. They were wives, mothers, sisters, friends, and most importantly, they were human beings who deserved respect.
Yolanda, Nickie, and Kathy are the focus of the first section of the book. People who live on the fringes of society often have a lot of cards stacked against them, and it is no different for these three women. Climbing out of the hole of addiction and prostitution is a long, hard journey. These three formed a bond and promised to protect each other, unable to know that they would all be killed by the same person in 1990. It was so fascinating to learn about these women and who they actually were. So much of a person’s identity in America has to do with your profession—I noticed this when I became disabled and people asked what I did for work—having no answer prepared left a gap in the conversation, and I can only imagine how much worse the reaction is when you have a profession like sex work.
It isn’t until later parts of the book that we learn more about the suspected killer, Douglas/Donna Perry. After more than 20 years, the updated DNA technology and associated databases available were used on evidence that was part of a cold case. A DNA hit came back, and was linked to the name of a man who had been arrested for assault charges. But when law enforcement officers searched for him, they discovered that he had flown to Thailand and gotten gender reassignment surgery, and he was being held in a women’s federal facility in Texas, living his life as Donna Perry.
While I find myself with significantly less empathy for a person who kills innocent people, it wasn’t easy learning about Douglas’s early years. Born intersex, his parents chose his gender as male to match his external genitalia, and raised him as a son. He faced a lot of trauma, including sexual abuse from both his father and older brother. Even so, it’s clear that none of this makes his murders acceptable or even understandable.
The case got really interesting when Donna’s defense strategy was made clear: she was claiming that the murders had been committed by Douglas, and that becoming Donna basically gave her a clean slate as a completely different person. She made statements about how becoming a woman totally removed any aggression, which was challenged as mistaken since there is no scientific evidence to support this. I was really caught up and wanted to find out if justice was going to be served for these three women, and was glued to the book.
It is narrated by Karen Peakes, and she does a wonderful job with the voices. Different characters had different voices in her narration, and for such a potentially touchy topic, it was handled pretty sensitively for the most part. Sometimes language grows more rapidly than is recognized widely. Douglas was born when the term for his ambiguous genitalia was called hermaphroditism, although this is now viewed as a slur and has been replaced by intersex. Perry’s identity as both an intersex individual and a transgender woman was handled sensitively and her preferred pronouns were always used. If she was misgendered in the story, Peakes makes it clear that it was one of the characters using the terminology. However, I would have liked to see the words ‘sex worker’ to replace prostitute, but both are used about equally in the book, and referring to these women as hookers or prostitutes is an insult to them, since they’re so much more than sex workers.
What really made a huge impression on me was the huge impact that rippled out from the murder of three sex workers. Even more than 2 decades later, there were people who were around to make impact statements. These women left behind partners, husbands, children, and families, all of who had something taken from them. People are part of an interconnected web, and even targeting sex workers can have major consequences—these women left behind children who never got to know her, in some cases not remembering anything about her, while it was frequently said how much light these women had to offer the world, and losing them impacted their families in such a deep way.
Overall, this was a really interesting case, and honestly did justice to the victims, which is really what I look for in a good true crime book. I would have liked to see less harmful language surrounding the sex workers, rather than referring to them repeatedly throughout the book as prostitutes, which has a negative connotation. But I did like how much more attention was paid to the victims and how the killer’s upbringing and life was discussed but not given a free pass for what he did as Douglas, even if Donna viewed Douglas as a completely different individual than her female identity. I wasn’t aware of this case, but it was inspiring to see that this cold case was never ignored or forgotten about, using updated technology to identify the killer.
Bottom line: An outstanding discussion of the women who were murdered along the Spokane River and the long journey to find justice for them, along with the devoted detectives and family who never gave up on their search for answers.
June 21, 2026
Finished reading: June 21st 2026
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Brilliance Audio in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
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