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Crimes Canada #1
Robert Pickton: The True Story of the Pig Farmer Killer
Robert Pickton, inherited a pig farm worth a million dollars and used his wealth to lure skid row hookers to his farm where he confessed to murdering 49 female victims; dismembering and feeding their body parts to his pigs which he supplied to Vancouver area restaurants. WITH PHOTOS This is the first book in a twenty-four volume series collection by crime historian Dr. Peter Vronsky and true crime author and publisher RJ Parker. Each month they will publish a book of Canada’s most notorious criminals, written by various authors, and published under VP Publications, an imprint of RJ Parker Publishing, Inc. Chris Swinney worked Narcotics and Homicide cases for the past six years in the state of California. He also has written a crimes fiction trilogy called, "The Bill Dix Detective Series" Enjoy these top-rated true crime eBooks from RJ Parker Publishing FREE as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription. You can read it on your Kindle Fire, on a computer via Kindle Cloud Reader or on any smartphone with the free Kindle reading app. Crimes True Crimes That Shocked the Nation is a twenty-four book collection of Short-Reads between 100 and 180 pages
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2015
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407 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 18, 2016
Truly the most poorly written book I have ever read. It is clearly written without proper knowledge of the topic AND leaves so many points and questions unanswered. Book was written as if it is just a summarization of articles that have appeared in the press. Don't waste your money or time on this book.
February 19, 2015
Full review at The Crime Cove Book Review Blog
Yes this books is as gruesome as it sounds. This depraved psychopath actually killed women, put their bodies in a wood chipper and fed their remains to his pigs. Then proceeded to supply nearby establishments and people with meat from his farm. OH.MY.GAWD!!
BUT, as horrifying as that is, this book is a must read. The account of events leading up to and during the capture of Pickton is given by an actual police detective. No holds barred. The author tells it like it was in a refreshingly objective way (i.e. when the police dropped the ball and when they did well). He also provides some background on how Pickton was raised and certain events that give a little insight into the extent of this serial killer's depravity. And of course, most importantly, like with all true crime books, there's the victims that deserve to be remembered and read about.
Being from Canada, I heard about all this as it was happening. However, what I didn't realize was how deeply the socioeconomic conditions in certain parts of Vancouver actually enabled this horrible business to happen and continue for so long. I imagine most large urban centres are plagued with similar issues, but I appreciate the way it was explained in this account.
This is a great read and highly recommended to all you true crime fans. Really looking forward to the next Crimes Canada to be released next month.
*In the spirit of full disclosure, I will let you know that I designed the coverart for this book.
Yes this books is as gruesome as it sounds. This depraved psychopath actually killed women, put their bodies in a wood chipper and fed their remains to his pigs. Then proceeded to supply nearby establishments and people with meat from his farm. OH.MY.GAWD!!
BUT, as horrifying as that is, this book is a must read. The account of events leading up to and during the capture of Pickton is given by an actual police detective. No holds barred. The author tells it like it was in a refreshingly objective way (i.e. when the police dropped the ball and when they did well). He also provides some background on how Pickton was raised and certain events that give a little insight into the extent of this serial killer's depravity. And of course, most importantly, like with all true crime books, there's the victims that deserve to be remembered and read about.
Being from Canada, I heard about all this as it was happening. However, what I didn't realize was how deeply the socioeconomic conditions in certain parts of Vancouver actually enabled this horrible business to happen and continue for so long. I imagine most large urban centres are plagued with similar issues, but I appreciate the way it was explained in this account.
This is a great read and highly recommended to all you true crime fans. Really looking forward to the next Crimes Canada to be released next month.
*In the spirit of full disclosure, I will let you know that I designed the coverart for this book.
October 25, 2017
This 20 minute read is so poorly written and edited (one assumes there was a editor... But was there?) that it insults the intelligence of any sophisticated reader.
First, for example, the writer confuses readers by failing to identify his narrative point of view - he's actually an American police investigator following and criticizing the Canadian Criminal Justice system through the lense of the Pickton Pig Farmer case - by referring to the country called Canada as "they." What? Canadian readers will expostulate. Who is this "they"? It's a Canadian story and the majority of its readers will naturally be Canadians. The author only clarifies his outsider point of view on the last page.
The confused narrator point of view is the most glaring of this extended essay's faults. Riddled with mis-spellings and grammar errors, and choked up by awkward syntax, it reads like a 'C' grade college sophomore essay assignment.
First, for example, the writer confuses readers by failing to identify his narrative point of view - he's actually an American police investigator following and criticizing the Canadian Criminal Justice system through the lense of the Pickton Pig Farmer case - by referring to the country called Canada as "they." What? Canadian readers will expostulate. Who is this "they"? It's a Canadian story and the majority of its readers will naturally be Canadians. The author only clarifies his outsider point of view on the last page.
The confused narrator point of view is the most glaring of this extended essay's faults. Riddled with mis-spellings and grammar errors, and choked up by awkward syntax, it reads like a 'C' grade college sophomore essay assignment.
May 20, 2015
Chilling crimes
I feel that this was a well written book detailing the crimes of Robert Pickton and how he was brought to justice. This is the first book I have read by this author. I feel he did a good job covering the details of the case. This is a short book but it definitely allowed me to learn many facts I did not know about these crimes. It definitely makes me want to learn more about these chilling crimes.
I feel that this was a well written book detailing the crimes of Robert Pickton and how he was brought to justice. This is the first book I have read by this author. I feel he did a good job covering the details of the case. This is a short book but it definitely allowed me to learn many facts I did not know about these crimes. It definitely makes me want to learn more about these chilling crimes.
March 25, 2015
Great first book in the Crimes Canada series
It was a great read! Robert Pickton was pure evil, and I shudder to think that he will ever get out. It was like he had no conscious about the horrible things he did. It was just another day to him.... Can't wait for book 2!
It was a great read! Robert Pickton was pure evil, and I shudder to think that he will ever get out. It was like he had no conscious about the horrible things he did. It was just another day to him.... Can't wait for book 2!
April 12, 2019
The topic is an interesting read however the book itself was poorly written.
The author often mentions America cities he once work in, or other crime scenes he has been to rather than discribing or explaining locations mentioned in the book- if it wasn't for the pictures I wouldn't know what the pig farm looked like.
The book also mentions the RCMP as the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol.
All in all, the book only reiterates what is available in newspapers and doesn't offer any new insight or information which is disappointing.
The author often mentions America cities he once work in, or other crime scenes he has been to rather than discribing or explaining locations mentioned in the book- if it wasn't for the pictures I wouldn't know what the pig farm looked like.
The book also mentions the RCMP as the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol.
All in all, the book only reiterates what is available in newspapers and doesn't offer any new insight or information which is disappointing.
April 10, 2020
It was a good book but considering how many victims and time went by this book feels like your reading the cliff notes version. Especially because I am currently reading 📚 On the farm. I still recommend you read this book if you are interested in this case. So not bad just barely hits the surface of this case and the pickton's!!!
July 19, 2023
Very dry recounting of this case. It is also very lacking in details like identifying victims, timelines of crimes, arrests and discovery of deceased items, remains or information. I knew more about this case from a short podcast than I learned from this book.
February 10, 2019
Pig farmer
This short story was not told well. The overall was a narrative of opinions, some dialogue, and even less facts. I would not suggest reading it.
This short story was not told well. The overall was a narrative of opinions, some dialogue, and even less facts. I would not suggest reading it.
March 21, 2019
More of an essay than a book
This is an overview of the case against Robert Picton . Written in a concise way with details of the atrocities sluffed over.
This is an overview of the case against Robert Picton . Written in a concise way with details of the atrocities sluffed over.
February 28, 2024
More like an essay than a book. This is a very disturbing story, that I had only vague knowledge of. So many women taken. Such a terrible case. I hope he never gets out.
July 10, 2015
This is a shocking story and your heart goes out to the families of the victims. What is equally as sad is that the Vancouver investigators didn't look into what was going on at what was called the "Piggy Palace" sooner. The people who lost their lives to serial Killer Robert William Pickton were known as lower class because they were prostitutes or drug addicts and that is a horrific crime committed by society. Maybe the pig farm should have been investigated when "Willie" was a boy with a mother who clearly had a few problems of her own. The book states the facts in a professional manner and people will have to decide for themselves just what went wrong that such a terrible crime was allowed to happen.
June 26, 2015
Decent information on the case but very poorly written.
I am updating my review 6/25/2015 because I understand the book has been re-edited and corrections made.
This is a very shocking true crime story. Robert was raised in a dysfunctional family who seemed to care more for their pigs than for human life. How Robert evolved into such a prolific serial killer is a story unlike any other I have read.
When the parents died and left their sons to operate the pig farm, their lives became a non-stop party of alcohol, drugs, women and murder. And the most shocking revelation was their method of disposing of the bodies.
I am updating my review 6/25/2015 because I understand the book has been re-edited and corrections made.
This is a very shocking true crime story. Robert was raised in a dysfunctional family who seemed to care more for their pigs than for human life. How Robert evolved into such a prolific serial killer is a story unlike any other I have read.
When the parents died and left their sons to operate the pig farm, their lives became a non-stop party of alcohol, drugs, women and murder. And the most shocking revelation was their method of disposing of the bodies.
September 28, 2015
Still Don't Know Why
As with other books by Mr Swinny concerning serial killers, the stories are interesting but there are no real answers that tell us why this particular monster did what he did. We look at these people and we want to know why they are different and what makes them do these terrible things but are left scratching our heads and going away feeling discussed and dirty from trying to look into the mind of the beast.
As with other books by Mr Swinny concerning serial killers, the stories are interesting but there are no real answers that tell us why this particular monster did what he did. We look at these people and we want to know why they are different and what makes them do these terrible things but are left scratching our heads and going away feeling discussed and dirty from trying to look into the mind of the beast.
December 27, 2015
Should be a short story
Interesting true story about a sick deviated pig farmer who had a terrible childhood & turned it into a terrible life , I am not sure that I would call a 99 page story a book, but call it what you want it was interesting, somewhat nondescriptive which may not have been a bad thing with this story line, One thing is sure I don't think I will go to Vancouver , BC anytime soon '& if I do go I won't eat pork!
Interesting true story about a sick deviated pig farmer who had a terrible childhood & turned it into a terrible life , I am not sure that I would call a 99 page story a book, but call it what you want it was interesting, somewhat nondescriptive which may not have been a bad thing with this story line, One thing is sure I don't think I will go to Vancouver , BC anytime soon '& if I do go I won't eat pork!
April 5, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. I quickly became so enthralled in it that I couldn't put it down until I read the entire book. I thought I already knew the story but I quickly found out that the author Chris Swinney had unearthed facts that I didn't know before.This is the first time I had read a book by this author, but it won't be the last time. I highly recommend it to all true crime buffs.
April 19, 2015
Interesting read. What sick person murders innocent women & then feeds their remains to their pigs? Robert Pickton was that sick & twisted person. It amazes me how these people go so long without being caught. I think he should have been found guilty of first degree murder & serve more time than what he got.
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October 30, 2015Good read
Long on facts and short on gratuitous gore, this book is written by a cop who also happens to be a writer. He gives the reader a cop's perspective and shares his plausible theories as to what was going through the criminal's mind before, during, and after the commission of the crime. This is a good read and I highly recommend it.
Long on facts and short on gratuitous gore, this book is written by a cop who also happens to be a writer. He gives the reader a cop's perspective and shares his plausible theories as to what was going through the criminal's mind before, during, and after the commission of the crime. This is a good read and I highly recommend it.
May 22, 2016
Pig Food?
This book covers a serial killer in Canada who preyed on prostitutes and drug addicts. He showed no remorse for taking the lives of perhaps 40 or more victims. What he did to dispose of their bodies is mind boggling..I think justice would be served if he faced the same fate as his victims.
This book covers a serial killer in Canada who preyed on prostitutes and drug addicts. He showed no remorse for taking the lives of perhaps 40 or more victims. What he did to dispose of their bodies is mind boggling..I think justice would be served if he faced the same fate as his victims.
April 21, 2015
Disturbing (to say the least) brief account of the horrendous crimes of serial killer, Robert Pickton aka The Pig Farmer. We will never know the reasons why he killed, how many he killed, why it took so long to arrest and who else was involved or knew about his actions.
August 18, 2015
Very creepy
A quick glimpse into the mind of a lunatic. Robert Pickton's piggy palace was a real life horror movie location. Sad the case took so long to get investigated, this book will give you a look at the pig farmer and how he really ran his farm.
A quick glimpse into the mind of a lunatic. Robert Pickton's piggy palace was a real life horror movie location. Sad the case took so long to get investigated, this book will give you a look at the pig farmer and how he really ran his farm.
March 17, 2015
Just ok
I have read many true,crime books and this one was not anything extraordinary. Out of 1-10 its about a 3.
I have read many true,crime books and this one was not anything extraordinary. Out of 1-10 its about a 3.
April 25, 2015
Good
Interesting look into one of the world's worst serial killer. Good read for real crime readers. Look forward to reading more by this author.
Interesting look into one of the world's worst serial killer. Good read for real crime readers. Look forward to reading more by this author.
May 10, 2016
My review
Although well written it isn't very graphic or have much action to it. It's a short story about a crazed killer with the authors thoughts ending it.
Although well written it isn't very graphic or have much action to it. It's a short story about a crazed killer with the authors thoughts ending it.
January 17, 2018
This was a heck of a lot better than I expected.
January 20, 2018
Quick read
This was disturbing, on so many levels. The number of women murdered, how they were murdered, & how the bodies were disposed of.
This was disturbing, on so many levels. The number of women murdered, how they were murdered, & how the bodies were disposed of.
January 25, 2020
Interesting quick read, but leaves lots of questions unanswered. The book looks like combination of numerous news articles related to this case.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews