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Crimes Canada #3
Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka: The True Story of the Ken and Barbie Killers
"WARNING - This book contains police and court transcripts of audio and descriptions of extremely graphic sexual violence contained in videotapes made by the perpetrators."
Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were so perfectly iconic as a newlywed couple that they were dubbed "Ken and Barbie". But their marriage had a dark side involving sex, death, and videotape. The 'perfect couple' first raped and murdered Karla's little sister and then kidnapped teenage schoolgirls whom they enslaved, raped, tortured and killed while gleefully recording themselves on video doing it. Vronsky will take you on the journey from the Scarborough Rapist (Bernardo) to Bordelais (Homolka's current last name) and her return to Canada in October, 2014 from the island of Gaudeloupe where she lived for several years with her husband and three children.
Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were so perfectly iconic as a newlywed couple that they were dubbed "Ken and Barbie". But their marriage had a dark side involving sex, death, and videotape. The 'perfect couple' first raped and murdered Karla's little sister and then kidnapped teenage schoolgirls whom they enslaved, raped, tortured and killed while gleefully recording themselves on video doing it. Vronsky will take you on the journey from the Scarborough Rapist (Bernardo) to Bordelais (Homolka's current last name) and her return to Canada in October, 2014 from the island of Gaudeloupe where she lived for several years with her husband and three children.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2015
125 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
About the author
Peter Vronsky
32 books358 followersPETER VRONSKY is an author, filmmaker, and forensic-investigative historian. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in the history of espionage in international relations and criminal justice history.
Peter Vronsky is the author of a series of books on the history serial homicide: Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters (2004); Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters (2007); Sons of Cain: A History of Serial Killers From the Stone Age to the Present (2018)- a New York Times Editors' Choice; and most recently, American Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years 1950-2000 (2021).
He is also the author of Ridgeway: The American-Fenian Invasion and the 1866 Battle that Made Canada, the definitive history of Canada's first modern battle and the subject of his 2010 doctoral dissertation at U of T.
He lives in Toronto and Venice, Italy.
Peter Vronsky is the author of a series of books on the history serial homicide: Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters (2004); Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters (2007); Sons of Cain: A History of Serial Killers From the Stone Age to the Present (2018)- a New York Times Editors' Choice; and most recently, American Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years 1950-2000 (2021).
He is also the author of Ridgeway: The American-Fenian Invasion and the 1866 Battle that Made Canada, the definitive history of Canada's first modern battle and the subject of his 2010 doctoral dissertation at U of T.
He lives in Toronto and Venice, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 30, 2023
Oh, my Lord. What did I buy here? A brutal Canadian true crime story.
A story of love made in hell. Paul Bernardo was a university-educated chartered accountant. Karla Homolka worked as a veterinarian’s assistant. They were the epitome of middle-class. This is where normality ends.
The author goes over their backgrounds and also looks at some of the more famous couples that killed to show that this behaviour is not unique to this sick couple. Bernardo was a serial rapist. He was known as The Scarborough Rapist. Scarborough is a suburb of Toronto, Ontario. He raped many women between 1987 and 1990.
Karla and Paul get engaged in the winter of 1990 and Paul becomes obsessed with Karla’s little sister Tammy. What they do to her is beyond words. If you are going to read this book be prepared for the worst. It cannot get any worse. There are two other girls that they rape and kill.
This is probably one of the sickest true crime books I have read. Paul Bernardo was the epitome of evil and he brought Karla along for the ride. How much was Karla a willing participant or was she at the mercy of this awful man? He was raping women without any help from Karla. Would Karla have done any of these things if she had not met Bernardo? Ultimately, she did go along with it and participated and did not go to the authorities. She was completely wrapped up in Bernardo’s sick and twisted world. They raped and killed three girls together including her own sister.
A story of love made in hell. Paul Bernardo was a university-educated chartered accountant. Karla Homolka worked as a veterinarian’s assistant. They were the epitome of middle-class. This is where normality ends.
The author goes over their backgrounds and also looks at some of the more famous couples that killed to show that this behaviour is not unique to this sick couple. Bernardo was a serial rapist. He was known as The Scarborough Rapist. Scarborough is a suburb of Toronto, Ontario. He raped many women between 1987 and 1990.
Karla and Paul get engaged in the winter of 1990 and Paul becomes obsessed with Karla’s little sister Tammy. What they do to her is beyond words. If you are going to read this book be prepared for the worst. It cannot get any worse. There are two other girls that they rape and kill.
This is probably one of the sickest true crime books I have read. Paul Bernardo was the epitome of evil and he brought Karla along for the ride. How much was Karla a willing participant or was she at the mercy of this awful man? He was raping women without any help from Karla. Would Karla have done any of these things if she had not met Bernardo? Ultimately, she did go along with it and participated and did not go to the authorities. She was completely wrapped up in Bernardo’s sick and twisted world. They raped and killed three girls together including her own sister.
June 15, 2017
When I was a kid, the news of this married couple in Ontario who had kidnapped, raped, tortured, then killed 3 teen girls shocked the entire country and was all over the news. As details emerged, it was discovered that one of the victims was actually the younger *sister* of Karla, the wife of Paul Bernardo (one of Canada's most famous serial killers, for sure). Also- they had videotaped everything, each time.
Man. I watched the trial footage and news coverage for weeks, enthralled and terrified. I thanked my lucky stars that this murderous couple didn't live in *my* province! (Although, as of 2014, Karla Homolka, under an alias, apparently lives near Montreal now). The victims were close to my own age, and I became rather attached to the story. So, now that I am an adult (well, so people tell me- I think my 'adulthood' status is debatable), I decided to try to find a book about the old ordeal of my childhood.
Now, if you did NOT happen to be in Canada in the late 90's, this book would be a fantastic true crime read...however, for myself, I found that I already knew/remembered almost everything that this book covered. So, no new insights for me. Also, for some reason, the author seemed to focus more on trying to explain the actions of Karla as opposed to Paul, and she even has an entire chapter devoted to her life in prison, and her eventual early parole and life afterward. Yes, I know that Paul Bernardo received life without parole, but why does his story stop at the sentencing while hers continued? Strange. I would have been interested in knowing about Bernardo's life in prison, his life after getting caught, and his mentality. Karla's story continues up to 2014, though, while there is not another mention of Bernardo. I found that to be an odd choice by the author.
I will not get into the gory details. I will not reveal WHY Karla was able to have such a short prison sentence. I will not tell you what she is like today. You will have to read this book (as long as you are not prone to nightmares!) --Jen from Quebec :0)
Man. I watched the trial footage and news coverage for weeks, enthralled and terrified. I thanked my lucky stars that this murderous couple didn't live in *my* province! (Although, as of 2014, Karla Homolka, under an alias, apparently lives near Montreal now). The victims were close to my own age, and I became rather attached to the story. So, now that I am an adult (well, so people tell me- I think my 'adulthood' status is debatable), I decided to try to find a book about the old ordeal of my childhood.
Now, if you did NOT happen to be in Canada in the late 90's, this book would be a fantastic true crime read...however, for myself, I found that I already knew/remembered almost everything that this book covered. So, no new insights for me. Also, for some reason, the author seemed to focus more on trying to explain the actions of Karla as opposed to Paul, and she even has an entire chapter devoted to her life in prison, and her eventual early parole and life afterward. Yes, I know that Paul Bernardo received life without parole, but why does his story stop at the sentencing while hers continued? Strange. I would have been interested in knowing about Bernardo's life in prison, his life after getting caught, and his mentality. Karla's story continues up to 2014, though, while there is not another mention of Bernardo. I found that to be an odd choice by the author.
I will not get into the gory details. I will not reveal WHY Karla was able to have such a short prison sentence. I will not tell you what she is like today. You will have to read this book (as long as you are not prone to nightmares!) --Jen from Quebec :0)
July 8, 2015
I've long had a strange fascination with this particular crime, and I've read most of the books published on it. I'm not precisely sure if this was a self-published effort then picked up by a larger publisher (sections of the book are written as if you and the author are friends and he's just chatting with you about when people cross into "crazy town" or he calls the investigation a "cluster-fuck".
Vronsky did include some new (to me) information that on the day of Paul Bernardo's arrest, Paul's father was in an adjoining courtroom for sentencing after pleading guilty to repeatedly sexually abusing his daughter, Paul's sister. First, the same DAY?!? And with all that I've read I'm shocked this is the first time I've seen this particular piece of information.
Like any right-thinking person Vronsky makes it clear that the investigation, and the actions of Paul Bernardo's attorney in withholding video evidence that clearly implacated Karla were all, to use his term, a cluster fuck, and that while Karla likely would never have killed anyone had she not crossed paths with Bernardo, that once she did she was a ready and willing participant who should likely be serving the same sentence as her ex-husband.
There are better books on the crime out there, but this one is short and gives you the basics, plus gets you pretty close to present day. Worth a couple of hours, if you are interested.
Vronsky did include some new (to me) information that on the day of Paul Bernardo's arrest, Paul's father was in an adjoining courtroom for sentencing after pleading guilty to repeatedly sexually abusing his daughter, Paul's sister. First, the same DAY?!? And with all that I've read I'm shocked this is the first time I've seen this particular piece of information.
Like any right-thinking person Vronsky makes it clear that the investigation, and the actions of Paul Bernardo's attorney in withholding video evidence that clearly implacated Karla were all, to use his term, a cluster fuck, and that while Karla likely would never have killed anyone had she not crossed paths with Bernardo, that once she did she was a ready and willing participant who should likely be serving the same sentence as her ex-husband.
There are better books on the crime out there, but this one is short and gives you the basics, plus gets you pretty close to present day. Worth a couple of hours, if you are interested.
May 22, 2015
This is a very well researched and well written book about a very evil, sick couple. I have seen programs on Paul and Karla over the years but this is the first book I have read on their horrific crimes. The book goes into great detail on their evil deeds and it made for very graphic reading. I have a hard time with the fact that Karla only served 12 years, married her lawyers brother and now has 3 children. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
July 25, 2015
A rehash of the Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka killings story. One of several I've read, with some updates on Karla's current life. Not a real long book, at 162 pages, but the story was already familiar to me.
February 5, 2019
A well researched book based on two of Canada’s most notorious killers. It’s hard to believe that Karla is now living back in Canada with her new husband and three kids. The fact that she got the plea deal made me sick to my stomach. She clearly was just as involved in the abduction, torture, rape and murder of those poor girls.
To do that to another human just beggars belief..... but to your own kid sister!!!!
I pray karma gives this woman a taste of her own medicine.
To do that to another human just beggars belief..... but to your own kid sister!!!!
I pray karma gives this woman a taste of her own medicine.
May 25, 2015
Peter Vronsky did a great job telling the story & giving specific detail. These two were sick monsters. I had heard of the two but did not know specific details of their crimes. I find it hard to believe that Karla was innocent of anything. How can you participate in your own sister's rape & murder. She deserved life just like Paul. This was hard to read at times so I can oly imagine how hard it must have been to write. A must read for a True Crime reader.
February 6, 2019
Review to follow
July 25, 2015
Liked it, if you can 'like' a book that graphically describes the activities of two serial killers, the failings of the police investigation and the subsequent revelations from their trial, including horrific descriptions of how the couple abused and murdered Karla's younger sister. Made me feel quite uncomfortable at times to even imagine I was reading it - don't read if easily offended or disgusted by sexual language and descriptions of acts of sexual violence! 6/10.
August 20, 2020
APPALLING AND SHOCKING
The Ken and Barbie Killers of Canada.
Peter Vronsky wrote the perfect five star book on Paul and Karla Bernardo. Short and quick read but it packed the full punch. It has been two days since I've finished and I STILL find myself in shock. The crimes of Paul and Karla commited are horrendous. I won't even give them any more of my time writing about them. But if you're into true crime this is a must read!
The Ken and Barbie Killers of Canada.
Peter Vronsky wrote the perfect five star book on Paul and Karla Bernardo. Short and quick read but it packed the full punch. It has been two days since I've finished and I STILL find myself in shock. The crimes of Paul and Karla commited are horrendous. I won't even give them any more of my time writing about them. But if you're into true crime this is a must read!
April 22, 2016
It's written more like a blog -- e.g. swearing in the body of the text, and weird phrases such as "She was a Facebook 'like' slut before there was Facebook."
January 17, 2019
A short book which nevertheless manages to get the facts across about one of the most notorious serial killer couples that the world has ever seen. While it avoided some of the more grotesque details, there was more than enough in here that it was very hard to read at points.
One habit I did find offputting was the author's habit of slipping in tone - 99% of the book is standard professional, documentarian style. But there was the odd little jab, usually at Karla, that actually made me feel uncomfortable:
"Yet on contact with a Bernardo, a vapid and vacant little Barbie princess like Karla becomes an enabling homicidal bitch."
"She was a Facebook 'like' slut before there was Facebook."
While I've no sympathy for a soulless killer, the tone is oddly personal, and never directed at the man who not only killed 3 women, but alone raped at least 13 more. It's a very odd thing that I've actually never come across before in works like this - including works written by men who had to sit in the same room with the very worst of humanity, after seeing first hand that worst that they could do.
One habit I did find offputting was the author's habit of slipping in tone - 99% of the book is standard professional, documentarian style. But there was the odd little jab, usually at Karla, that actually made me feel uncomfortable:
"Yet on contact with a Bernardo, a vapid and vacant little Barbie princess like Karla becomes an enabling homicidal bitch."
"She was a Facebook 'like' slut before there was Facebook."
While I've no sympathy for a soulless killer, the tone is oddly personal, and never directed at the man who not only killed 3 women, but alone raped at least 13 more. It's a very odd thing that I've actually never come across before in works like this - including works written by men who had to sit in the same room with the very worst of humanity, after seeing first hand that worst that they could do.
January 20, 2019
This book is well written and very disturbing. I think the thing that angered me the most is forensics not being done for 2 years due to budget, something I find difficult to believe in one of Canada's wealthiest provinces. I lived in Toronto and was a teenager when the Scarborough rapist was at large but for some reason had disassociated that from Bernardo until I was re reminded reading this. I like the author's tone throughout. Fascinating if you have an interest in true crime. A quick read that is difficult to put down. It did give me a sleepless night, no surprise really given the content!
May 16, 2015
Full review on The Crime Cove Book Review Blog HERE
Blown away and extremely impressed with this account of the case that is no doubt one of the most notorious crimes in Canada. It instantly comes to everyone's mind when asked what the most infamous crime in our country was. I've read a lot about this case over the years, however, what I read before was nothing like this. Well written and expertly conveyed, this book is simply remarkable. As a fan of true crime, you will not be disappointed. Vronsky is a master of his craft and a first rate author.
The transcribed videos of these two together was truly the stuff of nightmares. I did in fact have a fitful nights sleep after reading it. The extent of Paul Bernardo's depravity completely blew me away. I mean we all have a general idea of how sexually deviant a rapist is by the nature of their crime, however the insight we get from the details on these videos shows a level of degeneracy that shocked me to the core.
And Homolka? well I'm still a bit torn of what to make of her. Ruthless? Undoubtedly. Cold-blooded? You bet. However was she as bad as Bernardo? I may not be too popular saying this but I don't think she's quite as sick as he is. Feel free to disagree with me but I don't think she would have done those things on her own. With what I've read so far about this case, she was led by him and his deviant sexual needs, and agreed to them because of her ruthless nature to do whatever it took to get what she wanted. And she wanted a picture-perfect life that she thought Paul could give her. But who know really.
Highly recommend this one to all my fellow fans of True Crime.
Blown away and extremely impressed with this account of the case that is no doubt one of the most notorious crimes in Canada. It instantly comes to everyone's mind when asked what the most infamous crime in our country was. I've read a lot about this case over the years, however, what I read before was nothing like this. Well written and expertly conveyed, this book is simply remarkable. As a fan of true crime, you will not be disappointed. Vronsky is a master of his craft and a first rate author.
The transcribed videos of these two together was truly the stuff of nightmares. I did in fact have a fitful nights sleep after reading it. The extent of Paul Bernardo's depravity completely blew me away. I mean we all have a general idea of how sexually deviant a rapist is by the nature of their crime, however the insight we get from the details on these videos shows a level of degeneracy that shocked me to the core.
And Homolka? well I'm still a bit torn of what to make of her. Ruthless? Undoubtedly. Cold-blooded? You bet. However was she as bad as Bernardo? I may not be too popular saying this but I don't think she's quite as sick as he is. Feel free to disagree with me but I don't think she would have done those things on her own. With what I've read so far about this case, she was led by him and his deviant sexual needs, and agreed to them because of her ruthless nature to do whatever it took to get what she wanted. And she wanted a picture-perfect life that she thought Paul could give her. But who know really.
Highly recommend this one to all my fellow fans of True Crime.
June 13, 2015
Sometimes when two people meet, disaster lies ahead. This happened with Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. This attractive couple, tagged as Ken and Barbie, seemed to have it all. But it wasn't enough for their twisted, perverted personalities. Sex wasn't enough, they must videotape it. Then that wasn't enough, they must kidnap "sex slaves" and videotape the torture and sex before they killed them.
When stories like this hit the mainstream media, ordinary people are shocked beyond belief. These killers become monsters that are past our understanding. That's why we need the kind of author who can analyze and unravel these sick minds and help us understand that these are not truly monsters, just people like us who have gone horribly wrong.
This book takes us through the trial and sentencing, and you can decide whether justice was served. It's not a long, drawn-out account, but you won't miss the "filler" that's omitted. It's a book written for true crime fans who want the story without the window-dressing. Includes photos.
When stories like this hit the mainstream media, ordinary people are shocked beyond belief. These killers become monsters that are past our understanding. That's why we need the kind of author who can analyze and unravel these sick minds and help us understand that these are not truly monsters, just people like us who have gone horribly wrong.
This book takes us through the trial and sentencing, and you can decide whether justice was served. It's not a long, drawn-out account, but you won't miss the "filler" that's omitted. It's a book written for true crime fans who want the story without the window-dressing. Includes photos.
June 14, 2016
Back in the days when I began reading true crime I read Invisible Darkness. I remember that even then as a true crime newbie I was outraged at Homolka receiving a deal. (I still am) What I also did not like was that they author was on her side saying she was a victim. My butt. The dead children they were victims. Her dead sister she was a victim.
So as this was a story I had read at least 15 years ago I decided to get a copy of this book.
Well as some of my review readers know I am very forgetful but this story how can you forget? so nothing was new to me but still so disgusting.
What I liked was that this author was just as disgusted with her and did not see her as a victim. It was also well written.
Homolka had to do just 12 years I think. Then married the brother of her lawyer, moved to Guatemala and had 3 kids with him. Now she is living in Canada and she thinks as does her husband that it is over and they do not care anymore. his words not mine.
So as this was a story I had read at least 15 years ago I decided to get a copy of this book.
Well as some of my review readers know I am very forgetful but this story how can you forget? so nothing was new to me but still so disgusting.
What I liked was that this author was just as disgusted with her and did not see her as a victim. It was also well written.
Homolka had to do just 12 years I think. Then married the brother of her lawyer, moved to Guatemala and had 3 kids with him. Now she is living in Canada and she thinks as does her husband that it is over and they do not care anymore. his words not mine.
October 31, 2015
Excellent book!! Well researched and a lot of details that were not known to the public before. I was shocked to read parts of letters and transcripts from court. Amazing how sick these two really were. It is hard to imagine how Karla so willing took part in the crimes; based on the information of personality types and childhood backgrounds. The police made a deal with the devil in regards to Karla and her lying about not being a willing participant. It sickens me to know how she played up being the victim prior to her deal. I wonder how she would feel now if someone did these horrific things to one of her own daughters; considering she said she’d have Paul’s children to rape. She should still be in prison. I also hope that Paul never gets out. He will never be reformed and is a danger to society.
June 21, 2015
Great True Crime Series
Another great addition to the Crimes Canada series! Paul and Karla together, were some sick individuals! It was like they fed off each other's sickness. I don't think Karla is as innocent as she says she is, or was a victim to anything.. She got to much pleasure out of what they did together... She should of got more time, but it wasn't meant to be! Even though she seems to be a changed woman these days, I think part of it is an act. I hope what she did haunts her every day, and that one of her children never gets murdered. A must read, and can't wait for the next one!
Another great addition to the Crimes Canada series! Paul and Karla together, were some sick individuals! It was like they fed off each other's sickness. I don't think Karla is as innocent as she says she is, or was a victim to anything.. She got to much pleasure out of what they did together... She should of got more time, but it wasn't meant to be! Even though she seems to be a changed woman these days, I think part of it is an act. I hope what she did haunts her every day, and that one of her children never gets murdered. A must read, and can't wait for the next one!
May 18, 2017
Well researched read
A horrible, real life story deftly told by a fantastic author. I was impressed by the amount of research done and from how many sources it was all drawn. Dr. Vronsky is an academic as shown by the method and depth of his information, but this is not by any means a dry, dreary treatise. This is a fascinating look into the minds of serial killers, Homolka in particular. As gruesome and tragic as the actions of this dastardly duo are, I was completely engrossed in this book and look forward to more works by Dr. Vronsky.
A horrible, real life story deftly told by a fantastic author. I was impressed by the amount of research done and from how many sources it was all drawn. Dr. Vronsky is an academic as shown by the method and depth of his information, but this is not by any means a dry, dreary treatise. This is a fascinating look into the minds of serial killers, Homolka in particular. As gruesome and tragic as the actions of this dastardly duo are, I was completely engrossed in this book and look forward to more works by Dr. Vronsky.
November 22, 2015
Horrific crimes! Unbelievably horrifying that an older sister, one entrusted to care for a sibling, would allow her baby sister to suffer such brutalities. Even worse? That Homolka would participate as a willing partner by drugging, raping, and killing her sister on Christmas Eve. Chilling!
Vronsky does an excellent job of answering all of the questions I had about this disturbing case that shocked the nation. Be warned. This book contains graphic details. I'm already having nightmares.
Vronsky does an excellent job of answering all of the questions I had about this disturbing case that shocked the nation. Be warned. This book contains graphic details. I'm already having nightmares.
June 10, 2015
Bernardo and Homolka
Tia book is intense. You are brought in to the front row of horrific acts committed by these two murders. It is sad and unbelievable that Karla was able to plea herself out of her just punishment. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the True Crime genre.
Tia book is intense. You are brought in to the front row of horrific acts committed by these two murders. It is sad and unbelievable that Karla was able to plea herself out of her just punishment. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the True Crime genre.
January 26, 2020
2.5*
Tw for explicit descriptions of rape and murder (there are transcripts of the films in the book)
This would have been a simple 3 star but some word choices were a bit off and he definitely has opinions, which would be alright in more of a true crime comedy podcast but not in a non-fiction book.
Tw for explicit descriptions of rape and murder (there are transcripts of the films in the book)
This would have been a simple 3 star but some word choices were a bit off and he definitely has opinions, which would be alright in more of a true crime comedy podcast but not in a non-fiction book.
August 21, 2015
Very Tragic Story
Mr. Brodsky writes a compelling story of two of the most deviant individuals I've ever read about. The Canadian justice system failed the victims. A very sad and disturbing story.
Mr. Brodsky writes a compelling story of two of the most deviant individuals I've ever read about. The Canadian justice system failed the victims. A very sad and disturbing story.
July 17, 2015
Sadistic
Heartless, fruitless, soulless. This book has all the evil of several villains wrapped in two cold people. Pure evil in pretty packages.
Heartless, fruitless, soulless. This book has all the evil of several villains wrapped in two cold people. Pure evil in pretty packages.
January 3, 2016
Little fact checking. if you want to read a well researched ACCURATE book on this case then go find Deadly Innocents. I only read half of this book and was constantly coming across errors.
September 5, 2022
Good book in that it's short and gets the information across, but the blog style and the free use of expressions like slut and bitch against Karla made it sound unprofessional to say the least.
June 28, 2016
PUBLISHING INFO: VP Publication, 5/2015
GENRE: Nonfiction/true crime/serial killers
PURCHASE: link
Paul Wiki: link
Karla Wiki: link
MY GRADE: B
FROM PUBLISHER: Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were so perfectly iconic as a newlywed couple that they were dubbed "Ken and Barbie". But their marriage had a dark side involving sex, death, and videotape. The 'perfect couple' first raped and murdered Karla's little sister and then kidnapped teenage schoolgirls whom they enslaved, raped, tortured and killed while gleefully recording themselves on video doing it. Vronsky will take you on the journey from the Scarborough Rapist (Bernardo) to Bordelais (Homolka's current last name) and her return to Canada in October, 2014 from the island of Gaudeloupe where she lived for several years with her husband and three children.
MY THOUGHTS: Though this book is condensed, just 161 pages, I feel like all the pertinent information was given and I don't really feel like I missed out on much. Though I know what Karla's been up to since her release from prison in July 2005, I think a bit more information should have been given about it. It wasn't even mentioned that she'd had an online children's clothing line until 2012/13.
The author is very unprofessional in his language. He used the word 'shit' to describe something, called another female serial killer 'stupid', called three other female killers 'trolls' when talking about how he doesn't think they're as attractive as Karla. He said Karla was a Facebook 'slut' before there was a Facebook. He called something a 'cluster-fuck', talked about 'blow jobs', 'licking ass', and 'sick, horrific shit'. Said Karla's husband was 'troll-like' and called Karla a 'homicidal bitch'. He incorrectly stated that the three murdered girls would be 'in their forties'. Wrong. Only Karla's sister Tammy would be 40 this year, the other two, 39. I've read many a nonfiction book, have since 1995, and have never seen an author sound so unprofessional. That would never have been allowed in a book being published by a major publisher. I'm embarrassed for him and don't know why the publisher allowed it. That's the type of language you read on blogs, forums, ect., not in professionally published books.
I think the book is well written, though lacking a bit in information in some areas. For someone who's never read about this case before, I don't recommend that you start with this. I think you need to start with one that has more information, such as Deadly Innocence (which has interviews with their friends), Invisible Darkness, or Lethal Marriage. I'd never read anything by this author again because of his lack of professionalism.
Other books about Paul and Karla are:
Karla's Web by Frank Davies (published before Paul's trial in '95, I bought this in 2002 but never finished it)
Deadly Innocence (My favorite. I've read it three times and even wrote to Alan Cairns in 2002.)
Lethal Marriage by Nick Pron (read once)
Invisible Darkness by Stephen Williams (read twice)
Paul's Case: The Kingston Letters by Lynn Crosbie (not interested in reading)
Karla: A Pact with the Devil by Stephen Williams (read once)
Finding Karla by Paula Todd (not interested in reading)
Behind Every Successful Psychopath by Patricia Pearson (not interested in reading)
The Masks of Karla Homolka: My Interviews with Karla Homolka - The Ken and Barbie Sex Killer! by Dr. Paul Dawson (I bought this the other day. It's a gigantic paperback.)
Lori (Logan) Homolka's Facebook page is here. Her father, Kare
l, is the man in the photo wearing the green shirt and holding a beer. Lori is married with three (?) children.
Anything you want to know about Paul, Karla, and the trial can be found on the Watching Karla Homolka forum.
I've been reading about Paul and Karla since February 2001 and have seen three or four documentaries on them. My favorite is MSNBC Investigates 'To Have and to Kill' episode from 2000.
September 7, 2018
The scarborough rapist/sexual sadist Paul Bernardo and his willing and enthusiastic accomplice Karla Homolka. Karla wasn't a virgin when she married Paul Bernardo so offered her virginal younger sister Tammy to make up for not being a virgin as a "christmas wedding present" Before Paul met Karla Homolka he was stalking potential victims, he would then hit them to subdue themand drag them into bushes so they would be seen, he ordered them to lay on their stomach so they wouldn't see his face, then he would beat and sodomise them. If they did not meet I don't believe they would have done what they did individually, but each person inspired and encouraged the other to act out their darkest fantasy/obsession with luring, drugging, mutilating, torturing and raping their virginal teenaged victims that were innocent and didn't deserve to be treated like a piece of meat.
I belueve that Paul Bernardo would have continued to rape women, but would have escalated and would have changed his modus operandi and would probably spe nd more time with his victim by torturing them over several days and repeatedly rape the victim and get other people involved and hold it against them as leverage that he could use later.
I belueve that Paul Bernardo would have continued to rape women, but would have escalated and would have changed his modus operandi and would probably spe nd more time with his victim by torturing them over several days and repeatedly rape the victim and get other people involved and hold it against them as leverage that he could use later.
June 4, 2020
Just finished reading the kindle book “PAUL BERNARDO AND KARLA HOMOLKA: THE KEN AND BARBIE KILLERS” by PETER VRONSKY. I read this book while listening to the audible version narrated by DON KLINE. Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were so perfectly iconic as a newlywed couple that they were dubbed "Ken and Barbie". But their marriage had a dark side involving sex, death, and videotape. The 'perfect couple' first raped and murdered Karla's little sister and then kidnapped teenage schoolgirls whom they enslaved, raped, tortured and killed while gleefully recording themselves on video doing it. Vronsky will take you on the journey from the Scarborough Rapist (Bernardo) to Bordelais (Homolka's current last name) and her return to Canada in October, 2014 from the island of Gaudeloupe where she lived for several years with her husband and three children. In my opinion, the crimes that this couple carried out should have warranted them both the death penalty. Every horrible thing was video taped!
Unimaginable!
Unimaginable!
May 20, 2022
This is my third book by Peter Vronsky and it is a short one without any wasted words. He gets straight to the point. I saw it referenced in Cold North Killers and gave it a shot. Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were a perfect match made in hell. The pair abducted, raped and killed teen girls, including Karla's sister. Paul also videotaped the action and they were eventually caught and convicted. The press labeled them Ken and Barbie and they became endless fodder for the Canadian media. Karla was given a sweet deal before the incriminating tapes were discovered and the narcissist was released and somehow convinced a man to marry her. A warning to sensitive readers. The material contains quite explicit descriptions of sexual violence. A disgusting but well written book.
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