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A Thirst for Blood: The True Story of California's Vampire Killer
The “fast-paced” inside story of the manhunt for bloodsucking serial killer Richard Chase (Publishers Weekly). Written by the case’s lead homicide detective, this gripping true crime account details the killing spree of one of California’s most gruesome Richard Chase, aka “the Vampire of Sacramento.” In January 1978, Sacramento police found the corpse of Teresa Wallin, a loving wife and soon-to-be mother. Veteran detective Lt. Ray Biondi immediately knew the case would be unlike anything he had ever seen before. The victim’s body was deliberately disfigured in nightmarish ways, and evidence suggested the culprit had collected large volumes of her blood. In less than a month, a two-year-old boy was missing, and two men, another woman, and a five-year-old child dead, their bodies contorted, like Wallin’s, to fulfill the killer’s demented sexual desires, and—most disturbingly—his taste for human blood. Previously published as The Dracula Killer, A Thirst for Blood is a riveting report of the investigation, from eyewitness testimonies to the discovery of the crime scenes to Chase’s interrogation. Lieutenant Biondi and his coauthor, Walt Hecox, provide an unflinching look at the “vampire killer” and the cunning police work that finally put an end to his reign of terror. The inspiration for Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Obsession and episodes of CSI and Criminal Minds, Chase’s crimes continue to haunt the world generations later.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1992
95 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 18, 2021
‘This is the story of Richard Trenton Chase, who like a real-life vampire drank the blood of his victims’ Yikes! What possessed me to buy this book?
Detective Lieutenant Ray Biondi is a ‘veteran homicide commander and expert on serial killers’. He led the manhunt for Richard Chase. I bet Ray is a blast at dinner parties.
Back we go to 1977 when 51-year-old family man, Ambrose Griffin, is shot and killed outside his home for no apparent reason. Richard Chase is on the loose. This guy is seriously off his head wacko. The thing here is that he is called the ‘Vampire Killer’ but that makes him sound interesting. He is off-the-wall-sick. Shooting and eviscerating dogs and humans. He is Jack the Ripper on steroids. He is after women but if there are babies, children or men in the way they are shot and killed so he can get to the woman.
This is not an in-depth true crime book. It is more matter-of-fact following Biondi to the scenes of the crime and as such the descriptions of what Chase did to the women are horrific and I really do mean horrific. I remember a friend of mine who never read or watched fiction horror movies. He said that there was more than enough gruesome factual stuff. My word was he right.
Thank the Lord that Richard Chase was no criminal mastermind. This guy needed to be caught quickly. He was. He gets classified as a ‘Disorganized Offender’. The book does give some details of Chase’s life. He was seriously mentally disturbed for years and I mean seriously.
The book flies through the trial in a short chapter. The outcome is beyond doubt. It is a short book detailing a very short killing spree. It is still a very good read. I notice reviewers putting trigger warnings on their reviews. I wouldn’t even know where to start with this. It is beyond anything.
Detective Lieutenant Ray Biondi is a ‘veteran homicide commander and expert on serial killers’. He led the manhunt for Richard Chase. I bet Ray is a blast at dinner parties.
Back we go to 1977 when 51-year-old family man, Ambrose Griffin, is shot and killed outside his home for no apparent reason. Richard Chase is on the loose. This guy is seriously off his head wacko. The thing here is that he is called the ‘Vampire Killer’ but that makes him sound interesting. He is off-the-wall-sick. Shooting and eviscerating dogs and humans. He is Jack the Ripper on steroids. He is after women but if there are babies, children or men in the way they are shot and killed so he can get to the woman.
This is not an in-depth true crime book. It is more matter-of-fact following Biondi to the scenes of the crime and as such the descriptions of what Chase did to the women are horrific and I really do mean horrific. I remember a friend of mine who never read or watched fiction horror movies. He said that there was more than enough gruesome factual stuff. My word was he right.
Thank the Lord that Richard Chase was no criminal mastermind. This guy needed to be caught quickly. He was. He gets classified as a ‘Disorganized Offender’. The book does give some details of Chase’s life. He was seriously mentally disturbed for years and I mean seriously.
The book flies through the trial in a short chapter. The outcome is beyond doubt. It is a short book detailing a very short killing spree. It is still a very good read. I notice reviewers putting trigger warnings on their reviews. I wouldn’t even know where to start with this. It is beyond anything.
June 10, 2023
This is a case of psycho vampire killer Richard Chase.
I like watching ID channel and oxygen, like reading true crime, but I've never read most gruesome, disgusting and horrifying murder like this book before. It's so shocking.
It's described about murdered scene too well, so sometimes I needed breaks.
I was so shocked and heartbreaking. I can't imagine how the families and loved ones of victims. Especially, baby's parents.
I can't give rate.
5 stars rate for gruesome murder? Rate for how much disgusting? Or rate for well written book?
"Interesting" "enjoy" and "good book" are not right words to say.
Can't give rate for this book.
For the families of victims.... K
I like watching ID channel and oxygen, like reading true crime, but I've never read most gruesome, disgusting and horrifying murder like this book before. It's so shocking.
It's described about murdered scene too well, so sometimes I needed breaks.
I was so shocked and heartbreaking. I can't imagine how the families and loved ones of victims. Especially, baby's parents.
I can't give rate.
5 stars rate for gruesome murder? Rate for how much disgusting? Or rate for well written book?
"Interesting" "enjoy" and "good book" are not right words to say.
Can't give rate for this book.
For the families of victims.... K
July 23, 2023
I remember Sacramento as feeling very safe, in the 80's, but this is the second true crime book set in the area, and maybe it wasn't as safe as I thought. This one is about a guy who drank the blood of his victims. Creepy.
January 21, 2016
Supremely readable. Combines a light touch -- the authors never get purple, melodramatic or clumsy on you -- with a bizarre and horrifying story. Extremely grisly and not for the faint of heart. Otherwise, not to be missed.
February 19, 2021
Overall: 4 stars. A well-written account of the Richard Chase case by the lead detective that really lets compassion for the victims take center stage.
Pros: I really liked that this book focused on the investigation as it unfolded and included details on following leads that didn’t pan out: it felt like great insight into how these kinds of investigations go (if they go well) and the importance of detective basics like following up on witness’ testimonies. As a reader, I also really got a sense of the author’s personality and his genuine concern for the victims: there’s a lot of compassion evident here.
Despite the sensationalist title, this is one of those great true crime books that doesn’t really delve too much into the gore and guts and instead gives you a deep dive into CSI and homicide investigation procedures: it’s a good “case study,” if you will.
Cons: My only real complaint here is that I felt the section covering the trial was much too short. I know that might be a bonus in some readers’ eyes, but I like getting all the details on the trial process, especially when concerning something as legally interesting as an insanity plea.
It’s a bit short (because, thankfully, Chase was caught relatively quickly), but all in all, a great read I highly recommend. It’s a shame this has so few ratings on Goodreads!
Pros: I really liked that this book focused on the investigation as it unfolded and included details on following leads that didn’t pan out: it felt like great insight into how these kinds of investigations go (if they go well) and the importance of detective basics like following up on witness’ testimonies. As a reader, I also really got a sense of the author’s personality and his genuine concern for the victims: there’s a lot of compassion evident here.
Despite the sensationalist title, this is one of those great true crime books that doesn’t really delve too much into the gore and guts and instead gives you a deep dive into CSI and homicide investigation procedures: it’s a good “case study,” if you will.
Cons: My only real complaint here is that I felt the section covering the trial was much too short. I know that might be a bonus in some readers’ eyes, but I like getting all the details on the trial process, especially when concerning something as legally interesting as an insanity plea.
It’s a bit short (because, thankfully, Chase was caught relatively quickly), but all in all, a great read I highly recommend. It’s a shame this has so few ratings on Goodreads!
February 10, 2021
The gripping and terrifying story of Richard Chase's killing spree in Sacramento County in which, at random, he not only killed his victims but desecrated them and also drank their blood to satisfy his desires.
Lt. Ray Biondi led the investigation and his first-hand account lacks nothing in tension as he jockeys to uncover clues to who is perpetrating these horrific crimes. Firstly Ambrose Griffin is killed in the hall of his home, then came Teresa Wallin who was confronted at her front door by Chase.
Evelyn Miroth, her young son Jason, a family friend who was unfortunate to be visiting at the time of Chase's arrival at the house and her two-year-old nephew were all victims of what turned out to be Chase's last killing. But the two-year-old's body had disappeared so in addition to trying to find the killer the police had to find one of the victims, which they eventually did.
All this happened in the space of six months and the police were, not surprisingly, worried that the killer was going to strike again. But a crucial piece of evidence put them on to Chase and once they had located him they struck and, after a struggle, arrested him.
Initially he denied doing the murders but when his trial came along he was admitting what he had done, even telling the judge and jury that he had to drink his victim's blood. He had a turbulent childhood but this was no excuse for his behaviour and the jury agreed; he was found guilty and sentenced to death but he cheated the authorities by eventually taking his own life while on Death Row.
It is an horrific read, not one for the faint-hearted.
Lt. Ray Biondi led the investigation and his first-hand account lacks nothing in tension as he jockeys to uncover clues to who is perpetrating these horrific crimes. Firstly Ambrose Griffin is killed in the hall of his home, then came Teresa Wallin who was confronted at her front door by Chase.
Evelyn Miroth, her young son Jason, a family friend who was unfortunate to be visiting at the time of Chase's arrival at the house and her two-year-old nephew were all victims of what turned out to be Chase's last killing. But the two-year-old's body had disappeared so in addition to trying to find the killer the police had to find one of the victims, which they eventually did.
All this happened in the space of six months and the police were, not surprisingly, worried that the killer was going to strike again. But a crucial piece of evidence put them on to Chase and once they had located him they struck and, after a struggle, arrested him.
Initially he denied doing the murders but when his trial came along he was admitting what he had done, even telling the judge and jury that he had to drink his victim's blood. He had a turbulent childhood but this was no excuse for his behaviour and the jury agreed; he was found guilty and sentenced to death but he cheated the authorities by eventually taking his own life while on Death Row.
It is an horrific read, not one for the faint-hearted.
March 12, 2019
A solid true crime book
This is a very well written account from the pov of the lead detective. It paints a realistic picture of police procedures and and tenacious investigating.
This is a very well written account from the pov of the lead detective. It paints a realistic picture of police procedures and and tenacious investigating.
August 8, 2017
Richard Chase is an incredibly weird, unique, and interesting case as far as serial killers go. Or crime for that matter.
Richard Chase was a anorexic paranoid schizophrenic in Sacramento, California near the end of the 70s.
From December - January he shot and killed 6 people. Dissected them and drunk their blood.
Part of his blood obsession was a morbid fascination with death and murder the other was a delusion.
He believed he was a vampire who was being poisoned by his mother and other absurd beliefs.
Dracula killer does go into the psychology of Richard Chase but it's more of an investigation story.
The author Ray Biondi was the detective who not only was involved in the Richard Chase case, but also the case of Gerald and Charlene Gallego.
What's also interesting and the book does point this out...the crimes also happened during a series of infamous rapes in the area. The east area rapist.
The book points out that since so many forces were being used to catch The east area rapist who had been terrorizing the city for several years, that the police didn't have enough man power to really put into the Chase murders. So while the police were trying their best to find and stop The east area rapist another predator was also breaking into resident's houses. Only Chase was shooting them and then butchering them.
Dracula killer was published in 1992. The east area rapist wouldn't be linked to his brutal rape/bludgeoning murders until 2001. When the rapes were linked to the 10 murders through DNA.
So that's some interesting trivia.
The book is very detailed. Although for some reason they decided to omit the fact that he had apparently mixed soda in with his blood smoothies. They do a good job of giving a feel for who Chase was. How mentally ill he was. He really believed that if he didn't drink human blood he was going to die.
Although Chase was clearly mentally ill to an extreme degree [he literally believed he was a vampire, believed someone stole organs from him, The mafia was following him, UFOs were interested in him. A nazi conspiracy was after him, etc.] he was found competent and sentenced to death. Most people attribute this to the sexual aspects of his crimes. I would also argue that the murder of the children and probably of the animals as well [animal lovers on the jury most probably] also attributed to him getting the death sentence.
Over all a really good book.
Richard Chase was a anorexic paranoid schizophrenic in Sacramento, California near the end of the 70s.
From December - January he shot and killed 6 people. Dissected them and drunk their blood.
Part of his blood obsession was a morbid fascination with death and murder the other was a delusion.
He believed he was a vampire who was being poisoned by his mother and other absurd beliefs.
Dracula killer does go into the psychology of Richard Chase but it's more of an investigation story.
The author Ray Biondi was the detective who not only was involved in the Richard Chase case, but also the case of Gerald and Charlene Gallego.
What's also interesting and the book does point this out...the crimes also happened during a series of infamous rapes in the area. The east area rapist.
The book points out that since so many forces were being used to catch The east area rapist who had been terrorizing the city for several years, that the police didn't have enough man power to really put into the Chase murders. So while the police were trying their best to find and stop The east area rapist another predator was also breaking into resident's houses. Only Chase was shooting them and then butchering them.
Dracula killer was published in 1992. The east area rapist wouldn't be linked to his brutal rape/bludgeoning murders until 2001. When the rapes were linked to the 10 murders through DNA.
So that's some interesting trivia.
The book is very detailed. Although for some reason they decided to omit the fact that he had apparently mixed soda in with his blood smoothies. They do a good job of giving a feel for who Chase was. How mentally ill he was. He really believed that if he didn't drink human blood he was going to die.
Although Chase was clearly mentally ill to an extreme degree [he literally believed he was a vampire, believed someone stole organs from him, The mafia was following him, UFOs were interested in him. A nazi conspiracy was after him, etc.] he was found competent and sentenced to death. Most people attribute this to the sexual aspects of his crimes. I would also argue that the murder of the children and probably of the animals as well [animal lovers on the jury most probably] also attributed to him getting the death sentence.
Over all a really good book.
February 20, 2017
Biondi and Hecox could have churned out one hell of an exploitation book with this one. Yes, there are some gory details, but the prose manages to avoid dipping into purple and the perspective of the book is centered squarely on the police work.
This is a police procedural pure and simple. Its down to earth and up its neck in the day to day detail of professional police work. The drama comes from doing a job well and thoroughly with a time bomb ticking under the table.
I really thought this was going to be a trashy read when I picked it up. I am pleased to share that it was anything but. The book is very sympathetic to the victims while not romanticizing the killer. The deep absurdity of the crimes is brought home again and again. It is heartbreaking. This earns my definite recommendation for anyone who wants a glimpse into a real homicide investigation.
This is a police procedural pure and simple. Its down to earth and up its neck in the day to day detail of professional police work. The drama comes from doing a job well and thoroughly with a time bomb ticking under the table.
I really thought this was going to be a trashy read when I picked it up. I am pleased to share that it was anything but. The book is very sympathetic to the victims while not romanticizing the killer. The deep absurdity of the crimes is brought home again and again. It is heartbreaking. This earns my definite recommendation for anyone who wants a glimpse into a real homicide investigation.
March 2, 2020
Very good book on a case that has always fascinated me. My only criticism of this book is that I wish it had gone into a little bit more of why he did it and his mental health issues.
March 30, 2025
Richard Chase was born in California in 1950. Chase's mother appeared to have some type of mental health issues, in my opinion, and I wonder if some of his issues were inherited on top of the way that he was raised. At any rate, Chase exhibited a keen interest in tormenting animals, setting fires, bedwetting, and violent behaviors as a child. In later years, Chase was a drug user, often heavily using LSD. He believed people were stealing his organs, that he was a member of Frank and Jesse James' gang, and he would also hold oranges over his head to absorb Vitamin C though his brain. Somewhere around high school, Chase discovered he was having problems with erectile dysfunction, adding fuel to his already problematic fire. Unsurprisingly, Chase had a stay in a mental health facility, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. (I'm sure the drug use didn't help that, but I also believe his mother also must have been schizophrenic based on some of her behaviors.) Chase left the facility and commenced murdering six people. He would earn several names in the media: The Dracula Killer, The Vampire Killer, and The Vampire of Sacramento to name a few. This book does into rich detail about this case, but if necrophilia and cannibalism bother you...steer clear.
This book was on the reading list for The Last Podcast on the Left, if any of you are interested in that podcast. I no longer listen, but some of the books recommended are still on my to be read list. I found this book to be decently researched, and I can see why it was suggested reading and used as a reference for the podcast. This man was certainly troubled before he got to the point of murdering people. It is very interesting to compare the treatments of mental health issues from this time period to today. While I am certain his mental health issues did not cause him to murder, they did not help, certainly not when coupled with drug use. Overall, this was a decent book.
This book was on the reading list for The Last Podcast on the Left, if any of you are interested in that podcast. I no longer listen, but some of the books recommended are still on my to be read list. I found this book to be decently researched, and I can see why it was suggested reading and used as a reference for the podcast. This man was certainly troubled before he got to the point of murdering people. It is very interesting to compare the treatments of mental health issues from this time period to today. While I am certain his mental health issues did not cause him to murder, they did not help, certainly not when coupled with drug use. Overall, this was a decent book.
Read
July 6, 2023The Dracula Killer is a quick but fairly macabre read. The late Lieutenant Ray Biondi, chief of homicide for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Dept., details his involvement in identifying and nabbing the East Area Killer, later identified as Richard Chase. Chase terrorized a small community in Sacramento in only a two-month span beginning in December of ‘77; however, the brutality of the 6 murders would have lasting impacts on even the most seasoned officers who dealt with the crime scenes. His Modus operandi (or lack thereof) aided the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in typing men like Chase as “the disorganized offender”. The depths that Chase would go to in pursuit of his bloodlust- mainly driven by anger concerning his own impotence, deep seated misogyny, and a paranoid and antisocial personality- are revolting. As a side note- though the descriptions of how Chase left his victims is gruesome, some other vile findings seem to have been omitted that can be found online.
March 22, 2018
Chilling and astonishing true account of a very, very sick individual. If you want to get into the mind of a serial killer, this is the book for you! Former Lieutenant Ray Biondi takes you on a very wild, yet real ride through the mind and actions of a mass serial killer. Richard Chase AKA the Vampire of Sacramento was a blood-thirsty predator who took the innocent lives of men, women, and children. He not only killed and mutilated his victims, he also drank their blood, stating it gave him life. He believed he suffered from a blood disorder, which he did not, he truly suffered from a very sick psychological disorder, a psychopath of the worst kind.
January 15, 2022
I do feel strange rating this book as a five star read, the content is genuinely horrific and possibly the most disturbing I have read to date.
It is made all the worse by virtue of it being a true account written by Lt. Ray Biondi. I found the author’s tone and writing style to be exceptional and he was able to deliver the story of this case with the perfect mix of professional detachment with regular insights into the humanity of those tasked with investigating the worst society can do to itself.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in true crime though be warned, it is not for the faint of heart.
It is made all the worse by virtue of it being a true account written by Lt. Ray Biondi. I found the author’s tone and writing style to be exceptional and he was able to deliver the story of this case with the perfect mix of professional detachment with regular insights into the humanity of those tasked with investigating the worst society can do to itself.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in true crime though be warned, it is not for the faint of heart.
November 4, 2018
Grim, not for the faint of heart, but interesting
An interesting look into the case, but it's a dark read with some fairly graphic descriptions. It's because of that that I just couldn't give it four stars, I know ratings should be about the quality of the writing, story etc, but this was a hard book to read.
An interesting look into the case, but it's a dark read with some fairly graphic descriptions. It's because of that that I just couldn't give it four stars, I know ratings should be about the quality of the writing, story etc, but this was a hard book to read.
March 10, 2018
True Crime
This is a good book about a classic criminal in California. The FBI has used the story of this case to verify its profile methods. However, the author disputes this conclusion. It is a good telling of a gruesome series of crimes and includes the trial.
This is a good book about a classic criminal in California. The FBI has used the story of this case to verify its profile methods. However, the author disputes this conclusion. It is a good telling of a gruesome series of crimes and includes the trial.
October 26, 2018
A Thirst for Blood
Could not put this book down. It was much better than I had expected. I found myself experiencing an array of emotions. Certainly on my list of must read books!
Could not put this book down. It was much better than I had expected. I found myself experiencing an array of emotions. Certainly on my list of must read books!
August 6, 2020
Interesting
account of a murderous and very unbalanced individual. I don't believe, prior to reading this book, that I'd ever heard of Chase or his crimes.
This was written very well and is a matter of fact account by a seasoned detective.
account of a murderous and very unbalanced individual. I don't believe, prior to reading this book, that I'd ever heard of Chase or his crimes.
This was written very well and is a matter of fact account by a seasoned detective.
December 26, 2022
Well written account
I love true crime books. This one was very well written and was in order and factual. The writer took the time to investigate all the evidence and conclusions tl in order to write this great book.
I love true crime books. This one was very well written and was in order and factual. The writer took the time to investigate all the evidence and conclusions tl in order to write this great book.
May 6, 2019
Short but Detsiled
Written by Sacramento's Head if Homicide, this book doesn't sensationalise, it's just the facts. Well written and informative about a horrible case.
Written by Sacramento's Head if Homicide, this book doesn't sensationalise, it's just the facts. Well written and informative about a horrible case.
April 15, 2021
So this was... fun.
Not necessarily new info for me, as I have listened to the Last Podcast episodes, but definitely very entertainingly written, and an absolutely horrifying case. Fun times.
Not necessarily new info for me, as I have listened to the Last Podcast episodes, but definitely very entertainingly written, and an absolutely horrifying case. Fun times.
May 23, 2023
A Last Podcast read, and it was true to what was said. Gives a very good accounting of the murders committed, gruesome details that will haunt me, and did so with out being sensationalistic.
December 26, 2023
⭐️3.5⭐️ A straight forward recounting of the vicious crimes committed by Richard Chase. A good, quick read for true crime enthusiasts!
January 14, 2024
Not very in-depth, probably because it’s written by the chief of Sheriff’s Homicide from the time—those kind of books are generally short and insight-free.
June 1, 2020
Being familiar with Richard Chase, I had some misgivings about reading a whole book on his horrible crimes. Fiction writers would be hard pressed to come up with a greater personification of evil than Chase. He is a result of one of Satan’s excursions above ground, with crimes too disturbing and bizarre to qualify for accurate description.
The book is from the perspective of the lead homicide detective on the case Ray Bondi. It is a bit of a behind the scenes look and how crimes like this were handled in the 70s. At the start of the book, the author claims that its purpose is to show the flimsiness of creating criminal profiles to catch a killer- as the FBI dictates. He suggests that good old fashioned police work is the key; however, oddly, at points he mentions how his FBI training in profiling allowed him to come up with an accurate profile of the killer. As I read, it seemed like the profile assisted with the capture of the culprit, but the detective denies it helped. Overall, it comes across as an attempt to shift attention from the FBI’s methods to his own.The fact that this is the purpose of the book, may disappoint some who may want more background on Richard Chase, his life and some insight on how a supposed human being can act this way. Chase had a history of mental illness (obviously), but it appears so severe that it raises the question of how he was not removed from society earlier.
The book ‘ Alone with the Devil’ does an excellent job exploring those issues not touched on in ‘The Dracula Killer’. It features a whole chapter on Chase and was written by a psychiatrist who assessed his competency before his trial. It is highly recommended, especially if you have read this book. It adds some much needed context and provides a bit more to grasp on to when trying to understand the seemingly unbelievable behavior of Chase.
The book is from the perspective of the lead homicide detective on the case Ray Bondi. It is a bit of a behind the scenes look and how crimes like this were handled in the 70s. At the start of the book, the author claims that its purpose is to show the flimsiness of creating criminal profiles to catch a killer- as the FBI dictates. He suggests that good old fashioned police work is the key; however, oddly, at points he mentions how his FBI training in profiling allowed him to come up with an accurate profile of the killer. As I read, it seemed like the profile assisted with the capture of the culprit, but the detective denies it helped. Overall, it comes across as an attempt to shift attention from the FBI’s methods to his own.The fact that this is the purpose of the book, may disappoint some who may want more background on Richard Chase, his life and some insight on how a supposed human being can act this way. Chase had a history of mental illness (obviously), but it appears so severe that it raises the question of how he was not removed from society earlier.
The book ‘ Alone with the Devil’ does an excellent job exploring those issues not touched on in ‘The Dracula Killer’. It features a whole chapter on Chase and was written by a psychiatrist who assessed his competency before his trial. It is highly recommended, especially if you have read this book. It adds some much needed context and provides a bit more to grasp on to when trying to understand the seemingly unbelievable behavior of Chase.
March 10, 2018
Well worth the effort
I found this to be a well written, interesting and informative book. In particular the frustrating account of the investigation itself with the puzzling combination of the widely publicized accurate description of the perpetrator appearing to be of little help in his apprehension. Legalities of insanity plea are clearly presented. Mental Health care was available and insufficiently used. Because this is such an uncommon motivation for serial murder it was insufficiently explained in itself. Family influences on the development of Chase's pathology were inadequately explored. So, this is not a perfect work, but it's a darn good one. There are no gross - out crime scene photos but the actions of Mr. Chase were truly horrible, and the authors do a good job of telling us clearly what they were. A solid presentation of the crimes, the investigation, and the trial. The author doesn't state that he changed the names of the victims and their families, which I believe is appropriate in this type of subject matter.
I found this to be a well written, interesting and informative book. In particular the frustrating account of the investigation itself with the puzzling combination of the widely publicized accurate description of the perpetrator appearing to be of little help in his apprehension. Legalities of insanity plea are clearly presented. Mental Health care was available and insufficiently used. Because this is such an uncommon motivation for serial murder it was insufficiently explained in itself. Family influences on the development of Chase's pathology were inadequately explored. So, this is not a perfect work, but it's a darn good one. There are no gross - out crime scene photos but the actions of Mr. Chase were truly horrible, and the authors do a good job of telling us clearly what they were. A solid presentation of the crimes, the investigation, and the trial. The author doesn't state that he changed the names of the victims and their families, which I believe is appropriate in this type of subject matter.
February 24, 2019
This is a very interesting look into the workings of a disturbed mind. The facts of the case, including each murder, were presented in some detail, but not in a gruesome manner. It seemed that the authors were very respectful of each victim. And surprisingly, I thought the perpetrator of the crimes was also treated respectfully -- There was no attempt to make him seem worse than he was; just an honest portrayal of his behaviors. I would recommend this book to others who are interested in reading about true crime stories.
March 21, 2018
Every once in a while, I enjoy a good true crime story. This one, although interesting (and truly disturbing), was not on the same level as "Helter Skelter" or "The Search for the Green River Killer" in my opinion. Reading this book will make you wonder about who may be living next door and convince you to always keep your doors locked. Perhaps it will even make you a bit sick to your stomach at times.
December 30, 2017
A page turner. An excellent book written by an SSD Lt. I admired. As a deputy with the same department I was taught about this case in the academy and was familiar with it prior to reading the book. After retiring I finally had the time to revisit the investigation through the detectives eyes. If you enjoy true crime this book is among the best.
November 22, 2011
This story is scary in it's randomness. This guy killed people as he found them. There was nothing that they did or did not do. If you were there he would kill you and drink your blood. Totally random.
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