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Unfinished Murder: The Pursuit of a Serial Rapist
Edgar Award The hunt for Ronnie Shelton, Cleveland’s West Side Rapist, and the victims who united for justice—“Groundbreaking” (Ann Rule).
From 1983 to 1988, serial rapist Ronnie Shelton preyed on the women of Cleveland. Dubbed the West Side Rapist, twenty-seven-year-old Shelton would spy on his victims, stalk them, and brutally assault them in their homes. Arrested at least fifteen times for other crimes, Shelton slipped through the cracks of an overburdened police department so often it seemed he would never be caught.
Based on more than 150 interviews with the survivors, the police, psychiatrists, and Shelton himself, this “groundbreaking study of the infinite perils of serial rape” is the extensively researched story of Shelton’s crimes and the five-year pursuit that ended in his capture (Ann Rule). Investigative journalist James Neff also documents the long-term devastation caused by rape and celebrates the courage of the women who helped to put a sexual predator behind bars. It resulted in a sentence of 3,195 years—the longest in Ohio state history.
A finalist for the Edgar Award, Unfinished Murder is “not only a riveting nonfiction thriller but an important account about the true nature of sex crimes in America” from the prizewinning true crime journalist who is also the author of The Wrong The Final Verdict on the Dr. Sam Sheppard Murder Case and Mobbed Jackie Presser’s High-Wire Life in the Teamsters , the Mafia, and the FBI , which was the basis for the HBO movie, Teamster Boss (Nicholas Pileggi).
From 1983 to 1988, serial rapist Ronnie Shelton preyed on the women of Cleveland. Dubbed the West Side Rapist, twenty-seven-year-old Shelton would spy on his victims, stalk them, and brutally assault them in their homes. Arrested at least fifteen times for other crimes, Shelton slipped through the cracks of an overburdened police department so often it seemed he would never be caught.
Based on more than 150 interviews with the survivors, the police, psychiatrists, and Shelton himself, this “groundbreaking study of the infinite perils of serial rape” is the extensively researched story of Shelton’s crimes and the five-year pursuit that ended in his capture (Ann Rule). Investigative journalist James Neff also documents the long-term devastation caused by rape and celebrates the courage of the women who helped to put a sexual predator behind bars. It resulted in a sentence of 3,195 years—the longest in Ohio state history.
A finalist for the Edgar Award, Unfinished Murder is “not only a riveting nonfiction thriller but an important account about the true nature of sex crimes in America” from the prizewinning true crime journalist who is also the author of The Wrong The Final Verdict on the Dr. Sam Sheppard Murder Case and Mobbed Jackie Presser’s High-Wire Life in the Teamsters , the Mafia, and the FBI , which was the basis for the HBO movie, Teamster Boss (Nicholas Pileggi).
- GenresTrue Crime
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 6, 2020
Details
5 stars for this grisly retelling of multiple rapes in small towns, Ohio.
A gross miscarriage of justice for the victims while the police scrambled trying to track down their serial rapist.
Frustrating to read in parts due to not enough communication between the task force and the police departments trying to handle the cases.
Ronnie, was obviously a very disturbed young man, long before he actually started raping and it is sad that neither of his parents could put aside their own issues to pay attention.
Great retelling, fully detailed.
5 stars for this grisly retelling of multiple rapes in small towns, Ohio.
A gross miscarriage of justice for the victims while the police scrambled trying to track down their serial rapist.
Frustrating to read in parts due to not enough communication between the task force and the police departments trying to handle the cases.
Ronnie, was obviously a very disturbed young man, long before he actually started raping and it is sad that neither of his parents could put aside their own issues to pay attention.
Great retelling, fully detailed.
April 28, 2026
This book reminded me so much of "I'll Be Gone in the Dark", about the Golden State Killer. They both were peeping Toms who escalated to breaking in, rape, and in one of them, killing.
This took exhaustive research to tell what the rapist thought about and did before and during each crime. This book tells about his crimes and the frustrating amount of times he was in custody and released during his reign of terror in Cleveland in the 1980s. It makes me want to check all my windows and keep the curtains drawn completely, not leaving even a small gap that can be spied into.
This took exhaustive research to tell what the rapist thought about and did before and during each crime. This book tells about his crimes and the frustrating amount of times he was in custody and released during his reign of terror in Cleveland in the 1980s. It makes me want to check all my windows and keep the curtains drawn completely, not leaving even a small gap that can be spied into.
March 13, 2018
Tragic story
Moderately interesting read. Could have been told in a more gripping manner. This book should be read by law enforcement trainees. Also by women who live in apartment buildings especially those in first floor apartments. I like the fact that the victims gathered strength from one another in the end. I do not like that he was let go by the police so many times without follow up.
Moderately interesting read. Could have been told in a more gripping manner. This book should be read by law enforcement trainees. Also by women who live in apartment buildings especially those in first floor apartments. I like the fact that the victims gathered strength from one another in the end. I do not like that he was let go by the police so many times without follow up.
February 21, 2020
I have a personal bias for books that are chronologically done. This is one of the best. Neff gives the point of view of the victims, the police, and the rapist as the rapes were happening. I came away with a glimpse into the mind set of all the people involved and the lawyers that argued the case when the rapist was finally caught. Arrested 15 times for multiple offences before police realized he was the rapist, Ronnie Shelton got over 3,000 years in prison.
May 20, 2026
Really Good Detail
This went in to some detail of what made this man a vicious monster. He is definitely a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It shows some clear points that drove him to become a monster, but can ever cover everything.
This went in to some detail of what made this man a vicious monster. He is definitely a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It shows some clear points that drove him to become a monster, but can ever cover everything.
January 11, 2026
Good read
August 26, 2016
True Crime
This is an outstanding story of true crime
The author has really tried to understand and appreciate the differences of the Ronnie Shelton. The book is worth reading. ok
This is an outstanding story of true crime
The author has really tried to understand and appreciate the differences of the Ronnie Shelton. The book is worth reading. ok
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews