A Date with Death: The Secret Life of the Accused "Craigslist Killer"

by Michele R. McPhee

In a luxury Boston hotel on April 14, 2009, police discovered the body of a beautiful young woman—her head battered, a bullet through her heart. Within hours, the story exploded, making headlines across the nation. The victim, a masseuse named Julissa Brisman, had advertised her erotic services on popular classified ads Web site Craigslist. A twenty-two-year-old medical student named Philip Markoff was her last-known client...

The Boston Police Homicide Unit followed a digital trail that led to Markoff's home, where investigators found a gun, prepaid cell phones, plastic handcuffs, and other evidence linking Markoff to Brisman. They also uncovered a stash of women's undergarments, raising even more questions about their suspect: How many other women did Markoff meet before Brisman? And what happened to them?

This is the true story of one woman's DATE WITH DEATH.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Contemporary

261 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2010

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book on the 'Craigslist Killer' that I have read. Again, like the other book, Seven Days of Rage: The Deadly Crime Spree of the Craigslist Killer, this book was published in June 2010, which means it doesn't include the events that came after that.

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

Murder victim, Julissa Brisman

[Jaree Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad; I got a look into the short life of Markoff(the alleged Craigslist Killer). After the printing of the book, he apparently took his own life, likely to save himself the shame of being convicted and living a dreary, steel life. Although he had a lucrative future in the works as a BU medical student and an fully engaged fiance, he pissed it away with a thirst for mayhem. Some may say he's true obsession was gambling. He gambled literally as well as figuritively, and came up short. Most would expect a 6'3, blonde with favorable looks to behave better but dark hearts are indeed dark hearts no matter who the owner comes to be. Although Markoff surely isn't the only killer who utilized Craigslist to do facilitate his ill dealings, he is the most known. Hopefully his story will be a lesson of some sort.

Possibly the biggest pro/con is how the writer goes away from the direct story with mentions of things such as Obama's outstanding tickets back in his Harvard days(something I could care less about). You have to read this book to see the loose tie-in. I wished that the writer had got a chance to speak with Phil personally but I guess it is what it is. And obviously won't be happening now that he's a goner. To the families affected by the murder & mayhem associated withthis fellow, I wish peace and progression.

[Ashley Sweatman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very poorly written, lots of grammatical errors, very repetitive and frustrating to read.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first experience with one of these true crime rags, and I wasn't impressed. The author kept mentioning other cases that were distantly related or seemingly not related at all to the primary case, and because the story is so new, there was no conclusion to the book...the criminal still being in jail pending trial. Next time I'll try something by someone more noted in the true crime genre, like Anne Rule, because this book left me totally cold. It was a struggle to get through it even though it was a very fast read.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it was a very good read. Unfortunately for the author there wasn't much about the girlfriend's family and her life growing up as I love reading all the details. I recommend it.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I did enjoy all the details of the case including all of the evidence, the speculation, how exactly they linked Markoff to the crimes, etc. Aside from that, the editing was awful and the first chapter of the book is the author making up what they imagine Markoff to be saying after committing the crime without letting the reader know it's purely conjecture. The author also comes across as snobbish and judgemental of people when it wasn't really needed. For example, she makes his fiancee sound snobbish and spoiled, and pretty much asserts its her fault Markoff needed the money. Disregarding the fact that McAllister was a vicim as well.

The author would also ramble on about unrelated topics, such as why a building was named the way it was for several pages. I could literally skip over 2 or 3 pages and not miss anything about the actual case. She was also just plain mean in describing Markoff's parents.

The long shot of it is: most of the information about this case you can get from reading online articles without the made up narration or judgy commentary.

[Ari Damoulakis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe towards Philip it is ok, but the writer, and I can’t work out yet if I liked that she did this, but she writes in a very judgy, cattish and bitchy way about people in the book. For example, Megan, she really tears her and her wedding planning to bits. You sort of feel bad when you think she might be making fun of her and her wants for her wedding? Spiteful? Ok, obviously in the real world, to use her word, you do get ‘bridezilla,’ but still, first she is marrying really young, and is it really ok, especially what she had to go through, even if it is true for the author to write in that style?
If Megan tried reading this book, what would she think of how she is written about?
Anyway I had never heard of this crime and unfortunately the book doesn’t cover what happens eventually.
I had to go to Wikipedia for that answer.

[Amanda Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was not very good.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like SEVEN DAYS OF RAGE, this book was published before the denouement, but it's still very interesting.

[Betty Stoneking · Rating 5 out of 5]

vey good

[Joey B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! Detailed about how this man lived a double life. Very interesting read. Now I want to watch the movie.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the book focused a little less on the politics of the police department which in my mind had nothing to do with the story line/case. I wish they would have ended the book with the outcome.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Markoff was a twenty-two year old medical student with a very dark side. This true-crime book tells the story of how in April 2009, he responded to Craigslist ads and met with three individual women, two in Boston hotels, and one at a Rhode Island hotel, and used a gun to rob them. Trisha Leffler had been tied up and robbed at gunpoint on April 10, 2009 at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. Julissa Brisman was murdered at the Copley Marriott on April 14, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts after fighting back and scratching Markoff. And finally Corinne Stout was robbed at the Holiday Inn Express in Warwick, Rhode Island. All had advertised on Craigslist that they provided ”erotic” type-services.

Markoff who was accused of these crimes became known as the “Craigslist Killer.” The media had a sensation with this story because it reiterated how dangerous these ads could be and also how unexpected it was that an educated medical student could rob and murder. He had also been engaged. Initially his girlfriend, Megan McAllister stood by her man in disbelief that he could do harm to others. She claimed that he always treated her special as he brought her flowers and breakfast in bed. She said that she was very surprised to see this part of him that he had absolutely no idea existed. But as more and more evidence came out about his involvement, she broke off her engagement and relationship with Markoff.

The book ends where Philip Markoff had been arrested and awaiting trial. Although evidence against him was profound, he pleaded innocent. After several unsuccessful attempts, Philip finally committed suicide in Boston’s Nashua Street Jail on August 15, 2010.

Since Philip Markoff had ended his own life before his trial, officially he was never convicted and even if he did do these crimes, we will never know why. He enjoyed gambling and there was a strong possibility that he was robbing these women for his gambling habit. Also, perhaps he thought they might be easier targets since they were meeting him in hotel rooms. Maybe he had a hidden anger against women?

Ms. McPhee’s book was a quick interesting read.

[Janis Gilbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a luxury Boston hotel on April 14, 2009, police discovered the body of a beautiful young woman—her head battered, a bullet through her heart. Within hours, the story exploded, making headlines across the nation. The victim, a masseuse named Julissa Brisman, had advertised her erotic services on popular classified ads Web site Craigslist. A twenty-two-year-old medical student named Philip Markoff was her last-known client…





The Boston Police Homicide Unit followed a digital trail that led to Markoff's home, where investigators found a gun, prepaid cell phones, plastic handcuffs, and other evidence linking Markoff to Brisman. They also uncovered a stash of women’s undergarments, raising even more questions about their suspect: How many other women did Markoff meet before Brisman? And what happened to them? This is the true story of one woman’s DATE WITH DEATH.(less)
Paper

[Tyler Thorson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book " A Date With Death" is the true story about the Craigslist killer. His name was Philip Markoff who was a medical student and was soon to be married. The book goes through on how this bright young man, turned into a vicious killer.

I gave this book 3 star, because it kept you wanting to know more about the killer. The only bad part is that it didnt give you an ending and say if Markoff was found guilty or not.

"He had pissed a promising medical career down the drain and publicly humiliated himself, his family and his former fiancee."

Thi is important to the book because this guy had everything going for him. A hot wife that loved him, finishing medical and getting a job that paid about a half a million dollars, but he threw it all away when he assulted and killed women.

I would recommend this book to any one who likes a crime/gore book, because its full of it.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book b/c I enjoy true life and true crime books. ♦ In a luxury Boston hotel on April 14, 2009, police discovered the body of a young woman her head battered, a bullet through her heart, SO battered that initially it was not for sure if she ...had been stabbed to death or shot. Within hours, the story exploded over media across the Nation. The victim, a masseuse named Julissa Brisman, had advertised her erotic services on the popular site Craigslist. A twenty-two-old medical student named Philip Markoff was her last-known contact. Markoff would of had a promising career as a Dr but instead was arrested and charged w/h murder, one the most serious crimes one can be charged. He took his own life while in jail.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

so I watched the movie for Jake McDorman, and I read this book hoping it would answer some questions that the movie left open. the writing in this book is very unclear at times. when you start reading it, it's written as though it's a novel (to which I think: weird, why is this in non-fiction) and then later it gets super analytical. the author goes off on several pointless tangents (this guy that Philip met once at a Burger King was this and that had to do with these things, not that Philip ever knew that) about the history of buildings that were walked past once or something like that.

[Camille · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worst writing ever. "After Markoff's brief arraignment, he was en route to a place where he could likely give and receive as many man-on-man massages as he would like: the Nashu Street jail. If Philip Markoff was truly interested in experimenting with men, the Nashu Street jail might have been the perfect location." Okay. Wow.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a great short look into the life of the killer. I think it could have been a little more detailed but it was still Ok. I have another book to read on this case, so i will see how it stacks up against this one.

[Summer Cosgrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't help but read this when my fiance finished it (both are Bostonians). Quick read, lots of sensationalism, not the most intellectual piece out there. The ending is very interesting though considering Markoff's very recent suicide.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. I learned new facts about the case.

[John]

Interesting insight on how a smart killer thinks. The book moves along quickly and keeps your interest.

[Ashley Jeffers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow it is a scary world out there!!

[Stef · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many typos -_-

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele adds a great deal of depth to a story most of us remember. If you ever had any doubts as to how cold and calculating this guy was the book will erase the doubts. Great read.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it's interesting, the author puts in so much misc. info that is just not needed, such as the history of the politics in Boston. Don't care.

[Rini Cobbey · Rating 2 out of 5]

no apparent editor. book covers all the details of the case, and then repeats them about four times, amidst self-indulgent petty political sidetracks. helpful re details. weak as book.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

He committed suicide in his cell, on August 15, 2010, after this book was published

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

film adaptation