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The Zodiac Revisited #3
The Zodiac Revisited, Volume 3: Tying It All Together
Understand History's Most Enigmatic Serial Killer
In December of 1968, a serial killer began orchestrating a campaign of terror in the San Francisco Bay Area. Not satisfied with the simple act of murder, he taunted law enforcement and the public by writing letters to local newspapers. Through often cryptic and bizarre content—including four ciphers, three of which have never been solved—the psychopath played a twisted game. Reporters dubbed the man the "Cipher Killer," but the murderer chose a different name for himself: the Zodiac. Eventually, he would claim to have murdered thirty-seven. Law enforcement, however, could only account for five.
In 1971, authenticated communications with the Zodiac ceased. The elusive fugitive resurfaced briefly three years later, sending a small number of communiqués, before disappearing for good. What started out with shocking abruptness slowly dissolved into mysterious uncertainty. To this day, the Zodiac's true identity remains one of the twentieth century's greatest mysteries...
In the final volume of The Zodiac Revisited, Michael uses the insights developed in Volume 2 to reexamine the killer's letters and crimes as well as the possibility that the killer committed a series of murders in Southern California.
In December of 1968, a serial killer began orchestrating a campaign of terror in the San Francisco Bay Area. Not satisfied with the simple act of murder, he taunted law enforcement and the public by writing letters to local newspapers. Through often cryptic and bizarre content—including four ciphers, three of which have never been solved—the psychopath played a twisted game. Reporters dubbed the man the "Cipher Killer," but the murderer chose a different name for himself: the Zodiac. Eventually, he would claim to have murdered thirty-seven. Law enforcement, however, could only account for five.
In 1971, authenticated communications with the Zodiac ceased. The elusive fugitive resurfaced briefly three years later, sending a small number of communiqués, before disappearing for good. What started out with shocking abruptness slowly dissolved into mysterious uncertainty. To this day, the Zodiac's true identity remains one of the twentieth century's greatest mysteries...
In the final volume of The Zodiac Revisited, Michael uses the insights developed in Volume 2 to reexamine the killer's letters and crimes as well as the possibility that the killer committed a series of murders in Southern California.
- GenresCrime
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2020
34 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 5, 2023
When I started this book after reading Vols. 1 and 2, I at first thought it repetitious but then it took the material previously expounded on and went into some conclusions of possible thought processes of the killer. This was the most disturbing of the three books because of that, as it went into the mind of a serial murderer. The basic logic is sound. There are a few reaches but those are labelled as such. I am guessing if and when the killer is identified a large percentage of these conclusions will be borne out. I do hope it helps in identifying the guilty party, but either way, it advances the discussion.
At first I had hoped that the author would look at all the popular suspects advanced and compare them to his conclusions, but after I read it, I thought that would not be helpful in the context of this series. It might make a nice blog article to do the comparison, but the point of the book is not to be caught up in any specific theory.
After I got over my initial impression of the book's repetition of Vol 1 & 2, and set aside the horror of thinking like a serial killer, this was a fascinating read. The style remains clear, the organization sensible, and the conclusions not outlandish. Very worthy addition to the true crime field!
At first I had hoped that the author would look at all the popular suspects advanced and compare them to his conclusions, but after I read it, I thought that would not be helpful in the context of this series. It might make a nice blog article to do the comparison, but the point of the book is not to be caught up in any specific theory.
After I got over my initial impression of the book's repetition of Vol 1 & 2, and set aside the horror of thinking like a serial killer, this was a fascinating read. The style remains clear, the organization sensible, and the conclusions not outlandish. Very worthy addition to the true crime field!
May 24, 2021
This is the third book in a three-book set that examines the case of murders committed by a man calling himself the Zodiac. Though the subtitle declares that it "ties it all together," I find that it does so with quite a bit of speculation. It also includes a lot of describing the inner thoughts of the Zodiac killer that are not possible for the author to know, nor do I believe they truly represent the thought processes and motivations that compelled the Zodiac to commit his crimes.
Still, taken as part of the whole, it certainly can elicit discussion concerning just what the Zodiac killings were about. Perhaps through such discussion, the true identity of the Zodiac, as of yet still unknown, might be arrived at.
Still, taken as part of the whole, it certainly can elicit discussion concerning just what the Zodiac killings were about. Perhaps through such discussion, the true identity of the Zodiac, as of yet still unknown, might be arrived at.
April 28, 2022
Best and most objective Study on The Zodiac
Mr Cole, thank you for this detailed and persuasive analysis of The Zodiac and his Crimes! Not only is your arguments and solutions to the Zodiac ciphers compelling, but your writing style is clear and concise unlike much of writing surrounding the enigmatic killer.
I truly believe that your series of books about the Zodiac will one day prove instrumental in solving the puzzle of his true identity. At least it is truly hoped. Thank you!
Mr Cole, thank you for this detailed and persuasive analysis of The Zodiac and his Crimes! Not only is your arguments and solutions to the Zodiac ciphers compelling, but your writing style is clear and concise unlike much of writing surrounding the enigmatic killer.
I truly believe that your series of books about the Zodiac will one day prove instrumental in solving the puzzle of his true identity. At least it is truly hoped. Thank you!
March 2, 2021
Was skeptical going in as most books on the Zodiac end up with the author advocating for their favorite suspect. This is a well thought out look at the whole case and even if you might not agree with all of the authors theories /conclusions they do seem to be well thought out.
March 20, 2021
The book that wraps it all up.
If you read the first two books of the trilogy, you need to take the time to read this as well. Motivation, explanation and character development are all here. Whether you agree or not, this this well thought out and well written.
If you read the first two books of the trilogy, you need to take the time to read this as well. Motivation, explanation and character development are all here. Whether you agree or not, this this well thought out and well written.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews