To Hunt a Killer: How I Brought Melanie Road’s Murderer to Justice

by Julie Mackay, Robert Murphy

The gripping true story of how Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay brought Melanie Road’s murderer to justice.

BATH, 1984

Jean Road, a 49-year-old mother of three, awakens to news that her daughter Melanie has been murdered in a nearby street as she walked home from a club in the early hours.

Britain’s biggest manhunt begins. A trail of blood is found leading away from the scene. It’s a rare blood type. But despite a year-long inquiry and 94 arrests, the case is wound down. No one is charged with Melanie’s murder.

AVON & SOMERSET POLICE HQ, 2009

Detective Sergeant Julie Mackay, a 41-year-old single mother of three who has been overlooked for promotion for years, transfers to the Cold Case Unit. She unearths a file from the original inquiry and becomes hooked by the details: the rare blood type, Bath on a summer’s night, the investigative wrong turns … She takes on the case, and with the help of Melanie’s inspirational mother works tirelessly to rebuild it.

This is the true story of how she did it.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2022

Reviews

[Lutecio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite interesting to learn about the whole police procedure dealing with a cold case, but Julie is the most annoying narrator I've ever listened to. The constant interruption of the story to talk about her personal drama completely breaks the rhythm of the book. Julie, qué pesada hija mía...

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the entire book in 2 sittings across 2 days and kept having to remind myself that it was a real case and not a crime fiction. I had no prior knowledge of this case, even though the conviction was in recent years. It was amazing to understand how the development of DNA technology helped bring the killer to justice after 31 years and I really enjoyed learning more about Julie Mackays career and personal life along the way.
My only reservation was the spoiler slap bang in the middle of the book - real snippets from the police investigation confirmed who the killer was and provided his mugshot before he was ever mentioned as a suspect in the book! I would skip past these pages and revisit at the end if I could go back in time!

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the podcast by Robert featuring Julie in February last year and it was very, very good indeed. I remarked at the time that she was just my sort of person and certainly someone you'd need on your side if you ever had the godawful misfortune to need her as the Road family did. I was 19 in 1984 and remember seeing Melanie's pictures on the news and following the case......I always remembered the milkman and his young son happening upon her. Just appalling. And made more atrocious that the killer got away with it for over 3 decades. Thank goodness DNA became a thing, in particular the familial stuff that's now solving so many of these cold cases. So many 20th century innovations you wonder if we'd do better without, but definitely not the discovery of DNA.
I googled the Melanie Hall murder and don't remember her face at all, sadly. Same as Shelley Morgan.....I hope one day their families also get a resolution.
I really liked the relationship between Julie and Jean....that is just lovely, despite the way they met. But oh my, the victim statements near the end undid me, especially Adrian's. The passage about Caesar also had me sobbing, too. The thought behind finding a lock of Melanie's hair as well touched me considerably.
Yet there is also humour. Julie pulls no punches and neither do I so I was cheering her on all the way as she took no prisoners (both figuratively and literally; well, not the one she wanted the most at least...). I chuckled with delight at her written request to Duncan regarding the fingerprint files being shredded. Likewise, I was so bloody irritated when other factions like the French or organisations here put up obstacles to a murder investigation.....WHY do they work against each other ? I'd not have the patience to deal with them myself. I'd have long before lost the plot !!
I did spot a couple of mistakes and one was getting a name wrong and I always knock a star off for that as a rule, because it gives me the raving hump that nobody has picked it up and I consider it the most unforgiveable of mistakes, but I am giving Julie and Robert a bye here, with gritted teeth.....at one point Melanie Read was written.....not happy to see this at all and I hope it can get fixed at some point if my review is read by the publisher or one of the authors.
But this book is certainly a fascinating look behind-the-scenes of a long, long investigation and how it all came together at the end.....warts and all. It's a gut-wrenching read but also one with the most satisfactory ending we could reasonably hope for, since we're no longer permitted to execute wastes of air like this one.

[Christine South · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the fact that I thought that this book was well written I only gave 2.5 stars to it. I was interested to see how former detective superintendent Julie MacKay brought the killer of Melanie Road to justice singlehandedly because the blurb states “ How I Brought Melanie Road’s murderer to justice.” The blurb also states that this was Britain’s biggest manhunt when I am quite sure that the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper had been awarded that particular accolade.
Another reason for the low score was Julie talked a lot about herself & her private life which was not relevant to the story. I have read a lot of books written or co written by the lead detective in high profile cases & they have always given more credit to their team than themselves but everything with Julie was me, myself & I. She didn’t actually do much to identify the killer & it was down to the forensic science service & one of her team would identified him & when opening the champagne they saved for when the case was solved she didn’t even wait for the colleague who identified Christopher Hampton because according to her “he should work weekends” but if wasn’t for him she wouldn’t have been celebrating & the poor fella had worked non stop on this inquiry & took the weekend off to see his grandchildren.
Julie also threatened to “hunt down” people who didn’t want to give a voluntary DNA swab & I suspected that when the team identified potential suspects & went to interview them & take a DNA swab that the details given in the book were real or that a minute detail had been changed because the cricketer Sir Ian Botham was identified as a potential suspect because he scored highly on the matrix & he was in Bath in June 1984. There is this thing in the UK called GDPR & she should not have published information like this & I am just glad that she isn’t a serving police officer now.

[Rik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok but irritating. The cold case is interesting, no doubt about it. All the twists and turns in trying to solve a decades old case make an interesting story. But the copper writing is annoying as fuck. Firstly, 2/3 of the story is told with recreated dialogue exchanges, mostly between groups of police in the incident rooms, on the road or over phones: i seriously doubt she has remembered what was said word for word by everybody here. It should have a disclaimer like a tv drama, 'some events have been fictionalised for the purposes of dramatisation', it gets annoying quickly and feels like it's been written with its potential for tv adaption in mind. Secondly she won't shut up about her kids, her marriage/relationship or her fucking horses. You expect the occassional bit of personal stuff but there is way too much...and it's nowhere near as witty or interesting as she thinks. Later chapters are sometimes more focused on her own sob story than the case. The annoying character and self indulgence really detracts and comes close to ruining the book.(There's a fair few comments throughout on the hard journey to the top she had as a female copper in a male dominated arena, despite admitting and constantly moaning that she failed all her exams multiple times, did badly infront of boards and has a complicated personal life holding her back)

[Alan Draycott · Rating 1 out of 5]

They say police detective work is not the drama and deduction that we see every night on the TV. It is in fact about monotonous and thoroughness of procedure. Well this book shows that is very true. For we have pages and pages of monotonous procedural ("oh and then we had to fill out this form") drivel coupled with and without good reason the lead detective's terrible family life being exposed for all to see.

The detective author really does seem to be an incredibly self centered. She may well have organised the investigation well but to write a book and claim the glory on a case where as far as I can tell was solved because DNA from the scene matched (almost) DNA in another event is very odd.This was not exactly Colombo stuff.

So we have a procedural history of the case, probably great if you are at the school for detectives, but not for the reader of books.
Save yourself the time (and save the face of her poor family who she embarrasses and exposes without any good reason) and avoid this.

[Vegannic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A true life murder investigation that took years. It was also a biography of the author and peaked into the life of a police investigation officer. The work they did was exhausting to read, I don't know how they carried on for so many years. But it goes to show never give up!
I read this as part of our book club. One of the women at book club was a police officer that is mentioned in the book. A really good read especially if you like true crime.

[Liam McFarlane · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an alright read. It does go in depth into a cold case review however I do feel that there is an alternative motive to get across the writers success and not just to tell the story of how the murder was solved. It does eventually get there and the premis is good but the narrative jumps throughout.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

case itself was really interesting, but oh my god i don’t care about your failing second marriage! it really have any sort of relevance outside tooting her own horn about how amazing she is to solve a case while maintaining a mess of a personal life
also are they just gonna not address how some of the evidence didn’t match up? ik it doesn’t matter bcs he pleaded guilty, but still how did he stab her on the right side of her body, with his right hand? and the DNA not 100% matching seems a bit odd too

[Effy]

This was a tragic but compelling + fascinating insight into the world of cold case police investigations. I had to keep reminding myself this was a real life case, and not fiction; devastating, emotional, gut-wrenching.. it moved me to tears several times + gave me a new level of respect for those who never give up on finding justice for victims.

The stark contrast in technology + procedure between 1984 and 2009 was so interesting to read about: the fact that the evolution + advancement of DNA technology bought the killer to light after three decades is a mind-blowing thought.

I also loved learning about Julie, behind the Detective Superintendent title. Aspects of her personal life were scattered throughout the book— I loved hearing about her children’s journeys + her horses, and appreciated the vulnerability shown when she struggled. Julie’s friendship with Melanie’s mother Jean was also incredibly wholesome.

Several moments in the book gave me goosebumps + had me a sobbing, emotional wreck: the moment it dawned on the detectives that they’d finally found the killer + the victim statements from the family at the end, in particular.

If, like me, you hadn’t heard of the case prior to reading this, I’d recommend skipping the glossed central pages + coming back to them at the end, as they reveal the killer before they are even mentioned in the book. But do go back— those pages contain snippets + photos from the police investigation + they are hard hitting.

Eloquent, well-written + informative, this is a must-read for any true crime fanatic🙌🏼


𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒚 @ 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 🥀

[gerard2e · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible book. Do NOT buy. Extremely self centred narrator who insisted on inserting her family and its problems into the story. It broke up the flow and was completely irrelevant and uninteresting.

Not to mention the second man she got with. Was expected to take on her three kids and ferry them around while she took a job in an another district for months and then a further promotion. I’m sure it wasn’t what he signed up for.

But no one else has mentioned this. At the start they think they’ve found the killer. He confessed on his death he’d to his cancer nurse. It’s a 97% match. Turns out not to be him. They are disgusted. But no one ever mentions again why he would confess to a murder he never committed on his dead bed or why a nurse would lie about him confessing. This fir me is the biggest red flag !!! How is that never mentioned again ??? Even In passing. Even one sentence.

The investigation itself is decent but she’s completely conceited. She did zero detective work and the killer was found from a semen sample and a familial DNA. Extremely common method these days (read about the golden state killer, proper book).

Not to mentioned they NEVER explain how exactly he did it and barely touch on the fact that he almost certainly killed more women and was probably the barn rapist( again the golden state killer, very similar) I would imagine because that would actually make her success rate more failure than wins and expose the lack of actual detective work without a fucking semen sample to fall back on.

Terrible book and even worse author.

[Ceeceereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars.

This is about a well-known English cold case, the horrific rape and murder of 17 year old Melanie as she walked home from a nightclub in Bath. It is written by the murder detective who eventually solved the case years later; a well mannered detective, mother, and all round powerhouse of a woman.

Going into this book, I read critique that the author injected herself into the story, that the author had too much ego. I understand that as a reader of true crime, you are used to a detached journalistic approach. However, this is a unique insight into the police investigation that brought Melanie’s killer to justice. Not only is it completely fascinating, it is packed with emotional ups and downs. The author writes about her total respect for Melanie’s mum. You could feel the responsibility she personally felt for finding her daughter’s killer, as well as the professional pressure and all the twist and turns of the case- of which there are plenty.

It reminded me of the mild mannered British detectives on 24 Hours in Police Custody, who joke about their weekends with colleagues, engage in friendly banter and offer their suspects cups of tea. Yet when they get down to it, are razor sharp, focused, and unrelenting. I find here that you become absorbed in the horror of this case. And in between that are moments of a real life; a failing marriage, 5 a.m. starts, being a mum to 3 teens, financial worries, career pressures. I felt it all. I also particularly liked the hints of banter with colleague Gary as this is what gets us through our days, no matter how tough.

This book left an impression on me and I find the author incredibly kick ass and inspiring, particularly as a women in what was-and probably still is- predominantly a man’s world. She has my respect.

(If you enjoy this book, I also recommend Manhunt by Colin Sutton.)

[KP · Rating 1 out of 5]

This started off promising, but i had to give up. The storyteller is completely self absorbed and seems to be interested in this case because she feels personal affinity with the murdered girl. She won't leave the family alone.
The story feels like randomly following leads, missing a really obvious problem with their familial DNA assumptions and wasting thousands of pounds on swabbing DNA from anyone remotely suspicious rather than following up the leads, like the eyewitness they discovered.
I was expecting an interesting insight into how policing is done, but instead feel like I'm watching the years tick by with this lady's life falling apart because she put her promotion above everything else.
I was appalled at the scene where her son was having a complete breakdown and she just rushes off because the case had broken, texting them details of what they can heat up for dinner.
She steamrollers any one else's process or suggestions for how to approach the case and is completely disrespectful of other people's lives and personal boundaries. What a Karen.
The book could have been reduced to half it's length too.
Awful.

[Gian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start by saying that I enjoyed this book. I knew nothing about this cold case and it was both interesting and heartbreaking to read about. I was glad that the family were able to look their daughter’s killer in the face and see him sent to prison. That being said, there were things I felt would have made the book better though which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. To me the book concentrated too much on Julie McKay and delving into her family life which was not particularly interesting and seemed more like padding than actual storytelling. The book could have concentrated more on other aspects of the case such as the advancement of DNA testing (which is what caught the killer) and investigative procedures. The other thing the writers could have done better was look at the investigation as a team effort rather than marketing it as one person’s success in catching a killer.

[Ryan Chacksfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re being told the story of a real-life murder investigation and not a work of fiction. Events unfold in such a captivating way that I was racing towards the end of the book once past the halfway point.

The greatest aspect of this book is the depiction of the victims’ family. The author recounts their story just as thoroughly as her own, and their 30+ year wait for justice is portrayed with all its turmoil, yet with grace and dignity.

Personally I would’ve liked a more detailed portrait of other key members of the investigative team but perhaps correctly this is kept as the victims’ and the authors story.

[Sinead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic but compelling story about the brilliance & tenacity of DCI Julie Mackay & her colleagues in the Avon & Somerset police who finally solved the brutal murder of Melanie Road 32 years on. We also get a priviledged glimpse into Melanie's character & how much she is loved by her mum Jean, brother Adrian & sister Karen. They never gave up hope of justice for Melanie.

I grew up in Bath & although only 6 years old in June 1984 I remember the long shadow that Melanie's murder cast on this beautiful city. Rest in peace beautiful Melanie.

[Christine Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the world of cold case police investigating told by the chief investigating officer - Julie Mackay. The book not only chronicles the ups and downs, highs and lows of the hunt to track down a rapist and murder who’s evaded capture for 30 years, it also gives a heartbreaking insight into the shattered lives of the victims family.
Julie also, bravely, exposes her vulnerability and personal struggles. Just as if I was watching a TV documentary, I was moved to tears a number of times during the book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is outstanding, I have read many ‘true crime / police procedural’ books and this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Eloquent, well written, interesting and not over padded - Just so informative. When the impact statements were read out I was an emotional wreck.
I’m sad the author had to leave Avon & Somerset to reach their full career potential, but knowing, through personal involvement, the male dominated misogynistic, tunnel vision, useless hierarchy that existed then it’s no surprise.
Well done you - for everything.

[Shanna Klutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt so bad for her family. This seems to be a theme with investigators who let their work consume them. Y’all are replaceable to your peeps at work. You are not replaceable to your family! The switch from blood technology to DNA was fascinating, and I really loved following the evidence through the first collection team to the very end. But I was just saddened by the things she let be more important than her kids. And when she said that it was frustrating that it took her 30 years to get to her dream position because she was a mom, that made me feel even more saddened.

[Lauren White · Rating 5 out of 5]

You would have to be pretty damn cold to be able to read this book without feeling anything.

I know Julie through horses, and when a friend said she used to be a detective and had written a book we agreed we had to read it. Not knowing what to expect, she could have been a rubbish writer, or had an unlikeable voice which contradicted what I knew about her. Instead it was well written, straight talking but always thoughtful and kind.

What an amazing lady, what an experience. Thank goodness she is still here.

[Briony Harden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept forgetting this was/is a real case. You gain a brilliant insight into the work that goes into solving cold cases, the constraints on the police, and the human behind the uniform.

If you are into crime, especially true crime, this is the book. However, if, like me, you didn't know the case and its outcome, and you don't want spoilers before the end of the book, skip the pictures in the middle of the book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is probably the best non-fiction book I have ever read - it is told in such a way that I forgot at times that was I was reading was about a real murder that took place in my hometown back in 1984. A beautiful story of justice winning, and I found reading about the whole process of tracking down and identifying a killer after all this time really interesting.

[Sue Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime junkie book

If you enjoy true crime, this is the book for you. Presents a detailed understanding of how dedicated, intelligent, curious, committed, and tenacious these professionals have to be.
You will have a new appreciation for cold case detectives and the price they pay to find justice

[Marilyn Litt · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will never read a better book about what it takes to solve a Cold Case, what the long-term effects are on the victim's family, or hear more moving victims statements. I highly recommend the audio version which makes you think you are sitting down across the table from the woman Detective who ran the team that solved this case.

[Rachel Groves · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ticks all the boxes for how to do true crime badly. Poor writing,, basic context, conversation and descriptions, annoying narration, judgemental about others and all about the police officer not the case or the victims.

[Reet Dhaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nail biting investigation that will have you flipping the pages to find out how the cold case was finally solved. Great insight about how new scientific technologies helped to solve the case decades later. Would highly recommend to those that enjoy true crime!

[Mrs Carole Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

could relate to this book

It is good to read an honest account of the difficulties of having a very special and busy job and surviving well. I found myself very angry indeed at the perpetrator of this terrible murder.

[Marmalade · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1984 Melanie Road was brutally murdered, 25 years later working on the cold case Julie MacKay then a DS makes it her mission to catch Melanie's killer.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good and interesting read but the photos section in the middle tells you who the murderer is before you’ve even found it out from the story!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the way this was written. Didn't even realise it was based on a true story. Got it from a friend and read it back to back in 48 hours!