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Most Evil: Avenger, Zodiac, and the Further Serial Murders of Dr. George Hill Hodel
A veteran LAPD homicide detective who discovered that his own father was the Black Dahlia killer shares his subsequent investigations into his father's other criminal activities, which the author believes include unsolved murders spanning more than six decades. Co-written by the Edgar-finalist author of The Black Dahlia Avenger.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
August 2, 2015
I don't know if this guy is delusional or just plain crazy. I could not make it through this book.
I read his first book about his dad being the Black Dahlia Killer and some points were made but I was still not convinced he did it. Now this latest book says his father was the Zodiac killer? And responsible for James Ellroy's mother's murder? Now that's stretching it quite a bit. Without any physical evidence I think Steve Hodel is just looking for attention.
I read his first book about his dad being the Black Dahlia Killer and some points were made but I was still not convinced he did it. Now this latest book says his father was the Zodiac killer? And responsible for James Ellroy's mother's murder? Now that's stretching it quite a bit. Without any physical evidence I think Steve Hodel is just looking for attention.
December 28, 2021
I think this book ranks equally with Ed Sanders' book The Family, for the amount of speculative research, and investigation on an immensely difficult set of crime cases.
If nothing else, the usefulness of his timeline, and all the extraordinary amount of minor details make the book one of the most useful in the literature.
If nothing else, the usefulness of his timeline, and all the extraordinary amount of minor details make the book one of the most useful in the literature.
October 8, 2009
It helps if you've read Mr. Hodel's first true crime book where he blames his dad for the Black Dahlia murder (and several others), The Black Dahlia Avenger.
Now, how much of an evil douchebag asshole must his father have been for him to NOT ONLY accuse his pops of killing the Black Dahlia (and others) but to then, years later, also accuse him of the Zodiac murders (which took place 20 years after the BD)?
This book, like the last one, is filled with circumstantial evidence, but really, it's less than circumstantial. It's just speculation. And, the most important thing to remember is that Mr. Hodel can't even prove that his evil father (the dad, whether he murdered anyone or not, is still evil) was even in the different cities when these murders went down. Not only that, but he can't prove that his dad was even IN THE COUNTRY because at that time the father lived in the Philipines.
Another thing that makes no sense is that the first bunch of murders (Dahlia, Lipstick killer) were murders of women, strangulation, mutilation of the bodies, that kind of thing. Then 20 years later with the Zodiac murders... it's the killing of teens (men and women) at lovers' lanes with a gun. THE AUTHOR NEVER POINTS OUT THE DRASTIC CHANGE IN M.O.
That's a huge deal to me. If you've a killer who likes to strangle/stab women/girls and cut them up and then 20 years later you've one who like to shoot men and women? I think that would need to be explained first. Why the change? And is that drastic a change in M.O. even possible? It would seem that maybe a killer that changed like that would have to kill more people with shooting because it couldn't be as satisfying/personal as the strangling and mutilation. So you'd think there would have been more Zodiac shootings. I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud here.
While Mr. Hodel's theories of his dad being a serial killer are interesting, especially with him being the BDA (which seem more possible), trying to make him the Zodiac killer as well really falls flat. If he could explain the change in M.O. and then prove that his dad was in California at the time, then yes, it would be far more compelling.
Now, how much of an evil douchebag asshole must his father have been for him to NOT ONLY accuse his pops of killing the Black Dahlia (and others) but to then, years later, also accuse him of the Zodiac murders (which took place 20 years after the BD)?
This book, like the last one, is filled with circumstantial evidence, but really, it's less than circumstantial. It's just speculation. And, the most important thing to remember is that Mr. Hodel can't even prove that his evil father (the dad, whether he murdered anyone or not, is still evil) was even in the different cities when these murders went down. Not only that, but he can't prove that his dad was even IN THE COUNTRY because at that time the father lived in the Philipines.
Another thing that makes no sense is that the first bunch of murders (Dahlia, Lipstick killer) were murders of women, strangulation, mutilation of the bodies, that kind of thing. Then 20 years later with the Zodiac murders... it's the killing of teens (men and women) at lovers' lanes with a gun. THE AUTHOR NEVER POINTS OUT THE DRASTIC CHANGE IN M.O.
That's a huge deal to me. If you've a killer who likes to strangle/stab women/girls and cut them up and then 20 years later you've one who like to shoot men and women? I think that would need to be explained first. Why the change? And is that drastic a change in M.O. even possible? It would seem that maybe a killer that changed like that would have to kill more people with shooting because it couldn't be as satisfying/personal as the strangling and mutilation. So you'd think there would have been more Zodiac shootings. I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud here.
While Mr. Hodel's theories of his dad being a serial killer are interesting, especially with him being the BDA (which seem more possible), trying to make him the Zodiac killer as well really falls flat. If he could explain the change in M.O. and then prove that his dad was in California at the time, then yes, it would be far more compelling.
August 27, 2023
Whilst I am an avid fan of crime fiction in all its various guesses every once in a while I like to dip my toe into the world of true crime. It is something that whilst I find fascinating tends to get stuck in my head long after I have finished the books. And frankly, no one needs that bouncing around in their mind too often. When it comes to Most Evil my interest was peeked down to its connection between the Black Dhali murders and Zodiac. Both of these crimes I have read a great deal about over the years in one way or another. And I suppose they are some of America's most infamous crimes. Both in their ferocity and the fact that neither has ever been solved. So obviously I was interested to see how the author was going to try and link these two together. And whilst I had heard of the author before I was yet to read anything by him.
So this book aims to build on the foundations of what was started in his previous work. This centers around the fact that Hodel believes his father killed Elizbeth Short AKA the Black Dhalia as well as several other women around the L.A. area at the time. This he briefly covers again at the start of this book. Now to me, there does seem to be some evidence that he may have been responsible for at least a few of these crimes. Everything I have read about George Hodel does paint him as a sadistic and unpleasant man possibly capable of some horrific things. It is then that the author starts to lay out his theories as to just how nasty a man his father may have been. And when it comes to George there is a long list of crimes that he is now being accused of. So the question we are being asked is can one man be responsible for killings that span the globe over a great many years and that no one has ever connected the dots before his son?
When it comes to Most Evil it is very easy to get whipped up in Hodel's theory. Maybe being an ex-police officer means that he can come across as convincing and forthright. And the author has clearly put a great deal of time and research into building his case to us the judge and jury as to just what secrets the past is holding. And in part, there are some fascinating crimes to learn about within these pages. And whilst some are probably quite well known to the readers others may be unknown to almost everyone. So for that when it comes to the world of the true-crime reader I'm sure there is much to be learned and explored. But for me at least it is difficult to not let my doubts come to the surface as to just how connected they are. Yes at a brief look, there would appear to be these bonds but when you start to scratch the surface it is all just a little too circumstantial. It seems too easy to pick apart what he is trying to sell to us. The likelihood of some super serial killer who changes locations and M.O. with such ease feels like the world of crime fiction rather than the real world.
As for this reader by the time I had finished the book I was no less convinced of the connection between these crimes than when I had started. So on that basis, It would be disingenuous to say that Hodel pulled off what he was hoping to achieve. There is just too much uncertainty in the things he is presenting to us as facts. Now do I believe that George Hodel was an evil man? In my opinion, I think he was a very disturbed and sadistic man who took it out on those closest to him. And as I previously said he may very well have killed Short. But when it comes to the rest whilst it makes for a thrilling and harrowing tale I think it is best left to the world of fiction.
So this book aims to build on the foundations of what was started in his previous work. This centers around the fact that Hodel believes his father killed Elizbeth Short AKA the Black Dhalia as well as several other women around the L.A. area at the time. This he briefly covers again at the start of this book. Now to me, there does seem to be some evidence that he may have been responsible for at least a few of these crimes. Everything I have read about George Hodel does paint him as a sadistic and unpleasant man possibly capable of some horrific things. It is then that the author starts to lay out his theories as to just how nasty a man his father may have been. And when it comes to George there is a long list of crimes that he is now being accused of. So the question we are being asked is can one man be responsible for killings that span the globe over a great many years and that no one has ever connected the dots before his son?
When it comes to Most Evil it is very easy to get whipped up in Hodel's theory. Maybe being an ex-police officer means that he can come across as convincing and forthright. And the author has clearly put a great deal of time and research into building his case to us the judge and jury as to just what secrets the past is holding. And in part, there are some fascinating crimes to learn about within these pages. And whilst some are probably quite well known to the readers others may be unknown to almost everyone. So for that when it comes to the world of the true-crime reader I'm sure there is much to be learned and explored. But for me at least it is difficult to not let my doubts come to the surface as to just how connected they are. Yes at a brief look, there would appear to be these bonds but when you start to scratch the surface it is all just a little too circumstantial. It seems too easy to pick apart what he is trying to sell to us. The likelihood of some super serial killer who changes locations and M.O. with such ease feels like the world of crime fiction rather than the real world.
As for this reader by the time I had finished the book I was no less convinced of the connection between these crimes than when I had started. So on that basis, It would be disingenuous to say that Hodel pulled off what he was hoping to achieve. There is just too much uncertainty in the things he is presenting to us as facts. Now do I believe that George Hodel was an evil man? In my opinion, I think he was a very disturbed and sadistic man who took it out on those closest to him. And as I previously said he may very well have killed Short. But when it comes to the rest whilst it makes for a thrilling and harrowing tale I think it is best left to the world of fiction.
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July 6, 2013Worst book ever. Unresearched, the only 'evidence' he presents are circumstantial - or perceived circumstantial i.e. 'my Father COULD have been in San Francisco on those dates ...' , - and handwriting analysis, which is all but de-bunked, and he compares writing with writing that has be determined to have been written differently purposely to disguise writing.
Hasn't even googled basic questions - 'I'm sure they could get DNA from his gloves, because hands sweat' - instead preferring to leave questions where he cannot be proven wrong.
Needs to grow up and I can't believe this book was allowed to be published.
Hasn't even googled basic questions - 'I'm sure they could get DNA from his gloves, because hands sweat' - instead preferring to leave questions where he cannot be proven wrong.
Needs to grow up and I can't believe this book was allowed to be published.
July 8, 2013
Oh my this guy again ! This man needs medical help ,for he is truly not of this earth ! Mr Hodel claims to solve every crime in modern history ,without walking out his front door ! His dad did em all ! Black Dahlia,Zodiac ...etc ! If you know the facts on some of these cases (As I do ) ,you will throw this in the air several times as you laugh uncontrollably or maybe just shake your head and ask "What the fuck ? "
Avoid this one folks ,trust me !
Avoid this one folks ,trust me !
September 26, 2009
A frightening book. Having just finished it, I'm still digesting some of Hodel's theories. It's hard to say, "Yes, I completely believe in his father's guilt" since as Hodel explains his evidence is circumstantial. That being said, it does feel like the author is onto something.
November 11, 2009
Although Hodel presents some compelling evidence and coincidences, I'm not altogether convinced that his father was such a prolific serial killer (especially since I think that Robert Graysmith and company hit the Zodiac nail on the head). I feel as though this is a situation of a child (and detective, and author) wanting to explain away far too much, and to be too close to history.
His book on the Black Dahlia Avenger, though, seems to have struck a chord with people involved in the investigation (or amateur gumshoes interested in the case, at least), and seems to have been his excuse for writing this second book. It seems that the first is much more well researched, and I'm interested in reading it to see if any of the more puzzling assumptions and conclusions he has in Most Evil find their root in his treatise on the Black Dahlia murders.
His book on the Black Dahlia Avenger, though, seems to have struck a chord with people involved in the investigation (or amateur gumshoes interested in the case, at least), and seems to have been his excuse for writing this second book. It seems that the first is much more well researched, and I'm interested in reading it to see if any of the more puzzling assumptions and conclusions he has in Most Evil find their root in his treatise on the Black Dahlia murders.
October 21, 2009
Steve Hodel was an LA homicide detective for 20+ years. In his first book, published about five years ago, The Black Dahlia Avenger, Hodel names his father, George Hill Hodel, as the killer. In this most recent book, Most Evil: The Further Serial Murders of Dr. George Hodel, Steve Hodel names his father as the Chicago Lipstick Killer and as Zodiac, the infamous (and never caught) San Francisco serial killer of the 1960s and 1970s.
Oh but wait there's more: Dr. George Hodel was indeed and in fact a prime suspect in the BDA investigation. He was a surgeon. The Lipstick Killer murders and the BDA murder involved a hemicorporectomy -- i.e., the bisection of a human body performed by cutting between the second and third lumbar vertebrae -- an extremely rare procedure, the use of which heralded a killer of at least moderate medical training.
And then there's the signal fact that the bisection and mutilation of Elizabeth Short's (i.e., the BD herself) body conformed to many Surrealist paintings and sculptures of the time (conformed in way too many particulars to here narrate), not least of which is Man Ray's famous "Minotaur" photograph. For those who haven't seen this photo, google it; and for those who won't, can't or don't want to google it, imagine a chiaroscuro photograph of a nude female torso, arms raised to the squares so as to form the minotaur's horns, the breasts slightly obscured in shadow so to form the minotaur's crazed and protuberant eyes, the abdomen covered entirely in shadow so as to resemble the minotaur's black mouth rounded in horror, darkened in blood. For anyone who has seen the BDA crime scene photo of E. Short's posed upper torso, and who has seen or can imagine the "Minotaur -- the idea is ridiculous that Short's murderer wasn't in some way paying twisted homage to Man Ray. (For anyone who cares to learn more about the connection between BD's murder and Surrealist Art, the book "Exquisite Corpse" is highly recommend). The kicker here is that George Hodel and Man Ray were dear, dear friends.
The Zodiac murders don't really resemble either the Lipstick or BD murders, except that the locations of the Zodiac murders form the coordinates of a sick map that points (by way of certain street signs) rather suggestively to both LA and Chicago.
All of which is to say, as ridiculous as Hodel's assertion and my description of the assertion may sound, the idea of someone using murder as a kind of canvas or typewriter, murder as the medium of art, that idea becomes harder and harder to dismiss, the more Hodel piles on the coincidences. Least of which, is the surrealist manifesto that their art is meant to combine with irreality of dreams with the drab reality of life. And if so, why must so many dreams be nightmares?
Oh but wait there's more: Dr. George Hodel was indeed and in fact a prime suspect in the BDA investigation. He was a surgeon. The Lipstick Killer murders and the BDA murder involved a hemicorporectomy -- i.e., the bisection of a human body performed by cutting between the second and third lumbar vertebrae -- an extremely rare procedure, the use of which heralded a killer of at least moderate medical training.
And then there's the signal fact that the bisection and mutilation of Elizabeth Short's (i.e., the BD herself) body conformed to many Surrealist paintings and sculptures of the time (conformed in way too many particulars to here narrate), not least of which is Man Ray's famous "Minotaur" photograph. For those who haven't seen this photo, google it; and for those who won't, can't or don't want to google it, imagine a chiaroscuro photograph of a nude female torso, arms raised to the squares so as to form the minotaur's horns, the breasts slightly obscured in shadow so to form the minotaur's crazed and protuberant eyes, the abdomen covered entirely in shadow so as to resemble the minotaur's black mouth rounded in horror, darkened in blood. For anyone who has seen the BDA crime scene photo of E. Short's posed upper torso, and who has seen or can imagine the "Minotaur -- the idea is ridiculous that Short's murderer wasn't in some way paying twisted homage to Man Ray. (For anyone who cares to learn more about the connection between BD's murder and Surrealist Art, the book "Exquisite Corpse" is highly recommend). The kicker here is that George Hodel and Man Ray were dear, dear friends.
The Zodiac murders don't really resemble either the Lipstick or BD murders, except that the locations of the Zodiac murders form the coordinates of a sick map that points (by way of certain street signs) rather suggestively to both LA and Chicago.
All of which is to say, as ridiculous as Hodel's assertion and my description of the assertion may sound, the idea of someone using murder as a kind of canvas or typewriter, murder as the medium of art, that idea becomes harder and harder to dismiss, the more Hodel piles on the coincidences. Least of which, is the surrealist manifesto that their art is meant to combine with irreality of dreams with the drab reality of life. And if so, why must so many dreams be nightmares?
November 21, 2011
I was reading this book and had finally made it through to the halfway mark when I just had to give up on it. I am a huge fan of true crime, I even used to study it, on my own, in my spare time. What made me stop reading this book and give it such a low star rating is that there is no proof of anything that is written in it's pages. Sure, this guy thought his dad was a murderer and after some real investigations it was found that he was the culprit for the Black Dahlia murder... but how does that make him the Zodiac and many other names...
Steve Hodel pieces together random things from different crime scenes and makes them all fit together in some odd puzzle, but I just couldn't see the fit. Doing things the way he did he could blame his father for murders that happened even before and after he, Dr. George Hodel, even existed. Until some valid investigations are done, including DNA evidence, to validate what Hodel states is truth in this book I will refer to it as a piece of fiction. Worth a read if you are into conspiracy theories...
Steve Hodel pieces together random things from different crime scenes and makes them all fit together in some odd puzzle, but I just couldn't see the fit. Doing things the way he did he could blame his father for murders that happened even before and after he, Dr. George Hodel, even existed. Until some valid investigations are done, including DNA evidence, to validate what Hodel states is truth in this book I will refer to it as a piece of fiction. Worth a read if you are into conspiracy theories...
August 20, 2022
I listened to the "Root of Evil" and then needed to read Steve Hodel's books. This is the 2nd, so I didnt get all his initial info.
Hodel was a LA homicide detective, who had no idea of the secrets in his father's life. After his father's death, he finds a picture that reminds h of Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia. Then a revelation from his half-sister brings othet things to light. Dr George Hill Hodel was one of the suspects. So Steve Hodel makes it his mission to prove his father's innocence... instead he finds proof of his father's guilt.
In "Most Evil" Hodel goes into the evidence he believes proves that not only was his father the Black Dahlia Avenger, but also the Zodiac, the Chicago Lipstick Murderer and potentially more.
Very intriguing.
Hodel was a LA homicide detective, who had no idea of the secrets in his father's life. After his father's death, he finds a picture that reminds h of Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia. Then a revelation from his half-sister brings othet things to light. Dr George Hill Hodel was one of the suspects. So Steve Hodel makes it his mission to prove his father's innocence... instead he finds proof of his father's guilt.
In "Most Evil" Hodel goes into the evidence he believes proves that not only was his father the Black Dahlia Avenger, but also the Zodiac, the Chicago Lipstick Murderer and potentially more.
Very intriguing.
March 12, 2019
Man does this guy hate his dad. Really a reach. Some stuff here is nonsense.
November 11, 2024
This was okay. Lots of repetition on the same thing over and over. Kind of slow but still interesting. It was not terrible but it was not the best thing either.
November 11, 2025
The author was desperate to make his father the Black Dahlia murderer. He was grasping at straws to vague descriptions that could be applied to 100's of people. I was unable to continue to the end.
December 31, 2015
Former LAPD detective Steve Hodel caught the attention of true crime readers in 2003, when he joined the odd club of authors accusing their fathers of having killed Elizabeth Short, the “Black Dahlia”—whose surgically bisected, grotesquely poised corpse was found on Norton Ave. in Liemert Park, Los Angeles, California, in 1947—with the publication of his Black Dahlia Avenger, effectively convicting his father Dr. George Hill Hodel, Jr. of the crime.
Writes Hodel in MOST EVIL: Avenger, Zodiac, and the Further Murders of Dr. George Hill Hodel,
My father . . . was a monster. While a handsome, successful doctor living the good life in 1940s Hollywood, surrounded by beautiful women and esteemed artists such as Man Ray, John Huston, Henry Miller, and others, he committed a series of heinous murders. One of his victims was a former girlfriend named Elizabeth Short—cast in infamy as the Black Dahlia. In 2004, a "George Hodel- Black Dahlia File" was discovered in the vault at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. The secret file revealed that in 1950, Hodel was the prime suspect on the Dahlia murder and his private Hollywood residence was electronically bugged by an 18-man DA/LAPD Task Force during the period 18 February to 27 March 1950. The DA transcripts contained Hodel's references to performing abortions, payoffs to law enforcement officials, and to his possible involvement in the deaths of his secretary and Elizabeth Short.
Steve Hodel has developed and expanded the theory of his late father’s association with psychopathy and murder, publishing a series of books on the elder Hodel’s nefarious misdeeds. According to this theory, his father, a friend of surrealist Man Ray, posed Short’s corpse in emulation of one of Man Ray’s photographs, The Minotaur, cutting the ends of her open mouth to approximate the effect of another of Man Ray’s photographs entitled The Lovers (The Lips), and having devoted his life to becoming an unforgettable surrealist among murderers, continued his killing spree for decades, including a long sojourn in Manila before returning to the US in 1990. CONTINUED HERE: http://www.examiner.com/review/most-e...
Writes Hodel in MOST EVIL: Avenger, Zodiac, and the Further Murders of Dr. George Hill Hodel,
My father . . . was a monster. While a handsome, successful doctor living the good life in 1940s Hollywood, surrounded by beautiful women and esteemed artists such as Man Ray, John Huston, Henry Miller, and others, he committed a series of heinous murders. One of his victims was a former girlfriend named Elizabeth Short—cast in infamy as the Black Dahlia. In 2004, a "George Hodel- Black Dahlia File" was discovered in the vault at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. The secret file revealed that in 1950, Hodel was the prime suspect on the Dahlia murder and his private Hollywood residence was electronically bugged by an 18-man DA/LAPD Task Force during the period 18 February to 27 March 1950. The DA transcripts contained Hodel's references to performing abortions, payoffs to law enforcement officials, and to his possible involvement in the deaths of his secretary and Elizabeth Short.
Steve Hodel has developed and expanded the theory of his late father’s association with psychopathy and murder, publishing a series of books on the elder Hodel’s nefarious misdeeds. According to this theory, his father, a friend of surrealist Man Ray, posed Short’s corpse in emulation of one of Man Ray’s photographs, The Minotaur, cutting the ends of her open mouth to approximate the effect of another of Man Ray’s photographs entitled The Lovers (The Lips), and having devoted his life to becoming an unforgettable surrealist among murderers, continued his killing spree for decades, including a long sojourn in Manila before returning to the US in 1990. CONTINUED HERE: http://www.examiner.com/review/most-e...
April 18, 2011
Dear old Dad may have been the Black Dahlia murderer, the Zodiac serial killer, and the perpetrator behind a string of less-famous murders, the author posits.
If you can tolerate lots and lots of references to the author’s previous book, Black Dahlia Avenger, Most Evil is an interesting look at some very famous unsolved murders, even if you don’t buy the argument that they were all the work of a single man.
Of personal interest to me, as a vegetarian, were the investigating officers’ thoughts about the brutal handiwork of an unknown murder nicknamed “The Mad Butcher of Kenmore Avenue”:
Police Chief Walter Storms told reporters that “the girl’s murderer was either a physician, a medical student, a very good butcher, an embalmer, or perhaps a livestock handler.” Dr. Jerry Kearns, the coroner’s expert, declared that “the killer had to be an expert in cutting meat, because the body was separated at the joints. Not even the average doctor could be so skillful.
(Although it may make steakhouse fans cringe when reality hits home at unexpected moments, the fact is, we’re all made out of meat.)
Of further note is this excerpt from one of the Zodiac killer’s anonymous letters:
“I love killing people because it is so much fun it is more fun than killing wild game in the forest...”
The link strikes again.
Speaking of the forest, at times the author can’t seem to see it for the trees. He spends an extensive amount of time ruminating on the meaning of the Zodiac killer’s signature symbol; at one point even pronouncing it a “Navajo medicine wheel.” All of this when any dolt can see it’s a crosshairs.
If you can tolerate lots and lots of references to the author’s previous book, Black Dahlia Avenger, Most Evil is an interesting look at some very famous unsolved murders, even if you don’t buy the argument that they were all the work of a single man.
Of personal interest to me, as a vegetarian, were the investigating officers’ thoughts about the brutal handiwork of an unknown murder nicknamed “The Mad Butcher of Kenmore Avenue”:
Police Chief Walter Storms told reporters that “the girl’s murderer was either a physician, a medical student, a very good butcher, an embalmer, or perhaps a livestock handler.” Dr. Jerry Kearns, the coroner’s expert, declared that “the killer had to be an expert in cutting meat, because the body was separated at the joints. Not even the average doctor could be so skillful.
(Although it may make steakhouse fans cringe when reality hits home at unexpected moments, the fact is, we’re all made out of meat.)
Of further note is this excerpt from one of the Zodiac killer’s anonymous letters:
“I love killing people because it is so much fun it is more fun than killing wild game in the forest...”
The link strikes again.
Speaking of the forest, at times the author can’t seem to see it for the trees. He spends an extensive amount of time ruminating on the meaning of the Zodiac killer’s signature symbol; at one point even pronouncing it a “Navajo medicine wheel.” All of this when any dolt can see it’s a crosshairs.
August 7, 2014
After reading Hodel's first book, Black Dahlia Avenger, I am convinced of his case that his father was, in fact, responsible for the Black Dahlia murder as well as several others in the L.A. area. This book, while interesting - even intriguing in some parts - falls extremely flat in trying to convince the reader of Hodel Senior's guilt in the Zodiac killings. The DRASTIC change in M.O. makes zero sense, and the author can't even prove his father was even in the country during the Zodiac murders. Again, I do believe George Hodel is the Black Dahlia Avenger and a serial killer - but the somewhat reaching attempts to connect him to the Zodiac case make Steve Hodel seem overeager and somewhat desperate. It makes it a lot harder for the average person to take the far more evidence-heavy case that is the subject of his first book seriously.
September 18, 2011
Retired LAPD Detective Steve Hodel believes he has definitively solved the Black Dahlia murder AND determined the identity of the Zodiac Killer... and it's the same person... and it's his father. No spoiler here... Hodel is very upfront about this in the first few pages of the book.
Hodel makes connections that detectives couldn't have made decades ago. But are the connections too much of a stretch? There are some critical missing pieces of evidence. Most likely, those pieces are lost due to the passing of time. Despite these missing pieces, I do believe there's enough evidence to back up Hodel's conclusions.
This is an immensely fascinating book which will raise eyebrows with almost every turn of the page.
Hodel makes connections that detectives couldn't have made decades ago. But are the connections too much of a stretch? There are some critical missing pieces of evidence. Most likely, those pieces are lost due to the passing of time. Despite these missing pieces, I do believe there's enough evidence to back up Hodel's conclusions.
This is an immensely fascinating book which will raise eyebrows with almost every turn of the page.
July 9, 2017
Just plain fascinating
I've read all of George Hodel's books over the years. What he wrote in the first turned out to be true. People were skeptical at first, but facts have come out that show it's not just likely, more like obvious, if you follow how Hodel has put all his ducks in a row.
I was skeptical about this book. The Chicago and Manila murders seemed likely. But not Zodiac. But just like he did with the first book, he keeps layering facts. He's come out with additional facts, there is new info on his website, layer after layer. So skeptical or not, I have to say that Hodel is building another solid case.
I've read all of George Hodel's books over the years. What he wrote in the first turned out to be true. People were skeptical at first, but facts have come out that show it's not just likely, more like obvious, if you follow how Hodel has put all his ducks in a row.
I was skeptical about this book. The Chicago and Manila murders seemed likely. But not Zodiac. But just like he did with the first book, he keeps layering facts. He's come out with additional facts, there is new info on his website, layer after layer. So skeptical or not, I have to say that Hodel is building another solid case.
Read
May 25, 2021Couldn’t make it through, from chapter 1 this felt so pretentious with all the name dropping. Not to mention, the author goes from being a career police detective who self-asserts that he had NO IDEA his father was investigated for murder to suddenly professing 100% confidence his father is the black dalia, the lipstick killer, the zodiac, plus others! I’m supposed to trust that track record, when the FBI is rarely even that confident?! Please. Next!
Also- why is this author so intent on convincing us his father was not 1 but multiple sadistic killers? Sounds like he has his own insecurities.
Also- why is this author so intent on convincing us his father was not 1 but multiple sadistic killers? Sounds like he has his own insecurities.
October 31, 2011
My husband heard a radio interview with Steven Hodel on NPR talking about this book about his father. I'm not usually willing to take the time to read about horrible crimes, but something drew me into this story. It's not often that a detective discovers that the perpetrator in some of the most heinous unsolved crimes of all time is the same person- that they are all linked together- and that that person is his father! Absolutely amazing. A bit gory, but the author does not sensationalize the crimes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2014
What the world?
This book started out fast and ended fast.
I picked it up in my local Dollar Tree book selection... sorry author.
I started reading it right there in the isle and when I realized I was into the 2nd chapter. I bought it and read it all night long. Very interesting and makes you wonder... could a serial killer really have come back as two different serial killers... even the ZODIAC??!!
4 stars!!!!
This book started out fast and ended fast.
I picked it up in my local Dollar Tree book selection... sorry author.
I started reading it right there in the isle and when I realized I was into the 2nd chapter. I bought it and read it all night long. Very interesting and makes you wonder... could a serial killer really have come back as two different serial killers... even the ZODIAC??!!
4 stars!!!!
August 20, 2018
It would have been better had Mr. Hodel not constantly reminded the reader about his prior books, that George Hodel was his father & this book been labeled as a book of fiction. 99% purely circumstantial, stretching & sometimes laughable. I don’t doubt that his father could have killed the Black Dahlia, but reinventing yourself a zillion times & changing your M.O. that much isn’t heard of with most offenders.
February 19, 2017
Maybe he tapped my credulous side, but I came away from reading Hodel's stuff feeling that his dad is definitely the BD killer and most likely the Zodiac Killer as well. If anything, he certainly suspended my disbelief.
May 12, 2022
Zodiac brought me here, but Black Dahlia Avenger must go. Are you kidding me? Nearly every other paragraph referenced that book as proof, instead of producing EVIDENCE in any definitive way.
It felt as if Hodel Jr idolized his father, more than finding him as a prime suspect, and through his father's death, found a lifeline for furthering his own writing aspirations, which were apparently finite and on review in his book, Black Dahlia Avenger.
Kidding aside, the term circumstantial exists for a reason. And this book doesn't even reach that level, it remains firmly in the speculative, theoretical, what if? realms. Coming across as more of giving a closing argument than presenting a well grounded court case, Hodel was on the job for many years as a detective and should know that no district attorney would use any of these findings to pursue charges against anyone, alive or dead.
Grasping at any serial killer straw he could find from Jack the Ripper to Zodiac, Hodel pontificates the most remote concepts without any regard to proven serial killer methodology, understanding of any actual geography, (California is massive in the real sense. LA and SF are hours apart and as dispersed as cities as the chasm that lies between them.) and fails to see the limitations of period in which his evidence is derived, humanity was no where near diverse as today (horn rimmed glassed were worn by anyone needing glasses, men carried white handkerchiefs, wore similar footwear, and probably wrote in the same taught fashion across the country to the point of analysis equalling the probable result with getting no closer to differentiating anyone from anyone.
Was his father a potential BDA suspect, surely but who cares? In light of his limited detective skills (claimed as prolific 24 years/300 homicide cases -closure rate not disclosed) on display here, beyond increased book sales, why denigrate other law enforcement efforts that found justice for sake of increasing his fathers kill totals?
I don't buy a geriatric 60 year old running around the Solano area targeting young couples (through a re-imagined 30's movie knockoff plot Most Dangerous game) changing his modus operandi, methology, and psychological engagement style through the local papers/police from outside the city limits. All while stealing his ideas from a1932 Charlie Chan movie? Seriously?? Why did no one else notice any of these tenuous connections that only Steve the Great noticed through his trained eye?
Or his far fetched astronomy, radians theory of cases overlapping not just physically but in time over different countries, states, etc., through related but incorrect street names that vaguely might relate to one another.
At best, George was a pedophile, sexual predator, and philandering suave asshole. Even the latter luncheons between he and his abused daughter with granddaughter present, made me cringe. Does that equate to being the Zodiac? Nope. Just a waste of human space. His ascribed genius, aptitudes, or interests in surrealism adds nothing to tip the scale.
DNA will never solve the cases referenced, nor get my money back from this book purchase.
Skip this poor attempt at relevancy by a retired cop with fantastical hopes of prolonging his father's sadistic legacy, and by proxy, his own minute yet fleeting recognition as an author.
Nothing to see here.
Thanks for reading.
It felt as if Hodel Jr idolized his father, more than finding him as a prime suspect, and through his father's death, found a lifeline for furthering his own writing aspirations, which were apparently finite and on review in his book, Black Dahlia Avenger.
Kidding aside, the term circumstantial exists for a reason. And this book doesn't even reach that level, it remains firmly in the speculative, theoretical, what if? realms. Coming across as more of giving a closing argument than presenting a well grounded court case, Hodel was on the job for many years as a detective and should know that no district attorney would use any of these findings to pursue charges against anyone, alive or dead.
Grasping at any serial killer straw he could find from Jack the Ripper to Zodiac, Hodel pontificates the most remote concepts without any regard to proven serial killer methodology, understanding of any actual geography, (California is massive in the real sense. LA and SF are hours apart and as dispersed as cities as the chasm that lies between them.) and fails to see the limitations of period in which his evidence is derived, humanity was no where near diverse as today (horn rimmed glassed were worn by anyone needing glasses, men carried white handkerchiefs, wore similar footwear, and probably wrote in the same taught fashion across the country to the point of analysis equalling the probable result with getting no closer to differentiating anyone from anyone.
Was his father a potential BDA suspect, surely but who cares? In light of his limited detective skills (claimed as prolific 24 years/300 homicide cases -closure rate not disclosed) on display here, beyond increased book sales, why denigrate other law enforcement efforts that found justice for sake of increasing his fathers kill totals?
I don't buy a geriatric 60 year old running around the Solano area targeting young couples (through a re-imagined 30's movie knockoff plot Most Dangerous game) changing his modus operandi, methology, and psychological engagement style through the local papers/police from outside the city limits. All while stealing his ideas from a1932 Charlie Chan movie? Seriously?? Why did no one else notice any of these tenuous connections that only Steve the Great noticed through his trained eye?
Or his far fetched astronomy, radians theory of cases overlapping not just physically but in time over different countries, states, etc., through related but incorrect street names that vaguely might relate to one another.
At best, George was a pedophile, sexual predator, and philandering suave asshole. Even the latter luncheons between he and his abused daughter with granddaughter present, made me cringe. Does that equate to being the Zodiac? Nope. Just a waste of human space. His ascribed genius, aptitudes, or interests in surrealism adds nothing to tip the scale.
DNA will never solve the cases referenced, nor get my money back from this book purchase.
Skip this poor attempt at relevancy by a retired cop with fantastical hopes of prolonging his father's sadistic legacy, and by proxy, his own minute yet fleeting recognition as an author.
Nothing to see here.
Thanks for reading.
November 11, 2024
There’s no way around it, linking several major murder cases, from the Black Dahlia to the Zodiac killer, is a stretch. Im impressed that Hodel makes the effort. Not only does he make the effort, he has some good points.
1. The kind of skills it would’ve taken to execute the Black Dahlia murder aren’t ones you just pull out once. This was someone who had murdered before, and would likely murder again. If you look at it the Black Dahlia murder as a piece of art, it is one of the killer’s defining works, but not his only one. The author identifies a cluster of similar cases that could very easily be the legacy of one man.
2. The Zodiac murders as Earthworks art. The focus was not on who was targeted or how they were murdered, but their physical location. In that case, you wouldn’t expect to see similarities to previous murders, because this was a serial killer striking out to try his hand at something new.
3. Anyone with the obsession with puzzles and word games that the Zodiac had could very well put in the high level effort of tying all his murders together using the street name references laid out by Hodel.
4. The similarities in the intentional but ridiculous misspellings in the killer’s taunting letters sent to authorities for various murders over 25 years. That’s probably the most convincing argument. Taunting letters sent to police and media are NOT common for murder. That the letters for unconnected murders are written by an educated person who proceeds to intentionally misspell in a manner that an uneducated person would not misspell is even more distinctive.
The book is stuffed full of evidence of varying relevance to the case. While I understand how the totality of evidence leads to a conviction in a criminal case, it works against the author here, because in a book, the weak evidence dilutes the stronger evidence.
The coded messages have always been a sticking point for the Zodiac killer, figuring out who had that level of knowledge about cryptography, to craft such unbreakable code. This is a point the author doesn’t properly address in pinning his father as the Zodiac killer, other than his father’s IQ.
The author should’ve focused on proving a connection between the Zodiac, Chicago/Deglan, Phillipines, and Black Dahlia cases, plus the few other related murders, then pointed out that his father was always a prime suspect in the Black Dahlia murder, and he had the skill, motive, and opportunity to commit the other murders as well. Let readers decide how they feel about George Hodel’s involvement separate from the possibility that one serial killer might be responsible for far more murders than originally thought.
1. The kind of skills it would’ve taken to execute the Black Dahlia murder aren’t ones you just pull out once. This was someone who had murdered before, and would likely murder again. If you look at it the Black Dahlia murder as a piece of art, it is one of the killer’s defining works, but not his only one. The author identifies a cluster of similar cases that could very easily be the legacy of one man.
2. The Zodiac murders as Earthworks art. The focus was not on who was targeted or how they were murdered, but their physical location. In that case, you wouldn’t expect to see similarities to previous murders, because this was a serial killer striking out to try his hand at something new.
3. Anyone with the obsession with puzzles and word games that the Zodiac had could very well put in the high level effort of tying all his murders together using the street name references laid out by Hodel.
4. The similarities in the intentional but ridiculous misspellings in the killer’s taunting letters sent to authorities for various murders over 25 years. That’s probably the most convincing argument. Taunting letters sent to police and media are NOT common for murder. That the letters for unconnected murders are written by an educated person who proceeds to intentionally misspell in a manner that an uneducated person would not misspell is even more distinctive.
The book is stuffed full of evidence of varying relevance to the case. While I understand how the totality of evidence leads to a conviction in a criminal case, it works against the author here, because in a book, the weak evidence dilutes the stronger evidence.
The coded messages have always been a sticking point for the Zodiac killer, figuring out who had that level of knowledge about cryptography, to craft such unbreakable code. This is a point the author doesn’t properly address in pinning his father as the Zodiac killer, other than his father’s IQ.
The author should’ve focused on proving a connection between the Zodiac, Chicago/Deglan, Phillipines, and Black Dahlia cases, plus the few other related murders, then pointed out that his father was always a prime suspect in the Black Dahlia murder, and he had the skill, motive, and opportunity to commit the other murders as well. Let readers decide how they feel about George Hodel’s involvement separate from the possibility that one serial killer might be responsible for far more murders than originally thought.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2021
Pretty good true crime read. I gave it four stars based on what he presented, not what I believed previously, because a book like this is pointless without the benefit of doubt.
To be fair, the accusations he makes really are absurd and I can see where such an insane connection between four separate locales and crime sprees appears, at first, to be impossible.
The author has previously claimed that his father was the black dahlia killer and has a decent amount of circumstantial evidence to back up his claim including the fact that police had wanted his father for questioning in that case and that his father fled the country before the police could grab him
From there the author works backwards and connects his father to three murders in Chicago then goes on to claim that those connections point to his father being a serial killer. From there he claims that his father was the zodiac killer
While the evidence is entirely circumstantial, (we'd have seen it on the news and no book would be necessary if the evidence was more than that), altogether the evidence makes a compelling case.
In the end, the entire book should be read as a what if sort of story and it does well as there are an absurd number of coincidences that point to the book being true. The one thing that doesn't, and the primary reason I didn't give five stars, is that the author isn't as convinced as he claims. The books ends with the author never actually following up with DNA evidence that could have proved his theory and the only reason to not do so was doubt abs book sales.
Maybe Hodel Sr. is the zodiac killer, maybe he isn't but the book does a decent job of keeping you interested as the author connects the dots.
To be fair, the accusations he makes really are absurd and I can see where such an insane connection between four separate locales and crime sprees appears, at first, to be impossible.
The author has previously claimed that his father was the black dahlia killer and has a decent amount of circumstantial evidence to back up his claim including the fact that police had wanted his father for questioning in that case and that his father fled the country before the police could grab him
From there the author works backwards and connects his father to three murders in Chicago then goes on to claim that those connections point to his father being a serial killer. From there he claims that his father was the zodiac killer
While the evidence is entirely circumstantial, (we'd have seen it on the news and no book would be necessary if the evidence was more than that), altogether the evidence makes a compelling case.
In the end, the entire book should be read as a what if sort of story and it does well as there are an absurd number of coincidences that point to the book being true. The one thing that doesn't, and the primary reason I didn't give five stars, is that the author isn't as convinced as he claims. The books ends with the author never actually following up with DNA evidence that could have proved his theory and the only reason to not do so was doubt abs book sales.
Maybe Hodel Sr. is the zodiac killer, maybe he isn't but the book does a decent job of keeping you interested as the author connects the dots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2025
The author is a retired police detective who gets the idea that his brilliant artistic and businessman father was actually a longtime serial killer. He uses plenty of circumstantial evidence but a lot more conjecture. The only real proof he has was his father's admitting to his sexual affair with an older woman at fifteen and her having his baby but hardly proof he would become a serial killer because of that.
Growing up in California, Hodel was a child musical prodigy and graduated from school early, ending up with both a medical and a musical career. The Black Dahlia and several other women were murdered by someone who had to be a medical expert, then several years later several women and a little girl in Chicago were similarly murdered. William Heirens would be convicted, but the author thinks his father might have been in Chicago too but has no solid evidence since the father travelled a lot for his international business. A woman in the Philippines was similarly murdered, and that remains unsolved. Then a new serial killer emerges in California, shooting people-his father again, after coming back? With the father and the Zodiac also using the Indian symbol of the cross inside a circle for their communications.
But the evidence is simply not there. Nothing proof positive has emerged to prove that George Hodel did any of these things. The author seems obsessed to prove his father was a monster but he simply fails to do so.
Growing up in California, Hodel was a child musical prodigy and graduated from school early, ending up with both a medical and a musical career. The Black Dahlia and several other women were murdered by someone who had to be a medical expert, then several years later several women and a little girl in Chicago were similarly murdered. William Heirens would be convicted, but the author thinks his father might have been in Chicago too but has no solid evidence since the father travelled a lot for his international business. A woman in the Philippines was similarly murdered, and that remains unsolved. Then a new serial killer emerges in California, shooting people-his father again, after coming back? With the father and the Zodiac also using the Indian symbol of the cross inside a circle for their communications.
But the evidence is simply not there. Nothing proof positive has emerged to prove that George Hodel did any of these things. The author seems obsessed to prove his father was a monster but he simply fails to do so.
September 20, 2021
I think I've hit the point of diminishing returns with Hodel's series on his father and the Black Dahlia. (Reading them slightly out of order probably hasn't helped.) While this book benefited from the assistance of a co-author, much like the others he has written it is largely a police file given more structure and narrative. Which, to be fair, is the point, I think. Hodel is making the case for his argument; here, that means assigning responsibility for at least three other crimes to his father.
If you're deep into wanting to know about more about Black Dahlia case, there's certainly content here for you. And while with each claim Hodel gets a little further and further removed from probability, I will credit him with most being careful about his claims. He's presenting evidence, not proof. He's clearly a good enough detective to know the difference.
As always, your mileage may vary how persuasive you find the arguments here. By Hodel's own admission, it's a lot of circumstantial evidence. There's a sound theory in here, even if it's not one that's fully backed. Folk particularly interested in the Zodiac or the Black Dahlia will probably get more out of this than not.
If you're deep into wanting to know about more about Black Dahlia case, there's certainly content here for you. And while with each claim Hodel gets a little further and further removed from probability, I will credit him with most being careful about his claims. He's presenting evidence, not proof. He's clearly a good enough detective to know the difference.
As always, your mileage may vary how persuasive you find the arguments here. By Hodel's own admission, it's a lot of circumstantial evidence. There's a sound theory in here, even if it's not one that's fully backed. Folk particularly interested in the Zodiac or the Black Dahlia will probably get more out of this than not.
November 22, 2018
I found Book 1, Black Dahlia Avenger, to be very compelling and convincing. I do not hesitate in saying Mr. Hodel has convinced me of his father's guilt in the murder of Elizabeth Short (The Black Dahlia). While this book was very intriguing and kept me interested, I can't say I'm as compelled to believe in George Hodel's guilt as the Zodiac killer. While the author has dug very deep and been very observant and creative in his investigation, it still seems a bit of a stretch for me without something more concrete. Despite my not being fully convinced, I'm giving this book 4 stars because I did enjoy reading it. It is very informative if you're interested in the details of some of the Lipstick Murders or Zodiac killings.
On a side note: I'd be very interested in reading Tamar's autobiography/biography. While tragic, her life's story seems like it would be quite fascinating, between growing up during that time with a father such as hers and her being so close to celebrities such as The Mamas and the Papas. Just saying, I'd read it if it were written.
On a side note: I'd be very interested in reading Tamar's autobiography/biography. While tragic, her life's story seems like it would be quite fascinating, between growing up during that time with a father such as hers and her being so close to celebrities such as The Mamas and the Papas. Just saying, I'd read it if it were written.
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