Seven Days of Rage: The Deadly Crime Spree of the Craigslist Killer

by Paul LaRosa, Maria Cramer

When Manhattan model and masseuse Julissa Brisman went to meet a client at a luxury Boston hotel, she thought she’d be leaving the hotel with enough money to buy her little sister’s school books. But Philip Markoff, the handsome, clean-cut, twenty-two-year-old med student who hired Brisman on Craigslist, had different plans. On April 14, 2009, guests notified management of a woman screaming on the twentieth floor, and Brisman was found in a pool of blood, with several bullet wounds to her torso and…plastic restraints around her wrist.

Hotel surveillance video captured Markoff’s image, and an additional tip helped police connect him to attacks on several other women, including a prostitute who was tied up at a Boston hotel, and the assault of an exotic dancer in Rhode Island, both of which bear a striking similarity to the Brisman murder.

A skillful blend of hard journalism and fascinating yet chilling true-crime narrative, this headline-making story will appeal to fans of Ann Rule.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2006

About the author

I'm so happy with the reviews of my memoir "Leaving Story Avenue, my journey from the projects to the front page." Here are just a few:

The NY Times: "A captivating and vivid memoir..."

Ken Auletta of The New Yorker magazine: "A poignant and funny memoir...."

The Newark Star Ledger: "Paul LaRosa nails the twilight era of American newspapers with the aplomb of the award-winning journalist he became."

Tom Robbins, investigative journalist: "LaRosa has a great ear, a great eye and a great sense of self-effacing humor...a marvelous tale of a fast-disappearing part of New York."

Of the 17 reader reviews on Amazon, 16 of them are 5-star and the other is a 4-star review.

Thanks everyone.

Paul

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 23 year old, All-American medical student, Philip Markoff, had a secret life that included liaisons with men/women, transsexuals/transvestites, bondage, violence, armed robbery, and murder. He lived with his fiance, who had no clue what he was up to.

The book was pretty basic, just the facts, or quotes from other sources. But it will give you the gist of this case. This book was published in June 2010, so, it does not cover subsequent events.

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

Murder victim, Julissa Brisman

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book, (I love true crime) and found it contained info that I had not learned from the many news updates regarding the case. I think that while it was soon after the case broke, I would like to know more of the trial and out come which will not start before next summer.
I would not buy this book as it is short, 208 pages a $21.99 price tag. That being said, if it is released in paperback with extended details I would make the purchase.
It was well written and moved with ease in a true story form.

[Terri]

The Craigslist Killer was the name given to Phillip Markoff who made appointments with erotic massuesses on Craigslist and then robbed them in hotel rooms, killing one. A med student who seemed to be your everyday guy, with a wedding coming up, the story caught everyone's attention.

The book was a fast read.

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the excellent TV shows “48 Hours Mystery” the story of the “Craiglist Killer” is an excellent read of how a young medical student who “had it all” went so bad. Reading this was just like watching the show. I really enjoyed the in-depth reporting and getting all sides of the story.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. What a creep. I feel bad for his fiance, but then wonder if she had a feeling he was mentally unstable? And to think this guy was almost a doctor!

[Robby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book moves at a pretty good clip. Just like an episode of 48HOURS|MYSTERY of course. Somewhat of a disappointment though.Like catching the end of an episode that's continued next week.Oh well,was a nice little filler between books.I rated this a (3) but my fingers can't seem to punch the small stars on my kindle to indicate this; so it reads a (5). At least until I correct it...Okay it's done.

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book (and the 48 Hours Mystery episode of this) because I was literally in Boston (Back Bay) when he started his spree. I always wonder if I saw him on the streets while I was there. I always get the creeps thinking about it. (I stayed in the Sheraton, which is connected to the Marriott by way of the Prudential Center and is a couple of blocks from the Westin.)

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking over my new book....I hope you'll take a look. It's being published on 9/15/09 but should be in the bookstores soon. It's all about the dramatic case of Philip Markoff, the alleged Craigslist Killer, and his secret life.

[Tbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a crazy story about how people can have a secret side or secret life and everyone that knows them can be completely clueless about it. In addition the true crime story plays out really well and is very interesting,,,,keeps you involved throughout the book!

[Mieke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good research done on the subject. The books read easily and will grasp your attention right away.

[Carol Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was based on the tv show 48 hours:mystery. It read like the show, without the annoying advertisements.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. learned more about Craig's List than I needed to know. A quick read, a must read.

[Terese · Rating 2 out of 5]

The media made much more of a hype than it actually was. The book gave the facts, before he committed suicide. Wasn't bad but there was a man dubbed "the craigslist killer" before him.

[Margot Note]

Read 1/2 in bathtub, 1/2 on treadmill

[Sandy Nawrot · Rating 2 out of 5]

True crime is my brain candy, and generally I'll grab ANYTHING and read it. This book was given to me from another blogger because of my love for the genre. However there was much lacking in this one.

The case itself, to me, when I normally read about some crazy serial murders, was unremarkable. Yes a medical student who, to all eyes, seemed to be clean-cut and all-American, was actually into some kinky stuff online and for whatever reason, went on a seven day bender that included battery, robbery and in one case, murder. His victims were questionable hookups on CraigsList...massage and most likely prostitution. Philip Markoff was engaged, and lived with his fiance who had no idea about his secret life, his violent side, and his need for liaisons with men, women, transvestites, and transsexuals with a little bondage thrown in. All fascinating but unremarkable. Maybe I'm jaded.

However, the writing and the research were mundane as well. There was very little information revealed that wasn't in the paper or reported on the news, and the writing was that of maybe a high school student. There was no emotion, no intrigue, just facts. I read it fairly quickly but then again it was a short read.

In addition, while I was Googling the case online (as I do) to determine if the case ever went to trial, I learned that Markoff actually attempted suicide twice (once right after he was arrested and once after his fiance broke up with him) and succeeded on the third time, before his case went to trial. The authors should have at least known about the first two attempts, but was not included in this book. To me, this goes a long way in showing Markoff's state of mind and I'm shocked that it wasn't mentioned.

There are better true crimes out there.

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t remember having heard of the Craigslist Killer before, but I won’t forget it after having read this book. His actions detailed in this book really make you wonder how Philip Markoff — former medical student, allegedly very intelligent, and slated to be married to an apparently sweet, smart woman within a year of the murder he committed — was thinking, what frame of mind he must have been in.

Note, this book was written in 2009 while Markoff was awaiting trial, so (of course) it doesn’t contain information about the trial or the outcome. Turns out that Markoff killed himself in August 2010 in Nashua County Jail (still awaiting trial), following two (or three?) previous attempts. It was a very emphatic gesture and honestly very sad to read about, despite the fact that Markoff was a murderer and irrevocably ruined/damaged the lives of multiple other people. He lost everything — as he should have, following his actions — but he couldn’t accept the dramatic shift his life took as a result of his own shitty actions. I wonder if he would’ve ever been able to be rehabilitated had he not committed suicide.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by a person's kind demeanor. This is how Phillio Markoff managed to hide his more sadistic side from those around him. Even after he was arrested, no one close to him wanted to admit he could be capable of attacking women. Unless you were one of those who caught his attention.

[Geo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Just like the show "48 Hours" but without the commercials. Learned a lot about the Craigslist Killer with this read. Keeps your interest from start to finish.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book left a lot out. I would have liked it to be more thorough.

[Charles Reimler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-Star Author Not Outstanding, But The Story Double Life Pure Evil!
Harvard Psychiatrist M.D. Author Book "People Of The Lie" Diagnosed A Reality Of Evil People My Suggestion To Read! Appearance Of Deception Is Wisdom To Question Per Another Book Title "The Sociopathic Next Door"!
A Medical Student Engaged To Be Married Is Not A Stereotype Per Society Norms To Be An Evil Monster! Question To Never Be Naive Pertaining People Is A Lesson Of Wisdom!

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible writing. Not nearly enough about the perp and his family, how he grew up etc. And the trial coverage was non-existent since this book was written prior to it. So...we don't know without looking it up on the internet what verdict he got, or what kind of time he will be serving, if any. Don't waste your time or money on this book.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frankly, not all that remarkable of a case. He killed one person and happened to contact her through craigslist. The Craigslist Killer? Way sensationalistic. If he wasn't an affluent white med student, it wouldn't have gotten the attention that it did. And the murder was a robbery gone wrong - not even a planned murder. Is the media that starving for something to latch onto?

[Cindy White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good but I don't think I read anything I didn't already know from the press. It did not even include his death in the book. If somebody didn't read and watch all the media hype when it happened it would probably be a good read.

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy fast read but ultimately a disappointing book, it feels like a load of stories gathered from newspaper reports and rushed out before anybody else could beat them to it. We don't even know the outcome of the court case. It's like much of todays news no depth just surface information.

[Alexis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Publishing: this is why you're a failing industry.

[Kara · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a waste of time!!!

[Cindey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast, easy read, but I didn't learn much I hadn't already heard.

[Candace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Profoundly pedestrian book about the "Craigslist killer," Phil Markoff. No insights offered, just a rehashing of what little is known.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disturbing

[Tari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very well written. I read a lot of true crime and this just didn't tell the story well.