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Unsolved: True Canadian Cold Cases
Despite advances in DNA testing, forensics, and the investigative skills used by police, hundreds of crimes remain unsolved across Canada. With every passing day trails grow colder and decades can pass before a new lead or witness comes forward if one comes forward.
In Unsolved, Robert J. Hoshowsky examines twelve crimes that continue to haunt us. Some cases are well-known, while others have virtually disappeared from the public eye. All of the cases remain open, and many are being re-examined by police using the latest tools and technology. Hoshowsky takes the reader through all aspects of the crimes and how police are trying to solve them using three-dimensional facial reconstructions, DNA testing, age-enhanced drawings, original crime scene photos, and more.
None of the individuals profiled in Unsolved deserved their fate, but their stories deserve to be told and their killers need to be brought to justice.
In Unsolved, Robert J. Hoshowsky examines twelve crimes that continue to haunt us. Some cases are well-known, while others have virtually disappeared from the public eye. All of the cases remain open, and many are being re-examined by police using the latest tools and technology. Hoshowsky takes the reader through all aspects of the crimes and how police are trying to solve them using three-dimensional facial reconstructions, DNA testing, age-enhanced drawings, original crime scene photos, and more.
None of the individuals profiled in Unsolved deserved their fate, but their stories deserve to be told and their killers need to be brought to justice.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 5, 2023
An anthology of twelve murders that continue to occupy the “open and unsolved” files of Canada’s police forces
Well, it is what it is! Each of the twelve cases remains open and from time to time is re-examined on the basis of new evidence that surfaces, new witnesses that come forward or new technology that may have an application in the case. The review is also simple enough. The cases are interesting enough, to be sure, but, unlike Truman Capote’s IN COLD BLOOD, Erik Larson’s THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY or John Berendt’s MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, Hoshowsky’s writing never climbs beyond dispassionate, clinical and is often merely pedestrian. It certain never approaches what a reader would characterize as compelling or page-turning.
Weakly recommended for Canadian readers who enjoy true crime, particularly if you happen to hail from Ontario, which is where the majority of the cases in the book originated.
Paul Weiss
Well, it is what it is! Each of the twelve cases remains open and from time to time is re-examined on the basis of new evidence that surfaces, new witnesses that come forward or new technology that may have an application in the case. The review is also simple enough. The cases are interesting enough, to be sure, but, unlike Truman Capote’s IN COLD BLOOD, Erik Larson’s THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY or John Berendt’s MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, Hoshowsky’s writing never climbs beyond dispassionate, clinical and is often merely pedestrian. It certain never approaches what a reader would characterize as compelling or page-turning.
Weakly recommended for Canadian readers who enjoy true crime, particularly if you happen to hail from Ontario, which is where the majority of the cases in the book originated.
Paul Weiss
August 25, 2017
2.5
Ok. This wasn't bad..it could've definitely been worse.
In my opinion it was a bit boring due to restating information.
The cases however were interesting to look at yet
Ok. This wasn't bad..it could've definitely been worse.
In my opinion it was a bit boring due to restating information.
The cases however were interesting to look at yet
July 4, 2011
Spanning the years from 1967 to the present, Robert J. Hoshowsky has selected sixteen cold cases either happened in Canada or happened elsewhere to Canadians, many very cold, of murders and disappearances, most still unsolved but remaining active. The oldest cases (1967) were solved during the writing of the book after 40 years. This book is not sensationalist, it is investigative reporting based on facts. Where facts aren't known theories and speculation are sometimes presented but are clearly defined as such. This book is for understanding, learning how to be vigilant, how to be aware of all around you. It is hoped to bring closure to families of victims who in turn are victims themselves.
I found this book to be interesting, factual, and often triggering memories of the times these events happened. It is well-written, respectful to the families and to the victim. At the same time it takes us through the changes of forensic capabilities through the years, such as solving a forty year cold case with DNA. There are also a few photos showing original and aged photos some of the missing. People tend to think that these cases get forgotten through the years. This book will prove otherwise.
I mentioned that the author has selected sixteen cold cases, two of which are now solved. There is also a mystery as the final selection. This one is not believed to be a case of foul play, although that has yet to be proven. This is the infamous case from British Columbia of the floating sneakers with socks and decaying feet in them. Beginning in 2007 to the present a total of eight floating shoes have turned up in various locations and at various times on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, one found on a beach at Pysht, Washington. All are athletic shoes but different colours and brands, several were different sizes, some were men's, some were women's, some for right foot, some for left foot and all but one contained a decaying human foot. This one, the sixth foot found, was proven to be a hoax and contained a decaying (possibly animal) foot, not human.
A well-organized book that has been thoroughly research with the best of intentions, I was glad I had decided to read it.
I found this book to be interesting, factual, and often triggering memories of the times these events happened. It is well-written, respectful to the families and to the victim. At the same time it takes us through the changes of forensic capabilities through the years, such as solving a forty year cold case with DNA. There are also a few photos showing original and aged photos some of the missing. People tend to think that these cases get forgotten through the years. This book will prove otherwise.
I mentioned that the author has selected sixteen cold cases, two of which are now solved. There is also a mystery as the final selection. This one is not believed to be a case of foul play, although that has yet to be proven. This is the infamous case from British Columbia of the floating sneakers with socks and decaying feet in them. Beginning in 2007 to the present a total of eight floating shoes have turned up in various locations and at various times on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, one found on a beach at Pysht, Washington. All are athletic shoes but different colours and brands, several were different sizes, some were men's, some were women's, some for right foot, some for left foot and all but one contained a decaying human foot. This one, the sixth foot found, was proven to be a hoax and contained a decaying (possibly animal) foot, not human.
A well-organized book that has been thoroughly research with the best of intentions, I was glad I had decided to read it.
August 19, 2021
While the subject matter of this book is intriguing for fans of true crime, and/or unsolved mysteries, the overall writing leaves much to be desired. The author is not particularly adroit in his use of the English language, leaving one to wonder why they didn’t engage an astute editor.
Additionally, it seems that liberties were taken with some of the facts, either through willful embellishment, factual misunderstanding, or simple being too lazy to bother engaging in actual research. If one reads these cases, then looks for more details online, you’ll see where errors were made, and not due to new findings after publishing, I’m referring to things that were already known, and corroborated, before the publishing of this book.
By all means, read it, if it interests you, but be prepared for annoyance, and frustration.
Additionally, it seems that liberties were taken with some of the facts, either through willful embellishment, factual misunderstanding, or simple being too lazy to bother engaging in actual research. If one reads these cases, then looks for more details online, you’ll see where errors were made, and not due to new findings after publishing, I’m referring to things that were already known, and corroborated, before the publishing of this book.
By all means, read it, if it interests you, but be prepared for annoyance, and frustration.
March 16, 2018
This book was decent. There seemed to be too much emphasis on killings in Ontario (with the exception of the Trail of Tears killings and a few exceptions). However, the case descriptions are thorough, honest and tend to veer away from anything overly sensational.
The cases are haunting. Even after all these years they continue to fascinate people. I would have appreciated more content from the pre-90's/2000's
The cases are haunting. Even after all these years they continue to fascinate people. I would have appreciated more content from the pre-90's/2000's
February 20, 2011
This book was very engrossing and kept me interested until the last page. The melancholy thoughts that came when thinking about these people's fate or what might have happened to them if they were never found are going to stay with me for a long time, just like most missing persons cases.
August 1, 2013
The subject was interesting but I feel the writing could have used a little more finesse (or more editing). There were a few places where the exact same line was written twice within a page... Still worth the read.
August 23, 2015
Fascinating Canadian cases situated around Toronto. Writing is superb, I read almost the whole book in one evening. Will look to see if author has other titles.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews