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Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet
A profile of the world's first known Internet serial killer seeks to demonstrate how mainstream Americans can become victims of cybercrime, explains the psychological factors of physically devoid online relationships, and how the case reflects a growing pattern of Internet sex and violence. Reprint.
397 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
103 people are currently reading
2788 people want to read
About the author
John E. Douglas
33 books2,929 followersJohn Edward Douglas is a former United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent, one of the first criminal profilers, and criminal psychology author. He also wrote four horror novels in the mid 1990s. -Wikipedia
During his twenty-five year career with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, a name he later changed to The Investigative Science Unit (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995), John Douglas became the leading expert on criminal personality profiling and the pioneer of modern criminal investigative analysis. Through his research with serial criminal’s, Douglas learned how criminals think and what makes them do the things that they do, and why. Douglas can determine many personal traits and habits of an offender just by examining the crime scene; it’s evidence and victimology (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995). Interviews John Douglas has conducted hundreds of interviews with some of the world’s most notorious serial offenders, which include: - Charles Manson, and three members of the Manson clan. - Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Robert F. Kennedy. - John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer that killed 33 people. - David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam”. - James Earl Ray, assassin of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Ted Bundy - Unsuccessful assassins of Gerald Ford and George Wallace (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995). Captured In addition, Douglas’s profiles aided in numerous arrests of serial offenders, some of which include: - Wayne Williams, the .22 caliber killer. - Carlton Gary, the stalking strangler. - Robert Hanson, the Anchorage Alaska baker who would kidnap, hunt, then kill local prostitutes. These are just a few of the cases that John Douglas aided in throughout his twenty-five year career as a profiler with the Behavioral Science Unit, which he later renamed the Investigative Science Unit (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995). Contributions to Psychology Douglas and his colleagues outlined in an article that explained the goals of a serial offender in the September 1980 issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. They are as follows: - What leads a person to become a sexual offender and what are the early warning signals? - What serves to encourage or to inhibit the commission of his offense? - What types of responses or coping strategies, by an intended victim are successful with what type of sexual offender in avoiding victimization, and - What are the implications for his dangerousness, prognosis, disposition and mode of treatment (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995)?
During his twenty-five year career with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, a name he later changed to The Investigative Science Unit (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995), John Douglas became the leading expert on criminal personality profiling and the pioneer of modern criminal investigative analysis. Through his research with serial criminal’s, Douglas learned how criminals think and what makes them do the things that they do, and why. Douglas can determine many personal traits and habits of an offender just by examining the crime scene; it’s evidence and victimology (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995). Interviews John Douglas has conducted hundreds of interviews with some of the world’s most notorious serial offenders, which include: - Charles Manson, and three members of the Manson clan. - Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Robert F. Kennedy. - John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer that killed 33 people. - David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam”. - James Earl Ray, assassin of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Ted Bundy - Unsuccessful assassins of Gerald Ford and George Wallace (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995). Captured In addition, Douglas’s profiles aided in numerous arrests of serial offenders, some of which include: - Wayne Williams, the .22 caliber killer. - Carlton Gary, the stalking strangler. - Robert Hanson, the Anchorage Alaska baker who would kidnap, hunt, then kill local prostitutes. These are just a few of the cases that John Douglas aided in throughout his twenty-five year career as a profiler with the Behavioral Science Unit, which he later renamed the Investigative Science Unit (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995). Contributions to Psychology Douglas and his colleagues outlined in an article that explained the goals of a serial offender in the September 1980 issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. They are as follows: - What leads a person to become a sexual offender and what are the early warning signals? - What serves to encourage or to inhibit the commission of his offense? - What types of responses or coping strategies, by an intended victim are successful with what type of sexual offender in avoiding victimization, and - What are the implications for his dangerousness, prognosis, disposition and mode of treatment (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995)?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 10, 2022
In Olathe, Kansas, John Robinson, husband, father, con man, kidnapper, serial killer, sits behind four computer screens. He is scouring the internet for female victims to take their money and their lives. His victims silently wait in barrels by the lake for the long arm of justice.
Douglas did a great job of putting most of the facts together. He follows John Robinson's early life and the white collar crimes. Then ending with the horrific murders of women he met off the internet. Douglas tended to go off subject to explain things that really didn't need to be explained. This book is a cautionary tale to the dark side of internet dating.
Douglas did a great job of putting most of the facts together. He follows John Robinson's early life and the white collar crimes. Then ending with the horrific murders of women he met off the internet. Douglas tended to go off subject to explain things that really didn't need to be explained. This book is a cautionary tale to the dark side of internet dating.
October 28, 2024
Unlike the other Mindhunter books, Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet focuses on one serial killer who preyed on women through the internet, instead of mentioning various true crime cases about different serial killers.
(Link: http://laloidesseries.blogs.lalibre.b...)
The criminal in question isn't your typical serial killer who has an unstable life: instead the guy had been married to his wife for 30 years, the pair raised four children together. On the outside, he presented himself as a successful businessman, a respectful member of an upper class community--and for about 2 decades time, he kept his facade mostly intact and the authority hadn't been able to put him behind bars.
But on the inside, this guy is an economical criminal who tricked people out of their life saving, a habitual liar, a sexual predator who preyed on lonely, fragile women and eventually a murderer.
It is a fascinating case about how criminal can use internet as their weapon and spider web to lure victims in, the years-long legal battle surrounding this case is also bewildering as well. This might not be John Douglas' best book but it is still a well written non-fiction book which gives us a good understanding of crimes in the 1990s to 2000s Age of Internet, investigation and prosecution.
(Link: http://laloidesseries.blogs.lalibre.b...)
The criminal in question isn't your typical serial killer who has an unstable life: instead the guy had been married to his wife for 30 years, the pair raised four children together. On the outside, he presented himself as a successful businessman, a respectful member of an upper class community--and for about 2 decades time, he kept his facade mostly intact and the authority hadn't been able to put him behind bars.
But on the inside, this guy is an economical criminal who tricked people out of their life saving, a habitual liar, a sexual predator who preyed on lonely, fragile women and eventually a murderer.
It is a fascinating case about how criminal can use internet as their weapon and spider web to lure victims in, the years-long legal battle surrounding this case is also bewildering as well. This might not be John Douglas' best book but it is still a well written non-fiction book which gives us a good understanding of crimes in the 1990s to 2000s Age of Internet, investigation and prosecution.
August 12, 2008
I've read several books by John Douglas, the man who started the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, and so while browsing the true crime section in Borders (my guilty pleasure), I was thrilled to see another one. Douglas typically writes with co-author Mark Olshaker, and his take (while admittedly, one point of view) on high-profile crimes and the role of behavior in understanding them is often fascinating and entertaining.
This book, while based on a very interesting case, was markedly less well-written than the others I have read (e.g., Mindhunter, Obsession). It is apparent from this work that Douglas very much needs a co-author that is a very good writer, and the one he worked with on this book (Stephen Singular) is shockingly bad. The writing is so bad that it really distracts from the story itself, which is never a good thing.
I'm really hoping that Douglas brought Olshaker on board for the BTK book he recently put out, because I'd like to read it but I don't know if I can take another Singular tome.
In sum, definitely the weakest of Douglas' books because of the mediocre quality of writing.
This book, while based on a very interesting case, was markedly less well-written than the others I have read (e.g., Mindhunter, Obsession). It is apparent from this work that Douglas very much needs a co-author that is a very good writer, and the one he worked with on this book (Stephen Singular) is shockingly bad. The writing is so bad that it really distracts from the story itself, which is never a good thing.
I'm really hoping that Douglas brought Olshaker on board for the BTK book he recently put out, because I'd like to read it but I don't know if I can take another Singular tome.
In sum, definitely the weakest of Douglas' books because of the mediocre quality of writing.
September 29, 2023
What started as an interesting examination into the early use of the internet for sexual predators and potentially one of the first serial killers to utilise the web for nefarious purposes quickly devolves into a meandering walk around the dark web, other types of sexual predators and Southern life. There's too much 'stuff' here and it bogs down the facts surrounding the case. I also didn't really like the presentation of the case itself. It goes into great detail about John Robinson's white collar crimes, charming and metting these women online adn then in person, and the escalation up to murder, but this then gets all rehashed again when the investigating team start to put all the puzzles into place. Unfortunately this meant I missed details about the victims because there's a lot fo text to get through between JOhn meeting them, and the eventual discovery of their bodies.
It was interesting, if you can stomach the subject matter and wade through all the unneccesary sidetracks, if only to see the evolution and early explosion of the internet in the early nineties, but not one of Douglas' better books.
It was interesting, if you can stomach the subject matter and wade through all the unneccesary sidetracks, if only to see the evolution and early explosion of the internet in the early nineties, but not one of Douglas' better books.
June 13, 2008
I have a morbid fascination with forensics. This is the true story of a Kansas murderer and sex predator, John Robinson. He was actively involved in his church, had a wife, kids and spent all kinds of time with his grandchildren. Also he murdered several women and had master/slave contracts with them, some of them he put in barrels in his storage unit...the works. SO disturbing, and yet, what causes a person to become this way? That's what keeps me reading.
October 12, 2012
Real rating: 2 1/2 stars
This book lacked the focus required to be a great true crime novel. It had a tendency to veer off on a lot of long-winded tangents that broke off my attention and disrupted the pace of the story. It felt at times like an identity crisis. One moment, we're discussing John Robinson, the first "cyber serial killer", the next we're either listing far too many statistical data numbers about child pornography online (which while important, had no connection to Robinson's M.O.) or spending half a chapter describing what spring is like in Kansas.
Just a little too much editorializing for me. Maybe it was the dual authorship, but it didn't feel as though Douglas was in command of the story here. It felt like someone was too busy test-running their skills as a novelist and sticking to the facts fell too far down their list of priorities. It seems he broke his own cardinal rule: he abandoned the profile.
This book lacked the focus required to be a great true crime novel. It had a tendency to veer off on a lot of long-winded tangents that broke off my attention and disrupted the pace of the story. It felt at times like an identity crisis. One moment, we're discussing John Robinson, the first "cyber serial killer", the next we're either listing far too many statistical data numbers about child pornography online (which while important, had no connection to Robinson's M.O.) or spending half a chapter describing what spring is like in Kansas.
Just a little too much editorializing for me. Maybe it was the dual authorship, but it didn't feel as though Douglas was in command of the story here. It felt like someone was too busy test-running their skills as a novelist and sticking to the facts fell too far down their list of priorities. It seems he broke his own cardinal rule: he abandoned the profile.
September 10, 2008
This disturbing piece of non-fiction tells the story of John Robinson, the first internet serial killer. With that said, this book is NOT FOR EVERYONE. I am a mature adult who has studied serial killers in hopes to find some answers on why our society creates such monsters, and I was very disturbed at many, many parts of this book.
Robinson started off his life of crime many years before the internet became a household must-have. He smooth-talked his way into countless jobs, and swindled unknown amounts of money from companies and individuals. One of the most disturbing things he did involved the murder of a young single woman and the fake adoption of her daughter, whom his own sibling raised, all so he could make several thousand dollars. As he grew older, technology made it easier for him to find naiive people that he did horrific things to.
Also disturbing is that Robinson was considered a model father and grandfather by many. His wife stood by him through numerous affairs and imprisonments. This book is a must-read for any interested in psychology and human nature - Why do some stay in violent relationships? Why do intelligent people fall prey to a man who seeks to rule over others? What makes someone so bold, so cruel, so self-centered, so violent? It was also an EXCELLENT reminder that the internet is not this safe haven people can go to and become someone else - there is a real danger when talking with strangers over the internet.
My only problem with the book was that as much as the author tried to remain non-judgemental and neutral, he clearly was all for the conviction of Robinson, and rarely focused on the arguments of the defense. Granted, the book had been written after the verdict had been given, and I certainly agree that Robinson is a sick, guilty person, but I still believe that a book should cover all angles. Just a thought.
The second half of the book discusses the trial, and brings us to modern day. Robinson is still alive behind bars, but I don't feel the world is any safer.
Robinson started off his life of crime many years before the internet became a household must-have. He smooth-talked his way into countless jobs, and swindled unknown amounts of money from companies and individuals. One of the most disturbing things he did involved the murder of a young single woman and the fake adoption of her daughter, whom his own sibling raised, all so he could make several thousand dollars. As he grew older, technology made it easier for him to find naiive people that he did horrific things to.
Also disturbing is that Robinson was considered a model father and grandfather by many. His wife stood by him through numerous affairs and imprisonments. This book is a must-read for any interested in psychology and human nature - Why do some stay in violent relationships? Why do intelligent people fall prey to a man who seeks to rule over others? What makes someone so bold, so cruel, so self-centered, so violent? It was also an EXCELLENT reminder that the internet is not this safe haven people can go to and become someone else - there is a real danger when talking with strangers over the internet.
My only problem with the book was that as much as the author tried to remain non-judgemental and neutral, he clearly was all for the conviction of Robinson, and rarely focused on the arguments of the defense. Granted, the book had been written after the verdict had been given, and I certainly agree that Robinson is a sick, guilty person, but I still believe that a book should cover all angles. Just a thought.
The second half of the book discusses the trial, and brings us to modern day. Robinson is still alive behind bars, but I don't feel the world is any safer.
December 28, 2008
A reconstruction of the life of John Robinson, white collar criminal turned serial killer. The title is a bit misleading, actually, as this book covers much more than Robinson’s eventual adoption of the internet as hunting ground for new sexual and financial victims. Just as a portrait of a criminal life, this book is riveting (this would be something I like, because I really like that sort of thing). Robinson conducted an extraordinary forty year campaign of lies, trickery, financial schemes, uncountable relationships, sexual domination, and murder, to say nothing of raising four children and being an active member of his community. One of the most extraordinary aspects of the book is the way it tells the story of Robinson’s women, his victims reaching from beyond the grave to catch him in mistakes, and his wife and daughters rallying to savagely defend him. The book mostly steers clear of the more idiot TV moves – he’s a killer because his mother was cold – and it maintains an impressive control of fact and speculation and psychology.
A little bit of history here; Douglas was instrumental in starting the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and ran it for many, many years. He’s brilliant and perceptive. But, well, man’s got issues. Most of which had no business in this refreshingly objective book. I was particularly unimpressed when he gave the full names of psychiatrists who had examined Robinson during a prison stay and reported him sane and safe. Arguments about the supremacy of, well, himself over mental health professionals aside, that’s just tacky. Also, I’m not going to forgive him this sentence, offered while discussing one of Robinson’s early victims, for either content or syntax: “Sometimes she acted as if she were hardly disabled at all, racing other people in wheelchairs at the mall and enjoying the thrill of beating them and exploding into laughter."
A little bit of history here; Douglas was instrumental in starting the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and ran it for many, many years. He’s brilliant and perceptive. But, well, man’s got issues. Most of which had no business in this refreshingly objective book. I was particularly unimpressed when he gave the full names of psychiatrists who had examined Robinson during a prison stay and reported him sane and safe. Arguments about the supremacy of, well, himself over mental health professionals aside, that’s just tacky. Also, I’m not going to forgive him this sentence, offered while discussing one of Robinson’s early victims, for either content or syntax: “Sometimes she acted as if she were hardly disabled at all, racing other people in wheelchairs at the mall and enjoying the thrill of beating them and exploding into laughter."
December 1, 2017
I recently watched Mindhunter on Netflix, which showed John Douglas' story and the beginnings of criminal profiling in the FBI. I haven't read true crime for awhile but decided this story sounded fascinating. It is the story of serial killer John E Robinson, who started out by embelizzing money from employers and scannning people with fake investments, than became a serial killer. The interesting part was that his wife and children insisted he was a normal and loving father and grandfather even while he was using multiple identities, skipped from job to job, and multiple affairs. Robinson became interested in the world of BSMD and became an on line slavemaster, seeking women control.
This book is very sad. Many of these woman (and most were killed before the age of the internet despite the books title), were easily persuaded to move, sometimes with their children, to sign blank pieces of paper, and to give their possessions and money to a man for a vague promise. The book seems to imply that Robinson at all times had numerous scams, numerous identities and numerous affairs going at all times. I don't know where he got the energy. He ended up murdering many of the woman and gave one their babies away to his brother. It took a long time to catch up with him and many families were heart broken for years wondering where their loved ones were.
There is a fair amount of padding in this book-lots of information on the horrors of the internet and background details of towns and people. Interesting book overall and I think it would be useful if Robinson told his viewpoints on things to a profiler.
This book is very sad. Many of these woman (and most were killed before the age of the internet despite the books title), were easily persuaded to move, sometimes with their children, to sign blank pieces of paper, and to give their possessions and money to a man for a vague promise. The book seems to imply that Robinson at all times had numerous scams, numerous identities and numerous affairs going at all times. I don't know where he got the energy. He ended up murdering many of the woman and gave one their babies away to his brother. It took a long time to catch up with him and many families were heart broken for years wondering where their loved ones were.
There is a fair amount of padding in this book-lots of information on the horrors of the internet and background details of towns and people. Interesting book overall and I think it would be useful if Robinson told his viewpoints on things to a profiler.
April 29, 2008
This is a book following a person that used any means he could to lure women to him. And in most cases he then killed them. It is amazing how much a person can get away with before he is finally cought. This story will amaze you. The book could have used a better editor as some things were repeated over and over throughout the book making it a bit tiresom. The writers could have been more professional. They really knew their stuff but could have taken a few lessons on keeping things flowing better. Still, a very interesting read.
July 3, 2021
John Douglas, the FBI agent behind Mindhunter, created and managed the FBI's Criminal Profiling Program. Part of that program entailed dealing with a horrific conman turned serial killer: John Edward Robinson. Terrible story (of course) with lots of insane twists and valuable insight. The writing left a fair bit to be desired but the content was there.
(do not recommend finishing this book alone at night – maybe finish reading it in a public park, in the sunshine – get yourself some ice cream after & call your mom)
(do not recommend finishing this book alone at night – maybe finish reading it in a public park, in the sunshine – get yourself some ice cream after & call your mom)
December 20, 2010
An interesting and disturbing study of the life of serial killer, John Robinson who after a life of petty crime as a con man, moved to darker deeds. In the early days of the Internet, he worked a scam to lure vulnerable women to their death. It also details the initial computer forensic process which eventually brought Robinson to justice. An interesting book, fairly well written......it will make you think twice about surfing the net.
January 12, 2009
Excellent book written by a retired FBI Profiler. an "adult content" book but really good to read for anyone who is single and uses the Internet to meet people. Also good for anyone interested in crime/law enforcement and how the internet affects such.
April 6, 2024
Again, this one was a slog. I was really interested in this case but now I’m even more interested in how Douglas is able to suck the “story” right out of some of the most heated and grisly cases to ever touch American jurisprudence. Also — check the appendices for some hilariously dated internet advice. It’ll give you a chuckle. Makes me feel like I’m watching To Catch A Predator again, haha.
June 23, 2013
Douglas is a former FBI profiler who now publishes books on various aspects of criminology and true crime cases. This is the story of conman John Robinson who began with petty scams to part people with their money, went on to killing people for their money then finished off on the information highway trawling for victims on the good old world wide web. This follows the life and crimes of Robinson and the frustrations of law enforcement at trying to get enough evidence for a conviction. There are some interesting asides on how the law had to adapt to the rise of the internet and a few examples of how other cases were handled.
June 5, 2016
An interesting look at the secrative and escalating career of a sick killer. With a matter of fact telling of facts with a few humorus comments from the authors. This doesn't read as some other shlocky true crime books do. This is respectful of facts and deosn't delve into the world of fantasy or melodrama.
June 15, 2009
It has been so many years since I read this book but I do remember how intrigued I was. Especially since he used the then pretty new medium Internet to find his victims.
Must re-read again soon.
Must re-read again soon.
August 31, 2016
Very disturbing book about sex predator, John Robinson. The lack of focus takes you away from the story and it is over the top with unnecessary details. Still worth reading but not one I would strongly recommend.
December 13, 2013
Very well written. The author took you deep into the world of depravity and perversity.
March 11, 2015
I found this book to be very clinical, I really didn't enjoy it at all.
June 26, 2016
Hard copy
March 17, 2018
Turns out I enjoyed the title of this book more than anything else. A little click-baity but it's not exactly lying.
John Robinson was someone I'd heard of before ... the guy who said "here, sign these blank pieces of stationary because you'll be so busy working for me and taking exotic trips to Hong Kong and other spots that you'll never have time to write to your family! So I'll just do it for you!" And then .... whelp ... not to give anything away but this IS the story of DEATH after all.
Most interesting of all is the snapshot of the internet in it's earliest days ... when it was like a free-for-all-anything-goes and no one was really watching out for anything. It was like the days people could bring liquid on airplanes! There were just NO RULES and that's what made it so easy for Robinson to fool his marks. Using misleading photos and pretend credentials this benign looking family man would lure women to nowheresville Kansas with promises of S&M, a swanky job, and all the excitement one gal could handle.
The book was okay ... and even a bit titillating at times ... but it was nothing spectacular. If you're really interested in Robinson there's a documentary on Youtube FBI: CRIMINAL PURSUIT / INTERNET SLAVE MASTER that'll probably tell you all you'd like to know in half the time.
John Robinson was someone I'd heard of before ... the guy who said "here, sign these blank pieces of stationary because you'll be so busy working for me and taking exotic trips to Hong Kong and other spots that you'll never have time to write to your family! So I'll just do it for you!" And then .... whelp ... not to give anything away but this IS the story of DEATH after all.
Most interesting of all is the snapshot of the internet in it's earliest days ... when it was like a free-for-all-anything-goes and no one was really watching out for anything. It was like the days people could bring liquid on airplanes! There were just NO RULES and that's what made it so easy for Robinson to fool his marks. Using misleading photos and pretend credentials this benign looking family man would lure women to nowheresville Kansas with promises of S&M, a swanky job, and all the excitement one gal could handle.
The book was okay ... and even a bit titillating at times ... but it was nothing spectacular. If you're really interested in Robinson there's a documentary on Youtube FBI: CRIMINAL PURSUIT / INTERNET SLAVE MASTER that'll probably tell you all you'd like to know in half the time.
September 29, 2019
Akiva brought this from the library for me because I asked him to find Mindhunter, and when he couldn't, he brought me this available John E. Douglas number instead. At first I thought it would be full of cautionary finger-wagging about meeting people on the internet, which I, a person with many good friends (and a husband) I've met on the internet, roll my eyes at. But this case is just wild.
John Robinson started his criminal career long before the internet was available to everyone through racketeering and fraud, which he consistently got away with. His crimes escalated to murder and continued once he found the internet as a way to hunt new victims.
I'd never known about this case and it was a fascinating read. However, this was published in 2003, so it's very outdated. Douglas and Sinclair frequently refer to the internet as "The Net" or "cyberspace," and this was before the advent of social media and the abandonment of the term "netiquette." It is a riveting look at how the law couldn't catch up with cybercrime in the internet's Wild West phase, before To Catch A Predator televised interactions with people like Robinson on the regular.
John Robinson started his criminal career long before the internet was available to everyone through racketeering and fraud, which he consistently got away with. His crimes escalated to murder and continued once he found the internet as a way to hunt new victims.
I'd never known about this case and it was a fascinating read. However, this was published in 2003, so it's very outdated. Douglas and Sinclair frequently refer to the internet as "The Net" or "cyberspace," and this was before the advent of social media and the abandonment of the term "netiquette." It is a riveting look at how the law couldn't catch up with cybercrime in the internet's Wild West phase, before To Catch A Predator televised interactions with people like Robinson on the regular.
May 10, 2025
Anyone You Want Me to Be, John Douglas with Stephen Singular [Edition notes: Pocket Star mass market paperback reprint, 2004. Originally published by Scribner, 2003.].
A local (to where I live) true crime shocker: John Robinson presented himself as a prosperous businessman in the affluent Kansas City suburbs of Johnson County. A pillar of his community: a devoted husband and father, a Scoutmaster, a philanthropist, a devout church goer. Beneath the surface, Robinson was involved in all manner of nefarious activity: forgery, fraud (he bilked numerous victims—including Harry S. Truman’s personal physician—out of tens of thousands of dollars), human trafficking, and serial murder on both sides of the state lines.
***
John Douglas is a former FBI profiler, whose true crime book Mindhunter served as the basis of the Netflix series. Additionally, Douglas is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including the thriller novels Man Down and Broken Wings.
A local (to where I live) true crime shocker: John Robinson presented himself as a prosperous businessman in the affluent Kansas City suburbs of Johnson County. A pillar of his community: a devoted husband and father, a Scoutmaster, a philanthropist, a devout church goer. Beneath the surface, Robinson was involved in all manner of nefarious activity: forgery, fraud (he bilked numerous victims—including Harry S. Truman’s personal physician—out of tens of thousands of dollars), human trafficking, and serial murder on both sides of the state lines.
***
John Douglas is a former FBI profiler, whose true crime book Mindhunter served as the basis of the Netflix series. Additionally, Douglas is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including the thriller novels Man Down and Broken Wings.
June 22, 2023
破案神探系列的第四本，講述John Robbison長達20年的犯罪實錄。
六零、七零年代，John Robbison是偽造、侵占、詐騙、欺詐的累犯，屢屢因能言善道和司法漏洞而逃過牢獄之災。之後雖短暫入獄，卻因「表現良好」提前回到社會，更運用了從獄中學習到當時還十分新興的電腦、網路知識，將其欺詐的伎倆提升到更高層次，藉由SM社團的網路交友，誘騙多名女子墜入情慾的陷阱後將其殺害，屍體裝桶，占用財務並對女子的親人謊報行蹤。
John Robbison直到2000年才因失蹤的五名女子的屍體曝光而落網，此後利用各種手段逃避或阻礙審判。經過繁複冗長的審判，分別犯行的兩州：堪薩斯州雖宣判他死刑，但他仍依法尋求上訴；而密蘇里州試圖以免死交換他供出失蹤女子屍體下落的提議卻得不到任何回應。
時至今日，警方仍找不到已知受害的屍首，不清楚謀殺的細節，也相信應該有更多名他們可能永遠查不出下落的受害者。
已經78歲的John Robbison，還是什麼細節都沒透露。現在仍好好地活著。
看完整的故事再看到John Robbison的相片時，真的會大吃一驚——時有所聞盜用帥哥美女的照片進行感情欺騙的網路交友，但這麼一個長相平凡、童山濯濯、身材矮胖的男子，到底是怎麼讓那麼多女子即使見面、相處數日後，仍然心甘情願投向他的，之後的死亡懷抱？更奇妙的是，他見光的那部份生活是人人稱讚的慈愛顧家，即使到鐵證如山的法院審判，其妻兒還大聲疾呼他的冤枉。
這壞蛋的口才到底有多厲害呢？這些女子的孤單到底有多巨大啊？身處困境的女子只能用這種沒有保障的信任逃離眼前的困境。
此外，美國司法審判的曠日廢時，更是保障了惡人的利器。兇手用著你的稅金好好地又多活了20年，而且眼看之後還會繼續沒事活下去……
受害者家屬的20年，多麼折磨啊！
這一系列四本書終於看完，如果不想全部看的話，真心推薦敘事較完整的第一部和第四部。
六零、七零年代，John Robbison是偽造、侵占、詐騙、欺詐的累犯，屢屢因能言善道和司法漏洞而逃過牢獄之災。之後雖短暫入獄，卻因「表現良好」提前回到社會，更運用了從獄中學習到當時還十分新興的電腦、網路知識，將其欺詐的伎倆提升到更高層次，藉由SM社團的網路交友，誘騙多名女子墜入情慾的陷阱後將其殺害，屍體裝桶，占用財務並對女子的親人謊報行蹤。
John Robbison直到2000年才因失蹤的五名女子的屍體曝光而落網，此後利用各種手段逃避或阻礙審判。經過繁複冗長的審判，分別犯行的兩州：堪薩斯州雖宣判他死刑，但他仍依法尋求上訴；而密蘇里州試圖以免死交換他供出失蹤女子屍體下落的提議卻得不到任何回應。
時至今日，警方仍找不到已知受害的屍首，不清楚謀殺的細節，也相信應該有更多名他們可能永遠查不出下落的受害者。
已經78歲的John Robbison，還是什麼細節都沒透露。現在仍好好地活著。
看完整的故事再看到John Robbison的相片時，真的會大吃一驚——時有所聞盜用帥哥美女的照片進行感情欺騙的網路交友，但這麼一個長相平凡、童山濯濯、身材矮胖的男子，到底是怎麼讓那麼多女子即使見面、相處數日後，仍然心甘情願投向他的，之後的死亡懷抱？更奇妙的是，他見光的那部份生活是人人稱讚的慈愛顧家，即使到鐵證如山的法院審判，其妻兒還大聲疾呼他的冤枉。
這壞蛋的口才到底有多厲害呢？這些女子的孤單到底有多巨大啊？身處困境的女子只能用這種沒有保障的信任逃離眼前的困境。
此外，美國司法審判的曠日廢時，更是保障了惡人的利器。兇手用著你的稅金好好地又多活了20年，而且眼看之後還會繼續沒事活下去……
受害者家屬的20年，多麼折磨啊！
這一系列四本書終於看完，如果不想全部看的話，真心推薦敘事較完整的第一部和第四部。
January 27, 2018
The progression of John Robinson's criminal career is interesting. However, I feel this book would have benefitted from being a lot shorter. There was an unnecessary excess of detail, often repeated to the point of tedium.
Although this book was published in the early 2000s the language regarding the internet was often clumsy.
The last few chapters of the book pertaining to Robinson's trial were some of the most interesting. Frustratingly, there was no inclusion of information relating to Robinson's inevitable appeal of his capital punishment verdict. However, this is most probably due to the length of an appeal process.
Overall, this book provided an insightful look into the way criminal activity and investigation evolved along with the rise of the internet.
Although this book was published in the early 2000s the language regarding the internet was often clumsy.
The last few chapters of the book pertaining to Robinson's trial were some of the most interesting. Frustratingly, there was no inclusion of information relating to Robinson's inevitable appeal of his capital punishment verdict. However, this is most probably due to the length of an appeal process.
Overall, this book provided an insightful look into the way criminal activity and investigation evolved along with the rise of the internet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2018
Some of his statistics were so unbelievable I noted them so I could google as soon as had wifi again. And every time, the stats were actually worse today that what he quoted when the book was written. For example, John claimed 66% of death penalty convictions were overturned on appeal. I thought, no way. It’s now 75% since the death penalty was reinstated. He said in 1960 the clearance rate for homicide was 90%, now it was down to 64-67%. Well, as of today, it’s less than 60.
I really enjoyed his profiler’s description of a sociopath.
Over all, I found this an intriguing read. It was mildly repetitive. Unfortunately, it was very heavy on the foreshadowing, which released the tension, rather than building it.
I really enjoyed his profiler’s description of a sociopath.
Over all, I found this an intriguing read. It was mildly repetitive. Unfortunately, it was very heavy on the foreshadowing, which released the tension, rather than building it.
June 13, 2018
I found this book at a library used book sale. I had read several books by John Douglas but was not familiar with this one. It's the story of John Robinson, which surprisingly I have never seen covered by Dateline, 48 Hours or any of the popular true crime programs. It's another disheartening story about a serial killer who could have and should have been taken off the streets long before he destroyed so many lives. The fascinating part about this one is how easy he manipulated many well-educated people who happened to be in vulnerable positions. It's also noted as one of the earliest cases involving the internet as a tool to expand potential victims. It's well worth a read if you're a fan of Douglas's work.
October 8, 2019
This is the first of its kind that I read (back in 2003). This was a book I took home from my Library and wound up sitting up all night, turning pages, until it was finished. I was literally shocked.. and paralyzed with fear.. making me shut down my computer (and paint the view-eye of my cam with black nail polish) ... and I refused to go online (chatrooms, etc) for about 3 months.. I was so shaken up by what I'd read ..
After speaking with and getting weeks of helpful advice, support and tips from a counselor, I eventually learned to face this fear.. and began learning how to be safe, online.. never saying a word.. just watching, watching, watching, at first ... until I felt confident to speak with people again.
What an eye-opener!!
After speaking with and getting weeks of helpful advice, support and tips from a counselor, I eventually learned to face this fear.. and began learning how to be safe, online.. never saying a word.. just watching, watching, watching, at first ... until I felt confident to speak with people again.
What an eye-opener!!
January 3, 2021
A detailed and riveting true story (told by FBI profiler John Douglas) of a con man turned online serial killer from a time when the internet was just taking off.
This was written in the early 2000’s so there’s a lot of outdated references to the internet as the Web, Cyberspace and ‘Surfin‘ the Net’, which I enjoyed
The authors also discuss how the law struggles to keep up with the rapid growth of internet crime and sheer volume of illegal websites and pornography, and offer tips for adults and parents on how to be ‘cybersafe’ by never sharing personal information online (something we do without giving it a second thought every day now 20 years later)
The subject of the book is John Robinson, who managed to live a very busy life of regular married family duties, frequenting BDSM chat rooms, kidnapping, fraud and various cons, leading to the murder of at least six women which he attempted to hide in barrels on his secondary rural property.
I’m a big fan of these true ‘Mindhunter’ cases and always look forward to reading them. I found this one satisfying and thorough
This was written in the early 2000’s so there’s a lot of outdated references to the internet as the Web, Cyberspace and ‘Surfin‘ the Net’, which I enjoyed
The authors also discuss how the law struggles to keep up with the rapid growth of internet crime and sheer volume of illegal websites and pornography, and offer tips for adults and parents on how to be ‘cybersafe’ by never sharing personal information online (something we do without giving it a second thought every day now 20 years later)
The subject of the book is John Robinson, who managed to live a very busy life of regular married family duties, frequenting BDSM chat rooms, kidnapping, fraud and various cons, leading to the murder of at least six women which he attempted to hide in barrels on his secondary rural property.
I’m a big fan of these true ‘Mindhunter’ cases and always look forward to reading them. I found this one satisfying and thorough
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews