This is the Zodiac speaking... (only joking)

I first read this book back in 1997 in England, and the only copy I could find was a library one. Still, I read it, and subsequently bought it from Amazon.com. I can't remember how I first got interested in the Zodiac Killer case, but I found the book and it really snowballed after that.

Zodiac was a serial killer, who during the 1960's in California, killed many people. For certain, he killed six people, but the actual number is estimated to be 9 to.. 49 or more. He taunted the police by way of letters to both the police and newspapers, giving details about the murders unreleased to the public, therefore proving he did it. He mailed cyphers, for the police to decipher, telling them that his real name would be in one of them, but it never was.

The good thing about this book is that it's a scary read if you just want to read a true crime book. However if you are really interested in the case, it would probably stem from reading this book first, and you will find out that Graysmith has taken some liberties in providing you with information. This book will provide a good back ground, although the Zodiac killer seems to be represented as a sinister super villain, and horrific as his crimes are, he was not a super villain. He was not smart, nor careful, nor cunning, just very very lucky due to politics within the neighbouring police departments over who should investigate the case, and police incompetence.

Although, let us get back to the book. For the average reader of true crime, it is very good. I would say this book is addictive, as you'll be gripping the pages so tightly, turning them with an uncertain fear of what is going to happen next. You will be given backgrounds on the victims, the investigators, the locations of the murders, suspects and evidence. Names of the suspects in this book have been altered, as, I guess at the time it was intended to protect the privacy of the individuals. Now though the names are freely available, and easy to find on the internet.

Zodiac was a terrible man, or group of individuals, and this book quite clearly details his murders. It makes for a terrifying read, especially when you are on your own. Enter the world of a warped, sick and twisted killer, or sympathize with his victims, the families and the investigators. This book will make you do one of the two. And upon finishing it, you'll be left with either a sense of awe for the killer (as wrong as it sounds, you will be) or the frustration that the police officers felt.

This is an amazing book to start you off on the Zodiac case.