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The Search for the Green River Killer
Updated to contain new information on the apprehended suspect and his conviction, this gripping look at the Green River Killer, who has claimed the lives of forty-nine women in Washington State, details the frustrating investigation, providing a glimpse into the mind of a mass murderer. Reprint.
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
July 16, 2011
The really cool thing about this book is that it was written before Gary Ridgeway was ever caught and found to be responsible for the Green River killings. Written by two journalists who worked for The Seattle Times during the years that the murders were taking place, this is an account of the task force's efforts the catch the guy who was terrorizing prostitutes in Washington state back in the 80's. I found it fascinating to follow the investigation as it was happening, and before the authors, the police, or anyone else knew who the killer was. Gary Ridgeway was never spoken by name in the book, and was only mentioned briefly as "the truck painter", just one on a long list of possible suspects.
There was a short afterword added to the book in 2002 by the authors after Ridgeway was finally identified and caught, but before the trial played out.
Overall, an interesting, detailed, well-written book!
There was a short afterword added to the book in 2002 by the authors after Ridgeway was finally identified and caught, but before the trial played out.
Overall, an interesting, detailed, well-written book!
March 1, 2023
While I have never been a prolific true crime fan, I could not keep from wanting to read this book by Carlton Smith and Tomás Guillén, the reporters who covered the original Green River killings. Told in a clear and concise manner, the authors pull the reader into the middle of one of the most prolific murder sprees and decades-long hunt for the killer. Chilling and riveting at the same time, any who read and enjoy this book will see just how complex and time consuming the chase was to find the man who left dozens of women dead over that time.
Over the 1980s and 1990s, a number of women went missing and were found murdered around Seattle. Forty-nine women who were mostly prostitutes, turned up, leaving the local police to try deciphering who the man might be and what his motive could be. The hunt led to many dead ends and numerous arrests, but the killings continued and no one was stepping up to claim responsibility. Victims were dumped along the Green River in Washington State, explaining how the killer soon got that moniker, but was always one step ahead of the police. Even when serial killer Ted Buddy was consulted for a psychological profile, he could not offer one that would lead to a quick arrest.
Twenty years of killings and brutal discoveries left the police to wonder if this could be a team of men, targeting the vulnerable parts of the population, with a brutal message to send to others. It was only after a DNA hit and a number of clues pointed at one Gary Ridgway as the Green River Killer. As the book reaches its climax, the truth comes out, alongside some graphic admissions as to why things happened the way they did and the impetus for the killings. Ridgway stands with other prolific American serial killers like Bundy, Son of Sam, and John Wayne Gacy, all of whom showed a depravity to those they killed and a desire to stay ahead of the hunt. The authors provide wonderful accounts from their journalistic backgrounds and leave the reader enthralled as the truth slowly comes to the surface. I am interested to learn more and cannot wait to get my hands on some other books about this and other prolific true crimes, if only to open my mind to a genre I do not frequently read.
There is no doubt that Carlton Smith and Tomás Guillén deserved the praise they received while covering the killings for the Seattle Times when the Green River Killer was on the loose. With this book, they provide the reader with first hand accounts of events, offering perspective and key direction onto the narrative. While I had heard of the killings, I knew nothing about the specifics, using this book as a wonderful primer to educate myself. The authors explore all aspects of the crimes, the investigation, and the race to find a killer, leaving no stone unturned as they ramp up the action, I could not have asked for a better set of guides on this rocky adventure. In this updated version, the authors provide new information after Ridgway was caught and his confessions, which adds a new layer to the larger story.
Kudos, Messrs. Smith and Guillén, for such a rollercoaster of emotions throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Over the 1980s and 1990s, a number of women went missing and were found murdered around Seattle. Forty-nine women who were mostly prostitutes, turned up, leaving the local police to try deciphering who the man might be and what his motive could be. The hunt led to many dead ends and numerous arrests, but the killings continued and no one was stepping up to claim responsibility. Victims were dumped along the Green River in Washington State, explaining how the killer soon got that moniker, but was always one step ahead of the police. Even when serial killer Ted Buddy was consulted for a psychological profile, he could not offer one that would lead to a quick arrest.
Twenty years of killings and brutal discoveries left the police to wonder if this could be a team of men, targeting the vulnerable parts of the population, with a brutal message to send to others. It was only after a DNA hit and a number of clues pointed at one Gary Ridgway as the Green River Killer. As the book reaches its climax, the truth comes out, alongside some graphic admissions as to why things happened the way they did and the impetus for the killings. Ridgway stands with other prolific American serial killers like Bundy, Son of Sam, and John Wayne Gacy, all of whom showed a depravity to those they killed and a desire to stay ahead of the hunt. The authors provide wonderful accounts from their journalistic backgrounds and leave the reader enthralled as the truth slowly comes to the surface. I am interested to learn more and cannot wait to get my hands on some other books about this and other prolific true crimes, if only to open my mind to a genre I do not frequently read.
There is no doubt that Carlton Smith and Tomás Guillén deserved the praise they received while covering the killings for the Seattle Times when the Green River Killer was on the loose. With this book, they provide the reader with first hand accounts of events, offering perspective and key direction onto the narrative. While I had heard of the killings, I knew nothing about the specifics, using this book as a wonderful primer to educate myself. The authors explore all aspects of the crimes, the investigation, and the race to find a killer, leaving no stone unturned as they ramp up the action, I could not have asked for a better set of guides on this rocky adventure. In this updated version, the authors provide new information after Ridgway was caught and his confessions, which adds a new layer to the larger story.
Kudos, Messrs. Smith and Guillén, for such a rollercoaster of emotions throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 4, 2018
I remember the furor about the Green River killings and now that I'm in the PNW, thought this would be an interesting read. I was right. Reading about the process of finding the victims and then seeing their pictures really brought home how these were someone's sister, daughter, friend. There were a lot of accusations about how not enough was being done since most of the victims were prostitutes, but the police were really stymied by the false names and frequent moves that are a part of that life. My other take away is the difficulty of deciding when to give up on an investigation, especially when there appears to be no more active threats to the local citizens. There are limited resources and current crime must be addressed. Of course there are politics involved both inside the police department and city wide. Since there were no definitive suspects or arrests, this still felt like a complete investigation of a horrid crime plus a slice of time to the evolving investigation of serial murders.
March 16, 2015
Whelp, once again I'm surprised to learn that another infamous killer is worse than I thought. Gary Ridgeway, the Green River killer, is the most prolific killer in U.S. history. Having 49 confirmed victims. And possibly more. The book was written before Ridgeway was officially captured, but it's crazy to see he was a major suspect 15 YEARS before his actual incarceration and conviction. I wouldn't mind reading his confession. A real sicko that it took nearly 20 years to catch. Glad I wasn't a hooker in Seattle back in 1983!! A good book if you like true crime. But if you're more interested in learning about Gary Ridgeway, this wouldn't be your book.
October 2, 2023
Format Read: Audiobook free with Audible
Review: This was a good listen, good narrator, and story. A lot was a repeat of info, but it is a true story. I enjoyed the new parts and the addition at the ending about the killer being caught and convicted.
Recommended For: True crime fans.
Review: This was a good listen, good narrator, and story. A lot was a repeat of info, but it is a true story. I enjoyed the new parts and the addition at the ending about the killer being caught and convicted.
Recommended For: True crime fans.
October 14, 2024
Exceedingly detailed account of the investigation into the Green River serial murders beginning in 1982. The book is divided into sections based on the person who led the task force at each stage. This basically becomes a study of the political machinations of the justice system, highlighting the wasted efforts and tax money in a 20-year ongoing case. It doesn't focus on the murders, but on the information and archaic forensics the cops had to work with. Though it was written when the case was still unsolved, an afterword is included covering Ridgway's apprehension and confessions.
The narrator did a fine job with the Audible Audio, but I can't really recommend that version strongly. Because there are so many victims and suspects and cops, it begins to boggle the mind trying to keep it all straight. It's also disheartening to realize that policing a city with such heinous crime bows to politicians, who are spending tax money according to where they think they'll garner public approval (and votes). That topic, prevalent in this story, was alternately boring and frustrating. I feel like the print version, which supposedly has a photo section, would have kept me more engaged.
The narrator did a fine job with the Audible Audio, but I can't really recommend that version strongly. Because there are so many victims and suspects and cops, it begins to boggle the mind trying to keep it all straight. It's also disheartening to realize that policing a city with such heinous crime bows to politicians, who are spending tax money according to where they think they'll garner public approval (and votes). That topic, prevalent in this story, was alternately boring and frustrating. I feel like the print version, which supposedly has a photo section, would have kept me more engaged.
December 25, 2007
This is the first Green River Killer book I read. It was fantastic and informative. I grew up with the Green River Killer on the loose. I am happy that even though this particular book did not have a happy ending, it has finally been resolved.
May 5, 2024
Carlton Smith's "The Search for the Green River Killer" is a compelling and meticulously researched account of one of the most notorious serial killer cases in American history. With meticulous attention to detail and a keen sense of narrative pacing, Smith takes readers on a journey through the harrowing investigation into the elusive Green River Killer.
From the outset, Smith establishes a sense of urgency as he delves into the gripping cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the perpetrator. Through firsthand accounts and interviews with key figures involved in the case, he offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the tireless efforts to bring the killer to justice.
One of the most commendable aspects of "The Search for the Green River Killer" is Smith's empathy and sensitivity towards the victims and their families. Rather than sensationalizing the crimes for shock value, he honors the memory of the victims by giving them a voice and a presence in the narrative. In doing so, Smith ensures that the human toll of the tragedy is never forgotten amidst the procedural details of the investigation.
Moreover, Smith's writing style is accessible and engaging, making it easy for readers to become fully immersed in the story. He expertly navigates the complexities of the case, unraveling its twists and turns with clarity and precision. Each chapter unfolds with a sense of anticipation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Furthermore, "The Search for the Green River Killer" serves as a testament to the perseverance and dedication of law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to bring closure to the victims' families. Through their unwavering commitment to justice, they demonstrate the power of teamwork and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
In conclusion, "The Search for the Green River Killer" is a riveting and poignant true crime narrative that shines a light on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. Carlton Smith's masterful storytelling and compassionate approach make this book a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of criminal investigation and the quest for justice.
From the outset, Smith establishes a sense of urgency as he delves into the gripping cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the perpetrator. Through firsthand accounts and interviews with key figures involved in the case, he offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the tireless efforts to bring the killer to justice.
One of the most commendable aspects of "The Search for the Green River Killer" is Smith's empathy and sensitivity towards the victims and their families. Rather than sensationalizing the crimes for shock value, he honors the memory of the victims by giving them a voice and a presence in the narrative. In doing so, Smith ensures that the human toll of the tragedy is never forgotten amidst the procedural details of the investigation.
Moreover, Smith's writing style is accessible and engaging, making it easy for readers to become fully immersed in the story. He expertly navigates the complexities of the case, unraveling its twists and turns with clarity and precision. Each chapter unfolds with a sense of anticipation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Furthermore, "The Search for the Green River Killer" serves as a testament to the perseverance and dedication of law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to bring closure to the victims' families. Through their unwavering commitment to justice, they demonstrate the power of teamwork and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
In conclusion, "The Search for the Green River Killer" is a riveting and poignant true crime narrative that shines a light on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. Carlton Smith's masterful storytelling and compassionate approach make this book a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of criminal investigation and the quest for justice.
April 24, 2023
I have never read a true crime account like this one. It takes behind the scenes and you are taken deep into the police and their investigation. I found myself shocked that the police went through so much personally and professionally during this case. I have a whole new respect for what their lives are like. I
May 9, 2020
This book about the Green River Killer is interesting precisely because it was written before Gary Ridgway was caught; Smith & Guillen don't have the benefit of hindsight in figuring out what's important and what isn't. There's no teleology available. This book gives an excellent sense of just how overwhelmed the Green River Task Force was: the dozens of victims, all of whom were living lives basically invisible to the authorities; all the other missing and/or murdered women in King County and environs; the hopeless task of narrowing down the suspect pool to a manageable size; the awful awful politics both within the police department and between the police department and the county government; the painful truth that they found Gary Ridgway in the 80s, they just didn't have enough evidence to arrest him.
Smith & Guillen tacked on an epilogue when Ridgway was convicted in 2003, in which they pose some excellent questions---questions that none of the other books I've read about the Green River Killer has asked (Rule cares about the victims enough, but is very much not a question-authority kind of author; Reichert is too busy polishing his ego; Prothero's book is really about Ridgway's plea deal)---questions like, how did this happen? Not the question of how Gary Ridgway came to be what he is, since that one there's no real answer to (nature? nurture? neither? both?), but the question of how he came to have such an abundance of prey. How could so many teenage girls fall through the cracks, that not only were they selling sex on the Sea-Tac Strip, but that nobody was even sure for a long time that they were MISSING. That part, Smith & Guillen point out, is not Gary Ridgway's fault. That part belongs to all the organizations and institutions and authorities that are supposed to protect children (and most of the Green River victims were still in their teens) and that, in these 48 cases and who knows how many more, failed.
This is not as compelling a book as Green River, Running Red, or as Defending Gary, but it is clearly written and non-partisan (Rule is always partisan, which I think is one of the reasons her books ARE compelling) and offers a reasonably objective view of the investigation.
Smith & Guillen tacked on an epilogue when Ridgway was convicted in 2003, in which they pose some excellent questions---questions that none of the other books I've read about the Green River Killer has asked (Rule cares about the victims enough, but is very much not a question-authority kind of author; Reichert is too busy polishing his ego; Prothero's book is really about Ridgway's plea deal)---questions like, how did this happen? Not the question of how Gary Ridgway came to be what he is, since that one there's no real answer to (nature? nurture? neither? both?), but the question of how he came to have such an abundance of prey. How could so many teenage girls fall through the cracks, that not only were they selling sex on the Sea-Tac Strip, but that nobody was even sure for a long time that they were MISSING. That part, Smith & Guillen point out, is not Gary Ridgway's fault. That part belongs to all the organizations and institutions and authorities that are supposed to protect children (and most of the Green River victims were still in their teens) and that, in these 48 cases and who knows how many more, failed.
This is not as compelling a book as Green River, Running Red, or as Defending Gary, but it is clearly written and non-partisan (Rule is always partisan, which I think is one of the reasons her books ARE compelling) and offers a reasonably objective view of the investigation.
August 20, 2016
I was a little meh on this one. It wasn’t at all bad, exactly; it’s only that I mistakenly didn’t really take the title of the book seriously—it is really only about the *search* for the Green River Killer, not about the crimes, capture, or conviction of the Green River Killer himself or the victims. It don’t have much to say about the Green River Killer suspects or Ridgeway (he wasn’t mentioned at all until page 392 and even then not even by name, regardless that at the time of publication he was already a suspect, albeit a minor one; they named others, why not him? No explanation given). Nor, even worse, was the book about the victims beyond an occasional one sentence bio and where their remains were found. Partially understandable since there were so very many victims, but they seemed mere footnotes rather than the core of investigation. Really, the book was about the political maneuverings within the various agencies involved, the movement of individuals involved in the task force, and their difficulties with coooperating with each other, how law enforcement as a whole still hadn't grasped practical application of lessons learned in hunting down serial killers in a post Ted Bundy era, and about how the investigation was covered by the media. As to the latter, it’s of understandable interest to the authors as I believe they were journalists covering the story at the time, but that focus is ultimately, in my opinion, completely irrelevant to the search for the GRK beyond the manner in which the media interfered with the investigation. As for the former, it was an interesting study of how agencies' lack of cooperation hindered the investigation, the difficulties they had in the days before modern information technology was available, and an early look at profiling and serial killers before TV shows made them seem hip and entertaining. But in a book that is supposed to be about the Green River Killer, it wasn't really about him or what he did at all. Overall, this book wan’t really a true crime, as the crimes themselves were not the focus of the book, per se. The book wasn't bad, it’s just what the book *really* was about wasn’t very compelling to me.
March 28, 2020
This book is literally all about the search for the killer, not the actual killer, as it was first published 10 years before they caught him. This edition did contain an epilogue added after he was caught and had confessed, which was probably the most interesting part of the book.
It's not that the writing was bad, but there were just so many victims, and the victims used multiple names, it was hard to keep track of who was who. This despite the fact that there was quite a bit of repetition.
The writers did a good job showing how incompetent the cops were while also showing the political and social roadblocks they faced. It was incredibly frustrating to read this knowing who did it and seeing how they focused on the wrong people while letting the right guy go. I found it interesting that the writers named all the suspects except the actual guy who did it.
This book is absolutely riddled with typos, which drove me nuts. In addition, Ridgway's name was spelled wrong in several instances. But every review here that names him also spelled it wrong, so I guess I should give them credit for spelling it right most of the time. 🙄
It's not that the writing was bad, but there were just so many victims, and the victims used multiple names, it was hard to keep track of who was who. This despite the fact that there was quite a bit of repetition.
The writers did a good job showing how incompetent the cops were while also showing the political and social roadblocks they faced. It was incredibly frustrating to read this knowing who did it and seeing how they focused on the wrong people while letting the right guy go. I found it interesting that the writers named all the suspects except the actual guy who did it.
This book is absolutely riddled with typos, which drove me nuts. In addition, Ridgway's name was spelled wrong in several instances. But every review here that names him also spelled it wrong, so I guess I should give them credit for spelling it right most of the time. 🙄
February 18, 2018
A Comedy of Police Incompetence...
...and society's total disregard for prostitutes, whom most of society considers less than human, and disposable.
This book chronicles all the Green River Killer's murders, and the ensuing investigation, including the time a witness led the police to the murderer's house, only to have the police ignore the tip.
Most of the events happen early in the history of serial killer science and advanced forensics, but the book paints a damning story on police incompetence.
This book has been updated to include the subsequent capture, confession, and sentencing of the serial killer more than a decade after the task force hunting him had all but disbanded. It was advances in DNA science that eventually led to his capture, not any brilliant deductive work, despite the police having had ample clues almost from the start.
This book is a very good read. It does lack something, though, which is why I stopped at 4 stars. I think it tries, but fails, to humanize the victims, falling into the same bias of considering prostitutes as things.
...and society's total disregard for prostitutes, whom most of society considers less than human, and disposable.
This book chronicles all the Green River Killer's murders, and the ensuing investigation, including the time a witness led the police to the murderer's house, only to have the police ignore the tip.
Most of the events happen early in the history of serial killer science and advanced forensics, but the book paints a damning story on police incompetence.
This book has been updated to include the subsequent capture, confession, and sentencing of the serial killer more than a decade after the task force hunting him had all but disbanded. It was advances in DNA science that eventually led to his capture, not any brilliant deductive work, despite the police having had ample clues almost from the start.
This book is a very good read. It does lack something, though, which is why I stopped at 4 stars. I think it tries, but fails, to humanize the victims, falling into the same bias of considering prostitutes as things.
October 1, 2024
”’We were confident that the whole thing would be over in a few months,” one of the original task force members recalled afterward. “None of us believed it would take any longer than that. We all thought we’d have the guy in jail and that we’d all be back doing what we were supposed to be doing before anyone realized we were gone. Shit, were we wrong.’”
The Son of Sam. The Night Stalker. The Hillside Stranglers. The Green River Killer. When you hear these nicknames, you know instantly what they are referencing. These nicknames are some of the most infamous serial killers in the history of the United States, and right on top of the list is The Green River Killer. Officially beginning in 1981, this nameless, faceless individual terrorized and terrified the Seattle and Tacoma area for the better part of twenty years, killing prostitutes and runaways and leaving behind almost no evidence or traces that he was even there. As the bodies piled up, so did the desperation to catch the killer. In the end, a confirmed forty-eight women and who knows how many others were killed before the police were able to put a name to the phantom Green River Killer: Gary Leon Ridgway. But before the name, there was just this nameless phantom. In this voluminous book, Carlton Smith and Tomas Guillen take the reader behind the scenes of the exhaustive investigation, with all its frustrating twists and terms. Having covered the case from the discovery of the first body, Smith and Guillen would later go on to be nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism for their extensive coverage of the killings. They take us along for the ride in the years-long struggle to find the Green River Killer and to stop the murders once and for all.
First, an important disclaimer about this book that I think people might overlook: This is not about Gary Ridgway. This book was written about ten years before he was caught. Though Ridgway was identified as a suspect as early as 1984, he passed several polygraphs and was cleared by the police. He’s not even mentioned by name. He’s only referred to as the truck painter. After he was formally identified and had confessed, the authors wrote an afterward going into detail about him.
Besides that epilogue, the name Ridgway doesn’t appear. Instead, this book takes us through the intense, exhausting, overwhelming, and intricate investigation to try to find the Green River Killer who would be nameless for the better part of two decades. For those readers who are looking for a book that goes into great background about Ridgway, this probably isn’t the book for them.
The sheer amount of information in this book is overwhelming. There was so much evidence and so many victims and so many names that at one point, I was ready to throw in the towel on this one. It was slow going and hard work. All the names started to become one big blur, and I couldn’t put faces to names. It almost felt like the authors, not intentionally, were having the readers go through what the task force and the Kings County Sheriff’s went through in trying to sort through and weed through all the information about all of these events. Because of this, some information got lost in the pile, such as fleshing out the victims a bit more and getting to know them not for their occupation, but the women and girls behind it. I’ve heard that Ann Rule’s book on the Green River Killer takes a more in-depth approach on that.
But what this book lacks in fleshing out the victims it makes up for in its meticulous attention to detail. I learned more about how law enforcement work and the politics behind it than I ever thought I would, and I’m engaged to a sheriff’s deputy myself! I never knew how intricately tied politics and police agencies are with each other, which in my opinion may be a large part as to why Ridgeway wasn’t caught sooner. Petty fights over jurisdictions, not wanting to get involved with another county’s investigation, their unwillingness to cooperate over even the most minute issues all played out and explained in part why it took so long for the killer to be caught. And don’t even get me started on the monetary issues. The lack of funding and push and pull between the different governmental departments to slash the task force little by little to save a quick buck was infuriating. As my mother always told me, money talks, and this book showed it loud and clear. And knowing what we know now, Ridgway could have been caught a hell of a lot sooner if the task force had been better funded, the disappearances taken more seriously, the evidence handled with more care, and the grievances and feuds put aside.
With the negative comes the positive though, and the biggest positive this book shows is the sheer dedication and perseverance law enforcement had to catching this guy. In the beginning, there were a lot of mistakes made and attitudes that weren’t exactly the most professional. But as the bodies piled up and they realized they had a real problem on their hands, they got down to business. There were so many times when they wanted to give up, when the money wasn’t there and the resources were drying up and no one seemed to believe in their case. But never did they ever give up hope that someday, somehow, the Green River Killer would be caught. And in the end, he finally was.
I’m calling it now, but of all the books I’ve read so far and I will read this year, this will be the book I feel most accomplished about finishing. Six hundred and twenty-seven pages of information about one of the worst serial killers in American history and the quest to find him. The feeling of satisfaction I got in turning the final page is one I don’t usually feel. And yet while this book was an enthralling adventure, it was also kind of depressing at the same time. The sheer depravity and callousness shown by the killer is astounding, and the poor families of the victims who had to watch their beloved family members bodies pulled from the earth only to be vilified by the media for what their occupation was. As the authors so succinctly put it, a lot of these women and girls had tough exteriors, but only from the outside. On the inside was a desperation and a will to survive and make it the best way they knew how, and what they ran into was a monster who saw them as not people, but objects. In their tireless quest to solve the murders, law enforcement ended up giving their families a measure of peace and closure. I can only hope that when he was finally caught, they felt an inner sense of peace and joy that, after twenty years, is richly deserved.
The Son of Sam. The Night Stalker. The Hillside Stranglers. The Green River Killer. When you hear these nicknames, you know instantly what they are referencing. These nicknames are some of the most infamous serial killers in the history of the United States, and right on top of the list is The Green River Killer. Officially beginning in 1981, this nameless, faceless individual terrorized and terrified the Seattle and Tacoma area for the better part of twenty years, killing prostitutes and runaways and leaving behind almost no evidence or traces that he was even there. As the bodies piled up, so did the desperation to catch the killer. In the end, a confirmed forty-eight women and who knows how many others were killed before the police were able to put a name to the phantom Green River Killer: Gary Leon Ridgway. But before the name, there was just this nameless phantom. In this voluminous book, Carlton Smith and Tomas Guillen take the reader behind the scenes of the exhaustive investigation, with all its frustrating twists and terms. Having covered the case from the discovery of the first body, Smith and Guillen would later go on to be nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism for their extensive coverage of the killings. They take us along for the ride in the years-long struggle to find the Green River Killer and to stop the murders once and for all.
First, an important disclaimer about this book that I think people might overlook: This is not about Gary Ridgway. This book was written about ten years before he was caught. Though Ridgway was identified as a suspect as early as 1984, he passed several polygraphs and was cleared by the police. He’s not even mentioned by name. He’s only referred to as the truck painter. After he was formally identified and had confessed, the authors wrote an afterward going into detail about him.
Besides that epilogue, the name Ridgway doesn’t appear. Instead, this book takes us through the intense, exhausting, overwhelming, and intricate investigation to try to find the Green River Killer who would be nameless for the better part of two decades. For those readers who are looking for a book that goes into great background about Ridgway, this probably isn’t the book for them.
The sheer amount of information in this book is overwhelming. There was so much evidence and so many victims and so many names that at one point, I was ready to throw in the towel on this one. It was slow going and hard work. All the names started to become one big blur, and I couldn’t put faces to names. It almost felt like the authors, not intentionally, were having the readers go through what the task force and the Kings County Sheriff’s went through in trying to sort through and weed through all the information about all of these events. Because of this, some information got lost in the pile, such as fleshing out the victims a bit more and getting to know them not for their occupation, but the women and girls behind it. I’ve heard that Ann Rule’s book on the Green River Killer takes a more in-depth approach on that.
But what this book lacks in fleshing out the victims it makes up for in its meticulous attention to detail. I learned more about how law enforcement work and the politics behind it than I ever thought I would, and I’m engaged to a sheriff’s deputy myself! I never knew how intricately tied politics and police agencies are with each other, which in my opinion may be a large part as to why Ridgeway wasn’t caught sooner. Petty fights over jurisdictions, not wanting to get involved with another county’s investigation, their unwillingness to cooperate over even the most minute issues all played out and explained in part why it took so long for the killer to be caught. And don’t even get me started on the monetary issues. The lack of funding and push and pull between the different governmental departments to slash the task force little by little to save a quick buck was infuriating. As my mother always told me, money talks, and this book showed it loud and clear. And knowing what we know now, Ridgway could have been caught a hell of a lot sooner if the task force had been better funded, the disappearances taken more seriously, the evidence handled with more care, and the grievances and feuds put aside.
With the negative comes the positive though, and the biggest positive this book shows is the sheer dedication and perseverance law enforcement had to catching this guy. In the beginning, there were a lot of mistakes made and attitudes that weren’t exactly the most professional. But as the bodies piled up and they realized they had a real problem on their hands, they got down to business. There were so many times when they wanted to give up, when the money wasn’t there and the resources were drying up and no one seemed to believe in their case. But never did they ever give up hope that someday, somehow, the Green River Killer would be caught. And in the end, he finally was.
I’m calling it now, but of all the books I’ve read so far and I will read this year, this will be the book I feel most accomplished about finishing. Six hundred and twenty-seven pages of information about one of the worst serial killers in American history and the quest to find him. The feeling of satisfaction I got in turning the final page is one I don’t usually feel. And yet while this book was an enthralling adventure, it was also kind of depressing at the same time. The sheer depravity and callousness shown by the killer is astounding, and the poor families of the victims who had to watch their beloved family members bodies pulled from the earth only to be vilified by the media for what their occupation was. As the authors so succinctly put it, a lot of these women and girls had tough exteriors, but only from the outside. On the inside was a desperation and a will to survive and make it the best way they knew how, and what they ran into was a monster who saw them as not people, but objects. In their tireless quest to solve the murders, law enforcement ended up giving their families a measure of peace and closure. I can only hope that when he was finally caught, they felt an inner sense of peace and joy that, after twenty years, is richly deserved.
December 2, 2019
Read Sheriff Rechiert's book 'Chasing the Devil' earlier this year, written after the Green River Killer was finally caught. The Carlton Smith book was published before the capture of the killer, so in theory I read these backwards. Carlton Smith's book is much more detailed--based on his and Gullien's reporting on the killings at the time. Interesting to see the killer briefly described, and not even named in this book. I would've have given this book a higher rating, but at times, especially in the beginning it is a bit rambling.
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September 21, 2014I read this so long ago...
I remember running out of books to read and not feeling like going to the library at that min, so I went to my parents room to raid there bookshelf..
Well I found this big silver book and thought ok... Looks like a good time waster..
WOW!!!! I remember thinking all those girls just gone... What a sad price to pay for that lifestyle...
I'm glad he's FINALY caught...
I remember running out of books to read and not feeling like going to the library at that min, so I went to my parents room to raid there bookshelf..
Well I found this big silver book and thought ok... Looks like a good time waster..
WOW!!!! I remember thinking all those girls just gone... What a sad price to pay for that lifestyle...
I'm glad he's FINALY caught...
August 6, 2022
“He could tell from the faces of some of the reporters that it was going to be one of those mornings”
So hard to believe he killed this many people before he got caught. Crazy! 49victims in an almost 20 year span.
This book was written before the Green River Killer was caught. It was 2001 before he was convicted of these crimes due to DNA.
So hard to believe he killed this many people before he got caught. Crazy! 49victims in an almost 20 year span.
This book was written before the Green River Killer was caught. It was 2001 before he was convicted of these crimes due to DNA.
November 10, 2019
This was an excellent and well put together account of the investigation, and the audiobook has additional detail about Gary Ridgway's arrest which took place after the book originally came out.
I really liked the narration by Keith Sellon-Wright.
I really liked the narration by Keith Sellon-Wright.
November 2, 2017
Long winded. So much detail that doesn't add to the story. I really had to force myself through this book.
April 14, 2020
**2 stars**
If I had have researched this book, I never would have read it. It really was not what I was looking for in a Green River Killer book.
Time taken to read/ listen: 16 Days
I listened to this as an audiobook on Audible, and it is really not what I was looking for from a true crime book.
This book is split into several five parts. The first four sections of this book broke down the investigation into the Green River Killer based on who was in charge of the investigation; Book 1: Kraske (1982-83), Book 2: Adamson (1984-86), Book 3: Pompey (1986-87), and Book 4: Evans (1988-90). The last section of this book is an epilogue that was written several years after the book was originally published which looked at Gary Ridgeway's capture and prosecution.
My issue with the book, which is completely my own fault because I didn't do enough research before reading this one, was that it was originally published before Gary Ridgeway was even caught. The only mention of the actual killer was the epilogue. This book goes into very rich detail about the minute details of the investigation but you don't really get a sense of the killer.
Not the book for me but could work for someone else.
If I had have researched this book, I never would have read it. It really was not what I was looking for in a Green River Killer book.
Time taken to read/ listen: 16 Days
I listened to this as an audiobook on Audible, and it is really not what I was looking for from a true crime book.
This book is split into several five parts. The first four sections of this book broke down the investigation into the Green River Killer based on who was in charge of the investigation; Book 1: Kraske (1982-83), Book 2: Adamson (1984-86), Book 3: Pompey (1986-87), and Book 4: Evans (1988-90). The last section of this book is an epilogue that was written several years after the book was originally published which looked at Gary Ridgeway's capture and prosecution.
My issue with the book, which is completely my own fault because I didn't do enough research before reading this one, was that it was originally published before Gary Ridgeway was even caught. The only mention of the actual killer was the epilogue. This book goes into very rich detail about the minute details of the investigation but you don't really get a sense of the killer.
Not the book for me but could work for someone else.
July 11, 2020
The Green River Killer. What a mess. In this book, only 49 victims were known and there was no conclusion to who the killer was. Police spent years searching for the killer while botching evidence, ignoring leads, and wasting time. Due to the fact that the victims were prostitutes, the cases were taken less seriously because missing prostitutes are not “reliable”. The victims’ ages ranged from as young as 14 (possibly even 12) to 31 years of age. He even murdered a pregnant woman. Ted Bundy was compared throughout the novel to this case due to the fact that the murders happened in and around Washington, and Bundy was even interviewed to give “advice” on how to catch this killer. With regards to the book, I choose this one instead of Ann Rule’s version due to the reviews. I was not disappointed. This book was filled with information as well as chilling photographs. After this book was published, the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway, was finally caught in 2001, and the number of victims totaled to over 71. He admitted not even knowing the actual amount.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2024
Book Rating: 3.0 stars
A comprehensive look into the search for the Green River serial Killer, from the police perspective.
This book was WAY too long. It just seemed to go on and on. The authors went into way too much detail about the cops who worked the case and every action they took to catch the killer, as well as the politicking.
Narrator Rating: 3.5 stars
The narrator did a pretty good job, but his voice was too soothing and it was easy to zone out.
Elemental Levels: Fluff-NA Heartfelt-5/5 Helpful-1/5 Horror NA Inspiration-NA Love aka Romance-NA Mystery-NA Predictability-NA Spice-NA Suspense-NA Tear- 2.5/5 Thrill-NA Humor-0/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Violence, Murder, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny, Addiction, Rape, Alcohol, Animal death, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Gun Violence
Minor: Torture and Racism
A comprehensive look into the search for the Green River serial Killer, from the police perspective.
This book was WAY too long. It just seemed to go on and on. The authors went into way too much detail about the cops who worked the case and every action they took to catch the killer, as well as the politicking.
Narrator Rating: 3.5 stars
The narrator did a pretty good job, but his voice was too soothing and it was easy to zone out.
Elemental Levels: Fluff-NA Heartfelt-5/5 Helpful-1/5 Horror NA Inspiration-NA Love aka Romance-NA Mystery-NA Predictability-NA Spice-NA Suspense-NA Tear- 2.5/5 Thrill-NA Humor-0/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Violence, Murder, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny, Addiction, Rape, Alcohol, Animal death, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Gun Violence
Minor: Torture and Racism
October 10, 2018
When this book was originally published in 1991, Gary Ridgway had not been publicly named as a suspect in the Green River murders although he was well known to detectives in the Green River Task Force. As a result the authors have little to say about Ridgway until further editions of the book were released to encompass Ridgway's arrest (in 2001) and confession and conviction (in 2003).
This really is an exhaustive study of the Green River Murders that ultimately focuses on the detectives from the Green River Task Force and the administrators and politicians in charge of funding the investigation. It is a dour and frustrating read as we quickly discover how ill-prepared, underfunded and outwitted the Green River detectives were.
Beyond this, the book is a wrenching and tragic discourse on the lives of the dozens of female victims and their families and friends who were decimated by Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer.
April 2, 2021
This was so different from other true crime books, I couldn’t stop reading and I stayed up most of last night listening to the audiobook (which is well narrated btw). While it talks a lot about the cops behind the investigation like other true crime that I’ve read, I liked the way that this book covered financial problems and politics that went on behind the scenes and affected the investigation. There’s a focus on the push and pull between the police and the press. It has a lot of information about the women who were targeted and quotes from the victims’ family members who were affected. It goes into detail and the steps that were taken to eventually catch the killer, what felt like a repeating cycle of focusing on the wrong man only to be let down. The end is an update before the trial about the actual killer. If you’re looking for a true crime book that focuses more on the behind the scenes of investigations, I would highly recommend this.
February 29, 2020
Interesting but it really drug on too long in multiple places. I found it difficult to pick back up because I was so confused as to what they were talking about. A bit too many tangents for my taste. Also, they don't explore how they actually caught the killer, which I thought would have been much more engaging.
April 11, 2020
If you're into super detailed police procedure this might be for you, but it is way too dry compared to some of the other popular true crime novels.
May 11, 2023
Unfortunately this one seemed all over the place and dull and monotone. Definitely not as interesting as I'd hoped.
November 20, 2023
10/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2024
I love books about serial killers and this one was very interesting. Kept me wanting more.
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