Zodiac by Robert Graysmith Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Zodiac
Book Review: Could not put down.
Summary: 5 Stars
I literally, could not put this book down. I read it in one long sleepless go. True crime is one of my fav genres and there is nothing like this book. This guy never got caught. He wrote the paper the author worked for DARING them to catch him. Giving them evidence and weird, cryptic clues. The author investigates suspects himself. At points you wouldn't be surprised to see him get shot at. This story has EVERYTHING a crime reader would want. Read this book and you'll be wondering if the Zodiac is still out there. Is he reading this now?Book Review: Couldn't read it fast enough.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book opened my eyes. Before reading this, I was just a small town kid who had no idea things like this happened. Not to mention in the late 60's. Graysmith is a master at weaving the tale of a mysterious being who calls himself the Zodiac. The vivid descriptions and attention to detail he derives through his interviews with those involved in the case still haunt me at least once a week in my sleep. Graysmith is the king of true crime in my book and a master at non-fiction in general. He puts you there, and I suggest all of his books and I'm eagerly awaiting The Bell Tower.Book Review: Crime, slightly true
Summary: 1 Stars
This "factual" account of the infamous Zodiac killings is marred by blatant contradiction, terrible writing and outright misinformation. While the reporting on the confirmed murders is seemingly accurate (if confusing and hard to follow because of the pedestrian writing), Graysmith's own findings on the case are sheer speculation and often self-disproven. For example, Graysmith claims that he discovered that Zodiac was using a projector to create the letters he sent to the press in order to disguise his writing. However, Graysmith then continues to talk about he and others analyzed the writing from the letters after this "discovery" was made. Also, Graysmith's prime suspect is part real person and part embellishment, which would be fine if this were a work of fiction. It is not billed as such and therefore cannot be taken seriously. If you must read this book, read the sections on the murders and then stop. For more information, go to zodiackiller.com. That site, which I am in no way affiliated with, presents the facts of the murder and suspects and the contradictions appearing in Graysmith's writing. It is a great resource, much better than this adaptation of the truth.Book Review: Definitive Indeed
Summary: 4 Stars
Being in my mid-thirties and from the midwest, I had only a passing familiarity with the case of the Zodiac killer. After deciding to learn more I looked around and this book was repeatedly referred to as the definitive account. After finishing reading it I've come to the conclusion that the book's reputation is well-earned.From at least 1968 until perhaps as late as the mid-1970s a killer was on the loose in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The killer would commit especially brutal murders and then send taunting letters to newspapers. In these letters were zodiacal symbols (hence his nom de murder) and ciphers which, if decoded, allegedly contained clues to his real identity. Zodiac is officially credited with six murders although he claimed to have killed thirty seven. In the end, no conclusive evidence was ever found tying these murders to anyone and the killer was never caught.
Robert Graysmith does a very good job of organizing the book. Each chapter focuses on a victim, Zodiac or a major player in the story. Each chapter is in turn sub-divided into days much like a diary. As such, the tale unfolds in a linear manner that allows you to learn of the personalities involved and their place in the events that occurred whilst still maintaining the thread of the story. While pertinent facts are introduced, the reader is not inundated with detail. There are also helpful appendices of victims and possible victims, the killer's letters, et al.
Although no one was ever charged with the murders there were a few suspects. Mr. Graysmith introduces the suspects to us and details the case against them. In the end the author does have a "favorite" suspect and he provides ample justification for his choice. The author's account of seeing the suspect in person is quite chilling. At the time of the original publication of this book, the suspect was still alive so the author had to tread carefully. Since that time, the suspect has died and Mr. Graysmith has acquired enough additional information that he felt comfortable in formally accusing the suspect in a book entitled "Zodiac Unmasked."
If you're looking for a history of the Zodiac killings and a compelling read, Zodiac by Robert Graysmith fills the bill nicely. However, the hard reality of the case -- the senseless slaying of innocent people and a killer who is never brought to justice -- makes this a reading experience that is more than a little unsettling.
Book Review: Department of Morbid Details
Summary: 3 Stars
Apparently used as a gruesome "how to" manual by Heriberto "Eddie" Seda, the 1989-1996 New York "Zodiac copycat." Readers should be aware that most students of the truly mysterious Zodiac case believe that Graysmith's candidate for the perpetrator is not the right guy. But relentless self-promotion has worked -- this has become one of the longest-running true crime books.