[.ca] This is the Zodiac Speaking: Into the Mind of a Serial ... (ISBN 0275973387)

the zodiac speaks!:
This is in my opinion slightly better than Robert Graysmith's Zodiac but it does get bogged down with the information of the analysis of the letters.However, this book discounts a few theories about the Zodiac.It denies that Zodiac was a brilliant killer. It denies that Zodiac intentionally created a Z around the city when he did his crimes, the author stating it was more a connect-the-dots connection that was weak by any stretch of the imagination.Another popular theory was that Zodiac only killed near water. This book discounts that theory too, saying that San Francisco is surrounded by water on three sides.Yet another speculation was that Zodiac was brilliant in eluding the authorities when there was evidence to the contrary. Two policemen stopped him after he killed Paul Stine, a taxi driver, and if it wasn't for a wrong description about the killer (the description was of a black man) Zodiac would have been apprehended.There is more speculation about that too, that Zodiac would not have been so easily arrested; he would have put up a fight. I also think that the suspect in Graysmith's Zodiac Unmasked was not Zodiac because he was cleared through finger-printing. Zodiac had sloppily left two partial finger-prints on a taxi after he killed Paul Stine. This book does more of a psychological profile than Zodiac and much of it made sense, I think the author got it right about the Zodiac. The author, Kelleher, and David Van Nuys, Chair of the Psychology Department in a Northern Californian University, differ occasionally in their opinions about the Zodiac, but mostly agree. Van Nuys claims that Zodiac had a multiple personality disorder, brought on from a childhood trauma. Van Nuys claims that possibly he was sexually abused and had a dominant father.He states that the normal well -adjusted personality didn't know what the Zodiac personality was doing and vice versa. The book goes on to say that Zodiac, if he still was alive,he would be looking back on his crimes now and may have been horrified by them. Van Nuys claims that possibly the good personality might have won over the Zodiac personlity. Or possibly Zodiac had committed suicide or was dead as a result of age...if he was alive he would probably be in his mid sixties. This book doesn't really come up with any good suspects although that has been done before with other books and failed to yield results. The suspects in Graysmith's book Zodiac, I believe were not Zodiac so this subsequent book doesn't go into suspects...I think it adds to the mystery. **** & a half.

Packed full of information:
The case of the Zodiac killer who haunted the San Francisco bay area in the late 60's is a facinating story. The never caught Zodiac was not only a killer, but a prolific writer as he kept the police at bay. This well researched book not only seems to be the definitive book on the crimes but provides a facinating glimpse into the mind of a serial killer. Also proffered are several very plausable theories about who the killer might be, not by name, but by description, and the reason he has disappeared from our view. The crimes seem strangely antiseptic after all this time, but having lived through that time and remembering the hushed conversations of the horror. My only disappointment is ther is no conclusion, no suspect. It is only in this factor that the story becomes a bit too academic and dry.

Jack Redux:
I'm still reading this, and enjoying it, but was struck by its divergence from previous theories. The other recent work on Zodiac devotes several hundred pages to a suspect which that author names as the Zodiac killer. This book mentions his name once, in a one sentence dismissal. It's getting to be like Jack the Ripper, where a new theory emerges every few years (Maybe this will be next on Patricia Cornwell's list). I don't have a favorite suspect or theory to defend, but I enjoy an articulate examination of a compelling mystery. This is one.

BUY THIS ZODIAC BOOK:
Look no further, this is the Zodiac book that is worth your investment of money and time. Simply excellent, both factually and as entertainment.

"This is the Zodiac speaking":
Michael Kellehers book on the Zodiac killer is well worth the time and effort and money to obtain and read! Having researched the Zodiac case since 1987(zodiacmurders.com) I would say his book is a crisp tight narrative that fully lays out the case with exactness as he makes the story interesting while giving the reader a multi-faceted view into all aspects of the killers mind and criminal activities. Many have related they just 'couldn't put it down' until they read the entire book! One correction I would like to make- while STILL focusing on this fine work-is that it says Bill Nelson wrote a book on the possible connection of the Zodiac to Charles Manson and some of his associate/s.Only a small portion of the book presents this link.The majority of the content in Nelsons (now out of print) book, is about the Manson Family.It is my book ,The Zodiac Manson Connection, that has, as its MAIN theme,a possible link to the Manson Family. Get Kellehers book is all I can say-a must for the true crime buff and members of law enforcement!