BOOK REVIEW
BILL MCCARTHY RAPED, not believed, persuaded to recant, charged for false reporting. Life destroyed. Seattle 2008. This true story commences with this shameful event. Denver 2010 and later, more rapes with a similar modus operandi. This is the backbone of the story. The flesh is the activities of the different police forces, the response of individual detectives and their efforts to find the perpetrator. Interwoven with this is the changing attitudes forced by a few brave female officers. The author describes how victim care, evidence gathering, the use of databases, better methodology and communication between different jurisdictions, has been improved. The rapist was caught, and the Seattle police humbled. The uncanny prescience of this story for Australians is especially notable. A must-read book.
SUZI HIRST A TRUE story, this was a harrowing, emotional read that had my attention from the beginning. The women raped were aged 18-65 years and each one was affected in a different way – victims and survivors, with long-lasting psychological trauma. Rape can easily be dismissed when reporting the violation and is often not reported for that reason. Women are often perceived to have brought it on themselves by wearing provocative clothing or drinking too much, which was not the case in these rapes. The book is well-researched, well-written and a must-read. One must hope that the “Me Too” movement will continue to bring positive results on this age-old crime against women (and men). 10/10
BOOK review
UNBELIEVABLE T. Christian Miller & Ken Armstrong
JOHN KLEINSCHMIDT A TRUE story based on investigative case files and interviews with victims and others connected to each case, it is frustratingly slow for much of the book. The rapist is clever and one of the victims uncertain about exactly what happened to her, making it difficult for detectives to make progress. This is a story of doubt, lies and a quest for justice, laying bare the manner in which rape cases are investigated and exposing the long history of cynicism toward rape victims. This book crystalises the extreme difficulty that victims have being believed. Not one of my favourite reads.
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IT WAS timely that I read this book during the recent media storm about increasing reports of sexual assaults on young teenage women and in the hallowed halls of our Federal Government. Written by two masters of investigative journalism, this book was not only disturbing but also educational for me. The true stories of multiple episodes of terrifying and degrading rape are skilfully blended with factual information about rape and rape investigation in USA. The rapist, a disciplined, intelligent ex-military veteran, meticulously planned, executed and covered up his brutal sick fantasies. His psychological profile was disturbing and the immediate and long-term effects he had on his victims horrific. The book outlines the steep learning curve that regional American police investigators needed to overcome male bias, poor interviewing techniques, modern computer science and genome mapping. A must read. 8/10
JO BOURKE ALTHOUGH this is a story of painstaking police work with hundreds of references in the index, it reads like a crime novel with chilling portrayals of the rapist and his victims – definitely not to be read when alone at night. I feel so sorry and angry for Marie, accused of false reporting, who had to wait three years to be vindicated and another two years for monetary compensation. Unfortunately judgements were made by friends and police based on Marie’s troubled childhood. One wonders how many victims would have been saved had Marie been believed during the early interviews. Thanks to the perseverance of two detectives the rapist will never be released. It is to be hoped that this account will be compulsory reading for all police personnel involved in investigating sexual complaints. This book has been difficult to review given the claims of sexual harassment and historical rape in our echelons of power. Perhaps a copy of this book could find its way to parliament!
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36 YOUR TIME MAGAZINE / May 2021
TONY HARRINGTON
On August 11, 2008, Marie reported that a masked man had broken into her home near Seattle and raped her. Within days, police – and even those closest to Marie – became suspicious of her story. Confronted by minor inconsistencies and doubt, 18-year-old Marie broke down and said her story was a lie and was charged with making a false report. Two years later, two detectives join forces on cases of sexual assault and soon discover they are dealing with a serial rapist. Marie’s story bears an eerie resemblance. This true crime story told by two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists is a chilling tale of doubt, lies, and the hunt for justice, unveiling the disturbing reality of how sexual assault is investigated and the long history of scepticism toward its victims.
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MARY BARBER THIS is an important and very readable book about a serial rapist in the USA and the women who suffered at his hands. The connected stories show how debilitating the process of reporting a rape can be, having to recount the painful events many times while in a state of shock and trauma. The preconceptions of police and other professionals can influence whether you are believed. I found the book a little hard to follow at times. There are many cases across states and many police officers involved. However, it is a well written account of what these women faced. It’s horrific. The rapist is cold, calculating and very difficult to catch. It’s a worthwhile and informative read.
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29/04/2021 12:10:33 PM