The Ultimate Evil

The Search for the Sons of Sam

By: Maury Terry

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

Length: 24 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The true-crime cult classic that inspired an upcoming Netflix documentary series and companion podcast, The Ultimate Evil follows journalist Maury Terry’s terrifying investigation into the true evil behind the Son of Sam murders.

On August 10, 1977, the NYPD arrested David Berkowitz for the Son of Sam murders that had terrorized New York City for over a year. Berkowitz confessed to shooting 16 people and killing six with a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver, and the case was officially closed.

Journalist Maury Terry was suspicious of Berkowitz’s confession. Spurred by conflicting witness descriptions of the killer and by the Queens District Attorney, who was convinced Berkowitz didn’t act alone, Terry spent decades researching, gathering evidence, and interviewing those involved in the case. He released his initial findings in the original publication of The Ultimate Evil in 1987, in which he presented his theory that Berkowitz was a member of the Process Church of the Final Judgment, a cult responsible for the Son of Sam murders as well as other ritual murders across the country. After Terry’s death in 2015, documentary filmmaker Josh Zeman (Cropsey, The Killing Season, Murder Mountain) followed leads Terry left for him, which form the basis of his upcoming docuseries with Netflix and a companion podcast. Taken together with The Ultimate Evil, which includes a new introduction by Zeman, these works reveal the stunning intersections of power, wealth, privilege, and evil in America - from the Summer of Sam until today.

©1987 Maury Terry. Introduction © 2021 by Joshua Zeman (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

A Wild Ride

It would be mathematically impossible for every branch of this story to be connected but there is certainly enough smoke that it is hard for me to not believe there is fire somewhere.

good book but hard to follow at times

It was a little hard to follow, so pay close attention when listening! :)

Excellent material

I really want to know more about the things I learned here. The only problem is that the narrator tends to run through all the info without intonation at times. This could be partly due to the way it’s written but it’s all just a little jumbled. He does do great work accents and voices though.
I really love it though. These are my favorite kinds of books and this is a great one.

Best Book on True Son of Sam Story

This story has alternative angles that most don't know about and in that Terry has managed to write on of the scariest books around.

This is my second favorite book

If you read The Ultimate Evil, Chaos and The Family you start to understand the real history behind MKULTRA and Serial Killers.,

Very interesting book and worth reading

This book does an outstanding job of tracking all the connections David Berkowitz had to certain individuals and In my own opinion it is spot on. This comes with a very big HOWEVER. Some of the connections he made to symbology found in Yonkers and other places I can say with confidence was drawn by teenagers of the time hanging out below the thousand stairs getting baked and graffiti related to bands popular at the time.
Rush for one example.
The opening Lyrics to an Iron Maiden song.
So I give this book a 95/100

Amazing Interesting Book!

I absolutely loved this book. Terry Maury covered and opened up the Son of Sam Murders. If it wasn't for him the true story of the murders and conspiracies would never have been discovered.

Looooong but interesting

The book was fascinating, well written, and considering the epic aspect to the story, the author does a good job taking you through the journey. Eye opening.

Outstanding

Excellent in every way possible. Worth the listen and time spent. Made me sad and angry for many reasons.

Eye opening and thought provoking

This book will capture the reader’s thoughts and force them to ask the underlying questions that the author asked. How can such blatant discrepancies be if by law enforcement for so long. It also strikes real realization into the reader’s perception and imagination of the evils that goes unchecked and unnoticed daily around us.