Zodiac

The Shocking True Story of the Nation's Most Bizarre Mass Murderer

By: Robert Graysmith

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

After Jack the Ripper and before Son of Sam there was only one name their equal in terror: the deadly, elusive, and mysterious Zodiac. Beginning in 1968 the hooded mass murderer terrified the city of San Francisco and the Bay Area with a string of brutal killings. A sexual sadist, his pleasure was torture and murder. His first victims were a teenage couple, stalked and shot dead in a lover's lane. After another slaying, he sent his first mocking note to authorities, promising he would kill again. The official tally of his victims was six. The real toll may have reached 50. He was never caught. Graysmith, who was on the staff of the San Francisco Chronicle at the time of the murders, gives this gripping account of Zodiac's reign of terror.

©1976 Robert Graysmith (P)2006 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Provocative....Bizarre....Graysmith's taut narrative brings the horror back with jolt upon jolt." (San Francisco Chronicle)
"Will fascinate true-crime readers." (Library Journal)

The Basement Scene Actually Happened

Some of the psychoanalysis seems outdated, but if all you know is the David Fincher movie, there are even more fascinating facts and creepy occurances in the book.

Great Book!

I really liked this audiobook. It is very well organized and it presents a lot of details about the crimes and investigation.

Overall fantastic

I read this book about 20 years ago fascinating then so I thought it here still find it fascinating how I wish is that I had all the pictures from the book to go along with all the Cyphers and things please add pictures of but otherwise fantastic

Great Narrator and Good Book

True Crime is sometimes best served in audiobooks. For me, this is the case with Zodiac. The narrator is great and kept me engaged throughout the book.

Serial killers are fascinating but the ones who never get caught are terrifying.

I really enjoyed following along the thought process of this author. You can tell a lot of research went into this one. It was hard to follow at times as it seemed to jump along a lot of different lines. It didn't really take away too much for me though.

I think fans of true crime or this type of content would enjoy this one.

Great

"Zodiac" is compelling and kept me on the edge of my car seat. I found myself grabbing my ipod and listening while I was doing housework, exercising, and anytime I had the opportunity. I was dissapointed to reach the end. If you are a true crime buff like me, this is a necessary listen. The story is thorough and dripping with detail. The narrator's voice is perfect for the content of this book. In between listening I couldnt help but do my own research on the Zodiac killer because my curiousty was so stricken. I recommend the (unabridged) version only because all the details that are in that version are necessary to understand the nature of this serial killer.

Educational

I definitely recommend this audio. Worth listening to.

Worthwhile as historical first

Nothing solved here. The suspects presented have all been cleared, especially Starr (Allen), but the book is well-written and the narrative performance is excellent.

creepiest story

I've always been interested in serial killer stories but this one takes the cake. Too many questions remain unanswered and of course the killer was never apprehended.

The reader's voice was also a bit unnerving to listen to but perhaps that was intended.

EXCELLENT

NARRATION
Narration is clear, nicely paced, and engaging. The baritone voice is perfect for this gruesome, fascinating, horrible material.
What a magnificent narrator. This man could read the ingredients off a blue cheese dressing bottle and make it sound like poetry. Everything he does with a script is perfect.

CONTENT AND STORY
The details and explanations are detailed, comprehensive, and informative. it is so very disturbing that they exist.
It is a conundrum for me to know what to do with them. On the one hand I cannot approve of execution for fear that the wrong person not infrequently executed.
I am inveterately in favor of gun control, but the one thought that gives me pause is the capacity to blow these animals away while in the act of such horrors.
I am embarrassed to harbor such thoughts but there it is.

CONCLUSION
Horrible but highly recommended. We cannot fully appreciate such perils unless we know graphically the particulars.

Great book! When that I have read often and largel

Head read this book many times in print form, but less this audio version is wonderful in its depth and sincerity of vocalisation appeared very much enjoyed the reading of this book.