The Ultimate Evil

The Search for the Sons of Sam

By: Maury Terry

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

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

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.,

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! :)

calling1

if you are interested in the son of Sam case this book for you. Terry did an amazing amount of research proving, at least in my eyes that Berkowitz didn't act alone

Great listen

The guy who does the reading is awesome. He changes his voice for different characters and keeps the listener engaged throughout. After watching the doc on Netflix I was interested in hearing the full story. The author didn’t do himself any favors by sticking to his theory. But eventually he was proven accurate for about 90% of this conspiracy. 🤯🔫😵💀

Outstanding!!

A spellbinding chronology that connects the dots between seemingly-random acts of murderous violence. Riveting and captivating. When the author began to tell the story from the voice of David Berkowitz's prison letters, I couldn't stop listening. Simply fascinating and a must-read for those trying to understand the hidden backstory.

Great listen.

This was my first listen on audible. it did not disappoint. It was very intriguing through most parts of the book. It could’ve been because it’s my first time listening to a book, but i caught myself losing focus at some points. either way i’m very impressed.

Shocking, entertaining, and horrifying

10/10 a must read: This book delves into the true evil lurking in the shadows of high society and how one low-level grunt (Berkowitz) took the fall. From police officers to prominent politicians to Hollywood celebrities: drugs, rape, and murder is the entertainment and the cult provides the means. For those doubting such evil could have existed within the inner circles of society’s elites or still be going on today… look no further than atrocities of Jeffrey Epstein and his clients, Danny Masterson, or the Church of Scientology.