Murder in Spokane: Catching a Serial Killer

by Mark Fuhrman

Book Overview

A gripping investigation of a serial killer's spree by the author of the New York Times bestsellers Murder in Brentwood and Murder in Greenwich.

On August 26, 1997, the bodies of Jennifer Joseph and Heather Hernandez were found dumped in separate places in Spokane, Washington. In the following months, another eight bodies were discovered, all of them those of drug addicts and prostitutes who had worked Spokane's red-light district.

The...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060194375
• ISBN13: 9780060194376
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

THROW-AWAY PEOPLE

Another excellent book by a an experienced practitioner in law enforcement. Mark points out how society feels less concerned about throw-away people, i.e., prostitutes, alcoholics, drug users, etc., than it does about so-called "regular" people such as bank presidents or dentists or book pblishers. He also illustrates quite clearly how egos and territory comes into play during investigations, and how politics and the media can change the working environment of the police officer. Mark has probably made some mistakes in his life, as we all have, but more than makes up any shortcomings with his writing and investigative skills, and his obvious love of the beautiful Idaho-Washington area. Being an experienced police officer, I can honestly tell you that this book is worth the price. New detectives should consider buying it, just to avoid some of the novice mistakes and to get some new ideas for their next case. Aloha from Saipan.

Fascinating Read

This is another excellent book. Mark tells how an investigation of a serial killer SHOULD be conducted and the Spokane task force shows how one should NOT be conducted. As with the other two books written by Mark Fuhrman, this one is full of insights into police work. As a regular listener to Mark's radio talk show, this book was especially interesting to me. I remember how many times Mark Fuhrman and Mike Fitzsimmons offered help to the task force. Several callers gave tips to the radio show which were turned over to the task force, yet many weeks later, had not been followed up on. I recommend this book to everyone.

Why? keeps coming Thru

Another of Fuhrmans thoughtful books. You will come away wondering why the police didn't follow basic guidelines for investigation. This is another insight into how police of different departments and agencies, do NOT work together. Fuhrman doesn't have the ego, police departments do.

Horror and Error- Spokane's Black Comedy of Hookers and Ego

Wow! The last time I was too scared to put a book down was Ann Rule's The Stranger Beside Me,Ted Bundy. Last night, Murder in Spokane kept me going until 2:36 a.m. What an incredible book! It's a fast-paced story of horror and error which points out, in some cases apologetically, the basic negligence of task force members to conduct a thorough investigation. Political ego, bungling of clues and the fact that "it's just hookers", allowed this case to fester into at least 18 shallow graves of rotting flesh and bone that were once loving daughters, wives or mothers. Fuhrman writes the story as the case unfolds under the guise that he would be included and his help welcomed. When the Sheriff retracts and refuses to divulge even public information, Fuhrman writes from his own investigative experience during the killings and voices frustration with a closed-mouth task force who didn't even give potential victims a description of the killer's car. After repeated snubs in response to offering the investigatimg team help, Fuhrman and his news partner, well-known and respected Mike Fitzsimmons, embark on collecting tips themselves from radio listeners. Clues abound with an eyewitness placing a suspicious vehicle at the scene of one body drop. 17 months pass before this clue is followed-up by local law enforcement! This book is dedicated to the victims but written with the hard-edged knowledge of an experienced homicide detective. Local politicians and elected law enforcement hate the man who exposed the scam.In response to the book, local Sheriff, Mark Sterk, was crying from the roof-tops trying to discredit Fuhrman. He couldn't. Facts are, who doesn't follow up on eyewitness accounts placing a victim in a specific vehicle shortly before her grisly death? Who doesn't follow up on a suspicious vehicle sighting placing it at the scene of a body dump? According to Fuhrman, whoever controlled this information is responsible for delaying the investigation and allowing at least 10 other prostitutes to meet their own torturous ends. I agree.

Another winner of a book

Mark Fuhrman's book on the Spokane prostitute murders provides a solid insight on the way - and the way NOT - to conduct a homicide investigation. The book chronicals the history of the prostitute slayings, police actions, and Fuhrman's insights into the case. Fuhrman points out where police errored in their decisions, and provides his own tips on how to better run an investigation into catching a serial killer. He makes good cases for both more public information, and continues the theme of his previous books into how proper investigation techniques can be used to solve any crime. The Spokane police eventually caught the killer through a lot of hard work. Furhman Monday morning quarterbacks the investigation, showing how the killer could have been caught two years earlier. While this might seem presumptious coming from most, I've already given Fuhrman credit where credit is due for his work documented in "Murder in Greenwich". The book is a good read, and I look forward to his next. In the future, I'd kind of like to see a book from him with a collection of difficult crimes that efficient and proper police investigation managed to crack.