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The Killer's Shadow

By: John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker
Narrated by: Holt McCallany
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Publisher's Summary

The legendary FBI criminal profiler and international bestselling author of Mindhunter and The Killer Across the Table returns with this timely, relevant book that goes to the heart of extremism and domestic terrorism, examining in-depth his chilling pursuit of, and eventual prison confrontation with Joseph Paul Franklin, a White Nationalist serial killer and one of the most disturbing psychopaths he has ever encountered.

Worshippers stream out of an Midwestern synagogue after sabbath services, unaware that only a hundred yards away, an expert marksman and avowed racist, antisemite and member of the Ku Klux Klan, patiently awaits, his hunting rifle at the ready.

The October 8, 1977 shooting was a forerunner to the tragedies and divisiveness that plague us today. John Douglas, the FBI’s pioneering, first full-time criminal profiler, hunted the shooter—a white supremacist named Joseph Paul Franklin, whose Nazi-inspired beliefs propelled a three-year reign of terror across the United States, targeting African Americans, Jews, and interracial couples. In addition, Franklin bombed the home of Jewish leader Morris Amitay, shot and paralyzed Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, and seriously wounded civil rights leader Vernon Jordan. The fugitive supported his murderous spree robbing banks in five states, from Georgia to Ohio.

Douglas and his writing partner Mark Olshaker return to this disturbing case that reached the highest levels of the Bureau, which was fearful Franklin would become a presidential assassin—and haunted him for years to come as the threat of copycat domestic terrorist killers increasingly became a reality. Detailing the dogged pursuit of Franklin that employed profiling, psychology and meticulous detective work, Douglas and Olshaker relate how the case was a make-or-break test for the still-experimental behavioral science unit and revealed a new type of, determined, mission-driven serial killer whose only motivation was hate.

A riveting, cautionary tale rooted in history that continues to echo today, The Killer's Shadow is a terrifying and essential exploration of the criminal personality in the vile grip of extremism and what happens when rage-filled speech evolves into deadly action and hatred of the “other" is allowed full reign.

©2020 John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker (P)2020 HarperAudio

What listeners say about The Killer's Shadow

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

John and Mark have written another great book

John again goes in depth to explain the BSU which is always fascinating as I enjoy this type of book, he also mentions Mindhunter here and there with interesting snippets linking other serial killers with Franklin, read by Holt McCallany who plays Robert Ressler in Mindhunter, excelllent choice as Holt has an outstanding voice. Overall very interesting and enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Boring

I waitd for punch line. There was none. Repetative without a message. It is a story without depth.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I almost listened to it all in one sitting!

This book was so interesting and easy to listen to and get addicted to. It is fantastic
Holt McCallany voice is very nice to listen to, somehow Holt's amazing voice made it captivating.
Having Holt as the narrator and also having watched some mindhunter, whilst listening I was picturing Holt as the FBI agent playing out the story

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2 people found this helpful

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Possibly John Douglas' Finest!

John E. Douglas may be my favourite author out there. After watching Mindhunter I had to pick up John's books to learn more and I've loved each one of his books I've read so far and The Killer's Shadow is no different. A captivating narrative, incredible narration and a deep dive into a killer that I'd not heard of before hand. This is a must listen!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Compelling

Douglas and Olshaker are always compelling, weaving effortlessly through a multitude of details and decades. McCallany made listening very enjoyable.

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Tedious

I gave it my best shot but too much like a textbook
Gave it up after several hours
I’m sure someone might find this fascinating but I had a lot of trouble keeping any interest in this.
So marked it as finished long before I did…well I didn’t!!!

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