Zodiac Unmasked: The Identity of America's Most Elusive Serial Killer Revealed

by Robert Graysmith

Book Overview

Robert Graysmith reveals the true identity of Zodiac--America's most elusive serial killer. Between December 1968 and October 1969 a hooded serial killer called Zodiac terrorized San Francisco.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425189430
• ISBN13: 9780425189436
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 4.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

If it's haunted you, then you must know....

If you've always been curious or even haunted by not knowing who the Zodiac killer of the late 60's and early 70's in the Bay Area was, then you have to read this book. No one else but Robert Graysmith has or could have compiled such a detailed account of who the prime suspect was and still is. His name is...you've got to read the book.

Compelling

I'm shocked by the reviewers who read this and didn't think Arthur Leigh Allen was the Zodiac. It reaches a point where an unbelievable number of coincidences, and identifications from witnesses and victims are too compelling to consider otherwise. Yes, Leigh's fingertips didn't match. Yes, his handwriting didn't match. Yes, they never found a "smoking gun." Leigh was an intelligent person who took considerable precautions to ensure he wouldn't get caught. Plus, there is no proof the fingerprints in question were from the Zodiac. They could have come from a number of different people (they did not get elimination prints from everyone at the scene). As for peoople who didn't like the way the book was written, keep it mind this is not a mystery novel. Events were written in chronological order and often required additional information so the reader would understand. I agree that some material is repeated and could have done without some of it myself. If you're interested at all in this case, the overwhelming amount of research and information is worth such a minor flaw.

A Great Book!

Zodiac Unmasked is an extraordinarily-detailed, highly entertaining book. I recommend it to any person with a strong interest in true crime. If you really want to get wrapped up in the excitement of this case, this is a very good place to start. Graysmith does a great job of fleshing out prime Zodiac suspect Arthur Leigh Allen. Allen is just too bizarre and complicated to be a fictional character. He's big and scary, athletic and powerfully-strong. Though sometimes prone to outbursts or physical acts toward others (he was known to throw acquaintances to the ground, knee to the chest before they knew what happened) he often appeared gentle and well-mannered. He had an odd assortment of friends and acquaintances and many unusual interests and hobbies. After both his parents died, he still chose to live in a creepy basement rather than the main floor of the house he inherited. Though extremely intelligent and talented, Allen never seemed to reach his potential and ultimately ended up working in menial jobs. A diabetic who refused to alter his lifestyle (he was fond of Coors Beer), he later developed serious complications which caused him to lose his mobility and his eyesight. But even in the earlier stages of his disease, Allen would have experienced diminished mobility, vision loss and coordination which could explain Zodiac's sudden disappearance from the scene. His extremely unpleasant experience being locked up at Atascadero would also explain his refusal to ever reveal his identity as Zodiac. He would not want to risk prison, especially with his ill health. He would deny that he was Zodiac up until his death at 58 from diabetes-related heart disease. I thoroughly disagree with those here who say this book is poorly-written. And I strongly take issue with the idea that Graysmith's theory that Allen is Zodiac has now been "proven" wrong by DNA evidence. No one, not even the SFPD, has ever come forward with evidence "proving" anything. The questionable "DNA fingerprint" said to be developed by SFPD DNA lab personnel in 2002 (6 years after their earlier, inconclusive testing) does not exonerate Arthur Leigh Allen. And, other than this SFPD analysis, there is no "other evidence" that would allow this case to reach a conclusion. The careful wording, "seems to clear Zodiac suspect" and "may" are used in press reports. Nothing definite there. Arthur Leigh Allen remains a viable suspect. SFPD's story for publication is that "genetic traces" were found due to "powerful new DNA technology" and that "trace amounts of saliva" were found under a stamp. I would feel a lot better about this information if someone without a vested interest in the outcome of this thing, (in other words, not SFPD) had done the testing and had done it prior to SFPD's handling of the evidence. Anyone who has worked in law enforcement as I have for years (having come from generations of law enforcement) is aware of the enormous egos many cops have, espe

Not what I projected, but a pleasurable bombshell.

I am an enthusiastic Zodiac reader. This is the third Zodiac book I have acquired and read, followed after "This is the Zodiac Speaking." I was expecting Graysmith to elaberate more on the ways and methods of the Zodiac killer and specifications on the crime scene. What I discovered was that Graysmith took a different approach by writing a startling journey towards apprehending a certain individual, Arthur Leigh Allen. Graysmith describes the SFPD's struggle with the case and even more gripping is the means of loops and cracks Allen was able to slip through. By focusing on this one individual you really come to learn a great deal about the case, crimes, theories, letters, and close encounters faced during the investigation. Though I also recommend "This is the Zodiac Speaking," it does not get as deep into the manhunt as "Zodiac Unmasked;" it only manages to pose new theories and offers up barely any new material. Also, "This is the Zodiac Speaking" makes many references to Graysmith's earlier book "Zodiac," proving that Graysmith has quite an understanding and familiarity with the Zodiac case file. Graysmith includes an asortment of pictures of Leigh Allen, the Zodiac letters, and the ever-so-famous cryptographs, as well as their deciphers. If you want something new to jump into that really gets you into the case and the manhunt, this is a good choice for anyone. If you are only concerned with the crimes and theories, then I would lean more towards "This is the Zodiac Speaking." "Zodiac Unmasked" is more for the hardcore Zodiac enthusists who are willing to get wrapped up into the fine details of the case.

I loved this book!

I discovered this book by reading about it on comedian Tom Voight's subversively comical website actually run by Graysmith himself. All you do it search Robert Graysmith and go to his self titled website and you'll arrive at partner Tom's website.Tom portrays a guy who pretends to have written Graysmith's work and you need to have your own copy of Graysmith's book to follow along with the mysteries Tom imagines. It really is fun to play along with the gag.Tom, like the supposed Zodiac lives with his mother and has many of the same habits, so it's not surprising that Tom may actually be a character in a play to create more discussions about Graysmith's writing. The book is thick with info as is the humorous website based on the book. Graysmith while very serious in his investigations is not so full of himself as to poke fun by creating controversy with his website.Enjoy this book as all my students have.