Eye of the Beast: The True Story of Serial Killer James Wood (St. Martin's True Crime Library) [Mass Market Paperback]

Terry Adams (Author), Mary Brooks-Mueller (Author), Scott Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Series: St. Martin's True Crime Library | Publication Date: February 15, 1999

For a serial killer, his style is unique. No elaborate rituals. No predetermine victims. Just an instant, uncontrollable urge to kill.

On a summer afternoon in 1993, an eleven-year-old girl sets out through her familiar neighborhood to collect payments on her paper route. In one home she meets a harmless-looking stranger. Driven by an unstoppable desire, James Wood will make this route her last.

The grisly murder of Jeralee Underwood was the final crime in James Wood's lifetime career of armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, and murder. Not until the Underwood case, which brought terror to a close-knit Idaho community, did crime experts begin to piece together a detailed profile of Wood's depraved personality and successfully hunt him down. Unlike other serial killers, Wood acted purely on impulse, to strike out the instincts of a bloodthirsty predator. Based on four years of meticulous researched by the detective who captured Wood, and other forensic experts on the case, this is the true story of how a sociopath is bred-and what it takes to trap him at his own deadly game.

With eight pages of startling photos!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Convicted and sentenced to death in 1993 for the kidnapping and murder of an 11-year-old Idaho girl, James Wood has been credited with at least 85 rapes, 185 robberies and dozens of murders. In this compelling if incomplete report, Birmingham News writer Adams, forensic psychologist Brooks-Mueller and former Pocatello PD investigator Shaw, who spearheaded the investigation, tell Wood's horrific story in straightforward language, evidently understanding that sensationalism would lessen the impact. They describe the efforts of police and behavioral scientists to create a profile of the suspect's personality and behavior patterns before discovering his identity. Woods's need to be "in control" is illuminated, as are his desire to steal "innocence" and success from others, anger toward women and complete lack of remorse. The basic facts of his early life are given?his father's incarceration in Leavenworth Penitentiary, his mother's death in a fire, his vague claims of abuse at the hands of his stepfather?but little insight is offered into how such a rapacious psychopathic predator is produced. Still, the writers successfully blend into their earnest chronicle the tales of a community's massive response to the disappearance of a child, of a careful investigation and arrest and of a long, disturbing interview with a man utterly without conscience, driven strictly by vengeance and rage. Photos.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

"Compelling!" --Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's True Crime (February 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312968825
• ISBN-13: 978-0312968823
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, a little graphic in areas., February 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eye of the Beast: The True Story of Serial Killer James Wood (St. Martin's True Crime Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

This started out really interesting and I felt I knew the characters. I was curious about what happened with his marriage and step daughter but the author didn't elaborate on this and left that part hanging. It was a little graphic in areas which is o.k., but near the end I felt all the references to the LDS took away from the story. However I did appreciate the show of compassion and love they had for the little girl. Great commendations to the police and detectives who worked on this case!! We can all feel a little safer now. It was almost scary how well the detective had to get to know the killer. How hard that must have been, but what an insight it provided to how the serial killer works. People like that should never ever be able to get out of prison.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, September 18, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye of the Beast: The True Story of Serial Killer James Wood (St. Martin's True Crime Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Eye Of The Beast was the most awesome book I have ever read! I read it straight through in one day because I could not put it down. As soon as I picked the book up, I was instantly hooked. I guarantee you will love this book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read - def. recommend, July 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Eye of the Beast: The True Story of Serial Killer James Wood (St. Martin's True Crime Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

Eye of the Beast provided a great portrayal of the actions and crimes of James Wood. The only thing lacking was the past history that led Wood to act out in such a way. The book started after he had already been in prison for an earlier crime, but no insight into the development of beast inside. Regardless the book was a great read!