September Sacrifice (Pinnacle True Crime) [Paperback]

Mark Horner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pinnacle True Crime | Publication Date: December 1, 2004

"If I'm ever late for work, call the police!" - that's what Albuquerque, New Mexico bank teller Girly Chew told her boss. The Malaysian-born 36 year old beauty lived in mortal fear of estranged husband Diazien Hossencofft, and had taken out a restraining order against him. She was late for work for the first - and last - time on September 10, 1999. Her bloodstained clothes and underwear were found near a lonely stretch of desert highway. With no body to work with, a team of dedicated law enforcement personnel began to weave a net of forensic evidence that would bring to light a brutal crime - and snag a violent con man whose final game had gone too far.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Horner skillfully compiles facts and recites dialogue from thousands of pages of police supplemental files, court transcripts, and personal interviews." -- Weekly Alibi (Albuquerque), December 9, 2004

"Horner tells this incredible story of the life and death of Girly Chew with the vivaciousness of a seasoned pro." -- Investigative Journalist M. William Phelps, author of Perfect Poison and Lethal Guardian.

"If there is a better story in the annals of true crime, I haven't seen it yet." -- Gregg Olsen, New York Times Bestselling Author of If Loving You is Wrong

From the Author

September Sacrifice is the culmination of a five year investigation condcucted by this author. In researching the story, I interviewed many of the people associated with it. I also scrutinized thousands of pages of police and court documents, including transcripts. The prosecution, alone, had more than 400 people on its witness list at one time.

The Hossencofft case ultimately found its way to the national media. Dateline NBC, A&E's American Justice, The History Channel's Forensic Files and Court TV all produced stories about it.

Because of the complex layers within the Hossencofft case, no hour-long television program can come close to capturing the entire story. This is not an overstatement. Having worked closely with many of the producers of those national TV programs, I know they'd wholeheartedly agree. Not even Court TV's estimated 40 hours of trial coverage could knit the story together in a uniform way.

It is my hope that the reader will discover that September Sacrifice provides the first comprehensive landscape of the Hossencofft case, doing so in compelling fashion while allowing the reader to connect the dots of a most tragic story.

Rest assured, the book contains a bounty of new information. And if you're a fan of CSI or CSI Miami, then you'll likely be interested to know that the Hossencofft case is considered the most in-depth forensic case in the New Mexcio's history. The forensic evidence not only includes blood and saliva, but a vast array of materials, including; pink deer hair, art sand, and feathers.

The book also includes the suspects's collective interest in UFOs and David Icke's teachings about shape-shifting reptilians that he says rule much of the world.

Not forgotten in September Sacrifice is the life and death of the victim, Girly Chew, nor the tiny child who lived at the center of this frightening story.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Pinnacle (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786016639
• ISBN-13: 978-0786016631
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,597,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freaky people do exist...., December 7, 2004

By 

A. Stewart (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: September Sacrifice (Pinnacle True Crime) (Paperback)

If you are interested in a captivating story, a "can't put it down read", this one is for you. Dazien Hossencroft claims he hails from from a wealthy breed in Switzerland (yeah, right..). Let's call him Armando Chavez, his real name. Armando is a really sadistic liar. He's a "world renowned doctor" who doesn't even know the importance of "spell check" on his Curriculum Vitae! Whatever you want to call him, the guy gives a new name to FREAK. A twisted man, a real psychological study indeed. For instance, to any willing listener he claims he is dying of leukemia, deceitfully takes any volunteer's blood for "testing" (even his own baby son's) and predicts the end of the world, among other strange, creepy events. You are acquainted with Girly Chew, Dazien's Malaysian mail-order bride at the beginning of the novel. If the reader isn't alreadly morbidly fascinated with Hossencroft's personality then author Mark Horner's detailed chronicle of Girly's sudden disappearance is sure to keep the detective-reader's attention. Enjoy!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book -- BEST Crime Story EVER, December 5, 2004

By 

Gregg Olsen (Olalla, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: September Sacrifice (Pinnacle True Crime) (Paperback)

Mark Horner does a terrific job with a complicated tale -- probably one of the best true crime stories ever. I remember reading about this case and watching it on Court TV. Every once in awhile, I see a case and wish that I'd been the one to write the book. Sometimes I think I could do better, but that's not the case here. Mark has really distinguished himself as a wonderful new writer with a gift for storytelling -- something that frequently gets lost in the ripped-from-the-headlines approach of today's true crime writing. -- Gregg Olsen, author of "Abandoned Prayers" and "Cruel Deception"

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truth is Definitely Stranger than Fiction, December 5, 2005

By 

J. Wilson (Warrenton, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: September Sacrifice (Pinnacle True Crime) (Paperback)

I would have given the book 5 stars except that I had a problem with Horner trying to create intrigue in the first few chapters. I felt it was unnecessary because this has to be one of the most bizarre true crime stories I've ever read. There are still many unanswered questions that I hope one day will be brought to light, but that doesn't detract from the book at all. It was well researched and a satisfyingly complicated and incredible book.