Son [Mass Market Paperback]

Jack Olsen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

On one level, this 1984 Edgar Award Nominee is the story of a sociopathic rapist, a clean-cut realtor named Fred Coe who raped dozens of women in sunny Spokane, Washington. Olsen paints the portrait of a man whose exterior grandiosity and air of savoir faire barely conceal his deep insecurity about his career failures--a temperamental prima donna who emulates the pathetic hero of "American Gigolo." But on another, even more compelling level, this is the story of the women in Fred's life: His histrionic, clinging mother is a fair-skinned beauty in jet-black wigs, outrageous attire, and excessive jewelry, who eventually plots to kill the judge and prosecutor who put her dear "Son" away. A wife, and later on a girlfriend, both devoted to Fred, are devastated by his exposure as a brutal rapist. And several of Fred's many victims are also compassionately portrayed in all their individuality.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Dell (April 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440181488
• ISBN-13: 978-0440181484
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Olsen's Best and a Truly Creepy Book, May 2, 2000

By 

Mark K. Mcdonough "Mark McDonough" (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Son (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read almost everything Jack Olsen has written (he's one of the folks on my short "I buy everything" list), but even in Olsen's body of work, this is a standout.

Olsen has written about more heinous criminals -- after all, this guy is "only" a serial rapist. But "Son" really captures the creepy, narcissistic world of the sociopath. The level of detail and understanding is remarkable. He captures the essence of what is pathetic and frightening about these people in a way few other writers have. I first read this book more than a decade ago, but I still think about it.

If I were ever going to write a true crime book myself, I'd sit down and read this one about 10 times before getting started.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put this book down, February 17, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Son (Mass Market Paperback)

This is an incredible story of a serial rapist in Spokane in the early 1980's. Jack Olsen has done a remarkable job in his research. Fred "Kevin" Coe and his mother are two of the strangest people I've read about in the true crime genre, and I believe, as the police did, that soon he wouldn't stop at rape, but move on to murder his victims. His rapes became more violent and frequent. Like many sociopaths, Coe believed he was smarter than the police. Unfortunately, he was able to manipulate and lie his way out of many situations from an early age, and often with the help of his mother, so it reinforced his narcissism and his belief that he was untouchable. The rapes were also happening at a time when the Spokane police were stretched so thin that "minor" crimes slipped through the cracks, and the mentality was that the women were putting themselves in the situation. Jack Olsen has done an extraordinary job in chronicling the details of the series of rapes, as well as delving into who Coe was, and the devastation he wrought on so many lives. I highly recommend this book if you can find it.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scared the stuffing out of me, August 17, 2001

By 

shirley loftus (clifton nj) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Son (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book (several times) with increasing horror. To read about the devastation this madman caused so many women was truly chilling. In an almost Bundy-like fashion, Kenny was able to fool so many people for so long. Observing his warped family life, with an hysterical mother and totally removed father did in no way soften my view of this animal. What the book DOESN'T tell you that this mass rapist and hater of women had two convictions overturned and will be eligible for parole in 2006. The thought that he will some day walk the streets again is terrifying. This book made me get up out of bed constantly, check the windows, house alarm, closets for a long time.This is one of Mr. Olsen's BEST BOOKS EVER, especially since it permanently altered how I life my life and became more safety conscious. Thanks, Mr. Olsen for a truly gripping read. I enjoy all your books, but this definitely is your best.