Customer Reviews

Unholy Messenger: The Life and Crimes of the BTK Serial Killer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I was interested in reading this book after seeing an interview with the author (Stephen Singular) on CNN. However, as soon as I started reading this book it was obvious that the author Singular delves to far into self indulgence time and time again.

At times it seems he is simply writing just for the sake of writing, often times describing the weather and a truly ridiculous paragraph about a certain crop that was imported into the Wichita area. And there is also a strong christian viewpoint the author is writing from, which grows rather tiresome.

For anyone that is interested in true crime books, pass on this one, or at least wait until it comes out in paperback (I wasted over $20.00 dollars on this book).

This book rehashes a lot of what was in the press, and offers very little insight into this notorious case. The author seems to have had access only to a kooky local psychologist and to Rader's pastor, so don't look for detail about the police or their investigation. The emphasis on the minister is so extensive that the story almost becomes his - a struggle by the educated, liberal Christian to comprehend evil.

There's some sensitive writing on this topic, and about the time and place that produced Dennis Rader, but I doubt many true crime readers will find this satisfying. This odd emphasis, along with some clunky writing and weird vocabulary ("fiercesome"?) keep this from being a necessary read.

I'm hoping for something better on this case.

I was hoping for something that would delve into the mind of a serial killer. This, however, is kind of a generic re-hash of the chronology of the killings. I found myself flipping through many of the chapters. Also, there's way too much emphasis on the church pastor. He wasn't involved in any way so who cares?

If you're interested in true crime, save your money for a better book--there are many.

The author does not contribute any new information in the book, you can easily get much more valuable information about dennis rader from the internet.

Basically the author get the info from the news sources that everyone too have access freely.

Why buy the book if you can have much more comprehensive info from the net? This book is a total disappointment.

The author does not do much research on the subject, does not tell much about the monster's family history, no info about his daily life style, no testimonies from his neighbours, colleges or relatives.

The book has 304 pages, with this much pages I expect much more info about dennis' life, in fact the author put pastor Clark as the centre of the story, not dennis rader as the monster.

The fotographs in the book are very minimal and boring as they are widely available on the net, anyone can have access to more pictures on the net.

The author seemed to have a quick interview with pastor Clark (dennis' pastor), but the info that he got from the pastor is totally not relevan with the crimes dennis commited.

I think the author should've put the title as "Pastor Clark", not the "BTK".

I am angry as hell and wish to have my money back, it is very very disappointing! DO NOT BUY!

This version is very disappointing. It seems to focus more on the people within Rader's Luthern Church than on his evil pathology. When Rader's Pastor determined that the only reason for Rader's behaviors was demonic possession, I lost it. This book seemed to offer more proselytizing and Bible thumping than true crime. What a waste.

After reading all the negative reviews, I'm almost embarrased to write this, but I thought it was a well written book and I could not put it down. Maybe that's because I'm not a "True Crime" aficionado.

He takes information he has received from public sources, which he doesn't even get accurate, and weaves them together with what he proclaims is Pastor Clark's theory. Next, he adds input from a local psychologist who has been suspected in the past of being BTK himself and NOT because his profiles have been accurate, they've been wrong, but because his profiles reflect his own suppressed feelings of self.

Admittedly, the book is well written, but other than the fact it is about a real criminal whose real crimes are all of public record, it should not be labeled as true crime, but more along the lines of fiction. He has never interviewed the subject of his book who he in his own words admits is a man who lived inside his own world and never talked with anyone about his real self.

If you're interested in a good read, but don't care about facts, this book is okay. As for myself, I would recommend waiting for a more accurate depiction of the story to come out.

I did not follow this case closely in the media, so for me this book was very informative. Very well written. I dissagree with the previous review, definately worth the money. Also, a shameless plug for another true crime book that I recently read "I've Been Watching You" about the South Louisiana serial killer, Derrick Todd Lee, that story is similar in that Lee was on the loose for many more years than he should have been also. Both books are excellent reading if you like true crime.

Stephen Singular has not had one single interview with Dennis Rader. Someone who HAS interviewed Dennis Rader several times a week for over a year now will be writing a book and it will be out next year. In fact, there are two authors, including this one, that will have true, accurate and detailed facts out towards the first part of 2007.

Stephen Singular medeled his way into a community not used to this kind of high profile association and manipulated everyone he could to get information in order to write about anything he could to make a profit. Singular took a few public facts, an interview with Pastor Clark who was NOT trusted by Dennis Rader and had only been head of Christ Lutheran's congregation for three years at the time of the arrest - comingled these and made up the rest.

It's no wonder the "task force" member he mentions wishes to remain anonymous because information was passed to Singualr from this person that was proprietary to someone else and this information was misused and reported inaccurately. If this task force member was made known, he'd be subject to immense litigation (and should be held accountable).

Overall, save your money and wait to read a book from someone who really knows the facts. Dennis Rader was a person who lived in his own world his entire life. He has only revealed both sides of himself to one person - and that person is NOT Stephen Singular.

BTS a book that stinks! I am a true crime fan and this book is without doubt the absolutely worse book of true crime that I have ever read!

I skipped the entire middle of the book and just read the last few pages.

"Pastor Clown" is a main character..and that tell you how stupid this book actually is!

It should not even get one star!