Butcher, Baker: A True Account of a Serial Murder

This is the true story of Robert Hansen,the worst serial killer in Alaska's history. He was a baker,amateur pilot,and avid hunter that preyed on prostitutes. He benefitted from his choice of victims. Prostitutes and dancers passed in and out of Alaska lured by the prospect of easy money servicing workers on the pipeline. And the local police didn't view them as credible witnesses. However,the FBI profilers had an accurate profile of Hansen in this case. Coincidentally,Hansen was a contemporary of the infamous Green River killer who was similar in stature and also preyed on hookers. The authors do an excellent job in writing from the view of the lead investigator who refused to quit despite the grueling process of putting together an air-tight case for the D.A. Hansen eventually confessed to killing over a dozen prostitutes but never admitted killing other women that weren't in that profession. In his own words-"I can't see anything in it for me,what's done is done. It's behind me now." A callous reponse to a request to cooperate in possibly solving more murders that he probably committed. The man has no remorse whatsoever. After reading of the evidence he had stashed in his home you will probably come to the same conclusion. He killed more women than he will ever admit to. A very well written true crime book. The authors managed to keep my attention focused even with the details of the trial,which can get boring.

This book is written by a real-life professional homicide investigator. Mr. Gilmour was an investigator with the Alaska State Troopers for many years and was, and still is, one of the most astute criminal investigators you will ever meet. This book details the incredible amount of work it takes to catch a serial killer. The most amazing part is that he has not made any changes to the story to make it "more exciting" or "more readable." The story certainly does need it. In my opinion, in this book rivals Capote's In Cold Blood, but without making up any facts.