In spring of 1985, Dave Worrell, a police detective on Canada's Sunshine Coast, received a call: a young female provincial ward reported that she had been sexually assaulted by her school principal. Dave was no stranger to investigating allegations like these, but as he dove deeper into the suspect's history, it soon became clear that Robert Olav Noyes's actions were even more far-reaching and sinister than anyone could have imagined.
The Noyes case is infamous in British Columbia not only for the nature of the crime, but for the number of victims and the length of time he had been perpetrating; although he was ultimately charged with nineteen counts of sexual assault, he admitted to assaulting over sixty, and investigators believe the true count is in the hundreds. But how did he go unseen for so long?
With care and precision, Dave recounts the investigation, interviewing witnesses and gathering information, all as the small-town communities involved fall apart in the wake of Noyes's arrest. He unfolds the story piece by piece, then takes it to court, providing firsthand experience and transcripts of the gruelling court sessions to prosecute Noyes.
The Monster Within is a close look at the Noyes case written by the lead investigator himself, spanning from the nascent moments of the Noyes case to the aftermath of his sentence.
What happens when an American diplomat is exposed as a sexual abuser of young girls?
In her searing memoir, Kristin Louise Duncombe takes us back to her childhood in West Africa, where her life is a tapestry of lazy family days by the pool and secret abuse at the hands of an esteemed member of the close-knit US Embassy community. When the assailant is outed by one brave girl and more preteens come forward, the scandal is hushed up by the State Department, the parents' fight for justice goes nowhere and the abuser is simply transferred back to Washington. But the consequences for the girls he assaulted will last a lifetime.
Duncombe tells her globe-trotting story in dual timelines - her struggle as a traumatized teen to navigate her sexuality against a backdrop of abuse, and her life as an older-but-none-the-wiser adult seeking self-worth in unfulfilling relationships. When she finally finds the courage to leave her complicated marriage, it is by facing the demons that have haunted her since childhood.
Object is a coming-of-age story twice told: once when a little girl grows up too fast, and a second time, in middle age, when the woman she has become finally heals. This important book is a fierce indictment of the silencing of girls and women in the United States and abroad.
The true story of the murder of Margaret Anderson - raped on a pool table and left for dead near a manure pile - shocked the populace of Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the 1983 Christmas holiday. Though nearly beheaded, the single mother fought hard for her life. In the end, however, Margaret died, leaving her teen son motherless.
Author Mike Dauplaise practically makes the reader feel Margaret's last breaths as he recreates the night she was killed. He then takes us to her home state of Montana, and finally along the investigative pursuit of a lifetime. This America's Most Wanted drama ends nearly five years later with the capture of the last of her four attackers. Dauplaise exposes the motorcycle gang culture of the 1980s to reveal what was done to Margaret and the subsequent efforts to bring her attackers to justice. True crime enthusiasts will revel in the detail and the manhunt.
From Sarah Weinman, author of Scoundrel and The Real Lolita, comes an eye-opening story about the first major spousal rape trial in America and urgent questions about women's rights that would reverberate for decades.
In 1978, Greta Rideout was the first woman in United States history to accuse her husband of rape, at a time when the idea of marital rape seemed ludicrous to many Americans and was a crime in only four states. After a quick and conservative trial acquitted John Rideout and a defense lawyer lambasted that maybe rape is the risk of being married, Greta was ridiculed and scorned from public life, while John went on to be a repeat offender. Thrust into the national spotlight, Greta and her story would become a national sensation, a symbol of a country's unrelenting and targeted hate toward women and a court system designed to fail them at every turn.
A now little-remembered trial deserving of close, wide, and lasting attention, Sarah Weinman turns her signature intelligence and journalistic rigor to the enduring impact of this case. Oregon v. Rideout directly inspired feminist activists, who fought state by state for marital rape laws, a battle that was not won in all fifty until as recently as 1993. Mixing archival research and new reporting involving Greta, those who successfully pressed charges against John in later years, as well as the activists battling the courts in parallel, Without Consent embodies vociferous debates about gender, sexuality, and power, while highlighting the damaging and inherent misogyny of American culture then and still now.
Learn the traumatic consequences that will lead this officer into the darkest time of his life... A provocative read.
-Floy Turner, Best Selling Author of Behind Her Miami Badge
Beautiful women, a young detective, and the ultimate betrayal...
This true story of a heinous small-city crime is told by an insider, the public safety investigator, who not only knew the perpetrator, but became acquainted with the survivors-the true heroes of the case. Readers will follow Scott through the stressful and depressing long investigation and the arrest, and on to the courtroom drama. Scott reveals his personal foibles and the price he paid to take on this super-intense case as he witnessed the way women struggle with the long-lasting effects of sexual assault. Readers of the true crime genre and new officers alike should read this true story.
Robert Maudsley casually walked into the cell of another inmate, who was sleeping on his bunk facedown. A savage rage quickly took over, and Maudsley started stabbing the back of the man's head. There was blood, pieces of brain, and chunks of hair flying in a fury. After the man went limp, Maudsley grabbed the man's head and held it in both palms and started to smash it against the walls of the cell, so hard that the plaster began to fall off the ceiling.
Nurses and guards had to watch on, not being able to get into the cell, hearing the victim's head crack each time it was smashed against the wall. After Maudsley finished with the attack, he sat the limp body up against the bed, got down on his knees, and started to eat chunks of the brain with his home-made knife.
Robert Maudsley was dubbed Hannibal the Cannibal' on account of his thirst for eating the brains of his victims. He is one of the most interesting and thought-provoking murderers in prison. He will be housed in a bulletproof cage, in the basement of Wakefield Prison, England, where Britain hold its most savage, high-profile convicts. He is known to be such a danger to others, even inmates, he lives in a specially designed cell that doesn't allow him any contact with anybody, except for guards that will slide his food through a small hole at the bottom of one of his cells.
Robert Maudsley is deemed to be the 'Most Dangerous Prisoner in Britain.' Even though he only killed one person outside of prison, his remaining victims were claimed while incarcerated. This book reviews Maudsley's life from his tormented childhood, his rage-filled murder outside of prison, and the planned torturous murders of three convicted pedophiles.
In the basement of Wakefield, you might be surprised who else has been housed beside him, and what kind of relationship they have.
In the 1970s, a local baker harboured a dark secret that plunged Anchorage into a state of terror. Robert Hansen transformed the pristine Alaskan wilderness into his personal hunting ground.
For 12 years, Hansen lured his victims onto a plane and flew them to a remote cabin. He raped them and released them into the wild before hunting them down.As the remains of women began to surface, the authorities assembled to track down this merciless murderer.
The Hunt is a chilling account of Robert Hansen's reign of terror. It delves deep into the psyche of a serial killer and captures the reality of his monstrous acts. Ryan Green provides a suspenseful narrative that draws the reader into the real-life horror experienced by the victims with all the elements of a captivating thriller.
CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of abuse and extreme violence. If you are sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read further.In the tight-knit community of Lorain, Ohio, a whirlwind of horror swept through as unsettling allegations surfaced - a trusted bus driver and her alleged companion accused of shattering the innocence of preschoolers in the respected Head Start program. The verdict? Life-long prison sentences that would cast a shadow over a community, and initiate an untiring quest for truth.
'The Edge of Doubt' is a meticulously researched true crime narrative that delves into the reverberations of a sensational trial. This gripping tale is anchored in three decades of unwavering claims of innocence. As the pages turn, you'll find yourself torn between the scales of justice and the resilience of the human spirit.
In a world that is quick to judge, 'The Edge of Doubt' compels you to lend an ear to the whispers of truth. This is your invitation to dive into a powerful account that will challenge your assumptions and unveil the complexities of human nature.
Read it, and prepare to see the world with new eyes.
Known as the Vampire Rapist or Strangler Bill for his distinctive modus operandi, Wayne Boden would rape, strangle and bite the breasts of his victims. His murdering rampage would continue in two cities over three years; he was only caught by superior evidence gathering and the help of an orthodontist. This book asks the question of How do we really know our boyfriend or lover when we don't want to ask the questions, not only because we don't want to know the answers for what it will tell us about them, but because of what it tells us about ourselves? True Crime Author Alan R. Warren takes you through the details of the case including the dental impressions used in court to convict Boden, a first in Canadian history, as well as Boden's escape from a maximum-security prison.
The shocking true story of one of Britain's most secretive, groundbreaking and successful police covert operations
Bristol, 1979.
An attacker roams the streets...
Young women are warned not to go out alone...
Enter the Decoys.
For several years, a prolific predator haunted Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police had tried all their usual tactics to catch the 'Clifton Rapist', and public pressure was mounting.
In 1979, a daring new plan was introduced, unlike anything previously attempted by a UK police force. A small group of young female officers - some aged just 18 - put their lives on the line, walking the quiet residential roads late at night, acting as bait.
Drawing on in-depth research and first-hand interviews with the women at the heart of the operation, Decoy is a dramatic retelling of one of the most groundbreaking agent provocateur stings in British history.
The shocking crimes of a trusted teacher wrought lasting damage on Inuit communities in Canada's Arctic.
In the 1970s, a young schoolteacher from British Columbia was becoming the darling of the Northwest Territories education department with his dynamic teaching style. He was learning to speak the local language, Inuktitut, something few outsiders did. He also claimed to be Indigenous -- a claim that would later prove to be false. In truth, Edward Horne was a pedophile who sexually abused his male students.
From 1971 to 1985 his predations on Inuit boys would disrupt life in the communities where he worked -- towns of close-knit families that would suffer the intergenerational trauma created by his abuse.
Journalist Kathleen Lippa, after years of research, examines the devastating impact the crimes had on individuals, families, and entire communities. Her compelling work lifts the veil of silence surrounding the Horne story once and for all.
The Pete Hegseth Case: Unveiling the New Report and Its Impact on Leadership and Accountability takes readers into the heart of a high-profile controversy that has reignited national debates about leadership, ethics, and justice.
In this meticulously researched account, the book examines the resurfaced allegations against Pete Hegseth, a prominent public figure, following the release of a 22-page investigative report in 2024. From the alleged incident in 2017 to its far-reaching implications during Hegseth's nomination as Secretary of Defense, the narrative delves into the facts, the legal handling, and the polarising media coverage that shaped public opinion.
Balancing neutrality and thoroughness, this book explores critical themes such as the challenges of investigating high-profile individuals, the intersection of personal conduct and public roles, and the broader societal implications for accountability in leadership.
Whether you're interested in political dynamics, ethical leadership, or the role of media in shaping public discourse, The Pete Hegseth Case offers an in-depth and balanced perspective on one of the most debated cases in recent history.
For readers seeking a factual, thought-provoking analysis, this book provides an invaluable resource that encourages reflection on the complexities of power, justice, and public trust.
Henry Louis Wallace terrorized Charlotte, North Carolina, from May 1992 to March 1994.
Wallace preyed on lower economic class Black women between 17 and 35 years old. He knew most of his victims, some through his job at Taco Bell, and gained their trust with his friendly demeanor and gentle nature-concealing a monster fueled by drug abuse and rage against women.
A rarity in that he was an African American serial killer, his murderous rampage spurred controversy throughout the city. Community members accused local police of ignoring the murders because of the victims' race. Wallace attended the funerals of many of his victims and offered condolences to families. The ensuing investigation became the largest in North Carolina's history.
Wallace was eventually found guilty and convicted of nine counts of murder, but he admitted to more killings while incarcerated; he is potentially responsible for anywhere from 20 to 90 deaths of Black women. Wallace continues to appeal and awaits his execution at Central Prison in Raleigh.
BAD HENRY: The Murderous Rampage of 'The Taco Bell Strangler' by Ron Chepesiuk offers valuable insight into the psychology of serial killers and sheds light on issues surrounding race and policing.
Behind the Mask: Jeffrey Dahmer delves into the chilling and disturbing life of one of America's most notorious serial killers. This gripping book explores the twisted psyche, heinous crimes, and the shocking extent of Jeffrey Dahmer's atrocities. Through meticulous research and psychological analysis, it unveils the dark secrets and haunting details behind the mask of a serial killer.
Journey with me to investigate some of the most twisted true crimes in Unbelievable Crimes Volume Nine.
In this anthology, I'll visit some truly disturbing - yet mostly unheard of - crimes.
The first involves a truly horrific murder of a mother and her two daughters in Tampa Bay, Florida. It was the family's first trip out of their home state of Ohio, where they crossed paths with a heinous individual who had evil intentions for the trio.
Then, I cover the story of a brother who confessed to killing his younger sister. The only problem was that the DNA found on the body suggested otherwise.
I'll also explore the story of a woman's abduction at the hands of two women. The victim was beaten and starved by her captors before being released - but the truth of this case was something far more sinister.
Learn about these crimes and other lesser-known cases in the latest volume of Unbelievable Crimes.
As always, please remember that this book covers real-life cases that include depictions of violence, abuse, and murder.
In a powerful true-crime memoir, an Emmy Award-winning journalist seeks closure in a decades-long series of crimes and freedom from her own personal demons.
In April 1999, reporter Tamara Leitner woke to an active crime scene outside her Arizona apartment. Her neighbor had been sexually assaulted by a man who would later be identified as Claude Dean Hull II, a serial rapist who escaped justice for decades. New identities. New states. New victims--more than one hundred suspected across the country and thousands more victimized in myriad ways. Tamara's twenty-year compulsion to follow the investigation began.
She needed to question a failed system. She needed to know the women whose lives were irrevocably altered. And she needed to face the root of her obsession with Hull and his crimes.
In interviewing, befriending, and profoundly connecting with Hull's survivors, Tamara crafts a unique true-crime narrative. It not only reveals the struggles of the justice system to help victims of sexual violence but explores how these resilient women--and Tamara herself--strove to reclaim their power in the wake of indelible trauma.
An eloquent and unsettling story of recovery that features solid advice and encouragement for other trauma victims.
-Kirkus Reviews
Beads is the harrowing story of a rape victim determined to become a survivor by putting her life back together. It details her journey after suffering a brutal attack, confronting the devastating justice system, and ultimately discovering the other side of trauma: forgiveness and peace. Beads reveals the realities and challenges survivors face, as well as the roller coaster of emotions throughout their journey. Evoking outrage and hope, author Rachael Brooks tackles issues surrounding sexual assault that are still prevalent today. When will enough be enough? Rachael's definitive answer is now.