True crime writing rarely gets better than this. After reading you feel you understand the main facts of the case, no small feat given that the crimes described took place in multiple states over the span of decades. Even more refreshingly, this author doesn’t commit the cardinal sin of true crime writing (especially writing about serial killers) and glorify or in any way give undue attention to the man who ruined so many lives. Instead, ample time is given to an in-depth and nuanced portrayal of each of the victims, their personalities, histories, ambitions and their potential cut short too soon. When the author does get around to describing the murderer, it is in a reserved, factual way, the spotlight is always on the victims themselves, the investigative process, and the scores of people whose dedicated work finally brought him to justice. Overall an excellent book about a little known case.