The I-5 Killer (Signet True Crime S.)

Media:	Mass Market Paperback
Author:	Ann Rule
Publisher:	Signet Book
Release date:	01 August, 1989
Our price:	$7.99

The I-5 Killer (Signet True Crime S.)

Average rating: Stars

A Tale of Terror

The I-5 Killer is the shocking story of a serial killer that nearly played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers. It is supposed that he may have been cut for his tendancy for exposing himself which he may have exercised in Green Bay. It was after Randall Woodfield was cut that his life began spiraling into a muderous cycle.

Randall Woodfield was a gifted athlete even at a young age. Even in his youth, he was a sexual deviant with a strong propensity for exposing himself in public. Unfortunately, his deviancy was never treated. He was arrested once, but it was overlooked as he initiated his football career. After the Packers cut him, he returned home and was arrested when he attempted a sexual assault on a plain clothed female officer. After two years in prison, he was on the street with a greater thirst for sexual assault. All of his murders were along the I-5 highway between Oregon and California which led to his nickname. It is believed that he was responsible for twenty-two crimes ranging from rape to murder.

While this book was a great work of true crime, it also highlights the flaws in the criminal justice system. Randall Woodfield was incarcerated too many times for predatory sexual crimes to be allowed future opportunities at freedom. It is sad to realize that his murder spree could have been avoided. At the very least, treatment for his sexual deviancies could have been attempted.

The I-5 Killer (Signet True Crime S.) - Ann Rule

early Ann Rule work is competent but somewhat hollow...

'The I-5 Killer' is a decent but unremarkable effort by Ann Rule, the queen of true crime novels. While it does give accounts of horrible sexual crimes and murders by a completely unrepetent monster, the book lacks many elements of Ann Rule's better works: intricate courtroom drama, in-depth analysis of the criminal's background, and detailed chronology of the police/forensic work done in proving the criminal's guilt. I suppose all this is unsurprising since 'The I-5 Killer' is only about half the length of Ann Rule's best works (eg, 'The Stranger Beside Me').

Bottom line: certainly very readable and credible, but Ann Rule can and has done better.

Ann Rule - The I-5 Killer (Signet True Crime S.)

Ann Rule is a Fabulous Writer!

This book, like many other Ann Rule books that I have read, was incredible. Through her descriptions you almost feel as though you are playing a part in the book. She is GREAT!

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