The Killer's Shadow

The FBI's Hunt for a White Supremacist Serial Killer

By: John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker

Narrated by: Holt McCallany

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The legendary FBI criminal profiler and international bestselling author of Mindhunter and The Killer Across the Table returns with this timely, relevant book that goes to the heart of extremism and domestic terrorism, examining in-depth his chilling pursuit of, and eventual prison confrontation with Joseph Paul Franklin, a White Nationalist serial killer and one of the most disturbing psychopaths he has ever encountered.

Worshippers stream out of an Midwestern synagogue after sabbath services, unaware that only a hundred yards away, an expert marksman and avowed racist, antisemite and member of the Ku Klux Klan, patiently awaits, his hunting rifle at the ready.

The October 8, 1977 shooting was a forerunner to the tragedies and divisiveness that plague us today. John Douglas, the FBI’s pioneering, first full-time criminal profiler, hunted the shooter—a white supremacist named Joseph Paul Franklin, whose Nazi-inspired beliefs propelled a three-year reign of terror across the United States, targeting African Americans, Jews, and interracial couples. In addition, Franklin bombed the home of Jewish leader Morris Amitay, shot and paralyzed Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, and seriously wounded civil rights leader Vernon Jordan. The fugitive supported his murderous spree robbing banks in five states, from Georgia to Ohio.

Douglas and his writing partner Mark Olshaker return to this disturbing case that reached the highest levels of the Bureau, which was fearful Franklin would become a presidential assassin—and haunted him for years to come as the threat of copycat domestic terrorist killers increasingly became a reality. Detailing the dogged pursuit of Franklin that employed profiling, psychology and meticulous detective work, Douglas and Olshaker relate how the case was a make-or-break test for the still-experimental behavioral science unit and revealed a new type of, determined, mission-driven serial killer whose only motivation was hate.

A riveting, cautionary tale rooted in history that continues to echo today, The Killer's Shadow is a terrifying and essential exploration of the criminal personality in the vile grip of extremism and what happens when rage-filled speech evolves into deadly action and hatred of the “other" is allowed full reign.

©2020 John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker (P)2020 HarperAudio

All about one killer

I enjoyed that it stayed on one killer. And other stories that support the narrative. But it finished with a little bit of bias.

Another interesting story

I had to listen a few times to get the whole story with this one, but it’s another good story from John Douglas.
Holy also does a great hillbilly accent.

Worth a listen.

Very interesting story. Took a little time to get used to narrator’s voice and style and found the whole story a little self congratulatory. Could have had more detail in relation to specific crimes. Overall well worth a listen though.

Detailed and fascinating

An excellent account of Behavioral Science and of the cancer of bigotry and hate that is all too prevalent in our world today.

best audio narration ive heard..

Holt McCallany not only has a great voice for this type of book, i think his acting ability and understanding of both John Douglas and Robert Ressler tremendously enhanced the book.. This was excellent. As always John Douglas furthers our understanding of criminal psychopaths.
I'm Hopefull to hear more John Douglas books narrated by Holt McCallany.

Great Listen!

John Douglas does a great job laying out the facts for he and Mark Olshaker to craft a compelling narrative about the motivations of Franklin, and the investigation leading to his arrest, convictions, and ultimate execution for his horrendous crimes. Narrator masterfully expresses the emotions of those involved through his reading.

Profiler of Franklin

This was a case I did not know about so it was very interesting. Hard to put down or even pause.

Fabulous

Just like the other books this one doesn’t disappoint. Be safe. It’s hard to believe someone has this much hate.

Another great one!

Well done and kept my interest throughout the book. I hadn’t heard of this killer before so it was even better than most other books he’s written. Great narration!

Great book

Loved the narration! A good eye opener to the prevalent racism in our nation. This book sheds light on the violent nature of racism.