Rating: 
Summary: False Advertising: How It Feels To Get Screwed By A Penguin
Review: (From Robert Graysmith)The original version of "Zodiac Unmasked" was more than 15,000 pages in length and contained every fact I had managed to steal from Zodiackiller.com, among other sources, over the last two decades. Thanks to my nervous editor, the version that was published mistakingly contained all of the errors and lies you've come to expect from a Robert Graysmith book. Next up: Bob tackles the Anthrax mystery!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Trying to Solve the Zodiac Mystery
Review: Few serial killers has acheived as much fame as San Francisco's Zodiac Killer. Robert Graysmith has written the previous benchmark book on the subject, but attempts to expand on his accomplishments through Zodiac Unmasked. In this book, Graysmith reveals what many believe is the true identity of the Zodiac Killer. While Graysmith is to be commended for his research and knowledge of this subject, he should be reprimanded for his writing skills. Much of what he says is redundant and seems to to talk in circles for several pages with only the intention of lengthening the book. Aside from this shortcoming, the book is worth reading for true crime fans. Graysmith gives many details to support his argument. Because the story is not told chronologically, many of the details can be lost in the confusion by the average reader. It is advisable to take notes. The last few pages mark a timeline of the Zodiac killer as well as noting many of his communications. Overall, the book would be most interesting to those who are interested in true crime and the Zodiac Killer specifically. It is probably not the best book from which to start your knowledge of Zodiac.
Rating: 
Summary: Unmasking a serial killer
Review: Graysmith's book can be divided in two ways: the author's theory and the books presentation. Graysmith does a great job in laying out the facts and evidence to mark Arthur Allen as the Zodiac. The fact that Allen liked guns, build pipe bombs, and actually had a zodiac watch were all physical evidence that was piled against him. That no Zodiac murders were committed while Allen was in jail or happened after his death, and the proof that Arthur Allen was in the same vicinity as may of the murders also marks him as the killer. Graysmith proposed that practically everyone who came into contact with the Zodiac case viewed Arthur Leigh Allen as the best possible suspect as the Zodiac killer. After reading this book, I'd have to agree that Allen seems to fill all the criteria.
My biggest complaint with the book is in its presentation and setup. The book tends to read like a journal with daily entries being made. Yet the chapter titles were uncreative and were often repeated. A much better way could have been established to organize the book to make it more accessible to the readers.
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Summary: PS to my previous review
Review: I just saw a thing on ABC News Primetime last night---Arthur Leigh Allen, by DNA comparison (from his autopsy, and saliva from the flaps of authentic Zodiac letters) isn't the Zodiac killer. Several other suspects were eliminated by DNA comparison also. I guess everyone needs to return to the drawing board.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother with Bob Greysmith
Review: I read the book 'Zodiac' before, and decided to get 'Zodiac Unmasked' to see who this Zodiac guy really was. When I read it, I thought I was reading Tom Voigt's website, because I read all that before there. I've been to the crime scenes before too, and I looked for that hidden road Bob Greysmith said led right to that prime suspect's house, Arthur Leigh Allen. And I didn't see that road at all! I have some good friends who live in and near Vallejo, and they didn't ever hear of such a road and they can't find it either. That made me wonder how good Bob Greysmith's research really was! I know Mr. Voigt's research is great, so what Bob Greysmith copied from his website had to be too, but his own research really had me wondering, like that supposed hidden road that I think he just made up to make Arthur Allen look more guilty. Even though Arthur Allen might have been that Zodiac killer guy, Bob Greysmith's book 'Zodiac Unmasked' doesn't help his case at all and makes some of the other suspects like Theodore Kaczinsky or Jack Beeman look good. Save your hard earned money, I wish I did.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother with Bob Greysmith
Review: I read the book 'Zodiac' before, and decided to get 'Zodiac Unmasked' to see who this Zodiac guy really was. When I read it, I thought I was reading Tom Voigt's website, because I read all that before there. I've been to the crime scenes before too, and I looked for that hidden road Bob Greysmith said led right to that prime suspect's house, Arthur Leigh Allen. And I didn't see that road at all! I have some good friends who live in and near Vallejo, and they didn't ever hear of such a road and they can't find it either. That made me wonder how good Bob Greysmith's research really was! I know Mr. Voigt's research is great, so what Bob Greysmith copied from his website had to be too, but his own research really had me wondering, like that supposed hidden road that I think he just made up to make Arthur Allen look more guilty. Even though Arthur Allen might have been that Zodiac killer guy, Bob Greysmith's book 'Zodiac Unmasked' doesn't help his case at all and makes some of the other suspects like Theodore Kaczinsky or Jack Beeman look good. Save your hard earned money, I wish I did.
Rating:
Summary: Zodiac Unmasked is false advertising at its worst
Review: In April 2002, I purchased the hardcover edition of Robert Graysmith's Zodiac Unmasked, published by the Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc. I fully expected the book would contain exactly what it promised on its front flap: "...a complete reproduction of Zodiac's letters, incriminating envelopes, confidential notes, secret messages, and puzzles..." I was wrong. After investing almost $25, I spent several days thoroughly reading the book. When I finally reached the section featuring the photographic reproductions of the Zodiac's letters, here is what it read: "NOTE TO THE READER: The following letters and envelopes, along with those previously reproduced in ZODIAC, constitute all of the killer's exceedingly rare communications. Many of these letters have been lost by the police over the years. ZODIAC UNMASKED is the only place the reader can find these historical and chilling letters reproduced." Like other readers, the book's claim to contain reproductions of all the Zodiac's "historical and chilling letters" was a big part of my buying decision. To my shock, however, I had been blatantly ripped off by what I had considered to be a reputable publisher. No, Zodiac Unmasked did not contain "a complete reproduction of Zodiac's letters, incriminating envelopes, confidential notes, secret messages, and puzzles" as it had promised. In reality, the reader must also own a copy of Graysmith's Zodiac to have the complete collection. At least according to Zodiac Unmasked, that is. Putting their claim to the test, I scrutinized my copies of Zodiac and Zodiac Unmasked. The result? Amazingly, even if you combine both books, you still won't have reproductions of the entire collection of the killer's writings. Several letters and envelopes are missing. Of course, by the time you are likely to come to this realization, the spine will be broken and there won't be a refund in your future. The question is: Why would the publisher lie in the first place? Apparently it was to get my $25. That will never happen again, Robert Graysmith and Berkley Books/Penguin Putnam. I promise.
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Summary: Even the chapter titles are repetitive and confusing!
Review: Robert Graysmith's first book was riveting, so much so that I was compelled to read more on the subject. But "Zodiac Unmasked" was such a disappointment. While clearly there are many startling revelations in this book, the format in which it is laid out makes them difficult to find and nearly impossible to keep track of. I do believe the author makes a strong case against Arthur Leigh Allen, despite recent DNA evidence. It would be hard to find or recall from the book, but at one point Graysmith does say that A.L.A. would have had the foresight not to lick his own stamps or envelopes.
I think if this book had been written in a different format(a much shorter one for sure) with timelines and charts of facts, it would have been more enjoyable to read. Often the same piece of information is repeated over and over, making you wonder if you'd lost your place.
Also, the various names of Detectives and police investigators from different counties gets monotonous and confusing. Perhaps a chart with their various names/positions might have helped.
My husband bought me this book because he knew I enjoyed the first one. The only reason I finished it was because he kept asking me if I had read it yet.
Overall, a MOST unsatisfying read.
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Summary: curiosity killed the Kat!
Review: Robert Graysmith's first book ZODIAC I must admit to having read 5 times since it first came out. In the back of my copy are many articles clipped over the years on Z. I grew up in Marin county California and was a teen during Z's reign if terror. Robert Graysmiths 2nd attempt failed to ignite my fire. Frankly, his "facts" concerning ALA left me shaking my head. Hmmm... I see its listed used at Amazon for $2. Its worth it for that price. But don't spend $25 as I did on the hard cover. Will the identity of Z ever be known? Would he be so popular if he'd been caught? I don't think so. We, those interested in Z, have that intense desire to know who he is. I honestly can understand RG's obsession.
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Summary: Graysmith Unmasked
Review: Robert Graysmith, the author of this book has set himself up as THE expert on the Zodiac case. However, in his two books on the subject (the one under review being the second) he has disseminated plenty of misinformation. Graysmith's theory of the Zodiac killings is that they were committed by a man named Arthur Leigh Allen. Most of the book is a smear campaign against Allen. Graysmith reiterates his accusation, and then says it yet again, as though wishing would make it so. Unfortunately, not only does Allen not match any witness descriptions of the Zodiac, but Graysmith's main argument is hardly substantive. Graysmith states that a man who knew Allen one heard him say that he would "like to hunt people," because "Man is the most dangerous game," he continues, "I'd call myself `Zodiac.'" This is a "friend-of-a-friend" story which sounds suspiciously like an Urban Legend. This book purports to contain "the complete text" of the Zodiac letters "reprinted completely here for the first time." It doesn't. This is easy to demonstrate, because there is text in his first book that does not appear in this book. In another place, he claims to have solved one of the Zodiac's unsolved enciphered letters-- FBI cryptographers have rejected his solution, however, a detail he omits. Graysmith further describes a road that the Zodiac must have taken to escape the scene of the murders. He claims to have driven the road himself. No map of the time shows this road, and there is no trace of the road now. Several people have attempted to drive this road, and have not found it, nor the remnants of a closed road. Graysmith employs a lot of specious, negative evidence as well. He states that because the Zodiac was not demonstrably out of town or incapacitated during any one of the murders, he must have been present at the crime scenes. Moreover, the writing style of the book is rambling and unfocused-- something like "stream of consciousness" writing that writers of fiction use. His writing was much tighter and clearer in the first book, leaving one to wonder whether he perhaps had help with the first book, or otherwise rushed the second book to publication. Rushed in a way that shows contempt for the reader, and suggests Graysmith was in a hurry to collect royalties. Skip this one; there are other books on the Zodiac not written by Graysmith, such as "This Is the Zodiac Speaking" : Into the Mind of a Serial Killer by Michael D. Kelleher, and Sleep My Little Dead: The True Story of the Zodiac Killer by Kieran Crowley; try those instead.
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