Rating: 
Summary: Crime, slightly true
Review: Being in my mid-thirties and from the midwest, I had only a passing familiarity with the case of the Zodiac killer. After deciding to learn more I looked around and this book was repeatedly referred to as the definitive account. After finishing reading it I've come to the conclusion that the book's reputation is well-earned.From at least 1968 until perhaps as late as the mid-1970s a killer was on the loose in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The killer would commit especially brutal murders and then send taunting letters to newspapers. In these letters were zodiacal symbols (hence his nom de murder) and ciphers which, if decoded, allegedly contained clues to his real identity. Zodiac is officially credited with six murders although he claimed to have killed thirty seven. In the end, no conclusive evidence was ever found tying these murders to anyone and the killer was never caught. Robert Graysmith does a very good job of organizing the book. Each chapter focuses on a victim, Zodiac or a major player in the story. Each chapter is in turn sub-divided into days much like a diary. As such, the tale unfolds in a linear manner that allows you to learn of the personalities involved and their place in the events that occurred whilst still maintaining the thread of the story. While pertinent facts are introduced, the reader is not inundated with detail. There are also helpful appendices of victims and possible victims, the killer's letters, et al. Although no one was ever charged with the murders there were a few suspects. Mr. Graysmith introduces the suspects to us and details the case against them. In the end the author does have a "favorite" suspect and he provides ample justification for his choice. The author's account of seeing the suspect in person is quite chilling. At the time of the original publication of this book, the suspect was still alive so the author had to tread carefully. Since that time, the suspect has died and Mr. Graysmith has acquired enough additional information that he felt comfortable in formally accusing the suspect in a book entitled "Zodiac Unmasked." If you're looking for a history of the Zodiac killings and a compelling read, Zodiac by Robert Graysmith fills the bill nicely. However, the hard reality of the case -- the senseless slaying of innocent people and a killer who is never brought to justice -- makes this a reading experience that is more than a little unsettling.
Rating: 
Summary: Zodiac
Review: I have a great fascination with the turbulent history and weirdness that was the California bay area during the 60's and 70's. Beatniks, hippies, Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels, the Black Panthers, the S.L.A, riots and civil unrest, SF evolving from hippie mecca to homosexual mecca, multitudes of nutty political and religious groups, and way too much other lunacy for me to list. Even today in spite of the yuppification of the area you can still feel the ghosts of the past in the air. On top of all that there was the Zodiac Killer who would taunt the police with encrypted messages with occult symbology that he demanded be put on the front page of the newspaper. After all his taunting and arrogance the Zodiac was never caught. Pretty great account of the murders and investigation that will make you paranoid of every odd sound you hear around the house at night while your reading it.
Rating:
Summary: A very chilling account of terror
Review: I read this book almost 11 years ago and I can still remember almost all of the events that happened. The Zodiac has to be one of the most cunning and elusive serial killers since Jack the Ripper. They both (Zodiac and Jack) have the destinction of never being caught. The author of the book does a fantastic job of telling the tale with chilling clarity that is not often found in true crime tales anymore. The background of the events from 1966 (when the Zodiac first started killing) up to the late 1960's/early 1970's puts the reader almost into the investigators shoes of trying to catch this elusive and very intelligent killer. This is a definite MUST read to any fan of true crime or mystery readers. Kudo's to the author.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: I'm amused at some of the reviews posted here regarding this tale. Some reviewers seem to think this book is Gospel, others seem to think it's fabrication. If any of them really know one way or the other, why don't they come forward and solve the case for us? Gimme a break. The fact is that this book, although admittedly not written with the style and flair of a Capote or Crichton, is a personal account of one man's involvement in a remarkable case of a serial killer who came to be known as Zodiac. The author was working at the San Francisco Chronicle at the time the killings began, and that newspaper was central to the coverage of the gruesome, pointless killings perpetrated by the one or more individuals known as Zodiac. There are inconsistencies in the book because it is a chronicle of the author's investigations. At one point he thinks a certain person is very involved, becomes convinced he's the guy, then later finds he's probably wrong. It's a maddening case for many reasons, and this book makes that clear. It's fascinating, and I found it very hard to put down. The website zodiackiller.com has arrived at different conclusions than this author, and they are equally valid and interesting. That does not negate the fact that this book is a good read, unless you're expecting a literary talent on the level of Tom Clancy or Stephen King.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: I'm amused at some of the reviews posted here regarding this tale. Some reviewers seem to think this book is Gospel, others seem to think it's fabrication. If any of them really know one way or the other, why don't they come forward and solve the case for us? Gimme a break. The fact is that this book, although admittedly not written with the style and flair of a Capote or Crichton, is a personal account of one man's involvement in a remarkable case of a serial killer who came to be known as Zodiac. The author was working at the San Francisco Chronicle at the time the killings began, and that newspaper was central to the coverage of the gruesome, pointless killings perpetrated by the one or more individuals known as Zodiac. There are inconsistencies in the book because it is a chronicle of the author's investigations. At one point he thinks a certain person is very involved, becomes convinced he's the guy, then later finds he's probably wrong. It's a maddening case for many reasons, and this book makes that clear. It's fascinating, and I found it very hard to put down. The website zodiackiller.com has arrived at different conclusions than this author, and they are equally valid and interesting. That does not negate the fact that this book is a good read, unless you're expecting a literary talent on the level of Tom Clancy or Stephen King.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best true crime stories I've read!
Review: In a time span of 1968 and into the late 1970s, the San Francisco Bay area was haunted by a hooded psychopath calling himself Zodiac. Claiming six in his murderous trek, the real count could be Zodiac's claimed thirty-seven. Or it could be fifty. They never caught the Zodiac. Bob Graysmith writes a true crime horror story that is intriguing and frightening since the guy got away. In this book, you will read the complete text of the killer's letters, hundreds of little known facts, and Graysmith's theory of who the Zodiac is. This is a must read for any true crime buff; it is meticulously detailed and I have been unable to put it down. P.S. The 1971 film DIRTY HARRY with Clint Eastwood molded this story to film: a hooded killer terrorizing the city sends bizarre letters filled with demands. It's not exact, but it's still close. It does have an ending I wished for reality: The Killer gets blasted away by Clint's gun.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Robert Graysmith has gotten a lot of bad publicity lately but this book is a must-have for anyone interested in the unsolved Zodiac murders. Graysmith lists everything he was allowed to write when this book came out. Thankfully, the sequel (Zodiac Unmasked) has the rest.
Rating: 
Summary: The Kat's Meow!
Review: Since I wrote a lousy short review about Zodiac Unmasked, in all fairness, I thought I'd say that I personally thought this book ZODIAC is excellent. Its an easier read than Zodiac Unmasked. I bought it when it first came out and have read it 5 times. Yes, it scared me. I have been interested in the Z since I was a teen living in Marin county CA at the time of the killings. Last year my step son asked if he could borrow this book. I said NO WAY! This copy doesn't leave my house. If you are new to the Zodiac, read this book. If you want to be frightened, read this book. Every time I go through Vallejo, I think of the Z. As a teen he invaded my thoughts. My friends and I were afraid of him and the subject came up a lot. Once, in 1971, I was riding my horse with a friend and we saw someone in a white, or light-color car acting totally nuts. Who do you think we thought of? For those of us who have been obsessed and haunted by the Z, this book meets our desires.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This book is a great book and I would recommend it to anybody who likes to read. It is very interesting and there are many facts which have never before benn published. Graysmith mentions many things that really get you thinking which makes the book much more interesting. DEFINITELY A GOOD BOOK!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very telling account of the Zodiac Investigation
Review: This is an excellent book for learning about the crimes of the Zodiac killer and the investigation surrounding finding him. The author has went to great lengths to obtain info from the actual police case file and compiled it in chronological order. There is no speculation, only facts. So much better than other true crime novels since it is based on the actual facts and not speculation.
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