Charmer: A Ladies' Man and His Victims

Rating:
Summary: Un-charmed
Review: I read a lot of "True Crime" books. Maybe because it is encouraging when the forces of law & order "get their man [or woman]" and partly to ponder how a human psyche could go so wrong. I bought this book a long time ago, but put off reading it because there are no photographs. To this avid reader of the "True Crime" genre, photographs are very important. What does the defendant look like? What was the setting? Showing me the major participants makes the story more "real." This is the story of "Mysterious George" Russell, childhood "mascot" of the Mercer Island, Washington, P.D. Why was he so "charming" to his friends and victims? I don't know and the author/publisher chose not to tell us or show us. And Washington, again? What is it with the Pacific Northwest? A spawning ground for salmon, serial murderers (Ted Bundy, Green River et. al.)and chroniclers of serial murderers?

I am more impressed with "the other Olson" True Crime writer [see my review of Greg Olson's _Starvation Heights_ - 5 stars - about another murderer in the Seattle area] and the "Queen" of True Crime - Ann Rule - who has recently ventured out of the Pacific Northwest for her excellent _And Never Let Her Go_ [murder in Delaware] - also 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: From Mother Of One Of Russell's Victims
Review: I am the mother of one of Russell's victims in Jack Olsen's book "Charmer." George Russell attacked my daughter, she almost died ... she was given the Last Rites while in a coma state at the hospital. My daughter, however, was one of the luckiest of his victims and, by the grace of God, survived his brutal attack. There was much more that could have been told about Russell's brutality and the savagery of his crimes that are not in this book. It took me five years before I had the courage to buy and read "Charmer," but I'm glad I did. His book gives you good insight into this maniac killer. Prison is too good for this animal.

Rating:
Summary: I'll be locking my doors at night...
Review: I happened to be alone at home for the week when I decided to read this book-- and boy, was that a bad idea: I slept with all the lights on and deadbolted every door. While it is true that the author "drones" (as another reviewer said) on at times, and other points have the excitement level of a day's worth of CSPAN, I didn't really mind too much. I believe any young women interested in true crime should read this when they get a chance-- it might make you think twice about your companion or spouse. Criminals are very deceptive. All in all, this is a good book, and deserves a quick read; however, I'd probably just check it out from the library.

Rating:
Summary: I'll be locking my doors at night...
Review: I happened to be alone at home for the week when I decided to read this book-- and boy, was that a bad idea: I slept with all the lights on and deadbolted every door. While it is true that the author "drones" (as another reviewer said) on at times, and other points have the excitement level of a day's worth of CSPAN, I didn't really mind too much. I believe any young women interested in true crime should read this when they get a chance-- it might make you think twice about your companion or spouse. Criminals are very deceptive. All in all, this is a good book, and deserves a quick read; however, I'd probably just check it out from the library.

Rating:
Summary: Scared the heck out of me!
Review: I read lots and lots of true crime, and find Jack Olsen's novels to be among some of the best. Normally the stories themselves don't stay w/me for very long after I read them, but Charmer gave me goosebumps. This story of a charming young man with a secret life as a cat burgler and abuser/murderer of women horrified me. When some of the women who'd lived with and cared about him described the psychological games he'd play with them, like breaking into their homes and leaving threatening notes on their bed, or simply breaking into their homes and watching them while they slept I actually shuddered. Creepy and horrifying from the get go, and definitely one that will have you leaving your lights on long after you finish it!

Rating:
Summary: From Mother Of One Of Russell's Victims
Review: One reviewer found this book too much "just the facts, maam." But that's exactly what most mystery fans want. I thought Olsen did a great job of slowing exposing George's sinister character. I wish that the circumstances of his early childhood had been examined more for facts and not just "heresay". I came upon this book by accident, but will certainly read more of Olsen's work. It was a 1-day read for me- couldn't put it down. Carolyn

Rating:
Summary: JUST THE FACTS...
Review: The late great Jack Olsen is one of the greatest true crime writers around, along with Ann Rule. With this book, the author explores the life of George Russell, Jr., a young, highly intelligent African-American who lived with his mother, step-father, and half-sister in the affluent Seattle suburb of Mercer Island. There was little to indicate at the time that he would grow up to become a notorious serial killer, murdering three young women before being stopped.

The author gives a fact based account of what happened, relying heavily upon interviews of those who knew George Russell, Jr. It would appear that George was an ingratiating, silver tongued devil, with a propensity for lying. Still, this charismatic Svengali had a following among the very young teens with whom he would associate. He also had a peculiar approach towards women, based probably on the distorted and distant relationship with his own mother, a cold and austere woman who abandoned George to his step-father, when she divorced him.

The story of George Russell, Jr. and his infamous crimes is well laid out by the author in a no nonsense style. Those looking for tabloid sensationalism should look elsewhere. It is the facts, ma'm, strictly the facts, with little attempt at analysis. The book lacks crime scene photographs or even a photograph of the killer around whom this story unfolds. The book is simply a straightforward, take it or leave it presentation of this killer's story without input from the killer. Consequently, the book suffers somewhat from these omissions. Still, it is a well told tale that is sure to interest those with a penchant for the true crime genre.

Rating:
Summary: JUST THE FACTS...
Review: The late great Jack Olsen is one of the greatest true crime writers around, along with Ann Rule. With this book, the author explores the life of George Russell, Jr., a young, highly intelligent African-American who lived with his mother, step-father, and half-sister in the affluent Seattle suburb of Mercer Island. There was little to indicate at the time that he would grow up to become a notorious serial killer, murdering three young women before being stopped.

The author gives a fact based account of what happened, relying heavily upon interviews of those who knew George Russell, Jr. It would appear that George was an ingratiating, silver tongued devil, with a propensity for lying. Still, this charismatic Svengali had a following among the very young teens with whom he would associate. He also had a peculiar approach towards women, based probably on the distorted and distant relationship with his own mother, a cold and austere woman who abandoned George to his step-father, when she divorced him.

The story of George Russell, Jr. and his infamous crimes is well laid out by the author in a no nonsense style. Those looking for tabloid sensationalism should look elsewhere. It is the facts, ma'm, strictly the facts, with little attempt at analysis. The book lacks crime scene photographs or even a photograph of the killer around whom this story unfolds. The book is simply a straightforward, take it or leave it presentation of this killer's story without input from the killer. Consequently, the book suffers somewhat from these omissions. Still, it is a well told tale that is sure to interest those with a penchant for the true crime genre.