Released October 4, 2011
Published by Berkley Books (U.S.)
and Penguin Canada.
Release Date: October 4, 2011.
AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU.
Colonel Russell Williams was a distinguished base commander for the largest Canadian air force installation in the country. He was a trusted soldier - one who had personally piloted prime ministers, dignitaries, and members of the royal family. A husband to a proud and loyal wife who herself commanded respect as an executive for a well-known humanitarian foundation. He was a brother to a distinguished doctor, and a stepson to one of the world’s most prominent nuclear physicists. A man who had grown up in a government-created “utopian” town, attended a prestigious boarding school, played trumpet in his high school band, and later earned an economics and political sciences degree from the University of Toronto. He owned a $700,000 home in an exclusive neighborhood of the nation’s capital, and a quaint cottage hideaway in the country.
He was also a serial rapist and murderer; a sexual sadist out of control.
Under the cover of darkness his alter-ego would emerge, transforming the highly-respected military officer into a depraved and dangerous predator.
His crime spree continued unabated for two years during which time he broke into dozens of homes, stalked and sexually assaulted vulnerable women, and then committed two sex killings before being caught. He remained under the radar of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Defence Minister, the Royal Family, as well as those nearest and dearest to him.
In the meantime, Colonel Williams had tried to frame his next-door neighbor, Larry Jones, who had become a prime suspect in the sexual assaults and break-ins and a major focus of police attention.
He barely escaped discovery by a lone female police officer who noticed his oddly-parked vehicle at a soon-to-be crime scene. Williams lurked in the bushes as the officer knocked on the door. She left after getting no answer. Jessica Lloyd returned home an hour later and was never seen alive again.
Following his arrest, the nation was aghast. How could such a high-achieving military officer have sunk to such depravity? Why was he not detected? Were military screening protocols too lax? The military establishment found themselves in damage control mode from a blood-thirsty public that demanded answers.
After all, as children we were all told by our parents and teachers to respect those in authority. To admire them and to seek them out in times of trouble. And, most importantly, to always place our trust in them.
However, great danger lies in what we weren’t told.
That sometimes evil will masquerade as good.
That sometimes the people you trust and respect the most will betray you.
That sometimes the person you assume will protect you will instead rape and murder you, without remorse.
And that you really shouldn’t trust the lumberjack any more than the Big Bad Wolf.
That’s the real world.
The world of Colonel Russell Williams.
and Penguin Canada.
Release Date: October 4, 2011.
AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU.
Colonel Russell Williams was a distinguished base commander for the largest Canadian air force installation in the country. He was a trusted soldier - one who had personally piloted prime ministers, dignitaries, and members of the royal family. A husband to a proud and loyal wife who herself commanded respect as an executive for a well-known humanitarian foundation. He was a brother to a distinguished doctor, and a stepson to one of the world’s most prominent nuclear physicists. A man who had grown up in a government-created “utopian” town, attended a prestigious boarding school, played trumpet in his high school band, and later earned an economics and political sciences degree from the University of Toronto. He owned a $700,000 home in an exclusive neighborhood of the nation’s capital, and a quaint cottage hideaway in the country.
He was also a serial rapist and murderer; a sexual sadist out of control.
Under the cover of darkness his alter-ego would emerge, transforming the highly-respected military officer into a depraved and dangerous predator.
His crime spree continued unabated for two years during which time he broke into dozens of homes, stalked and sexually assaulted vulnerable women, and then committed two sex killings before being caught. He remained under the radar of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Defence Minister, the Royal Family, as well as those nearest and dearest to him.
In the meantime, Colonel Williams had tried to frame his next-door neighbor, Larry Jones, who had become a prime suspect in the sexual assaults and break-ins and a major focus of police attention.
He barely escaped discovery by a lone female police officer who noticed his oddly-parked vehicle at a soon-to-be crime scene. Williams lurked in the bushes as the officer knocked on the door. She left after getting no answer. Jessica Lloyd returned home an hour later and was never seen alive again.
Following his arrest, the nation was aghast. How could such a high-achieving military officer have sunk to such depravity? Why was he not detected? Were military screening protocols too lax? The military establishment found themselves in damage control mode from a blood-thirsty public that demanded answers.
After all, as children we were all told by our parents and teachers to respect those in authority. To admire them and to seek them out in times of trouble. And, most importantly, to always place our trust in them.
However, great danger lies in what we weren’t told.
That sometimes evil will masquerade as good.
That sometimes the people you trust and respect the most will betray you.
That sometimes the person you assume will protect you will instead rape and murder you, without remorse.
And that you really shouldn’t trust the lumberjack any more than the Big Bad Wolf.
That’s the real world.
The world of Colonel Russell Williams.
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