Fascinating and couldn't put it down. I think one thing every true crime narration could use is a visual timeline to tie everything together, it's especially helpful when there are Jane Doe's as they have less qualities to tie them into the narrative but are equally important to reference.

I was a little bit unsure about some of the author's takes, for example when talking about Karen/Brigitte she mentions that she was such a promiscuous 13 yo [CHILD] that her teacher tried to sneak into her window. Because SHE teased him so much. 💀 Just no. While she may have been trying to flirt with her teacher, she was very much still a kid and he doesn't get a pass for trying to crawl into a child's window. Sure, the event was a different time, but the writing about it isn't.

This was a very interesting book. I hadn't heard of this case before and now it has me wanting to learn more about it.

Caitlin Rother’s Body Parts is a gripping and well-researched true crime novel that delves into one of the most unsettling yet thought-provoking cases in recent history. The book follows the life and crimes of a serial killer who not only committed horrific acts but also made the rare decision to turn himself in. This paradox alone makes the case deeply complex, and Rother does an excellent job of navigating its many layers.
What sets Body Parts apart is its meticulous research. Rother pieces together a clear and compelling narrative, even when the perpetrator’s own version of events is chaotic and contradictory. She relies heavily on court transcripts, testimonies, and interviews to provide an authentic and detailed account, ensuring that readers are immersed in the reality of the case. Despite the disturbing subject matter, the book remains focused on the facts, allowing readers to form their own conclusions rather than sensationalizing the crimes.
Another strength of the book is Rother’s ability to humanize everyone involved. She presents the victims with care and respect while also offering insight into the psychology of the killer. This balance makes the story even more unsettling, as it forces readers to confront difficult questions about morality, justice, and the nature of evil.
Overall, Body Parts is a powerful and thought-provoking addition to the true crime genre. It’s a challenging read, not just because of its gruesome details, but because it compels readers to think deeply about the contradictions within the case. For anyone interested in true crime, forensic psychology, or criminal justice, this book is well worth the read.

For true crime addicts. Wayne Adam Ford is a serial killer who was convicted in California of raping, murdering and dismembering four women. These are the women they could prove, there is evidence of many more. Why is he famous? He turned himself in. Caitlin Rother has done her due diligence in the research of this monster's life. Her skilled writing brings the horror of his crimes home to all those who would question how a person could do this.

A note to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It didn't take long for this writing to have me utterly gripped and horrified at the unfolding crimes that took place, this is definitely going to lead to me having a deep dive into the case.
I knew some vague information about this case but I feel like this really gave some valuable insight into Wayne Adam For's background and the crimes he later committed.
I was feeling strong pangs of pity when this explored his earlier years but soon replaced by horror when we learn more about what was to come.

It leaves you questioning both sides, if he truly had no control over what he was doing at the time or if he was very good at concealing this when later questioned.

This book really gave a perfect summary and included plenty of clearly well-researched detail which was evident throughout.

This book is incredibly heavy going and just repeats itself a lot. The true crime aspect of it is interesting but i'm afraid that's the only really positive I can offer. I won't post the review elsewhere as I don't want to damage potential sales

This book is very graphic. What Adam does to his Victims.

Wayne came off as a nice guy but committed these heinous crimes.

A good chunk of the book deals with the trial.

I like Caitlin Rother but she has better books.


Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an arc to review

In her latest novel, Body Parts, investigative journalist / author Caitlin Rother takes the reader behind the scenes of a riveting true crime thriller for an in depth look at a highly publicized serial killer murder case set in Humboldt County, California.

In November 1998, Wayne Adam Ford turned himself into the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office with a woman's body part in his pocket, claiming that he's hurt some people and didn't want to do it anymore. What ensues is an extensive investigation spanning four California counties, a total of four female murder victims, and a trial that led to the torture and murder death row conviction of the Humboldt County Serial Killer, Wayne Adam Ford.

Body Parts was first published on March 1, 2009, and now with an updated version published on February 25, 2025, author Caitlin Rother provides new developments to the case, the identification of victim number one via DNA testing and forensic genealogy twenty-five years after her murder.

Body Parts is a riveting true crime story that easily draws the reader in from the start, keeping them captivated as the author weaves a thoroughly intriguing and intricate recounting of a sadistic sexual serial killer murder case.

The author provides the reader with a fascinating and richly detailed and in depth look into the back stories and lives of each participant; extensive research of the investigative and legal aspects of the case; and a photo insert.

You can't help but get drawn into this complicated, fascinating, and multi-layered story, it is a gripping dark account of the sadistic sexual serial killer murders wrought by Wayne Adam Ford. It is shocking and mind boggling that this sadistic sexual predator committed such heinous sexual torture and murders of four innocent victims. After an extensive and determined investigation and pursuit of justice for the four women's families, the reader follows a haunting tale of the senseless murders by a narcissistic man that eventually led up to his conviction and death penalty sentence.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this was one of the most disturbing true crime stories that I have ever read. I had no sympathy for this narcissistic serial killer, and I felt that turning himself in was solely because of his feelings of guilt and nothing more.

Body Parts is a gripping and chilling account of a sexual serial killer murder case that is a must read for all true crime fans.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2025/02/body-parts-by-caitlin-rother-book-review.html

Great book for any true crime lover that can handle a bit of gore. I found it interesting and a good read. I know this is an updated version and I did not read the previous one. But this was great. Good job by the author and well researched. Interesting read.

**Thank you to Net-Galley, Caitlin Rother, and Kensington Publishing for the e-ARC of this book!**

DNF @ 25%

the premise is interesting (a serial killer that turns himself in?) but he is so heinous and so blatantly evil and gross that I don't even want to know the the other things he did. I can guess. There is also little analysis aside from repeated mentions of the effects of head injuries. I do not feel the need to read about a man brutalizing women if there is no major hypothesizing to be done.

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)

Publication date: 25 February 2025
Publisher: Kensington Publishing

Wow, this book was so interesting and I was hooked whenever I read it at night before sleep. Everyone avoids true crime before they sleep but I can read all the gory details and still sleep well.

Body Parts by Caitlin Rother is a chilling true crime story that definitely delivers on the "chilling" part. Wayne Adam Ford is a truly disturbing character and Rother does a good job of exploring the darkness within him, though sometimes I felt like I was wading a little too deep into the muck. The investigation and trial were fascinating and the book is meticulously researched which is both a pro and a con. On the one hand, the detail is impressive; on the other, at times it felt a bit overwhelming because there were so many transcripts and testimonies which we didn't need to read to that full extent. The updated section about identifying Ford's first victim after 25 years was a compelling addition and what made me request for the ARC. My biggest issue? While the book is undoubtedly gripping, it sometimes felt a little too sensationalised, like it was leaning a tad too hard on the "shock value" of the crimes. Also, although the first victim was identified she wasn't written about much in the book itself, I do not recall reading her name even. I had to look it up and read about her. In a way, I didn't feel that that aspect of the blurb was accomplished and it felt more like a bait. Overall, a solid true crime read but be prepared for some seriously unsettling content.

Also, I learned that he is still alive on death row. I wonder what is he doing right now within his four walls.

I am grateful to have received a free advanced reader copy of this book, and am leaving a review voluntarily. This seems to be a well researched, very informative recount of the events surrounding Wayne Adam Ford's crimes, confessions, investigation, and trial. I found it to be a bit bland in presentation of the information, however, I am well versed in these fields and, therefore, am desensitized to the information. For this reason, I was less eager to read this book than I have been with other works of fiction and nonfiction that I had read lately. Nonetheless, I very much appreciated the detail of information provided.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC.

This book was really eye opening to me. There were so many details given to the reader about Wayne and his victim(s). I have mixed feelings.

“Something About Wayne.”

History dictates serial killers don’t stop until they are caught, locked up for other crimes or dead…. So what made Wayne Adam Ford, an American serial killer walk into the Humboldt County Sheriff Department on November 2, 1998, with his brother, confessing to hurting people. When doubted by law enforcement officers, he pulled out a woman’s severed breast from his coat pocket.

Body Parts by Caitlin Rother, is a well researched look at who Wayne was, and the case surrounding the death of his four victims.

Originally published in 2009 this rerelease promises updated shocking details about the identity of Wayne’s first victim. I won’t be able to clarify if there is new information within the book as I have not read the first published edition. In fact, until I saw this book, I hadn’t heard of Wayne Adam Ford.

I feel this book gives the reader an in-depth look at who Wayne was and who his victims were. It takes you inside the police interviews and the court case. Some may say this section of the book dragged a bit, but one has to remember it took seven years after Wayne turned himself in, to bring this case to court.

Without a doubt, like all serial killers, Wayne Ford is a master manipulator. Yes he turned himself in, but then in my opinion he played a game with law enforcement, controlling the narrative and I honestly believe more than four young women died at Wayne’s hands.

I lost some respect for the author after the authors notes and acknowledgements.
There are some ethical questions about profiting from true crime and I don't feel they were considered here at all.

The book is extremely data heavy and there are a lot of people to keep track of. Given that it seems the author had little to no contact with the victims families and none were interviewed for this I think that perhaps some cousins etc could maybe have been left out and the story still told.

I read this as an ARC and it is billed as having new information about the first victim. The copy i read contained no information about identifying the first victim and doesn't actually mention her name or how they found out who she was, at all.

Further more the synopsis suggests that Wayne murdered as result of a severe head injury- something that was never corroborated either in the case or the book. In fact this was directly contradicted by both his partner at the time of the injury and himself- he gave other motives for his actions. This is a huge disservice to people with traumatic brain injuries.

The court section was very dry and I think a bit too long.

I felt very much that throughout the book Wayne Ford was painted as a sympathetic Lennie type unassuming giant that didn't know his own strength and was mentally not responsible for his actions (Of Mice and Men) Instead of the murdering sexual sadist he is and the liar he was proved to be during an outburst in court during the sentencing portion.

I do like that the cover has been updated.

1.5 stars because the synopsis is misleading and the new info wasn't there.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 25, 2025
“Body Parts: A Serial Killer’s Deadly Compulsions” by journalist-turned-author Caitlin Rother, is a compelling look at the twisted mind and crimes of serial killer Wayne Adam Ford. This edition has been released with new details of Wayne Adam Ford’s first victim, details that only came to light twenty-five years later.
Wayne Ford is one of the more underrepresented Pacific Northwest serial killers. At a time when that geographic area was almost inundated with the morose and the gory, Ford likely got lost among killers such as Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgway. However, his story is just as tragic and the damage to his victims just as gruesome.
Rother presents Ford’s life in chronological order, starting with his childhood and family life and ending with his apprehension and trial. In between, of course, Rother provides details on Ford’s victims and their families. Written this way, everything one wants to know about Ford (well, everything that he is willing to share) is depicted through Rother’s careful research using trial notes, police reports and conversations with those in Wayne’s social circle (such as it was).
Why is Ford so remarkable that he warrants his own story? Unlike most serial killers of the time, Ford did not wait to be caught. He walked into the police station, after some coercion from his brother, and admitted to officers that he had done “bad things” and no longer wanted to “hurt people”. Oh, he also had a severed breast in his coat pocket. (“Body Parts” is aptly named as all of Ford’s victims- and presumed victims- were raped, strangled and dismembered, left in or near bodies of water.)
I was particularly interested in Ford’s upbringing, although both of his parents continue to tell different stories about how functional (or dysfunctional) Wayne’s childhood was. It was clear early on, however you look at it, that Ford was a very unstable individual. As the detailed court proceedings reveal, his sanity (or lack thereof) was on trial as well, as his lawyers debated an insanity defense (which was not successful).
After four rapes and murders (and many more supposed ones), Ford was sentenced to death, although he still sits on death row. Rother was detailed in her presentation of the case while managing to be respectful of the victims’ and their families. Ford is an interesting case, seeming to be either extremely pathetic or extremely manipulative depending on the circumstances, and I was fascinated with the psychological components and Rother’s attention to detail.
“Body Parts” is the perfect true crime story for fans who are interested in the development of a serial killer. Rother doesn’t spare the details, so there is a high amount of gore and violence, but her story flows and speaks to Rother’s versatility as a journalist, non-fiction and mystery writer.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

I see this book was written years ago and this is a new edition that is being rereleased 2/25/25.

I was really intrigued to read this book being a true crime junkie and intrigued even more so because I couldn't recall if I’ve ever heard of Wayne Adam Ford previously. As I was reading I realized I have and a lot of it came back to me!

This is a very well written, detailed, and fascinating read about serial killer Wayne Adam Ford. This book definitely had more details than I had heard before. I flew through reading this book, but I can see how for some people maybe this book isn’t super fast paced because of all the details and to be fair some of the trial stuff can get a little dull. Overall I really enjoyed the book but also let me say that as with all true crime that it is also absolutely horrific and not always the easiest to read about. I was so sad once I’d finished reading it.

I definitely recommend this one to fellow true crime junkies!

This has to be the weirdest true crime book I’ve ever read. It was so matter of fact and direct. It had no life to it.

4 stars

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

This is a haunting, tragic, and fascinating true crime story. Wayne Adam Ford could present himself as a nice, likable guy, but behind closed doors, he was a totally different person. He eventually reached a 'breaking point', and that's where his heinous acts began. This is a very detailed account of his early life, mental health disorders, victim's histories, police interviews, and his trial. Some parts dragged a little but also added to the full picture.

I hadn't heard of the serial killer discussed in this book before, so I found this title informative. Be warned, however, that it is extremely graphic, even by true crime standards.