Summary

In "Green River, Running Red," Ann Rule, a master of true crime, delves into the haunting case of the Green River Killer, one of America's most prolific serial murderers. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Seattle area, beginning in the early 1980s, as young women, many of whom were involved in prostitution along the Pacific Highway, began to disappear. Rule meticulously chronicles the investigation, the victims, and the agonizing search for the killer that spanned two decades.

The book provides a detailed account of the initial discoveries of bodies in the Green River and the formation of the Green River Task Force. Rule introduces the key investigators, including Sheriff Dave Reichert, and examines the challenges they faced, from limited resources and forensic technology to the overwhelming number of potential victims and suspects. The narrative explores the public's reaction, the media's portrayal of the victims, and the growing fear that gripped the Seattle area.

As the investigation progresses, Rule delves into the lives of the victims, painting portraits of young women like Wendy Coffield, Opal Mills, and Mary Bridget Meehan, revealing their dreams, struggles, and the circumstances that made them vulnerable. She also examines the various suspects who emerged, including Max Tackley and Melvyn Foster, and the challenges of identifying the true killer amidst a sea of false leads. The book explores the use of forensic science, the development of criminal profiling, and the collaboration between law enforcement agencies and forensic experts.

The narrative culminates in the arrest and conviction of Gary Ridgway, a seemingly ordinary truck painter who had evaded capture for years. Rule chronicles the intense interrogations, the plea bargain that spared Ridgway from the death penalty in exchange for his cooperation in locating the remains of his victims, and the emotional impact on the families who finally received closure. "Green River, Running Red" is a chilling and comprehensive account of a complex and disturbing case, told with Rule's signature blend of meticulous research, empathy, and gripping storytelling.