Booktalking "Seven Days of Rage" by Paul LaRosa and Maria Cramer

seven days

Philip Markoff used Craigslist to find women by looking for enticing ads in the erotic or adult sections of the web site. Then, he would meet them at swanky hotels. One of them was shot to death in the doorway of her hotel room. Her body was found half in her room and half in the hallway. Most of them were robbed, but the killer was apparently unconcerned about their lives, as he was caught on camera looking at his cell phone immediately after Julissa died.

By all appearances, the preppy-looking, six foot, three inches tall, 23-year-old medical student was the antithesis of such an apathetic, sadistic being. Most neighbors, relatives and friends expressed shock and disbelief that such tragedies could occur at the hands of Phil. Megan stood by her fiance, even when she learned that he was accused of murder. However, some who knew Philip said that he gave off a bad vibe, and they did not trust him.   

Trolling for victims online, Phil set up email accounts specifically to meet potential victims. Craigslist's response to the accusations was interesting, to say the least.

Seven Days of Rage: The Deadly Crime Spree of the Craigslist Killer by Paul LaRosa and Maria Cramer, 2009

I am a huge fan of the 48 Hours Mystery TV show, and I watch it every Saturdays that it airs. I was thrilled to find this book. However, I am not a fan of the title, because it seems that the motive of Phil Markoff's crimes is unclear.