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Ice and Bone: Tracking an Alaskan Serial Killer
"A chilling chronicle of victims brutally murdered by a cold, merciless killer, against a backdrop equally as unforgiving--the Last Frontier" (Henry Lee, author of Presumed Dead).
On a clear, brisk night in September of 2000, thirty-three-year-old Della Brown was found sexually assaulted and beaten to death inside a filthy, abandoned shed in seedy part of Anchorage, Alaska. She was one of six women, mostly Native Alaskan, slain that year, stoking fears a serial killer was on the loose. A tanned and thuggish twenty-year-old would eventually implicate himself in three of the women's deaths and confess, in detail, to Della's murder. Yet, after a three-month trial, Joshua Wade would walk free. In 2007, when Wade kidnapped a well-loved nurse psychologist from her home and then executed her in the remote wilderness of Wasilla, two astute female detectives joined forces to finally bring him to justice.
Ice and Bone is the chilling true account of how a demented murderer initially evaded police and avoided conviction only to slip back into the shadows and kill again. Journalist and writer Monte Francis tells the harrowing story of what eventually led to Wade's capture, and reveals why the true scope of his murderous rampage is only now, more than a decade later, coming into view.
"A tremendous amount of exceptional journalistic work went into this, and the book that emerges is richly detailed and deeply sensitive toward the victims and those who loved them. And while in no way forgiving to Wade, Francis seeks to locate the human deep inside him that went terribly wrong, apparently from a very young age." --Alaska Dispatch
On a clear, brisk night in September of 2000, thirty-three-year-old Della Brown was found sexually assaulted and beaten to death inside a filthy, abandoned shed in seedy part of Anchorage, Alaska. She was one of six women, mostly Native Alaskan, slain that year, stoking fears a serial killer was on the loose. A tanned and thuggish twenty-year-old would eventually implicate himself in three of the women's deaths and confess, in detail, to Della's murder. Yet, after a three-month trial, Joshua Wade would walk free. In 2007, when Wade kidnapped a well-loved nurse psychologist from her home and then executed her in the remote wilderness of Wasilla, two astute female detectives joined forces to finally bring him to justice.
Ice and Bone is the chilling true account of how a demented murderer initially evaded police and avoided conviction only to slip back into the shadows and kill again. Journalist and writer Monte Francis tells the harrowing story of what eventually led to Wade's capture, and reveals why the true scope of his murderous rampage is only now, more than a decade later, coming into view.
"A tremendous amount of exceptional journalistic work went into this, and the book that emerges is richly detailed and deeply sensitive toward the victims and those who loved them. And while in no way forgiving to Wade, Francis seeks to locate the human deep inside him that went terribly wrong, apparently from a very young age." --Alaska Dispatch
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2016
319 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
Monte Francis
2 books22 followersThe Associated Press Television and Radio Association named Monte Reporter of the Year in 2013 for a region covering 13 western states. Monte has also won four Emmys; the latest in 2015 for his part in NBC Bay Area's coverage of the Napa earthquake.
Monte is a graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and has a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from California State University Fresno.
His first book, By Their Father's Hand: The True Story of the Wesson Family Massacre, was published by HarperCollins in 2007.
Monte is a graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and has a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from California State University Fresno.
His first book, By Their Father's Hand: The True Story of the Wesson Family Massacre, was published by HarperCollins in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 6, 2016
A look at crime thru the path of destruction left in it’s aftermath. This story gives a look at murder thru both the criminals and victim’s eyes allowing insight to how a criminal’s personal experience’s shape they life they lead and how a criminal can almost get away with murder. Good read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
December 11, 2017
A good read on an interesting case
This is a good choice if you are interested in less-than-typical serial murder cases. The author doesn't waste a lot of keystrokes trying to psychoanalyse his subject of cram him into a category. He lets the horror of the crimes speak for itself, primarily as it falls from the lips of the people who knew and loved the victims.
This is a good choice if you are interested in less-than-typical serial murder cases. The author doesn't waste a lot of keystrokes trying to psychoanalyse his subject of cram him into a category. He lets the horror of the crimes speak for itself, primarily as it falls from the lips of the people who knew and loved the victims.
November 4, 2016
May 07 2016. So far I have read 69% of this book.
To be honest I had never heard of this book before but it was recommended to me on amazon (as are nearly all true crime books it seems sometimes to me ;) ) and when i decided for the second time to buy a month's worth of Kindle Unlimited this book was free.
At first I thought it was confusing but after a while I got really into it and I am very much enjoying this. Checking my shelves I see I had read another book written by this author and remembered I thought that book was quite vague and confusing. Gave it 3.5 stars so it must have not been that bad. This one on the other hand I really very much enjoy.
Update Finished this morning May 8th
I recommend this book. Well written and an interesting story.
To be honest I had never heard of this book before but it was recommended to me on amazon (as are nearly all true crime books it seems sometimes to me ;) ) and when i decided for the second time to buy a month's worth of Kindle Unlimited this book was free.
At first I thought it was confusing but after a while I got really into it and I am very much enjoying this. Checking my shelves I see I had read another book written by this author and remembered I thought that book was quite vague and confusing. Gave it 3.5 stars so it must have not been that bad. This one on the other hand I really very much enjoy.
Update Finished this morning May 8th
I recommend this book. Well written and an interesting story.
June 13, 2021
Well written and presented. Chilling at times, showing how difficult it can be for the law to prove guilt.
This book focusses not just on the murders but the aftermath for the family & friends; the killer, aspects of his life; other murders in Alaska. The author brings all these elements and more together for an interesting look at how such horrible acts can happen and what they leave behind.
Joshua Wade wreaked horror in Alaska and to this day the full extent of his crimes are not known. Some families may never get answers. Neither will we.
This story is well written and told. The facts are laid out without repetition. The aftermath is the biggest part of this book. The families & friends struggling to find a reason, find peace and a way to live with the hole torn into their lives.
This book focusses not just on the murders but the aftermath for the family & friends; the killer, aspects of his life; other murders in Alaska. The author brings all these elements and more together for an interesting look at how such horrible acts can happen and what they leave behind.
Joshua Wade wreaked horror in Alaska and to this day the full extent of his crimes are not known. Some families may never get answers. Neither will we.
This story is well written and told. The facts are laid out without repetition. The aftermath is the biggest part of this book. The families & friends struggling to find a reason, find peace and a way to live with the hole torn into their lives.
September 15, 2021
This is a well written true account about a serial murderer in Alaska who caused big problems for residents. It kept my interest very well. This Joshua Wads is one twisted individual who killed in the most gruesome manner. It was thorough in all of the people interviewed, and I liked the follow up the author did after the case.
May 6, 2016
Beautifully Written Powerful Tale of Sadness and Loss
Monte Francis's Ice and Bone takes the reader deep inside one of Alaska's most notorious serial killers and the lives he decimated with his savagery. Perhaps the most surprising element you will find in this book, and the most deeply satisfying as it is also the most heart-wrenching is the humanity Mr Francis evokes within these pages. Surprising because he evokes humanity from the killer as well as his victims and the families. Not that Mr. Francis can be painted as a bleeding heart or soft on crime. But that his portrait of Joshua Wade is so full and complex, you cannot help but mourn for the list and troubled boy who through neglect and possibly nature grew into a brutal monster that destroyed so many innocents. All of his portraits are this full and his writing so flawless and smooth, your heart will ache. The author's research is thorough. I could not put this book down. I highly recommend Ice and Bone; however, be prepared for an emotional ride.
Monte Francis's Ice and Bone takes the reader deep inside one of Alaska's most notorious serial killers and the lives he decimated with his savagery. Perhaps the most surprising element you will find in this book, and the most deeply satisfying as it is also the most heart-wrenching is the humanity Mr Francis evokes within these pages. Surprising because he evokes humanity from the killer as well as his victims and the families. Not that Mr. Francis can be painted as a bleeding heart or soft on crime. But that his portrait of Joshua Wade is so full and complex, you cannot help but mourn for the list and troubled boy who through neglect and possibly nature grew into a brutal monster that destroyed so many innocents. All of his portraits are this full and his writing so flawless and smooth, your heart will ache. The author's research is thorough. I could not put this book down. I highly recommend Ice and Bone; however, be prepared for an emotional ride.
November 27, 2016
Ice and Bone: Tracking An Alaskan Serial Killer by Monte Francis is a highly recommended true crime novel.
"In the Fall of 2000, in Anchorage, Alaska, a series of murders captured headlines, stoking fears a serial killer was on the loose. Six women, mostly Alaska Natives, were found slain, all under similar circumstances. An anonymous tip led investigators to a thuggish, young drug dealer, who would eventually implicate himself in three of the women’s deaths. But it wasn’t until the disappearance of a well-loved nurse psychologist seven years later, and the discovery of her body in the remote wilderness of Wasilla, that two astute female detectives would finally bring the murderer to justice."
Joshua Wade was likely responsible for the murders of more women (and maybe even some men) than the crimes he was officially charged with. Wade was incarcerated for life in 2010 after the 2007 murder of Mindy Schloss. It is horrifying that he was charged with the 2000 murder of Della Brown but was acquitted because the evidence was circumstantial. If a better case were presented lives could have been saved. It is to the credit of everyone investigating the murder of Schloss that Wade was finally caught and put away for good.
Francis concentrates on the crimes and the investigations, but he also shows how the family and friends of his victims were affected by his horrendous actions. I do wish some more focus on the Native Alaskan population and how they are victimized, but, perhaps that is another book. Ice and Bone focuses on the murders of Brown and Schloss, but there is a mention that he may have murdered other women and men. In the end it is satisfying to know Wade is locked up for life.
The writing is clear and concise even when the information imparted is complicated and convoluted, especially with Wade's friends talking and backtracking about what he said and what happened. Expect lots of language. Francis does an admirable job presenting it all and adds background information that is pertinent. It really is a heartbreaking but chilling account of a killer and the sometimes frustrating investigation that finally put him away. (And for those of you who read Ice and Bone: Could the young woman who befriended Wade be any dumber? "I was young so I didn't understand the terminology 'acquitted for murder.' " She gives new meaning to the phrase: "Dumb as a box of rocks.")
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
"In the Fall of 2000, in Anchorage, Alaska, a series of murders captured headlines, stoking fears a serial killer was on the loose. Six women, mostly Alaska Natives, were found slain, all under similar circumstances. An anonymous tip led investigators to a thuggish, young drug dealer, who would eventually implicate himself in three of the women’s deaths. But it wasn’t until the disappearance of a well-loved nurse psychologist seven years later, and the discovery of her body in the remote wilderness of Wasilla, that two astute female detectives would finally bring the murderer to justice."
Joshua Wade was likely responsible for the murders of more women (and maybe even some men) than the crimes he was officially charged with. Wade was incarcerated for life in 2010 after the 2007 murder of Mindy Schloss. It is horrifying that he was charged with the 2000 murder of Della Brown but was acquitted because the evidence was circumstantial. If a better case were presented lives could have been saved. It is to the credit of everyone investigating the murder of Schloss that Wade was finally caught and put away for good.
Francis concentrates on the crimes and the investigations, but he also shows how the family and friends of his victims were affected by his horrendous actions. I do wish some more focus on the Native Alaskan population and how they are victimized, but, perhaps that is another book. Ice and Bone focuses on the murders of Brown and Schloss, but there is a mention that he may have murdered other women and men. In the end it is satisfying to know Wade is locked up for life.
The writing is clear and concise even when the information imparted is complicated and convoluted, especially with Wade's friends talking and backtracking about what he said and what happened. Expect lots of language. Francis does an admirable job presenting it all and adds background information that is pertinent. It really is a heartbreaking but chilling account of a killer and the sometimes frustrating investigation that finally put him away. (And for those of you who read Ice and Bone: Could the young woman who befriended Wade be any dumber? "I was young so I didn't understand the terminology 'acquitted for murder.' " She gives new meaning to the phrase: "Dumb as a box of rocks.")
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
May 12, 2016
It's like the reader becomes part of the pursuit
This is a story that needed to be told, and Monte Francis told it well. It's the story of a serial killer in Anchorage, Alaska, a good-looking young man with a heart full of hate and anger. It's a story that will keep you reading because the picture is constantly changing and evolving. It's about a failure of justice that permitted this young man to kill again.
I have a couple of things to say to the author. First of all, the book contains more than 40 errors. Here are just a few.
whippets should be whippits
hurt should be heard
stage should be state
arrangements should be arraignments
died should be dyed
illicit should be elicit
Also in the children's picture, that's Mandy in the plaid shirt and Josh in the hoodie.
This book contains several powerful messages. The disregard for the fate of Native women. The failure of the justice system, specifically the failure of the prosecutor to effectively present the case. The willingness of not one but many to shield a serial killer. The willingness of a few to assist in his capture. The inclusion of tracking dogs was particularly interesting.
Includes photos.
This is a story that needed to be told, and Monte Francis told it well. It's the story of a serial killer in Anchorage, Alaska, a good-looking young man with a heart full of hate and anger. It's a story that will keep you reading because the picture is constantly changing and evolving. It's about a failure of justice that permitted this young man to kill again.
I have a couple of things to say to the author. First of all, the book contains more than 40 errors. Here are just a few.
whippets should be whippits
hurt should be heard
stage should be state
arrangements should be arraignments
died should be dyed
illicit should be elicit
Also in the children's picture, that's Mandy in the plaid shirt and Josh in the hoodie.
This book contains several powerful messages. The disregard for the fate of Native women. The failure of the justice system, specifically the failure of the prosecutor to effectively present the case. The willingness of not one but many to shield a serial killer. The willingness of a few to assist in his capture. The inclusion of tracking dogs was particularly interesting.
Includes photos.
January 25, 2017
"In the Fall of 2000, in Anchorage, Alaska, a series of murders captured headlines, stoking fears a serial killer was on the loose. Six women, mostly Alaska Natives, were found slain, all under similar circumstances. An anonymous tip led investigators to a thuggish, young drug dealer, who would eventually implicate himself in three of the women’s deaths. But it wasn’t until the disappearance of a well-loved nurse psychologist seven years later, and the discovery of her body in the remote wilderness of Wasilla, that two astute female detectives would finally bring the murderer to justice."
Joshua Wade was an unknown killer to me. After reading this true crime book, I feel as though I have a better handle on his warped mind, a new compassion for the victims, and a big heaping of respect for the investigators and prosecutors. Monte Francis presents the facts, interviews, and details of the crime in a slightly meandering way, but I was able to follow it. The author didn't appear biased. A very interesting read.
Net Galley ARC received for an honest review.
Joshua Wade was an unknown killer to me. After reading this true crime book, I feel as though I have a better handle on his warped mind, a new compassion for the victims, and a big heaping of respect for the investigators and prosecutors. Monte Francis presents the facts, interviews, and details of the crime in a slightly meandering way, but I was able to follow it. The author didn't appear biased. A very interesting read.
Net Galley ARC received for an honest review.
October 6, 2016
This book is not keeping my interest. F@&! is used more than a punctuation mark. Stupidest statement possibly ever made:"I was young so I didn't understand the terminology 'acquitted for murder'". How you not know what that means????
Audiobook narrator does an excellent job of differentiating between subjects of book, but not one, not even the detectives or lawyers, sound that intelligent, which is quite unfortunate for the victims.
Audiobook narrator does an excellent job of differentiating between subjects of book, but not one, not even the detectives or lawyers, sound that intelligent, which is quite unfortunate for the victims.
February 6, 2017
Alain de Botton recently tweeted, "Some 130 million books have been published in history; a big reader will get through 6,000 in a lifetime. Choose carefully..."
This book shouldn't be one of them.
This book shouldn't be one of them.
June 26, 2017
3.5 stars.
September 12, 2023
Overall: 4 stars.
This was a fantastic true crime work that focused primarily on the victims' families and friends. The story was really about them, and the book spared very little "screen time" on the investigation or on the killer himself. There's a lot of emotion in the storytelling here, and you really feel the loss of these women and the impact that had on their families.
One of the book's flaws, I think, was the hyper-focus on chronological storytelling. Because the narrative was about the people (the characters, in other words), I feel like a strict adherence to chronology wasn't necessary. People move in and out of the story over time, and since this book consists of almost miniature character studies, I think it could have been stronger had it broken with chronology. I also think it was a little frustrating that the book continually hinted at the culture of Alaska but didn't really delve into the history and context of the setting. Racism plays an important role in these cases, and exploring how the setting and its history influenced the crimes would have given more depth to the story.
This was a fantastic true crime work that focused primarily on the victims' families and friends. The story was really about them, and the book spared very little "screen time" on the investigation or on the killer himself. There's a lot of emotion in the storytelling here, and you really feel the loss of these women and the impact that had on their families.
One of the book's flaws, I think, was the hyper-focus on chronological storytelling. Because the narrative was about the people (the characters, in other words), I feel like a strict adherence to chronology wasn't necessary. People move in and out of the story over time, and since this book consists of almost miniature character studies, I think it could have been stronger had it broken with chronology. I also think it was a little frustrating that the book continually hinted at the culture of Alaska but didn't really delve into the history and context of the setting. Racism plays an important role in these cases, and exploring how the setting and its history influenced the crimes would have given more depth to the story.
May 18, 2021
For a true crime book this one was pretty good. Normally I find there to be issues of repetition and just not good prose. Typically, I feel like True crime books read like a book report. This one had a better flow then others that I have read.
September 14, 2016
In the Wake of a Killer
On February 17, 2010 Joshua Wade was sent to prison for the remainder of his life for the 2007 murder of Mindy Schloss. Since then, in a deal to get transferred out of Alaska’s maximum security facility in Seward to a federal penitentiary in the Lower 48, he confessed to the murder of several others. Ice and Bone is the chilling story of how he almost got away with it, leaving in his wake of killing, devastated friends and family – some, who will never fully recover.
Monte Francis’ gripping thriller is not for the faint of heart. Francis does not pull punches. Extracting transcripts verbatim from police interviews, wire-taped conversations and jail house interrogations, the reader is brought face-to-face with the “home boys” who hung with Wade and allegedly heard his sordid ravings of how he had murdered, in a most vicious way, Della Brown. The language used by Wade and his cohorts as they discuss his alleged crimes is obscenely graphic, brusquely conveying the moral turpitude swamping their every action. The following is from a surreptitiously wire-taped conversation between Wade and his associates: ‘“There’s only three on here, man. They ain’t got shit on me! Motherfuckers trying to put extra shit on me!’ ‘Them niggers ain’t got nuttin’ on nobody,’ Romeo said, without missing a beat. ‘Man, you know the police are too stupid up here to know anything.’ ‘Yeah right,’ Wade replied. ‘If they were smart, they’d find my condom wrapper.’ ‘Hoooo right,’ Romeo replied. ‘Alright yo.’ ‘I fuckin’ never told anybody that I raped that lady,’ Wade said. ‘Hey, I don’t want to know shit,’ Romeo replied. ‘I never raped nobody, dude,’ Wade said. ‘I ain’t trying to hear that man, Romeo said. ‘Don’t tell me shit.’ ‘That’s really sick, I threw up afterwards, man,’ Wade said. ‘I threw up all over. Then I was like, ‘Fuck that.’”
Wade never should have had the opportunity to murder Schloss. Arrested and tried for the murder of Brown, he had bragged to several people how he murdered this woman. The corroboration of these assertions was independently substantiated by several of his friends who were interviewed by the police in separate rooms at the same time. They all told the same story, none having the opportunity to check with each other to see if their stories matched. Yet, despite all of this and the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, Wade was found not guilty of her murder. It is widely believed that the state lost the case due to poor work by the prosecution and the inexperience of the District Attorney’s team. Years after Wade’s first trial in 2003, Francis interviewed Marcy McDannel, one of the lead prosecutors. She was remorseful about her role in the original trial and how the jury, unfairly, bore the brunt of the criticisms. ‘“I think that they’ve been made scapegoats for all of the horrible decisions made by that office. And every time this comes up, it pains me. I almost feel like I should reach out to them personally and say ‘I’m so sorry. I tried, I really tried. I’m so sorry, but I want you to know it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. We presented a shitty case.’”
Offsetting the horrific crimes and lapses of the criminal justice system are the exemplary participants who earn well deserved kudos in this otherwise, depressing true crime chronicle. Wildly impressive are the canine heroes – the bloodhounds. Their uncanny sense of scent and tenacity in pursuing those olfactory clues, regardless of where they led, proved pivotal in linking the killer to the crime scene. There were the friends and ex-lovers who knew important details, but were reluctant to give it up. They were torn by doubt, perverse feelings of loyalty to the perpetrator – a belief that it was wrong to “rat someone out” – nonetheless, they did the right thing and in the end, told the police what they knew. Finally, there were the members of the DA team, the police investigators from the first murder and the jury from that first trial. In their heart of hearts they gave it their all – despite the failed outcome, they zealously followed their conscience in a futile attempt to seek the truth.
By the time Francis wraps up his dissection of Wade’s crimes and their reverberations we know probably more than we ever wanted to know about his depraved acts. We’ve gotten close enough to this dangerous man to understand that some people are beyond our ability to comprehend.
Originally published in the Anchorage Press on September 2, 2016.
On February 17, 2010 Joshua Wade was sent to prison for the remainder of his life for the 2007 murder of Mindy Schloss. Since then, in a deal to get transferred out of Alaska’s maximum security facility in Seward to a federal penitentiary in the Lower 48, he confessed to the murder of several others. Ice and Bone is the chilling story of how he almost got away with it, leaving in his wake of killing, devastated friends and family – some, who will never fully recover.
Monte Francis’ gripping thriller is not for the faint of heart. Francis does not pull punches. Extracting transcripts verbatim from police interviews, wire-taped conversations and jail house interrogations, the reader is brought face-to-face with the “home boys” who hung with Wade and allegedly heard his sordid ravings of how he had murdered, in a most vicious way, Della Brown. The language used by Wade and his cohorts as they discuss his alleged crimes is obscenely graphic, brusquely conveying the moral turpitude swamping their every action. The following is from a surreptitiously wire-taped conversation between Wade and his associates: ‘“There’s only three on here, man. They ain’t got shit on me! Motherfuckers trying to put extra shit on me!’ ‘Them niggers ain’t got nuttin’ on nobody,’ Romeo said, without missing a beat. ‘Man, you know the police are too stupid up here to know anything.’ ‘Yeah right,’ Wade replied. ‘If they were smart, they’d find my condom wrapper.’ ‘Hoooo right,’ Romeo replied. ‘Alright yo.’ ‘I fuckin’ never told anybody that I raped that lady,’ Wade said. ‘Hey, I don’t want to know shit,’ Romeo replied. ‘I never raped nobody, dude,’ Wade said. ‘I ain’t trying to hear that man, Romeo said. ‘Don’t tell me shit.’ ‘That’s really sick, I threw up afterwards, man,’ Wade said. ‘I threw up all over. Then I was like, ‘Fuck that.’”
Wade never should have had the opportunity to murder Schloss. Arrested and tried for the murder of Brown, he had bragged to several people how he murdered this woman. The corroboration of these assertions was independently substantiated by several of his friends who were interviewed by the police in separate rooms at the same time. They all told the same story, none having the opportunity to check with each other to see if their stories matched. Yet, despite all of this and the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, Wade was found not guilty of her murder. It is widely believed that the state lost the case due to poor work by the prosecution and the inexperience of the District Attorney’s team. Years after Wade’s first trial in 2003, Francis interviewed Marcy McDannel, one of the lead prosecutors. She was remorseful about her role in the original trial and how the jury, unfairly, bore the brunt of the criticisms. ‘“I think that they’ve been made scapegoats for all of the horrible decisions made by that office. And every time this comes up, it pains me. I almost feel like I should reach out to them personally and say ‘I’m so sorry. I tried, I really tried. I’m so sorry, but I want you to know it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. We presented a shitty case.’”
Offsetting the horrific crimes and lapses of the criminal justice system are the exemplary participants who earn well deserved kudos in this otherwise, depressing true crime chronicle. Wildly impressive are the canine heroes – the bloodhounds. Their uncanny sense of scent and tenacity in pursuing those olfactory clues, regardless of where they led, proved pivotal in linking the killer to the crime scene. There were the friends and ex-lovers who knew important details, but were reluctant to give it up. They were torn by doubt, perverse feelings of loyalty to the perpetrator – a belief that it was wrong to “rat someone out” – nonetheless, they did the right thing and in the end, told the police what they knew. Finally, there were the members of the DA team, the police investigators from the first murder and the jury from that first trial. In their heart of hearts they gave it their all – despite the failed outcome, they zealously followed their conscience in a futile attempt to seek the truth.
By the time Francis wraps up his dissection of Wade’s crimes and their reverberations we know probably more than we ever wanted to know about his depraved acts. We’ve gotten close enough to this dangerous man to understand that some people are beyond our ability to comprehend.
Originally published in the Anchorage Press on September 2, 2016.
April 28, 2016
WELL WRITTEN, DEFINITE PAGE TURNER!!
This book was very well written and the murderer described in this book is a cruel, unfeeling coward. Some say he still has some emotion left to him, I say bull!?!?, the only thing he feels sorry for is himself because in his mind that is all that matters. The families of these victims are the people I most feel for, if they had actually conducted Della's investigation appropriately the second murder would have never happened. It still amazes me, what human beings are capable of doing to each other, these poor victims, these poor families......May God give them some sort of peace and happiness because they sure do deserve it. Also may the families of the victims keep in mind that no family is perfect, I am sure that both victims knew how much they were loved, even if we sometimes forget to show it instinctively we still know.
This book was very well written and the murderer described in this book is a cruel, unfeeling coward. Some say he still has some emotion left to him, I say bull!?!?, the only thing he feels sorry for is himself because in his mind that is all that matters. The families of these victims are the people I most feel for, if they had actually conducted Della's investigation appropriately the second murder would have never happened. It still amazes me, what human beings are capable of doing to each other, these poor victims, these poor families......May God give them some sort of peace and happiness because they sure do deserve it. Also may the families of the victims keep in mind that no family is perfect, I am sure that both victims knew how much they were loved, even if we sometimes forget to show it instinctively we still know.
April 20, 2016
I can honestly say that this is one of the best TC books that I have ever read. Author Monte Francis obviously researched this book very extensively and it was very well written, complete with footnotes. Murderer Joshua Wade obviously had mental problems from the time he was a young child and it is so sad that he did not get continued mental health care after his institutional stays. I highly recommend this page turner.
April 19, 2016
A serial killer, just evil or both. You must read the book to find out but you will not be disappointed. While reading this on a Saturday afternoon I found myself locking my doors. Monte Francis has really done his homework on Joshua Wade. The killings were very scary as well as the book. I highly recommend for all but especially true crime aficionados.
April 26, 2016
True murder
This was a good book. I'm not positive the man involved is a serial killer but he I'd definitely a murderer. Does time or the amount of the murders matter? I would say not. This was a very well written, terribly sad book that takes place in the remotest of all states. Alaska.
This was a good book. I'm not positive the man involved is a serial killer but he I'd definitely a murderer. Does time or the amount of the murders matter? I would say not. This was a very well written, terribly sad book that takes place in the remotest of all states. Alaska.
May 1, 2016
Tough times for Alaskan Natives.
Being Native American myself I feel for the isolated area these people live in and that evil has no filter. It robs good people and bad. Very sick and sad. This book brings awareness to problems people otherwise may not be aware of.
Being Native American myself I feel for the isolated area these people live in and that evil has no filter. It robs good people and bad. Very sick and sad. This book brings awareness to problems people otherwise may not be aware of.
January 5, 2017
Fascinating true story. The author writes it so well, I sometimes forgot it was nonfiction.
April 12, 2022
No one wants to believe that they have a serial killer living in their midst, but sometimes, that fact cannot be hidden. When women started turning up dead, none of the cases were connected. One case in particular, gained a lot of media attention, mostly due to the person who had committed the crime. It was brutal, senseless, and a classic case of overkill. But when the person involved started talking about it, there were many that were not going to stay silent on the matter. When he walked free, it was unthinkable.
But what happens when he strikes again?
When a beloved nurse goes missing, no one is sure what to think. As investigators start to connect the dots, a familiar name comes up. Investigators are determined to prove their case, and put this killer away for good.
This was an interesting book on many levels. Josh Wade, the person responsible for multiple killings, used intimidation to keep witnesses quiet. He was determined to not go back to prison. As I read through the book, his "remorse" or really, the lack thereof, was very evident. Any remorse he showed, I believe was only for the fact that he had been caught. He didn't care about his victims, or the pain that was caused throughout the communities that he terrorized.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I liked the investigative portions, and the victim profiles that were shared. The psychological aspect of the killer was fascinating, but it is just unfortunate that the first prosecutor didn't do her job properly, allowing a killer to escape justice the first time.
But what happens when he strikes again?
When a beloved nurse goes missing, no one is sure what to think. As investigators start to connect the dots, a familiar name comes up. Investigators are determined to prove their case, and put this killer away for good.
This was an interesting book on many levels. Josh Wade, the person responsible for multiple killings, used intimidation to keep witnesses quiet. He was determined to not go back to prison. As I read through the book, his "remorse" or really, the lack thereof, was very evident. Any remorse he showed, I believe was only for the fact that he had been caught. He didn't care about his victims, or the pain that was caused throughout the communities that he terrorized.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I liked the investigative portions, and the victim profiles that were shared. The psychological aspect of the killer was fascinating, but it is just unfortunate that the first prosecutor didn't do her job properly, allowing a killer to escape justice the first time.
October 13, 2016
There’s something exotic about Alaska and its identity in America as our “Last Frontier”, compared with what Alaskans call the “Lower 48”. I don’t know much about it, besides that it used to be Russia, it’s the least-populated U.S. state, Jewel and insane Sarah Palin are from it, and it’s cold and has lots of bears and whales. Apparently, there are also lots of serial killers, because most recently it was the scene of Israel Keyes’ last abduction and murder, and this month two true crime books about Alaskan serial killers came across my radar: this one, Ice and Bone; and a rereleased edition of Butcher, Baker. Guys, what’s going on up there? Everything ok? Cause judging by all these murderers and the Palin family, it definitely seems like no.
Award-winning journalist Monte Francis has written a compelling investigative look at Joshua Wade, a sick murderer with a sad life. His almost clichéd troubled childhood is no excuse, but there are no winners in this story. It’s terrible for everyone involved. And yet therein lies its importance, as commentary on those families who get left behind, kids shuffled through a bleak existence with drug, alcohol, and sexual abuse always on the margins until these things take over their own lives too, eventually spreading further into society with tragic consequences.
Although it’s a bit difficult to get into at the beginning, with a lot of names, hectic situations and a somewhat unclear narrative structure, it straightens out and becomes a gripping if devastating true crime narrative. I kept thinking I’d put it down for a break but it seemed like just when I was reaching a stopping point, there was a twist in the story and I couldn’t pause. I loved the chapters detailing FBI investigative techniques and special dog handlers that helped crack one chapter of the case. It was compellingly written and fascinating.
It’s an engaging story overall, peppered with real-life characters who feel the aftereffects, like shock waves, for years and years after the deaths of their loved ones. It’s disturbingly easy to read stories like this and develop some sense of remove from those involved, reading true crime like it’s fiction. But these are real lives and real consequences that people are still living with today, and Francis does a thorough, excellent job of making sure that comes across clearly in his writing. It gives readers a lot to think about, especially in terms of the situations of Native Alaskans, and how the systems are failing them along with other struggling families. Almost a decade since Wade committed his last homicide, not much has changed in how society helps those who have fallen through its cracks.
I was left with a frustratingly unfinished feeling, that there wasn’t enough attention paid to the possibility that others were victims of Wade’s crimes; and if not him, who? I’m not sure how much source information was available, but if he was a serial killer, why/how did these other women come into his orbit? I would’ve liked to know more about them, not only their names in passing plus a heartbreaking portrait of one woman’s family members, and more possibilities that law enforcement hopefully uncovered about their individual situations. It just felt like it was left undone for the sake of focusing on Wade and I think that was probably for reasons of solid evidence tied to him coupled with his penchant for lying and obfuscating. But they were mentioned, so I wanted more. Then again, like I said, there are apparently a lot of people taking advantage of Alaska’s isolation and social atmosphere for nefarious purposes, so who knows what’s happening.
I was curious to hear more about the Natives in Alaska, including the racial issues they face. I know embarrassingly little about this, and the Native Alaskan Desa Jacobsson is a standout highlight in the book, one of the few bright, positive spots in the otherwise cold, dreary landscape of people and unfortunate events. She cares deeply about the plight of the Natives, and my perception, though it was never overtly addressed in the book, is that Native Alaskans are not awarded the same investigative attentions and efforts that Caucasians are. Wade himself and those close to him point to race as being a factor in his targets of abuse and murder. Francis is a detail-oriented and clearly persistent reporter, I think he could write something enlightening on the topic, like he did with this case. And include way more of Desa Jacobsson, please! I love her and I don’t even know her!
Award-winning journalist Monte Francis has written a compelling investigative look at Joshua Wade, a sick murderer with a sad life. His almost clichéd troubled childhood is no excuse, but there are no winners in this story. It’s terrible for everyone involved. And yet therein lies its importance, as commentary on those families who get left behind, kids shuffled through a bleak existence with drug, alcohol, and sexual abuse always on the margins until these things take over their own lives too, eventually spreading further into society with tragic consequences.
Although it’s a bit difficult to get into at the beginning, with a lot of names, hectic situations and a somewhat unclear narrative structure, it straightens out and becomes a gripping if devastating true crime narrative. I kept thinking I’d put it down for a break but it seemed like just when I was reaching a stopping point, there was a twist in the story and I couldn’t pause. I loved the chapters detailing FBI investigative techniques and special dog handlers that helped crack one chapter of the case. It was compellingly written and fascinating.
It’s an engaging story overall, peppered with real-life characters who feel the aftereffects, like shock waves, for years and years after the deaths of their loved ones. It’s disturbingly easy to read stories like this and develop some sense of remove from those involved, reading true crime like it’s fiction. But these are real lives and real consequences that people are still living with today, and Francis does a thorough, excellent job of making sure that comes across clearly in his writing. It gives readers a lot to think about, especially in terms of the situations of Native Alaskans, and how the systems are failing them along with other struggling families. Almost a decade since Wade committed his last homicide, not much has changed in how society helps those who have fallen through its cracks.
I was left with a frustratingly unfinished feeling, that there wasn’t enough attention paid to the possibility that others were victims of Wade’s crimes; and if not him, who? I’m not sure how much source information was available, but if he was a serial killer, why/how did these other women come into his orbit? I would’ve liked to know more about them, not only their names in passing plus a heartbreaking portrait of one woman’s family members, and more possibilities that law enforcement hopefully uncovered about their individual situations. It just felt like it was left undone for the sake of focusing on Wade and I think that was probably for reasons of solid evidence tied to him coupled with his penchant for lying and obfuscating. But they were mentioned, so I wanted more. Then again, like I said, there are apparently a lot of people taking advantage of Alaska’s isolation and social atmosphere for nefarious purposes, so who knows what’s happening.
I was curious to hear more about the Natives in Alaska, including the racial issues they face. I know embarrassingly little about this, and the Native Alaskan Desa Jacobsson is a standout highlight in the book, one of the few bright, positive spots in the otherwise cold, dreary landscape of people and unfortunate events. She cares deeply about the plight of the Natives, and my perception, though it was never overtly addressed in the book, is that Native Alaskans are not awarded the same investigative attentions and efforts that Caucasians are. Wade himself and those close to him point to race as being a factor in his targets of abuse and murder. Francis is a detail-oriented and clearly persistent reporter, I think he could write something enlightening on the topic, like he did with this case. And include way more of Desa Jacobsson, please! I love her and I don’t even know her!
May 18, 2021
I didn't know how to rate this since this isn't my typical genre, so I went with how this book affected my desire to read more true crime. It's not my jam. I appreciate that the author tried to stick to factual accounts while also making this readable, but I found myself frustrated with how the information was presented. Considering that I listened to the audiobook version, I would have appreciated knowing how much time had elapsed, rather than dates. Additionally, many aspects of the story were repetitive, or over-explained, while others were left unresolved. Pretty unsatisfying, really.
June 16, 2016
I liked this story first and foremost because it shines a light on the murders of Native women in Alaska. At the beginning, the author introduces the reader to some starting statistics about crime and the native population of Alaska. It was truly eye-opening to hear some of these stats...particularly the incidences of rape that occur among the native populations vs. the non-native, and the percentages that get reported and solved comparitively between the two groups. It's heartbreaking. I had no idea, which was the whole point. No one does.
There was only one area where I had a bit of a problem with the actual writing, and that was during the scenes of long conversational dialogue between characters. It felt as if the author was perhaps trying too hard to make the dialogue sound natural. It's hard for me to describe my reaction to those fictional conversations, but I would be listening to the book and literally thinking to myself, "he got so close to getting it right. It almost sounds like a real conversation." But I can't put my finger on what prevented me from believing it completely.
Every other aspect of the writing I found to be easy flowing, understandable, interesting, and well-paced. But those lengthy conversations, say between the suspect and an informant, or during an interrogation, were just slightly jarring.
The crimes were thoroughly covered, and I didn't have any confusion about any of them.
Kevin Pearce again narrates with a smooth style that is easy and pleasant to listen to.
I will say that while I enjoyed this book and was interested to learn about the crimes, I did not find myself sitting in the car longer to hear just a little more, or playing it during breaks at work, as I have with some true crime stories.
I do recommend this book. It's an important story that needs to be told, and I don't think you will regret downloading it. But, at least for this reader, it did not have me on the edge of my seat. But that's ok too.
I received this book at no charge in exchange for a fair and honest review.
There was only one area where I had a bit of a problem with the actual writing, and that was during the scenes of long conversational dialogue between characters. It felt as if the author was perhaps trying too hard to make the dialogue sound natural. It's hard for me to describe my reaction to those fictional conversations, but I would be listening to the book and literally thinking to myself, "he got so close to getting it right. It almost sounds like a real conversation." But I can't put my finger on what prevented me from believing it completely.
Every other aspect of the writing I found to be easy flowing, understandable, interesting, and well-paced. But those lengthy conversations, say between the suspect and an informant, or during an interrogation, were just slightly jarring.
The crimes were thoroughly covered, and I didn't have any confusion about any of them.
Kevin Pearce again narrates with a smooth style that is easy and pleasant to listen to.
I will say that while I enjoyed this book and was interested to learn about the crimes, I did not find myself sitting in the car longer to hear just a little more, or playing it during breaks at work, as I have with some true crime stories.
I do recommend this book. It's an important story that needs to be told, and I don't think you will regret downloading it. But, at least for this reader, it did not have me on the edge of my seat. But that's ok too.
I received this book at no charge in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 3, 2016
A sad heartbreaking read which is in parts extremely hard to read. The book does its best at giving these poor women a voice. A voice that can be heard by the people who are reading this book. There is no justice in this world big enough for these women but the knowledge that this story is out there for their families will hopefully help in some small way.
Alaska a beautiful place with stunning scenery a place I'd very much like to visit. Is steeped in its crime rates and abuse ratings. Alaska has the highest sexual assault rating than any other place in America which is both extremely sad and astonishing considering Americas size.
Ice and bone is one of the rare true crime books that doesn't focus on the perpetrator but rather focuses on the victims and their loved ones. For me there are a lot of unanswered questions and I would have liked this book to have deleted deeper in some points.
On a clear night in 2000 in Alaska the body of a woman called Della Brown was found in a dirty shed. Beaten and sexually assaulted. This was the sixth woman for this to have happened to in the past year. Natives were scared for their lives.
A man called Joshua Wade was arrested but no evidence could tie him to the case and so he was let go.
As sadly happens in these cases another person has to die for the police to realise that they had the perpetrator all along.
Sadly when Joshua was released he became infatuated with a nurse who was later found burterly killed in the forest. Two female detectives join forces and finally bring Joshua to justice.
Thank you to NetGalley, monte Francis and publishers for bringing these shocking events to the forefront of my mind.
Happy reading everyone
Alaska a beautiful place with stunning scenery a place I'd very much like to visit. Is steeped in its crime rates and abuse ratings. Alaska has the highest sexual assault rating than any other place in America which is both extremely sad and astonishing considering Americas size.
Ice and bone is one of the rare true crime books that doesn't focus on the perpetrator but rather focuses on the victims and their loved ones. For me there are a lot of unanswered questions and I would have liked this book to have deleted deeper in some points.
On a clear night in 2000 in Alaska the body of a woman called Della Brown was found in a dirty shed. Beaten and sexually assaulted. This was the sixth woman for this to have happened to in the past year. Natives were scared for their lives.
A man called Joshua Wade was arrested but no evidence could tie him to the case and so he was let go.
As sadly happens in these cases another person has to die for the police to realise that they had the perpetrator all along.
Sadly when Joshua was released he became infatuated with a nurse who was later found burterly killed in the forest. Two female detectives join forces and finally bring Joshua to justice.
Thank you to NetGalley, monte Francis and publishers for bringing these shocking events to the forefront of my mind.
Happy reading everyone
November 27, 2016
This was very nearly a great book, but I felt the author wanted to go into law and not just stop at investigative journalism – the forensic picking at the crimes here seems he expected a refutation from the other bench at any second. There really is too much detail, from the overly-precise reportage of the smallest element, down to the most cuss-heavy, verbatim quotes from police wires. Which is a small shame, as the book has a great deal going for it – a great narrative drive as not one but two unfortunate women get linked to the same deathly dullard, a wannabe gangster with issues that may well have murdered half a dozen people. The two heinous cases here show how unfortunate the western style of justice can be, as the first went to court at entirely the wrong time, thus indirectly allowing for the second. Very people come across in a good light here – the milieu in this Alaska is entirely of drink, drugs and racism (a card not fully played by the author, I felt – perhaps the serial killer label was sexy enough). I'll gloss over a couple of oddly dropped details, and won't query why the book persistently misspells the surname of one of the minor characters (or at least doesn't mention she's changed the spelling of it for social media) – I'd rather concentrate on the inherent readability of these pages, even with that welter of forensic minutiae. Yes, a lot of the merit in this book is the unravelling of a gripping real-life murder case, but the author controlled his subject very well indeed.
June 2, 2016
I am oftentimes leery to read a true crime book by an author of which I am not familiar, but, the price was right (Book Bub) and the case sounded interesting so I purchased Ice and Bone for my Kindle. Monte Francis did a very nice job writing this book. He went into detail but was not repetitive (as is often the case in these true crime books). He conducted a lot of interviews with the families and the friends of the victims, as well as the prosecuting lawyers, and he was sensitive and compassionate in the way he shared their "voices." The actual murders and court cases take up about 75% of the book, and then Francis really gets to the heart of the case, which is how Joshua Wade got away with murder to only murder again. I was frustrated and mad at a judicial system that could allow this to happen. I wonder if the scenarios would have been the same if the order of these murders would have been reversed? Discrimination plays a role here. I recommend this book if you are interested in true crime cases.
April 30, 2017
It's not a horrible book but I think the title is deceiving. There is nothing about Ice and Bones and when it states tracking a serial killer there really isn't any of that either except for a few pages AND Joshua Wade was only convicted of one murder. I think the author wanted this book to be grander that was it is. Without the hook and with out the information to back it up. There are really only two murders talked about in detail, one is Della Brown (who Joshua was never proven to be involved in except by others that he supposedly talked to) and then he was convicted on the murder of Mindy Schloss but he only pled guilty so he wouldn't have to go to trial and face the death penalty. I expected this book to be about the chase of Joshua Wade and if he is a serial killer where are the others? Just felt unfinished and lacking. I feel really bad for these families I just don't think that this author did them justice.
Recieved this book from Netgally for my honest review.
Recieved this book from Netgally for my honest review.
December 14, 2016
Monte Francis explores the rape culture of Alaska's wilderness and a killer who preyed on forgotten souls.
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