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The Zodiac Serial Killer #2
Profiled: The Zodiac Examined
The Search Continues... Following up on the meticulously detailed research of HUNTED: The Zodiac Murders (Book 1), PROFILED: The Zodiac Examined (Book 2) goes beyond the case files to develop a comprehensive psychological profile that examines the personality, psychology, physical characteristics, and motives of the Zodiac. Based in the same detailed research of HUNTED, PROFILED sticks to the facts and articulates at every step how the conclusions of the profile were reached. The Zodiac serial killer murdered, wrote letters, created ciphers, and taunted the police and the people of the San Francisco Bay area from 1966 to 1974 but, over five decades, has not been identified. At the time he was active, the term serial killer had not yet been coined, and psychological profiles were practically unknown. Now, using 21st century crime analytics and a sophisticated understanding of serial killers, it is possible to create a psychological profile that may help identify the kind of man who could commit these terrible crimes and get away with it for decades, despite an overabundance of evidence that should have pointed directly to him. Join the search for the killer as the evidence is compiled and analyzed in PROFILED: The Zodiac Examined.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2017
26 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Mark Hewitt
9 books21 followersDr. Mark G. Hewitt, DBA is a true crime author and award-winning public speaker who travels the world in his quest for intriguing, unanswered questions and enduring mysteries.
With inmate Guillermo Mendez, Doctor Hewitt is the co-author of Charles Manson Behind Bars, the first Manson book from the inside. He has earned a BA in Theology, an M.Div. in ministry, and an MBA and a DBA in Business Administration.
Dr. Hewitt has been interviewed by, and featured through the following: WOR 710 (the largest talk radio station in New York City), Fox 40 in Sacramento, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, LiveSciFi.com, Paranormal Zone TV, and the Globe, among other news outlets.
He resides in Northern California with his son where he researches and writes about the Zodiac serial killer, and other true crime cases. He can be reached for interviews through the following: Facebook “Mark G Hewitt;” email: Radians@live.com; and, phone (707)-548-6479.
With inmate Guillermo Mendez, Doctor Hewitt is the co-author of Charles Manson Behind Bars, the first Manson book from the inside. He has earned a BA in Theology, an M.Div. in ministry, and an MBA and a DBA in Business Administration.
Dr. Hewitt has been interviewed by, and featured through the following: WOR 710 (the largest talk radio station in New York City), Fox 40 in Sacramento, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, LiveSciFi.com, Paranormal Zone TV, and the Globe, among other news outlets.
He resides in Northern California with his son where he researches and writes about the Zodiac serial killer, and other true crime cases. He can be reached for interviews through the following: Facebook “Mark G Hewitt;” email: Radians@live.com; and, phone (707)-548-6479.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 7, 2018
I liked this second part from The Zodiac Serial Killer series a bit better than the first one. However, this book, similar to the first one, was slightly disappointing in terms of what it was promising to deliver and what it actually delivered. On one hand some of the points are somehow repetitive and written sloppily, but on the other the book is organized in a clear manner and it is easier to follow than the first one.
The book contains six major sections, the Conclusion being the sixth one. The other five are, in chronological order as following: Part 1: The Serial Killer; Part 2: The Attacks; Part 3: The Letters; Part 4: The Other Evidence; Part 5: The Profile.
I truly enjoyed reading the first part, although it was not specific to the Zodiac killer. Instead, it gave a general overview, analysis and classification of serial killers in general and the author later referenced some of the introduced concepts to the Zodiac. I learned a great deal in this part and I was especially surprised by the available statistics on the serial killers (for eg. I was astonished to find out that nearly 66%-67% of the World's known serial killers operate(d) in the USA).
The second part was okay, but this was the part that I somehow found a bit repetitive or redundant, especially since I have read the first book which dealt at great lengths with the Zodiac's attacks. I thought that the author did not present something very thought - provoking or something new and fresh in this part; but, nevertheless some analysis and look at the crimes from another angle were present and thus, this part was not a total failure.
The third part was very informative since the author gave a clear explanation why the letters the Zodiac wrote were considered some of the most relevant evidence in the attempts to catch this notorious killer. He also explained why many of the details in the letters were included to actually distract the police and direct the investigation in the wrong direction and how the real challenge was to distinguish the true and relevant clues from the fake ones. I got to learn many details in this part and I did not find it tiring or boring to read about them.
The remaining two parts were also a nice read, the fifth one being slightly more captivating to me than the fourth.
All in all, I would say the book can teach you a lot about the Zodiac killer, but it will not give you a great literary experience - mostly because of the at times immature writing style and repetitiveness. However, since this is a non-fiction book about a serial killer I also think it would be a bit silly to expect an emotional, a relaxing and an eye-opening touching read and consecutively, I think the author did quite a decent job in writing this book and presenting the information at hand in order to reach his goal to examine the Zodiac and his crimes.
The book contains six major sections, the Conclusion being the sixth one. The other five are, in chronological order as following: Part 1: The Serial Killer; Part 2: The Attacks; Part 3: The Letters; Part 4: The Other Evidence; Part 5: The Profile.
I truly enjoyed reading the first part, although it was not specific to the Zodiac killer. Instead, it gave a general overview, analysis and classification of serial killers in general and the author later referenced some of the introduced concepts to the Zodiac. I learned a great deal in this part and I was especially surprised by the available statistics on the serial killers (for eg. I was astonished to find out that nearly 66%-67% of the World's known serial killers operate(d) in the USA).
The second part was okay, but this was the part that I somehow found a bit repetitive or redundant, especially since I have read the first book which dealt at great lengths with the Zodiac's attacks. I thought that the author did not present something very thought - provoking or something new and fresh in this part; but, nevertheless some analysis and look at the crimes from another angle were present and thus, this part was not a total failure.
The third part was very informative since the author gave a clear explanation why the letters the Zodiac wrote were considered some of the most relevant evidence in the attempts to catch this notorious killer. He also explained why many of the details in the letters were included to actually distract the police and direct the investigation in the wrong direction and how the real challenge was to distinguish the true and relevant clues from the fake ones. I got to learn many details in this part and I did not find it tiring or boring to read about them.
The remaining two parts were also a nice read, the fifth one being slightly more captivating to me than the fourth.
All in all, I would say the book can teach you a lot about the Zodiac killer, but it will not give you a great literary experience - mostly because of the at times immature writing style and repetitiveness. However, since this is a non-fiction book about a serial killer I also think it would be a bit silly to expect an emotional, a relaxing and an eye-opening touching read and consecutively, I think the author did quite a decent job in writing this book and presenting the information at hand in order to reach his goal to examine the Zodiac and his crimes.
February 22, 2026
According to the author, Mark Hewitt, more than 2500 suspects have been 'considered'. I have been interested in this case since Graysmith's yellow book came out in the mid-90's. Loved Fincher's movie. However, I am not confident that the Zodiac will ever be identified. It's been almost 60 years since the murders started in December, 1968, at least the attacks that are in the "Canonical Five".
While I appreciate the author's organizational abilities in putting this book together and his choice not to name a likely suspect, I can't say there is anything new in this book. I agree with him that there is the possibility that technology may yet solve the case in the future. And I have heard on a podcast dedicated to the case that there is a new suspect that has been brought up primarily due to quasi-geographical profiling.
As for the profiling in this book, Hewitt does a nice job of listing likely characteristics beginning on page 361.
Caucasian male , somewhere around 30 years old in 1969, lonely and possibly abused as a child, low or middle class social standing, some higher education, possibly a military background and unable to form satisfying adult relationships.
All sounds good, can't argue with any of it. Of course there is more and some of the other characteristics were interesting but not the first time I've heard these.
All in all, a good book for diving deep into the facts of the case laid out in an organized fashion along with pictures of the letters in chronological order. Glad to own the book for that reason alone.
While I appreciate the author's organizational abilities in putting this book together and his choice not to name a likely suspect, I can't say there is anything new in this book. I agree with him that there is the possibility that technology may yet solve the case in the future. And I have heard on a podcast dedicated to the case that there is a new suspect that has been brought up primarily due to quasi-geographical profiling.
As for the profiling in this book, Hewitt does a nice job of listing likely characteristics beginning on page 361.
Caucasian male , somewhere around 30 years old in 1969, lonely and possibly abused as a child, low or middle class social standing, some higher education, possibly a military background and unable to form satisfying adult relationships.
All sounds good, can't argue with any of it. Of course there is more and some of the other characteristics were interesting but not the first time I've heard these.
All in all, a good book for diving deep into the facts of the case laid out in an organized fashion along with pictures of the letters in chronological order. Glad to own the book for that reason alone.
December 24, 2018
The second book of three about the Zodiac killings in California approximately 50 years ago. Volume 2, like the first book, is excellent. It looks at the evidence and examines the kind of man the Zodiac killer might be, using techniques such as criminal, psychological and behavioural profiling; forensics; writing analysis; influences on his personality including interests, skills and hobbies; location etc.
Profiling is a hit and miss science and far from exact. Nevertheless it has its uses but in my view should always be run in parallel with proper investigatory work. It failed miserably with the original chief suspect in the Rachel Nickell murder. Staging and providing red herrings and false clues is integral to how the Zodiac operated which is a reason for his evasion from justice. However, it is also clear that he was very lucky; luck plays a significant role for those who get away with it.
Will he ever be unmasked ? Yes, I believe he will but it will probably be after his death, if he is still alive today. The reason being that there is so much information out there. My own personal view is that he is already one of the main suspects or alternatively one of the existing infamous serial killers - Shawcross, BTK, Ridgeway, Son of Sam, member of the Manson Family or maybe even Ted Bundy - the 1st murder and the kidnapping sound like Bundy attacks but it is unlikely he was responsible for the series of attacks on couples.
No suspect is named in this volume - volume 1 provided a number of the main suspects and the next volume names the author’s killer for these unsolved series of murders. The Zodiac killings rank alongside the Jack The Ripper murders as the most fascinating unsolved serial killing case. Later, I will start Volume 3.
Profiling is a hit and miss science and far from exact. Nevertheless it has its uses but in my view should always be run in parallel with proper investigatory work. It failed miserably with the original chief suspect in the Rachel Nickell murder. Staging and providing red herrings and false clues is integral to how the Zodiac operated which is a reason for his evasion from justice. However, it is also clear that he was very lucky; luck plays a significant role for those who get away with it.
Will he ever be unmasked ? Yes, I believe he will but it will probably be after his death, if he is still alive today. The reason being that there is so much information out there. My own personal view is that he is already one of the main suspects or alternatively one of the existing infamous serial killers - Shawcross, BTK, Ridgeway, Son of Sam, member of the Manson Family or maybe even Ted Bundy - the 1st murder and the kidnapping sound like Bundy attacks but it is unlikely he was responsible for the series of attacks on couples.
No suspect is named in this volume - volume 1 provided a number of the main suspects and the next volume names the author’s killer for these unsolved series of murders. The Zodiac killings rank alongside the Jack The Ripper murders as the most fascinating unsolved serial killing case. Later, I will start Volume 3.
December 28, 2017
Excellent Read
This is an excellent follow up to his first book, "Hunted." It details the evidence and compiles all released facts about the case. Hewitt also explains in a clear, concise manner why certain myths, such as a partner, do not fit.
I agree that at this point, it is time to release all information. It is also time for all involved law enforcement agencies, including Riverside, to pool everything and form a dedicated cold case task force under the direction of either the California DOJ or the FBI. Riverside needs to participate if for no other reason than to determine once and for all whether Cheri Jo Bates was a Zodiac victim.
He also goes into detail about what can and cannot be believed in Zodiac's claims in the communications. He points out that Zodiac was not truly a criminal genius but rather very lucky and happened to commit his crimes when forensics was a rudimentary science.
A must read for anyone with a real interest in the case.
This is an excellent follow up to his first book, "Hunted." It details the evidence and compiles all released facts about the case. Hewitt also explains in a clear, concise manner why certain myths, such as a partner, do not fit.
I agree that at this point, it is time to release all information. It is also time for all involved law enforcement agencies, including Riverside, to pool everything and form a dedicated cold case task force under the direction of either the California DOJ or the FBI. Riverside needs to participate if for no other reason than to determine once and for all whether Cheri Jo Bates was a Zodiac victim.
He also goes into detail about what can and cannot be believed in Zodiac's claims in the communications. He points out that Zodiac was not truly a criminal genius but rather very lucky and happened to commit his crimes when forensics was a rudimentary science.
A must read for anyone with a real interest in the case.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews