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A Monster Of All Time: The True Story of Danny Rolling, The Gainesville Ripper
by
Ambitious, attractive, and full of potential, five young college students prepared for the new semester. They dreamed of beginning careers and starting families. They had a lifetime of experiences in front of them. But death came without warning in the dark of the night.
Brutally ending five promising lives, leaving behind three gruesome crime scenes, the Gainesville Ripp ...more
Brutally ending five promising lives, leaving behind three gruesome crime scenes, the Gainesville Ripp ...more
Paperback, 302 pages
Published
September 5th 2018
by RJ Parker Publishing
(first published September 4th 2018)
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Start your review of A Monster Of All Time: The True Story of Danny Rolling, The Gainesville Ripper
I would think there is no one in Florida who hasn’t heard of Danny Rolling and seeing I live here, I wanted to know more. A book taking place in a familiar location has that little bit extra.
Serial killers….Nature? Nurture? Born evil? Made evil? We can beat the subject to death, but to me the plain truth is…they made the choice…and they need to pay the price for that choice.
J T Hunter covered all the basics and then some. I want to know what makes the bad guy tick, but will that ever really be k ...more
Serial killers….Nature? Nurture? Born evil? Made evil? We can beat the subject to death, but to me the plain truth is…they made the choice…and they need to pay the price for that choice.
J T Hunter covered all the basics and then some. I want to know what makes the bad guy tick, but will that ever really be k ...more
I’ve always had an interest in reading about serial killers. They say that many of us may know one, even be friends with one. Guess that saying about never really knowing a person is true, in a terrifying way.
Danny Rollins’ killing spree occurred during August of 1990. I had moved to the south in 1986 and find it hard to remember much about him. Perhaps it’s because Ted Bundy was executed in 1989 and that day, along with the many books and movies made about him, blurred my memory about Danny.
Thi ...more
Danny Rollins’ killing spree occurred during August of 1990. I had moved to the south in 1986 and find it hard to remember much about him. Perhaps it’s because Ted Bundy was executed in 1989 and that day, along with the many books and movies made about him, blurred my memory about Danny.
Thi ...more
I was just a little girl when Danny Rolling murdered the five college students. As a fan of true crime stories, I really enjoyed this book. It was just right with the formula. Not bogged down with details but at the same time no little details were lacking either.
I will admit that the murders are very gruesome. It is no wonder that the detectives had nightmares. There was a few times reading this book that I almost put it down for a moment. While, I did not know any of the victims of Danny Roll ...more
I will admit that the murders are very gruesome. It is no wonder that the detectives had nightmares. There was a few times reading this book that I almost put it down for a moment. While, I did not know any of the victims of Danny Roll ...more
Jul 04, 2019
Merissa (Archaeolibrarian)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
true-crime
It's not very often I venture out of my fantasy/paranormal bubble. I usually read to escape from reality, not learn about the horrific nature of what's out there. However, my guilty pleasure is True Crime, if only for the fact it reminds me just how good it is to escape!
This is one of those books. The one where I can't put it down, gripped by morbid fascination to find out what happened to the killer, even as I mourn his victims. I'm from the UK, and so have no real grasp about the death sentenc ...more
This is one of those books. The one where I can't put it down, gripped by morbid fascination to find out what happened to the killer, even as I mourn his victims. I'm from the UK, and so have no real grasp about the death sentenc ...more
Sep 10, 2018
Bettye McKee
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
true-crime-books
A wolf among the lambs
In August of 1990, an ex-con drifted into Gainesville, Florida, with a heart filled with anger, hatred, rage, and a desire for revenge against the society that had mistreated him. Gainesville, home of the University of Florida, was teeming with pretty, young girls like a buffet awaiting his selection.
In a matter of days, he had mercilessly and viciously murdered five young college students. The search for the killer led authorities to arrest, persecute and destroy an innoce ...more
In August of 1990, an ex-con drifted into Gainesville, Florida, with a heart filled with anger, hatred, rage, and a desire for revenge against the society that had mistreated him. Gainesville, home of the University of Florida, was teeming with pretty, young girls like a buffet awaiting his selection.
In a matter of days, he had mercilessly and viciously murdered five young college students. The search for the killer led authorities to arrest, persecute and destroy an innoce ...more
In A Monster Of All Time, author JT Hunter takes the reader behind the scenes of a riveting true crime thriller for an in depth look at a highly publicized murder case set in Gainesville, Florida.
In a span of four days, from August 24-27, 1990, thirty-six year old convict/drifter Danny Rolling terrorized the quiet University of Florida town of Gainesville with a series of three heinous and gruesome crime scene murders of five college students in their apartments. This is a horrific story of a na ...more
In a span of four days, from August 24-27, 1990, thirty-six year old convict/drifter Danny Rolling terrorized the quiet University of Florida town of Gainesville with a series of three heinous and gruesome crime scene murders of five college students in their apartments. This is a horrific story of a na ...more
Jul 05, 2019
Erica Robyn Metcalf
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
honest-review-exchange,
true-crime
A Monster Of All Time: The True Story of Danny Rolling is a true crime novel that discussed the horrible actions of a true monster.
Far too often, I’ve found that true crime tales focus on just one element of the case, rather than giving the full picture.
That wasn’t the case here; this novel was wonderfully written!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author as a participant of the Partners In Crime Book Tour in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating ...more
Far too often, I’ve found that true crime tales focus on just one element of the case, rather than giving the full picture.
That wasn’t the case here; this novel was wonderfully written!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author as a participant of the Partners In Crime Book Tour in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating ...more
Normally I read Crime Fiction. I'm used to descriptions of horrible things being done to people. Murder and mayhem on every page and gruesome stories in infinite variety being played out on the page for my entertainment.
At first, I was concerned my palate would be too jaded to appreciate a True Crime story but the murders of Sonja, Christina, Christa, Manuel, Tracy and the Grissom family and the everlasting effect these murders had on family and friends quickly moved me to tears.
The storyline wa ...more
At first, I was concerned my palate would be too jaded to appreciate a True Crime story but the murders of Sonja, Christina, Christa, Manuel, Tracy and the Grissom family and the everlasting effect these murders had on family and friends quickly moved me to tears.
The storyline wa ...more
The sad story of a bloodthirsty monster and his victims.
I have read other books about Danny Rolling and his sorry excuses of why he did what he did, but I'm not buying it. Rolling was a master manipulator and sociopath. With his manners and singing he tried to fool everyone, but he was the ultimate .com man, fooling no one. At least this book honored the victims and their families. What damage one man could do! True crime readers should enjoy this book because it is well written and sticks to t ...more
I have read other books about Danny Rolling and his sorry excuses of why he did what he did, but I'm not buying it. Rolling was a master manipulator and sociopath. With his manners and singing he tried to fool everyone, but he was the ultimate .com man, fooling no one. At least this book honored the victims and their families. What damage one man could do! True crime readers should enjoy this book because it is well written and sticks to t ...more
This was actually really interesting. The author isn't on par with Anne Rule or Truman Capote, but this is a fair treatment of this really bizarre story. I attended grad school at UF, and I was really moved by the way the community came together. I also appreciated that the author detailed how a prime suspect who WASN'T the killer was able to get his life back after he was cleared. Oddly enough, it made this a very hopeful story. It was worth my time to read.
...more
What a gripping, fascinating tale about a horrifying serial killer and his reign of terror! I consider myself to be quite the true aficionado and I'm shocked I never heard about Rolling before.
Now that I have, if I had to describe him in a word: Monster. What he did to these five women (and two men and even one young boy) is simply horrible. I honestly recommend going into this book not knowing anything about his crimes because it will take you through it in a comprehensive manner.
The first th ...more
Now that I have, if I had to describe him in a word: Monster. What he did to these five women (and two men and even one young boy) is simply horrible. I honestly recommend going into this book not knowing anything about his crimes because it will take you through it in a comprehensive manner.
The first th ...more
I read this, knowing a fair amount about Danny Rolling, the "Gainesville Ripper." Many of these books have the same basic format, description of the crimes, then backtracking to the perpetrator, and their upbringing, laced with comments from people who knew them, and from families of the victims. And of course, the salacious details of the groupies who want to "meet' and/or make money off of the perpetrator's story. This was no different. I always wish for a little more depth to the stories, rat
...more
Interesting how throughout the retelling of events in this tragic tale that the killer is never referred to by his name in the beginning of the book; solely laid out as just "the prisoner", sort of a reversal of roles as most that follow true crime know that often the serial killer views his victims as impersonal or objects in which he does not associate them as people .
Was this intentional on author's part so that the killer does not receive as much fame & notoriety? Or is it merely out of resp ...more
Was this intentional on author's part so that the killer does not receive as much fame & notoriety? Or is it merely out of resp ...more
Horrific crimes
I knew about the Gainesville Ripper but not all the horrific details of this monster's crimes. His punishment was too long coming and too easy. God rest the souls of his victims amd may God bless the victims' families. Danny Rolling was the epitome of true evil.
The story was carefully written with great respect for those murdered, the investigators, and the family members of the victims. ...more
I knew about the Gainesville Ripper but not all the horrific details of this monster's crimes. His punishment was too long coming and too easy. God rest the souls of his victims amd may God bless the victims' families. Danny Rolling was the epitome of true evil.
The story was carefully written with great respect for those murdered, the investigators, and the family members of the victims. ...more
Concise, intelligent and informative
Very well written, engrossing and direct, this is one of the more engaging examples of true crime as it should be. It offers a balanced and inclusive report of the victims, the killer, families and friends, the trials and the aftermath. Never boring or repetitive, it covers all relevant information in a suspenseful format that holds your attention easily. Highly recommended. jscoppage
Very well written, engrossing and direct, this is one of the more engaging examples of true crime as it should be. It offers a balanced and inclusive report of the victims, the killer, families and friends, the trials and the aftermath. Never boring or repetitive, it covers all relevant information in a suspenseful format that holds your attention easily. Highly recommended. jscoppage
An awful but good read
Definately not a feel good read. This book is extremely disturbing! It takes you out of your safe, secure world into a world where gruesome murders happen- where so- called normal people murder young people who had done nothing to deserve losing their lives. Well written
Definately not a feel good read. This book is extremely disturbing! It takes you out of your safe, secure world into a world where gruesome murders happen- where so- called normal people murder young people who had done nothing to deserve losing their lives. Well written
True Evil
This is the first book I have read by Mr. Hunter. This book is very well written and well researched. I remember the case but did not know a lot about it. I will be reading more by this author.
This is the first book I have read by Mr. Hunter. This book is very well written and well researched. I remember the case but did not know a lot about it. I will be reading more by this author.
A deeply disturbing but in-depth analysis of the Gainsville murders and the people involved. I greatly appreciated the author devoting time and voice to the victims' families especially near the end of the book. A painful but enlightening and horrifyingly fascinating read.
...more
I was always interested in learning more about this as I remember it on news when I was younger and then went to UF, but it was hard to get through with the details of the obvious subject at hand and the fact that it was repetitive and overall not well written.
Evil story, Great book
I bought this book on a bored whim and it blew me away. It was factually and the author could back the claims made in this story. I would suggest this book to anyone, but it's somewhat of a page turner. ...more
I bought this book on a bored whim and it blew me away. It was factually and the author could back the claims made in this story. I would suggest this book to anyone, but it's somewhat of a page turner. ...more
Sadly J T Hunter's books do not seem to be my style. This is the second one I DNF and I just found the start really good then then it seems to become repetitive and boring.
...more
Fascinating account of a serial killer. The author presented the facts in chronological order, culminating in a accurate portrayal of the killings, the hunt for the killer, and his trial.
Fabulous
I’ve read a lot of true crime and this is one of the better ones. Such a gripping tragic story.
I’ve read a lot of true crime and this is one of the better ones. Such a gripping tragic story.
Superb writing
A truly amazing piece of work,great detail,not over gruesome,well researched,a great read,a must for any true crime reader,one i will go back to again.
A truly amazing piece of work,great detail,not over gruesome,well researched,a great read,a must for any true crime reader,one i will go back to again.
Great book for those interested in the full story or fans of true crime.
Good book reading
Well documented keeping you grilled to complete the book at a stretch. Author has a knack of writing the episode in a well documented way.
Well documented keeping you grilled to complete the book at a stretch. Author has a knack of writing the episode in a well documented way.
A Monster of All Time is well-deserving of five stars. J.T. Hunter’s non-fiction book, A Monster of All Time, shook me so deeply that there were times I had to put it down for a day or two. It is a powerful read, not simply because the subject matter is intense, but also because J. T. Hunter wrote with such unrestrained clarity and eloquence that occasionally I wanted time to digest the chapter.
I was prepared to read the story of the brutal murders carried out by a serial killer – or I thought I ...more
I was prepared to read the story of the brutal murders carried out by a serial killer – or I thought I ...more
I’ve always had an interest in reading about serial killers. They say that many of us may know one, even be friends with one. Guess that saying about never really knowing a person is true, in a terrifying way.
Danny Rollins’ killing spree occurred during August of 1990. I had moved to the south in 1986 and find it hard to remember much about him. Perhaps it’s because Ted Bundy was executed in 1989 and that day, along with the many books and movies made about him, blurred my memory about Danny.
Thi ...more
Danny Rollins’ killing spree occurred during August of 1990. I had moved to the south in 1986 and find it hard to remember much about him. Perhaps it’s because Ted Bundy was executed in 1989 and that day, along with the many books and movies made about him, blurred my memory about Danny.
Thi ...more
I tend to gravitate to true crimes stories and am sad to admit that I had not heard of Danny Rolling or the Gainsville Ripper so I was excited to read this book. In August of 1990 Rolling forced his way into an apartment where he killed two teenage girls. He then proceeded to kill three more individuals. He was arrested a couple weeks later on burglary charges and linked to the five killings.
This is a good story of Rolling and the horrible crimes he committed, some of the detectives had nightmar ...more
This is a good story of Rolling and the horrible crimes he committed, some of the detectives had nightmar ...more
As a six-year old when these vicious murders occurred, I don't remember the media coverage nor the fear that was implanted into parents hearts for their students in Gainesville. By the number of books, TV shows, movies, etc. I am not the only person who finds serial killers intriguing. Perhaps it's gruesome, but so many are charismatic and driven by unusual reasons. The details of Danny Rollings and the Gainsville murders are extremely disturbing. I felt fear and often had the hair on the back o
...more
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J.T. Hunter is an attorney with over fourteen years of experience practicing law, including criminal law and appeals, and he has significant training in criminal investigation techniques. He is also a college professor in Florida where his teaching interests focus on the intersection of criminal psychology, law, and literature.
JT's bestselling true crime books include:
Devil in The Darkness: True S ...more
JT's bestselling true crime books include:
Devil in The Darkness: True S ...more
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“The real issue at the death penalty phase is the degree to which the jury sees him as a human or as a demon,” Winter explained. “The difference between life and death is not the degree with which the jury excuses what he did, but the degree to which they understand why he did it.”
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