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Vancouver Vice: Crime and Spectacle in the City’s West End
Aaron Chapman's latest Vancouver book explores the gritty history of the West End in the 1970s and '80s.
Aaron Chapman, the two-time Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award-winning author of such bestselling Vancouver-themed books as Vancouver after Dark and The Last Gang in Town, turns his gaze toward the city's tumultuous West End in his latest opus.
The late 1970s and early 1980s were a volatile period in the history of Vancouver, where broad social and cultural changes were afoot. This was perhaps most clearly evident in the West End, the well-known home to the city's tight-knit gay community that would soon be devastated by the AIDS epidemic. But the West End's tree-lined streets were also populated by sex workers, both female and male, who fought a well-publicized turf war with residents. This, combined with a rising crime rate, invited the closer attention of the Vancouver police, including its vice squad. But after a body was found dumped in nearby Stanley Park, it was discovered that the victim's high-profile connections reached far beyond the streets and back alleys of the West End, making for one of the most shocking investigations in Vancouver history, with secrets long held, and never fully told until now.
Vancouver Vice reveals the captivating beating heart of a neighbourhood long before the arrival of gentrifying condo towers and coffee bars. Part murder mystery, investigative expose, and cultural history, this book transports readers back to a grittier, more chaotic time in the city, when gambling dens prevailed, police listened in on wire taps, and hustlers plied their trade on street corners. With warm regard and a whiff of nostalgia, Vancouver Vice peers behind the curtain to examine how the city once indulged in its vices, and at what cost.
Aaron Chapman, the two-time Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award-winning author of such bestselling Vancouver-themed books as Vancouver after Dark and The Last Gang in Town, turns his gaze toward the city's tumultuous West End in his latest opus.
The late 1970s and early 1980s were a volatile period in the history of Vancouver, where broad social and cultural changes were afoot. This was perhaps most clearly evident in the West End, the well-known home to the city's tight-knit gay community that would soon be devastated by the AIDS epidemic. But the West End's tree-lined streets were also populated by sex workers, both female and male, who fought a well-publicized turf war with residents. This, combined with a rising crime rate, invited the closer attention of the Vancouver police, including its vice squad. But after a body was found dumped in nearby Stanley Park, it was discovered that the victim's high-profile connections reached far beyond the streets and back alleys of the West End, making for one of the most shocking investigations in Vancouver history, with secrets long held, and never fully told until now.
Vancouver Vice reveals the captivating beating heart of a neighbourhood long before the arrival of gentrifying condo towers and coffee bars. Part murder mystery, investigative expose, and cultural history, this book transports readers back to a grittier, more chaotic time in the city, when gambling dens prevailed, police listened in on wire taps, and hustlers plied their trade on street corners. With warm regard and a whiff of nostalgia, Vancouver Vice peers behind the curtain to examine how the city once indulged in its vices, and at what cost.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2021
8 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Chapman
16 books14 followersAaron Chapman is a writer, historian, and musician with a special interest in Vancouver's entertainment history.
He is the author of The Last Gang in Town, the story of Vancouver's Clark Park Gang; Liquor, Lust, and the Law, the story of Vancouver's Penthouse Nightclub, now available in a second edition; and Live at the Commodore, a history of the Commodore Ballroom that won the Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award (BC Book Prizes) in 2015. He lives in Vancouver.
He is the author of The Last Gang in Town, the story of Vancouver's Clark Park Gang; Liquor, Lust, and the Law, the story of Vancouver's Penthouse Nightclub, now available in a second edition; and Live at the Commodore, a history of the Commodore Ballroom that won the Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award (BC Book Prizes) in 2015. He lives in Vancouver.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 11, 2022
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a history of the LGBTQ+ community in the West end of Vancouver. Instead it was mainly interviews with the cops that used to harass them. This book is filled with references to grooming and to gay people being child molesters. Even though the author tries to play it off, having the cops that enforced these homophobic ideas and laws being the main characters overrides any of those attempts. I'm not here for vague references about how they were just doing their job and what a nuisance these sex workers were to the community and how it was mainly boys under the age of 16 who are being exploited by pimps, who of course were gay themselves because that's what homosexuality is. It's older men trying to fuck young boys. Or at least that's what this book and the author and these cops want you to believe. Hugely disappointed.
January 13, 2024
stupid copaganda
February 26, 2022
Thank you to @arsenalpulp and @zgstories for a copy of Vancouver Vice: Crime and Spectacle in the City’s West End.
While I was just a young kid when the events of this book took place, I came to work with some of the people named here as members of the criminal justice system. Through relationships with friends living in the west end and spending time there as a teenager and into my early 20s I came to know some of the history. I danced the night away at Luv-A-Fair many a time!
Vancouver Vice narrows its focus on a murder case, the history of the West End, sex workers and in particular youth sex workers, and the police personnel who worked in the area. The author covers an extensive amount of material in a relatively short book. I say that as a compliment. The research and information provided is tight and just the perfect amount to keep the timeline moving along. We learn enough about the personalities to care about them (e.g. a house fire which turns into a rescue operation for two cops trying to catch a suspect breaking into cars).
The imagery was clear enough that I believe someone not familiar with the landmarks could get a good sense of them. The timeline of this book is primarily the 1970s. It was not uncommon to come across men being intimate in English Bay at night, in some of the dark alleys and apparently in the 4th floor washroom of the Hudson’s Bay Company store.
My only quibble is minor and controversial. Not all VICE cops were warm-hearted and caring of the young people who found themselves often in circumstances where sex work was the only way they felt they could survive, feel connected and keep a roof over their heads. I’ll zip my lips at that.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Vancouver and the LGBTQ+ community within this community as well as those interested in bizarre murder mystery cases with a whole host of colourful characters and a gritty setting.
While I was just a young kid when the events of this book took place, I came to work with some of the people named here as members of the criminal justice system. Through relationships with friends living in the west end and spending time there as a teenager and into my early 20s I came to know some of the history. I danced the night away at Luv-A-Fair many a time!
Vancouver Vice narrows its focus on a murder case, the history of the West End, sex workers and in particular youth sex workers, and the police personnel who worked in the area. The author covers an extensive amount of material in a relatively short book. I say that as a compliment. The research and information provided is tight and just the perfect amount to keep the timeline moving along. We learn enough about the personalities to care about them (e.g. a house fire which turns into a rescue operation for two cops trying to catch a suspect breaking into cars).
The imagery was clear enough that I believe someone not familiar with the landmarks could get a good sense of them. The timeline of this book is primarily the 1970s. It was not uncommon to come across men being intimate in English Bay at night, in some of the dark alleys and apparently in the 4th floor washroom of the Hudson’s Bay Company store.
My only quibble is minor and controversial. Not all VICE cops were warm-hearted and caring of the young people who found themselves often in circumstances where sex work was the only way they felt they could survive, feel connected and keep a roof over their heads. I’ll zip my lips at that.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Vancouver and the LGBTQ+ community within this community as well as those interested in bizarre murder mystery cases with a whole host of colourful characters and a gritty setting.
March 3, 2022
Wild stuff. Vancouver used to be cooler but has always been run by uptight rich perverts.
Read
July 29, 2022Although VANCOUVER VICE as the title indicates is all about Vancouver, in many ways a similar book could have been written about several major cities in Canada. Wherever you go there is crime, even in the smallest of communities, but multiply it by larger populations and you definitely have an influx of crime and criminals into that area.
Aaron Chapman has taken a shorter period of time, from the late 1970’s until the early 1980’s and compressed into a microcosm of crimes and misdemeanors in the area. The book is short and to the point, and you don’t have to be a resident of British Columbia to appreciate his efforts. Since the prologue to the book is called Murder At Lost Lagoon, some might surmise that the book was going to focus on unsolved murders. While there are a few murders noted within the book, the majority of chapters focus on prostitution both male and female, along with underage and exploited sex workers.
It is the West End of the city that is the focal point of the stories, and the author takes us right inside the area, with concise reporting about the people and places that seemed the targets for the criminal acts and activities. There were many things happening at this time as AIDS was becoming a prevalent concern, and there was rampant disregard at times for protection. Drugs were also quite common and the street walkers of the day and those into such drugs seemed interconnected. Police did their best to curtail the street drugs and anything illegal, but at times their hands were tied, and while they were successful driving out such activities, it would likely move to another area not long after that.
The seedier side of sex is told in detail, about the dark alleys and the quickie rendezvous that were common. We find that some of the vice cops were personable and not all of them simply law and order, but were concerned as well about the wellbeing of those who were involved in the sex trade. Interesting reading for those who recall what life was like in the late 70’s and early 80’s giving the book a nostalgic but authentic feel.
Aaron Chapman has taken a shorter period of time, from the late 1970’s until the early 1980’s and compressed into a microcosm of crimes and misdemeanors in the area. The book is short and to the point, and you don’t have to be a resident of British Columbia to appreciate his efforts. Since the prologue to the book is called Murder At Lost Lagoon, some might surmise that the book was going to focus on unsolved murders. While there are a few murders noted within the book, the majority of chapters focus on prostitution both male and female, along with underage and exploited sex workers.
It is the West End of the city that is the focal point of the stories, and the author takes us right inside the area, with concise reporting about the people and places that seemed the targets for the criminal acts and activities. There were many things happening at this time as AIDS was becoming a prevalent concern, and there was rampant disregard at times for protection. Drugs were also quite common and the street walkers of the day and those into such drugs seemed interconnected. Police did their best to curtail the street drugs and anything illegal, but at times their hands were tied, and while they were successful driving out such activities, it would likely move to another area not long after that.
The seedier side of sex is told in detail, about the dark alleys and the quickie rendezvous that were common. We find that some of the vice cops were personable and not all of them simply law and order, but were concerned as well about the wellbeing of those who were involved in the sex trade. Interesting reading for those who recall what life was like in the late 70’s and early 80’s giving the book a nostalgic but authentic feel.
January 29, 2022
Reading books about where I live, it always interesting. You gain so much more insight into what things used to look like or how things were, the memories that get brought up. It is nice to be able to picture or be right there in the place that you are also reading about.
This is a well told historical story about a volatile period in Vancouver. Well written and engaging. It provided a lot of information and insight into the late 70's early 80's in Vancouver.
I leant this book to a 77 year old relative to get his perspective as well.
"This is what he had to say " I had the opportunity to review this book and I found it very interesting. I was born in Vancouver in 1945 and can relate to many of the stories and locations described in the book. I lived in the 1800 block of Comox Ave for a short period and also on 5th Ave and Arbutus. The 4th Ace area was more of a "hippy" hang-out with bars such as the Rentinal Circus.
I remember the scandal when Walter Mulligan was fired from the VPD.
I met Larry Campbell when he was the Chief Coroner with BC and he could tell some interesting stories of his experiences with his profession.
I was acquainted with Bob Rich who later became the Police Chief in Abbotsford, BC.
I was not involved in the gay community but was surprised to see so many younger men and boys looking for a pick up.
I also remember seeing the girls of all ages in short skirts and high heels handing around street corners looking for a "date" as they said back then.
It seemed that in the 60's and 70's the crackdowns by the police just pushed the activities to other locations and didn't really stop the drugs or the prostitutes from doing their thing"
This is a well told historical story about a volatile period in Vancouver. Well written and engaging. It provided a lot of information and insight into the late 70's early 80's in Vancouver.
I leant this book to a 77 year old relative to get his perspective as well.
"This is what he had to say " I had the opportunity to review this book and I found it very interesting. I was born in Vancouver in 1945 and can relate to many of the stories and locations described in the book. I lived in the 1800 block of Comox Ave for a short period and also on 5th Ave and Arbutus. The 4th Ace area was more of a "hippy" hang-out with bars such as the Rentinal Circus.
I remember the scandal when Walter Mulligan was fired from the VPD.
I met Larry Campbell when he was the Chief Coroner with BC and he could tell some interesting stories of his experiences with his profession.
I was acquainted with Bob Rich who later became the Police Chief in Abbotsford, BC.
I was not involved in the gay community but was surprised to see so many younger men and boys looking for a pick up.
I also remember seeing the girls of all ages in short skirts and high heels handing around street corners looking for a "date" as they said back then.
It seemed that in the 60's and 70's the crackdowns by the police just pushed the activities to other locations and didn't really stop the drugs or the prostitutes from doing their thing"
February 27, 2022
This was a fast tracked book. It’s part true crime and part local history. It sheds a lot of light on things that I am sure Vancouver would like to forget. I think what I liked best was that Chapman did his best to present a balanced narrative without making either the VPD or the sex workers the “bad guy” of the narrative. I also like the fact that he repeatedly pointed out that pushing sex workers from the West End didn’t stop the problem, it only moved it elsewhere in the city. I did feel that some parts were rather generic in feel, but I suspect that may be a lack of information. Chapman brings up the negative consequences of the VPD destroying old records. Both to the impact of cold cases in the city and for historians looking into how the city was policed.
The one thing that really annoyed me? Some of the editing mistakes. For example, between pages 73 and 75, Chapman discusses Staff Sargent Glenn McDonald and his role as the head of the vice squad. On those pages, his last name is spelled McDonald (11 times) or MacDonald (8 times) and then there is a reference to a Blacke MacDonald on page 75. I had to read these pages twice to make sure that Chapman was talking about the same person, with the exception of the one mention of Blackie MacDonald. While I understand that the Mc vs Mac spelling is an easy spelling mistake to make, I feel that this error should have been caught in the draft stage or the editing stage. The fact that it wasn’t, is a bit disappointing. And as someone who wrote her fair share of history essays when I was working on getting my bachelor’s degree, I know how easy it is to make a mistake with spelling a name but 19 times on 3 pages is a bit concerning.
The one thing that really annoyed me? Some of the editing mistakes. For example, between pages 73 and 75, Chapman discusses Staff Sargent Glenn McDonald and his role as the head of the vice squad. On those pages, his last name is spelled McDonald (11 times) or MacDonald (8 times) and then there is a reference to a Blacke MacDonald on page 75. I had to read these pages twice to make sure that Chapman was talking about the same person, with the exception of the one mention of Blackie MacDonald. While I understand that the Mc vs Mac spelling is an easy spelling mistake to make, I feel that this error should have been caught in the draft stage or the editing stage. The fact that it wasn’t, is a bit disappointing. And as someone who wrote her fair share of history essays when I was working on getting my bachelor’s degree, I know how easy it is to make a mistake with spelling a name but 19 times on 3 pages is a bit concerning.
March 18, 2022
I've always been drawn to true crime stories, and ones in our own backyard are even more of a pull.
Thank you to ZG Stories and Arsenal Pulp Press for my gifted copy of Vancouver Vice to feature!
While I'm not from British Columbia, I'm in western Canada and familiar enough with Vancouver to have a sense of the areas depicted in the book.
Author Aaron Chapman has packed a ton of research and information into this book. It's tight and reads like newspaper archives with a side of investigative journalism.
Vancouver Vice is a specific history lesson, and a profile on areas of the city during the late 1970s and early 80s.
The differences of then to now are illustrated through chapters on the sex trade, struggles of the LGBTQ community and emergence of AIDS, and alarming crime rates.
For those who enjoy true crime and murder mystery investigations, as well as slices of society and cultural backgrounds, do consider this gem of a read for your TBR. Recommended!
Thank you to ZG Stories and Arsenal Pulp Press for my gifted copy of Vancouver Vice to feature!
While I'm not from British Columbia, I'm in western Canada and familiar enough with Vancouver to have a sense of the areas depicted in the book.
Author Aaron Chapman has packed a ton of research and information into this book. It's tight and reads like newspaper archives with a side of investigative journalism.
Vancouver Vice is a specific history lesson, and a profile on areas of the city during the late 1970s and early 80s.
The differences of then to now are illustrated through chapters on the sex trade, struggles of the LGBTQ community and emergence of AIDS, and alarming crime rates.
For those who enjoy true crime and murder mystery investigations, as well as slices of society and cultural backgrounds, do consider this gem of a read for your TBR. Recommended!
August 13, 2022
“Vancouver Vice,” Aaron Chapman’s latest foray into the underside of Vancouver is an excellent read. Exploring both the evolution of Vancouver’s West End Neighbourhood and the involvement and evolution of the Vancouver Police Department’s Vice Squad, Chapman exposes the nature of the sex trade and its effects on the neighbourhood. Anchoring his history around a number of high profile cases: Hal Keller, Wayne Harris, and John Lewis, the changing perspectives and reactions to sex work, child exploitation and trafficking, and the role of police in preventing and solving crimes is laid bare. Cleverly structured around the physical neighbourhood: iconic nightclubs and joints, the traffic-calmed inner streets, and even the lamppost memorial to sex-workers, it is a visual journey through the Vancouver of the 70s and 80s. This is a great follow-up read to “Vancouver Confidential,” which focuses on the mid-century history of Vancouver (To which Chapman was a contributor.)
January 20, 2022
I love reading books about my hometown. This book was like watching a documentary, and I couldn’t stop reading it. Vancouver Vice does primarily talk about Wayne Harris and Hal Keller - two very disgusting individuals who pimped out underage boys and *basically* got away with it from the VPD. It’s sad that even after their deaths not much more was done to uncover how many other predators were/are out on the streets of Vancouver.
More about the actual book format though, I really enjoyed that it told the primary story of that case, but also mixed in things going on in each decade, or side stories about certain buildings, etc.
Looking forward to reading more from this local author - and if you like Aaron Chapman make sure to check out another local author, Eve Lazarus! I think you’d like her as well!
More about the actual book format though, I really enjoyed that it told the primary story of that case, but also mixed in things going on in each decade, or side stories about certain buildings, etc.
Looking forward to reading more from this local author - and if you like Aaron Chapman make sure to check out another local author, Eve Lazarus! I think you’d like her as well!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2022
This was quite an enlightening book on some of the dark sides of Vancouver.
Now, although this was mostly a history book, it went on nauseum about the current housing affordability crisis in Vancouver and how so many people are fleeing living here.
Yeah, I get it!
For the rest of the book, it was a very good read on the true crime history of Vancouver - particularly in the accounts of three vices: drugs, prostitution, and sex clubs.
It did not have even a sentence about things like illegal AirBnBs, housing speculation, casinos, money laundering, cash-only businesses, tax evasion, etc. It truly was mostly a history.
I would have loved a newer book on the above topics, as a lot of them (presumably / allegedly) seem to have caused the current housing crisis.
3.8/5
Now, although this was mostly a history book, it went on nauseum about the current housing affordability crisis in Vancouver and how so many people are fleeing living here.
Yeah, I get it!
For the rest of the book, it was a very good read on the true crime history of Vancouver - particularly in the accounts of three vices: drugs, prostitution, and sex clubs.
It did not have even a sentence about things like illegal AirBnBs, housing speculation, casinos, money laundering, cash-only businesses, tax evasion, etc. It truly was mostly a history.
I would have loved a newer book on the above topics, as a lot of them (presumably / allegedly) seem to have caused the current housing crisis.
3.8/5
December 1, 2021
An exceptionally well-researched deep dive into Vancouver's West End as it was in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Chapman factually walks his readers through the exploitation of young male sex-trade workers, the burgeoning sex trade in the West End, and the emergence of a vibrant gay community. We see these events through the eyes of those who lived it and the vice cops who investigated it all, including several pivotal murders. The stories are woven with clarity and intrigue, making them a comprehensive reflection of the era and a fascinating read.
September 29, 2025
When I first started this book I thought it was boring and had a difficult time getting into it. It went through the history of the city of Vancouver and the history of the housing in the West End and how the city grew.
The VPD (Vancouver Police Department) were getting complaints of the large amounts of prostitution on Davie Street and began to do undercover operations to find the bigger players in this surge. They came across a few people and were able to have them incarcerated. This also led to cover ups higher up the ladder when supposedly prominent people were named.
In the end, prostitution was banned west of Burrard Street and prostitution was moved to other places within the city, with many young women eventually being killed by Willie Pickton.
There were investigations into the trafficking of underage boys, but again, names of higher ups came to light and things were quietly squashed.
All in all, it was an interesting read and I did slowly get into it. It was interesting to find out some of the facts of Davie Street as I was a young kid back then and had seen Davie Street in action.
The VPD (Vancouver Police Department) were getting complaints of the large amounts of prostitution on Davie Street and began to do undercover operations to find the bigger players in this surge. They came across a few people and were able to have them incarcerated. This also led to cover ups higher up the ladder when supposedly prominent people were named.
In the end, prostitution was banned west of Burrard Street and prostitution was moved to other places within the city, with many young women eventually being killed by Willie Pickton.
There were investigations into the trafficking of underage boys, but again, names of higher ups came to light and things were quietly squashed.
All in all, it was an interesting read and I did slowly get into it. It was interesting to find out some of the facts of Davie Street as I was a young kid back then and had seen Davie Street in action.
December 30, 2021
This was an absorbing read and felt a bit like watching a TV detective show. It was suspenseful, gritty but respectful, often disturbing, and definitely revealing of Vancouver’s past and present. I appreciated the interview excerpts; they lent variety and added a personal aspect to the already excellent storytelling. In my own humble opinion, the book is very well researched and written, and is well-structured and well-paced. Another quality that is important to me is copyediting, but I felt this was wanting (not the author’s fault, but sentence fragments, typos, etc. cropped up with annoying frequency.)
December 15, 2025
I enjoyed reading this as someone who used to live in the west end. i wish there was more accounts from the sex worker community but I understand that they may not have wanted to come forward as much or were harder to track down as opposed to the police. I do think it's important to note that any victims of sex trafficking are not sex workers. sex work implies consent, so anyone who was coerced into sex work is actual a victim of sex trafficking not a sex worker.
overall I thought it was well researched despite the lack of records, and had a good balanced take, not favoring one side or the other. really good read!
overall I thought it was well researched despite the lack of records, and had a good balanced take, not favoring one side or the other. really good read!
March 5, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. Some of the names from the past are easy to remember from that period.
One thing missed on Hal Keller was his attempt to start the APOC (American Party of Canada). But the depravity of his personal life I gleaned from the book was shocking. Whether or not he was murdered is a mystery that will likely never be solved. I would have given five stars if the missing pages 124-127 were not missing from the finished product. This has been brought to the attention of the publisher.
One thing missed on Hal Keller was his attempt to start the APOC (American Party of Canada). But the depravity of his personal life I gleaned from the book was shocking. Whether or not he was murdered is a mystery that will likely never be solved. I would have given five stars if the missing pages 124-127 were not missing from the finished product. This has been brought to the attention of the publisher.
October 16, 2025
What an insightful account of the West End in the 60-80s. While I didn’t live here then, I have been for the past few years so reading about the lives that have been on the streets I walk daily made the book a page turner. The topics are hard to see in print and wild that it was “acceptable”, but well researched and written and has me going back for more of his books.
December 27, 2021
Engaging documentary about prostitution in the West End of Vancouver in the 70's and 80's
December 26, 2024
Rename the working title, The Vancouver Chickenhawks. ***
January 30, 2026
Would have rated this book higher if it had been better edited. Lots of words missing and other anomalies where i had to re-read a sentence. The worst was 2 sections where the pages were in the wrong order, so flipping back and forth.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews