Behind the Mask: A True Story of Obsession and a Savage Genius

by Stella Sands

Forty-year-old William Coday lived the quiet life of a scholar. He spoke six languages and held degrees in history, literature, and library science. As a librarian in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he was known to be unfailingly kind and helpful. But you can’t always judge a book by its cover…

When Coday failed to show up for work one day, a concerned colleague looked for him at his apartment… only to discover the body of Gloria Gomez. Coday’s ex-girlfriend, Gomez had been bludgeoned to death with 144 blows by two hammers and a knife. Police at the scene had little doubt that Coday was the killer. But other, darker secrets from Coday’s past had yet to come to light…

In one of the most shocking crime cases and legal appeals in Florida history, an extraordinary courtroom battle began. What the jury did not know was that Coday, when he lived abroad, had beaten another ex-girlfriend to death; the courts there had deemed him insane. Who was William Coday: Mentally unstable? Or perfectly capable—and guilty—of murder in the first degree? Soon it would be up to prosecutors to prove who the real man was BEHIND THE MASK.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name]

I’m pretty sure I just read something so incorrect it made me jump. The last sentence in the synopsis of this book said this true crime novel won some BEST CHILDREN’s book in like 2007. Some year, but I don’t think these people know what children are…

I've contact the librarian group re: that absurd last sentence in the synopsis above

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book had a really good pace to it, but once the trial started I found it really dry. It took me way too long to finish reading this book.

[Mishon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This world is full of terrible people and this book introduces us to one such person. It wasn’t written in a terribly gripping way, but it’s short so it’s easy to read the whole thing.
A very disturbing criminal

[Arlene Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began working for Broward County Library the year sfter Coday's arrest and the system was still in shock. Several of my coworkers knew him and spoke very hightly of William Coday. I actually know some of the names mentioned in the book, and in the acknowledgements. As obviously I never met him, I can't make up my mind about him - a mess of contradictions. I think he would be quite devastated to know his beloved International Collection goes untended - we just don't have the money to send anyone to conferences in state much less to other countries. He'd be sad to see his beloved library now. I think the book was very tastefull written and presented all viewpoints on the case and William.

I rarely ever read true crime but as this literally happened in my own back yard I wanted to get the facts.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book that pulls both ways. Well written and to the point. Felt the anquish from all sides. It touches on jury duty and the responsibilities that come with that service. When you are asked if you could sentence someone to death, even if it seems that person fits the criteria, being able to actually do it, is not for the faint of heart. The book touches on the system, from court to prison, death row, the insanity plea, the intense feelings of the defense team as well as the appeal process. It is quite a story.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some flaws. It was not a double murder. The Murders happen years apart not at the same time. The book is 90% trial. Has a little background information here and there about the victims and the killer but no real in-deep look of their history. It is a quick and smooth read and held my interest that is why it gets three stars.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. I would recommend it. But I wouldn't read it again. It's about a quite man who is a librarian and he kill women with a hammer.

[J. Bryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book enhanced by my assistance.