Body Count

Body Count chronicles the investigation and capture of Robert Lee Yates Jr., a serial killer who terrorized Spokane, Washington in the 1990s. The seemingly ordinary family man led a double life as an Air National Guard pilot and father of five by day, while committing murders by night. The book provides an inside perspective of the four-year investigation, drawing from direct access to the law enforcement task force and detailed police records. Author Burl Barer brings a personal dimension to the narrative, having known some of Yates's earliest victims through family connections in Walla Walla. The text examines the impact of Yates's crimes on his family and community, while documenting the methodical police work that led to his eventual arrest and conviction. The investigation culminated in Yates pleading guilty to 13 murders and receiving additional death sentences for two others. This true crime account explores themes of hidden identity and the disturbing ability of predators to maintain seemingly normal lives while committing heinous acts. The narrative raises questions about how well we truly know those around us.

Readers describe this true crime book as a straightforward account of Robert Lee Yates Jr.'s murders in Spokane, focusing more on the investigation and less on sensationalism. Positive feedback centers on: - Clear chronological presentation of the case - Detailed police procedural elements - Local perspective on Spokane's community impact - Background details on victims' lives Common criticisms: - Writing can be repetitive - Too much focus on mundane investigation details - Lacks deeper psychological analysis of Yates - Some formatting issues in digital version Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (159 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (41 ratings) Several readers note the book works best as a record of facts rather than a narrative. As one Amazon reviewer states: "Good for research but reads like a police report." Multiple Goodreads reviewers mention the book provides closure for those who lived through these events in Spokane but may not engage readers without connection to the case.

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🔍 The case involved Robert Lee Yates Jr., who killed at least 13 women between 1975-1998 while living a seemingly normal life as a respected helicopter pilot. 📚 Author Burl Barer was personally connected to the case, as some early victims frequented his family's store in Spokane Valley and knew his relatives. 🏆 Published in 2000, "Body Count" became one of the definitive accounts of the Spokane Serial Killer case and helped establish Barer as a leading true crime author. 👮‍♂️ The breakthrough in the case came through tire track evidence and DNA analysis, demonstrating how advances in forensic science helped solve decades-old crimes. 🏡 Spokane's sex worker community created their own warning system during the investigation, sharing information about dangerous clients and suspicious behavior to protect each other.