Caitlin Rother did her research and this book shows it. It is extremely detailed and informative. A must read for any true crime murderino.

this was a strong true crime nonfiction book and had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. It had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. Caitlin Rother does a fantastic job in writing this and am excited to read more from them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Caitlin Rother did a lot of research to write this book as it is very detailed. Sometimes that can make a reader feel bogged down. But it's also a fascinating look into the mind of a unique serial killer's mind. This case was complex but she lays the story out nicely.

4 🌟

Body Parts by Caitlin Rother is a highly detailed and troubling account of serial killer Wayne Adam Ford. Somehow I had never heard of him before, even though he turned himself in at a time I would've been paying some attention to the news.

Body Parts does not shy away from details which I always appreciate, but I know won't be suitable for some readers as it's pretty graphic. I liked that Rother also did a deep dive on each of the victims, bringing each woman's story to light. Extensive research was also done on Ford's family, his background, his head injury when he was younger, etc.

I think this novel would work pretty well (maybe better?) as an audiobook.

Recommended for true crime readers who can handle disturbing details.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC.

Very detailed for a crime genre, you can tell the author really did their research. It can be a little dry at times especially back and forth he said she said type chapters. But really does a great job showing the psyche of a serial killer who you know is a bad person but you can help but feel what could have been had the upbringing been different. Recommend for die hard true crime fans, casual true crime fans may find this one a little tough to get through.

Body Parts: a serial killer's deadly compulsions by Caitlin Rother is about the life of a killer, Wayne Adam Ford.

It allows the reader to get into Wayne's mind, understand his motivations, sexual deviency and his attitude towards the whole thing. It gives an accurate portrayal of both the defense and the prosecutor's sides and well as the victims of his crimes. It also highlights how his brother was the one to drag Wayne into the police station to turn him in and make these horrific crimes stop.

The book included photos at the end about what you just read about which is interesting and adds to the story. I will say the story took on a less exciting change of pace when the trial began, but I feel that's what made it so realistic.

Thank you Caitlin for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Fascinating and couldn't put it down. I think one thing every true crime narration could use is a visual timeline to tie everything together, it's especially helpful when there are Jane Doe's as they have less qualities to tie them into the narrative but are equally important to reference.

I was a little bit unsure about some of the author's takes, for example when talking about Karen/Brigitte she mentions that she was such a promiscuous 13 yo [CHILD] that her teacher tried to sneak into her window. Because SHE teased him so much. 💀 Just no. While she may have been trying to flirt with her teacher, she was very much still a kid and he doesn't get a pass for trying to crawl into a child's window. Sure, the event was a different time, but the writing about it isn't.

This was a very interesting book. I hadn't heard of this case before and now it has me wanting to learn more about it.

Caitlin Rother’s Body Parts is a gripping and well-researched true crime novel that delves into one of the most unsettling yet thought-provoking cases in recent history. The book follows the life and crimes of a serial killer who not only committed horrific acts but also made the rare decision to turn himself in. This paradox alone makes the case deeply complex, and Rother does an excellent job of navigating its many layers.
What sets Body Parts apart is its meticulous research. Rother pieces together a clear and compelling narrative, even when the perpetrator’s own version of events is chaotic and contradictory. She relies heavily on court transcripts, testimonies, and interviews to provide an authentic and detailed account, ensuring that readers are immersed in the reality of the case. Despite the disturbing subject matter, the book remains focused on the facts, allowing readers to form their own conclusions rather than sensationalizing the crimes.
Another strength of the book is Rother’s ability to humanize everyone involved. She presents the victims with care and respect while also offering insight into the psychology of the killer. This balance makes the story even more unsettling, as it forces readers to confront difficult questions about morality, justice, and the nature of evil.
Overall, Body Parts is a powerful and thought-provoking addition to the true crime genre. It’s a challenging read, not just because of its gruesome details, but because it compels readers to think deeply about the contradictions within the case. For anyone interested in true crime, forensic psychology, or criminal justice, this book is well worth the read.

For true crime addicts. Wayne Adam Ford is a serial killer who was convicted in California of raping, murdering and dismembering four women. These are the women they could prove, there is evidence of many more. Why is he famous? He turned himself in. Caitlin Rother has done her due diligence in the research of this monster's life. Her skilled writing brings the horror of his crimes home to all those who would question how a person could do this.

A note to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It didn't take long for this writing to have me utterly gripped and horrified at the unfolding crimes that took place, this is definitely going to lead to me having a deep dive into the case.
I knew some vague information about this case but I feel like this really gave some valuable insight into Wayne Adam For's background and the crimes he later committed.
I was feeling strong pangs of pity when this explored his earlier years but soon replaced by horror when we learn more about what was to come.

It leaves you questioning both sides, if he truly had no control over what he was doing at the time or if he was very good at concealing this when later questioned.

This book really gave a perfect summary and included plenty of clearly well-researched detail which was evident throughout.

This book is incredibly heavy going and just repeats itself a lot. The true crime aspect of it is interesting but i'm afraid that's the only really positive I can offer. I won't post the review elsewhere as I don't want to damage potential sales

This book is very graphic. What Adam does to his Victims.

Wayne came off as a nice guy but committed these heinous crimes.

A good chunk of the book deals with the trial.

I like Caitlin Rother but she has better books.


Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an arc to review

In her latest novel, Body Parts, investigative journalist / author Caitlin Rother takes the reader behind the scenes of a riveting true crime thriller for an in depth look at a highly publicized serial killer murder case set in Humboldt County, California.

In November 1998, Wayne Adam Ford turned himself into the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office with a woman's body part in his pocket, claiming that he's hurt some people and didn't want to do it anymore. What ensues is an extensive investigation spanning four California counties, a total of four female murder victims, and a trial that led to the torture and murder death row conviction of the Humboldt County Serial Killer, Wayne Adam Ford.

Body Parts was first published on March 1, 2009, and now with an updated version published on February 25, 2025, author Caitlin Rother provides new developments to the case, the identification of victim number one via DNA testing and forensic genealogy twenty-five years after her murder.

Body Parts is a riveting true crime story that easily draws the reader in from the start, keeping them captivated as the author weaves a thoroughly intriguing and intricate recounting of a sadistic sexual serial killer murder case.

The author provides the reader with a fascinating and richly detailed and in depth look into the back stories and lives of each participant; extensive research of the investigative and legal aspects of the case; and a photo insert.

You can't help but get drawn into this complicated, fascinating, and multi-layered story, it is a gripping dark account of the sadistic sexual serial killer murders wrought by Wayne Adam Ford. It is shocking and mind boggling that this sadistic sexual predator committed such heinous sexual torture and murders of four innocent victims. After an extensive and determined investigation and pursuit of justice for the four women's families, the reader follows a haunting tale of the senseless murders by a narcissistic man that eventually led up to his conviction and death penalty sentence.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this was one of the most disturbing true crime stories that I have ever read. I had no sympathy for this narcissistic serial killer, and I felt that turning himself in was solely because of his feelings of guilt and nothing more.

Body Parts is a gripping and chilling account of a sexual serial killer murder case that is a must read for all true crime fans.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2025/02/body-parts-by-caitlin-rother-book-review.html

Great book for any true crime lover that can handle a bit of gore. I found it interesting and a good read. I know this is an updated version and I did not read the previous one. But this was great. Good job by the author and well researched. Interesting read.

**Thank you to Net-Galley, Caitlin Rother, and Kensington Publishing for the e-ARC of this book!**

DNF @ 25%

the premise is interesting (a serial killer that turns himself in?) but he is so heinous and so blatantly evil and gross that I don't even want to know the the other things he did. I can guess. There is also little analysis aside from repeated mentions of the effects of head injuries. I do not feel the need to read about a man brutalizing women if there is no major hypothesizing to be done.

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)

Publication date: 25 February 2025
Publisher: Kensington Publishing

Wow, this book was so interesting and I was hooked whenever I read it at night before sleep. Everyone avoids true crime before they sleep but I can read all the gory details and still sleep well.

Body Parts by Caitlin Rother is a chilling true crime story that definitely delivers on the "chilling" part. Wayne Adam Ford is a truly disturbing character and Rother does a good job of exploring the darkness within him, though sometimes I felt like I was wading a little too deep into the muck. The investigation and trial were fascinating and the book is meticulously researched which is both a pro and a con. On the one hand, the detail is impressive; on the other, at times it felt a bit overwhelming because there were so many transcripts and testimonies which we didn't need to read to that full extent. The updated section about identifying Ford's first victim after 25 years was a compelling addition and what made me request for the ARC. My biggest issue? While the book is undoubtedly gripping, it sometimes felt a little too sensationalised, like it was leaning a tad too hard on the "shock value" of the crimes. Also, although the first victim was identified she wasn't written about much in the book itself, I do not recall reading her name even. I had to look it up and read about her. In a way, I didn't feel that that aspect of the blurb was accomplished and it felt more like a bait. Overall, a solid true crime read but be prepared for some seriously unsettling content.

Also, I learned that he is still alive on death row. I wonder what is he doing right now within his four walls.

I am grateful to have received a free advanced reader copy of this book, and am leaving a review voluntarily. This seems to be a well researched, very informative recount of the events surrounding Wayne Adam Ford's crimes, confessions, investigation, and trial. I found it to be a bit bland in presentation of the information, however, I am well versed in these fields and, therefore, am desensitized to the information. For this reason, I was less eager to read this book than I have been with other works of fiction and nonfiction that I had read lately. Nonetheless, I very much appreciated the detail of information provided.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC.

This book was really eye opening to me. There were so many details given to the reader about Wayne and his victim(s). I have mixed feelings.

“Something About Wayne.”

History dictates serial killers don’t stop until they are caught, locked up for other crimes or dead…. So what made Wayne Adam Ford, an American serial killer walk into the Humboldt County Sheriff Department on November 2, 1998, with his brother, confessing to hurting people. When doubted by law enforcement officers, he pulled out a woman’s severed breast from his coat pocket.

Body Parts by Caitlin Rother, is a well researched look at who Wayne was, and the case surrounding the death of his four victims.

Originally published in 2009 this rerelease promises updated shocking details about the identity of Wayne’s first victim. I won’t be able to clarify if there is new information within the book as I have not read the first published edition. In fact, until I saw this book, I hadn’t heard of Wayne Adam Ford.

I feel this book gives the reader an in-depth look at who Wayne was and who his victims were. It takes you inside the police interviews and the court case. Some may say this section of the book dragged a bit, but one has to remember it took seven years after Wayne turned himself in, to bring this case to court.

Without a doubt, like all serial killers, Wayne Ford is a master manipulator. Yes he turned himself in, but then in my opinion he played a game with law enforcement, controlling the narrative and I honestly believe more than four young women died at Wayne’s hands.