This has to be the weirdest true crime book I’ve ever read. It was so matter of fact and direct. It had no life to it.

4 stars

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

This is a haunting, tragic, and fascinating true crime story. Wayne Adam Ford could present himself as a nice, likable guy, but behind closed doors, he was a totally different person. He eventually reached a 'breaking point', and that's where his heinous acts began. This is a very detailed account of his early life, mental health disorders, victim's histories, police interviews, and his trial. Some parts dragged a little but also added to the full picture.

I hadn't heard of the serial killer discussed in this book before, so I found this title informative. Be warned, however, that it is extremely graphic, even by true crime standards.

**Review of *The Body Parts* – 3 Stars**

*The Body Parts* tells the disturbing true story of serial killer Wayne Adam Ford, who shocked the nation when he walked into a police station carrying a severed body part in his pocket. The book delves into his crimes, his troubled past, and the psychological complexities that led to his gruesome acts.

True crime enthusiasts will appreciate the thoroughness of the research and the way the book pieces together the events leading up to Ford’s confession. The author presents a compelling narrative, shedding light on both the forensic and psychological aspects of the case. While it may not be the most fast-paced true crime book out there, it still offers valuable insight into one of the more unsettling cases in recent history. A solid read for those interested in the darker side of human nature.

In addition to its detailed account of the case, the book also provides a thoughtful exploration of the broader implications of criminal behavior and societal response. The author’s balanced approach invites readers to reflect on the factors that contribute to such extreme acts, while also considering the challenges faced by law enforcement in piecing together complex investigations. Overall, this book serves as a thought-provoking entry in the true crime genre, blending factual rigor with deeper psychological inquiry.

As a true crime junky this was right up my alley. Some should know ahead of time that some of it maybe too graphic for them to read if they have a weak stomach it does get graphic.

It's disturbing and well written. Keep in mind this is based on true events.

I am the biggest fan of Caitlin Rother and absolutely ate up Death on Ocean Boulevard (I am eagerly awaiting the next release that's been teased for months) - but this book reads like "old school" True Crime and it isn't for me. While I definitely see the angle that was chosen for this: a full understanding of his childhood and the factors that played into his killing - a full understanding of what he's admitted to - and a full understanding of the court system surrounding him; it didn't work for me. Perhaps the scope of this book was off (for me) in terms of what I like to know. I found myself dragging through the childhood/early adulthood chapters initially thinking everything I was being told was relevant and quickly realizing it was not, then I ate up the middle section although I lost the timeline often and struggled to figure out how long the gaps were. And lastly I did not enjoy the courtroom drama because it's just straight not for me.
I am absolutely a Caitlin Rother fan and new releases will be an auto-read/buy for me. But this was not for me.

I came in with very little background knowledge regarding these cases, and I'm not sure if that was good or not.
Rother has clearly done a lot of research and has done a great job organizing and presenting the information. The book is split into sections that delve into Wayne Ford's background, the victims, the confession, and the trial itself. Ford's crimes are violent and deplorable. This is not a book to read if you are at all sensitive to that, as readers do leave with a fairly detailed understanding of what happened to each victim.
This was a really slow read. I felt like it was significantly longer than the 291 pages NetGalley's reader said it was. Goodreads has the pages at 384, which makes me wonder if the digital reader underestimates the pages or if the ARC wasn't the full copy of the text?
Ultimately, I think some information could have been shortened or perhaps even entirely removed - such as the paragraph long sections during the trial portion that are just quotes with nothing extra added? I understand the serious nature of the content, but the presentation was dry and with so many players it was at times hard to follow.
Thanks to NetGalley and Citadel for the advanced review copy!

This book just seems to have improved with time over the years, and with the updates in this edition. It has kept a place in my memory all these years, for its shocking details. I first read it in 2009. I’m glad to see that they were able to identify his first victim at last, who was dismembered.

Caitlin Rother’s gripping true crime classic returns with shocking new revelations, shedding light on the identity of Wayne Adam Ford’s first victim—25 years after her death. Body Parts meticulously unpacks the disturbing case of the Humboldt County serial killer, from his chilling confession to the forensic breakthroughs that continue to unravel his crimes.

Rother’s investigative depth and access to key figures, including Ford’s own family, make this an intimate yet haunting read. With its extensive updates and psychological insight, this book is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts seeking a chilling, deeply researched account of a killer’s twisted mind.

Firstly, this was such a fascinating read. I was both horrified and absorbed completely.

Secondly, despite this claiming to have 'new and updated information' about the first victim, that evidently wasn't present in the copy I read (from NetGalley). I had to look up further information, so I'd be curious as to what this was supposed to include. I'm glad she now has a name.

Overall, though, this was a great true crime novel. It's such a controversial case because it follows a serial killer who did horrendous things but also turned himself in. There were so many elements to this case that really made me think.

The research for this book has clearly been extensive and as a consequence we get a clear narrative, despite the confusion of the perpetrator. There are plenty of transcripts and testimonies included to authenticate what is being told, and the author lays out the facts while allowing us to relate to every person that figures in this story.

On that, it can veer into tedious at times as we get background info on almost all of the sheriffs, detectives and lawyers involved in the case (however briefly) which can make it drag a little. I don't know that these small biographies really added much for me personally, but it did add a fullness to the book I suppose.

Roughly half the book details the trial proceedings, so this may bog down some readers. Personally, I found the grey areas of the case quite fascinating, since the arguments of the lawyers were rather black and white.

At the end of the day, Wayne Adam Ford was a brutal killer and his crimes are not pretty to read about. Yet his apparent remorse over his crimes adds exploration of an element not often considered with serial killers - conscience.

I really enjoyed this read, and I'd love to check out a finished paperback copy to read the extra materials this book claimed to have.

With thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC

Before starting this book I’d never heard of Wayne Adam Ford, his crimes or victims. I appreciate that we get background for not only Ford but his victims as well. Ford is such an odd character to me, he did these horrendous crimes that gave the jurors nightmares, but turned himself in because he didn’t want to hurt anyone else. It’s hard for my mind to grasp those contrasting behaviors, in one man.

I thought we were going to get an update on the identity of “torso girl” since she was identified through DNA in 2023. I looked it up and her name was Kerry Ann Cummings.

I did find a few typos and I thought some of the details on the lawyers, judges, and deputies was excessive so for those reasons it’s a 4 ⭐️ read for me. I would recommend this book to my sister.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a copy of this ARC, in return for an honest review! ✝️🩵

Caitlin Rother’s “Body Parts” is a true crime book that delves into the horrific crimes of Wayne Adam Ford, a serial killer who dismembered his victims.
“Body Parts” is a well-written and disturbing true crime book that offers a chilling look into the mind of serial killer Wayne Adam Ford. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of justice for victims and a cautionary tale about the dangers that lurk within society.
The book is well-researched, drawing from interviews, court documents, and previously sealed testimony. This level of detail provides a comprehensive and chilling account of Ford’s crimes. The book also centres on the victims, giving them a voice and honouring their memory. This book is a powerful reminder of the importance of justice for victims and a cautionary tale about the dangers that lurk within society. I love Caitlin Rother’s writing, which I find engaging and suspenseful. The book kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy to preview. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is not a new release. However I found this true crime story fascinating. This author is the queen of her gene. I look forward to reading more of her books