Rough Trade

Originally published in 2001, bestselling true crime author Steve Jackson writes in an introduction to a new release of Rough Trade that it was important to him to change the book’s subtitle in this new edition. Originally the subtitle ended after “Murder”, but he insisted that “Redemption” be included. I completely understand and agree it was an important adjustment – this retelling of a brutal murder case and the conditions and backgrounds of all those involved has one standout figure, and it’s neither the murderer nor the victim. It’s Joanne Cordova, a brave woman who’s been both a respected Denver police officer and a crack-addicted prostitute. She’s a central figure throughout the story, and her struggles make for fascinating, sympathetic reading. As readers grappling with difficult subject matter, her personality helps to ground these events in reality, grim as it may be. She’s also the one deserving of that redemption label, as she shows herself flaws and all, and continues even now to try and walk the right path.

Cordova had interactions with Robert Riggan, Jr., a disturbed man who brutally murdered a young woman named Anita Jones, ditching her alive but just barely at a cabin on the outskirts of town. Luckily he was witnessed in the act by a passing couple, though things were too far gone for her to survive. Thanks to their actions he was fairly quickly apprehended, and Cordova eventually became a pivotal witness for the prosecution, able to shed light on the economy of Colfax Avenue, a popular stroll for prostitution where she and Jones both met Riggan. And despite her drug addiction at the time of the murder, she retains her police officer’s skill of noticing important details and is able to supply key information about Riggan when the time comes. There’s something very Hollywood-esque about the whole thing, it makes for quite a compelling story.

As Jackson explains early in the book, little information is available about Jones, the unfortunate victim of an especially heinous murder. He digs up what he can, but the story really belongs to Cordova, who seems to have experienced the highest highs and lowest lows in her life, achieving her greatest goals only to lose them to mistakes and addiction.

Riggan’s family history is horrifying, no way around it. It’s not an easy read – very dark and disturbing, stomach-turning. A lot of the book has the potential to make you queasy, in descriptions of Riggan’s attacks on the women selling their services on Colfax Avenue and in the descriptions of Jones’ injuries, in addition to Riggan’s family history and what he does to his own family. Be warned. Rape and incest are huge issues.

That’s actually something I was very curious about and went relatively unexplored (bear with me here) – Jackson points out the obvious, that incestuous rape is practically a family tradition (heave) but there’s no further explanation for it, whether it’s a product of socioeconomic conditions, or any statistical relation with the commission serious crimes. I need some context to try and process something like that. I know hideous, gruesome things sometimes just are, but there was too much there to toss it into the story, then overlook it.

Rough Trade is a well-rounded work of true crime reportage, successfully tying social issues and the complicated underworld of crack cocaine addiction and prostitution into the case at hand. And yet, I didn’t love it – maybe with the subject matter, that was just never going to be possible. I appreciated the fast pace and the excellent storytelling and writing, and it’s clear that Jackson passionately and thoroughly researched the events. I think it’s not his fault at all, but there it is. It’s absolutely worth a read for true crime addicts.

Jackson’s new intro and epilogue to this edition, released in September 2016, fifteen years after the book’s original publication, were very insightful and helped place Jackson’s choice of and interest in the story in a more meaningful context.

My,my, my. This book is so very good and well written. You read about a sexual predator and his family members which were also predators but you also read about the women of the night. It is crazy what these women will do to rid themselves of the demon that has a hold of them.The author writes in such a way that you feel for Joanne Cordova. The author has a way of writing that draws you in and makes you feel for some of the people involved. Robert Riggan is a vile human being. This book is very good and you will not go wrong by purchasing it. Characters are easy to follow and the writing is just wonderful. I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

True account of a monster serial killer and the cop, turned prostitute who helped catch him. Utterly compelling reportage that reads like fiction. Does contain some graphic content but highly recommended for true crime fans.

A sad story, but also, as the author says, a story of redemption. Well written, held my interest all the way through. Steve Jackson does not disappoint. I have read quite a few of his books and always look forward to a new one by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, WildBlue Press, and author Steve Jackson for giving me a Kindle copy of this book Rough Trade for review purposes.

This one I found hard to write a short review about. It's an updated edition of an older story. I felt like I was rewriting the book and had to start over a few times. It's just so involved and layered and almost stranger-than-fiction like. There's a wicked bad killer, a former cop turned call girl/hooker and her friend, a new hooker. You just have to read it for yourself basically, and if you are a true crime fan, you'll probably enjoy it and see what I mean. It does go back and forth some, but many books do that to tell different parts of the story and blend things in. That didn't bother me, it's a way some storytellers like to do it. I've come to like the writing of Steve Jackson through WildBlue Press and before.

Rough Trade details the case against Robert Riggan, a man who picked up prostitutes, drugged then raped them. He gets caught when he is attempting to get rid of the body of a prostitute he's murdered and is spotted by a couple who are on their way to work along a narrow road near Black Hawk, Colorado.
Riggan comes across as a typical narcissistic sociopath who will not take any responsibility, lies about everything, makes up additional lies when confronted with the inconsistencies, and believes he is better than everyone else. He had a horrific upbringing, but that is no excuse for his behavior. The book discusses at length the trial and how Riggan ended up with only a life sentence instead of the death penalty. It's a good read for those who enjoy true crime books.