Zodiackillersite.com

Kim you said "if it's proven he was not there (in California)", then you admit the house of cards falls and Rader is not a viable suspect for Zodiac.

Well I think it's proven the number of days needed to be on the ground in the SF area far exceeds his maximum available leave. An absolute minimum of 80 days needed for air travel and being on the ground in SF for the July 69 -July 70 period, 4 murder attacks and 10 confirmed mailings. Even assuming space available flights from SF to Japan within a day of each murder or mailing (highly, highly unlikely), even assuming peacetime leave (impossible) and him not using any before or after (unlikely), he would have a maximum of 30 days leave available in that time frame.

Peacetime leave accrues at 2.5 days per month, a maximum of 30 days in any 12 month period. He could not have accumulated more than 30 days in peacetime, let alone wartime, as the military has a use it or lose it policy regarding leave. With all due respect, you would have known this had you talked to a serviceman, done some research or posted your theory on a message board like this before writing a book.

Over the past several years, many people have come out with books claiming to have solved the Zodiac case. Two of the authors were formerly in law enforcement, Hodel and Lafferty. Several of the books pegged thier father, stepfather or ex-husband as the Zodiac. All of the books suffered from incomplete research, lack of hard evidence, extravagant claims, illogical ideas and in many instances misleading or false evidence. In one instance a book was based in large part on one handwriting sample from a marriage license, which ZKS member Mike R proved was not from the suspect, but the priest who officiated at the suspect's wedding!

So you can see why many of us who have spent a decade or more researching the case wish writers would join a message board like this one before writing a book claiming to solve the case. The would be writers would have learned more about the case, and had their theories and evidence vetted, tested and questioned. And in many cases shown to be incomplete, misleading or wrong.

But go ahead and present your other evidence and ideas. I would be interested in them and I'm sure some others would be as well. And learn more about the Zodiac case here. We have many topics on different theories, suspects, victims, mailings, handwriting and codes.

OK, so since his military record proves he was in Japan and not in California, you admit your whole "theory" is just a money-making scam?

Well I don't think her motive was money. She is not going to sell a lot of books at $40. Especially when the facts of Rader being overseas will convince most Zodiac researchers and the general true crime reading public that her thesis is impossible.

She seems like a nice person who got intrigued by the case. That being said, I was disappointed that she did no real research on the feasibility of what she proposed. Even a cursory examination of the facts would have shown her it was impossible for Rader to be in SF for the number of days needed.

That being said, she can still present her other evidence. And as a member she can explore our many other theories, topics and suspects.

AK Wilks, I disagree and I think her motive was entirely monetary. She's not gonna get rich but she'll make a little money and that's all she wants. If she is indeed a retired detective (?), she's way too smart to overlook the discrepancy in physical locations of the suspect and the murder scenes. Plus all the other discrepancies. This book is not meant for the true crime fan. This is more along the lines of escapist fiction or some story you might find in a tabloid. Actually a lot of people like to read something that is entertaining whether it is true or not.

She states her objective is not to make money. One way she could restore a modicum of credibility would be to pledge to donate all profits to a worthy charity.

Perhaps she was motivated partly by money and/or fame. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. She seems like a very nice person. But had she done some more research or joined ZKS before publishing her book, she would have realized it is impossible for Rader to have been Zodiac.

There is no doubt the Zodiac case has attracted many would be best selling writers/amateur (or real) detectives. In most cases it is likely the lure of money and/or fame. But I can also see how good, well intentioned people can get fascinated by the case, and without outside review and criticism, swept into a delusion they have definitively solved it.

Yes if she stated she would give any profits to a crime victims fund, or other worthy charity, that would be a sign of good faith. Because her premise will strike most people as impossible, and because it has been proven here as impossible, at $40 a copy she will not sell many or even any books.

Who was it that said: "Nobody ever lost any money underestimating the intelligence of the American people."?

Some people will buy the book simply because they are collectors and buy all books related to Zodiac knowing full well that every one of the solutions can not be true. It doesn't make the people who buy the book unintelligent.

Perhaps Kim has made an observation in her book no one has noticed before now and that observation is something that can be extrapolated to a different suspect with positive results.

Try not to focus on one aspect of writing and selling a book, such as doing it to make money, look at the bigger picture.

We get your point EndOfTheWorld.

Many think TedK is now out of the Zodiac loop too, but that doesn't stop people from finding ways to include him.

Kim has been quite gracious in talking about this--let's give her the opportunity to do so.

Yes, Tahoe, Kim has been quite gracious to come on the forum and address many of the posts that people have made regarding her book. It's a rare author that will do this and it is appreciated, by me at any rate. Too many times an author will publish a book and never interact with those of us that have been following the case for years, know the material backwards and forwards and truly want resolution.

Kim has also addressed the posts cheerfully without rancor even though some of those posts were rather disparaging toward her.