This is one of the most fascinating and intriguing books that I’ve ever read! I actually listen to it, in audiobook format, and it was about 21 hours long, but it was so jampacked with intriguing, riveting narration about the characters involved with the South Hill Rapist case that captivated the city of Spokane Washington from the late 1970s until the trial in 1982.
The story centered around Fred Coe, and some fascinating court transcripts, but also, the author, Jack Olsen, did a fantastic job of weaving all of the characters in and out throughout the story, and also, getting us to readers, to really get a feel for who they are and who they were.
Ultimately, Coe was convicted for a series of rapes, but it wasn’t so much to rapes, as it was the odd, almost demonic, psychopathic and schizophrenic behaviors that he exhibited throughout, as told by the author, Jack Olsen.
Another intriguing character, was Fred Coe’s mother, Ruth, who could best be described as eccentric, somewhat delusional, and probably psychopathic as well. She got arrested at the end of the trial for Fred Coe, for meeting with an undercover agent, and arranging to have the judge and one of the prosecutors murdered, and a murder for hire scenario.
I read a lot of true crime books, and books about serial killers especially, but is probably the first time, that I became so involved with one of the books, mainly because I had heard of the South Hill Rapist throughout the years, but I didn’t really know a lot of the details.
As I mentioned, this all took place in the late 1970s in Spokane Washington, just 75 miles up the road from where I went to school at Washington State University, even though I wasn’t aware so much what was going on up the road in Spokane, there seem to be so many close connections with Fred Coe, even enrolling as a student at Washington State University at some point.
The book is very straightforward, not filled with a lot of guts and gore, and bloodshed, (no doubt, there is plenty, but not an overabundance), but the riveting part about the book, was the trial, the examinations and cross examinations, and Fred Coe’s strange behavior throughout.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
