Anyone You Want Me To Be: A Shocking True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet

In this anonymous space, he was free to assume honey-tongued new identities that he used to lure women, especially those in vulnerable situations, to Kansas with promises of employment, protection, or sex. Their subsequent disappearances were explained away with letters that appeared to be written by the victims but were actually typed by the killer on pieces of paper the women had previously signed.

Ultimately, dogged law enforcement officials were able to catch up with Robinson and put him on trial after finding gruesome evidence of his deeds. It is likely that any reader will walk a little more warily by their computer after reading this book and getting an idea of who might be hiding behind a given nickname.

Anyone You Want Me To Be

Douglas The Cases That Haunt Us -criminal profiler, ex-FBI agent, true crime writer and supposedly the model for a key character in Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs- presents the sordid and horrific case of John Robinson, "the nation's-if not the world's-first Internet serial killer. Douglas's methodical pace and his careful accretion of detail to describe bizarre crimes committed by seemingly ordinary people is highly reminiscent of the work of true crime writer Ann Rule, with Douglas seeing the case as being "about sex among unglamorous people and how the Internet had unleashed so many pent-up possibilities.

Johnson, writing with journalist Singular, helpfully offers an appendix featuring "tips for helping adults and kids avoid the dangers of on-line predators. See all Editorial Reviews. Product details File Size: December 11, Language: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention john douglas serial killer john robinson true crime anyone you want serial killers serial murderer chat rooms kansas city read this book eagle scout use the internet father and grandfather husband father law enforcement stephen singular internet serial crime books well written former fbi.

Showing of 68 reviews. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Mass Market Paperback Verified Purchase. Its not for the easily upset stomachs out there. If you are sensitive, sell this book! Apparently Im not sensitive, I read the whole thing and was cheering by the time they finally Worst thing to Ever happen to those poor women.

And I wasn't even a victim. This is very important for cyber people to read, i think. It shows the depth of a psychopath mind and the deception that can happen over the Internet in chat rooms, Craig's list, and gaming. This is a mixture of many worlds, and many women , and many lies and murders. He was before his time. And I couldn't believe how MANY people were so easily trusting of him - including his own wife and children.

Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. I have read most all of the books by John Douglas, and I find his work fascinating. This book really shows you that evil comes in nice packages sometimes and we need to stay aware. Highly recommend this book. Robinson was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder in and sentenced to death by legal injection for two of them. This book is different from most of Douglas's work because he became involved with the case after his retirement He was simply interested in the case of the U.

These long sections distract from a gripping story about an "8 to 5 serial killer" and would have been better used in a book just on cyber crimes and written in the same fashion as "Anatomy of Motive" or "The Cases That Haunt Us". All in all, this book is still a great and quick read for Douglas's fans, true crime buffs, mystery fanatics, or someone looking for a change of pace in their reading selections.

One person found this helpful. It is a tale of a married man from an average family who from scamming business after business to luring young women away from their families to participate in sex slave rings, internet use to follow. Readers may not like the fact that the book is not told with an ongoing story but rather a more documentary presentation.

It does not contain a smooth running story with the: Finally if you don't like that more straightforward style you may not like this book. I got this book on a tip from a friend regarding a name in it. It was so well written that I read it cover to cover. Didnt think I would like the subject matter but it was written using all aspects of the case. And of course it had a good ending The fact there was so much left unsolved has me intrigued if there will be a sequel to this book in the future??

Came wrapped in pretty tissue paper and with the sweetest card! Book is clean and is exactly as described. May 05, T. Henry rated it liked it. Some of his statistics were so unbelievable I noted them so I could google as soon as had wifi again. And every time, the stats were actually worse today that what he quoted when the book was written. I thought, no way. I really enjoyed his Some of his statistics were so unbelievable I noted them so I could google as soon as had wifi again.

Over all, I found this an intriguing read. It was mildly repetitive. Unfortunately, it was very heavy on the foreshadowing, which released the tension, rather than building it. Jan 26, Holly McArthur rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.

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To view it, click here. The progression of John Robinson's criminal career is interesting. However, I feel this book would have benefitted from being a lot shorter. There was an unnecessary excess of detail, often repeated to the point of tedium. Although this book was published in the early s the language regarding the internet was often clumsy. The last few chapters of the book pertaining to Robinson's trial were some of the most interesting.

Frustratingly, there was no inclusion of information relating to Robins The progression of John Robinson's criminal career is interesting. Frustratingly, there was no inclusion of information relating to Robinson's inevitable appeal of his capital punishment verdict. However, this is most probably due to the length of an appeal process.

Overall, this book provided an insightful look into the way criminal activity and investigation evolved along with the rise of the internet. Jun 13, Fred rated it liked it. I found this book at a library used book sale. I had read several books by John Douglas but was not familiar with this one. It's the story of John Robinson, which surprisingly I have never seen covered by Dateline, 48 Hours or any of the popular true crime programs.

Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet by John Edward Douglas

It's another disheartening story about a serial killer who could have and should have been taken off the streets long before he destroyed so many lives. The fascinating part about this one is how easy he manipulated many well-educate I found this book at a library used book sale. The fascinating part about this one is how easy he manipulated many well-educated people who happened to be in vulnerable positions. It's also noted as one of the earliest cases involving the internet as a tool to expand potential victims. It's well worth a read if you're a fan of Douglas's work.

Oct 14, Lori rated it it was ok Shelves: I couldn't finish it. The author said the same things over and over. The book could've been so much shorter and livelier. This guy is doing horrible things to people, and I got bored. That is how slowly the plot was moving due to the author's need to say nearly everything five different ways. Jun 14, Dawn Meyers rated it really liked it.

Really fascinating gripping true crime read. I had never heard of this man but committed an amazing number of crimes including murders, before he was caught. Sep 09, CMT rated it liked it Recommends it for: This disturbing piece of non-fiction tells the story of John Robinson, the first internet serial killer. I am a mature adult who has studied serial killers in hopes to find some answers on why our society creates such monsters, and I was very disturbed at many, many parts of this book.

Robinson started off his life of crime many years before the internet became a household must-have.

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He smooth-talked his way into countless jobs, and swindled unknown This disturbing piece of non-fiction tells the story of John Robinson, the first internet serial killer. He smooth-talked his way into countless jobs, and swindled unknown amounts of money from companies and individuals. One of the most disturbing things he did involved the murder of a young single woman and the fake adoption of her daughter, whom his own sibling raised, all so he could make several thousand dollars.

As he grew older, technology made it easier for him to find naiive people that he did horrific things to. Also disturbing is that Robinson was considered a model father and grandfather by many. His wife stood by him through numerous affairs and imprisonments. This book is a must-read for any interested in psychology and human nature - Why do some stay in violent relationships?

Why do intelligent people fall prey to a man who seeks to rule over others? What makes someone so bold, so cruel, so self-centered, so violent? It was also an EXCELLENT reminder that the internet is not this safe haven people can go to and become someone else - there is a real danger when talking with strangers over the internet. My only problem with the book was that as much as the author tried to remain non-judgemental and neutral, he clearly was all for the conviction of Robinson, and rarely focused on the arguments of the defense.

Granted, the book had been written after the verdict had been given, and I certainly agree that Robinson is a sick, guilty person, but I still believe that a book should cover all angles. The second half of the book discusses the trial, and brings us to modern day. Robinson is still alive behind bars, but I don't feel the world is any safer. Aug 03, Megan rated it liked it. Very interesting and true story of serial killer, rapist John Robinson, the first serious 'internet predator' this story was very interesting as it showed an in depth perspective of what John Robinson did, how he did it, why he did it, and how he got away with it for so long.

While maintaining his own personal family life with a wife, children and grandchildren, appearing as a model citizen and someone who would 'do no harm' Robinson was leading a whole other life on the internet during a time p Very interesting and true story of serial killer, rapist John Robinson, the first serious 'internet predator' this story was very interesting as it showed an in depth perspective of what John Robinson did, how he did it, why he did it, and how he got away with it for so long.

While maintaining his own personal family life with a wife, children and grandchildren, appearing as a model citizen and someone who would 'do no harm' Robinson was leading a whole other life on the internet during a time period where the internet was just beginning to get big and most people were still unaware of the true dangers that can occur through internet relationships. Using his impeccable social skills, he managed to gain the trust of many people in both his personal and online life, posing as many different personas.

He began as just a con artist, needing money to support his family, but these dishonest and disturbing traits quickly lead to much more serious crimes including rape, and the brutal murder of both women and children. I found this book to be very interesting and informative, although I must note it did get kind of slow and difficult to follow at times, including a few too many unnecessary facts and minor details which could have been excluded.

I don't quite know why, but I have a great interest in serial murders and what drives them to commit such horrible and inhuman crimes. That being said, I found this book quite fascinating. Dec 14, Teresa rated it liked it. Robinson was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder in and sentenced to death by legal injection for two of them.

This book is different from most of Douglas's work because he became involved with the case after his retirement He was simply interested in the case of the U. These long sections distract from a gripping story about an "8 to 5 serial killer" and would have been better used in a book just on cyber crimes and written in the same fashion as "Anatomy of Motive" or "The Cases That Haunt Us". All in all, this book is still a great and quick read for Douglas's fans, true crime buffs, mystery fanatics, or someone looking for a change of pace in their reading selections.

It has been awhile since I've read a true crime books and this one was a good one to pick for jumping back into the genre. The story delves into the life and crimes of John Robinson who started life a con man and scam artist and later used those skills to lure and murder several women.

The advent of the internet helped him better find, select, con and kill his victims. John Robinson was almost obsessed with keeping his wife and children by his side to portray a normal family man as the author po It has been awhile since I've read a true crime books and this one was a good one to pick for jumping back into the genre. John Robinson was almost obsessed with keeping his wife and children by his side to portray a normal family man as the author points out repeatedly throughout the book. Douglas' take on this was that the more normal his family was the more Robinson could indulge in his abnormal behaviors.

I found that aspect very interesting. Also, I find it fascinating how much one can get away with by being a smooth talker who is good at reading other people think Manson, Bundy, Jim Jones. This book brings home the fact that you truly never know someone and you especially don't know how true the persona they show you on the internet is.

Mar 02, Katie rated it really liked it. John Douglas writes good true crime and I did enjoy this book. I learned a lot a LOT about a couple of allegedly deviant subcultures and I can use this information in my lectures about abnormal behavior. My only complaint is that the perpetrator in this case, John Robinson, was never involved with child porn - at least as far as I could tell.

Yet, Douglas spent several pages discussing how prevalent and far-reaching child porn is. Sadly, from years of experience working with criminals I am wel John Douglas writes good true crime and I did enjoy this book. Sadly, from years of experience working with criminals I am well aware of the depths of child pornography and even though it's revolting and repulsive, I can read about it when necessary. However, I don't see how it was necessary to include this information in the book.

There was also a section where Douglas described a sexual encounter in a fair amount of detail. I didn't really need to read that either. Nonetheless, it was informative in many ways and I will continue to look for more true crime books by Douglas. Jan 01, Slayermel rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: This is a fast paced true Crime novel about the murderer John Robinson, who started off his criminal career with fraud and embezzling money.

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Later as the Internet became more popular he would surf the net looking for his victims. Finding women who he could lure into his sadistic life. Once again it is amazi This is a fast paced true Crime novel about the murderer John Robinson, who started off his criminal career with fraud and embezzling money. Once again it is amazing to see what someone can accomplish and get away with for so many years just by being a smooth talker and knowing how to read other people. Compiling more and more information on them through casual conversations and then using that knowledge against them.

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Makes you really think about how much information you give out over the internet, do you really know who you have been talking too??? This book also contains 8 pages of photos of John Robinson and some of his victims. Jul 03, Roxanne rated it really liked it. This is true story about John Robinson, the internets first serial murderer in the late 90'0s A Olathe Kansas father is in prison fro homicide and some disappreances.

He pursued chat rooms and enticed women with false offers persuading them to move to his hometown. Then the women moved and disappeared. This is a new age of social media where it is easy to become a victim of cybercrime. This author warns us to be careful about the dangers of cyberspace because you do not who you are dealing with. This book is a compelling example of how the net can be used by the most dangerous people in our society. He warns us not to make ourselves vulnerable in cyberspace. A very good book, I never knew about crime on the internet before.

Jun 03, Bonnie rated it really liked it. I enjoyed the book, it was my first book by John Douglas. I would for sure like to read more by him thats for sure. As I was reading this about John Robinson and what he did, I was thinking he had to be one sick individual. I wont give away details, but the one thing I will say is his wife Nancy? I was wanting to slap her, how could she stay with him, and how did she not know?

How was he able to pull off his double life? This book though was well written and it was good one. It gave you a look at I enjoyed the book, it was my first book by John Douglas. It gave you a look at the danger that is out there in the world and in cyberspace too.