Deadly Deception: The Murders of Tampa Serial Killer, Bobby Joe Long (Florida Forensic Files) Paperback – December 7, 2017

I've read quite a few true-crime books now from J.T. Hunter. "Devil in the Darkness" about serial killer (SK) Israel Keyes -- a good-to-very-good read -- "The Vampire Next Door" -- a nearly great read about one of the strangest SKs ever who drank his victims' blood -- "A Monster of All Time" -- I'll give a slight pass on that one from memory -- and "The Country Boy Killer" -- one book that I didn't much like about one of the youngest SKs in Canadian history. And now I've read "Deadly Deception: True Story of Tampa Serial Killer Bobby Joe Long" (DD).But if you're into true crime you will quickly learn the following: most of the writers in the genre are just really poor writers, but there are a few of them that are diamonds in the rough. Jack Olsen is probably my favorite although he unfortunately died a couple of decades ago; Ann Rule was a terrific writer -- she rarely made any grammar errors which is highly unusual -- but she had a tendency to allow her personal opinions to creep into her books; and Mr. Hunter, probably the next level of writers who you can usually count on for a very good read. And even though DD is relatively short -- it's fewer than 200 pages -- it still has enough information about Mr. Long and his crimes to understand the story.I do wish that DD was a little bit longer though. I think that we could've learned a little bit more about the upbringing and life of Mr. Long and why he became the monster that he was, and I think that we could've learned a little bit more about his victims as well. But there is a fine line between too much and not enough information. I've read many true-crime books that have way too many pages dedicated to either the killer or the victims and it can become a real slog to read. DD is surely no slog, and it moves along at a very nice clip.Yesterday, or early June of 2020, I decided to purchase and watch the Lifetime movie "Believe Me: the Abduction of Lisa McVey" (ALM). I'm very glad that I did, surprisingly. It is about the one living victim of Mr. Long, Ms. McVey, who at the time was 17 years old and somehow convinced Mr. Long to release her after he abducted and tortured her. You'll learn a little bit about her if you take my recommendation to buy and read DD. But she did an amazing job of not only surviving but remembering her surroundings during her abduction AND leaving physical evidence behind. It brought down Mr. Long, and I'm guessing he really regretted releasing her after the fact. But Ms. McVey is a Florida sheriff's deputy now, and it is remarkable that she helped catch an SK before she even started her career. Very few detectives have even caught an SK in theirs. But I highly recommend buying ALM and watching it as well as it is better than it has a right to be.DD does have some of the most gruesome crime-scene photos I've ever seen in a book, but that is fine. Most of these photos are available on the Internet anyways so why not include them in the book? But I will give a minor advisement beforehand to be ready to see those photos as you read. If you have a weak stomach they might make you a bit ill. For me my eyes got big but that was the only reaction I had while reading as I've seen many over the years myself.I will write that Florida finally got around to executing Mr. Long in I believe 2019, and I think that it was about time. He was on Death Row for way too long -- pun intended -- but Florida at least has the guts to follow through on the wishes of their voters, which is more than I can say about most states. I live in California and you probably know what's happening here. But Texas and Florida are two of the only states that I know of who get it right. I'm in agreement with John Douglas, the famed FBI profiler on this point. I've read quite a few of his books and his position is something like: "I wouldn't have a problem with life without parole for these guys if they had zero chance of ever getting out of prison. But in many cases killers are released in these scenarios -- maybe a new governor gets into office and pardons them -- and so life isn't really life. But you do know that if someone is executed he never has a chance to kill again." This is surely not an exact quote but it's close enough.If you want a book about the crimes of Bobby Joe Long I'll go with a recommendation on "Deadly Deception," and you should be able to get through it in one day fairly easily, unless you maybe also buy the movie and watch that too, like I did. Once again, I think DD could've been a little bit longer but that is only a minor complaint. But if you haven't read any books from J.T. Hunter yet this would be a good place to start, but then move on to the other books I recommended early in the review. In particular "Devil in the Darkness" and "The Vampire Next Door" are really good efforts, and pretty amazing stories, as well.

The e-book Deadly Deception about the serial killer Bobby Lee long was well written and had many graphic pictures of the murder victims. The young lady who survived had an incredible memory which enabled the police to arrest Mr. Lee ultimately. If you kill the young lady, I wonder how many more victims there would’ve been. I think that the relatives of his victims should be allowed to spend five minutes in his cell with him and punish him accordingly. I will read more books by this author.

This is a very graphic book about the disturbing rapes and murders committed by serial killer Bobby Joe Long. It was a very interesting and graphic book that is not for the faint of heart. It includes very graphic crime scene photos of his victims. I suggest this book to anyone who reads true crime books.

Very well researched study of a very evil man. I really hope they finally deliver justice to this monster. No one should be allowed to continuously abuse victims and their families with the court system or any other way.

It's the same information every other author or journalist has written about Long, his victims and his crimes. The same timeline. Just put into this author's words - and he's not a good writer.The only thing different about this book is that the author includes very graphic crime scene images of several of the victims. It is not instructional or informational, it is prurient, and these women and their families deserve better.I suppose there's a market for this type of garbage judging from what's all over the web. But from my perspective this book is no more than regurgitated drivel with sensationalistic images to delight the insane. I threw it out.

If nothing else, the reader will be more mindful of locking doors, taking walks with friends, and always be more aware of their surroundings.

Read it in one day, it was amazing

Even through I really don't like READING about serial killers I found this book to be very interesting and yes he is a monster may is soul not rest in peace

It loses a star because it’s not a thick book, and it was quite expensive. That said, i’m glad i bought it. For anyone interested in the bobby joe long case, it’s essential reading along with bound to die by anna flowers. There are some VERY graphic pictures in this book, so probably not for those with a weak somach.

Interesting book and also a quick read. He's on death row and hopefully wil be executed for his heinous murders

This book kept me enthralled. I cannot believe how murderers on death row can keep playing the legal system. Bobby Joe Long should have been terminated long ago.