"Attractively hardboiled reporter's style... compelling precision"
"British Columbia has a rich tradition of outlaws, wrongdoing, and evil," writes Willcocks, and his selection of 40 cases stretching back as far as 1864 ably illustrates that claim. He writes in an attractively hardboiled reporter's style, taking readers into one case this way: "Drugs and sex. Death in a cruise ship penthouse. Mysterious changes to a will. Odd characters. And money—lots and lots of money." Capturing the gist of each true crime story, Willcocks also reveals a "great deal about the rest of us, and the society we live in."
Devoting a few succinct pages to each crime, he covers the still-notorious such as Robert Pickton, Clifford Olson, and the Air India conspirators, as well as a gallery of lesser known bombers, kidnappers, thugs, killers, corrupt ‘upstanding' citizens (from police chiefs to religious leaders), and deadly standoffs between government and outliers with the author frequently indicating the excesses and ethical lapses of those in power.
He chooses a few simply because they are "darn good stories," as in an RCMP sting to capture a murderous housewife and the sensational ‘milkshake murderer' of 1965. Though some register as arbitrary inclusions, all are told with compelling precision.
- Publishers Weekly
"British Columbia has a rich tradition of outlaws, wrongdoing, and evil," writes Willcocks, and his selection of 40 cases stretching back as far as 1864 ably illustrates that claim. He writes in an attractively hardboiled reporter's style, taking readers into one case this way: "Drugs and sex. Death in a cruise ship penthouse. Mysterious changes to a will. Odd characters. And money—lots and lots of money." Capturing the gist of each true crime story, Willcocks also reveals a "great deal about the rest of us, and the society we live in."
Devoting a few succinct pages to each crime, he covers the still-notorious such as Robert Pickton, Clifford Olson, and the Air India conspirators, as well as a gallery of lesser known bombers, kidnappers, thugs, killers, corrupt ‘upstanding' citizens (from police chiefs to religious leaders), and deadly standoffs between government and outliers with the author frequently indicating the excesses and ethical lapses of those in power.
He chooses a few simply because they are "darn good stories," as in an RCMP sting to capture a murderous housewife and the sensational ‘milkshake murderer' of 1965. Though some register as arbitrary inclusions, all are told with compelling precision.
- Publishers Weekly
'Dead Ends a rare mix - both entertaining and thought-provoking'
"Paul Willcocks has covered all sorts of scandals and scoundrels - from politicians to criminals - in his award-winning journalism career, and knows a good story when he sees it. In Dead Ends, Willcocks turns that experience to B.C. crime. He provides a fresh perspective and seasoned eye to recent and historical crime, going far beyond what was in the headlines.
"It's a fresh take on stories you might remember - Darren Huenemann, Gillian Guess - and on many you won't. Willcocks also delves back in time to look at crimes from the past and in so doing, sheds light on the culture and society of the times that play such a role in justice.
"Willcocks' experience, talent and thoughtful perceptions are all evident in his storytelling. "Dead Ends" is a rare mix - both entertaining and thought-provoking."
- Kim Westad, award-winning crime reporter
and author of The God-Sent Child
"Paul Willcocks has covered all sorts of scandals and scoundrels - from politicians to criminals - in his award-winning journalism career, and knows a good story when he sees it. In Dead Ends, Willcocks turns that experience to B.C. crime. He provides a fresh perspective and seasoned eye to recent and historical crime, going far beyond what was in the headlines.
"It's a fresh take on stories you might remember - Darren Huenemann, Gillian Guess - and on many you won't. Willcocks also delves back in time to look at crimes from the past and in so doing, sheds light on the culture and society of the times that play such a role in justice.
"Willcocks' experience, talent and thoughtful perceptions are all evident in his storytelling. "Dead Ends" is a rare mix - both entertaining and thought-provoking."
- Kim Westad, award-winning crime reporter
and author of The God-Sent Child
W is for Willcocks
"Whether or not his time spent covering politics in B.C. gave him fodder for his first novel, former newspaper editor and publisher Paul Willcocks’ upcoming book is a crime story. Many crime stories in fact: Dead Ends: BC Crime Stories (University of Regina Press $19.95). Certainly Willcocks’ exposure to the province’s news on a daily basis for decades provided plenty of true crime material to draw upon. Dead Ends collects forty tales of some of the most notorious killers and outlaws from the past 150 years. They include “Gentleman Bandit” Bill Miner’s train robberies in the early 1900s, the urban guerilla activities of the “Squamish Five,” Inderjit Singh Reyat and the Air India bombing, and the 2007 homicide of Robert Dziekanski.
"All the headline-making cases are shocking, appalling–and true. Willcocks was raised in Toronto and Montreal and worked for newspapers in four provinces before moving to Victoria to take on the job of publisher of The Times-Colonist. He also covered B.C. politics and policy for The Sun, The Globe and Mail and Reuters. Willcocks was the 2003 recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation’s commentator of the year award for his work in The Sun, and is a 2000 National Magazine Award finalist. He holds an English degree from Concordia University. 978-0-88977-348-6"
- BC Bookworld
"Whether or not his time spent covering politics in B.C. gave him fodder for his first novel, former newspaper editor and publisher Paul Willcocks’ upcoming book is a crime story. Many crime stories in fact: Dead Ends: BC Crime Stories (University of Regina Press $19.95). Certainly Willcocks’ exposure to the province’s news on a daily basis for decades provided plenty of true crime material to draw upon. Dead Ends collects forty tales of some of the most notorious killers and outlaws from the past 150 years. They include “Gentleman Bandit” Bill Miner’s train robberies in the early 1900s, the urban guerilla activities of the “Squamish Five,” Inderjit Singh Reyat and the Air India bombing, and the 2007 homicide of Robert Dziekanski.
"All the headline-making cases are shocking, appalling–and true. Willcocks was raised in Toronto and Montreal and worked for newspapers in four provinces before moving to Victoria to take on the job of publisher of The Times-Colonist. He also covered B.C. politics and policy for The Sun, The Globe and Mail and Reuters. Willcocks was the 2003 recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation’s commentator of the year award for his work in The Sun, and is a 2000 National Magazine Award finalist. He holds an English degree from Concordia University. 978-0-88977-348-6"
- BC Bookworld
Making Dead Ends meet
"Former newspaper editor and publisher Paul Willcocks has generated a fascinating anthology of true tales, Dead Ends: BC Crime Stories."
- BC BOOKLOOK
"Former newspaper editor and publisher Paul Willcocks has generated a fascinating anthology of true tales, Dead Ends: BC Crime Stories."
- BC BOOKLOOK